31. Kezia

Nerves swirledin my belly as Cannon took the letter, opened it, and read it. I saw his frown deepen, and then he seemed to read it again.

“Kezia, get Kris.”

“Fuck off, tell me what the letter says.”

He gave me a look of exasperation, which was so familiar I grinned. “Get your brother.”

At the bottom of the stairs, I shouted for Kris. I ignored all the protests that sounded when I shouted for Landon to come down too.

In the kitchen, we gathered, spilling over into the dining area, and when Royce came running into the house, it was only then that Cannon read the letter, by which time I had already threatened him with violence.

“Alpha Cannon and Alpha Kris,” he began reading aloud.

I saw the look of shock on Kris’s face.

“While your investigations into the Anterrio Pack have uncovered some unsightly and worrying facts, and we are aware of your efforts to clean the corruption from the pack by the removal of the pack leader and his loyal followers, we, the Pack Council, have also had the opportunity to conduct our own investigation.”

Cannon cleared his throat before he continued.

“We find that corruption and greed can be uncovered anywhere. After much reflection, debate, and contemplation, we have considered the crimes of the Blackridge Peak Pack and pass the following.” Cannon looked at us all. “You ready?”

I think we all nodded at once.

“Kezia of the Anterrio Pack is absolved of any crimes and violations of pack law while residing with the humans. All pack are entitled to defend themselves, and we find her actions that of self-defense. Should Kezia of the Anterrio Pack wish to be recognized as the bonded mate of Alpha Cannon, an official mating ceremony will be performed by a shaman of their choosing.”

I was sure my brother was holding me up—my knees had left me as my relief was so overwhelming.

“Alpha Kris of the Anterrio Pack will take the Anterrio Pack as his own. His hard work, dedication, and loyalty to the pack puts him in the best position to take the pack forward. Should he wish to rename the pack, his submission should be made to the Pack Council in writing after achieving a unanimous vote from the Anterrio Pack.”

“What if I don’t want them?” he muttered as he shared a look with the shaman.

“I don’t think you get a choice,” the shaman answered solemnly.

Cannon continued. “Should Alpha Kris of the Anterrio Pack wish to be recognized as bonded mate of Cassandra of the Anterrio Pack, an official mating ceremony will be performed by a shaman of their choosing.”

Cass looked at me and winked. “Double wedding?”

Landon’s snort was ignored by everyone but Cannon, who shot him a look of warning. “Shaman of the Anterrio Pack, your counsel is necessary to aid Alpha Kris; you will remain with the Anterrio Pack.” The shaman shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal, but I felt like crying. “Landon of the Anterrio Pack, you will report directly to the Pack Council and provide a detailed and thorough account of your father, Bale, Pack Leader of the Anterrio Pack, until we are satisfied with your account.”

“What does that mean?” Landon asked warily.

“Sounds like an interrogation,” Royce told him quietly. “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to lose.”

I watched as Landon stared sullenly at his shoes, but he nodded once in acceptance.

“For our inner investigations, we have been found wanting. In conclusion, there are now three empty seats on the Pack Council. Alpha Cannon and Alpha Kris are invited to come forward to take their place.”

“Holy Luna, what?” I screeched. “No. Nuh-uh. No way.”

Cannon and Kris exchanged a look.

Cass was beaming at Kris. “Pack Council? That’s a huge honor. And you’re both so young, that’s…” She beamed with pride. “A huge honor, Kris.” She glanced at Cannon. “And you, Alpha.”

I stared at her as if she was insane. “The Pack Council that was corrupt and evil.”

“They cleared the garbage out,” she said primly.

“How do you know they didn’t kill the only good ones left and leave all the baddies?” I demanded.

“Because we are Pack Council,” the shaman spoke quietly.

My jaw dropped along with everyone else’s.

“You?” I couldn’t speak. “You!”

“What do you think a shaman is?” He smiled at us all as he looked around the room, his milky white eyes seeing little. “I serve all packs. How many times do I need to say it before you believe me?”

“You’re on the Pack Council?” I demanded.

“I serve them, yes.”

“You could have stopped all of this?” Kris asked as he stood closer to me. “You could have told them at any time how much we needed them.”

“The Council was facing their own struggles. Only with the evidence you have all diligently presented in the last few weeks could changes be made.”

“I can no longer keep up,” Royce declared, looking around at everyone. “Can anyone?” His gaze settled on the shaman. “We’re good? The pack, the alpha’s? Kezia?” The shaman nodded. “Right then, I need a drink.”

“Second that!” Cannon said, handing the letter to Kris. “I might need two.”

“Or twenty,” Kris muttered, following him to the study. The others trailed after them, many looking back at the shaman with wariness and speculation. The shaman stood back, a serene smile on his face.

“You have questions, pup?”

“You lied to me.”

“When?”

“I don’t know…” I was struggling, really struggling. “Bale? He knew that you were so close to them?”

“He did. I believe that’s why he took me and held me in the cells when he truly lost his mind to greed and rage.”

“All these months.” I shook my head. “All these months you could have done something.”

“I did do something. I was here by your side as you grew into the amazing woman you are, with a pack and an alpha who love you. Who deserve you.”

I was still shaking my head. “I don’t know.” With my hands on the side of my head, I stared at him. “I don’t know what to do with this.”

“I do.” Reaching over, he took my hand. “Let’s get drunk.”

Who knewan old shifter as frail as the shaman could hold so much liquor? My head was pounding, and my bed was empty. Daylight streamed through the window, and I knew Cannon was no doubt on pack business.

With a groan, I rolled out of bed, landing on the floor with a thump, knowing I needed a shower and a run as my wolf to get rid of this hangover. I didn’t even know it was possible to get a hangover, but I definitely had something.

Moaning, I got to my feet. The shaman’s special blend of whiskey was to be avoided from now on at all costs, I promised myself as I stumbled down the stairs and headed to the boot room.

“Luna, my head hurts,” I grumbled as I bounced off a stool in Cannon’s kitchen, still unsteady on my feet. “What the hell was in that whiskey?” Opening the door, I shifted and ran out of town. I made sure enough of the pack saw me; I was never sneaking away from my alpha ever again.

My run took me up the mountain, far from the Blackridge Peak Pack, but the fresh air and breeze as I ran kept me going. At a high point on the mountain, I looked down.

Whoa, that is a long way down.

I shifted back to human form. Looking around, I didn’t care that I was naked. I knew this place.

“Where are you?” Turning slowly in a circle, I searched for her. “Moonstar?”

Shaking my head, I moved forward, ready to search for her. “I know you’re here. I know this place. This is where you took me.” I shivered in the cool air. Swiftly I shifted back to my wolf, needing my wolfskin to keep me warm. Uncovering nothing, I stubbornly sat down.

Fine. I’ll wait.

I must have dozed, or maybe I was still feeling the shaman’s lethal blend of alcohol, but I woke up when I felt the presence of another. I shifted back to my human form as I watched her approach me.

Her hair was black. I hadn’t expected that. I’d always envisaged her to have hair the same color as mine. Her skin was ivory pale, her rosy lips the only color on her face. Her eyes were white.

Hello, child.

I burst into tears, and her arms surrounded me, but there was little substance. Still, I clung to her as I wept. Finally, I pulled back and looked at her.

“How?”

Moonstar smiled serenely, looking up at the darkening sky.

I was bound once. She looked down at me. When I felt your pain all that time ago, I did not think. I hoped the strength of my spirit would keep you alive. When I entered your body, I think we merged.

“Merged?”

Moonstar nodded. So eager to heal you, I ignored the tightness of your hold on me. When I knew you were better, both of you, I tried to leave, but you had a claim on my spirit, and I could not break free.

Scooting back, I looked her over warily. “Are you telling me that I did this? That I bound you to me?”

Her hand ran over my hair. You have always been so strong. So fierce. You were always so sure you relied on my strength… She drew her hand away. I think I relied on yours.

“Moonstar…I’m…” I gulped back tears. “I’m so sorry.”

Child, you never need apologize. Her gaze returned to the sky. I was bound for so long I forgot who I was. I wanted to be free so much, but?—

“But I kept you.” My voice was filled with bitterness. “I did this to you!”

You were scared. Nothing more than a child. It is not your fault.

But I couldn’t get over the immense feeling of guilt. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She looked at me, her face one of calm and peace. I did not know the words. I did not know until I was free.

Standing, I moved away from her. “They were all so desperate for you to be gone, sure I would lose myself, when I was the one who took you!”

I guarded you of my own free will, child.

“And I kept you with mine,” I snarled with loathing.

I am free now. You freed me.

Squinting, I looked at her. “I did what now?”

I am free, child.

“I don’t think I can take the credit for that,” I told her dubiously. “You owe your thanks to a druid and a really ugly rabbit.”

A druid? Moonstar laughed and it was the lightest laugh I had ever heard. I could have sworn it sounded like wind chimes. A druid can do nothing to me.

Wow. She sounded smug.

“You sure?”

She beamed at me fondly. Only the one who binds can grant freedom.

Blowing out a breath, I sat on the ground, my butt protesting at the cold earth. “Barbara, she said…” I thought about it. She hadn’t said anything. She told me she’d never tell me. “She didn’t tell me because she didn’t know.”

Moonstar watched me curiously as I ran through all the scenarios and conversations. “I gave you your freedom,” I started slowly. “I told you, if you could heal him, you could take over.”

I healed the alpha as you asked.

“I gave you your freedom that day. In the compound, I gave you control. I…” I stared at her blankly. “I let you go.”

You let me go.

“But you stayed?” Tears filled my eyes. “You couldn’t take control of me anymore because I let you go. You could have left, but you stayed near?”

I was no longer bound, but I knew you may need me still. There was so much danger surrounding you.

“The fight?” I was crying again, tears streaming down my face. “Bale? I…I heard you?” She nodded as she watched me. “Why? Why help me? After all these years I’ve held you prisoner?”

Why? She frowned. I love you, child.

I started sobbing again, uttering over and over how sorry I was. When I finally stopped crying, I looked up at her.

“What happens now?”

I would like to wander.Her eyes turned north. I wish to remember the taste of the land.

“You can go,” I said softly. “You don’t need to stay for me anymore.” Scrambling to my feet, I rubbed my arms. “I’m safe.”

I know. Her hand cupped my cheek. He is strong. He will be a fine mate.

I was nodding, too choked up to speak. Moonstar turned from me and I grabbed her arm. “I still don’t know why that rabbit bugs me so much.”

She frowned.

“Barbara, the druid,” I explained hastily. “She put my spirit in a rabbit when Bale almost killed me.” Moonstar was watching, alert but confused. “She put my spirit in a stupid rabbit while she tried to…” I grappled for words. “Exorcise you.”

Moonstar didn’t look like she knew the word, but she still looked pissed off.

Standing back, I held my hands up. “Sorry, you don’t need this. It’s nothing. It’s all fine now, it’s…”

Something.

Relieved, I nodded. “Yeah, it’s weird.”

Her head tilted, and I studied her as she thought about it. A rabbit can be a conduit for transformation.

The shaman had told me this also. It made no more sense when Moonstar said it. She cocked her head again as she watched me.

My spirit was free.

“But only you knew that,” I whispered. We shared a look. “They didn’t know.” I scoffed. “I didn’t know; how the heck were they supposed to know you had left?”

A misunderstanding?

I’d lain in that bed for weeks because Luna forgot to send the signs to her vessels that Moonstar was free of me.

It was almost funny.

You will be safe, child.

It wasn’t a question, it felt like an order. “I’ll do my best.” Rubbing my nose, I exhaled loudly. “You can come visit?” She watched me silently. “I mean, you’ve got tons of other things to do, but if you’re ever near here…” I was babbling. “I mean, my mate bond is broken. You never know, Luna may send him someone else, and I…”

Her hand once more cupped my cheek. Hush, child.

She was eager to go. I could tell by her energy, and she had waited long enough.

“I’m going to miss you.”

I felt a kiss on my brow. And I you, little one.