Plans For a Bright Future

*Parker*

Parker took the time Rayne gave him after they left the treehouse to make some calls. Rayne had gone to find her father in the Cemetary. Parker could feel her pain like a knife through his heart. It took all his willpower to no rush to her. This was the time she needed with her father. Time they both needed to finally grieve.

Grief was something that Parker had never let himself feel. Not that he didn’t feel it, more so that those wounds were so buried in his mind. He knew that once they returned to California, there would me time to confront his own demons. Owen could help Parker with those demons. They were both equally haunted by the death of the other.

Thinking for so much of his life that he was the last of his family alive, was something that Parker tried hard not to let surface. Part of his mind and heart were still hesitant to believe this man was who he claimed to be. There were so many familiar things about it, yet so much was off. The scar was spot one correct. The color of Owen’s eyes was accurate.

Yet something just felt off.

Parker was torn from his thoughts as his phone rang. The caller id showed that it was Arabella. She didn’t answer his call earlier, so he left a message to have her call him when she was able. He hoped that Cyra was still stable.

“Hello,” Parker said as he answered her call.

“Sorry that I was not there when you called earlier. I was a tad busy with making some of those protection amulets I described to you and Rayne,” Arabella’s voice sounded tired as she explained to him.

“How will those work anyway?” Parker asked. Magic always fascinated, yet terrified him.

“Exactly how the spell I cast at the bar that night for Morty and his family. This time since we have the shields at my house, they spell can not explode like it did before. We made a bunch of crystal amulets, cast the spell on them in a mass casting. So as long as the recipient wears the amulet they will be invisible to those seeking to do them harm.”

“That is amazing. So you say that we could give these amulets to our rescues before we move them?”

“That is correct. We have about one hundred made now. That should be plenty. I can make more when you need, now that we have the spell refined.”

“That will be great. That will also reduce that chance of Collectors finding them.”

“I had thought of that too. Do you guys keep records of where you move your rescues to?” Arabella asked.

“We do. It is on the encrypted computer that Rayne keeps in the soundproof room between our offices.”

“Oh, the one I spelled to look like a cactus. Very good. Send me those files and I will send these amulets to those you moved.”

“Oh, send a few to the bar too. For those who were not there that night.”

“I hadn’t thought about that. Good idea,” Arabella laughed at something a voice in the room said, “Jazmine is making it rain.”

“How is Crya doing?”

“I have stabilized her the best I can. She is not fading, but will not heal fully until her mate is with her. They need each other to recharge their life energy. I am sure he is just as weak as she is, if not weaker, since who knows what he has had to endure.”

“Have you heard from Kade or the others? I tried, but there was no response. Their phones are dead or turned off.”

“I heard from Kade a few hours ago. It was brief and to the point. They found the location of the bunker. It is heavily guarded and in full view of the human public. This Collector is smart to keep his collection in a place where such a rescue attempt will expose our friends.”

“What if they stayed in their human forms? They are still stronger, faster, and able to blend in well with humans,” Parker said as he looked around the area.

“That is where Kade said the problem arose. The guards this Collector is using. They are all werewolves.”

“What the fuck? Why are they working for with a Collector?”

“Kade mentioned something about small collars around their necks. They are most likely under threat of death or harm. So they cooperate.”

“I hate Collectors.”

“Me too. I must go far now. I will keep you updated as I hear more,” Arabella said as she cut the call.

Parker had complete faith that Kade, Dominic, and the others would succeed in their mission. He wished there was something more that he could do to help. He knew that he had a hand in getting the mission started, that was a big help. He wasn’t a fighter, so he would leave that to the wereanimals.
He had a sinking feeling in his gut that this rescue mission was just the beginning of something much deeper. The start of a much larger battle.

The beginning of a war,

A war between supernaturals and the Collectors.

*Rayne*

“Do you think one day we will see her again?” Rayne asked her father as they sat in the sun.

“I have the hope that we will. They say the other side of the veil is beautiful. A place where our loved ones go when they are taken to join the Moon Goddess. Her kingdom holds those waiting for us. One day the Moon Goddess will call us both home to be with Mia,” Edmund lifted his face up to the sun as he spoke.

“Is that like the human’s version of their heaven?”

“Maybe. I know little of their beliefs, only what we were taught in school.”

“I didn’t go to school much. Wilson didn’t let me go when I had marks to show his abuse. That was,” Rayne stopped when her father let out a deep rumbling growl.

“How bad was it, truly? I know of the rape from your memories. How bad was the rest?” Edmund turned to face her as his eyes flashed to black.

“Papa, let’s not talk about that here. This is not a place that I want stained with those memories.”

“I want you to tell me when we get back to California. I need you to tell me.”

“What will telling you do for either of us? It will only hurt you. Can we leave that mess in the past?” Rayne felt tears fall down her cheeks.

She could see the struggle her father was going through. Rayne knew he wanted to open that door to know all her pain. After a while he sighed, then nodded to her before looking back at the statue. At that moment Rayne knew that there was much more grief to endure for the both of them. Grief that would span the rest of their lives.

For Rayne, it was all the things she could have had, but lost at the hands of a monster. Her mother’s death. Her father was taken, but lost to to her. Her childhood was spent being tortured by a drunken madman. Her teenage years spent being his housemaid. The innocence he took from her in one night’s drunken rage.

For Edmund, all the years he spent not knowing who or what he was. The mate he lost but could not remember. The daughter he had, but was robbed of watching her grow. The horrors she endured while he was lost and unable to protect her. The innocence that was taken from her he could not save.

Both of them had wounds they would forever heal from. Rayne had buried many of her’s, yet they now seemed fresh as life forced them to the surface of her mind. Her father’s wounds fresh like they had happened just yesterday. The spell over his mind that kept his memories lock was something that had protected him from his pain, yet never gave him time to grieve.

Together they are both stronger than they are apart. Together they can heal from the past. They needed each other now more than ever. So with steady resolve they would pave the road for their future. Rayne knew that as long as she had her mate, her father, and her allies, the future could be bright. Full of possibilities.

“I have something that I want to ask you about, Rayne,” Edmund spoke as they made their way back to the jeep.

“What is it?”

“Is there somewhere near Bodega bay that would be enough space for a small pack?”

“Monroe could answer that question better than I can. Why?”

“I am still the highest ranking member of Jade Moon left. Fred mention that none of the remaining forty wolves have officially joined packs yet.”

“What are you thinking?”

“A restart to Jade Moon. A new home. A new life. Hold the pack, build it up. Then one day if or when Alec’s heir wants it, hand it over to the rightful Alpha.”

“But Jade Moon is in Arizona, can you move it?”

“Jade Moon is a pack name, not a location, Rayne. I would have to appeal to the council, but I think with all that has happened, they would grant that request. All I would have to do is find a suitable location for us. I want it to be close enough to you that were are never far apart again.” Edmund said as they got closer to the ruined pack house.

“Well, it looks like we both have some calls to make on the way to Fred’s.”

“What do you think of this idea? Be honest with me,” Edmund said. He stopped her with a hand on her arm.

Rayne turned to look at her father, “I like the pack being whole again. You being their leader. If the day comes for Alec’s son to become Alpha, then fine. That will be a fine day. I would love to have you close to me in California. So make it happen if that is what you want.”

“I think it is. Jade Moon was once a thriving, peaceful pack. We had powerful warriors. Our own businesses. When the Kara died, so did the packs strength, their heart. I want to make it strong again.”

“Then I will help you in any way that I can.”

“Well then, let’s get to Fred’s. We have work to do,” Edmund laughed as his spirits lifted slightly.

With a solid plan, Rayne walked with her father to the jeep. Parker’s eyes lit up with happiness when he spotted her. Rayne’s heart did a flip as she saw her mate smile. He was her calm in the storm that was life. With Parker, Rayne knew that life had good things to give. She sent a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess to keep her family safe and whole. Thanking the Moon Goddess for bringing her father back to her.


**Author’s Notes**

The next book in the Gathering Shadows series is **His Redemption**
Follow me on Insta @ northrose28. There I will post chapter updates as I release them.
As always, happy reading and stay safe.

North Rose