Chapter 80

**Leo

When you have lived the life I have, you learn a few things. I can remember the air in my lungs as I stretched my body to the limits. I can remember the breaking and reforming of my bones on a shift, and how it was oddly satisfying; like someone who cracks their knuckles. Lycans do not age the way humans do. We aren't immortals to say, but our old age is well, old. Or at least it was. Without our ability to shift it has changed our bodies. I have aged almost double in these thirty years since the curse was placed on us. I have now been in Oak Bane since Jaspers great grandfather. Those of us who can remember the shift are few. It’s unsure whether or not the witches of old meant for this to happen so that our kind would die off, or just luck in their favor. Either way, I have been able to watch and see things that most do not know. The witches and hunters have been in league together before. This is not the first time that they have come together for the soul purpose of wiping Lycans off the map. I was also there though when the sweet prophecy was read about a hybrid who would return the shifters back their power. I only hoped that I would be there to watch it happen. I never imagined that it would be from the two most powerful bloodlines of their kind.

Japers bloodline comes from the Lycan king himself and Phoenix is from the great witch Seraphina, the first witch blessed with the power of the Phoenix. I didn't think that Jasper was aware of just how deep his blood was in the Lycan world. It had no longer mattered with the curse upon us, but with the whispered truths that our future Luna is the hybrid to set us free, I thought that it was time he knew.

Just as the Witches and Hunters have libraries filled with the history of their people we did as well. It was not as glamorous as the others, but we had records kept. Getting them meant leaving the city, hell it meant leaving the country. The knowledge I felt that was in there, Jasper was going to need. The fate of our kind was going to rest on it. I knew that he had a witch, Nelly Douglas, on his side. She would have gone to the library of witches. Nelly’s grandson had hunter blood in him, hopefully he would be able to get his hand on information on the hunters. With the knowledge of all three races, wisdom and information would be on their side.

After I packed only what I felt would be a necessity, I wrote a letter to three pack members.

Alpha: I am hoping to return before this letter has to come to you, if I don't though, please know it has been an honor.

Sir, I know that you thought that everyone should stay close to the city, but I know where information is that I feel is vital to you. There is so much more to the Gentry Family line than you are aware of. It goes back further than just your great grandfather, who was the first Alpha I served under. You are so much like him and Phoenix, much like your grandmother was. It was such a heartwarming feeling to watch you lead Oak Bane the way he would have, even now with the curse on us. I do believe that Cortlyn is the one who will set us free. If you listen to the world around you, I believe you will see it too.

It will be important for Cortlyn to look into her mother's side as well. There is more there than meets the eye as well. Your families have been destined from the beginning.

As always, my Alpha stay safe.

Leo

The next one to his new Beta.

Samual: Sir

Jasper has been lucky to have you by his side. If not for your loss, he would not have you. For that I am both sorry and grateful. I saw Artic betrayal coming for many years. His family long ago had hoped to overthrow the Gentrys and take control of Oak Bane. It was a frail attempt and ended in bloodshed. The two of you are meant to be by each other's side. He can be your new Alpha and you can be the strength he needs to push on in this battle. You and your son will be wonderful contributors to this pack. Oak Bane needs you as much as you need a pack. The lone wolf only works for so long. It is a hard lonely road that will kill you sooner rather than later. I no longer think that is what you want. Find your place among us and allow us to be your family.

Keep them safe.

Leo

And last one to the Luna.

Dearest Luna,

Oh, how I hope that this letter is not necessary and that I will get to see you once again. I know that your Alpha and mate has gone to the end of the earth and back looking for you. The hope that he has succeeded to great. Oak Bane family has desperately missed and needed you. Your presence means the world to the pack. You remind me so much of Jaspers grandmother. The best Luna the pack had ever known. Kind, gentle, beautiful and full of spirit. You may not be of Lycan blood, but you are more a Luna than so many more.

I have, of course, left a letter for the Alpha telling him to look into the linage of his family. You too need to do so. Cortlyn will need to know all she can about who she is. I have seen what is happening behind the closed doors. I have lived long enough to hear the rumors of a much darker world. The knowledge of your family is all that you need to help her know what she needs to do.

Luna, your daughter is the only hope that this world has. It is not only about giving Lycans their shifting power but saving this world from something that very nearly destroyed it once already. Again, I hope that this letter is not how this message will be delivered. I hope that I will soon see you and be there for all that will unfold, but if I am not, I do pray this letter reaches you.

With prayers,

Leo

I placed each letter in an envelope and sent for a carrier. I could hope that there was one still alive in the city, and that would make it to gives these as instructed. I finished gathering the things I would need and waited for the cab. Ten minutes later there was a honk of the cab horn letting me know it had arrived.

I instructed the cab to take me out of the city and forty miles west to the nearest airport. The drive through the city showed just how empty it was. If you weren't aware of all the extra things that went on you might think that it was just a dull night. Knowing of all the things that would and could go bump in the night made it eerie. We reached the old pack meeting building in town. There were lights on and it seemed to have a lot of activity still going on. I had remembered that Alpha had called the pack here not too long ago.

“Pull over here please. I need to make a quick drop off.” I told the cabbie.

Stepping out of the cab I could smell something that was so alluring. It called to me to come inside and find out what it was. I wanted nothing more than to give into it, but my wolf would not allow me to move. He had more control over me than most because he had lived at the surface. I had been able to set him free to run. The smell only seemed to appeal to my human side. To my wolf it was appalling. He was almost clawing me from the inside out. “What danger could there be?” I asked him. Thinking that I would get an answer back was not as strange as it sounded. Inside of fighting him, I mind linked the Alpha.

“Sir? There is something going on at the pack meeting building.”

“LEAVE NOW!!” roared through my head. Unable to ignore the command I began to back up. Next the Alpha was in a pack link.

“No one is to go anywhere near the old pack building in the city. It has been cursed. We have allies who have lost their lives in there. I do not want to lose any of you.”

“Yes Alpha.” Once again rang in unison.

I found myself back in the cab and more than relieved that I could think outside the call that came from in the building. “Thank you” I said in silent gratitude to my wolf.

“Leo? Please tell me you made it out of the building.” Jasper's voice said softly in my head. He had fear in his tone.

“I am safe my Alpha.”