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Chapter 68
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The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 69
Chapter 69Watching the pack gather around the pack house, I can’t help but be impressed by how well the bonfire turned out. Gale and Jett had done a good job organizing it while Asteria was away at Onix Moon and I was indisposed. Since the small party started, I have been approached by many pack mates welcoming me back home, telling me to take it easy and just focus on healing. Thankfully, no one has asked what I have been through, deciding that it is a taboo subject. For that, I am grateful. I don’t think I can handle recounting my abduction and the final moment with Alpha Valor before I was rescued.“He keeps staring at you.” Quincy mutters under his breath as a she-wolf named Clair explains that they have started building our own decoy town just outside the pack borders. I turn to where the heated gaze I have felt for a while is and find Rune staring at me. I try to focus on Clair as she goes on and on about a fashion boutique she plans to open but have a hard time when his eyes f
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 70
Chapter 70Standing with Ricky and his friends at the bonfire close to the pack house, my eyes continue to scan the clearing while keeping an eye on Brynlee. So many times I have had to fight my instinct of marching up to her and holding her in my arms. The only thing stopping me was knowing that Brynlee needed her pack after what she went through. Right now, she is lounging by one of the four bonfires, a stick in hand as she roasts marshmallows.“Why don’t you go see her?” Ricky asks, playfully bumping my shoulder with his.“Because she needs space.” I answer. Then it happens. Brynlee turns towards me, her gaze meeting mine. She smiles at me, the same smile she used to give me that would always draw me in mysteriously when we pups.I can’t help but look away, feeling my face heat up as I try not to think of how that smile makes me want to capture my Mate and repeat the night of her eighteenth birthday – this time ending it with me marking her. The Mate Bond hums, reaching out to mend
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 71
Chapter 71“What do you mean it wasn’t a spur of the moment thing?” I demand, feeling fear creep in. I find myself clinging closer to Rune and thankfully, he doesn’t push me away. Instead, he pulls me closer, his hand leaving my hair and rubbing my back in soothing circles.“What Asteria means is that her and Tristan found emails between Valor and Viren.” Gale answers, giving me a sad smile. It takes a moment for his words to register but when they do, I realize that Valor planed a scheme against me once again.“Valor knew that Viren was looking for a Luna, be that his Goddess given Mate or someone he chose. He used this as an advantage and told Viren about you. How he had Rune reject you and that you needed a Mate.” Asteria takes over explaining, her eyes growing hard as hatred seeps from her.“He already knew about you before coming to Crescent Phoenix. He was just shocked that you were the Beta of the pack as he thought he would have to find you.” She continues, growling at the end
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 72
Chapter 72Sitting in my office, I go over the emails that I asked Asteria to forward to me. After the meeting learning about the real reason behind my parents’ deaths and how ruthless Valor is, I pulled away from Rune, needing some quiet time. The bonfire is still going strong, but I no longer feel like celebrating.It was just over a year ago now that I became an orphan. I thought my parents were doing their job protecting Valor and Rune – their Alpha and Alpha Heir. Now knowing that it was a scheme created by Valor to get me out of the way caused me to wonder just what else did I miss seeing growing up in Pine Moon.Luna Clairice was an amazing Luna, always striving for the good of the pack and I always wanted to be just like her. She was close to my mother and Asteria but never joined us for vacations. Now knowing that Valor kept her under lock and key makes me wonder if this was the fate Rune would have had if he hadn’t left.“Brynlee?” My office door opens and Quincy pokes his h
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 73
Chapter 73Making my way out of my room, I lock the door before picking up my duffle bag and heading down the hall towards the elevator. I think back to the conversation I had with my niece last night, a smile spreading across my face.Milan, the eldest of the remaining Harvest Willow wolves had thankfully picked up the phone when I called using Asteria’s office phone after the dial tone went on for what felt like an eternity. She was shocked to hear from me, news of Tanya and Valor reaching them already and worried that I had been killed by the tyrant and his whore. Her surprise turned into disbelief when I told her I am in Crescent Phoenix and that Asteria is the Alpha.She didn’t believe me at first as I tried convincing the twenty-six year old that Asteria no longer lived in Pine Moon and mentioned how she left due to Valor’s treatment of Brynlee. When that was mentioned, Milan finally relented and listened to me.When Asteria finally joined me in her office thirty minutes later,
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 74
Chapter 74“You sure you want to live on your own again?” Asteria asks as we stand in front of my cottage. It has been five days since the bonfire, six since my bedrest started, and I can tell that Asteria worries about me being on my own since my kidnapping occurred in front of this verry door.“I am sure. Tomorrow I hopefully get a clean bill of health from Jasmin and from there I can resume training with the others.” I answer, taking a deep breath. Asteria sighs but doesn’t argue back. For the last six days I have stayed in her house with her family, either using their home office for my own needs or watching movies with the three pups. As much as I loved them, I am beginning to miss having my own space.“I am not used to living with other people and all of my belongings are here.” I admit sheepishly, getting an understanding look from Asteria. Without further hesitation, I push the door to my cottage and step inside. It has been kept clean by Gale and Chase, the two coming to dust
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 75
Chapter 75Standing under the willow tree in the same white dress I wore on my own initiation, I watch as the Pine Moon refugees line up before us, their excitement filling the air. Crescent Phoenix has grown because of them. Because they wanted a fresh start and a safe place away from Valor and Tanya. All of this was thanks to Rune finally growing a back bone against Valor too.My eyes scan the crowd and I notice Rune instantly. His scars have healed up a lot more since we returned from Onix Moon. They are starting to fade and I have a feeling it is because I am starting to forgive him. He did what he did to protect Pine Moon and I can’t fault him for that anymore. It doesn’t stop me from being afraid to try again though, but even I can feel that things have shifted between us once more and I am starting to see him as a friend.“Welcome everyone.” Asteria steps forward, a smile on her face despite the stress we have been under.“As many of you know, nearly a month and a half ago we s
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 76
Chapter 76Pulling up to the farm house, I let out a nervous breath. This is the first time in years that I will be seeing Milan again. My niece and I had been adamant about not seeing each other for everyone’s safety. Had Valor learned some of the wolves of Harvest Willow survived, he would have hunted them down and killed every last one of them himself.“I thought you said they lived with humans?” Ash questions, looking out the windows of the bus.“They do. The city is just ten minutes drive from here and the pups go to the nearest schools which happen to be full of humans.” I answer, standing from the driver seat and stretching. The drive here had been shorter than we thought with five day on the road and minimal stops to replenish the fuel and our food supplies. In the end, it leaves me feeling sore but thankfully we split the job of driving and taking turns sleeping on the bus.“Besides, I own the farm and land here.” Ash was in the middle of drinking some coffee when I reveal th
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The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 87
Glaring at the email before me, I suppress the growl threatening to spill. Our council representative has been hard at work investigating Valor, Tanya, and Jonnah to the point they have begun questioning the destruction of smaller Packs surrounding Blood Claws and Pine Moon. What is worse is that other than Willow Bark, no other survivors have been found from any of these smaller Packs that were destroyed. For all the Council knows, they have either become Rogues hiding deep in the forests in wolf territory or blending with Humans in the many cities.One thing is for sure, Jonnah and Valor have committed more crimes than we originally thought.Reading further along the email, my eyes widen and my hand instinctively reaches for my stomach. Judging by the images attached to the email and the medical report the Council’s spies were able to obtain, it seems that I am not the only one expecting a pup. Now the question is, whose is it?“Brynlee, are you in here?” The door to my office opens
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 86
Watching Brynlee drive away, I wait for her truck to disappear from my view before deciding to head to my dorm room for the night and get some much-needed rest. Today has been an eventful day that has left me reeling with exhaustion. I had just finished patrol when a sudden urge of danger coursed through me. At first, I thought the warning was because Rogues had crossed our borders into the pack territory, threatening the pack. When I realized it was an internal warning from the Mate Bond, my wolf instincts took over and I rushed directly towards the danger warning without thinking. All I could think of was protecting Brynlee.’I knew I was being irrational when I barged into the training facility without warning. I knew how much of a prick I was when I swept Brynlee into my arms and carried her away from everyone without her consent, but my body kept moving on its own. I felt like a man possessed but until I knew Brynlee was safe in her den – in her cottage – I couldn’t relax.As soon
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 85
Reading the list of thirty Rogues looking to join Cresent Phoenix, I focus on the skills each wolf has listed. Some wolves come with skills such as farming and manual labor. These are definitely Omegas that left their old Pack for one reason or another. The others are a mix of Hunters and Warriors that would be good to growing the Pack’s strength. Hell, some of our current Pack Mates might be able to find their Goddess given Mates if we accepted these wolves into Crescent Phoenix.Moving to look through the applications list, I note down that out of the thirty Rogues, ten came from two Packs that I remember dealing with when I was in Pine Moon – Flaming Canine and Snarling Spruce. These Packs are ruled similarly to Pine Moon with a patriarchal rule where she-wolves are aa lesser class, only meant to produce pups and take care of the elderly and males are meant to be obeyed without any questions or doubt.I have a feeling that these wolves left for their own personal growth and safety.
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 84
Watching Quincy leave the office, I walk around Asteria’s desk and take the seat he previously occupied. Asteria watches me as she does, her eyes filled with un-asked questions.“What did Rune do to you earlier?” She asks and I sigh. I am going to kick Quincy’s ass later.“I was training with Odette when the Mate Bond let out a danger warning to Rune. He came barging in and took me away to my cottage.” I answer, watching as Asteria’s eyes widen. She subtly looks down and I stiffen in my seat as her eyes land on my stomach. I keep my hands on the armrest of the chair, doing everything I can not to confirm her suspicion while Quest watches on in shock.“So that’s why everyone has been talking about Rune being a possessive ass hole.” He laughs out, making me roll my eyes.“He definitely is an asshole.” I agree with a grumble, crossing my arms over and letting out an annoyed sigh. Asteria looks away from me with a small smile on her lips as she turns her attention to Quest.“When it comes
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 83
Helping Milan pack up the remaining items in the kitchen, I catch site of a few pups helping to bring boxes and bags out to the charter bus where Ashton and Eddison are waiting to load the storage compartments.It has been six days since we arrived at the farmhouse and after realizing how much packing needs to be done, Gale and I had called Asteria asking if we could delay our return to the pack to sort through what Milan and the others will be bringing with us on our return trip home. Luckily, Asteria agreed that us staying would be beneficial to the Willow Bark wolves and just asked that we call her before we make the drive back home.“This should be the last of it.” Milan says as she stands, a smile on her face.“So we should be ready to move out soon?” I ask my niece. She looks around, taking her time to answer as her smile falls and a hint of melancholy washes over her. I know she is sad about leaving the farm, the only safe place she has known since Valor attacked Willow Bark.
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 82
Standing in front of Brynlee’s cottage, I knock on the door and wait for her to answer. After confronting Rune, I had planned to talk to her but duty called and I had to deal with wolves on our borders. It was spies of Pine Moon once again trying to sneak in and catch a glimpse of our Luna and Beta.News had spread that Crescent Phoenix had helped Onix Moon liberate themselves from the tyranny of Viren and people were becoming increasingly curious of our female leaders. It took longer than I had thought to deal with them, the enemy wolves fighting my men with everything they could. One managed to escape capture while the other two decided to take their own lives by slitting their throats before we could restrain them.“Quincy? What are you doing here?” Brynlee’s voice calls from behind me and I turn to see her coming up the path. The faint smell of rubbing alcohol comes off her and I frown. It seems she is just coming back from the Pack Infirmary.“I wanted to see how you are doing.
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 81
Curled up in bed, hand on my flat stomach, I wonder if I am truly pregnant. It could be one of Rune’s tricks with him trying to get back together with me, but my instinct tells me he wasn’t lying with how overprotective and possessive he became. The worst part is that the bond became whole once more when he announced I am with pup. I can feel it even now, humming with new vitality as if the rejection never happened.[Hey Brynlee, are you okay?] Caspian’s voice rings through my mind, taking me out of my thoughts.[I…I am dealing with something.] I answer hesitantly, getting a hum in response.[Does it have anything to do with how Rune behaved?] I sigh, turning to lie on my back and looking up at my ceiling.[Unfortunately, it does.] I then apologized to Caspian about how Rune behaved with his Mate, Odette, and explained that the bond threw out a danger warning that set Rune off. Caspian is silent for a moment before our link hums with understanding.[Something happened between the two o
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 80
Looking out the window of my room, the lights off and the area quiet, I wonder how Brynlee is doing. After announcing to her that she is pregnant, Brynlee kicked me out of her cottage saying she needed time and space to think about it. That was three hours ago. In these last three hours I have done nothing but sit in my room worrying about her.I know Brynlee wants to be a mother. Know that she wants a big family after living life as an only child, but I also know that she is terrified. I can feel her fear through the Mate Bond, feel her worrying over this news. I hate that I can’t be there to hold her and help her through it, but this is Brynlee’s decision. It is her body, her choice.If she decides that she isn’t ready to be a mother, then I can’t change her mind. As much as I want our pup, I can’t force her to stay pregnant just for my selfish needs. I had already been selfish once and rejected her for the safety of a pack that didn’t really care for me. I will not make that mistake
The Howling Heart's Forgiveness Chapter 79
Chapter 79Staring at Brynlee held in a headlock, I stalk towards the training ring she is in. Caspian’s mate tentatively lets her go as the power and anger inside my blood courses out in waves. I watch as Brynlee stands, worry in her eyes as she places her hand on my shoulder.“Rune, we were just sparing.” She states, her scent wrapping around me. Something has changed about it. It has grown sweeter and warmer. The urge to protect her grows stronger and without thinking, I scoop her into my arms are walk out of the training facilities with everyone watching. I note the scrapes and bruises left on her as she silently lets me carry her, knowing they are from her sparing and will heal in no time but that doesn’t stop the feeling of wanting to turn back and thrash that she-wolf for giving them to her. The broken bond hums with satisfaction at my thoughts of wanting to take revenge for my Mate no matter how misguided they may be. But I can feel Brynlee growing angry at me for taking her a
