Chapter 33

**Cole**



How did Byron know I would eventually need him to tell me about Winter, I wonder what he can tell me? I'm sure he knows even more about how her old pack was killed.

“Byron, it sounds like there is a lot you can tell me. I want to know everything you know.”

“All right, let's start with the Moon Stone Pack. They were named for their eyes. All the werewolves in the pack had black eyes. Their irises looked like black stones against the whites of their eyes.”

I had been wondering why I had never met another werewolf with black eyes besides Winter.

He went on. “They were an ancient pack from way up north. They were blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. For example, they were given extraordinary gifts for the devotion they gave to the Goddess. Heightened speed, fast healing, strength much stronger than that of an average wolf. Each of their gifts could be honed by focusing on directing their energy to one specific skill.”

Wow, that explains her exceptional fighting, her speedy recovery, and even why it is so hard to keep up with her when she runs.

“The Moon Stone Pack embodied everything the Goddess valued. They connected to the earth with their bare feet. They connected with their wolf as often as they could. They even protected themselves from being touched by outsiders. I would not be surprised if Winter is weird about anyone doing her hair or treating her with medicine. It was a strong belief of the werewolves of the Moon Stone Pack that their embodiment in wolf form or human form is a temple to be revered, and it should never be degraded in anyway.”

That explains her attitude when I told her to cover her body up.

“Also, Winters old pack was completely self-sufficient. They hunted, fished, and gathered their own food. Most of them never bothered going into the human world. They had a select few pack members assigned to interact with humans. They would get them things like Books, clothing, and various other niceties. They also never made anyone a Rogue. If one of them ever did anything that could be considered a grave transgression, they were sentenced to death. I'm surprised Winter is as well-adjusted as she is. It’s probably a result of her being on her own for so long and having to interact with humans while she was out there.”

“Another thing is the full moon was very sacred to them. I'm guessing Winter chose to hold her Luna ceremony on a full moon. The Moon Stone Pack were completely devoted to the Moon Goddess and lived by a strict code to protect their gifts. They were extremely protective and loyal to their mates, their children, and even to other pack members. They would never give themselves over to anyone unless it was the mate that the Goddess had chosen for them. The act of marking was sacred to them because they saw it as a gift from the Goddess to ensure their happiness. There gifts were passed through generations, so they never found Mates outside of the pack.”

I am confused. “Are you telling me they were all inbred? How can Winter believe in that kind of thing? I'm not from her old pack.”

Byron shakes his head. “Were they inbred? Yes and no. They recognized everyone in the pack as some sort of relation, but what I have learned is that the Goddess blessed each pup born into the pack with its own biological makeup. They all have the same eyes to show they are blessed, but their genetic code is completely unique from there progenitor’s. I can verify this. Other than her eyes, Winter looks nothing like her parents.”

“What about me being her mate. I am not from to The Moon Stone Pack?”

He takes a breath. “Most likely she believes that the Moon Goddess is allowing her a chance at happiness despite the destruction of her old pack. Your clear unspoken bond is proof enough to her that the Goddess has granted her a kindness by allowing her to have a mate outside the pack.”

My head is spinning as I’m still trying to understand the family dynamic in her old pack. “So, who did they consider family? I'm confused.”

“Their parents and siblings, their mate’s parents and siblings, and their children. Everyone else in the pack was only considered family in the same way you might consider close friends to be family.”

Ok, I think I understand now. That is still so weird though. None of them shared the same DNA.

“I am not sure how much Winter knows about her gifts. She had not come of age before her pack was destroyed, so she may not know how to channel her gifts. It is simple to do from what I have been told. For example, if she wanted to heal faster; she would need to ask her wolf to focus on her wounds. If she wanted to be faster or stronger, she would have her wolf focus on the part of her body she wants to push past her limit. For their abilities to work members of the Moon Stone Pack had to have a strong connection to their wolf. From what I understand they would shift as soon as they could walk under the full moon.”

“How is that possible? It is extremely painful for anyone the first few shifts, especially the first one. I can't imagine a toddler suffering through that.”

“This is the interesting thing. They never have any pain when they shift. For Moon Stone Pack wolfs shifting was as easy as walking. It was another blessing from the Goddess. As you know once you shift for the first time you get your wolf. You must realize that Winter has had her wolf most of her life and that bond is incredibly strong. When did you get your wolf Cole?”

“I was 16.” I cannot imagine what it would have been like having Dante with me as a boy.

“Your 29 now. You have only had your wolf Dante for thirteen years. Winter would have started walking at age 1. She is 18 now, so she has had her wolf for seventeen years. Your wolf is only 13, hers is 17. Do you see what I'm saying? She was raised just as much by her wolf as she was by her parents. Her wolf was large part of her upbringing. She will rely on her more than anyone else.”

This explains everything. Everything I have been enraged about anyway: the way she ran off by herself, her lack of concern for me knowing where she was, her nudity, even her anger toward me when I brought her home last night. She felt threatened, so her animalistic instincts took over compelling her to lash out physically. I still have one question Byron has not answered though. What caused the downfall of The Moon Stone Pack?