Page 123 of Stargazer

At least, that’s what we’d been told.

Unfortunately, as much as our union with the wolves was working like a dream for us in Saint Claire, Thea and Griffin didn’t think it would be wise to bring any of the wolves with us to Aconite Hall. We might have been progressive, but the leader of our operation wasn’t as open, and they didn’t think any of the Carrington compound Knights would do well with wolves openly running around their grounds, let alone staying within their walls. Deciding it would be more of a setback than anything, the mission turned into one for the Knights in our little squad only.

The pack would continue with their ally gathering, patrols and strict training regime, making the most of the techniques that we’d been showing them over the last two and a half weeks.

Given their natural agility and superhuman strength, as well as the fact that they’d been watching us train for months now as well as joining in with their human forms quite regularly, they were getting really good. And the rest of our squad mates that stayed behind would ensure they only got better from here. This way, if they ever found themselves in a situation like the one Zander was faced with, they’d still be a viable threat to the rogues and their shifters.

The focus had been on not relying on their wolf forms, which went against common sense to them. But Griff and Car had really been stressing the importance of it. And of course, they were suicide laps—forest edition—involved for any of them that showed even a single sign of using their wolves during those specific training sessions. Which to no one’s surprise, Zander was the most outraged by.

It had been helping though.

They’d been getting stronger and more formidable—which was saying something considering they were freaking wolf shifters.

The wolves never had reason before to work on defence as much as they were now. They’d never really needed it. Before the rogues, they lived in relative peace. Their biggest threat were rival packs, and while they could be life-threatening, as they learnt the hard way with River’s dad, they still relied on the strength of their wolf in those situations, rather than their person. So this was all an adjustment for everyone, but one that we knew would come in handy. Mastering both in combat would be such an advantage. There was no telling what else the rogues had up their sleeves.

Selena, the ex-rogue shifter, now the newest member of the pack, was also adjusting to life in a real, normally functioning, non-psychotic pack.

With the addition of Danny during the Super Moon in August, we learnt that wolves that were turned the way they were found the first few transformations and full moons more taxing on their bodies. They didn’t come from families of shifters who passed down the stories through generations. And their bodies didn’t have the natural ability and strength for it. Tempers were also a little harder to control.

But both shifters were extremely grateful for the chance River had given them and the opportunity to be a part of his pack. Tanner’s guidance had been a driving force and they’d come to lean on him like a wise old grandfather.

Danny had found his place within the pack and got along with the boys like a house on fire. Selena was timider and more reticent. It didn’t help that she was constantly being watched to make sure she wasn’t a secret spy, like Amelia was for us. But she was slowly opening up more and it was nice to see her given a second chance. I was rooting for her to find her feet.

Despite her reserved nature, every time I saw her look at the Alpha, she did so with reverence. And maybe a little something more. And I didn’t blame her—I knew how easy he was on the eyes. Plus, he’d essentially saved her.

Over the last few weeks we’d also been discussing and compiling the wolf allies made on the East Coast so far, and most neighbouring packs were on board to join us. They were similarly training their packs to be ready for what was to come, and the members of the Saint Claire pack that visited them spent some time sharing training tips that us Knights had passed on.

So far, our allies were looking good. River had stressed to us how easily packs could turn on each other if they were hungry for power or territory, and it was honestly a relief that the rogues hadn’t used that to their advantage. To our knowledge, at least.

There was one pack nearby though that Riv hadn’t dared venture to yet. The pack that was responsible for his father’s death: Silver Lake.

We’d had a long discussion about it last night sitting around the bonfire—I was beyond thrilled when Riv, Zander and Axel suggested we do one before we left. They’d mentioned they’d done one a couple of weeks back for the first time in what felt like forever, an image that had my little heart very happy, and wanted to keep it up whenever possible.

Unfortunately, our conversations and storytelling took a darker turn when River shared what he’d learnt of his father’s passing. A vital—and previously missing piece—of the pack’s history.

He hadn’t known the specifics until now. Not many people had. But the Silver Lake Alpha had reached out, hearing of Saint Claire visiting the other packs. News travelled fast it seemed, and in an attempt to strengthen our forces Alpha Cara had contacted the Silver Lake pack, whose territory bordered her own. Their Alpha then apparently felt compelled to contact Riv. He’d shared the basics of the story with him, hoping to make peace between the packs for the bad blood created a few years back.

We’d listened in silence as River explained that his dad had taken a lover before he picked his mum to be Luna. That female shifter was banished soon after. We didn’t know the specific of it, but she fled to Silver Lake where she met her mate: the Eta general of their pack. She’d then somehow convinced him to take down River’s dad.

Silver Lake’s Alpha said he’d explain all he knew in person and River had agreed to visit soon. According to the Alpha, the Eta and his mate had been taken care of at the time with what his pack deemed to be an appropriate punishment. Whatever that meant.

River was outwardly calm about the revelation. Although I saw his determination to get more answers. And his sorrow.

“Why didn’t you retaliate?” Bleu had asked him when he’d finished his retelling of the apparent events. The tall Knight with the braids and multitude of piercings had been sharpening his daggers in the glow of the firelight when he voiced his question, making him look all the more menacing as all the metal on him—from the piercings to the rings in his hair—glinted. His striking green eyes also caught the amber glow.

True to his nature, River had replied with humility and reason. “I knew the Alpha wasn’t responsible based on what Tanner had told me at the time it all happened, but that was the extent of my knowledge of the event. If I had retaliated when I became Alpha, if I had stormed up to his pack lands with my wolves in tow, ready to enact my revenge, I would have created a war. Death between packs, as a result of feuding, is common in the world of wolf shifters. That danger, that risk, is always there for an Alpha. It comes with the territory. But my father wasn’t like that. He kept the peace, which was why he would have met with them in the first place—why he likely went alone. He would not have wanted me to cause so much bloodshed in his honour. Wouldn’t have wanted me to tear apart our pack with all the deaths it would have caused. Nor leave my pack without an Alpha if something had also happened to me. And more than that, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if my people—my family—died because of me. I didn’t want to bring war here. So I accepted it and moved on. Focused on making, and keeping, the remainder of my pack safe and well. Focused on being the best Alpha I could be to keep up my father’s legacy.”

When he’d said it, River’s own honey eyes reflected the bonfire embers, and the power that shone in them was pure Alpha; commanding the respect, admiration and loyalty of everyone around him.

I had offered my support and comfort to my best friend after that, moving to sit beside him and leaning on his shoulder. I was there at the time his father died and had been by his side while he mourned and took over the pack. I knew getting answers would mean everything to him.

I also knew how worried he was about being a good Alpha, and he’d needed to be reassured he was. So that’s exactly what I told him.

“A solid leader,” Griffin had agreed with a solemn nod. An understanding and mutual respect starting to flourish between them.

While we’d be gone, River would organise a time to visit Silver Lake—preferably after we were back— to look into the story further and add them to the treaty.

With that, the pack moved on to share better stories. Happier times and good memories of River’s father and the pack as a whole.

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