“We need to take action now!” Quincy shouts, getting a glare from Asteria. He grimaces apologetically, taking a deep breath before looking back at our Alpha
“I’m sorry for yelling but this situation is frustrating.” He apologizes, Asteria nodding and accepting his apology.
“They are planning to attack us and we are just sitting here doing nothing but watch their messages scroll by!” Quincy adds, slumping back in his seat and running a hand through his hair. Milan, his Mate, takes his hand in hers and visibly calms him down.
“We are here to plan what to do.” Asteria answers, looking around the table at each and every one of us. Holten is silent, his eyes focused on the screen as Valor and his allies continue to plan our demise.
“Thanks to Brynlee’s quick thinking, we have prepared many shelters for our Pack Mates to run and hide in. Not only that but our shelters have been stocked with many kinds of food that will last years in there.” Gale decides to chime in, his usually smiling face gone. A hand takes mine in theirs and I look to see Rune smiling at me reassuringly.
“Adding onto that, Quincy has upped our training and Devlyn has been giving up many of Valor’s secrets.” Jett adds. I sigh, all eyes turning to me with questioning glances. Many of us at this table know that Valor will continue to plan his war until he knows for sure that he will win. He wouldn’t waste precious time on a fight he couldn’t win. Two months is enough time for him and his allies to work out a plan and arrive at our borders. It will be a massacre if that happens.
“What are you thinking Brynlee?” Quest asks, concern on his face. I don’t answer, unsure about what even I am thinking. Valor will stop at nothing as long as Rune and I are alive. Even if we defend against the first attack, who's to say we will win in the end? And if we do win, Valor will come back stronger than ever with Jonnah Cross at his side as his father-in-law. They will chip away at our defenses until we either surrender or die. If Rune and I were in Pine Moon…
My eyes widen in shock at how simple the solution is. Simple, but also suicidal.
“You realized something.” Rune says softly, his voice making me turn my head to face him. I see the acceptance in his eyes as we stare at one another. He must have come to the same realization I had a long time ago but kept it to himself knowing how happy being in Crescent Phoenix made me.
“It’s a suicide mission though.” I retort with, unsure if anyone else at this table would support me.
“What’s a suicide mission?” Quest asks, uncertainty in his eyes. I sigh, unsure if I should voice the only solution that would end this war with Valor with minimal loss. Only two people would need to die if we played things right but even I know this is wishful thinking.
Asteria studies me, her eyes staring into mine searching for answers. Guilt creeps in as I know she will figure out what I am thinking of doing and so I look away.
“No.” She finally says, her voice filled with power.
“It’s too dangerous Brynlee.”
“But it is the only way we could stop a full-out war.” I quickly retort with. Asteria growls, her eyes hardening at my rebuttal.
“It's suicidal Brynlee. You could die; your pup will die if you do.” She fights back with, her disapproving glare thrown my way. Gale places a hand on her shoulder, stopping Asteria from standing. She takes a deep breath, her Mate’s touch calming her.
“Well we have to do something! Rune and I are the rightful heirs to be Alpha and Luna of that Pack. If we fight to reclaim it from – ”
“You’re pregnant?” My words are cut off by Quincy, a look of shock on his face. Realizing what Asteria and I just admitted to, I take a deep breath to calm myself. Quincy sounds slightly hurt, most likely because I never told him about being with pup.
“She is. It’s why I went crazy on Odette a few weeks ago.” Rune answers instead, giving Quincy an apologetic smile.
“We weren’t planning on telling anyone until Brynlee was past the danger phase but it seems we need to plan our strategy around this considering Brynlee wants to take the fight to Pine Moon and have her and I take the pack as its Alphas.” He continues.
“Wouldn’t she be the Luna?” Milan chimes in at this. Rune chuckles, turning to smile at me.
“No. If Aunt Asteria can be an Alpha, then why can’t Brynlee.” The pride in which Rune announces this makes my heart flutter. He wouldn’t force me into the role of the Luna, planning gatherings and parties. He would make me an equal ruler of the Pack, my word holding weight in decisions for our Pack.
“No. I am not sending you two back there to die.” Asteria shouts, slamming her fist on the table.
“And what do you want us to do here then? Valor has six Packs on his side readying to storm here in Crescent Phoenix and kill everyone.” I shout back, standing from my chair and snarling at Asteria. She shrugs off Gale’s hand and stands as well, the two of us releasing our inner power and glaring at one another. The room is silent, eyes on us waiting to see what will happen.
“We will find another way Brynlee, but I am not sending you, my goddaughter, back there to be slaughtered.”
“Asteria there is no other way! Valor had Blood Claws backing him. In two months time there will be a slaughter here if we don’t act first. There are wolves in Pine Moon that are terrified for their lives but can’t leave.” I argue back. Her power surrounds me, threatening to crush me into submission but I push back. The only way for those I love in Crescent Phoenix to be safe is to kill Valor and Tanya. With them gone, we can take back Pine Moon and create a better future, a better Pack for everyone there.
“No, Brynlee. My answer is n – ”
“Then I will revoke my role as Beta.” I cut Asteria off, determined to win my stance.
“I was chosen by the Goddess to be a leader when she made Rune and I Mates. Pine Moon needs that leader now.” I continue, feeling a surge of power spring forth deep inside me. Asteria stumbles back as the room shakes.
“And if you won’t help me with killing your brother, then I will leave Crescent Phoenix and do it myself to protect everyone I love, including my unborn pup.”
“I will too. Wherever Brynlee goes, I go.” Rune wraps his arm around my waist, his power blending with mine in unison. Asteria glares at the two of us, but the power she has bounced off of Rune and me. We refuse to submit, to back down when the only way forward is the one I suggested.
“They are right, love.” Gale’s voice breaks the silence and he takes Asteria’s hands in his.
“We knew that the possibility of war was high if Valor learned that you had become an Alpha. The only way to save everyone is to Kill him on his territory.”
“But they could die, Gale. I promised Brynlee’s mother we would protect her.” Asteria argues, tears falling down her eyes. I want to go to her side, to hug her and assure Asteria that everything would be fine if she just trusted us, but Rune holds me back, shaking his head. If anyone can convince Asteria right now, it’s Gale.
“Gale is right, Asteria.” Jett chimes in, standing from his seat and coming to stand beside Rune.
“Rune and Brynlee are the rightful heirs to Pine Moon. They need to be the ones to go and take down Valor.” He adds, turning to look at the two of us with pride in his eyes.
“Now, we can either support them and plan the attack, or we can keep fighting amongst ourselves. The choice is yours.” Gale says, giving his wife a stern look. It is the first time I have seen him oppose Asteria. The first time I have seen him not take her side. Asteria looks between us all, confliction in her gaze. Quincy, Quest, Milan, and Holten stay quiet.
[Are you sure this is the only way, Brynlee?] Quincy links me. Turning to look at him, I see the hurt and worry in Quincy’s gaze. He was the first friend I made when I came to this Pack back when it was still Golden Fang. The first person I trusted. Without him, I would have died.
[I have to do this Quincy. I’m sorry.] I link back. He closes his eyes in acceptance, knowing that even he could not change my mind.
[Okay then. No matter what Asteria says, I support you.]
[Thank you, Quincy. That means a lot to me.]