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Chapter 4

ผู้เขียน: Alana Dyer
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2024-05-30 21:10:05

Chapter 4

“Brynlee, I am vacuum sealing all the bedding.” Miss Asteria calls out, her head popping in the door way. A look of shock fills her eye as she takes in my now empty room before it morphs to one of sympathy. She understands what I am going through as she is also leaving being her ancestral home.

“My bedding is on the bed. I wasn’t sure how to pack it.” My voice sounds emotionless and hollow and surprises even me. The calm that washed over me earlier seems to be working. I am holding myself together pushing all the pain and agony from being rejected and banish into a dam inside my mind. Time will tell when the dam will break and all the pain and hurt comes crashing down on me but for now I can manage each task one at a time.

“I can pack it up for you while you decide what to do with your parents’ room. I left it for you to pack up.” She pads into the room to where I stand, wrapping her arms around me and pulling my body in for a hug.

“Thank you.” I find myself wrapping my arms around Miss Asteria as I breath in the rose scent of the perfume she wears. The same perfume my mother wore. The same one I wore when Rune and I...I shake my head before my train of thoughts return to my now Ex-Mate. I can’t think about him. Thinking about him makes the dam I made in my mind crack and releases the pain. Forcing myself to focus, I feel the dam in my mind repair itself. I know if my mind wanders, the pain will take over. I can’t have that happen. Not until I am far away from this place.

“Don’t thank me. It’s what family does” She pulls back from the hug, looking me in my eyes as she gives me a soft smile.

“I promised your mother I would protect you and I intend to keep that promise. You are my niece – my God Daughter - no matter what Brynlee. I will always take your side because of this.” With a smile she pokes my nose with her index finger before moving towards my bed and scoops the pile of my bedding in her arms, telling me to leave the boxes where they are as Gale and their pups are on their way and will pack it up for me. She leaves me room, her footsteps sounding on the steps to where I assume she is vacuum packing away the bedding while I take one last look at my room before walking out and flicking off the light.

I feel a sense of sadness wash over me as I walk towards my parents room, the frames of pictures gone from the walls. It is a reminder that this is no longer my home and I have to stop and lean against the wall to stop the pain from breaking the dam in my mind.

‘Focus on the task at hand. Keep the pain at bay.’ I remind myself these two things, taking deep breaths to calm myself once more. Once I feel ready, I continue my path towards my parents room and push open the door. Flicking the lights on I take in the untouched room that has their lingering scent.

 The only thing missing is their bedding and I call out asking if Miss Asteria took it. She confirms she did and that she sealed them in their own bags for me. I sigh with relief, happy to know that I will have what remains of my parent’s scent while I deal with my new life as a rejected Rogue.

 I get to work with packing away my parent’s remaining things, their scent comforting me and helping to keep the dam I built in my mind contained. I remind myself they would want me to stay strong through all of this. To find a safe place where I can let the pain out and start the healing process. As the clock chimes six at night I finally finish packing and stand in a nearly empty room. I want to cry, to break down and scream at how unfair life is, but I stop myself.

“Remain strong until I am no longer on Pine Moon land.” I mutter to myself, wiping at the stray tears that have formed.

“Gale said we have room in our trailer for a bed for you. Do you want us to take yours apart?” Miss Asteria walks in as I finish taping the last box, startling me into dropping the tape gun. She apologizes and rushes to pick it up for me.

“No. I don’t want my bed. It is too small for me now.” I manage to mumble out as I take the tape gun back. She nods, looking around the now empty room until her eyes land on my parents bed. I haven’t laid on top of it since their death, too afraid to loose their scent for good, but I can understand what she is thinking.

“How about we bring theirs then. Add another piece of them to your new life.” She states, giving me a wink and a wide grin. I grin back, looking at the sturdy wooden frame that is older than I am. I like this idea and agree right away before we walk through the house one last time until we end up in the garage. My mother was a gardener and I note that her things – including her many seeds – were packed away. I know that wherever I end up, I will want to plant a garden with her seeds and thank Miss Asteria right away for packing the garage for me.

“I loaded her potted plants into the bed of your pick-up truck. I told Gale he has to dig up her lilac bush before we leave because I refuse to leave that beautiful bush for these Goddess forsaken wolves.” I laugh at Miss Asteria’s grumbling, doubling over as my laughter takes over. I have never seen Miss Asteria so ruffled before, but I have a feeling she is done with her younger brother’s bullshit. She stares at me for a moment, her eyes not hiding the fact she is wondering if I lost my mind and honestly, I think I have. The last twenty-four hours has taken its toll on me. Besides, laughing is better than crying at least.

“We will not let them have your parent’s hard work.” Gale’s voice sounds from the open garage doorway and brings me from my laughing fit. Two of his pups, Lunette and Gray, peak out from behind him and I smile, opening my arms for the pups to rush in and give me a hug.

“Daddy told us what happened. You deserve better.” Eight year old Lunette states. I smile, thanking her as the two pull away and Gray tells me he is excited for this new adventure. Chase stands beside his father, the fourteen year old staring at me before he nods a greeting.

“So are we all packed?” Gale asks, coming to hug his wife.

“We are. Brynlee and I did a final count of what we are taking so I will show you what to pack.” With Miss Asteria’s confirmation, the six of us get to work packing my things into the trailer that is hooked to my truck. Gale told me that while Miss Asteria took care of my wounds, he took care of hooking my dad’s trailer to my pickup truck and packed the Garage away with his wife in there first before they went to prepare their own home so that I could rest uninterrupted. Warmth spreads through my painfilled heart at how much this family cares for me and I can’t help but hug them in turn, happy to know I won’t be leaving alone.

It takes us another three hours to pack away my belongings, the last item being my mother’s wedding dress that I packed into the cabin of my truck. With time to spare, I think of my best friend and sworn brother Caspian.

Caspian and I grew up together with Rune. He will be next in line as Beta when I leave. Deciding I need to leave him an explanation, I write a letter for Caspian to find, knowing that my best friend will understand why I left when I did and telling him the house is his if he wants it, leaving the dead inside the letter. I know he is looking for his own place for himself and will appreciate this gesture. I also know he will take good care of my child hood home as he spent many nights here as a pup due to his situation with his own parents.

“We have three hours left before the deadline. Do you want to say goodbye to anyone?” Gale asks as I close the door to my childhood house.

“No. As far as I am concerned the pack turned their back on me. I left a letter for Caspian and told him I will contact him when I get a new phone number.” I answer, turning to look at Gale and his family. The pack turned their back on me when I became an Orphan last year. Only the fives wolves leaving with me and Caspian cared for me in my darkest hour. Even Rune was too busy with Tanya to check and see if I was okay. I remember asking him to just stay with me as I had been there for him when his mother passed away, but he made every excuse as to why he couldn’t. Now knowing he is betrothed to Tanya, his actions towards me since last year makes sense.

“Good. Lets go then.” Gale declares, everyone climbing into our respective vehicles. Lunette asks if she can ride with me and I instantly agree to it before her parents could say now.  I can use the company and distraction from everything that has happened and tell Gale and Miss Asteria this. After making sure Lunette is buckled in, I climb into the driver seat and turn on the pick up tuck – a 2018 Ford F150.

“Any music request?” I ask Lunette as I pull up my Spotify. She thinks for a moment before asking for pop music to sing to and I obliged. With music picked and both of us settled, I honk to Gale signalling we are ready. He honks back before his own truck begins to move, his trailer being pulled behind him. The drive through the pack is bitter sweet. With my house being placed near the back farthest away from the exit, I am forced to see the places I spent my days growing up.

Lunette is great at keeping me from breaking down and crying, the eight-year old babbling on about the new adventure, finding a new pack to live in and making new friends. She isn’t sad to be leaving, instead she seems excited at the prospect of starting at a new school and this makes me smile. After forty minutes of driving, we cross the pack line and officially become Rogues. I know one day we will find a pack to call home but for now we focus on surviving until that day comes.

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  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 5

    Chapter 5“You did the right thing Son.” My father, Alpha Valor, claps me on the shoulder as I watch my Uncle Gale carry Brynlee – my Brynlee – away. My face burns from her claw marks, the pain reminding me that I hurt her all because I was forced to. Judging from how the blood continues to drip down my face, I know these marks will leave a scar. A scar that will match the pain in my heart forever.The pack begins to disperse now that the show is over, some whispering about how the pack will change when my Aunt and Uncle leave. Aunt Asteria was furious when she learned what we had just done to Brynlee before denouncing her role in the pack and breaking all ties with us. She told me I will regret loosing Brynlee and will realize that mindlessly listening to my father will lead me to a life of misery. I asked her if Brynlee had a Mate Beater’s mark like me, but she told me that Brynlee attacked me after I rejected her and there for will not bear the make before she left chasing after Un

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30
  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 6

    Chapter 6Glaring at Rune’s retreating figure, I stand from the floor now that I can breathe again. To think he would find his mate in that slut Brynlee and left me at the party alone to spend the night in her arms. I was furious to learn that she spent the night in his bed, even more furious when I slammed the door open to see her wearing his clothes and covered in his scent. Rune is my play toy and no one can have him but me.“Tanya, why were you on the floor?” Valor walks into the pack house, his own mood soured from the trial outside. It seems getting rid of that slut caused problems with the pack. Many of the pathetic Omegas and lesser Warriors already voiced their opinion on the matter, stating they would rather have Brynlee as their Luna over me. I have a plan to deal with these wolves later as long as Valor keeps Rune in check.“Your son thought to teach me a lesson of respect.” I growl out in frustration, allowing the man before me to see the bruises left on my neck. Valor st

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30
  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 7

    Chapter 7Slinking towards the motel, I shake my fur out as the light misting of rain makes me wet. I am happy that Miss Asteria and Gale chose a motel so close to a forest so that we can stretch our wolf form as it gave me a chance to run free and hunt down a rabbit that I happily gnawed on while mulling over my thoughts. It’s been seven days since we left Pine Moon. Three days that I haven’t been able to shift till this morning. Keeping the dam of pain and emotions at bay in my mind has gotten easier the further we are from Pine Moon and I find myself enjoying the long drives from motel to motel.Shifting to my human form, I find my clothes in the hollow tree I left them in and change, rushing to our room on the first floor and entering it just in time to see Gale and Miss Asteria getting ready to leave.“Did you have a good run?” Gale asks, giving me a hug.“I did. It was needed.” I admit with a small smile.“Well, you have rabbit blood in your hair. I am guessing you went on a qui

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30
  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 8.1

    Chapter 8.1Glaring at the computer screen in front of me, I read the report sent by the Private Investigator I hired to find Brynlee. Its been a week since she was expelled from Pine Moon and I have slowly come to realize how much I regret what I did. I should have never slapped her, never rejected Brynlee – my Goddess given Mate.The last seven days have been hell for me. Tanya has ramped up her abuse on the Omegas, ordering them around like slaves to prepare for our wedding day in a few months time. Every day, I get reports of her attacking she-wolves that mention my Brynlee and how she would have made a better Luna. It has caused me to placate my pack mates and put Tanya in her place. But when ever I do that, my father indulges Tanya stating that those she-wolves shouldn’t have mentioned Brynlee in Tanya’s presence.It has become a nightmare for me. Always having to perform my duties as heir to reassure pack mates that I am handling Tanya, to dealing with my father yelling at me f

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30
  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 8.2

    Chapter 8.2Walking through the woods on the outskirts of the pack, I curse myself for being so dumb at loosing track of time and running late. Today Brynlee turned eighteen and as the future Alpha I need to be at her party to congratulate her. To welcome her as a functioning member of the pack. She will begin her Beta training under Jett and will become my Beta when I take over the pack.[Where are you?] Wincing at the sound of my father yelling through the mind link, I roll my eyes and pick up my pace. He seems angrier than usual and me being late does not seem to help.[On my way. I lost track of time in the wood.] I reply back with honesty, deciding to shift into wolf form so that I can move faster. My clothes tear as I shift mid step, my paws hitting the hard forest floor as I take off. The party starts in ten minutes, I need to be there in five to make it in time to change into new clothes and still be on time for the party.[Hurry the fuck up, Rune. Your Aunt will nag me to dea

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30
  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 8.3

    Chapter 8.3The door to my office slams open and Caspian storms in, plunking himself into the chair in front of my desk and pulling me away from my thoughts of Brynlee and that day a week ago. I was shocked that he was here, figuring we would only talk if it were about his Beta training.“I thought we weren’t on speaking terms?” I ask as I watch my friend runs a hand through his hair. I can feel the anger and hurt radiating off of him and I have a feeling what might have happened to make him choose to come to my office.“We aren’t. But this is the only place my parents won’t bother me.” He answers back, pulling out his phone. I say nothing, knowing the situation Caspian is in with his parents and how they are trying to force him into claiming some random she-wolf as a Mate instead of allowing him to search for her himself. Its an argument that I have witnessed myself many times since he turned eighteen. At one point Caspian had confided in me that he hoped Brynlee would be his Mate to

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30
  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 9

    Chapter 9Parking my truck beside Gale’s, Lunette and I climb out of the vehicle just as the others were exiting Gale’s. Its been three days since I contacted Caspian. Three days filled with my best friend constantly checking up on me and sending me many memes he finds on the internet that leaves me laughing for a good moment.Between rest stops, I would have Lunette sit in her dad’s truck while I had some alone time talking to Caspian. Other times she would be in the back seat of my truck chatting with the both of us, the eight year old happy to be included. She even told Caspian that she is taking me from him as her new big sister, which caused us to laugh and Caspian stating he will be her new big brother. The look of disgust Lunette had when he said this had me laughing so hard I had to pull over, especially because the eight year old replied savagely that she doesn’t need or want another older brother considering she has two already.Unfortunately for me, it was during one of our

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30
  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 10

    Chapter 10Watching Tanya flitter about the functions room chattering with our guests, I sigh and slam back the whisky I was sipping on. Ten days has passed since Brynlee left. Ten days of yelling at Tanya every time she snapped at a pack member for doing their job. At one point I thought she was flirting with a Warrior that was just getting off of patrol, but my father talked some sense into me. Or so he thinks.What he doesn’t know is since that day, I have been keeping tabs on Tanya, recording her every move and even snuck a few hidden cameras into her room. I have yet to collect any evidence against her as I have been busy cleaning up her mess and a surprise visit from Onix Moon’s future Alpha, Viren Bestial, two days ago left me unable to see just what Tanya has been up to.“Your future Luna seems like the social butterfly type.” Viren comments as he comes to stand beside me.“She is, unfortunately for me.” I grumble out, not caring about portraying the love sick fool I have had

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2024-05-30

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  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 160

    Sitting at the vanity in my room that Brynlee had placed here, I watch as she slips on the pure white dress that Asteria and she had bought in town. It has been seven days since we took back Pine Moon from Valor and Tanya. Seven days of executing traitors that sided with those vial wolves. Seven days of restructuring the Pack and working with Caspian, Odette, and Quest to learn everyone’s strengths, weaknesses, and what ranks would suit them the most. We were surprised by how many Omegas should have been Hunters or Warriors and in the end, we took down everyone’s names so that we could promote them during the initiation ceremony.“Can you help zip this dress up?” Brynlee calls out, her blue eyes meeting mine in the mirror. I smile, standing from the seat and taking the three steps needed to stand behind her. I carefully zip up her dress, feeling Brynlee shiver as my knuckles graze her skin. With a chuckle, I bend down to press a kiss onto my mark that graces her neck, getting a surpr

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 159

    Sitting across from Alastor, I watch him take a sip from the coffee mug Sarah handed to him. Breakfast had just ended and as we waited for Asteria and Gale to join us with this meeting, Rune and I decided to bring Alastor into his office while asking Sarah – one of the few wolves we can trust – to bring refreshments for us.“Sorry we are late.” The door opens and Gale walks in followed by a tired looking Asteria. I know they are packing, preparing to leave and head back to Crescent Phoenix tomorrow morning, and I feel guilty for asking them to be here.“No need to apologize, Luan Gale.” Alastor states, waving his hand with a smile.“I see you also brought in a friend.” Stiffening in my seat, I sniff the air and confirm an unknown wolf’s scent. Blackberries and pine reach my nose and I wonder who it is that Asteria decided to allow onto Pine Moon without telling me.“Hey Alastor, long time no see.” A dark-haired, green-eyed man walks through the door, his large frame taking up more spa

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 158

    Taking a deep breath, I ready myself to see the remains of my childhood home with Rune by my side. Three days have passed since we killed Valor and Tanya. Three days of getting to know our new Packmates and organizing the mess of a Pack that Valor and Tanya left behind. Everything from training schedules to patrolling to even food preparation had been left in the hands of Wade Kane and his Mate Nora Kane while Valor focused on trying to kill Rune, Asteria, and me. Because of this, the Pack was left in dire straights and these last two days have been nothing but torture for Rune and me. Thankfully we had the help of Gale and Asteria and I had the experience I gained from helping Golden Fang become Crescent Phoenix.Yesterday during a small break that Rune and I took to relax and catch our breaths since we had done nothing but work on the Pack, Caspian, Asteria, and Gale took Rune and me aside, a solemn look on their faces. They had asked if there was a quiet place for us to talk not wa

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 157

    Sitting at the head table with Brynlee on my right and Caspian on my left, my heart feels at ease. Everyone who came to help us take back Pine Moon is mingling with the innocent members Brynlee and I will lead and the room is filled with smiles and laughter. Aunt Asteria and Uncle Gale were welcomed back warmly, the two being surrounded by wolves that had missed them dearly. Tristan was happily making his rounds around the Dining Hall, making sure his wolves were being kind while we all ate breakfast.But the best part of this morning was watching all the pups Brynlee used to train run up to her, wrapping my Mate in a group hug as she cried her heart out telling the pups how much she missed them. I know she is meant to be an Alpha leading as an equal beside me, but I also can see her taking on more traditional Luna roles if the pups continue rushing to her the way they did an hour ago.“Penny for your thoughts?” I hear my Aunt ask, noticing that Brynlee has left the table to grab anot

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 156

    Standing in front of over one hundred wolves ranging from a newborn pup to the elderly using canes, I wonder just what their opinion are about Rune and me standing here. At the base of the steps to Pine Moon’s Pack House, Asteria, Gale, Caspian, Odette, Ashton, and Quest guard the stairs and prevent anyone from stepping close.“We should say something.” Rune mutters, taking my shaking hand in his. I can feel him shaking and sense the nervousness he has through our Mate Bond while facing everyone who remains in Pine Moon. Even after capturing Valor’s men, there is still one hundred and fifteen wolves in this Pack who now look to us as their leaders.“Do you want to start?” I ask, turning to look up at Rune. He sighs, running his free hand through his messy hair before nodding his head slightly. Giving my hand a squeeze, he releases it and steps down two steps, the crowd watching him with weary gazes.“Hello, everyone.” His calls out loudly, his deep voice projecting over the crowd.“I

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 155

    Standing in the familiar foyer of the Pine Moon Pack House, I watch as Omegas run around preparing a simple breakfast for all the wolves here. Everyone knows Valor is dead now, they all felt it when he took his last breath.Tristan, Ashton, Rune, and I had stood where we were, the alarms blaring while we took in the fact Valor and Tanya were truly gone. That no one else in Pine Moon would be left feeling scared and hopeless. Tristan had helped Rune off of Valor’s body while Ashton came to stand beside me, my friend making sure that I was not left unprotected. We were left alone to our thoughts. That is until Riley came rushing to us claiming that wolves from Pine Moon had woken to the chaos of losing their Alpha and Luna.Rune waved off Riley, my Mate looking numb to everything around him. In the end, I was the one to order Riley to shut off the alarm and handed him a USB that contained a pre-recorded message Rune and I made before leaving Crescent Phoenix. With a task at hand, Riley

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 154

    Stepping through the threshold of my childhood home, I smell the family scent of bourbon and cigar smoke floating in the air. It seems father’s nightly routine hasn’t stopped.“Nora!” My father shouts, his belligerent voice coming from the living room.“Are you back from patrol?” I pause my footsteps, looking at Asteria who furrows her brows. Her eyes glaze over for a moment, most likely trying to see if anyone ran into my mother. When her gaze returns to normal, she mouths the words ‘captured earlier’ to me and I sigh in relief. It seems my mother is taking a nice drug-induced nap with the other wolves that supported Valor.“Nora! Answer me you stupid whore!” Asteria and Gale wince, their concerned gaze turning to me. I shake my head, already used to the abuse my father hurled behind closed doors. No one really knew the truth about how my parents acted. They knew the masks of kind loving people they portrayed to the Pack but when it was just the three of us in these four walls, they

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 153

    Lowering the now unconscious wolf in my grasp to the forest floor, I take a deep breath of the fresh air and try to calm my jittery nerves. It’s been forty minutes since the operation started. Forty minutes since Brynlee and Rune left for the Pack House to kill my little brother. In that hour, our wolves have found many of Valor’s supporters that we have drugged and tied up. As soon as we know Valor is gone, we will gather these wolves and execute them at dawn and cleanse Pine Moon once and for all.“Delilah found many Rogues in the dungeons and Odette is on her way to help them.” Avery calls out, making me jump. Tristan had sent his Beta with us to help in our part of the plan while he and Ashton went off to help Brynlee and Rune.“When did this happen?” I ask, worried that this may be a trap.“About five minutes ago.” She answers, looking up at the night sky. I can feel her worry for her Mate as Jamal went with Delilah to protect his cousin and Luna.“They will be fine.” I reassure

  • The Howling Heart's Forgiveness   Chapter 152

    Keeping my gaze neutral as I try to fight back the laughter threatening to spill with Rune’s greeting to Valor, I watch as the Omega wiggles free of Valor’s grasp and runs down the hall towards another room. It seems like this Omega is smart to run and hide away from us as we came here for one reason and one reason only.“R-Rune.” Valor stutters out as Rune takes a step towards him.“What are you doing here in Pine Moon after turning your back on it?!” He demands, his words becoming confident. It seems Valor still has some bravado left after how cowardly he’s been acting.“Like Rune said a moment ago.” I decide to answer, leaning against the staircase railing.“Rune and I are back for our Pack as rightful Alphas.” My words hit their mark and Valor clenches his jaw in annoyance. I can’t help the smirk that grows as Valor chooses to ignore me to focus on Rune. He sees my Mate as the biggest threat out of the two of us and that’s fine. Having an opponent underestimate me makes the beatin

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