The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 119

Staring at Brynlee I no longer see the scared little girl I watched grow up before my eyes. Instead, I see a woman who is strong and powerful. Who has grown into the role that Goddess gave her the day she revealed my nephew as her Mate. I don’t know when the change in her started. Don’t know when she went from being a strong Beta willing to work beside me where I can keep her safe, to the strong Alpha female that stands against me.

[Love, we need to let them go.] Gale links me, his words drawing my attention to him. He has never opposed me on my decisions since we first learned we are Mates. We were always a team standing side by side.

[But I don’t want to lose them. They are our children too.] He sighs, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. With his touch, I can block out the power radiating off of Brynlee and Rune. Can handle the pressure that those two have put on me. They are strong wolves and have always been strong wolves. But together, Brynlee and Rune are an unstoppable force.

[We won’t lose them, Asteria. If anything, we will be helping them step into a role they were always meant for.] I close my eyes reluctantly at his statement. Gale is right, as usual. He is my voice of reason and right now I am being unreasonable. I knew Brynlee and Rune were growing restless here. They may not have noticed it, but I did. They weren’t meant to be Betas stuck under someone else. They were meant to rule.

“Fine.” I finally croak out, wiping away the tears that flow freely.

“We will do things your way under one condition.” I add, turning to look at Rune and Brynlee. The power they radiate is retracted back into their body and the tension in the room is released. Everyone takes a deep breath, Milan looking visibly shaken. It must have been hard for my Pack Mates to feel such power in this tiny boardroom.

“What is your condition?” Brynlee asks, relief clear as day in her eyes as she leans against Rune. Exerting herself so much must have taken its toll on her.

“We have to call in our own allies including Council Representative Alastor.” I state. Brynlee goes to say something but I hold my finger up, causing her to pause while I take a moment to think about what I need to say next.

“Valor is planning to attack us in two months. This means we need to act and act fast. Whatever it is you have to do needs to be planned and done in six weeks. Do you think you can do this?” Brynlee pauses for a moment, turning to look at Rune. Their eyes glaze over and for a moment I see what Clairice saw. Two strong wolves who can change the world we live in. Who can take down the tyranny of Valor Rider and Jonnah Cross.

“Four weeks to plan and two weeks to make our way to Pine Moon and ready our attack.” My nephew calls out, shocking me.

“What?” I ask confused by this statement.

“Brynlee and I agree that we need to plan a counterattack and call our allies but there is only one Pack we trust to join us. We will use four weeks to plan and the last two to ready for the attack on Valor and Tanya.” Rune explains with a smirk on his face.

“Not only that, but we need Devlyn as well. We need to know if there are any wolves left in Pine Moon that want change and he is the best person for this task.” Brynlee chimes in, supporting her Mate. Yes, Clairice was right when she said that Rune and Brynlee would be a force to be reckoned with all those years ago. Talia and Knox would be proud of the woman their daughter has become.

“Fine. We will prepare everything with only one allied pack then. So who do you have in mind?” I agree, watching as Rune’s smile turns into a wide grin.

“Alpha Tristan of Shadow Rose.” Rune answer. I find myself smiling at this. Tristan would be a perfect ally in taking down Valor. He despises my brother as much as everyone else does. Since his ascension after taking down Viren and changing Onix Moon to Shadow Rose, the Pack has flourished under his and Delilah’s rule. If we tell him of our situation, he will join us. If Rune, his god-brother, asks him for his aid in taking down Valor and reclaiming Pine Moon as theirs, he will do it without hesitation.

“You and Brynlee will need to be the ones to call him then. If you plan to be Alphas, then you need to start acting like ones.” Gale states and I find myself nodding along. My mate is right, we can’t hold on to these pups anymore. They are to be parents soon and need to learn to stand on their own. We can be there to support them and cheer them on but attacking Pine Moon and reclaiming that Pack is their decision. We can’t plan everything for them.

“That’s fine. We can take a break for lunch and reconvene in an hour. By that time, Rune and I should have Tristan’s answer.” Brynlee agrees, a smile on her face. She looks so much like her mother at this moment. Like the strong independent she-wolf that her parents wished her to be. She would have never become this she-wolf had she not been rejected months ago.

“Then let's convene in an hour. Hopefully, we can have Tristan on a conference call.” I agree instantly, turning to my Head Warriors Quincy and Milan,

“In the meantime want you two to grab Ashton and Devlyn and bring them up to speed. I want those two joining us for the next phase.” I order them, getting a yes Ma’am before everyone leaves the boardroom.

“Did we make the right decision?” I find myself wondering as I fall back into the soft leather chair.

“We did.” Gale confirms from beside me. I look at my Mate, feeling happy that he is standing beside me instead of against me again.

“Brynlee and Rune can do this. We will be rid of Valor and Tanya in no time and no longer have to fear for our lives.” My mate continues, taking my hand in his and pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it.

“It’s not Valor and Tanya I am worried about. It’s what Jonnah Cross will do when they kill his daughter and unborn grandpup.”