The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 88

Glaring at the email before me, I suppress the growl threatening to spill. Our council representative has been hard at work investigating Valor, Tanya, and Jonnah to the point they have begun questioning the destruction of smaller Packs surrounding Blood Claws and Pine Moon. What is worse is that other than Willow Bark, no other survivors have been found from any of these smaller Packs that were destroyed. For all the Council knows, they have either become Rogues hiding deep in the forests in wolf territory or blending with Humans in the many cities.

One thing is for sure, Jonnah and Valor have committed more crimes than we originally thought.

Reading further along the email, my eyes widen and my hand instinctively reaches for my stomach. Judging by the images attached to the email and the medical report the Council’s spies were able to obtain, it seems that I am not the only one expecting a pup. Now the question is, whose is it?

“Brynlee, are you in here?” The door to my office opens and Rune walks in, a smile on his face and the smell of food wafting inside as he steps into the room and notices me. His smile drops and his brows furrow before he closes the door and rushes to my side.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, placing a basket on top of my desk while taking my free hand in his, his concern for me pulsating in the Mate Bond. I frown, unsure what to say and so instead I motion to my laptop and move the chair I am on over to the side so that Rune can look at the screen. He stares at me with a mix of worry and confusion but when I give him a nod of permission, he moves to read the report on my screen while continuing to hold onto my hand.

The office grows quiet while Rune focuses his attention on the email, his thumb moving across my hand in a comforting way. Suddenly he lets out a low snarl, his body shaking and rage radiates off of Rune in waves.

“She is pregnant.” He states, his voice low and threatening.

“She is. The spies sent by the Council confirmed it.” I answer, turning to glare at Rune. He was the one engaged to her. Had dated her for most of our teen years until just recently. I can’t help but be suspicious of him and can’t dismiss that the pup inside Tanya is his.

“Is it yours?” I ask as emotionless as I can although my heart feels like it might shatter once more. If it is his, then I will reject him now and move on with my life.

A look of shock spreads across Rune’s face from my question before it is gone suddenly. Rune is quick and moves closer to me, kneeling in front of my chair. The Mate Bond hums to life as he looks at me, sincerity in his eyes as he takes the hand still resting on my stomach in his free hand and presses a kiss on the back of my hand.

“You felt the last time I touched her.” He begins to explain, his grey eyes searching mine as anxiety rolls off of him in waves.

“When Jett told me you felt that I refused to touch Tanya ever again. Not until I had marked her like Valor intended. Even before that, I made sure to take precautions and prevent her from getting pregnant.” Rune says with sincerity, his tone even as his eyes stare into mine. I take a deep breath and scent the air, seeing if I can sense any lies but find that Rune is telling the truth. Even the Mate Bond hums and I know that without a doubt Rune is not lying to me.

“Then who’s pup do you think she is carrying?” I ask with a whimper in my voice, getting a sigh of relief from Rune.

“I am positive that the pup is Valor’s and that in due time I will have a half-sibling.” He answers, his voice shaking with anger as his words end in a growl. I think back to the email he sent weeks ago about Tanya and Valor having an affair behind his back. It seems that Tanya chose to have Valor impregnate her to secure her spot as Luna of Pine Moon whether or not she married Rune. But the thing is, had Rune marked her as Jonnah and Valor had intended, Tanya would have miscarried the pup.

“I believe you.” I finally say after a moment of silence passing between us, watching Rune’s lips curve into a wide smile.

“Good because I promise you that no matter what, I will never cheat on you.” He vows, pressing a kiss to the back of my hand that he still holds. My heart does a little flutter at his words and for a moment I wonder if I should give him a proper second chance.

“There is more.” I sigh out, giving Rune a sad smile as I know what I have to say will dampen the mood some more.

“It seems the trial for these three will not happen until next year during the Annual Assembly of Alphas. The Council needs more evidence and so I will have to talk with the Willow Bark wolves about sitting down with Alastor Levines and recounting the tyranny they faced by Valor.” Rune is quiet after my explanation, his brows once again furrowed while his thumbs rub the back of my hand.

“What does Aunt Asteria say to this?” He asks.

“She has already called Gale and asked him and Jett to talk to the Willow Bark wolves. We will know their answer the day they arrive home.” I answer back, getting a nod from Rune.

“There isn’t much we can do with this topic till they answer so how about we eat some lunch and work on what I came here to help with.” Climbing to his feet, Rune gently pulls me out of my chair, his eyes full of warmth. I allow him to lead me away from my desk and towards the sofa after he released one of my hands to grab the basket full of food.

“I brought you some food since it is past lunchtime and I have a feeling you still have that habit of getting lost in work and forgot to eat today.” Rune states with a chuckle making me roll my eyes at him. My stomach growls as we take a seat on the sofa and with a grin, Rune begins to remove the items from the basket and set them before me on the coffee table. The smell tantalizes me and after a bit of hesitation, I reach for one of the plates set before me, finding fried rice, vegetables, and lemon chicken on it. Rune hands me some cutlery and with lunch between us, we begin discussing plans to expand the Pack for the thirty wolves coming from the Council that plan to join Crescent Phoenix.