Moonlit Fur Chronicles: Rising Moon
Chapter 23 Hidden Truth

Quinn and I got up, dressed, and began the search for coffee. I noticed the sun had fallen down behind the trees, the gargoyles would awaken soon. I poured coffee grounds into the machine and set my mug under the spout. The boys had done a great job of assembling and setting the furniture. I almost couldn’t tell the house had been ransacked, yet some scars remained. The spots of the floor had deep scratches, Ash mentioned something about wood filler. I decided to let him worry about it. The coffee machine gurgled and a stream of hot coffee flowed into my mug. I switched my full mug for Quinn’s empty mug and reset the machine.

I scanned the living room and kitchen, everyone but Peyton was there. They gazed at me expectantly, “Hi guys,” I responded. “I don’t want to be insensitive, Reese,” Kai began, Ellis finished her sentence, “Sawyer’s body is getting pretty ripe. What is Peyton planning to do about it?” I frowned, “I’m sorry y’all. I’ll handle this.” Quinn put her hand on my arm, “Let me.” I nodded. Quinn put her coffee cup down on the counter, “Be gentle, Quinn,” I urged. She smiled at me. She trod through the house and left through the front door. I still felt everyone’s eyes on me. “I’m guessing you want to know what the revenge plan is?” Heads bobbed and affirmative grunts resounded around the room.

“I have a professional hunter here, Peyton’s father. He will help us plan and execute this war.” “Do you trust him,” Casey asked. “Yes I trust him,” was my reply. “Did you forget he waged a war against us,” Ellis snarled. “Have you forgotten that I talked him down? He would have annihilated us, I saw his camp multiple times. If I hadn’t convinced him to let us live in peace, he and his hunters would have slaughtered all of us. He had over fifty men with him and tracking technology I can’t even pronounce the names of. Chance abandoned all of it, he chose peace.”

Ellis looked at the floor, “I never told any of you how close to death we all got! I decided that you all were better off not knowing, I didn’t want to put any more pressure on you. I don’t think I even told Quinn, she was poisoned so soon afterward.” No one could hold my gaze, “That is the price of being Alpha, I have to make impossible decisions. It’s on my shoulders when things go wrong, when people die.”

“That is why I tried to talk ya’ll out of choosing me for Alpha, I didn’t and still don’t think I’m doing a good job.” I was on a roll and I couldn’t stop, “It’s my fault the hunters came. It’s my fault Quinn was poisoned.” “No Reese, that was Jules,” River spoke up. I shook my head as tears flowed, “That first night we were in Quinn’s family summer home, I lost control of my wolf. I devoured Peyton’s dog and nearly chewed her arm off. That’s how and why Chance came. Two of his hunter’s went rogue and poisoned Quinn and me.”

I took a deep breath, “I keep making mistakes and you all end up paying for it. I hate it! It’s my fault your lives are so chaotic and violent.” I slumped into a stool at the kitchen island and hung my head. “Once this mess with Chad’s kids is over, you can elect a new Alpha. I don’t want it, I never did. I haven’t performed well.” A thick silence fell over the room, it was palpable. “You are being too hard on yourself, Reese,” Casey’s soft voice echoed in the quiet room, “I have watched you carefully. I have seen you grow into a powerful Alpha and a strong woman. Do you remember when we first met, how shy and reserved you were?” River nodded her agreement.

Casey continued, “You have always put the pack first. I’ll say it again, Reese, you are way too hard on yourself.” “Casey is right, Reese, sure you have made mistakes. But look at all the good you have done. You have given us all a place to live, you have brokered a lasting peace between humans and wolves. You found us new allies in the gargoyles. You have done everything you can to keep us safe, keep us whole. You are not responsible for the actions of others. Let me say that again, you are not responsible for other people’s actions!” A chorus of agreements rose from my pack. “There is not one of us who would say their life has gotten worse after you came into it.”

“I would,” Peyton’s voice was cold. “You killed my dog. You made my life a lot harder. Your drama got my boyfriend killed. And now you are risking my father’s life?” Quinn growled angrily, “No, let her speak,” I called. Peyton glared at me, “I honestly wish I never came here. This werewolf thing is a curse and you all are insane to think otherwise. I’m taking my boyfriend’s body and getting out of here.” She stomped off to Kai’s room, picked up Sawyer’s corpse, and stormed out.

I took a deep breath, my emotions threatened to consume me. “Phoenix, make sure she gets to her car safely,” I requested. She didn’t move for a second, I sensed she wrestled with her own thoughts. She walked up to me, placed her hand behind my neck and kissed my lips before I could respond, “I will always love you Reese,” she whispered to me, “I’m sorry.” Phoenix released me and practically ran from the house. Quinn stared at me with wide eyes. “I don’t know what that was about. I don’t think she will be back though,” my heart dropped as I said the words. I knew why Phoenix left, I couldn’t blame her.

“It was her choice to leave, the same way it is your choice to stay,” I announced to the pack, “I will not force you to do anything. If you want to be part of this pack, you are more than welcome, if you want to leave, you are free to go.” No one moved. Casey’s voice wafted through the room, “I can only speak for myself, maybe River. I am proud of you Reese. I think you are doing a good job. I’m honored to be part of your pack.” River nodded her head in agreement. Many of the pack vocalized their agreement as well. “Thank you everyone. I appreciate all of you,” I replied.

Everyone went their separate ways. Casey, River, and Quinn approached me. River’s voice was soft and gentle, “Reese, I bet you have a lot of mixed emotions about Peyton, being the one who turned her.” I shrugged, “I guess, I always knew there was a chance she wouldn’t stay, but I wasn’t expecting her to be so vocal about her distaste of us.” “Expanding on what River said, you shouldn’t feel like you failed her. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone.” I processed their words and replied, “I may not have failed her, but I did make her life exponentially more difficult.” Quinn spoke up, “You can’t blame yourself for what the wolf does Reese.” I sighed, “I appreciate your kind words, I need to process all of this.” I stood up, padded outside, and sat down on the edge of the pool. I dangled my feet in the water.