The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 43

Watching the cars of Onix Moon drive away, I let out a sigh of relief and plop down onto the pack house steps. The last five days have been hectic between creating a peace treaty with Alpha Viren, showing our visitors around specific buildings and trying to keep Alpha Viren in check – especially with how his lust towards me was openly shown.

A few times I had to break up a fight or two cause by Onix Moon’s wolves goading one of my own, and I promptly sent the offending party to our prison cell for a night to cool off. Alpha Viren was not happy when I did this but Asteria and I told him to keep his wolves in check or leave. He grumbled and back down after that and on the third day of their visit they did not cause anymore fights. The only wolf that was willing to be friendly was Tristan. I even invited the Beta to a game of poker at my cottage where Quincy and I robbed him and a few of our friends blind at the game, gaining just over three hundred dollars each.

Last night we held an initiation ceremony to welcome the current group of Pine Moon wolves into the pack as well as show the Onix Moon wolves that we are growing. That Crescent Phoenix is stronger than Golden Fang used to be and will fight back if they try anything ever again. It became a “welcome to the pack” and a “good riddance” party to celebrate our new wolves and say farewell to Onix Moon.

“Ash called.” Gale states as he joins me on the steps. I lean against his body, feeling the familial comfort he radiates and breath in his scent.

“What’s the update on them?” I ask, feeling another headache begin. In two days time Ash and Edison will return with the final group of Pine Moon wolves that will join our pack. Soon I will have to face Rune after almost two months since the rejection. Part of me is ready to lay into him, to demand answers while also kicking his ass for being an idiot. The other part of me is scared. He hurt me, kept secrets from me and threw me away at the order of Valor. So how could I trust him again.

“They confirmed that they will be back in 2 days.” Gale wraps his arms around, pulling me closer to his side and giving me the familiar warmth my father used to give me when I was stressed or troubled. I close my eyes and relish in the comfort while I weight the implication of these words.

I only have 2 days before he comes.

“How is Asteria handling this news?” Gale groans at this and I laugh, already imagining what his answer might be.

“Lets just say that nephew of our is in for a beating by her.” He answers, pulling back to look at me. I catch the smirk on his lips and grin back as a hint of realization fills his eyes.

“Make that a double ass beating because you deserve a chance to lay into him.” Gale adds. I find myself laughing again at this statement and whole heartedly agree. When he comes, Rune will just be a regular wolf, maybe even a Warrior. It is up to me to decide if I want to forgive Rune or let the bond die for good and find a new Mate. Of course there is another option, and that is we can send him to an ally pack, but I have a feeling Asteria would want to keep Rune here due to him being family and needing a second chance in a pack. That’s what Crescent Phoenix is, a second chance to those in need. We haven’t just accepted Pine Moon wolves into the pack but also Rogues since our accension as Alpha and Beta. Turning Rune away would go against our pack’s beliefs.

“On another note, Caspian and Ash hit it off and I have a feeling Ash will be stealing him as a Hunter.” Gale continues. I think back to my best friend, how his tall form made him fast when in both wolf and human form. He and I were trained by my parents on how to hunt and could easily take down a large moose alone or a bear when working together. His kills, like Ash, are clean and simple and I think Ash made a good choice choosing Caspian to become a Hunter.

“Since I have two days before they come here, can I take those days off until they arrive?” I inquire, getting a nod from Gale.

“Asteria actually sent me to tell you to take a few days off. You did good in dealing with Alpha Viren and his advances and Asteria and I both agree you need a break.” I smile at Gale’s praise and instantly hug him. These two days I will spend lounging in bed, reading or even just baking. I can prepare a room for Caspian and have my sworn brother move in with me until he finds his mate and everything will be fine. Well, as fine as they can be.

Deciding to start my break now, I tell Gale that I will see him tomorrow for family dinner at his house and rise to my feet. He tells me to enjoy my time off as he stands, waving at me before heading back into the pack house. Excited to be off pack duties, I open up the pack link as I start the trek to my cottage.

[I am taking the next two days off. Don’t bother me unless it’s an emergency.] I link to everyone as I wave to pack mates that tell me to enjoy the rest.

[If any Warrior or Hunter bother’s me, you will spend some time in the infirmary.] I decide to add before shutting off the pack link. Leaving the central part of the pack territory, I follow the small foot path through a clearing towards the other side of the territory where my cottage is. The sun is warm on my skin, the air filled with the scent of wild flowers. I might go into town later and grab some supplies to paint the day away tomorrow with how beautiful the clearing is.

Reaching the forest, I follow the familiar path along a creek towards my cottage, spying my lilac bush before I reach the front door. Suddenly the birds stop chirping and the forest around me grows silent. Feeling a sense of danger, I turn to face the path I just came down only to be slammed against the sturdy door of my cottage. Before I can fight back, a needle is driven into my neck and I am injected with some unknown liquid. My body quickly becomes heavy and my vision starts to blur. Every part of me feels weak and that’s when I realize what was injected into me. Wolfsbane.

Opening the pack link once more, I feel myself slowly falling into unconsciousness. With the last bit of strength I reach out to the link and send one message before darkness takes over.

[At cottage. Help me.]