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CHAPTER 132
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Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 133
Athena POVThe room was glowing warm and golden as the gentle morning light came in through the gossamer drapes. In sharp contrast to the stench of combat that had formerly filled the air, a light breeze blew the delightful aroma of wildflowers through the open windows.I stopped as my eyes opened to just breathe and enjoy the peace of the moment. There was no sense of mounting dread or imminent danger just beyond the horizon for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.I had won. Against all the circumstances, our family had triumphed in the furnace of hardship, our relationships strengthened in the furnace of war.With a happy sigh, I turned to see the sleeping figure next to me. My partner, my other half, Sebastian, reclined in quiet rest, the caress of sleep smoothing his chiseled features.He emanated a quiet power even in this vulnerable state, a resilience that had got us through our worst moments. I could not resist and with my feather light fingertips traced the contou
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 134
Athena & Sebastian POVI had never seen such a depth of grief in Sebastian's eyes, as though he were exposing his entire soul for my assessment. Sitting in the quiet of our rooms, the roaring fire created flickering shadows over his chiseled features.He started, "You deserve to know everything, my love," his voice barely audible above a whisper but with a weight that seemed to vibrate through the air itself. "No longer omissions, no more half truths, no more secrets." A piece of me wanted to argue, to reassure him that the past was behind us and that the future we would create together was what counted. Deep down, though, I understood that without total candor between us, real healing would never occur.I therefore said nothing, allowing him to reveal the facts that had been hidden for far too long.Sebastian took a breath that settled, his eyes far away as though he were looking into the recesses of a long gone past.You knew me to be a strong, unflinching man. But that was just a f
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 135
Sienna Mother POVThe elaborate stained glass windows let in a kaleidoscope of hues that spread across the chilly stone floor in the morning. But the vivid colors did not much help to dispel the veil of regret and grief that had settled inside these sacred walls.I knelt before the altar, my old hands clenched in intense prayer, looking for comfort in the presence of God. But even as the words came out of my mouth, rote recitals learned since I was a child, a part of me questioned whether I was deserving of the forgiveness I so much wanted.Because I was a mother, a title carries with it the holy responsibility of raising and directing the priceless life placed in my charge. But I had failed my daughter in the deepest way possible, letting the dark tendrils take root in her heart.Sienna.Just saying her name would rekindle the old, smoldering wounds of shame that had tarnished my spirit. I had gone wrong there. What moment had I let the lovely, innocent child I had held in my arms de
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 136
Sebastian POVI looked about the gathered wolves. With a mix of respect and expectation, nightwalkers, former Black Moon rogues, and even the survivors of the scandalized Silver Moon pack under Scar, all observed me. My family, my packmates, waiting for the vision to lead us on after so much upheaval.As I spoke, "Brothers, sisters, fellow Nightwalkers," I slipped into the rhythm of an Alpha speaking to his pack. "We have seen tragedies and betrayals that could have destroyed our very life. The things Sienna and her friends did ripped open old scars and opened new ones that will take time to mend."Unconsciously, I squeezed my hand as images of Athena's near death from Sienna's poisoning, my own family turning against me, and the horror in my kids' eyes as they were used as pawns, flooded me. The wounds were profound even at this triumphant time."Let us never forget the great price we have paid to reach this point," I said firmly. The lives taken, the holy ties severed by manipulatio
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 137
Anna POVThe ceremonial clearing reverberated with the loud applause of the reunited pack as I saw my parents triumphantly raise their linked hands. I could have easily forgotten the darkness they had both gone through to come to this point with Mom's brilliant grin and Dad's proudly inflated chest.Very nearly, but not quite. Those would not go away so quickly, the memories of being exploited as a defenseless pawn, dangling in front of them by Sienna and Scar like some sadistic bargaining chip. Mom was poisoned and only Dad's hurried blood transfusion saved her alive, and that image will never leave my memory.They had given up in ways most people could not even imagine, bleeding for this moment. All to protect the sacredness of our pack and way of life and guarantee a legacy for my brother Hendrix and me to inherit someday.Something in me still found it amazing that they had survived such horrific hardship. How many more couples could have made a full recovery from the total breakd
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 138
Hendrix POVAs I drank in the wild celebration, the wild grin kept splintering my face. There were a lot of moons of conflict, treachery, and claw-to-fang fighting before this one moment of triumph and atonement. The blazing promise of an unbreakable future forged in the furnace of my parents' rekindled marriage replaced the shadows of the past.With bursting pride, Mom and Dad looked out over their reunited clan, arms linked and heads raised like the epitome of Noble Alphas. As well they ought to, as their unwavering spirits had carried them through the darkest moments of conflict and deceit to this final victory. Their relationship was the rock from which the rest of us would draw strength when the Nightwalkers sprang from ashes like a powerful beast.To be honest, doubt was still woven into the excitement. How many times in the last few years had I accepted that everything I had been raised to value would be destroyed? It all looked inevitable at certain low points of morale, our n
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 139
Sebastian POVOver our assembly, there was a clamor of triumph and rebirth as the applause and howls of joy sounded. I lifted a hand to quiet my loud Nightwalker pack chorus. When everyone looked at me, their Alpha, the one who had guided them through the darkest nights, a silence descended over the assembly.As I said, "Brothers, sisters," my voice weighed a thousand moons. "Our ties forged again in the fires of adversity, we have emerged from the abyss of treachery and deceit." Hendrix and Anna saw me reach out an arm and indicate for them to come along. The pride rose in my breast as they walked ahead, strong and unflappable despite their wounds. Here, my kids, I said. "Though pups when the shadows lengthened, they have proven themselves time and again, their spirits unbroken, their commitment to our noble cause unwavering."Through the pack sprang a chorus of applauding howls and growls. Hendrix inflated his chest, his honorific scar on his muzzle. Ever the brilliant light in the
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 140
Athena POVThe joy of our hard-won victory was palpable, bringing a sense of renewal and hope, yet tension and uncertainty threatened our fragile unity. Among our group were familiar faces and wary newcomers from the Silver Moon wolves, uncertain of their new place. Acknowledging the need to address these doubts, I moved through the crowd, offering warm greetings. Previously, I had watched helplessly as betrayal tore our pack apart, but now, with the enemy defeated, I had a crucial role in shaping our future."Athena," a familiar voice called, drawing my attention to Sebastian. His authoritative presence and stormy emerald eyes conveyed deep emotions. "My love," I responded, smiling. "The celebration seems to be going well, doesn't it?"Sebastian's concern was evident. "For now," he said, worried. "But we can't bask in victory for long." I nodded, understanding his caution. Our triumph over Sienna was just the beginning. "The newcomers," Sebastian noted, looking at the former Silver M
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Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 165
Hendrix POVI stood gravely before the large ceremonial fire, the flickering flames creating dance shadows on the old stones around me. For my family history, this hallowed place carried decades of power and memories. Tonight, I could sense the weight of that legacy heavy with respect and feeling.Raising my arms, I started the hallowed rights passed down over innumerable years. "We come here on this holy equinox to pay tribute to Athena and Sebastian, the fabled founders of our family. Along with building this wonderful family, the mates whose unwavering love and unbreakable friendship shaped the entire path of our lives.As the gathered members of my pack listened with great concentration, my words rang across the quiet forest grove. We gathered together as one on this night, mothers and fathers with babies in arms, wizened elderly with lined faces, raucous younglings hardly able to contain their excitement."Their story is one of huge hardships faced with far more fortitude, of dar
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 164
Athena & Sebastian's POV Athena's povI sighed contentedly as I savored the brilliant glow of the fall sunset streaming over the large den windows. I curled in my beloved overstuffed chair while ribbons of blazing orange and crimsons bathed the old timber beams in warm, nostalgic colors.Though my face showed the wrinkles and lines from a very busy life, I felt an ageless tranquility cover me like a gentle, reassuring blanket. Once so brilliant and strong, my piercing blue eyes now reflected a calm ocean of earned knowledge and fulfillment.A faintly familiar smell of cedarwood and spice floated around as two strong, worn-out hands gently rested on my thin shoulders with learned sensitivity. Sebastian bent down to tenderly kiss my forehead, and I reached up to grab his palm. "You look so wonderfully calm, my eternal goddess," he said softly, his voice rasping but preserving that virile tone that still made my heart flutter after all these years. Looking up at him with a gentle smil
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 163
Hendrix POVAs I looked at the young people fresh-faced before me, the crackling fires covered the ancient lair in a warm, flickering brilliance. Though soft in years, I could already see the marks of great leaders in their controlled poses and focused eyes.These dogs stood for the birth of a new age to be developed on the hard-earned ideas and visions left to us by my heroic parents, therefore reflecting the future of our combined packs. It was now my great responsibility as Athena and Sebastian's son and Jax my younger brother to educate this new generation those revered values and ancestral knowledge."You all know the significance of why we've convened here this night," I began, letting my rich baritone carry the whole weight of the occasion. "The holy ceremonies to raise you from students to sovereigns over the continuation of our civilization's enlightened precepts."A handful of the younger ones seemed uncomfortable at the gravity of my words. I wore a forced smile on my worn
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 162
Anna POVAcross the sandstone walls of the den, soft candlelight danced shadows that appeared to bring the old etchings to life. Scenes of great wars, somber ceremonies, and the otherworldly visues of the ancient ones danced in the dazzling light. I inhaled steadying, letting the holy aura envelop me as I dropped myself onto the soft fur before the ceremonial fire pit. My fingertips gently stroked the strong wood lovingly white oak blessed by Luna Amara herself, drenched in berries. Its airy, cleansing tendrils brushed my flesh like a phantom mist.Since I had formally adopted Alpha's mantle, today was the first full moon. A fresh moon cycle was breaking through a fresh era. One whereby I would guide our unified alliance into an unparalleled period of peace and illumination. No little chore for a young person two decades old. But my spiritual background and the iron will have passed on from my ancestors inundated my very cells with blessed power and conviction. Little footsteps' gen
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 161
Athena POVTen Years A flickering in the lifetime of an eternal, but eons appeared to have changed all around me. From the roots of conflict and hardship Sebastian and I had lived, so much had blossomed.The den bathroom mirror flashed back a mature beauty, residual youthful brightness now enhanced by a royal, almost imperial posture. Laugh lines framed whole lips, showing a ten-year history of great happiness. My small, toned body nevertheless turned alpha heads. Sebastian most definitely never gets bored with destroying me every night as lovesick newlyweds do.As I turned the diamond encrusted wedding band around my finger, I felt a gentle satisfaction. Now the perfect unity symbol I had created for that terrible Sienna embodied the purest spousal loyalty. The great light of our love had sterilized her deadly daggers of betrayal and evil. A high pitched shriek pulled me from dream. I grinned, adjusting my summer tunic as tiny feet pounded closer. The door opened and a tiny tornado
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 160
Sienna Mother POVMy tending tools' regular clunk against the hard-packed mud floor offered a calm cadence. Every careful cut of root vegetables and herb mixing functioned as a little ritualistic offering to drive out the demons of past misdeeds.I still felt the weight of that darkness weighing down on me, an inky, stifling miasma of sadness, wrath, and misplaced vengeance almost corrupting me beyond redemption even now. The road I had begun down in the name of exacting revenge for my daughter Sienna was one tinged with terrible crimes and sins. But I had been spared completely giving my soul to those horrible depths by the kindness and intelligence of the Nightwalkers and allied packs. My life had been given an improbable continuity, a chance atonement I knew I could never merit.Sometimes even the basic tasks of attending to the spiritual and medical needs of our new haven felt like an unjustified privilege. The mother of a deranged, homicidal monstrosity, how could I be given r
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 159
Athena POVOur caravan reached the last mountain pass as the first rays of light were barely peeping over the horizon. A collective silence descended over the worn-out procession of wolves as the jagged forms gave way to the expansive views beyond.This was it the rich valley Hendrix had sought with every deliberate step of our exhausting journey. Virgin and pure like the earth before the embrace of civilization's development, a real paradise unspoiled by human efforts. As we first viewed the panoramic sight, Sebastian's calming presence at my side helped me. From this distance, the promise of refuge emanated from the very ground itself - a rich, earthy scent that piqued my increased lupine senses. Hendrix signaled for the packs to make camp just inside the pass, clearly understanding the need to gather before setting off into our fresh starts. Though tired to the bone, the assembled thrumming masses carried a tangible pulse of relief and expectation."Well!" The austere rumbling of
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 158
Sebastian POVOur large pack was leaving the gathering grounds as the first rays of dawn just peaked on the horizon. Though my body had long since given up the vitality of youth, in those first moments an almost electric stream of energy surged through me. This was it, the start of our magnificent journey into hitherto undiscovered territory.My eyes strayed over the line of wolves walking solemnly beside me. So many well-known people, generations of bloodlines and kinships entwined under those lupine pelts. It was a humble sight that sent off a reflexive protectiveness right down in my core.Whatever paths forward, whatever dangers we were destined to face, I would make sure our people came out on the other side intact. Too much had already been given up to let this desperate endeavor fall apart before it could start."You're quite reflective this morning." As Athena dropped into step next to me, her little voice caught my attention. " EVEN for you."I sensed the rueful half-smile of
Return of the rejected white she luna CHAPTER 157
Hendrix POVI waited in the hole for the packs to react to my suggestion in great silence. The choice of whether to leave our ancestral house felt like a millstone around every lupine throat. It was against every strand of our beings to uproot our whole lives and to turn our backs on the places that had protected us for ages. Still, the hard fact of cold could not be overlooked the human world was invading far too much of our land. If we stayed, exposure and the carnage that would surely follow seemed like an increasingly certain fate. The alphas started nodding their terrible assent one by one. First was Drystan, with his sharp but firm rugged features. The grizzled warrior understood the great need of this circumstance after seeing enough cycles of violence and death. "You make a good point, Hendrix," he rumbled, his rich baritone booming across the hollow. "Much as it hurts, we have to give our packs top priority. If moving is the only way we can guarantee our ongoing safety and
