Vivian paced her small cell, anxiously awaiting her trail. George has been stripped of his Alpha aura and hasn't spoken since his judgement. She had a fear of what would be her fate. It was then that she heard the creek of an iron cell door. Keys, footprints, another iron cell door. The Guard was coming for her and her moment had arrived.
"The time of your trial has arrived. We have been summoned to bring you to Thunder Heart territory" The member of the Guard spoke as he placed silver cuffs around Vivian wrist.
Every wolf-from the lowest omegas to the seasoned warriors- stood packed shoulder to shoulder, forming a living wall around the refurbished training grounds. Fae envoys littered along the edge of the forest curious about the trial. At the center of it all, wrists bound, stood former Luna Vivian. She looked nothing like the proud ruler she once pretended to be. She was pale, eyes hollow, and her wolf was to ashamed to make her presence known.
Queen Rowan stepped forward her eyes locked on Vivian, hard as carved stone. "Former Luna Vivian Myers of Thunder Heart, you stand accused of treason, abduction, experimentation, alliance with the Unseelie Court, and the destruction of Bloodborn pack. Your crimes cost countless lives."
Vivian started laughing maniacally, as if she had gone mad. Angered by this Colt's voice boomed thunderous across the training field "SILENCE!". Vivian snickered and narrowed her eyes "Oh, Colt, You think so small. You have no idea what I saved this pack from! You are small and weak! You don't have what it takes to be an Alpha!"
Stacy spoke quietly, but her voice carried with supernatural clarity. "You didn't save anyone. You only fed your hunger for power."
Vivian smirked "Oh and you Miss Anastasia Grace, you are just angry I took away the little toy pack you were born into."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Colt moved like he might lunge at Vivian. Queen Rowen stopped him, lifting her hand. "Let her speak" she spoke quietly "The condemned often reveal the most when they believe they still hold power."
Vivian smiled- slow and poisonous. "That's right dear, let me speak. I couldn't allow an Alpha-Alpha bloodline exist. Your parents were a threat." The crowd erupted into chaos- roars, snarls, whispers, wolves trembling with rage.
Colt motioned for the warriors to bring in the heavy files from the former Luna's hidden chamber. Vivian's face flickered with surprise-just for a heartbeat. "You found the hidden files" she whispered. Colt crossed his arms "There was nothing you could hide anymore." Vivian's smirk returned. "Bet you couldn't find the letters from Alpha Edward and Luna Hazel". She leaned forward looking at Stacy "You poor simple girl. You were never kidnapped. Your parents gave you away. They were scared of what you would become."
The Queen stiffened and held Stacy's hand as the field growled as one and the fae hissed and snarled. Queen Rowen stepped forward. "By the order of the Seelie Court, your crimes extend into fae territory. You kidnapped fae children. You killed fae scouts, You trespassed on sacred borders." She lifted a crystal that glowed with her rage. "For these crimes, the court demands their claim!"
Colt bowed his head "Thunder Heart recognizes the claim"
Vivian paled "What claim?". The Queen spoke quietly "The claim of soul tethering."
The former Luna's eyes went wide "NO! No, you can't..."
Queen Rowan mirrored Vivian's smirk from earlier. "I can and I will"
Moonlight flared around The Queen, soft but absolute. Vivian's face broke-rage, terror, disbelief.
"For the rest of your immortal soul, you will serve in the dungeon's of the Seelie Court, a realm where magic devours truth and illusions devour liars". Light struck, Vivian vanished- her scream fading into a realm even wolves feared to speak of. Justice true and ancient had finally come.
The Queen lowered her hand and spoke to Stacy and Colt "The sins of the past must be balanced by the deeds of the present." Queen Rowen reached for Stacy and Colts hands, creating a circle of three "Luna Anastasia, you must complete your training-no matter the cost. Alpha Colt, you must strengthen your warriors and your pack. Become a bridge between worlds, a protector worth the Goddess's blessing." she sighed deeply "I have granted Niall and Nessa permission to stay in Thunder Heart to assist in training." Queen Rowen nodded "I must take my leave". Colt and Stacy bowed "Thank you your majesty".
The moment the doors of their shared quarters closed behind them, the noise of crowd fell away like a collapsing world. No more growls. No more whispers. No more eyes watching their every expression. Colt leaned back against the door, chest rising and falling in slow, heavy waves. The trial had drained him. His knuckles were still white from restraining himself when Vivian taunted Stacy.
Stacy stepped into the room, her aura flickering softly with moonlight. She hadn't realized how bright she'd been glowing until now, now that exhaustion dimmed her magic to a simmer. She exhaled shakily and pressed a hand to her heart. "It's finally over" she whispered.
Colt shook his head "It's just one part of it. But yes, the worst is over." Stacy moved to the window, staring out at the moonlit courtyard, she rested her hands on the cool stone sill. "I didn't expect her to speak about my parents or my pack like that." she murmured "I wasn't prepared." Colt crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her from behind, lowering his forehead to her shoulder.
"You handled yourself with more strength than anyone on that field." Stacy closed her eyes "But it hurt," she whispered "Hearing her say those things...seeing her smirk as if she still had control." Colt tightened his hold. "She is powerless now. She belongs to the Fae Queen, she can't touch you ever again We will search for the letters tomorrow." Colt led Stacy to the bed. "You need to rest now love, you've been through a lot the past few days."
The morning began as rain hammered the roof of the pack house. Colt and Stacy quietly got ready for the day. Colt stayed as close as he could to Stacy. She was anxious. The past few days have been rough and Colt was afraid that at any moment she would run away screaming. The pair ate a quick breakfast that morning and headed to the old pack house. Their mission today was to find those letters.
Colt was pleased to see that Sadie had most of the rooms cleared for renovations. Already the common areas looked amazing. The living room was inviting with soft gray hard wood floors, several large recliners, throw blankets, and a fire going in the large wood fire place. It was cozy and welcoming. "Well done Sadie!" Sadie beamed with pride. "How can I help you today Alpha Colt, Luna Stacy?" Stacy steeled her nerves. "We need to go to the Vivian's study." Sadie nodded. "We haven't started demo their yet. I wanted to perfect the common areas first."
Stacy and Colt settled in to do the search after Sadie brought them coffee. They started with the bookshelves, meticulously searching through every book. A storage box was brought in to collect all the loose papers that had fallen from the books, to be sorted later. They pair searched the desk, emptying out drawers and reading every slip of paper they came across. Nothing, they found nothing. Stacy was frustrated and growled. "I want to destroy this room, every thing that fucking wicked woman every touched" Colt wasn't surprised to see her fist slam down on the desk, splintering the wood.
Suddenly Colt had an idea. "Hold that thought babe" he rushed out the room searching for a construction worker. He finally found one heading up the stairs. "Hey buddy!" Colt called out. The worker stiffened not knowing what to expect. "You got a hammer I could borrow? The new Luna needs to let off some steam." The worker was taken aback. "Uh, sure, I guess" and handed Colt the hammer from his tool belt. Colt took the hammer thankfully," I will leave it for you on the dining room table".
Colt returned to the study and handed the hammer to Stacy "Have at it babe". Stacy was confused. " Sadie hasn't started demo yet and you need to destroy something" and he spread his arms "So, have at it." Stacy grinned mischievously and swung the hammer down hard onto the desk. He watched in amusement as Stacy swung the hammer, splintering the desk into shards. Face red with exertion, Stacy beat that poor desk until there was nothing left. Her final swing the hammer went flying through the air, right through a painting of mountains, and CLANG!
"No fucking way!" Colt shouted, stunned at the loud noise. They moved closer to inspect the painting and when Colt removed it, a wall safe remained. Stacy lifted her hand and silver ribbons shot from her hand and she swiftly unlocked the safe. They quickly removed all the papers inside and sat on the floor together. As Stacy lifted the first document her pulsed quickened. The scent that escaped was old and faintly smelled of wolf.
Carefully she opened the leather file folder. Inside there aged documents, folded letters tied with red twine, and a seal she recognized from the collars of the dead found in the Alpha's secret room. Hands trembling, Stacy opened the first letter in the stack.
My Dearest Anastasia,
If you are reading this, my precious daughter, then the truth has finally found you. You were stolen from us. Taken by those who believed a child touched by Mother Rhiannon could be controlled. Darling, we searched for you, up until this very night. We were hunted for knowing too much. If they have told you your pack disappeared and abandoned you, that is a lie. The pack was destroyed because we refused to give up finding you. You are the daughter of two alphas, blessed by Mother Rhiannon the night of your birth.
There are those that believe an Alpha-Alpha bloodline is dangerous. I was born an Alpha, inherited by father. Your father is the Alpha of Bloodborne and he is my fated mate. Darling, you are loved. Don't let them try to blame you. They fear you. They fear what Mother Rhiannon gifted you. Don not let them twist your truth. Find the ones who still live. They will know what happened.
Yours Truly, Luna Hazel Bloodmoon of Bloodborne.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. All her life, was a lie created by the Unseelie. Colt opened more documents, his jaw tightening these as he realized that what he held was memos. "The girl must never rise to Alpha blood", "The wolf must be suppressed in order to maintain success". These memos came from someone, someone within the Bloodborns pack. Colt's voice was firm, Alpha-steady. "We will uncover everything."