The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 100

Sitting in my office, I watch from the side as our Council Representative – Alastor Levines – speaks with Milan Berhardt. Quincy is there, holding her hand as he silently supports her while Milan tells her side of events when Valor attacked Willow Bark. Her voice cracks with emotions and she has to take a moment to compose herself as Alastor passes a box of tissues to the she-wolf. This has been a trend with many of the wolves sine the interviews started two days ago.

Four days ago, Alastor came with a few other council members, the group bringing along thirty new wolves who would be joining Crescent Phoenix next week. As usual, we had welcomed everyone to the Pack with a bonfire, the Crescent Phoenix wolves excited to welcome in these new members as it means we are growing stronger. We partied the night away and showed the guests to their rooms, deciding to put the six Council Wolves in the Pack House and the soon-to-be new members in the guest house where Milan and Quincy could keep an eye on them in case any spies managed to sneak in.

The following day, Alastor had started the interviews, beginning with Rune who told everything he remembered from the time he met Tanya to the time he left Pine Moon. I sat beside him, holding his hand as some parts had him shaking with rage or nearly crumbling with tears. When he came to the part of rejecting me, he had buried his face in the crook of my neck and we sat in silence until he was able to speak once again.

After that, he had handed over multiple USBs filled with evidence to Alastor, the bag of USBs shocking the Council Representative. We informed Alastor that these were copies as we had Asteria kept the original USBs tucked away in case something happened and Alastor thanked us for this. Even he suspects that some corrupted Councilmen were helping Jonnah and Valor in the shadows and he did not want to have any of the evidence handed in to go missing due to these shady wolves.

I told him that all Alastor had to do was email Asteria or me in case the evidence disappeared and that if he would like, we would back up all interviews done per day onto separate USBs so that we could keep them safe. He agreed that this was a great idea and now two new black USBs labeled with “Council Interviews” sat in the hidden safe in Asteria’s office

With Rune’s interview completed, Alastor surprised me by asking about my recount of everything. Unsure of what to say, Alastor decided that asking me set questions was the best way to go and before we knew it, another two hours had passed. This interview left me feeling tired and sad, realizing that what I experienced with Valor as an Alpha was traumatizing. I was honest with my answers, stating how sometimes I felt uneasy around that man. How his commands led to me questioning his decisions as a leader and that I would be punished for it. Alastor said that I must have blocked a lot out as I was a pup in a place that I never felt safe in and that now that I was safe, it was easier to recall my life in Pine Moon and the oppression that I experienced since Valor knew from my birth that I was Rune’s Goddess given Mate.

Rune suggested that we rescheduled the interviews with Willow Bark for later, but I had denied that until Alastor agreed that continuing with the Willow Bark wolves the next day would be beneficial for him as he wanted a chance to review the USBs Rune had given him. With both men agreeing I needed a break before I supervised the interviews of my soon-to-be ne Pack Mates, I conceded and we planned the first interview for after breakfast Tuesday morning and soon realized we would need a few days to conduct these interviews with how well some of these pups remembered the attack.

Listening to the destruction caused by Valor repeatedly over the course of the last three days caused me to become so enraged that I had to link Asteria to see if could oversee the interviews for a bit while I calmed down. She hurriedly agreed knowing that my emotions were unstable from the pregnancy and rushed to my office, linking Rune along the way to take me for a walk and help me calm down with the Mate Bond. With all these interviews, we learned quickly that Valor is just as bad as Jonnah Cross from the way he attacked smaller Packs and black mailed them. What shocked me the most was learning he took a few she-wolves for his own pleasure and they were never seen again. We could only conclude that with all the evidence piled up against these vile men that there is no possible way Valor and Jonnah could escape the death penalty when the time came to deal with them once and for all.

[You want something to eat?] Rune calls through the link, making me smile.

[As stupid as this sounds, I am craving salami, sharp cheddar, and apples.] I answer, watching as Quincy and Milan stand from their sofa, shaking the Council Representative’s hand and giving me a small smile before they leave my office.

[With apple juice?] Rune asks and I agreed before having to shut the link. Alastor lets out a loud sigh, exhaustion evident in the way he slumps in his seat.

“Are you okay?” I ask the man, taking a bottle of water from my mini fridge under my desk and standing from my chair. Walking towards him, I hand him the cold water and nod when Alastor thanks me.

“To be honest with you Beta Brynlee, I did not expect this much corruption from two of the strongest Alphas.” He admits after gulping back half his bottle of water.

“I mean, one killed his wife because of the deal he made with Jonnah, and the other is going through chosen Mates like used underwear.” I sigh at this statement, turning to look at the closed door. Quincy’s first Mate was one of those girls. Her leaving him for Jonnah had left him scared and in pain for years. It seems Milan has accepted him wholeheartedly and I am happy for my friend.

“Did Quincy tell you about his first Mate?” I ask, turning to see Alastor nod.

“Just another detail to add to the list. If this information keeps coming in at a steady rate, then we will be able to execute both Valor and Jonnah without care of retaliation from his allies.” Alastor answers, looking down at the laptop before him making sure to save today’s interviews onto the USBs we provided. With that done, he handed me one and tucked the other into a secured case.

“Our biggest concern in Crescent Phoenix is Valor finding out Asteria and I are the leaders. If that happens, a war will break out.” I admit, watching Alastor sigh in defeat as he slups back into his chair with a groan.

“That is my concern as well. Valor is like a ticking time bomb. He just needs one more nudge and Crescent Phoenix will experience an all-out war whether you guys want it or not.” Alastor agrees, running a hand through his hair.

“We don’t want it.” I sigh out.

“Brynlee I bring you food.” Rune calls out as he opens my office door and walks inside, a tray of food in one hand with a bag that looks like it contains my precious apple juice in the other.

“Thank you. Just set it on my desk please.” I say, smiling as Rune nods towards Alastor before making his way to settle my food onto my desk. My stomach grumbles, ready to be filled and I turn to look at the Council Representative who lets out a chuckle.

“I can have an Omega bring you food unless you wish to dine downstairs and go for a small break.” I suggest trying not to blush in embarrassment, watching Alastor think over my words.

“I think I am going to go for a walk for now. I’ll grab some food before we continue the afternoon interviews later.” Alastor answers, giving me a smile. With this, he asks me to guard his equipment and I promise him that Rune and I will make sure no one will be allowed in my office until he returns.

With Alastor gone, I slump onto the sofa and motion for Rune to come join me. He rolls his eyes, bringing my requested food and placing the tray onto the coffee table before handing me a bottle of apple juice that I quickly devour.

“Cravings are that bad?” He asks, sitting down and scooping me onto his lap.

“Yes. This pup just wants apples.” I confirm with a groan, resting my head against Rune’s shoulder.

“At least those are easily acquired. We should plant a few apple trees by the cottage.” Rune snickers in amusement, placing a kiss on my forehead. I perk up at this idea and instantly agree. Having apple trees nearby will be nice if we end up having more then one pup.

“So how are the interviews going?” Rune asks as I reach for the salami and cheese.

“Good. I really want to kill both Valor and Jonnah – Tanya as well – but I know I need to let the Council handle them.” I state, taking a few bites of food.

“I can stay with Alastor when he returns if you need a break. You look exhausted.” He muses with a sigh, his fingers moving to play with my hair. My eyes close in content as I lean into Rune’s touch munching on my food. The office settles into silence as I focus on eating. Rune already stated he ate with the others knowing I was busy working and couldn’t join him. He muses that he wished he could be a Beta to help me lighten my workload and it has me thinking that maybe making him one would be a good idea. I know he has been looking into a degree as an architect, but maybe we could give him a part time position as Gale’s Beta while he goes to school. Besides, he has slowly been gaining my trust since finding out I am pregnant eighteen days ago. If I am to trust him as my Mate, then I will first need to trust him as a Beta to this Pack.

“Unfortunately Alastor only wants me and Asteria with him.” I answer, opening my eyes to find Rune pouting. My heart clenches at this and without thinking, I lean forward and kiss his cheek, watching surprise fill his eyes as he turns to look at me.

“It’s only because we don’t want any spies listening in.” I reassure him, giving Rune a small smile.

“If you want to help, how about co-ordinating with Quincy and Quest about some hunting parties. The Pack is growing and we need to prepare ourselves for winter.” I state with a grin.

“That, my beautiful Mate, I can do.” With a quick kiss, Rune places me on the sofa, telling me to link him if I need anything before he leaves my office to complete the task I just gave him. I chuckle softly, reaching out to pick up the plate of food and leaning back against the sofa. I will need to talk to Asteria later tonight about having Jett and Gale train Rune as the Beta male to this Pack and see if he truly has redeemed himself to be my Mate again.