Chapter 74

There was talk throughout the crowd as they learned what their leaders had been doing behind their backs.

Amanda sucked in a breath and stepped forward. She looked at both Persephone and Samuel. "You judged me before you knew me. You wanted something that didn't belong to you. You were greedy for power because you weren't happy with what you had. Your mind was clouded by envy. It's kind of sad that you can't see what you had. So many people believed in you and would follow you blindly into whatever you led them into because they trusted you. They thought you were their leader, their mentor, someone who would guide them. But you couldn't, and now they've lost faith and trust in their leaders. Look at them. If you were in their place, would you want someone like you leading you?"

Hudson looked at his mate with pride. She was talking like an actual luna, and his heart was filled with more love for her than when he told her he loved her.

Amanda looked at Ophelia and Tristan. "You two have caused more pain and suffering than your parents have, and for what? Something you thought was there? Both of the people that you wanted have moved on. You tried to mess with fate and destiny all for your selfish reasons. You learned by example from your parents. Tristan, if you really loved and cared for Vita, wouldn't you want her to be happy?"

Tristan looked at Vita and just shook his head. He couldn't be honest with what he truly wanted.

Amanda then turned to Ophelia. "Ophelia, don't you want to find your own mate?"

Ophelia didn't look at Amanda; her face was turned away, but Amanda could tell Ophelia was pissed. When Ophelia finally faced her, Amanda could see the tears that ran down her face. "My daddy forced me to reject my mate. He was human, and Daddy didn't want me bringing a human into the pack," she answered.

Amanda nodded.

Ophelia continued, "Daddy wanted me to get together with Hudson to combine the packs, and he would have control over both of them."

Hudson and Benjamin both growled at this bit of information. Samuel couldn't listen to any more deceit and betrayal from first his son and now his daughter. All he wanted was a better life for them, and this was the thanks he got for it. Samuel glared at the hybrid who was standing in front of him; this was Amanda's fault. Samuel howled with anger and barged toward Amanda. Amanda was about to use her magic to defend herself when Hudson stepped forward. His claws grew, and his temper rose as he swiped his hand through the air at Samuel.

Samuel stopped in his tracks as he looked down. He dropped to his knees and fell to the ground. Persephone rushed forward and held him in her arms.

"No, no, no," Persephone pleaded.

Samuel looked up at her. He lifted his hand and cupped her face. Samuel whispered, "I never stopped loving you."

The tears burned Persephone as they raced down her cheeks. Colson walked up next to his sister and wrapped his arm around her as they looked down at their father and watched him with the witch. Seeing Samuel interact with the witch answered so many unanswered questions about their father.

"I've always loved you," Persephone breathed out.

Samuel smiled, his eyes grew heavy, and his hand fell from her face. His shut, and his heartbeat stopped shortly after.

Everyone stood there quietly as Persephone cried over Samuel's body. The wolves of the Howler's pack started to howl at the loss of their Alpha. The members of the pack circled around their Alpha. They waited patiently to collect their Alpha. Colson knew that even though his father had made many bad decisions, he would give him the burial he deserved.

An older woman walked over from the coven. She helped Persephone get up and walked toward the rest of the coven's members.

Madeline stepped in her path and asked the woman, "What will your coven do about Persephone?"

The older woman smiled. "Don't worry, Madeline. I'll make sure the coven gives her what she deserves."

Madeline gave her the same respect. She nodded and replied, "I'm sure you will, Willemina."

Willemina continued to walk the broken-down Persephone toward her coven. She then stopped and turned to look back at Madeline. "We should get together sometime for lunch. It seems we have a lot to talk about," Willemina suggested.

"I think that would be best." Madeline agreed.

Each woman gave the other a warm smile before returning to their people.

Hudson walked over to Colson. "So, what are your plans?" Hudson asked.

He looked to his pack and then over to Gretchen. His heart hurt over the decision that needed to be made.

"I'll stay with the pack and make sure the old laws are thrown out; any wolf that doesn't like it will be free to leave. I would like to get the treaty reinstated between our packs," Colson requested.

Hudson nodded. "I will talk with my father; I'm sure he will approve that with you as head Alpha now of your pack."

Colson winced at the sound of him being Alpha. He looked at Gretchen again, who continued to be painfully shy with him. Colson was going to have to learn patience with that girl. But for her, he thought. She would be worth it.

"What about them two?" Hudson motioned over to Tristan and Ophelia.

"I don't think we can trust the coven to keep him from doing harm. It might be best if we separate them. I'll keep Ophelia, and you take Tristan," Colson suggested.

Hudson lifted a brow. "You think you'll be able to keep your sister under control?" he asked with hesitation in his voice.

Colson nodded as he raised his hand. "Believe me; she'll change. It was more my dad feeding into her what he wanted for her than she wanted for herself."

Amanda walked over and wrapped her arms around Hudson. She looked over at Colson and smiled. "Thank you for what you did. I'm sorry about your father."

Colson turned back to where his father lied and sighed. "My father was a complicated man following laws that he disagreed with but felt were best for the pack because that was how he was raised. Hopefully, my father is at peace since he no longer has to pretend to be something he's not." Colson confided.

"And you, too," Amanda said with a soft smile.

Colson looked over at Gretchen. "That's if she'll let me," Colson said softly.

Amanda looked up at Hudson. "Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For never giving up."

Hudson smiled and leaned down to kiss her on her lips. Amanda's heart fluttered, and her body tingled.

Hudson pulled back and let out a growl. "Let's go home."