Watching the pack gather around the pack house, I can’t help but be impressed by how well the bonfire turned out. Gale and Jett had done a good job organizing it while Asteria was away at Onix Moon and I was indisposed. Since the small party started, I have been approached by many pack mates welcoming me back home, telling me to take it easy and just focus on healing. Thankfully, no one has asked what I have been through, deciding that it is a taboo subject. For that, I am grateful. I don’t think I can handle recounting my abduction and the final moment with Alpha Valor before I was rescued.
“He keeps staring at you.” Quincy mutters under his breath as a she-wolf named Clair explains that they have started building our own decoy town just outside the pack borders. I turn to where the heated gaze I have felt for a while is and find Rune staring at me. I try to focus on Clair as she goes on and on about a fashion boutique she plans to open but have a hard time when his eyes filled with adoration keeps me rooted in my spot. Thankfully, someone calls Clair’s name and she takes off.
I nod to Rune in greeting after some hesitation, unsure how I feel about him still, before returning my attention to the next batch of pack mates that come to check on me. After a few more minutes, I excuse myself – claiming to need a break – and walk away from the Willow tree with Quincy and Quest following after my as my Guards for the evening.
“How are you feeling Brynlee?” Quest asks, playfully bumping his shoulder against me.
“Tired. This is taking a lot out of me.” I admit feeling slightly guilty. My body no longer feels as sore as it did a few days ago from the forced heat. Not only that, but my energy has slowly grown while doing nothing but resting and watching movies with Chase, Henry and Lunette all day. Unfortunately, having to socialize and stand for an hour has taken its toll on me.
“Well, how about you find a seat and Quest and I will bring you food.” Quincy suggests, getting an enthusiastic nod from Quest as he agrees. I thank them and we find a small table with four mismatching chairs for me to sit at before the two rush towards the long tables filled with food. I can still feel Rune’s gaze on me and I look to find him talking with a group of Warriors. Quincy told me he was going to be the one Rune would shadow but Gale intervened and Ricky took his place. Even I had to admit that this was a good idea.
Rune looks relaxed, something I haven’t seen him be in years. Even the scars on his face seemed to have healed a bit since our return to Crescent Phoenix. His gaze meets mine and he smiles, his eyes twinkling and for a moment and my heart feels like it skips a beat. I know it’s the Mate Bond trying to mend itself further, but I don’t seem to want to fight it right now. His gaze holds mine for a few seconds before one of the Warriors grabs Rune’s attention and I finally am able to look away with my thoughts feeling like a chaotic mess. Lucky for me, Quest and Quincy return with food and drinks in hand. Quincy places my plate in front of me while Quest hands me a can of soda.
“He seems to be enjoying himself.” Quest shrugs, nodding in the direction of Rune.
“It’s the first time in years he hasn’t had to put on a mask.” Asteria states from behind me. I turn to smile at her, offering her the only other seat at the table and she takes it, letting out a sigh as she sinks into the chair
“How are you feeling?” She asks, taking my right hand in hers.
“Sore and tired, but better.” I answer, feeling her squeeze my hand.
“Good. Gale told me you are on bed rest so take as long as you need to heal. Your Beta position will still be there when you are ready to return to it.” I thank her, happy to know that she and Gale decided not to replace me. My stomach growls, reminding me that I need to eat, and I take my hand from her’s to pick up the fork that Quincy had handed to me.
“How are you after helping Tristan become an Alpha?” I ask, stabbing the fork into a potatoes. covered in sour cream and shredded cheese.
“It went surprisingly smoothly. Unfortunately we found some things that Viren had done. Things that concern you.” Asteria sighs out, irritation and anger seeping from her.
“How bad is this thing you found out?” Quest asks, the conversation taking a serious tone opposite to the lively atmosphere happening around us.
“Bad. I don’t want to go into details just yet as Brynlee is still healing.” She answers, turning to face me again.
“But, when you are ready, we can have a meeting with Jett and Rune as what we found includes them too.” Asteria continues, giving me a small smile. I can tell that what ever it is she needs to tell me weighs heavily on her mind.
“Would you want to do the meeting now?” I ask, forgetting about my food for a moment as I want to know what it is that is causing my god-mother to worry.
“No. It can wait. I want you to enjoy the bonfire.” She dismisses my suggestion with a slight wave. I want to protest, to get this meeting out of the way, but someone calls out to Asteria and she excuses herself before Quincy, Quest and I can ask more about this thing she mentioned.
“That was unsettling.” Quest states after a moment of silent passes.
“What do you think she wants to talk about?” Quincy asks and I shrug, not sure what to say. I have a feeling that whatever Asteria and Tristan found while I was indisposed with my forced heat involves the reason why I was kidnapped but until the meeting confirms it, I keep this hunch to myself.
“Well, it’s clear we aren’t invited to the meeting, so why don’t we get Brynlee drunk enough off of moonshine to get her out of it as well.” Quest voices with a smirk, making me roll my eyes.
“No thank you. I am not in the mood to deal with substances that alter my reaction time.” I state, shuddering as memories of being drugged surface.
“Besides, I am underage still and won’t be able to drink till I am nineteen.” I continue, getting an understanding look from Quincy as he motions for me to keep eating. Quest pouting and looking like a dejected puppy but doesn’t push the issues. I am not sure how much of my ordeal Asteria shared with them, but the thought of being drunk right now makes me want to run to my cottage and never come out again.
I decide to take Asteria’s advice and enjoy the bonfire, talking to my pack mates, answering question from the Pine Moon wolves that will be initiated soon, and even having Caspian join our trio and making it into a quartet.
It turns out that while I was being held captive, Caspian met his mate and it was Odette, the Omega in charge of leading the other Omegas. I knew she had some hidden power inside her and seeing Caspian’s mark on her neck confirms that she is meant for more than just being an Omega. The five of us find a spot near the closest bonfire, roasting marshmallows while I tell Odette stories about Caspian as a pup.
Odette seems to enjoy this, helping me to tease Caspian who takes it with an annoyed smile. The exhaustion from the last week seems to fade and I find myself relaxing surrounded by friends and family. For once, I am grateful that I was rejected. If I hadn’t had been, I would have never grown stronger, never found my happiness in a place filled with love.
My eyes once again meet Rune’s and without thinking, I give him a smile, watching his eyes widen before he turns away with a blush. Part of me finds this cute as Rune has never blushed before. Of course part of me is weary that this is all an act but maybe I can give him a small chance since he did save my life. There is a chance that I may not be able to be his Mate after the pain he has put me through, but maybe – just maybe – we can start over and be friends.