Chapter 32: Chapter 31

Chapter 31 – The Support

“Bond is stronger than blood. The family grows stronger by bond.“– Itohan Eghide

Neron

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Bonus

08:41

It wasn’t long until we’ve arrived on Garnet Moon territory. From the window, I could see many men and women amid their training, some with weapons, and some in wolf form. In the distance, I see newly shifted wolves training. It’s not a joke when many say Garnet Moon cultivates warriors soon after a wolf goes through their first shift, so these wolves have been training since age eleven or twelve.

Damn.

Tristan drives up in front of the packhouse entrance, where I see Alpha Anthony standing strong and tall with Luna Alesia at his side. In her arms is their small bundle of joy, waving at us. A smile made its way to my face as I watched the little girl.

I couldn’t help but wonder if my future son or daughter would be like that, overtly friendly. We exited the vehicle. Tristan drove the car off territory, letting us know he would arrive back at the time requested.

“Alpha Neron.” Alpha Anthony shook my hand. He was a powerful man who oozes authority and compassion. I felt myself shrinking a bit, intimidated by his aura. “Welcome to Garnet Moon. This is my wife and Luna, Alesia, and my daughter Ximena.”

I shook the Luna’s hand as Ximena waved again, greeting the three of us with a high–pitched ‘Hi‘ and a toothy smile. I smiled back with the biggest grin I could muster. Such a little angel!

“I hope your journey to our territory was comfortable.” Luna Alesia remarked.

“It was, thank you. This is my Beta, Valerian, and my Gamma, Kwame.”

“Pleasure to meet you all.” Alpha Anthony smiled. “Come with me and we’ll take the subject matter in my office.” We walked through the foyer, bigger and more pristine compared to my packhouse. I look to see Omegas taking care of the chores, such as cleaning and dusting, while the potent scent of food told me that lunch is being prepared. We headed up the stairs to the top floor, on our way to the Alpha’s office.

We passed the second hallway when a stale scent caught my nose. A scent that I couldn’t forget. My body went stiff and I was rooted at the spot facing the lengthy corridor. The aroma was stale because it was fading, but my mind swam despite it. The scent of honeyed strawberries and vanilla.

The scent aroused Onyx from his solitude, growing excited. He made his way to the forefront of my mind, growling and fidgety, trying to take control. “Mate! She’s here! Follow it, you idiot!”

That’s…impossible. Every scent is unique to every wolf and if a wolf dies, there is no chance another could gain that same scent. But why is it I smell Halima’s scent? She was dead!

I pressed my nails into my palm, digging for pain as I keep Onyx at bay. “No,” I replied, my voice losing vigor. “Our mate is dead. This isn’t her.”

“I know it, and you know it’s her!” Onyx shot back. “She’s here!” I want her! Now, shut the f*ck up

and find our other half or 1 will.”

1/5

“I’m not chasing a ghost on another Alpha’s territory. It’s the rudest thing a guest wolf could ever do, s women on their land. Now stop it!”

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08:25

Onyx growled and released a bark so loud that a headache formed. “I know she’s here. I know she’s still alive. You’re an utter, blubbering idiot for driving her away in the first place. This is our single hope in finding her, and you want to run. You’re a fool and therefore we will continue to be mateless, or in your case, mate with a selfish she–wolf who cares only about her reputation and not her people.”

Onyx shut me out again, an action I was used to. He was right. I was an idiot for pushing Halima away, but there was nothing I could do. If I had another chance, I’d take back everything I’ve done. But I was a monster back then. In the end, I pushed her to kill herself.

I bet the Moon Goddess looks down on me with a look filled with disgust. This is my punishment for destroying my other half.

“Bro, are you okay?” I hear Valerian through our mind–link. “You’ve been standing there for a solid minute.”

“I’m fine,” I growled back, hurrying up the stairs two at a time. I didn’t want to leave the scent. I wanted to bask in the only scent capable of calming me, centering me back in my body. I wanted to bottle it up and keep it with me forever.

But I couldn’t.

Upon entering the Alpha’s office, I notice several other people in there. The office is spacious, so many could fit in at one time. I come to learn that this pack had Co–Betas, Dwayne, and Jacqueline Seals along with their Beta Females, Olivia, and Abigail. I wanted to say the twins were friendly, but Bela Jacqueline has an unknown disdain for me, her glare sharp enough to kill.

I also met Gamma Ali and Gamma Female Zainab. A sweet couple on the outside, but I could sense a mighty force within them. Like Kwame and his mate, Lorelai.

I couldn’t help but feel the rising tension in the room coming from the Garnet Moon pack members. Their eyes dart to us occasionally but were glossed over, meaning they were communicating with one another. It’s like the three of us walked into mine territory and stepping on the wrong patch could destroy us all.

Smiling, Alpha Anthony sat at his desk with his hands folded. “Let’s get this started, shall we?”

Jacqueline

F*cking bastard.

Prick.

Piece of shit.

Stupid asshole. @

There weren’t enough words in the urban dictionary that could cover just how much I hate this pathetic excuse of an Alpha. Sitting there as he speaks with Alpha Anthony, ignorant to the fact that we knew what he and his pack did to Kiya, and he had the audacity to ask for an alliance.

205

I hope Alpha Anthony denies it. We need not ally ourselves with abusive scum.

Bonu

08:20

“My love.” Abigail’s soft and pliant hands squeezed my own, her sweet scent of papayas calming me. “I can feel your anger. Please calm down.”

“It’s hard to,” I admitted. “I want to strangle him for hurting our friend. I want him to pay for hurting her so much. Kiya was so scared this morning.”

“I know, I know. But would hurting Alpha Neron accomplish anything except starting a war?” 1 want Kiya to have her moment of retribution, but this isn’t the right time.” A hand went to the small of my back, rubbing circles. Rosaline and I were content with the magic of our mate’s hands. “Alpha Anthony is handling it quite well. Please, my love, don’t do or say anything unwarranted. We need to be civil.

I hated it when Abigail is right but wanted to be irrational for just a second! It’s not fair! Ugh! But I knew I couldn’t do anything about it while I play the part of the good Beta around a shithole who broke my friend beyond repair. Sucking in a deep breath, I spare a glance at my mate, her tiny smile igniting my heart in blazing passion.

I love her so much. So, so much. She is my light. Squeezing her hand back, I give her a nod and a smile. “I’ll do my best, my little butterfly.”

“Good!”

Chuckling silently at my mate, I checked in on Kiya. “Hey babe, are you okay?”

“Are they really there with you guys?” The fear in her voice threatened to ignite my anger once again. She was so scared of these people and I couldn’t do anything about it!

“Yeah, they’re here. They are speaking about the situation and shit like that. I couldn’t care less.”

“Oh. Are the Omegas going to serve them lunch?”

“I think so. Why?”

“Well, Sapphire, Phoebe, and I are planning on heading to the kitchen to get some more food soon because we finished everything. Well, more like I did. And I want to minimize the chances of running into them.”

“Ah, I see. I gotchu, don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Jackie. You’re a lifesaver.”

The mind–link went down, and I focused back on the meeting, giving input when needed.

But man, do I wish this meeting could go by faster.

Kiya

Damnit! This was the second makeup jar I’ve broken today! My makeup brushes spill onto the floor in a clattering heap, lying helpless. I groan, covering my face with my hands.

“Well…you were close!” Phoebe tries to cheer me up while Sapphire appears from her hiding spot from behind

Chapter 31 – The Support

my bed. “You just need to control your frustration better.”

“It’s not working,” I say. “My mind is occupied with the fact that they are here. It’s so hard…”

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08:15

“It’s hard because you’re allowing yourself to lose control.” Phoebe kneels next to me, brushing her strawberry–blond hair behind her back. “Getting a firm grip on your powers is important, and so far, you were doing relatively well. We just need to keep that up. Now, let us try something different.”

“Is…is what you are about to do going to hurt me in any way?” Sapphire speculated, ready to jump behind the bed again as fear quaked in her voice. My mind flashed back to the last time she was in the room when I was angry and in power training. Phoebe and I were in her home as she helped me control my powers when Sapphire decided to join us. A vivid memory of Raina spewing her vile words at me slipped in during the session and it ignited my anger. My own sister believed I was weak and pathetic and that I’ll never mount up to her. Little did I know, my powers reacted in response and lashed out in waves of crackling light, claiming Sapphire as their victim. She was unconscious out for the entire afternoon. She was quick to forgive me, but I never forgave myself after that.

“No. At least, I don’t think so.” The witch quipped. “I hope not.” Sapphire took that as her cue to hide on the other side of my bed. Phoebe’s cool hands went to the selenite pendant that hung around my neck. “Before, you were in control. Magic and the holder work in harmony. Both must remain balanced. However, this is a unique situation because of your trauma. It’s too much for you to handle on your own.”

“Then what can I do?” I asked, rubbing my temples. “I can’t turn into a walking malfunction.”

“Lean on your wolf.” She suggested. I arched an eyebrow but continued to listen. “You and your wolf share a body and a soul. You are your wolf and your wolf is you. You both share experiences, emotions, trauma, and more. When times get tough, like today, for instance, it is important to lean on those who support you. So, I would like you to allow Artemis to help you. You both were made in Selene’s likeness for a reason.”

“I would love to try!” Artemis chirped, her fluffy tail imitating a propeller behind my eyelids. “If this is the only way to control our abilities in the presence of people we dislike, then I’m ready to give it a shot.”

“Sure. Let’s do it, Arty!”

“…Dude.”

I snort under my breath and close my eyes, crossing my legs together once again. I took in a deep inhale, letting go of the world around me. Meditation amplifies every sensation in my body: the expansion of my lungs, the gentle pain in my legs, the slight strain in my shoulders, and the softness underneath my rear.

It pulls my mind into the darkness, where I arrived in uncharted territory. I see the light from above, its powerful glow upon me like the moon itself. I felt Artemis’s presence, her soft fur gliding against the skin on

my

arm.

In the darkness, I see it. All my anger, my frustration, and my pain. The dark thoughts prepare themselves to disrupt my meditation, to poison my mind with my darkest memories acting as their weapons.

But I reminded myself, I am armed. I am protected. My palm is on my beloved wolf, her strength seeping into my pores. She is here with me, and ready to fight against the same darkness that affected her. The shining light comes forth and rests in my palm, disappearing under my flesh. From there, my epidermis is alighting with the power of the moon.

Chapter 31 – The Support

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It is powerful. It is warm. It is something my darkness fears. The malice takes several steps away from us before retreating to the darkest trespasses of my mind. It is scared because it cannot fight me at my strong:1

Artemis and I are a team. How could I forget? We are both two sides of the same coin, and we work together well. Selene made us for a reason, and we would honor the purpose she had given us.

Blue gazed into my brown. A wolfish grin appears on her face. “We support each other, Ki.”

H

Yes, we do.”

And, like the dog she was, licked my face with her wet tongue.

I open my eyes to be met with twinkling lilacs. Phoebe shined with a big smile on her face, her hands gripping my own. I must have been deep in my trance to them.

not notice her holding

“Remember this for as long as you live, your wolf does not strengthen you. You strengthen your wolf. And together, you both can accomplish amazing things. How do

you feel?”

“Energized.” I grinned. “And confident. I think I have a better grip on my anger and fear now.”

“That’s good!” Phoebe exclaimed, pulling me in for a hug, “Remember, if things become too much, lean on. Artemis and she will help.”

We shared a look in silence, the feeling of happiness and accomplishment oozing between us.

“Can I come o

now?” Sapphire whimpered, blue eyes peeking over from my bed. We shared a gaggle of laughter, relieving the last bit of tension in the air.

“Hey Little Bit, we’re heading towards the dining hall for our lunch.” Jackie mind–linked. “The idiots won’t be going anywhere near the kitchen, so it’s safe for you to come out.”

“Thanks for the heads up, Jackie,” I replied, grateful for the update. I look to my friends with a meek smile “It is safe for us to head to the kitchen.”

“Awesome!” Sapphire clapped. “Do you think there’s some biryani left?”

“There better be,” I growled as the three of us headed out of my room and toward the kitchen.