The Chronicles of Moon

Traitors in the Pack

Fortunately for Moon, they only need to stop once for her to be sick on the side of the road, and she fell asleep shortly after that. The trip back went smoothly, and she found herself waking just as they entered town. It looks the same as the day of the attack.

Her heart breaks seeing it in person again as a tear threatens to fall from the corner of her eye. Colin takes her hand, moving his thumb in circles across her hand. As they arrive at the pack house and the SUVs all come to a stop, Moon assumes that Colin must have given them all their orders because everyone spreads out, seemingly knowing the tasks at hand. A few shift, and the wolves take off into the trees.

Her old home and packhouse now looks so small to her, and a few guards head inside, searching the house. When Moon shifts in her seat about to get out of the car, Colin holds her hand tighter.

“Let’s just give it a minute to make sure it’s all clear.” His tone is calm, but his face is focused, and he’s clearly linked to all the pack members getting a full report. She simply nods, and after another moment, he lets go of her hand, opens his door, and walks to her door.

Once she is out into the air, she takes a deep breath and slips her hand into her pocket, feeling the key she stashed in her there just before leaving with Bella for breakfast.

“Well, let’s get this over with.” She sighs, heading for the door.

Jake meets them at the door, and Colin eyes him for a moment, unsure of what to do with the man. He doesn’t trust him, and from the look on Jake’s face, the feeling is mutual.

“I thought I would stick close by,” Jake says rather gruffly. Moon hasn’t missed the dislike they seem to have for one another. She has known Jake her whole life and has no reason not to trust the man now.

She shakes her head at the two of them acting so childish and makes her way into the packhouse. The furniture is all still there, but the shelves are missing a few things here and there. She pauses at Ben’s office to see that he has packed nearly everything out of it.

“Jake, I will ask that you wait somewhere else.” Moon turns to him, and he looks shocked and hurt. Colin nearly looks smug until she turns her eyes to him. “You too. I can get the journals alone if you just leave a box by the door. I saw one in the office.” It’s Colin’s turn to look hurt, but only for a second. He kisses her on the forehead as Jake scowls. She never intended to let them in the room with her.

She waits for the men to go before pulling the key from her pocket and unlocking the door. She places her palm on the cool wooden door and takes one last deep breath before turning the knob.

The room is cool and smells of dust. The light grey film covers everything. As she steps inside the room, the dust swirls in the sunlight like glitter in the air.

“Hey, gramps,” Moon says mournfully as she closes the door behind her. She can smell his cologne even now. The bottle sits on his dresser, just where he left it. His shirt lays across the chair in the corner, and his bed stands perfectly made. She takes it all in and feels the pain of losing him all over again.

I’m here with you; you don’t need to do anything alone anymore. Kiara softly reminds her.

I know. I would rather have you here. At least you understand without me having to explain it. Moon sighs back. She hears the box get set outside the door and waits a moment before retrieving the empty box, she shuts the door again, making her way to the large bookshelf.

***

Colin and Jake stand silently in the office, and Jake can’t seem to stand it.

“Why can’t she just let us in there too.” Jake angrily huffs as he starts pacing the room.

“She didn’t want us to,” Colin says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Why, what were you hoping to find in there, Jake?”

“What makes you think I wanted to find anything. I only came because I don’t trust you.” He shoots back. “As far as I know, you are just what Mark was afraid of. I have heard plenty about you. Killed your own sister, from what I hear. I don’t know how you can be walking around as a free man or even alive.”

Colin glares back at the man as he clenches his jaw, but Jake seems to relish the fact that he has said something to upset Colin.

“What? Didn’t think I knew about your dirty secret, did you? I promised Mark that I would look out for Moon, and I think you are what she needs protection from.” Jake pokes at Colin further, clearly trying to anger him more now. “You don’t deserve Moon.”

You know I can just shut him up permanently. Farrell snaps. His fur brisling as he growls.

As much as I would like to let you, that seems to be what he wants. To prove that I am the monster he seems to think I am. Colin keeps his composure, still glaring back at the fuming man.

“What? Don’t have anything to say to me. You know I’m right. I knew your mother, and she was a decent woman. I don’t know how she could have spawned the likes of you.” Jake snaps angrily.

Colin feels his resolve about to break, he’s going to let Farrell have his way and end this stupid man. Moon drops the box of dusty books, and Marches in, her fist clenched tight, one of the journals in the other. She is breathing hard as she fights to keep Kiara back as well.

“How dare you say those things! How dare you question anything about him! How dare you say what you did is to protect me! It was you!” She screams as Kiara pushes forward. Moon’s eyes shift to that of Kiara’s icy blue eyes.

“You convinced Mark to lock me away! You made me out to be a monster and a prisoner! You wanted to be the one in control of me, and you are the one that is helping Maddox!” Kiara’s voice roars, shaking the walls and rattling the window.

“Oh, poor naive girl, there are far more people than just me helping him. You were meant for that mutt’s brother, not him. With Caleb, you could truly be something great. That bastard there will only hold you back.” He points to Colin, “But don’t worry, they will be here for you soon. I don’t think Colin has even noticed all his guards have gone silent, haven’t they?” Jake is laughing now as he cocks an eyebrow at Colin, smiling like the devil he is.

The front door explodes open as wolves howl before Moon can turn; Jake has Moon around the waist, injecting her with a tranquilizer, still laughing. Colin shifts into Farrell’s giant black body, snarling and snapping as he darts at them one moment too late as Jake throws himself and Moon through the office window the shattering glass raining down on them. He lands on the ground hard, but the fall isn’t enough to injure him. The waiting men grab Moon from him, carrying her to the running SUV. Farrell is about to follow through the window when teeth sink into his back leg, making him howl. He turns to face his attacker. Dalton lets go of Colin’s leg as Caleb steps into the door.

“Thank you for delivering her, brother.” Caleb snickers as he raises the gun and fires.