Chapter 46

Rebecca's POV.

If I could just get Jared to listen, I could clear everything up tonight. I don't know how everyone was going to react to all of this, but I had to do something. I know I'm doing the right thing though; someone has to stop Darius.

" Jared, you are my mate and I love you. I can't do this without you. There's not going to be one person there tonight that is going to believe me. If I don't have your trust and support how will I make them understand. I know that all of this is hard to believe, but Celeste told me it was safe to come here, that I needed to tell Jack who I really am. Would she do that if he were actually guilty." I saw the look of defeat on his face letting me know that he trusted me.

" Fine, but I still reserve right to not trust him. I'll wait until tonight though." Well, that was one.

" What about you Grant, are you in?" I know he'll feel obligated.

" I'm in. It would be nice to be on the same team again. Right Jack." What was that?

" Yeah, it would. I've missed being a Lunar Warrior. Once I clear my name, I can come out of hiding. Then, if Celeste will take me back, maybe I can start training with you again. If she takes me back." Well, that's interesting.

" So, you were a Lunar Warrior? That's pretty cool. Why did Celeste pick you?" If she even told him.

" Because of my heart. The willingness to protect anyone, no matter the cost to me. Believe when I say, it cost me everything."

" Well, I know it probably doesn't mean much, but if Celeste chooses to not take you back, after your punishment is over, I would be honored to have you as my Warrior. If you're willing." I knew this was the right choice.

" Thank you, my Luna, that's very nice of you to offer. Let's just worry about clearing my name first. I have waited twenty-one years for this. I will follow your lead. I just hope it works." So, do I.

" Meriwether, can you cast an invisibility spell so I can sneak you guys in?" She should know way more magic than me.

" Actually, I do. Maybe when all this is over, I can help you train. Celeste has probably taught you so much already though, so you probably don't really need me." She seemed very shy, no confidence at all.

" That would be great. I need all the training I can get. I'm sure there are lots of things you can help me learn." That invisibility spell for starters.

" Thank you, Luna. I'll do my best to make you proud." I wonder, was she a Lunar Warrior too.

" We need to hurry up and get back for the bonfire. If we don't make an appearance Darius might wonder what we're up to, thanks to Kormac. I don't get why he thought he could lie about us." And that other couple, I'm not even sure who they are.

" That would be my fault I'm afraid. You should look for his phones. He's been taking pictures, videos, and audio. He sends it here and we've been doctoring it to look like you've been planning to take over the pack. I'm sorry Luna." Well, that explains a lot.

" Don't worry, we'll just have to go look for his phones. Let's just worry about getting back first." We all walked out and hopped in my car.

We started the long drive back in silence. No one said anything for a good ten minutes. Even then it was just a simple question that I answered afterward.

" So, who all is going to be at this meeting tonight?" It was of course Jack that had to break the silence.

" My parents, Jared's parents and his aunt and uncle, probably Josie and Garrett, Grant, and Luna Alexandria. I asked her to not bring Elizabeth. I thought it best to fill Alex in on things first, then we can explain everything to her later. It's going to take a bit to get Liz to understand that Darius isn't her father. I mean she's always been protective of him, and he's always spoiled her." She was after all, daddy's little girl.

The rest of the ride was quiet. We were almost to the main gate when I had Meriwether put the invisibility spell on her and Jack. We made it back to my parents' house without any problems. I told them to help themselves to anything but hide out in my bedroom when they saw us showing up. I didn't want anyone freaking out if they came in before me.

We were only late by forty-five minutes to the bonfire. Grant went and grabbed some food before heading back over to the clinic to check on his patients before the meeting. I found Josie and told her to get Garrett and meet me at my parent's place at ten. I told her the same thing, not to tell Elizabeth. We all danced and talked, just having a bit of a good time. It was almost eight when I decided it was time to go check on Stephanie. I hoped she hadn't woken up at all. I grabbed a couple plates of food for Jack and Meriwether, not knowing what might be at the house, then Jared and I were on our way.

We met up with Grant just outside Stephanie's room. As he came out, he didn't look happy. I didn't know what was wrong, but I was getting worried.

" What happened? Is Steph, okay? Why do you have that look on your face?" So, I was more than worried.

" I got the test results back. Stephanie is pregnant. I just ran a quick ultrasound, it's twins. If it was just one, I could probably get her to carry to term, but not twins. I know you're her guardians, but I still have to have her permission to abort. If she chooses not to, I will try to do everything I can. I'm just not sure what I can do will be enough guys. I know she doesn't like needles, but I'm going to have to do some serious sedation the next couple of days. I'll call a few people know. Maybe I can find someone that can help. I just don't don't know Rebecca, I'm sorry." I wanted to just sit down and cry.

" It's not your fault Grant. Do what you can for now, just let me know before you decide to wake her though." I couldn't wait for Kormac to pay, and anyone else involved.

" Oh, and Grant, tonight when you come over, please stay until after everyone leaves. I have another task for you. If you think you can stay awake long enough. I know it's been a long day already." I'm glad I ate good, or I might be ready to pass out.

" Of course, my Luna. I'm gonna go get everything set up for Steph, call if you need anything." He walked away, looking defeated.

I asked the guards if they had eaten, of course Alex sent over their plates already. I told them Bryon and Aussie would relieve them around eleven and they seemed alright with that. Now to go deal with the rest. I hadn't realized I had been holding on to Jared until we got to the car and I had to let go. It was close to nine thirty. I knew everyone would be heading to the house soon. This wasn't going to be easy, but I knew that Celeste would help me if I really needed her too.

" Jared, I'm a bit worried. What if no one wants to listen to me? If we want to stop this war, we have to come up with a solution. I need everyone's help for that." But would everyone be on board?

" Don't worry Becca, if you could make me change my mind, I'm sure everyone else will change theirs too. Besides, we have too much to lose if a war breaks out. We can't give up hope." He smiled a half smile at me.

I knew he was scared of losing Stephanie, and she should be our main priority. But if a war did break out, we would have to move her to the safe room. I wasn't sure how safe that would turn out to be.

We managed to get back to the house and get Jack and Meriwether fed before everyone started pulling up. I sent the two back upstairs for now, which they seemed not too happy about. It had to be done though, so I could prepare everyone, and a fight didn't break out.

When everyone was in and sat down, I started to freak out a little bit. Would they trust me? Could they even begin to believe what I was about to tell them all?

" Okay, so I know what's been eating at everyone today. You're all wanting to know about how and why Jared and I have become parents. Well, we have taken guardianship over a girl who's parents have neglected her, sent her as a present to another pack member, who in turn, forced her to mate with them. She has been kept in a room, very little food, and sleeping at the end of a bed like she was some kind of pet. She was terrified to go home because she didn't want her parents to get mad at her for not fulfilling her duties. Thinking she had disappointed her new "master". She is under heavy sedation right now at the clinic. Doctor Grant just got her test results back. She's pregnant. He did an ultrasound, it's twins. This isn't good, and we have a lot to talk over with Stephanie before any decisions are made. We want to keep her safe and alive, so we have to stop this impending war. I don't think moving her or a number of patients to the safe room is going to be an option." They all seemed to understand. They didn't ask any questions; I think because they knew how much this was all hurting me.

" So how do we stop something that we don't even know the hows or whens too? I mean we don't even know where to begin looking." Dad was a great thinker, but I couldn't answer that yet.

" What war? I haven't heard anything about a war. Does Darius know who is planning to attack?" Okay I was ready for this part.

" Alex, there is a lot that we need to get you updated on. But before that, there's a secret I need to share with you. Everyone here already knows." Here goes nothing. " The Moon Goddess said that it was time to tell you as well. See, I'm her heir. I've known for over four years now, everyone else found out over a week ago. I can share the memories with you, it would be faster than telling you the whole story. May I?" I could see the confusion in her eyes.

" The heir to the Moon Goddess? Share memories? Okay, show me I guess." Still confused and now a little scared, she agreed.

Please Celeste, help me. I need your support and calmness. I held Alex's hands and began to share all of my memories with her since I was thirteen to the moments before training that morning. I sneaked a peek into Alex's memories of that night with the fire. Darius wasn't there. I knew why, but now, there was more proof.

When I was done, I let go of her hands. Alex looked like she was coming out of a dream. I couldn't tell if she believed what I showed her or not.

" I can't believe everything you had to go through to keep your secret. And everything that Kormac has done to you, I think I'm going to be sick." Josie grabbed the waste basket and handed it to Alex.

" I'm sorry, I know it's a lot to take in all at once. Just breathe, it will help calm you. I'm gonna go get you a glass of water, okay." She nodded her head but didn't say a word.

" I'm guessing the next part of what I need to say most of you aren't going to like, so maybe we should pause for a min and get something to drink. Water, soda, should I make some coffee?" I was up and walking to the kitchen already.

" I'll come help you dear. I'll get the coffee while you get the ice for the sodas." Mom followed me.

We didn't talk but just hurried about the kitchen getting everything ready to take out. It was kind of nice not having to say anything. I felt a warmth wash over my body, calming me. I knew it had to be Celeste.

" It's almost time my dear, you must get them on your side. I will do what I can to help, but we need to hurry." So now I knew my stalling was over.

I walked back out to a room of people waiting to hear what I have to say. I wish I could just run away. I knew that wasn't an option if I wanted to save lives, plus, I promised Jack, I wouldn't abandon him. I felt bad for everything he had had to go through these last few years, so I had to help him.

" I need to tell all of you some things that you're not going to want to hear or believe, but I really need you to trust me on this. Please just hear me out." Oh, Celeste please let them hear me.

" I need to know something first, does Darius know Jack is planning to attack us?" I saw the word on Alex's face.

" No, he doesn't. We all thought it best to get proof first. I'm glad we did wait, because the proof I found, doesn't look good. Alex, I know you've been raising Jacks baby, and I think we need to talk about that. Have you noticed any similarities in personality?" I had to know if she knew.

" Yes, as everyone can tell, Kormac is just like his father, I'm sad to say." So, she really doesn't know.

" Yes, he does, only Jack isn't Kormac's father, Darius is." Fact one was out of the bag.

" No, no, no. I gave birth to Elizabeth, not Kormac. Darius told me that we needed to protect Kor from Jack. That's what we've been doing all these years." I could tell this was not going to be easy.

" I know, no one wants to believe it, but Grant was there for both births, please Grant, tell them." I was starting to have a problem breathing.

" She's telling the truth. I was there. Jennifer had a baby girl, but then there were complications, so I switched with the senior doctor and that's when I delivered Kormac. I knew Darius planned to raise both children as his own, but I didn't know he had told everyone that Elizabeth was his and Kormac was Jacks. He had told me not to talk about Jacks baby surviving, then I was out of the loop after that."

" YOU'RE LYING! DARIUS WOULD HAVE TOLD ME!" Oh no, this was going to be bad.

I saw a flash of dark blue fill the room, the fear of dread lingering in the air. There wasn't a person in the room that wasn't scared, including me. Whenever Celeste appeared, I always felt at ease, not this time.

" WHO ARE YOU TO QUESTION ONE OF MY LUNAR WARRIORS? YOU'VE ALREADY EXILED ONE INTO HIDING, NOW YOU THINK YOU CAN TALK TO GRANT IN SUCH A WAY! I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS!" Everyone sat perfectly still and quiet until Celeste had finally calmed down.

" I am truly sorry for my outburst. It wasn't very Goddess like of me. I would like to say that Rebecca here has very little time to convince you of the truth. So, I am here to tell you that no, my heir is not lying to you, neither is my Warrior. I have two other warriors that will be joining you shortly, they will also, not be lying to you. I know you all think you know, but you truly don't. After so many years, this girl has managed to uncover the truth, mostly on her own. I think you all might want to hear what twenty-one-year-old lies she has uncovered. Rebecca, you may continue while I go get your guests." And she vanished again.

" What guests was the Moon Goddess speaking of dear?" Oh crap, they were gonna flip.

" Jack and Meriwether the witch. And before anyone says a word, I might like to remind you that if you don't listen to the true story, you're going to anger Celeste. So, let's try not to argue about this. Now, the real truth. Jack wasn't the one that pulled all those pranks when you were kids. He didn't set fire to the old clinic. He didn't attack your pack Lolina, he hasn't killed anyone. It was all Darius. Jack always took the blame so his brother wouldn't get in trouble. I think their father knew the truth, and that's why I think Darius killed him and made it looked like he died in the fire." So far so good.

" That may be, but I know it was him that attacked my old pack. He kidnapped Nikeeto, so explain that one away." Lolina still had her doubts.

" Jack came to your father for help. He knew that Darius was trying to find him to kill him. That's why Jack didn't interact with your pack. Darius was after Nikeeto for his wolf. I don't think your pack was the only one he attacked. He needed a male baby, about the same age as Kormac. It was Kormac that was born without a wolf, not Jared. Darius threatened Meriwether. He told her he would kill everyone if she didn't perform a transference spell. What Meriwether didn't know; he had already had almost everyone killed. Jack showed up to help defend the pack, but he was too late. Darius realized that Jack would attack him, and he knew Jack was the only one that could take him. So, he threatened Jack with more death. Jack couldn't handle more people dying, least of all who he thought was his own son. So, he did what he was told, to hide Jared so no one could find him. See if Jared was found, then there would be a possibility of getting back his wolf." Will they trust what I'm telling them.

" So, he was protecting Nikeeto? Is that what I'm hearing? He kept him from me all these years, to protect him? And what about the way he kidnapped Nathaniel and me? I can assure you, Darius had nothing to do with that." What was the reason behind that?

" I did that so you would get the watch to Darius. I had Meriwether cast a spell on it to get Darius to be distracted. That way when I attacked it would be easier to get at him. I'm sorry Lolina, I would have just asked, but I didn't think after all these years you would believe me. Just know I've kept tabs on Nikeeto all these years. Mary, Mark, I'm sorry for the threats towards you as well. I would never have followed through with them. I just needed to get Jared here. So, when the time came, I could put his wolf back. I know I'm the last person any of you want to see, but I am sorry for everything. And to my old friends, I'm sorry the most for protecting Darius to the point where we all lost so much. I know none of you can ever forgive me for everything, but I thought you should know. As soon as this is all over, I plan on taking my punishment for the things I am guilty of. I just hope you'll help me clear my name for the things I'm not." I knew he was being sincere, did the others.

" Jack, you really shouldn't be here. I don't know whose bright idea it was to bring you here," my dad didn't believe us, " but I'm glad you're here. After what happened this afternoon, I realized that there's something not right with Darius." What happened after I left?

" May I ask what You're talking about Liam?" I see Alex is just as curious as I am.

" Well apparently Kormac told Darius that Becca was planning to attack him so she could take over the pack, some couple named Zellerman said it was me. He has decided to not trust anyone. I'm sorry Jack, but he knows you might be here. Anyway, he flat out told me that he would kill everyone in this pack before he would allow anyone to take it from him. He said and I quote, ‘Even my own family.’ At first I thought he just meant Jack, but between the look in his eyes and what I just heard, I'm not so sure anymore." I think my dad is right, Darius is going off the deep end.

" That's assuming that we can trust Jack. I mean how do we take his word on all of this? Where is the actual proof?" I knew it would come down to this, damn it Nate.

" For starters, Celeste already told you I'm speaking the truth. And if you weren't paying attention when she first appeared, her words spoken told us that Jack is a Lunar Warrior. Why would the Moon Goddess of all people defend a murderer? If you still want more proof, then all I can do is ask two more questions. The first being, why would Jack put his own life in danger coming here if he was guilty. The second that has yet to be asked, so I'll ask now. Has Darius ever been treated for any injuries Grant?" Everyone looked at him waiting for a reply.

" Other than the big rogue fight last year, I can only think of one other time. It was shortly after Elizabeth was born. He came to the clinic with a wound across his chest. He said he had been out running and tripped, landing on something that gouged out his chest. It looked like he had been in a fight though. I didn't say anything because who wants to question the Alpha. But that was definitely not from him tripping. I put some medicine on it and told him to eat something. I don't know how long it took to heal, but I know it was by the next day." I knew Grant would remember something like that.

" I'm betting it was a raid on another pack. I know that's not proof, but it fits."

What did the courts call it, circumstantial evidence?

" I can back that up, I think. Darius was always gone, two, three days at a time. There were a couple times that he was gone for a week. If that's not proof enough, I can say Jack loved Jenny more than just a mate. I really don't think he would have risked her life over a prank. I know he wouldn't." Well, I got Alex on my side, and mom and dad.

" Look, I was just a baby when all that happened, if it was anyone else trying to convince you guys, I would say, go with what you know. But this is Rebecca guys, I mean come on. Her whole life has been homework, training, and us. She wouldn't risk our lives over something she wasn't sure about. Plus, I don't wanna piss off Celeste again, she can be very scary." Yes Josie, thank you.

" I'm with Josie on this, I mean Rebecca would never put us in danger. Plus, she loves Jared too much. Why would she ever side with a guy that supposedly killed his family and then kidnapped him. That to me is what doesn't make sense." Garretts on board too. Oh, Celeste I think we did it.

" I have spent so much time hating this man. But my father and brother trusted him, so I'll give a chance." I could tell Lolina still had her doubts, but at least she was willing to have some faith in us.

" Fine, I'll trust in you Rebecca. There are too many people that can vouch for your character. Jack, I'm willing to help you, everyone deserves to be heard. And Meriwether, I've missed you, my friend. It really is good to see you." Awe, Nathaniel did have a soft spot.

" It's good to see you too Nathan, And Loli. I've missed you both so much. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect them. I really did try." And Meriwether was crying again.

Lolina ran to Meriwether's side and gave her a great big hug. " It's not your fault my friend, I mean we couldn't do anything to save them either. There were just too many to fight. I wish you would have come home to us though." I think the healing was finally beginning.

" Well, I for one am not going against my sister, neither is Aussie. Jack, it's a pleasure to meet you. And you as well Meriwether." She had stopped crying and was now blushing.

" I can speak for myself and Mary on this. Jack, the way you went about all of this was not right. Kidnapping, death threats, and harassment. I mean that's no way to handle any situation. That being said, I do understand why you did it, we're more than happy to help you." He shook Jacks hand. I think Jack started to feel at home just then.

" Excuse me, I can speak for myself. And maybe I don't agree with you. Maybe I think this is all a bit crazy and far-fetched. Maybe, just maybe, I don't want to be a part of this." Everyone just stared at Mary. What more did I need to do to convince her. " I mean I do agree with my husband. It's just nice to be able to say it myself." Everyone laughed.

" Good, now that's all settled, Rebecca, you have somewhere to be. You know who to take with you. Be off and get it done." Oh yes, we need to save one more life, Drake.

" Yes, my Luna. Will you stay to explain?" I wondered.

" Yes, and for comfort as well. Don't worry, I'll take care of her. Now go."

I quickly headed out the door with Jared, Grant, and Meriwether all following. It's your turn to pay for what you have done Kormac. Not just to all of us, but to Drake as well.