“But we do have some form of justice we hope will satisfy everyone. Parents, we ask that you head into the packhouse with pups under the age of sixteen. The rest of you, we ask you to stay,” I say, pulling Lucas to the side.
Many she-wolves with pups walk towards the stairs, their eyes holding some form of worry. I smile at them warmly, happy that no pup was injured under Ramos’ rule.
Once all the pups and their mothers have entered the packhouse, Ash and Royce move to stand beside the door, blocking anyone from leaving. I don’t want pups to witness what is about to happen.
With a soft sigh, I look back at the crowd. There is curiosity in their gazes but also fear and suspicion. I don’t blame them. The last time I was in Oak Fur, I was being rejected and banished. Of course they don’t trust me or any of us right now. We left instead of fighting back against Ramos, but I needed time to heal and grow into the wolf I am today. And so did Lucas.
“You can link them,” I call out to Amelia, watching her lips curl into a grin. A moment later, the sounds of wolves marching come to our left and the men and women who helped us secure Oak Fur stand off to the side of a blindfolded and cuffed wolf.
“As promised, justice is here,” I state with a grin, watching as our men line up the wolves and force them to kneel. “These men caused harm under Ramos and Marilyn’s orders. Now, they will be executed for their crimes.”
With that, the crowd begins to cheer, calling for their death. These men had harmed so many, from members of Oak Fur to innocent rogues who were minding their own business. Nodding to Titus, who takes the lead, the forty men who were brought from the dungeons are beheaded in one strike, their bodies falling to the ground with loud thuds.
“Our men will clean up the mess,” Lucas calls out over the excited crowd, their distrust of us fading away. “We welcome all of you into the packhouse for some breakfast. It’s been a long night, and I am sure we can all use some food.”
With that, Lucas and I head inside the packhouse. Hopefully, this execution has regained some of the wolves’ trust.
The road ahead to rebuilding Oak Fur will be long, but as long as we have that trust as our foundation, we can create a strong and welcoming pack.
76
Lucas
Sitting at the head table with Kaylee on my right and Simon on my left, my heart feels at ease. Everyone who came to help us take back Oak Fur is mingling with the innocent members Kaylee and I will lead, and the room is filled with smiles and laughter. Aunt Amelia and Uncle David were welcomed back warmly, the two being surrounded by wolves who had missed them dearly. Titus happily made his rounds around the dining hall, ensuring his wolves were being kind while we all ate breakfast.
But the best part of this morning was watching all the pups Kaylee used to train run up to her, wrapping my mate in a group hug as she cried her heart out, telling the pups how much she missed them. I know she’s meant to be an alpha leading as an equal beside me, but I can see her taking on more traditional Luna roles in addition if the pups continue rushing to her as they did an hour ago.
“Penny for your thoughts?” I hear my aunt ask, noticing that Kaylee has left the table to grab another helping of apple strudel.
“I’m just thinking about how calm the dining hall feels,” I mumble, sipping my coffee. It’s gone cold, and I chug it back with a sigh.
“It does feel lighter in here,” Aunt Amelia agrees, her eyes softening as she stares out into the room.
“So what made you come and join the head table?” I decided to ask. My aunt had looked like she was enjoying herself mingling with Oak Fur wolves.
“Amos called my cell phone a few moments ago,” she answers, turning her gray gaze to me. “He’ll be here tomorrow to give you the scroll that says you have seven days to prove yourselves as leaders. He’ll also be staying here for a while to oversee you and Kaylee turning this pack around.”
I sighed, turning to see Kaylee talking by the large bay window with an Elder. Dark shadows show under her eyes, but she smiles and laughs happily. This is how a true leader should be with their pack.
“She was meant for this role,” Simon states from beside me, a grin on his face.
“You can tell her power has settled since killing Marilyn,” Ash chimes in from behind me, a grin on his face. Devon is beside him, a mug of coffee in his hands as he stands beside his mate. Looking at Ash, I’m glad he joined us—he and Devon look right at home.
“Kaylee just needed a pack to lead to be the wolf she is meant to be,” Simon muses. Turning to look at Kaylee, my vision blurs for a moment before the scene changes. The pack dining hall has changed, the tables newer and the walls a soft cream color. Kaylee stands by the bay window, her long blond hair shimmering in the light. Beside her is the same little girl I saw in my first vision, my daughter Aspen, who clutches at the hem of Kaylee’s dress. I blink, the scene returning to normal, but this time, Kaylee is walking towards me, her eyes sparkling as she takes in my dazed expression.
[Another vision?] she asks through our link.
[Yeah. I’ll tell you about it later,] I answer. It’s a vision of the future, one we will build together as alphas of Oak Fur.
No.
Not Oak Fur. Oak Fur has died with Ramos and Marilyn. If we want to be a better pack with a better life for all its members, then we will need a new name.
“You have that twinkle in your eye,” Simon teases from beside me, his attention instantly being captured by Evette, who has joined us with a plate full of watermelon.
“What are you thinking about?” Aunt Amelia asks, her eyes watching as Daisy and Titus joke around with Royce, Avery, and David.
“Changing the name of Oak Fur when we’re initiated as alphas,” I answer, wrapping my arms around Kaylee as she plops into my lap.
