The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 148

Watching as everyone around me changes into their new clothes - black pants, a black long-sleeve shirt, and a black facemask - I send a silent prayer to the Goddess praying that she watches over the wolves gathered in the clearing with us. Praying for a quick and easy takeover and for things to go smoothly so that no wolf in Crescent Phoenix and Shadow Rose dies tonight. Brynlee is already in the crowd, sending teams of four off after handing them a map for their starting position.

The plan is simple, surround Pine Moon and slowly work our way inside the Pack Lands. They would creep towards the houses of the men loyal to Valor, using the drugs Jasmin created to knock them out. If they resisted and a fight ensued, everyone was told to take lethal action and kill them with no mercy. Valor’s men are the reason why this Pack is unsafe for the innocent wolves inside and will be put down like the rabid mutts they are.

Speaking of the innocent wolves, they will be spared and given the option to quietly wait for Brynlee and me to take over the Pack or given the option to leave in the middle of the night to find a new home. If they chose to stay, Brynlee and I would make sure they are assessed by therapists to help them work through the shit Tanya and Valor put them through.

“You know, when we left, I never thought we would come back with the intent to kill Valor and his whore.” Caspian says from beside me, his mask already covering the lower half of his face.

“I did.” I admit, smiling as Brynlee points toward the west side of the Pack explaining to a group of wolves where they need to go. Everyone has ten minutes to get to their positions, some needing to be driven by the many vans here so that they are closer to their position on their map.

“Remember how I asked you over a month ago if you thought Brynlee and I could reclaim Pine Moon and you said ‘maybe’?” I ask my friend, turning to give him an amused smile.

“Has your answer changed since then?” Caspian lets out a chuckle at my question, his eyes turning to watch Brynlee. Even while pregnant she emanates the power of a strong leader, a leader I would never have had by my side if I had married Tanya like Valor wanted.

“It has.” Caspian answers with a quiet voice, his eyes softening as Odette joins Brynlee with a few Omegas trained in first aid care.

“I believe that by the end of this night, Brynlee and you will have successfully reclaimed Pine Moon.” I smile at this, remembering how annoyed Caspian had been. He thought I would be the one to leak information about Brynlee and me being in Crescent Phoenix. No one thought Valor would be bold enough to send a spy just because of rumors spreading that Brynlee and I were in Crescent Phoenix after rescuing her from Onix Moon’s clutches. If it weren’t for Valor being so paranoid, Brynlee and I would still be in Crescent Phoenix planning for our pup and helping my Aunt and Uncle take care of the Pack.

“I am still mad you woke me up for that conversation, but I am also glad you did. You stuck to your word and made Brynlee an Alpha alongside you.” Caspian says with a chuckle. Patting my shoulder.

“The old Rune would never have done that. You would have kept Brynlee under you as a Luna and she would have never become the woman she is now.”

“You’re right.” I agree with Caspian, turning away from watching Brynlee and grabbing a black mask from the box on the stump beside me.

“The old me would have looked down on Brynlee just for being a woman. Rejecting her was the shittiest thing I could ever done, but it was also the thing that made us stronger.” Caspian makes a noise of agreement and the two of us watch and wait. He will be going with a few other wolves to the north side of Pine Moon, sneaking in through the stream there. Brynlee, Tristan, Ashton, and I will cut through the Pack from here, passing by the stream with the willow tree we used to hide under as pups since this route is the quickest to the Pack House. We are just waiting for Brynlee to finish organizing the wolves.

“Caspian, are you ready?” My Aunt comes to our side, her hair braided back out of her way and her mask covering the lower half of her face. The same grey eyes as mine stare at the two of us, an edge to them that I have only seen once – the same knife-like gaze she gave me when I rejected Brynlee. It seems my Aunt has fully accepted the battle ahead and is ready to kill.

“Yeah, I am. Will there be wolves guarding Odette and her team?” Caspian says. I can tell he is worried about his Mate as this is the first time she has left her Pack having grown up in it when it was once Golden Fang.

“Yes. Edison and his men are staying back to one, keep an eye on Hawk and his family, and two, keep an eye on Odette and the Omegas helping in the medical team.” Aunt Asteria states nodding her head towards the waiting van.

“Now we need to go if we want this operation to run smoothly.” With that, Caspian and I wish each other luck before he and my Aunt disappear into the van. By now, the group of wolves that were in the clearing had dissipated and all that was left were the few groups starting this operation on our side. Tristan and Brynlee were waiting quietly, their eyes on the sky as they watched the moon climb higher into the sky with each passing second. Ashton was hugging Devlyn, whispering something into his Mate’s ear before watching Devlyn climb into a van.

Walking towards my friend, I place my hand on his shoulder and watch the sadness in his eyes slowly flicker away.

“I told Devlyn to wait an hour away. I don’t want him being caught by Valor’s men after just healing from the injuries Quincy gave him.” Ashton whispers quietly.

“Trust me, I would have had Brynlee do the same thing if she would let me.” I state, getting a laugh out of the man.

“You and I both know she would kick your ass again if you tried.” Ashton counters snorting out a laugh.

“That she would.” I agree.

“Has Quest gone with Asteria and Gale?”

“Yes. Caspian is with them.” I state, the two of us turning away from the entrance of the clearing and making our way to Brynlee and Tristan.

“Two minutes.” I hear Brynlee mutter, covering her face with a mask of her own. I sigh, stepping forward and taking her hand in mine.

“We will come out victorious.” I promise her, placing a kiss on the back of her hand.

“I know.” She says, her eyes twinkling under the moonlight.

“It’s either that or everyone we love dies.”