27.

For most of the journey home, Farryn was surprised that Travis spent it trying to convince her not to have Tristan killed.

“How can you be sure it was him?” He would ask consistently until Farryn finally gave an answer.

“Because I know his scent, why are you so invested in my pack and what we decide to do with a criminal?” Travis never answered her questions, he simply moved on to his next.

“So you know without a doubt it was him? You saw him there? I know the answer to that one, but can you tell me without a doubt it was him?” Farryn stopped as they crossed the border into her territory with a hand out to make sure Travis stopped walking as well.

“Stop playing games, what are you trying to get at Travis?” The male blinked his eyes once before looking down at the body in his arms than to the Alpha before him.

“The only thing you have to go on that points to him as the culprit is his scent, it’s possible for someone to have placed his scent there to set him up. It’s possible for siblings to share a scent. What I am trying to get at, is you shouldn’t condemn someone without knowing all of the facts first.” His eyes turned cold as he spoke as if this was a personal matter of his that directly affected him. Farryn sighed gently as she ran a hand through her hair, brushed the wisps that had fallen against her cheeks away.

“He was in Aeston.” It was the last piece of information that Farryn was willing to share and she made it clear as she turned on her heels and led the way to her home. Travis fell silent for the remainder of the trip but Farryn could feel him skulking behind her, he still had doubts but it wasn’t his place to say anything.

The small town that Farryn had grown to call home was bustling with activity, those who had been out searching had come home as the sun began to set. Jason had set a guard outside of Emily’s home, whether it was to ensure she didn’t go into another frenzy or to make sure no one suspicious entered her home, Farryn wasn’t sure but it was a smart plan, especially as many of the pack noticed the arrival of their Alpha, and who was behind her. The noises of the town came to a gradual halt, many lowering their heads in a show of somber respect as Farryn approached the guard posted outside.

“Will you please go get Emily for me?” His eyes drifted past his Alpha as he nodded his head. He did his best to school his face into a neutral look but Farryn could tell in the way his shoulders were dropped that he was upset. Farryn stepped back to place herself at Travis’ side, it helped to place a bit of distance between herself and the front door as it opened slowly. Emily’s face was pale, her eyes bloodshot and puffy from all of the crying she had done. Her hands shook as she balanced herself against the door, her eyes glued to her sister's face.

The guard who had fetched her placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and for a brief moment, her eyes showed clarity and relief at his presence. Farryn took note of the way he squeezed her shoulder before releasing her and taking a step back to give her space. The moment his hand was gone Emily sobbed, it seemed that among all of the sorrow and pain she was going through she had found her mate. Emily forced herself to take the steps forward until she could touch Amelia’s face.

“W-Who did this?” She choked out, her voice was raw and it seemed to hurt her to speak. “Who would do this to her?!” Farryn inhaled slowly, she could feel the eyes of the pack on her, waiting for her answer.

“We don’t know yet.” Travis lifted his head just slightly, the only show of surprise he gave.

“She was found to the East, near a town named Aeston. I will be working with the guards there to figure out what happened Emily.” Farryn reached forward to extend a hand of comfort but Emily was quick to move out of her reach. Her sorrowful eyes sharpened into eyes full of blame.

“It’s only right that you would.” She spat sharply. Farryn lowered her hand but kept her head high as the male behind Emily came forward quickly, wanting to defuse the situation before it escalated.

“Hush, trust in our Alpha Emily, we need to take Amy.” A look of hurt crossed her features at the suggestion of trusting Farryn but she nodded nonetheless. He lifted his gaze to Travis and dipped his head gratefully as he took Amelia from him, the pair set off to bury her under the moonlight.

“Do you really know nothing?” Farryn looked over her shoulder as Jason approach, his gaze looking over Travis closely, there was a sharpness to his gaze at the little distance between the two.

“Jason this is Travis, one of the guards, Travis this is my Beta.” Travis stepped forward and extended his hand, Jason hesitated before clasping his hand hard in a brisk handshake. Her attention turned to the gathered crowd.

“I know I am not the perfect Alpha, I know some of you don’t trust me. But Amelia is dead. Darius is missing and probably dead too. I will find who is responsible for this, I swear this on my life. So I ask that you all please give Emily space and time to grieve in her own way and that you please find a way to trust me.” Farryn didn’t miss the few pack members who walked away as she began to speak to them. The white wolf snarled in rage at the disrespect. Those who stayed and listened to what she had to say looked doubtful. A few left after she had finished talking, some nodded their heads in understanding before leaving.

Farryn turned to the two males and motioned for them both to follow her to her home. “There were some things said when Amelia was found that I would like to discuss with you, and Skylar as well,” She hesitated when Jason looked to her in surprise. To include an outside on such a sensitive topic for the pack was sure to upset some of their pack mates but Farryn knew if there was some sort of magic involved Skylar would be their best source of information.

“Any word on Tristan? Or when Ian and Skylar will be back?” Farryn opened her front door as she spoke, a strong herbal scent greeted her nose.

“All three are inside.” Farryn had to shove down her surprise at Jason’s response. Unless Tristan had left the market and come straight home there was no way he could have beaten her back. The three were seated in Farryn’s living room, fully invested in watching the High Priest as he laid out different herbs, and explained their usage. Farryn cleared her throat sharply, drawing everyone’s eyes to her. Ian and Tristan both rose to their feet quickly, Skylar and the Priest were much calmer in rising.

“Welcome home.” Tristan spoke with a smile causing Jason to growl quietly behind her. The hair on the back of her neck rose slightly but she simply wetted her lips as she entered the room and looked to the Priest.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice.” Farryn lowered her head as the older male smiled warmly, the kind of smile that Amelia would have given. Her chest tightened just slightly but she had to brush the feeling off quickly. “I am sure you are a busy man but please, I have to ask that you wait just a moment longer.” His eyes seemed to move over to Travis as if he recognized the male before he nodded his head.

“I understand dear, take all the time you need. I shall be here waiting.” Farryn motioned for Ian to stay, and for Tristan and Skylar to follow her as she led the way into the meeting room. She noticed the look of disappointment on Ian’s face, she had trusted him to fetch a Priest but couldn’t trust him with what was going on now. She considered Ian a friend, but friends were a dangerous thing for an Alpha to have.

Farryn signaled for everyone to take a seat as she placed herself at the head of the table. Travis hesitated a moment before seating himself beside Skylar, wholly unbothered by the fact that she was Fae.

“Skylar, Tristan, Amelia was found dead outside of the territory. She was attacked, by what or who we aren’t quite sure yet.” Farryn knew she had to catch them both up to speed first but to her amazement neither showed signs of surprise at the news.

“Father Idas told us already, he said he felt her spirit and wolf leaving just as you entered the territory.” Tristan explained as he leaned back in his seat, speaking casually as if they were discussing what they might have for dinner that night. Farryn’s jaw tightened slightly before lacing her fingers together.

“While I was in Aeston I did notice something that does seem to be important, I saw you there.” All eyes shifted to Tristan who’s facial expression remained passive even as Jason slowly rose from his seat, waiting for the signal from his Alpha to act.

“Tell me it wasn’t you Tristan, tell me it wasn’t your scent on Amelia.” The air in the room fell still, Skylar had not yet touched her magic but she was preparing too. Farryn saw the way her fingers were preparing to curl, to steal the air from Tristan’s lungs as he blinked innocently.

“I was in Aeston. I saw Amelia leave town earlier this afternoon so I followed, but I lost her at some point, scent and all. Next thing I knew I ended up in that town.” He paused as his gaze shifted to Travis. “I hadn’t ever seen the town before but I had heard a lot about it, and I certainly understand why.” Jason and Skylar both looked to Farryn, unsure now on what to do.

“If that’s the case then I find it very odd that you found your way to their underground market, and that everyone there not only recognized you but feared you and called you Deacon.” Skylar turned quickly to look back to Tristan with surprise, she had been looking for Deacon for a while now. Tristan seemed to be rather confused, however, as he tilted his head as if thinking about her words.

“Farryn I promise you, I don’t know what you are talking about.” Her fingers curled into fists as she held his gaze. He seemed to be speaking honestly, he truly seemed confused. With a frown, she turned her attention to Jason.

“Is the jail operational?” Jason blinked as Tristan seemed to reel back in his seat at her question. He nodded his head slowly.

“It is, we would just have to post someone on duty there.” Tristan rose quickly from his seat but made no move to run away.

“Alpha you can’t be serious?! You would jail me for what?” His amber eyes flashed with hurt and Farryn choked back the urge to apologize as she rose to her feet as well.

“For our safety, until we know what is really going on here, you will be put in a cell. Until we have proof that can release you or condemn you that is where you will stay so you can’t just disappear on us. It is either this or I tell the pack the small amount of information I have and let them decide what to do with you.” Tristan closed his mouth quickly, his eyes downcast as he straightened himself out.

“And what will you say to the pack when they ask why I have been locked up?”

“I will tell them the truth, that you are currently under investigation. Jason, please point Travis in the direction of the jail, Travis could you please see that he is secured behind bars?” The male looked among the group stoically before rising to his feet and lowering his head.

“Of course.” Farryn knew he was surprised that she had not jumped to a conclusion as she had in the forest, she had been fully prepared to kill him and be done with the threat, but seeing him in front of her looking confused and sounding upset had thrown her. She had expected anger at the accusation or even his strange calmness that he kept about him, but he allowed real emotions to be shown today. It might have been the only thing that saved him.

“Farryn are you sure jailing him is the best idea? Who could you trust to keep him behind the bars, he almost killed you once and some might still look to him as the stronger alpha.” Skylar spoke with concern for someone she had begun to consider a friend.

“Travis made a good point when we were coming back, it might not have been him, someone could be framing him and I don’t want to be responsible for killing someone innocent. If he is guilty and I choose to banish him instead without knowing what’s true I could be leaving the pack open to being slaughtered. This is the best solution.” Skylar inhaled slowly, she could tell that Farryn had given it some thought. Skylar slowly sat back down as Farryn did the same, waiting patiently for Jason to return. Once he came back he kept himself at the door.

“You said you had something you wanted to speak to the two of us about?” He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the far wall.

“The guard who found Amelia said she had still been alive at the time. She was asked who had attacked her, she said it was one wolf who was also three. Does this mean anything or ring any bells for either of you?” Skylar drummed her fingers on the table as Farryn looked between the both of them.

“Farryn, all due respect, but I am not one of you guys and you know that. I don’t know anything about how you all work.” Skylar shrugged her shoulders with a frown. Jason glanced over his shoulder and down the hall.

“That doesn’t ring any bells for me but you do know we have someone here right now who is attuned with the Moon Goddess. Why don’t you ask him?” Farryn’s eyebrows rose with surprise at Jason’s suggestion. She had forgotten about the Priest in her living room even as the herbal smell was beginning to slowly seep into the meeting room. She smiled brightly as she stood up.

“Thank you, Jason.” She patted the table gently in dismissal as she worked her way around and back into the living room. The Priest stood up at her arrival though his eyes drifted to her left and then her right side before returning to her face.

“We have many questions for each other it seems, I would be happy to answer all that I can but first I must ask; are you the Alpha today or the Zeta?”