Chapter 35
Shifting behind some trees, I pulled on the clothes the Moon Goddess left me. I felt Callum near me through our mate bond and I didn't waste a second before running to the packhouse on bare feet.
He was standing right there in the backyard with his head towards the ground and his hands in pockets but as I got closer he lifted his face to me.
The expression on his face held anguish and I knew I made him worry unnecessarily. Cal's hands left his pockets immediately and I ran right into his arms.
Pulling me into him impossibly close, I felt myself fall apart.
The tears finally came as I pressed my face to his neck and willed them away.
"Let it all out, Princess," Cal whispered into my hair.
Sobs escaped me as I felt one of his hands go behind my knees as he picked me up. I felt us move into the packhouse and up the staircase before settling into the couch.
I remained in Callum's lap as he rubbed my back in comfort and let me cry over Finn.
Sobs turned into sniffles that turned to hiccups until I finally quiet down.
Through our mate bond, I could feel Cal's emotions.
Anger, relief, and sadness were all wrapped into one.
"I'm sorry," I apologized to him when the silence stretched out.
He grabbed my chin and brought my face out from the crook of his neck.
"Ev, you have nothing to apologize for."
I shook my head as he brushed my tears away.
"No, I shouldn't have run off like that. It was stupid and careless considering what happened to Finn. I'm sorry I worried you, Cal... I-I just didn't know what to do."
"Shh, beautiful, it's alright." He brought my forehead to his lips. "You did worry me but you needed a moment. Just promise me the next time you need some quiet to go somewhere safe and close by. Within the pack maybe."
I nodded my head immediately, "I promise. I can't believe I was so stupid to run off like that."
He brushed my hair back and asked, "Are you okay?"
"No... yes? I honestly don't know," I admitted as I picked at a loose thread on his t-shirt.
"It's alright to not be okay, you know that right? You don't need to be the brave one all the time. You don't need to be strong every second," He urged.
I shook my head at what he said. How can I possibly do that? I had to be strong.
"I need to lead the pack-"
"We need to lead the pack," he corrected me. "You can take a moment to breathe Ev, I will do my part to make sure the pack doesn't fall apart."
Brushing some of his stray curls from his forehead, I gave him a strained smile, "I know and I love you for it."
"I feel a 'but' coming on," He rose an eyebrow at me.
"But," I sighed tiredly, "I need to get back to the pack and deal with the hunters."
"Ev you-"
"I brought them here Cal, I should go face them. How was there reaction anyways?" I asked with worry.
Sliding me off his lap, he wrapped a throw around me before trailing to the kitchen.
"Cal?" I faltered when he didn't answer me.
Panic grew within me but before I could rush downstairs and go see what trouble awaited me, he returned with a pint of cookie dough ice-cream.
He placed it in my hand without a word before pulling me into his side. Not to be cliche, but I fall more in love with this guy every time I think it's impossible to love him more.
"Cal, what happened?" I hesitated.
Scrubbing one arm down his face, he groaned, "It went as good as you'd expect."
"Pretty fucking bad then," I noted. "Where are they now?"
"Your mom took them to the packhouse near your grandparents' house since it's mostly unoccupied. Thane's talking to the pack now," He explained and I was on my feet immediately. "Woah, where do you think you're going?"
"I need to talk to them myself, explain that the Ritual is over. Everything," I reluctantly set the ice-cream aside.
"Princess, do you really think that's a great idea?" His tone held something back and I turned to him.
"What do you mean?"
"They know Finn died and Abel ran off, maybe announcing that the Ritual is over won't be the best news. Consider it."
I could tell he didn't want to fight me on it but his eyes pleaded with me. Taking a seat on the coffee table so that I was sitting before him, I entwined our hands together.
"You're the Máni, I trust your judgment. Even though I haven't really given you the opportunity to make decisions or weigh-in, I trust you. Guess I'll need to let you steer the ship beside me and not behind me," I mused.
Pulling my hands to his lips, he placed a kiss behind each and gave me a breathtaking smile, "I don't mind letting you do your thing like a-"
"I swear to the Moon Goddess if you say chicken wing-"
"Chicken wing." He smirked. "But I do mind when you're putting too much pressure on yourself. I'm here to share the weight Ev. I can deal with our pack."
My emotional turmoil wasn't over because I felt a few tears spill out of my eyes and Cal immediately pulled me back into his arms.
"Babe, please. Seeing you like is breaking my heart," He croaked as he comforted me. "If I could I would bring him back, but I'm afraid it's beyond my mundane powers."
"How did I get so lucky with you?" I asked between sniffles.
His body vibrated in a silent laugh beneath me, "Guess you'll have to ask the Moon Goddess that one."
"That crazy lady won't give me any straights answers," I huffed in annoyance.
"Well, if I ever see her, I'll ask."
Pulling back to see his face, I shook my head.
"I saw her and trust me, she's a tight lip bit-"
"You what?" He cute me off with a startled expression.
Lifting the end of his t-shirt up, I wiped my eyes...and nose before looking at him with a straight face.
"When I ran off... I saw her, Cal. She spoke to me. Her name is Diana and-"
"Everette..." He trailed off skeptically before pressing the back of his palm to my forehead. "Did you hit your head while you were out there? Maybe a tree? Attacked by rogues?"
Slapping his chest, I glared at him, "I'm not delusion you dimwit, she was there, how the hell did you think I'm wearing such a nice pair of jeans?"
His eyes traveled down to my legs, "They are doing your butt wonders."
Another slapped followed and he held up his hand in surrender.
"Listen to me, she was there alright. She and her little demon dogs."
"Demon dogs? Diana? Everette what in the world are you talking about?"
"Okay clean your ears and listen up," I commanded his attention. "I stopped near a river and the next thing I know this woman with silver hair is basically floating above the ground before me. I know, I know, I thought I was dreaming or something. But, she spoke in my mind and told to me shift as and she gave me this outfit. The fact that I still have it on is proof enough. Anyways, I told her to bring Finn back."
"Didn't she bring your dad back to life?"
I tapped him on the nose, "Exactly the point I brought up... but she said it was a one-time thing. She didn't explain much except that bringing my dad back was for the sake of ensuring I survived. Long story short, she explained that Finn's early d- leaving was always in his plan."
"Why? His death didn't solve any problems," Cal scoffed.
I fiddled my hand as I told him the truth, "He didn't have a mate. Diana said that not all werewolves are paired and Finn was the unlucky one. According to her, Finn... Finn's presence in the pack for the long run wouldn't have been the best for us."
I could hear Callum gulp, "And you're sure she told you this?"
"Yes, Cal. I met her, I swear," I tried to convince him.
"Okay," He took a deep breath, "I believe you. It doesn't mean I'm happy to hear that he loved you, but I'm not happy he's dead either. I thought after our last day in Fairbairn, we could have been friends."
I gave him a watery smile, "I think you both would have definitely been, but he would have always been alone."
"I know how being alone feels. I wouldn't have wished that for him," Cal mumbled and my heart squeezed at his pain. "So did Diana tell you anything about what's going to happen? Who's behind the rogues? Seeing as she predicted Finn's future, I'm guessing she knows a thing or two?"
"She wouldn't say. Apparently that part of the future is undecided. We either win or lose, but she can't meddle in the present and tell us anything. She did saw that war was coming," I felt a chill settle deep within me as I said the words.
"Well, that blows," Cal said annoyance. "Why did she magically visit you if she wasn't going to tell you anything?"
"Basically to tell me to get my ass up and don't fall into the pain of losing Finn. She's right, now's not the time to mourn," I nodded my head as I tried to assure myself.
"That hardly seems healthy Ev," Cal chastised. "If you need time, you have it. We, the pack and I, won't expect you to get up and put a smile on for us."
"It doesn't matter-"
"The fuck it doesn't. I won't have you logging around guilt because you feel the need to get over your best friend's death. Not happening on my watch, Princess." He looked at me defiantly.
I hesitated as I took him in. Behind his eyes, he was worried. I could see it and feel it within me. It was as if his soul was reaching out and begging to me agree.
"Fine," I gave in. "I'll take it easy, but we still have things to do to prepare for this war. Including getting the hunters settled which only you and I can do. Together."
"Fine. Tonight, you take a long rest, though. Promise me." He held out his pinkie finger.
Hooking one of mine with his, I promised.
"There's one more thing that she said that I can't figure out," I told him.
Concern was written all over his face, "What is it?"
"Right before she left, she told me, 'Be wary of the wicked and wise. The one who lost before and has nothing to lose again. That person will bring you great suffering.'" I reiterated. "What do you think it means?"
His eyebrows pinched together, "Wicked and wise? Someone who has nothing to lose?"
"It's vague and I can't think of a specific person."
"Know anyone who's wise?"
"No one as wise as whoever this leader of the rogues is. To have knowledge about the hypersthene and silver berry, they must know a lot more. The only wise person I knew is now dead and even he didn't know about those things before it happened," I said in frustration.
"Hey," Cal cupped my cheeks, "we'll figure it out. Let's clear our minds and give it some more thought. In the meantime, we can go see how it's going with the pack."
I nodded and he placed a kiss on my forehead before we both got to our feet.
"Don't mention it to anyone though. The whole Moon Goddess and riddle thing. Let's just keep it between us for now." I told him and he nodded in agreement.
"What about your ice-cream?" He queried.
"I don't want it right now," I sent absentmindedly as I headed for the stairs.
"Ev?" He called back and when I looked at him, concern and uncertainty plagued his expression. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm alright," I shrugged and I could tell he didn't buy it but he went along with me anyways. He did, however, take the ice-cream back to the kitchen and mumbled, "In case you want it later."
I tried not to let my emotions get the better of me again, so I just laid a kiss on his chest and took his hand in my own.
My dad was listening with an aggravated expression on his face to a large crowd of pack members gathered around him in the forest near the Crypt.
As Cal and I approached, they all faced me with anger written every one of them.
I spotted Penelope and Charlotte there as well as they gave me concerned looks.
"Everyone, I know what you're thinking," I started as Cal and I took my dad's place.
"If you had any idea what we're thinking then you wouldn't have done what you did," Someone growled.
"You shouldn't have brought them in our land!"
"They don't belong here!"
"Those monsters stole the lives of our families!"
"They'll kill us all by being here!"
Each accusation was hurled at us until I had enough.
"Stop it!" I commanded using my Alpha tone and they all whimpered in silence. "This is neither nor the time nor place to be questioning your Alpha. Yes, I brought the hunters here without seeking the approval of the pack. But I did that because I knew no one was willing to set aside their anger from the past and accept the help that we need. And we do need their help."
"We've survived for centuries on our protecting ourselves from their kind and much worse, why do you think we suddenly need their help?" Another person, Quinton, asked.
"Because we've never had such a small number of pack members until now. The rogues have been tearing us apart and the only way we could win this fight on our own is if we had more wolves, which we don't," I stated before feeling an ache in my chest. "You all may know by now that Finnick has...passed."
"Yeah, because you led him out of the pack territory," A pack member, Loris, yelled.
"No, she didn't," Cal hissed. "You think she wanted her best friend to die? Everette is your Alpha, don't forget that what she does, she does with a purpose. Finn took it upon himself to leave and showed the initiative a hardworking pack member should. He found us the silverberry plant and without him we wouldn't know that over two thousand rogues are coming our way!"
Everyone stood in shocked silence and I knew that no one had told them that part before now.
"Everette?" My father broke the silence and leveled me with a look of panic. "Is this true?"
"Yes, Finn told us himself."
"How is that even possible?" Penelope questioned.
I looked around at everyone and I wish I had an answer for them, "I don't know. What we have figured out though is that they have formed a pack. Jane explained that it's possible if a group of wolves that aren't bound to a pack come together and do a ritual of sorts. "
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Pen's eyes searched my own.
"They can mind link and possibly have an Alpha. Not to mention two thousand werewolves."
"Fuck," came a curse from the crowd.
"What does mean Alpha?" A woman named Izzy asked.
"It means that having the hunters here is turning out to be more resourceful that I expected. At first, I brought them here because I thought we'd have an advantage over the rogues that were constantly attacking the pack. When we got to Fairbairn we realized the problem was a lot bigger as they were moving into the human town and adapting to their lifestyle. George and Kelly stayed back to monitor the situation with Jane, but hopefully, they won't return. When Finn ran off, I didn't know what he was up to. But Callum is right, if he didn't go looking for the plant, we wouldn't have found out just how much rogues there are."
"And Abel?" I recognized Doris in the crowd. "Do you suspect he'll sell out your plans?"
"I can't answer that. A mate can be unpredictable when it comes to his mate."
"As we've seen with you," Doris whispered under her breath.
"So the hunters are here to stay?" Izzy asked.
"Yes, Callum can vouch for them together with Minna and Ross. We all spent the necessary time getting to know them and we've made an alliance. They've agreed to help us and I expect you all to not threaten them, kill them or refrain from interacting with them. Until the rogues are eradicated, they will be staying with us and we treat them as pack members."
Cal took over and expressed, "But we don't expect you all to forget what happened. The pain still lingers for everyone, including the hunters. What we need to remember is that the person who caused that terrible day is gone. Jake Cain is gone and we shouldn't allow him to destroy our lives further."
I squeezed Cal's hand in my own as I felt the pain he was feeling.
'You didn't need to say that Cal.'
'I know, but it was right.'
Rubbing comforting circles on the back of his hand, I faced the crowd.
Charlotte spoke up first, "Alpha, I don't think we will have enough, even with the hunters."
She was right. The pack had maybe around six hundred werewolves, minus the elders and kids would leave us at four hundred and fifty at best. Including the seventy hunters, well we only had about five hundred and twenty warriors.
"I have an idea," Pen offered. "We should ask the other packs for help. Your aunt Tate and uncle Aiden will definitely pull through and your family has connections with the other packs. If we tell them what's happening with the rogues, they'll help or run the risk of the rogues winning and coming after them later on."
Charlotte nodded, "Pen is right."
"I'll make the phone calls if you agree," My dad piped in.
I looked at Cal, 'Think it's a good idea?'
'I don't see why not. We need as much help as we could get.'
Looking at my dad, I gave him the thumbs up, "Ask them."
"What should we do now Alpha?" Bert stepped up and asked.
"We get back to work. Continuing training and patrolling and stop by and break bread with the hunters," I instructed. "Tomorrow, Charlotte and I will lead training and the hunters will join us."
"That's another issue. Food supply is low." Dad announced.
'Have you ordered more?' I mind linked him.
'Yes, it will be coming in tomorrow night.'
'Great, don't tell anyone. I will gather up a few wolves and go myself.'
He didn't seem too pleased by what I said, 'No you stay here. I will go with Lucas, Beau, Thomas, and a few others. You can trust us. Stay here with the pack and work out what's happening.'
We can't risk the food being stolen again with all the mouths we had to feed and the hunters added to that, so I agreed without argument.
"The food will be handled, right now, I want every physically capable wolf out in the training field. Any questions?" I asked.
No one seemed to have anything else to say so the meeting was over.
When everyone left, Pen gave me a worried expression.
"While you were gone, June got Olly to talk about what happened."
"What did he say?" Cal probed.
"It's bad... the things he talked about, it's downright sick." Charlotte wrapped her arm Pen as tears sprang to her eyes. "I don't know how and Olly didn't know either, but they're injecting kids with some sort of liquid."
Cal tensed beside me and growled lowly, "Why?"
Pen's eyes seemed haunted, "To make them shift prematurely. Werewolves shift at age sixteen, Olly is only eight. He said when it didn't work they would... they'd torture them. Abuse them and make them run for miles to wake up their wolves."
A gasp escaped me and Callum's hands tightened into fists.
"Those sick fucks!" He fumed.
"How could their parents even allow that?" My dad asked.
"Olly said his parents died when he was six and then the rogues found them. According to him not many of the kids were able to shift but even when it did happen the pain and unnatural shifting of their bodies killed them. They're the monsters, Everette. Whoever is behind this, they're sick psychopaths who don't deserve to live for another second." Pen clutched her chest and I knew she was now a mother for Olly so hearing him say that must not have been easy.
Pen was still in Charlotte's arm, so I wrapped my arms around them both and vowed, "We will find whoever is behind this and kill them. I promise this to you, June and Olly. They won't get away with it."
"And the kids who are forced to fight?" She pleaded.
"I'll make it known to the pack to avoid small wolves as I'm sure they won't be that strong anyway."
"The hunters have tranquilizers," Cal added. "They'll knock them out on the field when the war comes. They'll be safe."
"Thank you," She relaxed.
"Okay," I pulled away and brushed away a tear, "today's been rough. How about we all take it easy and tomorrow we'll start working hard."
Pen nodded before saying, "What happened to Finn wasn't right. He deserved more."
"We'll all miss him, even if he did get on my nerves at times," Char smiled sadly. "I organized a candlelight service for him tomorrow after his burial. I know he hated to be the center of attention, but he did what none of was able to do. He deserves to be remembered."
"You brought back his body?" I asked in surprise.
"Cal wouldn't leave without Finn. He had the hunters help." Char revealed.
Turning to Cal, I pulled him into my arms, "I love you more than you know."
When he didn't respond, I shifted my head to look at him and realized his eyes seemed lost and his body was still tense.
"Cal," I called his attention to me, "we'll get him help. We have a therapist in the pack."
His eyes softened and I knew he was strung up with worry about Olly.
"Thank you, Princess." He dropped a kiss on my head.
"Also, don't think we didn't notice the mate mark on both of your necks." Pen said with a lighter tone.
I heard my father groan, "I swear if we weren't werewolves I would be kicking your ass for marking my daughter."
Cal raised his arms in surrender, "I'd apologize but she marked me first."
"Do not need to know that," My dad covered his ears before leaving.
Callum chuckled, "Okay if you're alright Ev, I think I want to go visit Olly."
I nodded and pulled out of his arms, "Alright, I have to go do something of my own. I need to visit Finn's mother, Maria."
"I'll come with you-"
"No, I'll be fine. Go see Olly, I know how much he adores you. I need to speak with Aunt Maria on my own."
"Okay, but remember, it's not your fault," He assured me and I nodded.
"Come on Cal, Olly's back at our grandparent's house." Pen waved him on.
"And I'm going back to training," Char said before pulling me into a hug. "I'm glad your back in one piece Ev."
When they all left, I took a deep breath and then took a long walk to Finn's mother's house.
Standing outside her door, I fiddled with my hands as nerves bloomed in my stomach.
What do I say?
What would she say?
Would she blame me?
I held my head in my hands and closed my eyes as I tried to breathe when my lungs felt like they were closing up.
Silently, I sat with my back against the wall next to her door and tried to calm my racing heart. Without Callum here with me, suddenly it felt like the world was squishing to beneath its shoe.
My mind was all over the place and I couldn't stop the images of Finn from my mind. From my very first memory of us as kids, playing, laughing all the way to his last moment.
A hand pressed to my shoulder and I jumped in fright as I hadn't heard anyone approach.
Peering up, aunt Maria was standing above me with tear-stained cheeks. The affection she held in her eyes for me was still there as it was over the course of my life and I knew she didn't blame me.
Launching myself into her arms, I felt her body shake with sobs as her tears started back.
I managed to walk her back inside and sat us both on her couch as I comforted her and felt tears leak down my face.
Words failed me as I held her in my arms.
She lost her mate twenty years ago and now she lost her son.
When Aunt Maria's cries lessened to quiet sniffles, I started, "One of the last things that Finn said was to tell his mom that he loves her."
Her eyes shot to mine and I nodded in confirmation, "He wanted you to know that and I know that the last thing he wanted to do was leave you alone."
"But he did." She wiped at her cheeks.
"I'm sorry I took him out of the pack Aunt Maria... I never should have-"
"Everette, no," She immediately cut me off and grabbed my hands. "You and I both know that when Finn makes up his mind, he never changes it."
I nodded my head but still felt like I let her down.
"I heard what he did and I'm so proud of him for helping the pack and his Alpha without being asked. At least I can say I raised a great young man." She whispered.
"Without a doubt. Finnick was the most compassionate, kindest and smartest person I knew. You did a great job with him."
"But did I really? I should have protected my little pup." She brushed a tear away.
I shook my head, "You yourself said that Finn does what he wants, neither you nor I could have stopped that."
"I-I just wish I was there to say goodbye. Give him a hug one last time," She mourned.
"I wish I could grant you that, but what I can say is that he loves you and he'll always be in here," I pointed at her heart. "His memory will always live on in your heart and the entire pack's. We'll commemorate him and let his legacy live on as it should, as the werewolf that gave our pack a fighting chance."
She beamed at me with pride, "I always thought you two would be perfect together you know? Maybe not as a couple, but as friends, you two were like two peas in a pod. What I saw outside Everette, don't let it weigh you down because Finn wouldn't that. Take comfort in Callum, I know Finn had started taking a liking to him. He always joked that Callum got his name wrong but I could tell he held a fondest for the guy that was making you happy."
I squeezed her hand in a silent thank you and wondered why the worst things always happened to the best people.
"Why don't I go get some tea and then I could tell you all the things about Finnick when he was a baby that he made me never repeat?" From her eyes, I could tell she needed this more than ever, so I nodded as she patted my hand and went off into her kitchen.
My eyes fell upon a picture of Finn hanging on the wall and I hopped that if souls existed that he was at peace and happy.
~~~
Later that evening when I made sure Aunt Maria went to bed and took some rest, I joined Callum, my Beta, Gamma, parents and grandparents in the backyard of my grandparents' house.
The sun was setting and I stood with one hand in Cal's and the other wrapped around my mother as we looked on to my grandpa, Carson, shoveling a small hole and placing the silver berry plant in the ground.
My grandma, Anne, had earth manipulation powers. I guess now we knew where her powers would come in as essential.
As grandpa Carson shoveled dirt over the plant, he took a step back. My dad stepped in next and inserted wooden sticks into the dirt since the silver berry plant grew like grapevines.
When my dad took his place at my mother's side, grandma Anne knelt on the ground and placed her hands on the dirt where the silver berry was planted.
With bated breaths, we all looked on as she did her magic.
And magical it was as green root shot out of the ground and then transformed before our eyes. A thin trunk grew up about three feet in height and grandpa Carson tied it to the wooden stick to keep its shape.
Smaller branches sprouted and green vines steemed around them until leaves with silver veins grew and before we knew it little silver berries formed in bunches.
I looked around at the group around me as their expressions all held awe.
We did it. We finally had the plant.
Thanks to Finnick.
A/N
Chapter Update: Tuesday
Again, very sorry that I didn't include the riddle in the previous chapter but I edited and added it ð
I loved everyone's reaction to Finn. Sorry, he had to die... as the Moon Goddess said, it was always his faith. But yup, he wasn't the mastermind behind the rogues ð
Also, our poor little Ev is so hurt ððð But Cal is the best person ever!
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-Shania. ð¾