Helping Brynlee pack the mesh bags into a wagon Greg – one of our Omegas – brought to help us bring our foraged plants to the Pack House, I smile as I hear many of the Crescent Phoenix wolves chatter with the Shadow Rose wolves. It sounds like everyone had fun learning about foraging today, some even became excited when they found a poisonous plant that we could use in the upcoming battle. Caspian was the one to pick these plants with careful and precise movements since Brynlee was pregnant and unable to touch them while Brynlee explained the use of this poison as it has a similar characteristic to wolfsbane, The only difference is that this poison, a plant with red veins and black-tipped leaves called wolfsblood, will cause the person’s blood to curdle in their system in high enough doses leaving the victim to die a quick and painful death.
“Ready to head home?” Brynlee asks as I place the last bag into the wagon.
“Actually, I was going to find Jett and talk to him about this morning.” I answer, turning to face Brynlee. She looks happier like the stress from this morning has melted away thanks to this small lesson. I know Brynlee loves to learn and share what she knows with willing participants, It’s one of the reasons that made me realize just how perfect she is as a Luna and why I left to find her and make amends.
Now though, I can see the strength an Alpha has to lead. Can see the love she has for those in her Pack. I know leaving Crescent Phoenix will be rough for her, but it will also be a good thing. The restlessness that I have caught in her has settled slightly since she voiced taking back Pine Moon and it will only disappear once she has taken her spot in a Pack as an Alpha wolf.
“Okay. I think Caspian is going to check on Milan. Jett should be with her at her house.” Brynlee says, stepping closer to me and wrapping her arms around my neck, bringing me in for a kiss. I smile when we pull away, as Tristan, Delilah, Caspian, and Odette come to our side.
“That was fun.” Delilah exclaims, a smile on the small Luna’s face.
“Do you think if we talk to Asteria, she will add foraging into our training routine?” Tristan asks, wrapping his arms around his Mate to keep Delilah from jumping around. I swear my sister-in-law is a bit of a spitfire with bipolar mixed in.
“I think she would. We can talk to her tomorrow at breakfast.” Brynlee answers with a smile. Caspian chimes in that he and Odette would be happy to help run the foraging training, stating it was fun teaching a bunch of wolves. Odette agrees right away before yawning. I am happy my friend found his Mate here. Happy he could find his happiness. But I worry that he would not want to join us back in Pine Moon because of this and that in the end Brynlee and I will have to look for a new Beta pair.
“So what does everyone have planned for today?” Caspian asks as we all start to head towards the Pack House.
“I am going to grab my truck from the Pack House, then head back to my cottage.” Brynlee answers, her hand held in mine.
“My Pack Mates and I are doing a movie night in the guest house. It’s kind of become a weekly thing since we took over.” Tristan answers, Delilah now on his back dosing off.
“You’re not going back home with Brynlee then Rune?” Caspian turns his attention to me and I shake my head no.
“I need to talk to Jett about something actually.” I answer, watching my friend perk up.
“That’s great. I want to check on Milan before I head to see how Ashton and Devlyn are doing. Wanna go together?” My friend states, making me smile.
“Sure.” I agree.
“If Odette wants, she can stay with me at the cottage. You guys can take the truck if you want to drop us off.” Brynlee chimes in. Caspian and I agree to this idea as Odette happily takes Brynlee away from me. I can’t help but shake my head helplessly as the two she-wolves walk further ahead to converse. Brynlee rarely had female friends back in Pine Moon save for a few Omegas. Tanya had been the cause of that as she did her best to either turn the she-wolves against Brynlee or put the fear of death in them to make them avoid her altogether. To see her with a friend now, one that is Mated to her sworn brother, makes me happy.
Tristan, Caspian, and I walk behind Brynlee and Odette. By now Delilah is fast asleep on Tristan’s back and he just explains that she is exhausted from being a mother and a Luna. I ask where their pup is and am shocked to know that Delilah’s parents took the liberty of babysitting their pup while they were with us. Part of me is jealous that my friend has a caring support system but then I catch sight of my Aunt with her pups in front of the Pack House making me realize that I do in fact have that support system. If Brynlee or I ever needed anything, my Aunt and her family would be there for us right away.
We say good night to Tristan, Brynlee looking on in amusement at the sleeping Delilah. Her gaze has a knowing look like she can see something we can’t and I chuckle, knowing Brynlee will keep her thoughts to herself for now. Chase, Gray, and Lunette have already rushed over to give Brynlee a hug, the pups excitedly asking her when she will be over for dinner. I smile, picturing the day Brynlee will be surrounded by our own pups like this as my Aunt comes to stand beside me.
“Quincy will be punished tomorrow for what he did today.” She whispers to me as Caspian picks up Lunette and spins with my little cousin in his arms.
“As much as I hate to dish it out, he crossed the line instead of coming to talk to me or even one of the Pack therapists.” She continues. I sigh, reaching out and huging my Aunt. She accepts it, her body relaxing and for a moment I realize just how hard being an Alpha is.
It isn’t just about the day-to-day operations of keeping a Pack running. But also about the safety of my Pack members. Of breaking up tense fights and punishing those who have crossed boundaries. Boundaries that were set in place to keep everyone safe.
“How about tomorrow night Brynlee and I come over for dinner. Have some family time.” I suggest, watching my Aunt perk up at this.
“I’d like that. Bring Caspian and Odette with you.” I laugh at my Aunt’s words and readily agree. She helps raise the three of us alongside her own pups. Me, Caspian, and Brynlee would find ourselves either crowded in her kitchen learning to bake or curled up in front of Brynlee’s television in the living room with one of my younger cousins while my Mom, Aunt, and Uncle chatted away with Brynlee’s parents. One day I hope to have that life again, this time having my house be the place for our friends and their children to come over. I want my pups to have the childhood I had.
My Aunt pulls away from my hug, calling her pups so that they can go home for the night and I wave them off. Lunette surprises me by rushing towards me, arms outstretched and on instinct, I bend down and wrap her into my arms for a big bear hug. It’s been years since she’s done that to me and I have to fight back tears when I release her so she can go join her mother and brothers.
“That was adorable.” Brynlee gushes, her fingers reaching out to wipe away the tears from my eyes.
“It was unexpected.” I agree laughing. Caspian watches on, his own eyes shining while I take a moment to compose myself. If Lunette is rushing to me like that like she did when she was just a toddler, then that means the man I used to be must truly be gone. I had stopped being the big cousin who played with them because of Valor’s treatment and training. Stopped rushing to their aid thinking they were weaknesses I needed to leave behind me. I was wrong. My family is my strength and I know this now.
After composing myself, our group of four climbed into Brynlee’s truck. Caspian took the front passenger seat beside me while Brynlee opted for the back seat with Odette. The ride to the cottage is quick and after dropping the girls off at the cottage with Brynlee wishing us luck, I navigate the truck towards Quincy’s house. The truck cabin is quiet, Caspian and I lost in our own thoughts in the quiet night.
“Brynlee said I would make a good Beta.” He blurts out, turning to look at me.
“That’s because you would.” I answer with a shrug, a smile on my face as I briefly look at my confused friend.
“The reason why we are training so hard is we – Brynlee and I – plan to take back Pine Moon as the Alphas of the Pack.” I explain, deciding to go into detail about the meeting last week. Caspian listens, his eyes wide as I explain everything, including the fact that Brynlee is pregnant and that is why we need to have the battle so soon. Why Tristan is here to help us as our ally and friend. The truck goes silent once more after my explanation and I pull into Quincy’s driveway, his jeep parked just ahead.
“I’ll do it.” Caspian states with a grin.
“What?” I ask, turning to face my friend.
“I linked Odette, and she agreed. You and Brynlee will need Betas. Brynlee can help Odette when we return to Pine Moon on how to be a good Beta to her, and I can be your Beta.” My friend explains. My own grin takes over my face at this. It seems we had nothing to worry about when it came to Caspian. We are a family, the man is her brother and my best friend. With Odette agreeing, my Mate won’t lose one of her very few female friends when we take back our rightful Pack.