The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 77

Pulling up to the farm house, I let out a nervous breath. This is the first time in years that I will be seeing Milan again. My niece and I had been adamant about not seeing each other for everyone’s safety. Had Valor learned some of the wolves of Harvest Willow survived, he would have hunted them down and killed every last one of them himself.

“I thought you said they lived with humans?” Ash questions, looking out the windows of the bus.

“They do. The city is just ten minutes drive from here and the pups go to the nearest schools which happen to be full of humans.” I answer, standing from the driver seat and stretching. The drive here had been shorter than we thought with five day on the road and minimal stops to replenish the fuel and our food supplies. In the end, it leaves me feeling sore but thankfully we split the job of driving and taking turns sleeping on the bus.

“Besides, I own the farm and land here.” Ash was in the middle of drinking some coffee when I reveal this, nearly spitting it out in shock. Chuckling at the young Hunter, I open the bus door and step outside while ignoring his questioning look as I walk towards the front porch. I can feel the gaze of others watching me as I walk closer to the farm house, figuring that the fifteen wolves inside are curious to see who is approaching them.

“Uncle Jett!” A voice calls out as the door opens and Milan runs out, jumping into my arms. I catch her, holding her tightly as I take in the scent of elderberries and apples.

“Hey Kiddo.” I whisper, feeling my throat tightening as I hold back tears. The memory of finding her and the others in a hidden bunker, dirty, shaking with fear and skinny from lack of food still fresh in my mind.

“You look good.” I managed to say as I pull away to look at my niece. She has gained weight since I last saw her, no longer the thin as a branch she-wolf. Instead, she has put on some muscle, her body sturdier than its ever been.

“Thanks. Working as a freelance construction worker helped a lot.” She answers, looking past me as the other three men join us.

“Are these Crescent Phoenix wolves?” Milan asks, her voice a whisper and her green eyes holding suspicion as Ash, Eddison and Gale stop a few feet away.

“Yes. Come, let me introduce you to them.” Taking her hand, I pull Milan towards the others, introducing Eddison and Ash first, the two being the perfect gentlemen towards her thankfully. If they had acted like love sick pups, I would have had to kick their asses.

“I am Gale D’Artagnon, Luan to Crescent Phoenix.” Gale holds his hand out to Milan who takes it gingerly as he introduces himself. I hold back a chuckle as she looks between Gale and I, confusion on her face.

“So, what’s a Luan?” Milan finally asks, sticking closer to my side with unease in her posture. Ash snickers a bit, getting a smack up side the head from Eddison and a glare from Gale before Gale returns his attention to Milan.

“A male Luna. Asteria is the Alpha and I am her Luan. I basically perform the duties of a Luna.” He clarifies. I watch as Milan’s eyes light up in surprise. All she has known is the regular hierarchy where males rule over the pack and the she-wolves submit to them. It must be a shock to see the roles reversed.

“You’re okay with your mate being the Alpha?” My niece asks with skepticism, getting a smile from Gale.

“I like doing the traditionally “female” roles. Gardening and planning new ways to better the pack makes me happy. Leading and protecting them makes Asteria happy.” This answer seems to be the one to make Milan warm up to the others as she steps closer to Gale, a smile on her face.

“And she is okay with us joining Crescent Phoenix?”

“We all are. We might end up going to war with Pine Moon next year once Valor learns Asteria and Brynlee are the Alpha and Beta, so now is your chance to back at them.” Ash answers this time, a playful smirk on his lips. Milan rolls her eyes at him, ignoring the Hunter and I nearly growl a warning at Ash. I can see he is interested in her, but they aren’t Goddess given Mates. Milan would have launched herself at him if they were.

“Me and the others have a grudge against Pine Moon. If they want a fight, count us in.” A blood thirstiness emits from my niece and I shudder. It seems that this is something they have been planning for the last few years and I don’t blame them. It’s been seven years since Valor killed nearly everyone in Harvest Willow. Even I want a turn at ripping that man’s throat out.

“If you all aren’t in a hurry, come settle in for the night and we can leave tomorrow.” Milan states nodding back towards the farm house. With a unanimous yes, we all follow Milan into the house and the scent of the wolves living here hit me. They no longer smell like Harvest Willow, but like regular Rogues that haven’t seen a pack in years. Some wolves sit in the living room that the front door opens up to, two teenagers relaxing on recliners while three pups work on what look like art and puzzle books

“We already informed their schools that we are moving and that the pups will be transferring schools.” Milan explains as I wave to a boy I recognize. Andre Morisson was nine when the attack happened. He should be sixteen now and fully shifted.

“Everyone is excited to have a pack finally.” Andre calls out, a grin on his maturing face.

“And we are excited to have them as well.” Gale chimes in, sending a friendly smile to the pups.

“We have a guest room with 2 sets of bunkbeds. Its not the most comfortable, but it’ll be better than sleeping on a bus. It also comes with an attached bathroom we keep stocked.” Milan cuts in after waving to the pups. She leads us up the stairs and to the aforementioned room, giving us a quick tour of where we can place our bags.

After telling us dinner is in ten minutes, the four of us pile into the room. Ash and Eddison take the top bunks while I take the first shower. It’s clear by how simple the furniture and linens are that Milan budgeted every dollar they made and lived a hard life without a pack. I am happy that tomorrow we will be leaving this place behind and in a few days, they will all be in Crescent Phoenix being welcomed into the pack as family.

These wolves deserve a second chance and I am relieved that after years o being on the run, I can finally give them it.