The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 45

Following the GPS route, I turn off of the smooth country road onto a rough gravel path. On all sides of the vehicle is the dense forest that Crescent Phoenix is located in. From what I have been told by Edison on the drive here, there it a clearing about thirty minutes west from here where the Alpha has been working on creating a decoy town by a lake. It is a big project that has will need a lot of planning and approval from the Human government. Once Crescent Phoenix can get the approval, the building will begin and many Omegas and some Warriors plan to move there to make it a tourist town.

I am excited to meet this Alpha. She sounds like a good fit for this pack after the attack they went through. Has helped it rise from the ashes to the pack it is today and has given many wolves a second chance in just a short amount of time. I can honestly say that I can’t wait to get to know everyone here before leaving to find Brynlee.

“Edison.” I call out to the man in the back who looks at his tablet with a frown. The drive down the gravel path has quickly become slowed by the many wolves running along side us eyeing me with suspicion and hostility through the windows. I can tell something has happened and on the wolf riding in the van with me can give me answers.

“What is it Rune?” He answers back without looking up, an edge of iciness to his tone. I try not to growl as yesterday morning his neutrality towards me changed and no one on Crescent Phoenix’s side could explain why.

“Something happened, didn’t it.” I state. I was born to lead a pack so I can tell when something has happened to cause everyone to be on edge. It is an instinct bred into me. Silence passes and I look back using the rearview mirror to see Edison studying me. I watch as he rages a war inside his mind, probably debating on whether or not to tell me the truth. I catch Caspian watching us with questions of his own swirling in his eyes. Even with how close he is to the Crescent Phoenix wolves, they iced him out and kept him at bay.

“Something did happen. You will find out as soon as we make it to the pack house.” He finally answers. I nod and return my focus on following the van in front of me. They have been leading the way since we left our stop at a motel last night with my vehicle sandwiched between the charter bus and the two other vans in front. Its as if they are trying to keep me in sight at all times.

The forest finally gives way and in front of me stand houses and various utility buildings spread out in the large cleared space. From what Caspian and Edison told me the day Crescent Phoenix picked us up, these thirty buildings are just a small amount to what makes up the pack. There are training grounds that have been built, a pack infirmary and a few green houses in the works as well as various houses and cottages dotted between the forest and the pack border.

Those that live here at the heart of the territory are Omegas and lesser Warriors and Hunters. Some of these people even make the thirty minute drive to the closes town where they work and integrate with humans to add value to the pack like working at a bank or a clothing store.

“See that mansion on the hill by the large willow tree?” Edison asks, pointing to the large mansion that has seen recent repairs.

“Yeah. Is that the pack house?” I ask, watching as wolves stop what they are doing to watch the vehicles drive by. I notice a few Pine Moon wolves that have integrated into Crescent Phoenix and smile when I see how healthy they look. Many were thin and frail due to the way Valor and Tanya treated them. I am happy to know that Crescent Phoenix took good care of the wolves I sent their way and even sense that a few have grown stronger in the few weeks they have been here.

“We are going to park in front there so that the Alpha and Luan can meet you.” Edison continues, a smile on his face as he watches his pack pass by.

“What about Beta Lilac?” I have been dying to meet this woman. To thank her for her contribution in saving my wolves from Pine Moon. I catch Edison stiffen and notice his smile turning into a grim frown. A feeling of dread fills me as instinct tells me that what ever happened here involves the Beta. Did she betray them, die, or was she kidnapped. They did just finish hosting Onix Moon and I know that Viren is a power hungry bastard that isn’t afraid to take a strong she-wolf to bed.

“She is… indisposed at the moment.” Edison mumbles, his eyes giving me a warning on not to ask any further of the situation. I nod, understanding that if rival packs find out their Beta is missing then Crescent Phoenix will face challenges until she is found. Maybe I can help them before finding Brynlee after all they did for me. I know Brynlee would understand.

Pulling up in front of the Crescent Phoenix pack house, I turn off the van and climb out. Stretching my stiff body, I breathe in the fresh air. Being stuck in a vehicle with two males on a highway makes me appreciate the forest air more than ever.

Turning to face the pack house, I am met with a fist to the left side of my cheek and sent flying, landing on the hard ground with a loud thud. I groan as I push myself into a sitting position, only to have to doge an angry redheaded wolf as he pounces towards me. I manage to evade him on his second attempt, but his third has me pinned under him as he grabs the collar of my shirt and glares at me.

“Where the hell is she?!” He demands, his voice so loud that it draws a crowd.

“I don’t know what you mean!” I shout back, taking this chance to send a punch to his own face. I manage to knock this wolf off of me and stand to my feet, readying myself for a fight. The man gets up and races towards me, ignoring the blood that drips from the corner of his mouth. I swing, aiming another punch to his face, but he dodges quickly and tackles me once more to the ground. People are screaming, telling this man – Quincy as I soon learn from Ash trying to pull him off me – to stop. He ignores them, aiming punch after punch to my face but I move my head while blocking each blow, trying to throw him off of me again.

“Quincy!” A familiar voice roars, the power of an Alpha command rippling in the air and stopping Quincy mid swing, his fist inches from my nose.

“Get off of Rune now!” This voice continues. I try to see past Quincy to see if I am correct. That the owner of the voice is someone I have missed for the last two months.

“But he took her!” Quincy tries to reason, his angry face turning to despair as he turns to his Alpha.

“We don’t know that for sure. No one that used to belong to Pine Moon recognized their scent.” I shiver as she continues to radiate power and converse with the redhead above me. Quincy concedes, climbing off of me with a glare and a low growl. I growl back, waiting for him to step back before another hand appears in front of me. Seeing Caspian offering me help, I take his hand in mine and let him help me pull me to my feet. Once I am stable, I wipe the blood from the corner of my own mouth and suppress another growl. I swear I will return the same punches to Quincy later.

Deciding I need to face the Alpha of Crescent Phoenix, I turn and smile, looking at a familiar face that told me I would regret my action.

“Hello, Aunt Asteria.” I greet a little coldly, not happy to know my Aunt didn’t tell me she is the Alpha of Crescent Phoenix.

“Rune.” She greets equally as cold, her Alpha blood humming. Hiding my shock at the strength and power she holds within, I look at the wolf that stands behind her. Quincy is still glaring at me and I return the glare. If looks could kill, both of us would be dead by now.

“Why the hell did your wolf attack me? I thought Crescent Phoenix was my ally.” I demand, Caspian and Jett come to stand behind me. My Aunt sighs as she turns to look at Quincy, giving him a growl in warning when she notices his murderous gaze directed at me. His gaze drops in guilt and I scoff. I did nothing wrong to warrant this hostile welcome.

“We have a situation right now and everyone thinks you’re the culprit.” My Aunt states once Quincy has submitted to her.

“Yeah, I pieced together that your Beta is missing and was going to offer my help in finding her before I got attacked.” I retort, rolling my eyes. She glares at me, the same glare I would get when I did something wrong as a pup. I take a deep breath to calm down knowing that right now I am a Rogue. A Rouge deep inside my Aunt’s pack. I feel Caspian and Jett stiffen behind me, Jett muttering out a string of curses as he passes me to stand beside Asteria.

“When did this happen?” He asks, worry in his tone. Confused, I look to Caspian who’s face has paled. His jaw his clenched and his fists shake. What the hell is going on?

“You don’t get it Rune.” Caspian states, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“No, I get it. Beta Lilac is missing and they think I am dumb enough to do it.” I growl out in frustration, feeling like I am missing something.

“No Rune, Caspian is right.” Asteria states as she steps closer to me.

“My Beta isn’t named Lilac. That’s just an alias to keep her identity from you.” She continues. A sinking feeling fills me as I think back to the last time I saw my Aunt and her family. On the day I rejected Brynlee. They were together and if my Aunt is here then…

“Where is Brynlee?” I demand, feeling my own body shake. My Aunt sighs, a look of pity and sadness filling her eyes as she must have realized that my one question is the answer she needed.

“That’s the thing Rune.” She chokes out, holding back her emotions.

“My Beta is Brynlee, and she has been missing for two days.”