Chapter 50: A New Beginning

He knocked lightly on her door. She opened it, clothed in a simple oversized white tee shirt and black leggings. Her long red hair dripped down her back, the tendrils leaving small drops of water on the floor as she vigorously brushed it.
“I feel a thousand times better,” she said with a smile as her hand grazed her lower stomach. The discovery had happened in the shower. She had noticed her stomach, usually relatively flat, now had a small, rounded bump. She knew that the pregnancy of her kind was faster than that of human women. She wanted to wait to tell him until the time was right.
She did look the most relaxed that Garin had ever seen her. Her face was serene and still red from the heat of the water. It was scrubbed clean of any dirt, blood, or makeup. She seemed to have a glow about her. He wanted to just lay with her in his arms forever but instead, he had to tell her the truth about her father.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, seeing his drawn face. He motioned for her to sit on the bed next to him. Audrey had texted a picture of the journal entry to him. He passed Willow the phone. He watched as her smooth brow furrowed in confusion and then deepen with horror.
“My father wasn’t only a hunter but a Red Hood. And not just any Red Hood but your father’s friend?” she held the phone limply in her hand.
“I know,” Garin said, still shocked from the conversation with Audrey.
“They killed my parents. All because they loved each other.” She whispered, carving tracks down her face, now pale and distraught. She let out a sob and buried her face into his shirt. His own tears dripped down into her hair as he held her. Her body was wracked with sobs as she mourned her parents.
“Audrey said that there are also photos of your father from when he was younger there. She is boxing them up for you, if you want them,” he said, smoothing down her hair. She nodded against him.
“I do, very much.” Her voice was thick with tears. He kissed her head.
“Okay, I can get it when I grab the rest of my things.” She drew back and looked up at him.
“I want to go with you,” she said, her lips set in a determined line.
“Are you sure? Even after knowing…well everything?” he asked, wiping away a lone tear that rolled down her face. She nodded.
“Okay, let’s go,” he said.
After eating most of the chicken pot pie, Willow was ready to go. Garin was amazed by her appetite but thought it unwise to mention it. Her eyes had that ethereal glow to them that she had in the café the other day. He didn’t want to do anything to bring out the wolf again.
Willow froze at the front door of the Brochade estate. Her eyes were unreadable as they traced the roofline and architecture of the building, down to the “For Sale” sign staked into the front yard. It’s just a house, she told herself. A house of horrors.
“You don’t have to come in,” Garin said and resisted the urge to pick her up and lock her in the car. He reckoned that would not end well for him and instead shoved his hands into his coat pockets. The wind had picked up and another storm was on the horizon. The grey clouds sat fat and ominous on the horizon.
“Yes, I do. The only remnants of my parents are in there. I owe it to them.” She said and waited for him to open the door. He dipped his head and pushed open the door. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting but it wasn’t a clean, modern interior. Perhaps blood splashed on the walls and wolfskin rugs everywhere but not this. It wasn’t a cheerful home by any means but it was decorated nicely and with the right family, could be welcoming.
The sound of heels clicking against the wooden floor announced Audrey’s arrival. She was swathed in a somber black suit but she looked like she could be on the cover of a magazine. Her short blonde hair was slicked back and dark makeup was applied expertly. Willow felt incredibly dowdy next to her.
Audrey pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m so sorry. But I hope at least this gives you closure. I have everything arranged downstairs. I need to leave some last-minute instruction with Miles’s nurse and then I have a meeting to get to,” she disappeared up a large metal spiral staircase in the corner.
“How is Miles?” Willow asked Garin as he led her to the lower floor.
“He will recover. A few stitches and a blood transfusion and the doctor said he will be good as new. I think he was slightly afraid that he would now turn into a wolf,” Garin replied with a chuckle.
“He would be so lucky,” she quipped trying to squelch her nerves as they descended down the stairs to the living area below. Audrey had arranged a few boxes on a cloth-covered pool table in the center of the large room. Willow noticed that all of the furniture had been covered with white cloths and boxes were packed in the corner, neatly taped and labeled.
“She hasn’t wasted any time,” Willow said. Garin laughed.
“That’s Audrey,” he replied and pushed a box towards her. Her name was printed in the corner but it wasn’t taped shut. Her hands froze on the flaps. She didn’t want to look at these now. She wanted to pay her respects to her parents by herself. She glanced towards the fireplace and noticed that the wolf's head was taken down. She felt a sense of relief lift at the sight. She didn’t think she could have stomached that.
Her phone rang loudly. It was her grandmother, asking her to meet at the lodge and to bring Garin. She gave him a strange look. He shrugged.
“Let’s go,” he replied and hauled the boxes to the car.
When they arrived, the lodge was relatively empty. Keena answered with a stiff smile.
“They are waiting for you in the chamber room,” she said and turned abruptly. Willow felt off. Her stomach was feeling unsettled from the drive and her senses were doing the strange tilting thing. She had hoped it would wear off but it just seemed to be getting worse. She blinked a few times, trying to focus her vision. The colors were starting to intensify again and it made her stomach lurch uncomfortably. She swayed slightly and Garin grabbed her arm, steadying her.
“You okay?” he asked and she nodded.
“Still feeling a bit off,” she replied and haltingly walked down the hall towards the large meeting room. Garin noticed her scent was stronger here. It had changed as well. It was usually a mixture of spice and warmth but there was a new, crisp note to it. He would ask her about it later.
Keena pushed the door open for them and then stalked away. Willow felt her hackles raise in response. She wasn’t sure what Keena’s deal was but it was aggravating. The seven elders sat at their table on the small raised dais. Her grandmother was one of them and motioned for her and Garin to sit in the two chairs placed before them.
They sat down, both of their hearts racing, not knowing what was in store for them. Willow tried focusing on what Rashida was saying but her mind couldn’t make sense of the words. With a groan, she doubled over, gripping her head in her hands.
She heard Garin calling her name but it sounded as if she were far away. She saw her grandmother in front of her but it was like she was seeing her through thick glass. The room began to swim. She felt someone lay her down and everything went black.
She awoke what felt like hours later but knew it only had been a moment. Garin helped her back into her chair, his eyes wide with worry.
“It is as I had suspected,” Rashida said and stood. She had been kneeling in front of Willow. She took her place back at the center of the table. “Are you alright?” she asked her. Willow nodded, the seasickness had passed.
“Good. Why we called you here today is that due to the new treaty that has been forged, your relationship has been deemed approved. Also, there is another pressing matter,” Rashida steepled her fingers and glared at Willow over the tips.
“It seems there is a new alpha. Now, there is always a choice to take on the mantle of alpha or not. But it only comes to a select few wolves. I’m sure you’ve noticed some changes?” Willow nodded, confused.
“I thought so. If you choose to accept, I will step aside, as custom dictates and you will take my place. You can take your time on deciding. It is a big decision. That is all,” Rashida dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
Loriann walked over. “I’ll see you back at the house. I have a few more things to take care of here. I know that you have a lot to think about,” she gave her arm a squeeze and dashed away.
Willow walked numbly to the large deck that overlooked the forest. This view had always taken her breath away and now it could possibly be hers. She didn’t know what to think. She felt shocked and untethered. Garin stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She took comfort in his warmth.
Snow began to fall, lazy flakes dancing through the air. One landed on her nose and she smiled. A slight fluttering stirred in her stomach. She placed a hand there and cradled the bump. She wouldn’t choose to become the pack alpha today or tomorrow or maybe ever, but for now, she was content just being the alpha of her family.
She turned and kissed Garin, an alpha and her hunter.