Two days have passed since Rune has been locked away in his room. Caspian has stayed by his side, the two of us claiming that Rune fell sick. Valor had bought the ruse after I stated someone snuck wolfsbane into Rune’s food as a joke and used a bit too much. The truth is, I had asked Caspian to have someone do it so that when Valor commanded that I tell him poisoned his son that I could be honest and say I did not know who. He was furious but instead of checking in on his son, the man told me to keep him updated.
Luckily for me, Tanya chose that time to come ask Valor for help with planning the wedding now that Rune was unavailable and the two snuck off, leaving me time to place a few hidden cameras in Valor’s office. Rune is right, we need to learn what those two are doing, and cameras are the only way to catch them in the act.
Now sitting in my office, I look at the new number on my phone. Rose, it was the code name she came up with years ago when I first came to Pine Moon with Clairice. Talia and Knox had welcomed us with open arms and Asteria was happy to meet Clairice.
The five of us soon grew to become close friends. We had missions together where we used code names. Talia was Tiger Lilly, Knock was Storm, I took the name River and Asteria chose Rose for her love of roses. Pressing the number, I hold my phone to my ear and let out a silent prayer. I hope she accepts the offer I am about to give her.
“Alpha Asteria of Crescent Phoenix speaking.” Her voice is as commanding as ever and I chuckle.
“Hey Rose, it’s River.” I call out, the line going silent for a few heart beats.
“Is... is everything okay?” She asks, worry in her voice. I take a deep breath, calming my shaking nerves before I decide to tell her everything.
“Yes and no.” I answer. With this, I delve into the recent events at Pine Moon. How Valor and Tanya have been sneaking around and end with Rune experiencing the pain that Brynlee is feeling. Asteria listens, never cutting me off unless its to ask a question to clarify something that I answer right away.
“There is something you’re not telling me Jett.” Asteria states as I take a moment to catch my breath and sip on some water.
“You’re right, as always.” I admit with a sigh.
“Rune needs help. He wants to leave Pine Moon but only after some of our pack mates have left for their own safety.” I continue.
“Does he finally regret what he did to Brynlee?” She asks, her voice growing cold. I can see that Asteria cares more for Brynlee than she does her own nephew.
“I think he regretted it from day one.”
“If he regretted it so much, then why did he reject her?” She demands, her harsh tone making me flinch.
“I can’t tell you the reason why. I am under an Alpha command and so is Rune.” I manage to say before a loud snarl sounds from the other side of the phone call.
“I see. So my brother is the cause of this.” Her words are snarled out and all I can do is stay silent.
“What do you need me to do?” She asks and let out a breath I did not know I was holding.
“I need you to accept the wolves that are leaving Pine Moon. Rune doesn’t know about you and Brynlee being the Alpha and Beta. He plans to make sure his pack mates are safe before he goes to search for her.” Explaining the main reason I called, Asteria listens to my request and takes a deep breath.
“I will have to talk to Bryn when she is conscious. But she wont like this idea.” Asteria says, neither agreeing nor denying my request.
“I know she wont, but Brynlee will do what is right in the end for those who need a second chance.” I chuckle out, getting a scoff from Asteria.
“She gets that optimism from Tallia.”
“That she does.” I agree, a smile on my face.
“I have to cut the call short to check on Rune but send me a text once you have talked to Brynlee. I will call you as soon as it is safe to after that.”
“I will. Be safe Jett.”
“You too Asteria.” The call shuts off and I run my hands through my hair.
It had gone better than I had hopped for. Something in Asteria has changed when it comes to Brynlee and I just hope that Rune is up for the challenge of having an overprotective Alpha hovering over him when he tries to win Brynlee back.