Twenty-Change of heart

Rafe stepped up beside the bed. Looking into Edward’s eyes. Edward drops his eyes and asks “Alpha, may I speak?” And Rafe nods. Edward cleared his throat and began “ I was lied to. Across the board, everything I was told since Duncan approached me, has been a lie. Duncan came to me a month ago. He told me an Alpha Hellier of BloodMoon Pack was interested in an alliance with us, but wanted to meet with me before speaking with you. Although I felt it an odd request, I agreed to talk to him. Yes..I wanted our pack to have a Luna..yes, I wanted that Luna to be Cassandra. I felt that would further my agenda and solidify my place in the pack, once more. I have been floundering since the death of your father. It felt like I had lost one of the better parts of myself. I have no excuses for what I have done. My reasons stopped making sense weeks ago. I never thought I would ever betray pack and kin. I certainly do not like who I have become…but I digress. Duncan set up a meeting at that restaurant in Sweetwater..and Cassandra and I attended. We discovered Liam Beaumont was Cassandra’s Goddess given mate, but, by that time, I had pushed the concept of her mating you so far into her brain, she didn’t want to accept him. Alpha Armand was looking for a girl. A witch. He told me she was responsible for many deaths and he wanted her to pay for that. I asked how I could help with that..I didn’t know any such girl. Then he described the girl who leased the warehouse and I had been the one to verify the lease, so I told him about it. I thought she was bringing trouble to our pack I realized I was in too deep once you announced her as your mate. I kept telling myself I had to stick the course. I was panicking and needed a plan. When Duncan broke us out of the cells we headed to meet up with Armand. At the realization that he was no longer an Alpha and his goal was to murder you, I began learning his plans. His strengths and weaknesses. Last night, I snuck past his sentries with the sole purpose of getting to our border and begging patrol for an audience with you. Alpha Beaumont was informed his son had been captured. He arrived last night with 100 of his own troops. Armand has over 200 rogues he has talked into joining him.. Beaumont is going to issue an official declaration of war if you don’t release Liam immediately upon declaration. If you don’t, their plan is to attack on the next full moon. That leaves about 27 days to ready your warriors. Armand wanted to attack tomorrow but he isn’t in charge and he is a weak man. Beaumont is the danger. There is a human there, a William somebody with about 25 others. They are hunters and vicious men. They have silver tipped arrows..bullets. Some of his men are adept with knives. The humans have only one goal. That is to recapture the Luna. I didn’t realize I was being followed when I snuck away, but I was. Duncan and two others caught me about 10 meters from the North River and attacked me. Duncan was vicious and uncontrollable. He ripped into my back and tore muscle. He slashed my left flank with such ferocity I feared I would lose me leg. He trained all your warriors. He designed the patrol schedules. All the information he has is now in the hands of Armand and Beaumont. Alpha, I’m begging you. Please look after my mate and daughters. I will leave as soon as I am able..but please, I beg of you, don’t punish my family for my foolishness”.

Rafe stood for several long moments..he linked Jax..asking what he thought about all this. Jax replied “if the information is accurate, we have a good chance to prepare” Rafe spoke..”Edward.. I am a forgiving man. A magnanimous man. If… and I am saying this is a huge if, I accept what you are saying is accurate…then you have a done myself and our pack a great service. It in no way negates the disservice you have committed, but I am willing to consider allowing you to stay. You and your mate will retire..you will be stripped of rank and privileges. You will sell your home and move to either the outlands of packland or some place in town. If you ever strike your mate again, I will remove your hands. Madilyn is now..and has been a member of my immediate family for a very long time. It is out of deference to her I even offer these options. Cassandra is another story altogether. She has yet to show any remorse for her actions..still insisting she is my Luna. At this point, I am considering allowing the elders to determine her fate” Edward nodded and thanked Rafe profusely.

As they walked back to the house..they were all silent..lost in thought. After ten minutes, Rafe looked at Jax and asked him to call the pack together in an hour…mandatory attendance. He grabbed Andrea’s hand and pulled her close to him. He whispered “No one will touch you! No one will ever hurt you again” She smiled up into his face and said “I know.” She looked at Jax and said “Rafe and I will be at the waterfall if you need us before the meeting. It’s time we start synchronizing powers.” Jax said “Wait….What? Rafe has powers? What can he do? Can he shrink? I wanna see him shrink! Ooh ooh no! I wanna see him flitting around on pixie wings. Please? Please? I would really want to see that!” Rafe said “shut up, you idiot”

Jax and Madi turned left to the packhouse and Andrea and Rafe continued on to the waterfall. It’s gonna be a long day.