Chapter 97: Loyal Hearts

Claire POV

I stood on the edge of the Redwater clearing and looked out over the spot where I had seen warriors getting ready for battle not long ago. Now, the same room was full of familiar faces, but I was not sure what to do—wolves from Midnight Moon, my old pack.

They came here for one reason.

To choose where they would put their loyalty.

Some people had already made up their minds weeks ago. Others had been unsure. They were still alive, but hurt, confused, and wary of power after Jared's fall. I understood why they were hesitant. I had lived with the same fear they did. Kindness all the same. The same chains.

But Redwater was not a place of fear. It was a place of healing. And I needed them to believe that.

“I never thought we’d stand here like this,” I murmured to Derek, who stood beside me in his Alpha tunic, quiet and watchful.

He glanced at me. “Neither did they.”

He was right. The wolves that used to be part of Midnight Moon looked like people who were about to be judged. Most wore simple clothes. Some carried old scars. Others held their children close as they watched us, unsure whether they belonged.

Sophia moved forward and put her hands together in front of her. Being around her always made me feel calm, like the eye of a storm. She said in a soft voice, "They asked for you, Claire." "Not you, Derek." It is not the Council. "You."

My stomach got tight. "Why do they want me?"

She said, "To hear the truth." "Maybe to see if you are still one of them."

I took a deep breath.

I walked to the middle of the open area. A small gap opened up in the crowd, giving me room. I saw the eyes of old warriors and enemies from the past. Some people had spat at my feet once. Some had turned away the night I ran. Some had begged me to come back when Jared’s lies began to crack.

I didn’t hold it against them. Not any longer.

I spoke up. "I know you are not trusting me." Also, I didn't. I know what it’s like to have your choices stripped away. To be told you’re nothing unless someone else says otherwise.”

Heads nodded. Murmurs rippled through the group.

“I know what it means to serve an Alpha who uses fear to control. I lived it. It hurt me under it. I broke free, though, and not just for myself. I did it for all of you.

Miren, one of the older women, spoke up. Jared had used her as a bodyguard before. She had a tight knot in her grey hair, and even though she was old, her arms were still strong. She spoke loudly, "You left us." "You got away, and we paid for it."

I did not jump. "I understand. That is something I always have with me. I did not leave you, though. I made something better and opened the gates.

Tomas, one of the hunters, spoke up next. "How do we know that Redwater will not change back into Midnight Moon?" "A new name for the same kind of power?"

Derek moved forward. "This place does not have just one person in charge," Claire and I take the lead. We pay attention. We choose. We work together to build. We look out for our own, but we do not use force to rule.

I put out my hand. "But if it helps..." I am going to leave. If you do not think I deserve it. If you believe I lied to you, I will leave this.

People in the crowd let out gasps. Derek even looked at me with shock on his face.

I was not pretending. I meant it.

Then, a girl no more than ten years old came out from the crowd. Her name was Elara. I saw the moonlight on cold water in her eyes.

She said in a whisper, "You saved me." "When Jared locked my mum up. You were the only one who spoke up. You tried to stop him.”

Her mother followed, eyes brimming with tears. "Claire, you came back for all of us. Do not move aside. Be strong.

One by one, they came forward. Veterans of war. Teenage moms. I remember teens pretty well. They all moved to the middle and formed a rough circle around me.

"We promise," Miren said in a low voice. "Not because I am scared. It is not out of duty. Because you did not give up.

Tomas added, “Midnight Moon is gone. We are not, though. We need something new. Something better. "You."

I felt a warmth go through my chest. There was more to it than just having faith. It was forgiving them. There was hope.

I slowly said, "I do not want to rebuild Midnight Moon." "But we can make something stronger if you walk with me." "Together."

Cheers broke out.

They howled as a pack, not as Midnight Moon wolves or Redwater strangers.

Rowan smiled as he walked through the crowd. "I will say it again, Claire." The world needed you to lead.

Sophia just gave me a very small nod. "They now believe it too."

The rest of the day went by quickly.  Others swore to do good.  List of names.  Moving homes around.  The kids had food and a blanket.  Nurses and doctors checked on the older people.  It felt like the two parts of my life could stand together for the first time.

But late at night, when the fires were out and the stars were shining with happiness, a shadow moved along the edge of the trees.

I was the first to see it—just a flash of movement.  A tall person with a thick cloak on.  With my instincts on high alert, I did what they said.  Derek did not say anything and just stayed right behind me.

Someone stopped by a tree.  When I got close, they turned around.

Jared, that was it.

He looked different.  Made hollow.  Tougher.  Old eyes.  But it was impossible to miss his smell.

I told them, "You should not be here," in a loud voice.

"I do not want to fight."  He pulled something out of his coat and put it up.

The unravelling of a scroll.  The crescent moon shape on it was the same as the one we had seen weeks before.

He said, "They are moving." "And they are no longer after me."

Derek moved forward. "Who?"

Jared looked right into my eyes.

"They want her."