Chapter 49 — Rainn

The older wolf studies Bree for what seems like an eternity. The rumble of noisy reactions from the other wolves tapers into a silence only broken by the sound of the running stream. Bree meets the alpha’s scrutiny with her head held high.

My mate.

“Moonstruck,” the old wolf states. It’s an observation and a question at the same time.

Bree stands even taller. “Yes.”

He turns a glance toward his mate, and she gives her input in the form of a slight nod. He turns back to Bree. “Rare these days to be moonstruck. And you say you’re from Falling River?”

“I am.”

His eyes flick to mine. “She belongs to the mysterious hidden pack? The one you’re accusing of killing your people? And you?” He turns back to Bree. “You will lead an army of wolves to face your own pack because you have abandoned them for this young wolf?”

Bree doesn’t flinch at the barrage and neither do I. He makes us sound as if we’re being rash and foolish, but we’re not. At least we’re doing something instead of pretending there’s nothing amiss. “We’re not accusing Bree’s entire pack,” I reply, addressing the whole assembly. “We’re accusing Hugo, the alpha.”

“From my youth, Hugo has kept the members of my pack, afraid, isolated, and perpetually preparing for a war he assures us is coming,” Bree says. “He is brutal to the men and repressive to the women.” She looks around at the gathered wolves. “He forbade women from shifting without a man’s permission. He denied us the right to choose our spouses. He hid the truth about the outside world from us. He labelled every stray wolf that ever crossed our land as an enemy. He killed my father. We believe he killed Rainn’s mother and many more wolves. He is not just an enemy of women and an enemy of his own pack. He is an enemy to all wolf-shifters.”

Outrage rumbles through the wolves, especially the women. Bree is trembling with the passion of her words, and I feel pride surge inside me as I look at her.

“You described the places beyond the unclaimed lands as where wolves go to die,” I remind the Cedar Ridge Alpha. “How many of your people have wandered into Hugo’s territory and never come back? How many wolves has he killed to keep his pack from learning the truth? Surely, this is not something we can allow to stand.”

“It should not be allowed to stand, but it is a matter to be discussed at the summits when the other alphas can decide together. I won’t ask my people to join your fight based on these accusations alone.”

“I will join their fight.” The announcement comes from a sleek brown wolf. He walks across the stream, then once he’s standing abreast of the Alpha, he shifts. He’s tall and built like an athlete, with a dark mahogany complexion and waist-length dreadlocks in a low ponytail.

“Zack!” The cry of protest comes from the Alpha’s mate, but Zack cuts her off.

“Mother, I will fight with them.” He gives his father a curt nod, then looks from me to Bree and back again. “I will join your pack in this fight. My father did not teach me to stand back and do nothing in the face of injustice, and though he may have forgotten some of his principles, I have not.”

The old Alpha growls but says nothing.

“I will meet you later to discuss, and be assured, I will bring enough soldiers to challenge this Hugo.”

With that, he shifts back and retreats into the trees. Many of the younger wolves follow him. They don’t go far, just far enough that it’s clear that they are with Zack and not his father.

“I would say something about how the young hunger for battle because they haven’t been tested, but maybe this is your chance to be tested,” the old wolf says in a resigned tone. “Zack will fight with you. You have what you want.”

“Our cause is just,” I reply.

“As was your mother’s likely was.” His eyes close. “Look where that led.” He pauses, and in his mind, I see his affection for his son and his fears and concerns. “Go…and make your plans. Let us make this challenge. If we die, then we die.”

***

It’s almost dawn when we return to the house. After we left the Cedar Ridge wolves, I made sure every member of my pack got home safely, then after saying goodbye to Eli, Rebecca, and Caleb, I ran the rest of the way home with Bree and Derek by my side.

I haven’t thought much about Derek since earlier in the night. He’s quiet and pensive even as we run, deep in his own thoughts. The house comes into view, and we shift, dressing quickly with the clothes in the lockers by the pool before walking into the house.

My dad is waiting in the kitchen. A book lays open in front of him on the kitchen island. His worried eyes travel my face before going to Bree and Derek.

“It went well?” he asks.

“Yes.” I fill him in on the events of the night as he leads us through the house to the living room. There, Emily-Rose is asleep on a couch, covered in a blanket. As we enter, the blanket slips to the floor, and Derek hurries over and replaces it, his movements almost tender.

“She wanted to stay up and wait, but sleep won,” my dad explains. “I’m sure you’re all tired. Why don’t we get some sleep and talk some more later in the day?”

“Good idea.” I look at Bree, who’s quiet. “You’ll stay here, right?” I ask Derek. Something tells me he won’t leave Emily-Rose.

“Yes,” he replies. After a pause, he continues. “I guess…a part of me still believed Hugo, even after I saw your pack. I told myself that you were just a few packless wolves coming together to form something. But all those wolves at the stream. Such a large pack.” He sighs. “Why did Hugo keep us ignorant of an entire world of shifters like ourselves?”

“For control,” Bree sighs. “Go to bed, Derek. We’ll talk later.”

“I’ll show you to your room,” my dad says to Derek.

“What about her?” Derek gestures toward Emily-Rose.

“I’ll carry her,” I offer.

“No,” he cuts in. With one swift movement, he lifts Emily-Rose into his arms. “I’ll take her to her room, then you can show me mine.”

He follows my dad out of the living room, leaving me alone with Bree. We haven’t been alone since we found out we could hear each other’s thoughts. Now, she collapses on the couch and sighs. She looks tired and thoughtful. I have no idea what she’s thinking because, once again, she’s blocked me out.

“You should go to bed,” I tell her.

She gives me a look and a glimpse of a thought, making it clear that she’s not ready to share my room, my bed, again.

Not ready to be my mate.

I take a step toward her, then stop myself. She needs time. We both need time. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She scoffs. “What’s there to talk about?”

I take a deep breath. “It came as a shock to me too, being moonstruck, irrevocably fated, blood-bound…whatever, but I love you, Bree. I know I love you.”

Her eyes fill with tears. “That’s the thing, though. How could you possibly know for sure?”