The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 59

Staring at the border protected by the men Viren trusts, I look to Tristan for any guidance. My Aunt had called me five minutes ago that she got into contact with Brynlee detailing that Viren is advancing his plans to Mate her. This nearly sent me into a frenzy and Tristan had to calm me down before I ruined our plans.

“So what do we do now?” I ask as we eye the men walking along the border again. Something big must be happening if they are keeping the borders so secured and the only thing I can think of is Viren has made his move. If we don’t hurry, Brynlee will be lost to me for good.

“Asteria said Crescent Phoenix has already surrounded the small decoy town Onix Moon owns and is working on evacuating the humans there.” Tristan muses.

“This means the humans should be out of harms way by the time the Crescent Phoenix wolves start fighting Viren’s men.” Something flickers in his eyes and he lets out a low whistle. Before I can ask what that whistle was for, wolves pop out of the forest behind Viren’s men and slice their throats, killing them instantly. We rush from the forest with the three men gone and Tristan fist bumps one of the wolves with a smile on his face.

“Glad you guys came back now.” A tanned wolf with braided brown hair exclaims with relief.

“Viren has some she-wolf that jumped out of the fourth floor window. We just witnessed him injecting her with something before having her carried away.” He continues. A snarl escapes my lips as I think about what Viren just did to Brynlee. He injected her with something, probably another drug, and this infuriates me. I turn towards the direction of the Onix Moon’s pack house, ready to take off ahead when Tristan blocks my way.

“Rune if you loose control now, you wont be able to help Brynlee.” He snaps back. I have the urge to attack my god-brother for stopping me. My Mate is in the hands of his lunatic Alpha and Goddess only knows what he just injected into her.

“Brynlee… is that the blond girl’s name?” The tanned wolf asks, a look of concern on his face as he watches me wearily.

“Yes. That is my Mate’s name.” I answer, a look of understanding crossing this wolf’s face.

“Tristan, stop blocking this man and let him go save her.” The tanned wolf turns his attention to Tristan and I instantly want to hug this wolf for agreeing with me.

“I can’t Carl. We need to make sure all the weaker wolves not on Viren’s side are safely tucked away first. Add on the fact I can’t reach Delilah means we need to play this safe.” Tristan sighs out, worry and fear mixed into his words. It takes a moment for me to remember that his Mate’s name is Delilah and I feel guilty for my early reaction. It’s not just my Mate stuck under Viren’s control, but these wolves’ Mates as well.

“They are safe, Tristan. Delilah and your pup are in the safe rooms with the other weaker wolves on our side.” Carl – the tanned wolf – reassures Tristan and I watch as my god-brother sighs in relief.

“Then are our men ready to fight?” Tristan asks Carl, a look of determination on his face.

“As ready as they can be.”

“Then lets go.” With that, Tristan motions for his men to move forward, our group of now thirty-six moving quickly through the forest. Tristan’ eyes glaze over for a moment as he sends orders to those ready and waiting in the pack. By the time we exit the forest and reach the clearing that houses the pack house, a battle scene greets us.

Wolves in both human and wolf form fight one another. Bodies and blood cover the ground making me wonder just how many people had joined Tristan in his quest of revolution.

Our groups splits up and my fingers turn to claws as I fight alongside Tristan, the two of us wordlessly getting into a routine of kicking, punching and clawing any wolf that stands in the way. I allow my anger and rage at knowing Brynlee is injured and at the mercy of Viren to fuel my fight. My claws slash through skin and fur alike, the warriors under Viren’s command fighting ferociously.

“Alpha Viren is in the middle of claiming his Mate!” A man shouts from the doors to the pack house.

“Stop these rebels at all costs until we have gained a new Luna!” I recognize the man as Tobby and my furry grows. I allow the power in my blood to boil over, the power of an Alpha and killing intent within me causing many wolves to cower in fear momentarily, allowing Tristan and me a chance to end their lives before they can regain their senses. It is clear that our goal is to make it to the pack house but mine is fueled with the need to save Brynlee while Tristan’s is fueled with the need to kill Viren.

We kill another five wolves, gaining some injuries of our own that cause me to wince when I move. Tobby stands in front of the pack house doors like the dutiful guard dog he is and with a nod to Tristan, we rush towards him. Tobby expects us, meeting us at the base of the steps and instantly attacking me first. A look of killing desire crosses his eyes and I know that I am his main target. If he gets rid of me, there will be no competition for Viren to take Brynlee even if it’s against her will.

Tristan and I go blow for blow with Tobby, playing a game of cat and mouse where I attack, then retreat , Tristan takes a swing at Tobby the moment I am out of the way. Our aim is to tire him out before one of us can land the killing blow and as I swing my claws towards his throat after Tristan creates an opening, I stumble and mis my target, instead my claws connect with Tobby’s shoulder as a searing pain of heat and lust spreads through my body.

Tristan is quick to follow up with another blow, his claws aiming for Tobby’s throat. The large man moves to guard his weak spot and mid-step Tristan changes his aim, slashing claws through Tobby’s abdomen and disembowelling the man. Tobby coughs out blood, stumbling back and falling onto the pack house steps. Instead of looking pained and regretful, he looks smug as he turns his dying gaze to me.

“You felt the effect, didn’t you?” He wheezes out, coughing up more blood.

“What do you mean?” I demand, stepping towards the dying man.

“I mean that Alpha Viren is ready to claim your Mate as his.” With these final words, Tobby coughs once more, blood seeping from his mouth, before his body goes limp. I feel the lust building inside me and realize what his words mean. This isn’t my emotions, but Brynlee’s.

Without looking back to see if Tristan needs my help, I rush into the pack house and find it eerily quiet. Tristan’s footsteps sound behind me as we climb the steps. What ever Viren injected Brynlee with earlier is bringing about her first heat and if I don’t make it to her in time, Viren will use her lust clouded mind as a way to claim her as his and I will loose Brynlee forever.