The Secrets of the Panther

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Izzy and I went to the office to wait for everyone to arrive.

After ten minutes, everyone showed up, and we sat around the office. “What’s this all about?” asked my father. “What’s this announcement you both want to announce to the pack?” His eyes were full of something, but I knew he had the wrong end of the stick.

I looked at Izzy, but she was staring ahead. Since we were waiting, Izzy looked out the window and didn’t say a word. Something was up, but I couldn’t make head or tail of it. Her emotions were all over the place through the mate bond, but even I struggled to figure out her feelings.

I looked back at my father and then glanced toward everyone in the office. They all had knowing smiles, but Lena was staring at Izzy.

I sighed.

“Before you think that we have an announcement about a pregnancy, it’s not that,” I told them. Instantly everyone’s faces went from knowing to surprised. “Then what?” asked my father, looking between Izzy and me with concern. “Is everything alright?”

I was about to answer, but Izzy beat me to it.

“The announcement we want to make is that we are opening our pack gates to some vampires who need a place to live,” she says. I glanced over at her, and she was staring back at us. I could feel Puna was close by, and I guess she could feel some uncertainty.

“Why would you do that?” shouts Alice. She shot out of the chair and stared at Izzy. “You know they killed my father; they tortured mum. Or doesn’t that ever bother you?” I couldn’t help but look at Kat, but her eyes were staring back at Izzy. But she had a blank expression on her face.

Izzy sighs.

“I know who did what,” she said. “Alice, you need to calm down, or I will seriously let Puna take over, and she has enough to say to you after that outburst you did at Allie’s birthday party.”

Alice shuts her mouth and stares. “I thought we put that to rest,” she says. Izzy stares at her for a moment. Puna comes closer to the surface, and Izzy closes her eyes.

When she opens them, Puna is forward. As she comes forward, I can feel Puna’s emotions. She’s angry, and it’s aimed at Alice. “I would shut your mouth,” she says. “You hurt Izzy’s feelings.”

Alice stared at her. She was about to open her mouth, but she stopped.

“Izzy was running away from the vampires, rogues, and even hunters,” she says as she moves closer. But stops. Puna stares at everyone but lands on Kat, who is holding back tears.

Puna pulls back, and Izzy comes forward.

Izzy stares at Kat and falls to her knee in front of her. Izzy places her hand on hers and stares at her. “I would let no one hurt you, and I mean that,” she says. “I want to show peace to those that need it.”

Izzy caresses Kat’s hand. “Archer’s family told me many vampires were followers, but some weren’t. They were forced to follow Amir and Nell. Some lost families along the way, even mates because of the Elder and the two,” she says. She looks at Alice. “I never want to hurt you, and you both know that. I want to help those who suffered as we have. I mean, everyone has suffered on both sides due to all this. I think it’s about time we all worked together to make this pack and others around us to see we can work in peace.” sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I looked at my parents. My father and mother were both stunned by what Izzy said. My father catches my eye and nods.

I glanced back at everyone and spoke. “What Izzy and Puna say is true; we are taking a few vampires in. But all I know is, the amount is about twenty. Few survived the war because Izzy’s power hit, but most went into hiding or on the run. They are scared,” I say to them. “I believe if we open the doors to them, we can show that we are taking the next step into a direction way with the pack and what way than to show that we can stand by the ones that did us wrong and even fought against us.”

I looked at Kat, and she stared at me. “I think you and Archer should permanently move in here with us,” I said.

Izzy stares at me but says nothing.

Kat clears her throat, which makes me look at her. “I’m okay with the vampires being here,” she says quietly. Alice looks at her mother but sits back down in her chair. “I think it’s a good idea, and I would love for Archer and me to move in here,” says Kat.

I smiled at her.

“I know this is a lot to deal with and to take in,” I say to them. Looking between each one. “I want to make the announcement today, but I want to make sure everyone is okay with the situation, and everyone needs to agree when we tell the pack members.”

I glanced at everyone. Paul and Dale agreed. Kacey had some concerns but would see what happens, and she mentioned if any of them stepped one foot out of place, she would kill them.

Alice and Kat were okay. Well, Kat was. Alice had the same version of everything as Kacey. My parents were okay but concerned about the pack members, especially those who lost loved ones. But that was to be expected.

I glanced at Lena, who remained quiet but looked at me and sighed. “I have no say in this, as I’m not in the pack yet, but I think what you and Izzy are doing is noble. I mean, everyone fears vampires as they were the main part. But people must remember that they were also forced into all this because of Amir and Nell; they wanted power. They hurt those following them, making them no better than the Elder.”

I nodded.

Lena looks at Izzy. “There is a young chocolate monster waiting for you both,” she says with a smile. At the mention of Allie, I want to see her.

“We will announce after food,” I say, pulling myself back.

Everyone nods.

“What else will you announce?” asks my mother as she glances between Izzy and me.

“I’m going to tell everyone about Izzy being my Luna, and we will hold an alpha and Luna ceremony soon,” I say to them. My mother smiles. “The ceremony will be held in a month. We can set the date now, and everything will be set.”

Izzy and I nodded. We carried on with the meeting. I told them everything that went on with the Red Moon pack. Everyone was shocked to hear what happened to their members and how the members were about having the rogues move in with them.

Everything fell into place, but we knew we had two more hurdles to go before we concentrated on the alpha and Luna ceremony.