The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 94

Watching the bus pull in front of the Pack House flanked by our Warriors, I groan as Quincy fidgets beside me. Ever since lunch, he has been on edge, even having to end his patrol early because he could not focus and nearly fell into a ditch. Had someone not been there to stop him in his tracks, Quincy would have been seriously injured. His attitude has me believing that Rune is right and that maybe Quincy has been given a Second Chance Mate.

The bus doors open and Gale is the first to step out. He makes a beeline for Asteria who stands to the side, scooping her into his arms and smiling. It’s been just over a week since he set out with Jett and the others to get the Willow Bark wolves, they must have missed each other.

Jett is the next to step out of the bus, helping the others off one by one and telling them to stand just to the right so that we can get them all settled. I knew Jett said that the majority of the refugees had been pups, but I did not expect to see so many between the ages of eight and thirteen years old. Some of these pups must have only been a few months old before the attack.

“Do…do you smell that?” Quincy asks from beside me, making me, Quest, and Rune roll our eyes at him.

“All we smell are wolves in need of a shower.” Quest answers sarcastically and I find myself chuckling.

“No, I seriously smell elderberries and apples.” Quincy continues. I sniff the air, getting a faint scent of apples from the bus mixed with something else. It is faint, but it seems to be drawing Quincy in.

“Well, whatever it is, you need to keep your composure as the Head Warrior.” I warn, watching as Asteria takes a step toward the new wolves. I smile at the pups who look at me curiously as I too take the chance to step forward, standing just behind Asteria. Eddison and Ashton finally step off the bus and without hesitation, they walk over to me and wrap me in a hug.

“Can we not go on travel missions anymore?” Ashton asks with a grumble. I let out a laugh at his grumbling and felt a hand on the small of my back. Turning to look back, I find Rune glaring at my friends and once again roll my eyes before elbowing him in the side.

“What was that for?” He asks with a wince and I glare at him, wondering just what has gotten into him.

“Ashton and Eddison are my friends. They won’t hurt me so get your jealousy under control.” I warn. He takes a deep breath, apologizing to my friends for his attitude before stepping closer to me and burying his face in my hair, breathing in my scent.

For a moment I wonder what is going through his mind while the Mate Bond hums and settles between us. I have never seen him this possessive of anyone before and it worries me. Then it hits me. He is acting like this because I am his Mate and pregnant with his pup.

I can feel him slowly relaxing from breathing in my scent, and after another minute has passed and a kiss on my cheek, he leaves my side to help the others unload the luggage from the bus.

“So, you forgave him?” Eddison asks as Ashton glares at my Mate’s retreating back.

“Yes and no. It’s complicated right now.” I sigh out, turning towards the bus entrance just in time to watch a she-wolf step out. She has long brown hair, her eyes full of life as she makes her way to Jett. He smiles, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as he introduces her to Asteria.

“Who is that?” I ask just as a loud growl sounds behind me. Turning to see Quincy storm toward Jett and the mysterious she-wolf, I move to step in front of my friend before he can do something stupid. The girl steps away from Jett, her eyes glued to Quincy.

“Brynlee, I love you but move!” He whispers in a low growl as I watch the girl from my peripheral.

“Fine, but if you harm her, I will kick your ass.” I warn as the girl takes a step forward, only to be stopped by Jett who holds onto her harm. She shakes him off before slowly walking forward, no inkling of fear on her face as her eyes stay glued to Quincy. Quincy gives me a small nod, letting me know he heard my waning before he steps around me and closes the final distance between this mysterious girl and him, pulling the girl into his arms and kissing her with such possessiveness that I can’t help but be taken aback for a moment. It seems Quincy found his Mate – his Second Chance Mate.

“Uh… I thought he already had a mate.” Ashton states in confusion, Eddison letting out a sound of agreement as he watches his childhood friend.

“Jonnah killed her for being infertile.” I answer quietly, causing my two friends to whip their heads in my direction and stare at me in shock.

“What?” Eddison asks in shock this time.

“Jonnah killed her because she couldn’t have pups. I guess the Goddess felt bad for Quincy and gave him a second chance.” I explain again with a smile, watching as Quincy and this she-wolf talk in hushed whispers, neither wolf letting go of the other.

“So who is she?” I ask, watching as Quincy leads the she-wolf inside the Pack House. I have a feeling I won’t be seeing him for a few days now that he has a Mate who wholeheartedly accepted him. Good, it means he won't try to take me from Rune from now on and can have someone who can truly give themselves to him.

“That’s Jett’s niece, Milan.” Ashton answers, sounding a little sad.

“Jett told us not to have any ideas about her unless she was mated to us. It seems Quincy is lucky.” He adds with a sigh, looking like a pup who has lost to his rival on the school playground. I pat him on the shoulder, reminding Ashton that he will find his Mate one day before joining Asteria, Gale, and Jett.

“Welcome home, Jett.” I greet him, hugging him tightly.

“I see you now have a nephew-in-law.” I tease, getting an annoyed growl from him. I laugh, moving to hug Gale next as Asteria excuses herself to greet the Willow Bark wolves, some of them already talking about Milan finding her Mate in Quincy, and I smile. It seems they will fit into our Pack without any problems.

After greeting everyone, Asteria leads them into the Pack House and we follow them finding Crescent Phoenix wolves sitting in the Dining Hall in anticipation. As soon as we all enter the large room, my Pack Mates begin greeting the new wolves with smiles and offer to have them sit at their tables. I step in and state we have tables for them to sit at and remind my wolves that our soon-to-be new Pack Mates have been through a lot and might want to sit together for the first few days while they settle in.

After making sure everyone is okay with these arrangements, I help the Willow Bark wolves settle into their seats before turning to the head table and finding Milan and Quincy sitting there already lost in their own little world. It seems Crescent Phoenix has gained a Female Head Warrior.

Soon, our wolves who went to bring the luggage to the guest house returned. Rune finds his way to my side and we make our way to our seats at the head table while Asteria and Gale move to stand in the center of the room.

“Good evening everyone.” Asteria starts with a smile, looking around the room.

“We want to welcome our soon-to-be new Pack Mates to Crescent Phoenix. Jett has told us the hardships you all faced and we would like to let you know that we will do everything we can to help you feel at home.” She continues, the crowd mumbling their approval.

“Gale and I hope that in time you all can find your place here in Crescent Phoenix and if you need anything to help you grow as strong wolves, feel free to reach out to us, Jett or our Beta, Brynlee.” I raise my hand at the sound of my name, giving everyone a friendly smile.

Rune grumbles something about how I need to be safe and not in the public eye and I give him a slight warning growl, reminding him to behave as one day he will be a Beta with me if he keeps showing me his sincerity. At this, his eyes light up as Asteria continues explaining that there is more than enough food for tonight’s dinner and to enjoy ourselves. With that, I watch as Quincy leads Milan to the table full of food as Asteria and Gale come to sit at our table.

“You think they will like it here?” Asteria asks as she watches the Willow Bark wolves tentatively join the line for the buffet.

“I think in time they will.” I answer back with a reassuring smile.