46.

The day of the full moon was filled with Farryn doing her best to avoid her pack mates. Those who approached her received the same excuse; they will meet under the full moon, so the Moon Goddess herself can be witness to all that happens tonight. She was stalling however, she wasn’t confident that Emily would accept that Tristan was innocent. She had led this pack while keeping secrets for far too long, and it was time she faced the truth along with everyone else.

Nelai had arrived early in the morning to take her daughter back home. No one was sure what would happen that evening and the Dragon Priest didn’t want to risk her daughters life. Farryn had promised for a second time to visit them both in Aeston soon, and to buy all of Ashia’s furs. Their parting was surprisingly easy, Farryn hadn’t grown close to the young dragon so she felt relieved that she wouldn’t have to worry about someone innocent being caught in their packs issues any longer.

By high noon Farryn had returned to the place where she had first met the twins, to the lake just inside their territory. She could still remember the feeling of relief her body had that day when she found the water. She had been so sure she was going to die then.

She sighed deeply as she stepped up to the waters edge to observe her reflection. She was a far cry from the skeleton she had been, now her face was full, her hair was long and healthy again. The only thing she bore as proof were her stretch marks on her abdomen and legs from gaining her weight back so quickly.

Another sigh escaped her as she felt Lola pacing in her mind. She had been ignoring the white wolf ever since she had read the passage from Nelai. She could sense nothing but guilt from the beast, but Farryn couldn’t bring herself to forgive her for hiding the truth. Ironic isn’t it? Her pack was filled with nothing but secrets and lies.

“Planning on drowning yourself?” Farryn turned on her heels quickly in alarm. Standing a few feet away was Skylar, her arms crossed over her chest as she watched the Alpha with little care. Farryn swallowed hard as she stepped away from the water.

“Of course not. What are you doing back here?” Farryn’s question held not malice, but she wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or not to see the Fae again. Skylar even seemed to hesitate before she shrugged her shoulders.

“We made an oath, I can’t stay away forever. Besides, everywhere else is so boring now and I heard a pretty little rumor that something fun is about to happen here tonight.” Skylar surprisingly was trying to keep the mood light. Of course her travels would feel different now that she no longer had her brother at her side. Farryn’s heart ached at the reminder, Fae could live for a very long time, and because of her selfishness Skylar now had to go on alone.

“What do you mean something is happening here tonight?” Farryn asked, deciding it was best to keep the topic off of Skylar’s loss.

“Isn’t tonight when the pack finds out everything you’ve been doing? That’s what the Dragon said anyways.” Skylar tilted her head, possibly wondering if she had maybe heard the Dragon Priestess wrong. Farryn groaned with annoyance as she rubbed at her left temple, why was Nelia talking about tonight?

“Yes, that is tonight.” She admitted before removing her hand and approaching the Fae slowly, still wondering if she might change her mind and lash out at her at any moment.

“I’m glad you’re here though, it’s been dull without you.” Skylar grinned in delight at Farryn’s words and reached a single hand out to brush Farryn’s hair from her shoulder, giving Skylar a full view of Tristan’s mark.

“Not too dull apparently.” Skylar teased, drawing a deep flush to the Alpha’s cheeks. Farryn stepped past the chuckling female and began to walk back to the pack knowing Skylar was right on her heels.

*********

Farryn made sure to gather everyone in the town square as the moon rose. It was a cloudless night giving them a perfect view of the starlit sky. The air was restless and as Tristan made his way through the crowd it only served to electrify the air. Farryn could see the way the pack was beginning to divide; those who sided with Emily and believed Tristan should be put to death immediately and those who were at least willing to listen to what their Alpha had to say to them before making a decision.

“Alpha did you mark him just to protect him?” The voice rose up from Emily’s side of the pack and quickly led to several others echoing their concerns as well. Farryn resisted the urge to reach out to her mate for comfort, she knew it would fuel their growing anger.

“I marked my mate because that is what you are supposed to do. I want to protect him just as much as I want to protect each and every one of you. I will not allow my connection to my mate cloud my judgement in anyway.” Farryn’s words slowly quieted the crowd. No doubt many were wondering just how honest she was being.

Tristan kept an expressionless gaze on Farryn, they had met briefly before she called the pack together and she warned him that there was undoubtedly going to be words said meant to try and harm him. She didn’t want him to take anything she might have to say the wrong way.

Farryn felt a soothing breeze on the back of her neck. Her heart rate had begun to rise from nerves but Skylar, who stood behind her, cooled her off to help calm her. She needed to keep calm to keep from losing control of the pack.

“I promised you all that I would have answers for you by tonight, and trust me, there is a lot to discuss. I want to start by apologizing to all of you, most of all too Emily. I have stalled for far too long trying to find the right answers to give you all. But I want to try and explain to you all to the best of my abilities, that Tristan is actually innocent.”

The crowd erupted with a mixture of emotions, the most palpable was anger.

“How could you dare to say something like that?!” Emily cried out in disbelief, her mate kept her wrapped safely in his arms.

“Because Tristan has been suffering from an affliction given to him by his father.” Farryn looked in his direction, their eyes only met for a brief moment before she returned her gaze to Emily and delved into the story of what had been happening to Tristan. She could tell that not many believed her, and she couldn’t blame them. Had she not experienced the things she had, she probably wouldn’t believe it either.

“Tristan is still guilty, it was his wolf that killed my sister! You said so yourself!” Emily’s voice cracked in desperation and Farryn could tell that Tristan wanted nothing more than to defend himself.

“That’s just it though! It wasn’t his wolf who killed Amelia. It is due to the curse that Tristan is suffering from that his wolf is sick.” Farryn had expected the pack to argue with what she was saying and yet she couldn’t stop her growing frustration that they couldn’t consider the possibility that she was telling the truth.

“Say we believe what you’re saying and that Tristan isn’t actually guilty, that still doesn’t excuse the fact that a wolf inside of him, even if it is not his Goddess given wolf, is responsible for the murder.” Tony stepped forward in the crowd as he spoke, bringing himself to stand before his Alpha and her mate.

“You obviously don’t want your mate harmed, but someone needs to be held responsible Alpha, it’s only right.” He insisted, his gaze sharp despite his calm tone of voice. Without realizing it Tony had given Farryn the opening she had been looking for to turn the pack in her favor.

“You are completely right Tony. Deacon, the wolf responsible for the murder will be held accountable. His existence is going to be wiped completely. I believe that this is the best possible solution without anyone else innocent dying.” Emily looked to her mate as Farryn spoke. This wasn’t what she was wanting, she wanted someone to suffer for her sisters death but the rest of the pack was too curious to continue pushing for Tristan’s death at the moment.

Farryn was aware that by announcing her idea to remove Deacon that he would not be thrilled but with the help of Skylar in case he were to slip through Tristan’s control she had no reason to worry.

“And how do you plan on *wiping his existence*?” Tony’s tone of voice was turning sarcastic as he spoke. Just like everyone else he was curious, but he was doubtful, like usual, of his Alpha. Farryn lifted her gaze to the full moon. Having distanced herself as much as possible from the Moon Goddess since her family’s slaughter made tonight especially difficult. She silently called on their Goddess to help her.

*You have failed me in the worst possible way in the past. If you truly haven’t abandoned me, if Lola really is your wolf, then help us. You owe me this.*

Farryn closed her eyes to gather herself before turning to her mate. Once her eyes had opened the blue color of Lola began to seep into her iris’s, immediately silencing any who were still murmuring their disbelief in the crowd. Tristan turned to meet her, a small comforting smile meant only for her was on his lips as she reached out to cup his face in her hands.

“So many have suffered because of this curse and there is no one to blame but myself for this. If I had any idea that this would have happened…” The words coming from Farryn weren’t her own though the voice was hers. She shook her head as sorrow took over her facial features.

“You especially have suffered so much growing up but I can feel your desire to protect your home. This is why you and Farryn belong together, because you are each others home. Farryn was wrong, I don’t owe her this, I owe her so much more. I owe all of you so much more than what I have given you. I sincerely apologize for the pain I have caused everyone.” A ripple went through the crowd, shock and concern consumed the pack.

“Moon Goddess?” Emily was the first to call out, confused and terrified at the same time. When Farryn turned to look in her direction the pack lowered theirselves to their knees. For Farryn it was an out of body experience.

She saw herself standing before the pack, her hands still on Tristan’s face, but the young female standing there wasn’t Farryn. Beautiful lunar tattoos covered the female’s arms. At the center of her forehead was a crescent moon, an intricate lace like designs flowed down either side of her cheeks and neck to disappear below her shirt.

“My beautiful children, how long I have wanted to stand before you all. I am sorry it has taken such horrible circumstances for it to happen. My dear Emily, please know that Amelia still walks beside you. She is so proud of how far you have come on your own.” The Goddess’s words ripped a sob from Emily. Her mate ensured that she remained on her feet. While her gaze was elsewhere Tristan’s eyes darkened. Deacon had forced his way through and was hoping to seize a moment of distraction. Though it was as if the Goddess could sense the murderous intent coming from the male in front of her. She calmly looked back in his direction, looking rather unimpressed.

“I should have dealt with you sooner, I’m truly sorry it took me so long.” She shook her head in remorse as she moved one of her hands to cover his forehead. Her hands held him gently and he began to lunge forward. Everyone felt the air shift. Skylar had not even moved, but with a glance in his direction she stole the air from his lungs giving Deacon something more important to worry about while the Goddess held him in her arms.

“Don’t worry Rorus, you’ll feel much better soon.” She whispered soothingly to Tristan’s wolf as she removed her hand. On Tristan’s forehead glowed a crescent moon that matched the one she had. His eyes rolled back as Skylar released her grip on him allowing him to take a breath. Tristan fell slump in the Goddess’s arms, the glowing mark faded away. With a gentle and loving smile she looked back to the pack once more who was watching in awe.

“My children, you may never see me again until it is time to join me, but know that I will always be walking with you.” The Goddess lowered her head in a bow of respect, her arms still holding onto Tristan, until the tattoos slowly faded away. When her head lifted again Farryn was back, a glowing symbol matching her mates was apparent on her forehead but it too slowly faded away.

“A-Alpha.” Tony’s voice quivered as Skylar stepped forward to brace Farryn as her legs shook. She closed her eyes, waiting for the barrage of questions and accusations that some might throw her way. But she was met only with silence. She put a thankful hand on Skylar’s arm as she opened her eyes and tightened her grip on Tristan.

“Storm pack, from the day I accepted the role as your Alpha I swore to protect each and every one of you. I failed Amelia and Darius but I refuse to fail anyone else. Deacon will never harm anyone else ever again. At this point if anyone wants to argue with me you are now going after my mate. You are welcome to leave the pack if you still believe Tristan should die.”

Farryn’s gaze swept over the pack but no one moved. She could sense a new found respect from them all after what they had witnessed. She allowed a breath of relief to escape her lips as she and Skylar tried to move Tristan themselves. Jason and Ian both stepped forward and took the male from their arms.

“It’s good to have you back Alpha.” Jason murmured with a gentle smile. For the first time in a long time Farryn felt nothing but confidence as she stood among her pack. Jason and Ian took Tristan to Farryn’s home while Emily slowly approached.

“I’m sorry I doubted you for so long. Sometimes when I look at you, all I can see if the half-dead girl we found at the lake. Thank you Alpha.” Emily pulled Farryn into a strong hug. Slowly the crowd began to disperse. A sense of calm had finally settled over the pack for the first time since Farryn had been there. The realization brought tears to the Alpha’s eyes. With a shaky breath she turned inward, afraid of what she might find missing.

To her shock Lola stood ready to greet her, pride and joy radiating from the beautiful white wolf, but underneath it all she still felt sad. It didn’t take Farryn long to realize that she had lost something that night. Namia was gone once more, but it was different than the first time. There wasn’t even a whisper of her existence. It was as if by wiping Deacon from Tristan she had wiped Namia from herself.

She felt a pang of guilt at the realization but she was also ready to move on from her past. The Moon Goddess was still obviously with her by leaving Lola in her care. Farryn finally felt like she could begin to properly heal and build after everything that had happened. As Farryn gazed around at her pack mates that were heading home she felt nothing but love and respect.

She was the Alpha of the Storm Pack, and with Skylar and Tristan at her side along with the blessing of the Moon Goddess she was going to ensure their survival.

We will not die.