The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 29

Walking into the pack house, I make a beeline for the dinning room when Quincy steps into the hall and blocks my path, a grim look on his face. I stop where I stand, the smell of food wafting from behind him tempting me to tell him that what ever it is, it can wait. I am hungry.

“Asteria wants us upstairs in her office.” He states before I can walk around him on my quest for food. I groan and turn on my heels. If Asteria wants us in her office, then our Alpha has gained some bad news. News that requires her Beta and Head Warrior to handle. Making my way towards the staircase, I stop as pups come running inside with their parents, these ones coming from the ten to fifteen training group.

“Slow down before you walk into Beta Brynlee!” Quest calls out, the lanky man running a hand through his hair in frustration as he leans against the open pack house doors.

“Asteria linked me. Its bad, isn’t it?” The Head Hunter asks as he comes to Join Quincy and I. I shrug and motion for the men to go up the stairs first before following them. My stomach grumbles when we enter Asteria’s office and she chuckles, telling me she already linked Odette to bring us some food. Thank the Goddess.

We hold off on this impromptu meeting until Odette arrives, rolling a cart of food into the room and telling us to link her if we need more. I walk her out and make sure the office door closed properly so that no one can hear our conversation before returning to my seat with a plate of food in hand.

“So what’s the problem?” I ask, taking a seat across from Asteria as she turns her computer monitor to face the three of us.

“Gale already knows what’s going on before anyone asks and we are preparing for it, but we have a bit of a situation.” She begins to explain, running a hand through her hair.

“A neighboring pack wants to come visit Crescent Phoenix to meet me and you, Brynlee.” Shocked, I put my fork down onto my plate as everyone looks to me.

“Me? Why me?” I ask. I am just the Beta. I provide additional support when Asteria and Gale are busy handing more important pack matters.

“Because at eighteen, you are the youngest Beta in the country and he wants to see if you are his Mate.” Quincy scoffs this time at Asteria’s explanation, swiping a piece of bacon from my plate and earning himself a glare from me. If looks could kill, Quincy would be dead for stealing my food.

“We all know who my Mate is so there is no need for me to meet this Alpha.” I shrug, picking my fork back up and taking a bite of my food. Asteria lets out another sigh and rubs her temple. I take this as a sign that she is trying to come up with the right words for what she is going to say next and a sinking feeling that none of us is going to enjoy what she is about to tell us.

“There is a reason why we can’t say no to this Alpha coming and this is why Quincy and Quest are here.” The boys grow rigged at this, their eyes narrowing into slits as they take in the apologetic gaze Asteria sends their way.

“By now you know that three weeks ago the son to the previous Alpha of Onix Moon challenged and killed his father for attacking Golden Fang.” We all nod, unease settling in the room as Quincy reaches out and takes my hand. I can feel him shaking, sense the rage inside him that I feel when ever someone mentions Pine Moon around me.

“Well, he was just made Alpha last week and wishes to come here to compensate us for-”

“No!” Quincy stands from his chair so fast it falls back, his body shaking as rage builds inside him. I set my plate down and move closer to my friend, wrapping my free arm around him and trying my best to calm him down.

“Quincy, we can’t not accept this peace offer.” Asteria tries to reason, allowing her calming tone to wash over us.

“His father killed our pack mates. Killed innocent wolves all because of a land dispute.” He shouts back. Quest has fallen to his knees, wrapping his arms around himself as he tries to stop a panic attack and I look to Asteria helplessly. Having your enemies come to your pack after destroying it is something no wolf would accept.

“Quincy, take a deep breath.” I command calmly, gently taking my hand from his and pulling his face towards me. I breathe in deeply and Quincy copies me. Once his focus is on calming down, I back away and help Quest, the Head Hunter following along until both men have calmed down from the shock of the news.

“Look. I know this is hard to take in, but this Alpha wants to make a peace treaty and has offered us a good twelve acers of land plus an additional three million dollars we can use to expand the pack.” Once everyone has returned to their seats, Asteria continues to explain the situation and this time Quest and Quincy are able to accept this. Their pack was destroyed over a land dispute. With Onix Moon willingly giving us land, they are admitting to their own guilt and misdeeds.

“It is a good deal.” I muse, this time reaching for Quincy’s hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. He closes his eyes and we give him a moment to think. The late wolves of what used to be known as Golden Fang were part of his family. He felt every one of their loss personally.

“Have you accepted their deal yet?” Quest asks breaking the silence.

“No. We have until the last day of their stay to decide if they truly feel remorseful.” Asteria answers with a sigh.

“When will they be here then?” Quincy chimes in, making me smile as I see a sort of understanding in his gaze.

“Tomorrow. The Alpha and ten of his wolves will be here tomorrow.” I sigh thinking how hard this visit will be. We are expecting another group of Pine Moon wolves some time tonight and having Onix Moon here as well will put a bit of a strain on our week.

“Will we be able to keep the Onix Moon wolves from our new members coming tonight?” I ask, watching Asteria grimace.

“I hope so. We plan to have them stay in the pack house and the Onix Moon wolves in the guest house so there shouldn’t be much over lapping. Add in a few Warriors keeping an eye on both parties and there should be no issues.” She answers and I nod, taking a moment to look at Quincy and Quest.

“Will you two be okay? I know this is a lot to deal with.”

“If it means we get money and land, then yes. Quincy and I will get through this.” Quest answers, his eyes filled with determination.

“Good. We need all hands on deck the next few days and I can’t have you two giving in to your emotions.” With the plan settled, Asteria dismisses us. Tomorrow will be a busy day between the Pine Paw wolves and Onix Moon. We will need to keep our eyes and ears peeled before any sort of problem can arise.