The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 14

Standing at the Library doors looking inside the sparkling room, I find myself smiling despite my exhaustion. The last seven and a half hours had been tiresome from taking down all the dusty curtains and vacuuming up the dust to cleaning the tables we used to organize the freshly cleaned books to moving furniture around. The windows now sparkled and I was delighted to have learned that the wolves who were cleaning the rest of the first floor had come to an agreement of sending four wolves to clean the windows on the outside.

“So, we really will have community computers in here for the pack to use?” Ash asks in excitement and I nod.

“Some wolves don’t have computers at home so having at least ten to be used here will give everyone access to the internet for homework, research and finding jobs in the towns and cities outside of the pack that will benefit us.” I answer, running a hand through my blond hair and grimacing at the grungy feel. Cleaning had left me covered in dust, dirt and sweat and I know deep down I need another shower before the Council Representative arrives at six tonight.

“So, who will be in charge of the Library now that it is usable again?” Odette askes. I open my mouth to say she will but stop myself as I am still unsure of her role in the pack. I know Odette commands a lot of respect from the Omegas, her calm yet stern demeanor making them follow her loyally so having Odette as a Librarian would be a loss for the pack.

“How about Alayne.” Savanah chimes in, shocking me. We all turn to stare at the she-wolf, everyone wanting to hear her explanation.

“What? Alayne went to school to become a teacher but has yet to find a job so she worked in the pack house. If she works in the library, she can help the pups find their research materials and run reading time for the toddlers so that their mother’s can take a break.” She continues explaining, rolling her eyes. Alayne looks down timidly, a blush on her face at the praise that Savanah has given, but I can see a look of hopefulness in her eyes.

“I guess Alayne is our pack Librarian then.” I concede with a smile, deciding I will inform Quincy of this after we speak with the Council Representative. With this decision made, I tell everyone to head home and shower and that tomorrow we will work on the second floor. Ash groans but doesn’t protest to this as he is the first to leave stating he will be needing at least four showers to clean the dust from his skin. Rolling my eyes at Ash, I decide to take a look around the first floor and see if any of the Omegas need help with their task, finding that everyone had finished cleaning and that other than the kitchen crew, they were all going home for a shower before coming back for a pack dinner.

Happy with today’s progress, I make my way up to my temporary room and step inside, ready to have my own shower and clean off the grime of the day. The sudden scent of lavender Lysol causes me to pause as I look around the room both in shock and gratefulness. It seems someone came in and cleaned my room while I was away as the windows were left open, the fresh warm spring breeze flowing in. The dust was gone, the vanity, dresser and desk left sparkling and the bed aired out with new bedding on top. My suitcases we left at the foot of the bed and after hefting them onto the dresser, I confirm that nothing was missing.

Making my way to the bathroom, I find the tiled floor whiter than I though possible, the bathtub-shower combo scrubbed and no longer covered in grime. Wondering if the other rooms were cleaned, I exit mine and check the one across the hall only to be met with more dust than in the library that left me coughing and sneezing. It seems only my room was cleaned. I really should thank the Omegas for their hard work.

Returning to my room I quickly shower, scrubbing away the dust and grime from my body and hair until the water ran clear and my skin felt raw. I know tomorrow will be another day of cleaning and I will have to scrub another layer of skin off all over again, but I can’t help but relish in the feeling of being cleaned as I slip on a pink sundress and a pair of black heels.

The Council Representative will be here any moment now and I promised Quincy I would join him in the sitting room while we wait and support my new friend what whatever he decides is best for Golden Fang. After double checking my outfit and making sure my hair is dried, I leave my room and am careful not to touch the dusty walls.

“You and the Omegas did a good job so far.” Someone calls out as soon as my feet touches the hardwood flooring of the first floor. Looking around, I find Quincy leaning against the sitting room door frame, a friendly smile on his lips. His eyes seem less hollow than this morning but a weariness still persists in the way he moves.

“I only helped with the Library with a small team. Everyone else did all the hard work.” I shrug, stepping towards the man. His smile grows as I praise his packmates and the two of us make our way inside the sitting room. We still have twenty minutes until the Council Representative arrives.

“So what do you think they will use for transportation?” I ask, looking out the window towards the main road that leads out of the pack.

“They probably flew by plain to the nearest Airport and took a helicopter.” Quincy answers, coming to stand beside me.

“Golden Fang is close to Council Headquarters but it will still take two weeks by car to get here. I don’t see them wasting time in driving when flying is faster and only takes a few hours to get here considering the attack only happened yesterday.” He explains, my eyes widening with surprise. To think Onix Moon would risk an attack with the Council Headquarters be so by.

“There you two are!” Turning towards the door, I watch as Miss Asteria struts inside wearing a red maxi dress. Her brown hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun and face styled with light make-up.

“Are you ready to face the Council?” She asks with amusement. I roll my eyes at her as Gale shakes his head in exasperation.

“I am just ready to get the formalities out of the way.” Quincy answers, letting out a small chuckle before he takes a seat on the only armchair in the room.

“I think we all Are. Remember, we are just here as moral support for you Quincy.” Gale chimes in, taking a seat on the sofa with Miss Asteria joining him.

“Once the formalities are done, we can go discus the meeting with the Beta couple. The woke up earlier this morning and have been moved out of the I.C.U.” Miss Asteria states.

“So they are okay?” I ask, feeling relieved. It seems this pack will have leaders after all.

“As okay as they can be with their pack being destroyed.” She answers, giving me a small smile.

“Albert and Marisol are strong wolves. They will be healed in no time.” Quincy states with conviction. I nod, not knowing what to say and instead turn to look out the window, spotting a black dot moving towards the pack house and slowly growing larger and larger until I make out the shape of a helicopter, the Council Logo displayed for all to see.

“Heads up, they are here.” I call out, getting a groan from Quincy.

“It’s show time I guess.” He sighs, standing from his chair. We let him be the first to leave the room, Gale, Miss Asteria and I following behind him as we wait at the bottom of the steps in front of the pack house. The helicopter starts to descend, the wind from the blades causing dust to fly about. I find myself needing to hold my dress down and glare at the helicopter because of this inconvenience. The blades continue to spin as the helicopter lands, slowing down with each rotation until coming to a complete stop. The door is opened from the inside once the area becomes quiet and I watch as a young male in his mid thirties climbs out, a smile on his face as he looks around.

“It seems this place is on the mend.” This wolf muses, his attention turning to us.

“I am guessing you are currently in charge considering the other three carry the scent of Rogues.” Walking towards Quincy, the Council Representative holds his hand out in greeting, his eyes scanning over Miss Asteria, Gale and me.

“For now, yes. I am Quincy Steele, Head Warrior of Golden Fangs.” Quincy confirms, shaking this man’s hand.

“Alastor Levines of the Council.” Alastor greets, his smile slowly falling.

“I am sorry for what your pack has endured. We have sent a representative to Onix Moon for punishment.”

“Thank you for letting me know. I hope there will be dire consequences for what they did to us. Shall we discus the next steps inside.” Quincy keeps his voice steady and I find myself impressed by how calm he has remained so far. I just hope he can continue remaining this calm until Alastor leaves. Taking the lead, the five of us head inside the pack house and situate ourselves in the sitting room.

“It’s cleaner than the last time I was here.” Alastor mumbles in shock, swiping his fingers along the coffee table.

“We have Brynlee here to thank for that. Our Beta pair Albert and Marisol are planning to train her to take their position in the future.” Quincy praises, turning to give me a wink. I blush in embarrassment but keep my head held high.

“Well, if your pack can find a proper candidate as the Alpha of Golden Fang, then you will have a competent Beta.” Alastor gives me a smile, his piercing hazel eyes staring at me with curiosity. I meet his gaze, my lips set in a soft smile as I wait for this Council Representative to say anything else about me, but I am left surprised when he nods and returns his focus to Quincy.

“Now, lets get down to business on why I am here.” Alastor lets out a sigh, rummaging through the inside of the business jacket he wore before producing a scroll.

“In here is the formal declaration that Golden Fang has seven days starting today to find a new Alpha. If in that time frame you do not find an Alpha, the Council will deem the wolves Rogues and seize the land.” He begins, looking sternly at Quincy.

“If in the time frame allotted and Alpha has been decided on, You have until the seventh day to notify the Council of who the new Alpha will be, their Luna and their chosen Beta. From there, the Alpha has another three days to decide if the pack shall be renamed.” I watch Quincy’s jaw clench and instinctively reach out to hold his hand, feeling my new friend hold mine back and watch as he takes a deep breath.

“What if we, if Golden Fang, decide we need more time to think?” Quincy asks, his hand tightening around mine.

“Then give me a call. My number is on the scroll and if you need more time due to the Beta couple being injured, then I will see what the Council says.” Alastor answers, his gaze softening.

“I know what you all went through is rare. The Council is willing to work with you if you need is.” With that, Alastor gets up, telling us that he needs to rendezvous with his pack mate that went to Onix Moon. Gale and Miss Asteria see’s him off while I sit with Quincy.

“What if I can’t find an Alpha for Golden Fangs?” He asks, tears falling down his face once it is just the two of us. I move closer to my new friend, hoping that my presence can comfort him.

“If you can’t find an Alpha you can trust, then you become the Alpha this pack needs.” I state, watching Quincy stiffen.

“I’m not sure if I can do a good job leading.” He answers, his words hanging between us in the air. Lost for what to say, I wrap my arms around Quincy and just sit there, comforting him as best as I can while he finally breaks and lets his tears fall.