I had breakfast with them all, the only meal that I apparently would be having with them this week. I glanced at them all under my lashes; it was bittersweet, coming to an end. I sat in this spot for years, creating and enforcing my persona, and soon, it wouldn’t be them all sitting across from me. It was coming to an end, and it felt reliving but also strange that it might all end so soon. Heavy even.
Luna Addison looked bored yet flustered. The Alpha was eating as if this might be his last meal. Nolan focused on his food, Hunter looked as bored as ever, and Dominick, well, he actually didn’t look very well, possibly nerves.
“We won’t be here for lunch, and dinner will be a big affair,” The Alpha said, pointing a sausage at me. “Tell the Omegas to send something to your room or just eat in here alone.”
“Of course, Alpha,” I said, averting my eyes.
Ezra said the first night went well. Nolan was nervous but came off confident at their stupid little show of skill.
I called on Tia again that afternoon, the skittish Omega I had already asked too much from.
She greeted me with a bright smile, and I almost felt bad about using her, but maybe she could be a friend if situations were different and friends helped friends. Or that’s how I would rationalize this. Guilt was an unfamiliar feeling for me, and I didn’t like the way it made my stomach feel fuzzy.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to intrude on you once more. If it’s too much, of course, you can say no.”
Her brows tugged together, but she took a step forward, raising her chin. “I’ll do it.”
I laughed. “I haven’t even told you what it was.”
“I’ll do it,” she said, and my heart swelled to see her gain this bit of confidence.
“I need to get a message to someone…”
Not even an hour later, she returned with a flush on her face and came up to me conspiratorially, handing me the note back. I unfurled it.
I believe you. I’ll spread the message.
Relief washed through me with a prickle of fear. What did they see that he believed me now? What proof? I shoved that thought away.
“Thank you so much, Tia.”
“Of course.” She dipped her head, but her smile was still radiant. “None of us have forgotten that someone in a, uh, well, a bad situation.” She tensed, and I smiled at her. “Well, that you stood up for one of us. I told you no one has done that before, and it just, it gave me, it gave them hope. Please let me know what else you need. It makes me feel better helping.” She leaned closer and whispered, “Also, it's kind of fun.”
I grasped her hands. “What would I do without you?”
She took a deep breath, and her smile widened. It was a beautiful thing; the spark of happiness and confidence in her, however small, changed her so completely.
She backed out, and her shoulders hunched again, and her skittishness returned. I hoped one day, she would be comfortable enough to carry that confidence with her outside this room.
I went down for lunch in the kitchen just for something to do, gossip to collect. All of the members were eating in the new dining room in the updated wing so I was safe here.
I was surprised to see Tia in the hallway; she bumped into me, apologized, and then smiled when she realized it was me. She grasped my hand, tried to wink, and walked away. I dipped into an alcove and unfurled the paper.
Can we meet? - S
I found a pen and scribbled a note back, waiting for Tia where I first saw her. Minutes later, she emerged, and I whispered something to her when the hall cleared and went to wait in my library.
Tia led Sam in, and I was so lost in thoughts I wouldn’t have heard the door creak without my advanced hearing.
Sam strolled next to me where I stood at the window.
“What did you see?” I asked, staring out the glass but not looking.
“It was… It was carnage. Bones lay where they fell; there was no burial, no dignity.” His voice wavered. “I thought maybe the rest of the pack came here or left, but there were children that were-” He took a deep breath and glanced at me.
“It’s okay,” I said, but my throat was clogged; this was worse than I thought. I thought they would have at least disposed of the bodies.
“It was obvious people were trying to escape; the place was left mostly untouched, how it was that day. The office was the only thing that was still set up.” I didn’t want to go back to that night, but I knew beyond a doubt that place was shattered.
“It’s not even being used; the land is overgrown. What was the point?” he echoed the question that rang through my head for years.
I shrugged, blinking rapidly. “I don’t know.”
“Are you truly the last one alive?”
I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Yes. That night is blurry, but-” The death I saw, the screams. It was only me and Miles, and I wouldn’t hope anyone else remained, but I wouldn’t share that.
“Your dad's Beta, I’ve seen him.” His eyes widened with realization.
“I,” I rubbed my arm. “I know,” I admitted. “I recently saw him, but he doesn’t know I know he’s alive. I wasn’t supposed to see him.” I looked away.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“I, I didn’t know if it mattered. You have a duty as an Alpha, and I’m already asking enough from you. I didn’t want to get you mixed up even further.”
“Why is the Beta alive, Simone?” His eyes narrowed, and I knew I was losing his trust.
I locked eyes with his. “He betrayed my pack.”
He took a step back, his eyes searching my face. “How? I didn’t want to ask earlier. I didn’t want to bring it up. But how did you all die? You were so strong, even without warning your dad, he would have…”
“I know,” I agreed. “What I’m going to tell you, well, it doesn’t matter anymore. It is something everyone in our pack is sworn to secrecy by an Alpha command. I was never commanded, and it seems Miles wasn’t either.”
Even though everyone was gone, it still felt like a betrayal to share my pack's secret, but I had to for this to make sense. And I had no pack. That thought sliced through me.
“It’s going to sound strange.”
“We live in a strange world.” He placed a hand lightly on my shoulder and gave me a slight smile.
I tried to return it. “Our packlands were blessed. Just the lands, the wolves were; our strength was honed, and we were trained early, as I’m sure you knew.” He nodded. “Once a year, our lands regenerate; I’m unsure how, but the ranked members do some ceremony or something; I wasn’t old enough to learn it.” I shook my head; that part didn’t matter. “We can’t shift on that night.”
His lips parted as realization sank in. “You couldn’t shift…” he trailed off, his face contorted in horror.
“I know it sounds implausible.” I let out a dry laugh.
“No, Simone.” His eyes were wide. “It sounds more believable than Black River taking over Blood Moon completely.”
I swallowed, nodding. “It was a slaughter. We might have been able to defend ourselves better with weapons, but we had no warning until they were there. I know magical lands sound crazy.” A tear fell openly down my face, and I let it.
“It doesn’t, I’ve heard of stranger,” he sighed. “Simone-” he stopped. I knew there was nothing he could find to say.
“I don’t understand why it happened; I know now what must have happened. I know that Miles shared the secret, but for what? The lands that aren’t being used? The numbers of my pack he killed instead of added to his? I don’t - it doesn’t-”
Sam pulled me close to him, and I let myself have a few moments of sadness before pulling back and wiping my eyes.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, “I haven’t told anyone that. The lands, they weren’t magic really, or maybe they were. They were just fruitful, protected.” I laughed dryly. “Except for one night.” I don’t know why I added that they weren’t truly magical, but I was slightly worried Sam would take the lands for his own. I would rather have them lost to time instead of another pack claiming them, however selfish that was.
“Simone, I’m the one that’s sorry. I’ll share your story, not the part of the blessed lands and not being able to shift. But I’ll share what we saw, the proof in it,” he promised.
“We?” I asked.
“I went with two friends. I wasn’t sure what I would find there, and they were curious. They’re good people. I trust them..”
“Who are they?”
He ran his hand through his dark blonde hair. “One is actually next in line to Blue Mountain, but he’s young still, and his father is still training him, and the other is The Beta at White Forest.”
“And they believed what they saw?” I asked. I felt another presence here, but it was comforting, not prying.
“They did; after seeing you the other night, I knew Stephen, the one that’s going to be Alpha, I knew he recognized you. I confirmed it was you, but after today… I don’t think he could wrap his mind around it.”
He paused for a while, and I let that sink in. Possibly two other packs to tell the true story, to change how my pack was remembered.
“I promise Simone, your father's story will be told. Your pack will be remembered for how great they were. The legacy will not die with him.” His voice was filled with pure resolve and determination.
If nothing else, that would be enough.