Making my way out of my room, I lock the door before picking up my duffle bag and heading down the hall towards the elevator. I think back to the conversation I had with my niece last night, a smile spreading across my face.
Milan, the eldest of the remaining Harvest Willow wolves had thankfully picked up the phone when I called using Asteria’s office phone after the dial tone went on for what felt like an eternity. She was shocked to hear from me, news of Tanya and Valor reaching them already and worried that I had been killed by the tyrant and his whore. Her surprise turned into disbelief when I told her I am in Crescent Phoenix and that Asteria is the Alpha.
She didn’t believe me at first as I tried convincing the twenty-six-year-old that Asteria no longer lived in Pine Moon and mentioned how she left due to Valor’s treatment of Brynlee. When that was mentioned, Milan finally relented and listened to me.
When Asteria finally joined me in her office thirty minutes later, she asked to speak with Milan, telling her that she and all the other Harvest Willow wolves were welcomed into the pack if they wanted to join. I knew it wasn’t guaranteed, that their past of dealing with Pine Moon and Valor leaving scars on them mentally and physically.
Milan asked for some time to think and talk to the others before the line went dead. I felt hopeless last night, thinking that the remainder of my home pack would turn their back and stay Rogue. Then the phone rang two hours later and Milan asked me to come get her and the others. That they were ready for a forever home.
From there, Asteria called Eddison and Ash into her office where I explained my past with Clairice and Brynlee’s parents once more. They were furious on my behalf, but also sympathized with Brynlee and Rune. Ash even seemed remorseful for how he treated Rune when they first met. We planned to depart the next morning – today to be exact – to gather what remains of my family and bring them here for a fresh start. The two wolves reluctantly heading to their homes to pack and prepare for what will be a week-long trip there and another week coming back.
Exiting the dormitory I live in; I spot the charter bus waiting in the parking lot. It seems that they drove it here instead of having me make a ten-minute trek to the pack house. Gale greets me as I climb onto the bus, excitement in his eyes at the prospect of leaving Crescent Phoenix for a few days. I chuckle at his enthusiasm and look around to find Edison and Ash sitting on the first few seats, lounging back and yawning.
“How long will we be on the road?” Ash asks, playing with a dagger in his hands.
“About seven days depending on traffic.” I answer with a smile, getting behind the wheel. Ash groans, having barely been home between carting runaways from Pine Moon to Crescent Phoenix and then heading to take down Onix Moon a few days later.
“Stop your complaining Ash. Who knows, your Mate might be part of this group.” Gale chuckles out, patting the wolf on the shoulder. Ash just sighs, agreeing that this is an opportunity to find his Mate but he wishes he could just stay home and rest. I send him an apologetic smile before turning the bus on while Gale promises the two males a two week vacation once we return. After checking to make sure we were ready and that the controls were in working order, we set off.
I haven’t seen Milan in three years, too afraid that Valor would follow me one day and find what remains of Willow Harvest. That he would kill them instantly. Now I have hope. Hope that we can all find a new home. Hope that the pups orphaned by that asshole can grow up in a loving pack again.
“What is Milan like?” Eddison asks as we leave Crescent Phoenix’s territory, interest in the Assistant Head Hunter’s eyes.
“She is head strong and righteous.” I answer, my smile turning soft.
“When she was a pup, she would find ways to train with the Warriors of Harvest Willow. We didn’t have a pup specified training facility like Crescent Phoenix, but she was definitely a spit fire.” Talking about Milan brings up memories of visiting Harvest Willow after Clairice married Valor. Of the fear Milan had when she saw Valor for the first time, worried that the tyrant would take her too considering Clairice was only eighteen when Valor – who was thirty at the time – came to claim her.
“So she is a trouble maker with a heart of gold.” Gale states, getting a chuckle out of me.
“Sounds like someone we know?” I ask back.
“Yeah. A certain Beta who always seems to have trouble finding her.” We both laugh at that, having watched Brynlee grow from a new-born to a leader. She would have made a great Luna had Rune and her mated.
“So how did you meet Milan when Valor had you trapped in Pine Moon?” Ash chimes in.
“He would take Clairice, me and a few warriors with him to visit Willow Harvest every year just to show face. It was then I learned my brother and his mate had a pup and I watched her grow up year by year.”
“Milan is your niece?” Eddison cuts me off and I grin, looking in the rearview mirror to see the Assistant Warrior looking worried and a bit afraid.
“She is. So I suggest you two get any thoughts of courting her out of your head. If you aren’t her Goddess given Mate, leave her alone.” Eddison nods at my veiled threat and I return my focus to driving, the excitement at seeing Milan and the others growing. Seven days and I will be able to hug my niece again. Then another seven days of catching up with her while we drive home.
Home.
I haven’t had a proper home since Valor took Clairice and me twenty-six years ago. Now, in Crescent Phoenix I finally found that peace I have missed. A peace that I can share with my last remaining relative.