Chapter 225 - A Message

Chapter 225 - A Message
Amaia's POV
It has been six months since Roland and I officially tied the knot and merged the packs.
Since then, we have faced countless challenges together, strengthening our bond in ways I never thought possible. Each day brings new adventures, and I find myself more in love with him than I ever imagined.
We were now moving into the new packhouse, centered among the merged packs. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as we unpacked boxes and transformed the space into our home. With each item we placed, I felt the weight of our shared future solidifying, a testament to the life we were building together.
Roland was surprised to learn that I had already started construction on the new packhouse. He couldn't believe I had taken such initiative, but his admiration only fueled my determination. As we worked side by side, the laughter and playful banter between us deepened our bond, reminding me that we were not just building a house, but a life filled with promise and love.
One afternoon, Roland asked if I would like to rename the merged pack, and I agreed. We named the pack Nuray, which means 'bright moon.' It was an exciting new chapter of our lives, and I couldn't wait to settle down in our new home.
However, the last few weeks I needed to slow down—just a bit.
My hand protectively moved over my swollen belly. The doctor warned me that my due date was approaching soon. I was scared and excited at the same time.
"No slacking on the job, Luna," Barrett chirped as he passed me with boxes. "There is still a lot to do!"
He and his mate will be living with us in the new packhouse. Most of the ranks will be joining us. The immortal guard will be spread over the rest of the packhouses to ensure safety among the pack members.
I absent-mindedly tapped my fingers on my belly; things were excellent. We had more pack members joining, and we were in the process of building another packhouse on virgin ground next to the old White Moon Pack.
In the end, we would give each pup his or her own packhouse some day.
"I'm not," I yelled after Barrett.
Barrett chuckled as he disappeared up the stairs.
"Is my Beta running his mouth again?" Roland asked, raising an eyebrow as he stepped out of the packhouse. "Should we send him back to Black Matter?"
I chuckled, shaking my head.
"No," I replied. "He's just a bit jealous. Guess he can't handle someone else supervising the move while he needs to help offload the truck."
I knew Barrett was just teasing. It's been like that since the mating ceremony. Our friendship had grown to playful battering between us.
"Good," Roland said, and kissed me on the cheek. "I'm leaving to pick up the pups. Do you want to go with me?"
"I'm too tired..." I replied.
Roland nodded and kissed me one more time before he ran down the few steps to the driveway, got into the truck, and drove off.
"Where's Alpha going?" Barrett asked as he stepped outside.
"Fetching the pups," I replied. Their nursery was the first thing we sorted.
"Good," he said. "That gives me a moment to tell you something I've been delaying..."
"Seems like something important!" I replied, watching him.
"I didn't want to interfere in your overbooked schedule," he teased. "There is no way I could compete with Alpha. You know he can't keep his hands off you..."
That made me laugh. It was true. Roland and I seemed to make more love than work.
"Whatever," I waved it off, feeling my face heat. "Now tell me, Beta, what secrets you are keeping from me...."
Barrett sat next to me and stared down the long driveway.
"I wanted to tell you this weeks ago," he stated. "But I didn't think it was the right time... not with the mating ceremony, the honeymoon, and this..." He gestured to the building.
I shifted my head to the side, unsure what he was getting at.
"What are you saying, Barrett?" I asked. "Did something happen?"
"On the contrary," he said, turning his gaze to look at me. "I want to tell you something about the days I... was out cold..."
Barrett never used the word "coma"—ever. He preferred to use a different description—anything but the word 'coma.'
"I know I can't heal immortals," I said, looking down at my hands.
It has been bugging me.
Why have the gift if I can't even use it when it's needed?
"That's precisely where you're wrong," he said. "Your healing gift works well on all creatures—mortal and immortal—it's just that..."
Barrett paused, looking down at his intertwined fingers.
"What is it, Barrett?" I asked, now curious.
He closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
"When Serena stabbed me," he said. "My soul left my body. I saw myself dying."
His words send a chill down my spine.
"You brought me back," he said, looking at me. "But I couldn't return… not yet anyway. I had unfinished business to attend to…"
For a moment he stopped, as if he was searching for the right words.
"I saw Serena's soul floating around," he went on. "She was searching for a new host—someone weak enough to manipulate... I couldn't allow that. I had to step in."
I could see the longing and the pain Serena left in his heart. He loved her, even if he was bound to a mate.
"You healed my body..." he went on. "It looked like you didn't, but you did."
I could see the truth in his eyes, and I believed him.
"I chased after Serena's soul to the end of the world. I needed to ensure she crossed over and never hurt anyone again," he said and dragged his hand through his hair.
"Did you succeed?" I asked.
"I did," he said, but I could tell Barrett was withholding something.
"Barrett," I said, reaching out to him. "What happened on your way back?"
"Mother Moon," he said, and my breath caught.
"What about her?" I asked, feeling my heart race.
"She stopped me..." he said.
I could tell that this was the reason why Barrett never said anything.
"What did she want from you?" I asked.
"Nothing in particular," he replied. "She gave me a message."
"A message?" I asked. "What kind of message?"
"She said that you shouldn't worry," he replied. "That all is fine in the immortal world. Your brother's sins were forgiven, and he's given a second chance."
My heart pounded so rapidly in my chest that the pup gave me a kick.
"Is that all?" I asked.
I was there when the immortal guards took my brother away. I always wondered what had happened.
"He's happy," Barrett smiled. "He looks like a new person."
"Who?" I asked.
"Your brother," he said.
"You saw him?" I gasped.
"He looked good," he said and nodded. "He looks younger, and his wolf is now as white as snow—just like Rieka."
"She fixed..." My thoughts trailed off when I felt something pop, followed by fluids pouring onto the floor.
What the hell? Where was it coming from?
Did I just…?
The thought didn't even settle properly, when the most excruciating pain cut through me.