The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 106

A feeling of unease settles over me as I watch out the window of my office. Rune had sent me a link an hour ago warning me that there is something wrong with a Rogue that the Council sent over and to be weary of those wolves for now. When I asked him who to look out for, he told me he will explain later and gave me no further details than that. I can’t help but worry that Tanya sent a spy. I wouldn’t put it past the conniving bitch to pull something like this, especially if it meant learning where Rune and I are and killing the two of us without a trace of who the culprit is. Hell, I could even see her demanding her father to send a spy here instead and make a fanfare of my death. A death that would cause a war painting me a martyr.

“Brynlee?” Jumping as a hand lands on my shoulder, I turn and without thinking I throw a punch towards the person who has just grabbed me when the scent of mint and vanilla wraps around me. My punch is caught in a gentle hold and I find myself relaxing when I see that the person who snuck up on me is Rune.

“Sorry Brynlee. I called your name when I came in and tried to get your attention.” Rune apologizes, worry in his gaze. The bond hums in content, the feeling of being safe wrapping around me through it.

“No, I should be apologizing. I almost punched you.” I sigh out, giving him a small smile. He chuckles, placing a light kiss on my forehead that makes me blush. Giving him a warning glare, I pull my hand out of his grasp while trying to calm my beating heart.

“Is your first day of Beta training done?” I ask, hoping to change the subject.

“It is.” Rune answers with a groan, wrapping his arms around my waist. I chuckle at his theatrics and smile, the Mate Bond lighting at being held in his arms.

“It was also an eventful day.” He adds with a sigh, pulling me closer to his body and breathing in my scent. I shiver from the pleasurable tingles that run up my arm and rest my head against his shoulder. Silence settles and the Mate Bond hums. I can tell that by holding me, Rune is calming himself, and wonder just what happened to him today that made Rune feel the need to hold me so closely.

“If you meet one of the Rogues named Devlyn, make sure you do it in a crowd.” Rune mutters into my hair, holding me tighter.

“Why would I do that?” I ask genuinely curious to know what is causing Rune to become so protective. Rune lets out a sigh, his annoyance in this simple gesture making me feel even more on edge. As the Beta of Crescent Phoenix, meeting with Pack Mates in private is normal. It is why I have an office. Having Rune tell me not to meet someone unless I am in crowd is something I may not be able to do with my position.

“He is the wolf that we feel like may be a spy. I don’t want you alone with him.” His arms tighten around me, his face burying deeper into my hairline. His body shakes, the fear and worry he is keeping from me seeping into the bond. I have never seen Rune this worked up and it worries me.

“Is that what that link earlier was about? What else is going on?” I ask, pulling away and cupping Rune’s face with my hand. A battle of whether or not to tell me the truth flickers through his eyes and I wait patiently. Rune needs to tell me about this information on his own terms. Finally, he lets out a sigh and nuzzles against my hand.

“Yes. This is why I sent that link earlier as a warning.” Rune truthfully answers, his grey eyes staring into mine with such intensity that for a moment I am lost for what to say.

“The wolf I mentioned is named Devlyn and his scent is familiar to not only me but Uncle Gale.” He continues. He then goes in to explaining how the first thing they did for his impromptu Beta training was to talk to the wolves the Council sent out and explain the process we have for initiation, training and providing living arrangements. Before this meeting happened, Rune scented this familiar scent and instantly felt uneasy, warning Gale and Jett about it right away.

From there, Rune walked around the room, sizing up all of the Rogues and finding the owner of the scent right away. Jett was the one to identify him as Devlyn as he has gotten to know the Rogues from visiting the Willow Bark wolves at the guest house.

“Jett didn’t recognize him but my Uncle did. I think my Aunt might recognize him too and if she does, then the only place Devlyn can be from is Pine Moon.” He continues. Lost for word, I find myself pressing closer to Rune, feeling safe within his arms while I process this new information. Tanya did not send a spy to Crescent Phoenix. Valor did.

“Have you confronted Devlyn yet?” I ask.

“No. Uncle Gale is talking to Aunt Asteria. There should be a few of our own spies watching him by now.” Rune answers, pulling away from me.

“How the hell do you know about our spies?” Shocked, I pull away from Rune once again to stare at him wide-eyed, my mouth hanging open. Jett, Gale, Asteria, and I promised that we would tell no one about the spies we trained to anyone in the Pack. They are our secret wolves chosen from the group of skilled Omegas who can blend into any scenery and no one would take a second look at them.

“Jett and Gale let it slip accidentally when we discussed what to do with Devlyn.” Rune shrugs, his eyes full of amusement at my shock. Rolling my eyes, I make a mental note to yell at Gale and Jett later for telling Rune about our trained spies.

“I promise Brynlee that I won’t let anyone hurt you or our pup. We will find out what Devlyn has told Valor and deal with him accordingly.” The bond hums with Rune’s promise, his eyes staring into mine as his lips are set into a firm line. I can’t help but feel that what my Mate is saying is the truth. Rune will protect me and our pup no matter what.

“Will you stay with me then until we can figure out what to do next?” I blurt out without thinking. Shocked by my own words, my hand clamps over my mouth as Rune stares at me wide-eyed.

“You… you don’t have to if you –”

“Yes” Rune says loudly, cutting off my embarrassed rambling.

“What?” I ask, once again shocked by the turn of events.

“Yes, I will stay with you until we figure out what to do next about this situation.” He chuckles out, his left hand caressing my cheek so gently that it makes me shiver. It seems I have gained a new roommate in my little cottage.