Chapter 28
"We are so going to be his Luna!" Sasha said.
"Maybe now let's talk with Alex about Amanda and Adrian. We must make sure revenge is not an option. If they want revenge on us, the best way would be to attack Violet Moon Pack if I am Luna." I replied. I was apprehensive about going into Alex's office. I stood outside the door with my hand up prepared to knock but couldn't bring myself to do it. I could live this life a bit longer with the hope it will be OK and not the dread of the truth. My apprehension eased as Vincent put his arm around me. "Whatever they decide, I will stand next to you." He smiled and squeezed my shoulder.
I took a breath and knocked. The door flew open, and Alex ran to me and gave me a hug. This earned him a growl from Vincent.
"Really? He is my cousin, remember," I sighed while pointing at Alex with one hand while knocking Vincent in the ribs with the other. He faked injury but smiled and squeezed me tighter.
"Come in and sit down. We ordered food and it should be here soon." Alex said, allowing me to take a seat at the head of one side of the executive table. "Thank you Fillian for saying what you did. I have already gotten half the pack to confirm they will be staying. I hadn't been shown there was another way but fear to be Alpha and I was not good at that."
"Yes, I know," Vincent said. I stared at him in shock, but Alex just started laughing. The food arrived and we began to eat.
"Amanda is in her room. I thought it best we talked first." Alex looked at me pleading.
"I agree," I said. "Why did she do it? Why turn on the agreement and put everyone at risk?"
"She had linked Dane. He told her goodbye. I think she just reacted. She knows it was dumb and put the whole pack at risk." Alex shook his head. "She has a long way to becoming a good Luna. I love her and she is my mate. She will not hold a grudge. I promise you. She was just overcome by the loss."
"I would like to hear this from her," Vincent said.
"Of course. You do believe me though?" Alex pointed this question towards me.
"I do, but I too would like to see her say it." There are so many paths, more enemies I could not afford. Alex linked Amanda and she came in a few minutes later. She was dressed in black and looked pale. "Amanda, sweetheart, take a seat." She did as Alex had said. The pain in his face was obvious. He really cared for her.
"Amanda," I started. She looked up at me and what I saw shocked me. I expected hate or sorrow but what I saw was fear. "Alex has told us why you did what you did but we wanted to hear it from you."
She looked at Alex, who squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry. Please don't kill me or make me become a rogue. I would go crazy without my mate."
"Amanda calm down. I don't plan to kill you. I need to know though why you put your brother for the safety of your own pack. You are the Luna. Responsible for the well being of everyone here." I waited for her to respond.
She just stood there sobbing. "He wasn't always bad. You remember as kids we were friends. He was getting paid by Adrian to hurt you. Ever since we were little Adiran and our parents told us, we were nothing anymore. That you were worthless and below Omegas." Vincent growled and Amanda cowered.
I gave Vincent a look to calm him. "Do you believe her?" Sasha asked. "Yes I do."
"Amanda, go on," I said.
"If he hadn't hit you, our father would have hit him. He said it would make him stronger. Instead, it made him mean. It broke him and made him made. He even hit me once. It is not an excuse, but it is why we went from friends to, well, not friends." "He found out you were his mate, and he came to me crazed. Going on about how he would not have you for a mate. He wrecked two rooms in our parent's house. Alex, you remember that is when I moved in with you."
"Yes, I saw the damage." Alex said, giving her a squeeze.
"Amanada but why turn on your pack?" Vincent said.
"He was my brother. When he was given a second chance, he promised me he would stop and turn it around. He said it was his sign from the goddess. When he was defeated, he told me he chose death over being alone. I saw the only glimmer of hope to get my brother back fade in a day's time. I wanted more time. I didn't think I just commanded. I am sorry." She began to cry again, and Alex wrapped her in a hug.
"Luna Amanda, thank you for telling me the truth and I am truly sorry for your loss. For what we all lost. Alex, can you take her back to her room? And send for your mother."
"My mother? Why? She wasn't a part of this. You can't punish her."
"Alex, please," I asked. He did as I requested. My aunt came a few moments after Alex had left.
"So, what is my fate, niece? I know who my mate was. I know it is not the man that lies in the cell. He is a forced mate. He wanted to be Alpha and with your father gone and me at his side, no one would challenge him."
"Aunt. Did you know he pushed Dane to beat me?"
"I did not know, but I expected. The four of you were thick as thieves growing up. I knew you would all be mates one day. Alex, being your cousin was out of the story."
"Why didn't you stop him?"
"Fear. He is willing to beat a boy to ensure my niece spends her days broken. What do you think he would have done to me? I already knew he killed my father for the Alpha role. As not a true mate, he could have disposed of me at any time." My Aunt looked empty. "I am sorry your life has been harsh." I spoke. "Yes, well, it is looking up." She said and raised her head. "Will it be death or rogue as my punishment?"
"You have the same three options as were detailed yesterday. I do hope you stay and help guide Amanda. She needs training. You may not have had the opportunity to be a great Luna, but you were not a bad one." I said. A quick shocked expression came to her face but quickly changed back into stone.
"I will. See you are not a stranger. I would like to get to know my niece." She said and just left.
"You let her go. After all you have been put through," Vincent said, getting up to pace. "I know they have sad stories, but Filli, you have to be hard sometimes. Forgiveness is great, but it could get us all killed."
"I know." I said to him, getting up. I called for Alex in the hallway. This was going to be a hard conversation, but it had to be done and I wanted to go back to Violet Moon and be done with this path.
"I just heard the good news. You are allowing my mother to stay here with us." He said, so happy. I knew it wouldn't last. I was about to burst his happiness.
"Alex, your father, and the Arrendos must be put to death," I said. Alex and Vincent said nothing, just stared.
A long moment passed before Alex said, "I can't. He is my father and they are Amanda's parents."
"If you do not have the will you can give them over to Violet Moon and I will do it." I said.
"No!" This came from both Vincent and Alex, who immediately looked at each other.
"They are not your enemies. They are mine. I can make it quick by the use of magic, but it will need to be a few days I need to heal. Until that time, they must be locked up. Alex, you must explain it to Amanda. She must understand and agree not try to avenge them or I will have to add her."
Another silence so thick I could hardly breath. I knew I was asking a lot, but it had to be done. War was not going to happen. I almost lost Sasha in the last one. Vincent broke the silence. "We will stay here for the next few days until Fillian has enough strength to do this. To be clear, all three must die or it will be war."
Alex slowly turned in defeat. I felt his sorrow, but we could not leave it up to chance. I know my aunt would not care, but Amanda would be a wild card.
Three days later, they said goodbye. Amanda's parents surprisingly accepted their fate. They had bet on the wrong horse, or wolf, lost their son, and only wanted to keep their daughter safe. I felt it as almost a relief when I stopped their minds. Adrian was different. He was screaming the whole time about how we can't do this.
When it was time, I wanted to face him. "If only you could have loved me. I was not my father. Adrain spat at my feet and said, "until I meet you in the end, witch." I closed my eyes and reached his mind. Letting it fade to black. This peaceful death was too good for him.