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“She’s told us nothing but that she trusts you and wants you for this job. She spoke highly of you, but told us you should be the one to explain your situation. You being a hybrid does not impact your qualifications to join the pack or work for us.”
“I-uhh. I’m a hybrid, as I said. Werewolf and Witch. My parents were fated mates, but even knowing this, my last pack didn’t like hybrids and shunned us. When I turned nineteen, and my wolf didn’t come, they shunned me even more. As such, I wasn’t allowed to hold any kind of status in the pack. That’s how I ended up studying away from the pack. I went to MIT and became a security software engineer. I wanted to prove my worth to the pack.”
“Three years ago, the Alpha’s youngest son decided—” She stopped abruptly and took a deep breath, gathering herself. “He raped me.”
I could feel James becoming agitated next to me. This was a sore subject for both of our families and for the entire pack. Mom’s pack survivors spent years trying to heal from the nightmare they lived at the hands of the people who killed the rest. I even remember when I was little how some things would trigger Mom. I didn’t always understand it, but I knew something bad happened to her.
“I went to the alpha at my parents’ urging, but I should have known nothing would happen to him. Instead, my parents and me were beaten and we were shot with silver. My parents died to the silver poison, and they left me for dead in the forest.”
“My bullet went through and instead of dying, I got my wolf that day. She healed me and helped me run away.” She looked down at Molly, who was sleeping again in Evie’s arms and a small affectionate smile appeared on her face. I did my best to pay attention to Ziomara instead of looking at Evie with a baby in her arms. It was doing things to my heart that I didn’t want to think about.
“Molly is the product of that rape. I’ve stayed hidden since. I haven’t contacted anyone from the pack since. I’m too scared—” Her voice shook, and she couldn’t continue talking, but I understood what her fears were.
“You think if they realize that Molly is the alpha’s grandchild, they will take her away?” I finished for her.
“Yes, Alpha. I haven’t joined another pack because I can’t risk them finding Molly.”
“We can protect you,” I told her, willing to give her that assurance with the knowledge that I would follow through.
“You don’t understand. The alpha...is ruthless. If they discover Molly, they won’t hesitate to do whatever they deem necessary to get to her. That includes declaring war against any pack that shields me. This is why I’m telling you my story because taking me in could potentially invite a war to your doorstep.”
“I don’t know how much Evie has told you about our pack and our adjacent pack, Guardian Moon,” I said, flicking my eyes to Evie.
“Nothing other than you are different and would accept me,” she answered. I nodded.
“My mother, the previous luna, and his mother, the previous gamma female—” I motioned to James. “—along with about twenty other women here, are abuse survivors. We have the best program set up for abused pack members, from therapy to education and technical training. Being a survivor isn’t a liability. It’s a strength. It means you’ve survived more than many people will ever go through in their lifetime. Protecting you and your child is a risk we’re more than willing to take up. That’s not just me talking, but an entire pack that has already proven they will protect pack members that have gone through hell and survived.” Her shocked face and that small glimmer of hope I could see in her eyes made me continue.
“That’s not all. Our ally next door, Guardian Moon, is a pack that takes in traumatized refugees, rogues wanting a second chance and lost souls needing a place to call home. If you join us, you will find that their pack and ours are more than neighbors, we’re family. They are also an incredibly unique pack. It’s home to not just wolves, but werecats, jaguars, bears, tigers, witches and vampires.” Her eyes went wide at this information, and I didn’t blame her. Guardian Moon was a truly unique pack.
“The mate pairings in the pack are a combination of any of those I’ve mentioned which means there are hundreds of hybrids and blended families in that pack and ours.” I looked over at Evie again, and she gave me a proud, encouraging smile. It was a smile that spoke of how proud she was to be a part of Crescent Moon and Guardian Moon. “I think, if you’re willing to give us a chance, you might grow to call this home in more than just your allegiance. You and Molly. You are both welcome here.”
“If you’re sure that I won’t pose a risk, Alpha Cory—”
“I didn’t say there was no risk, Ziomara,” I corrected. “What I said is that you’ve gone through enough alone, and that if you give us a chance, we are more than happy to take on that risk and promise to do our best to protect you.”
Her bottom lip trembled, and all she could do was nod, so I grabbed the ceremonial knife from my desk drawer.
“You joining the pack will also make Molly a pack member. The protection will extend to her,” I told her. She nodded and held out her hand. The pledge was simple enough, and once it was done, we got down to business.
“We’ve set you up with a little house a few streets away from the daycare. It’s a three bedroom, two baths with a small yard. I think it will be to your liking. We have a small warehouse of used furniture for people who are moving out of their parent’s houses or people that need to start over. I’ve already had the house furnished with the basics, but if you find you need anything else to make it comfortable, please let us know.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, on to more pressing business, before I let you both rest, I’m afraid,” I said and pulled out the bag of electronics.
“Blue Moon was attacked during the full moon celebration. As per a long-standing agreement that our packs have in place, both Crescent Moon and Guardian Moon members were present. There were many casualties, unfortunately, and even more wounded.”
“Who—” Evie started to ask, but I held up a hand to stop her. I needed to continue. I needed to get this all out at once.
“There is a war brewing. Has been for a long time. It’s something I will go into depth at a later time. The story is too long, and I promise to give you the full details another time, but for the moment, I need any information you can extract from these devices. They belong to the people who attacked us. We’ve gotten a few before, but the moment we try to access them, they fry. This is the biggest number we’ve been able to recover. Please be careful and please try. We need to find the people who have hurt our packs before they believe they can attack again. I don’t know how they knew that Blue Moon was the least guarded pack of the three, but they did, which means we don’t know what other information they may have about us. We’re well protected here, but I need to make sure we’re well protected anywhere.”
“Yes, Alpha,” they said.
“Go rest. I’m sure you’ve had a long drive. I want you both to meet me in the new building tomorrow. Evie, your dad is already migrating some tools for you to work there from the main office. Whatever else you need, give me a list, and I’ll make sure it’s ordered. This is priority number one right now.”
“Cor-Alpha Cory,” Evie corrected herself since we were in an official meeting and in front of a regular pack member, but while I understood it, it somehow still hurt to be addressed so formally by her. “I need to know who was hurt. Please. No one would answer my phone calls. I’ve been panicking since last night.”
“How could you know?” I frowned.
