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Kathy screams and clutches her chest as she falls to the ground. I can feel Serenity’s surprise through the bond, and I just hold her a little tighter, offering her comfort and protection as we watch to find out what is going to happen next.
Kathy croaks, “Why?”
“You poisoned me against my sister, my own blood. I can’t be mated to a woman like you a moment longer.” Samuel waves his hand around at the loss which surrounds them, his words dripping with venom, “Even now you want to blame Serenity when she did nothing wrong. We came onto their land. We invaded their home. All because Todd couldn’t let go of something that was never his. Look at this death. Look at it,” he screams.
Kathy looks around her, tears streaming down her face, and we can all see the moment her heart completely breaks. I let out a grunt when Samuel’s hand strikes and he rips Kathy’s throat out.
“Fucking hell,” Mack’s voice is filled with surprise, and I have to say that I agree.
Samuel turns toward us, his eyes filled with sadness and self-hate as he looks at his sister. His eyes flick down to where I’m cradling her baby bump and I see something like hope flicker in the depth of his gaze. “I’m so sorry, Serenity. It’s not enough. It never will be. I should have stood by you. I was never given an Alpha command to treat you a certain way. I simply went along with what others were doing because I wasn’t strong enough to do better.”
Serenity takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I told my pack earlier that strength comes in many forms. Admitting you were wrong and seeking forgiveness shows your strength, Samuel. I might not be ready to forgive you, but I harbor no ill will toward you.”
His shoulders slump as he falls to his knees. His parents follow and the three of them lift their chins, giving us access to their necks. Serenity gasps and looks at me over her shoulder, tears in her eyes. She shakes her head and I know that these will be the only survivors from the Waning Moon who return home tonight.
“Rise,” I bark out the order and the three of them slowly get to their feet, confusion written clearly on their faces. “Waning Moon can not be left without leadership.” I look at Samuel. “You are the Alpha now as the next in line. I have no need to lead your pack and I do not want to.”
Samuel swallows hard, his eyes glowing with intensity as he looks at my mate. His voice is gruff, “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Serenity whispers. “You have a chance to change the pack, to make it better. I have faith that you can do it.”
Samuel nods once and I watch as the weight of the responsibility of Waning Moon settles on his shoulders. “I’ll make you proud, Serenity,” he vows.
Stacy steps forward slightly, her voice hesitant. “I know it won’t happen overnight, but we would like the chance to repair our relationship.”
“I need some time,” Serenity whispers. Stacy nods in understanding. “But, maybe, one day, we can get there.”
“Thank you,” Stacy murmurs softly before she allows Darwin and Samuel to lead her away from the clearing.
They don’t ask about the bodies of their dead leaders.
I hope this can be a fresh start for Waning Moon. I’ll be there to help them if they prove to me that it is. But right now isn’t the time for that, right now it’s time to focus on what I have right here and now in my arms.
“Blood Rising,” I turn and address our pack, my arms still wrapped around my mate who won’t be able to shift for much longer with her pregnancy, “shift and run under the grace of the moon.”
My pack howls, the humans transforming into wolves. I follow and Serenity does as well. Then we run. Together as a pack with the mate I waited for, a mate I would have waited forever for, at my side.
EPILOGUE
MONTHS LATER
TRISTAN
I look down at my precious pup in my arms and a sense of awe and wonder fills me. He’s so small, our male, our son, Adam. I look at Serenity and the feeling of awe grows.
My voice is rough with emotion, “You did so amazingly well, my Luna.”
“Our pup is perfect,” my wolf growls with affection and accomplishment. “He will be a strong, powerful leader for Blood Rising. He will do great things.”
“I don’t care whether he does great things or not. I want him to be happy,” I tell my wolf and I swear he gives me a toothy grin in response.
Serenity smiles at me, a smile so big and full of joy that my breath hitches. “We did good. You had a little bit of a hand in making him.”
“My part was easy, little mate,” my tone is filled with heat as I wink at her and watch as she blushes a pretty shade of pink. “You did the rest, and I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
I lean over and kiss her forehead. I want to sweep her hair away from her face, but I’m afraid of holding Adam with only one hand right now. I’m so much bigger than him. What if I drop him? What if I hurt him accidentally?
Serenity must feel my anxiety through our bond because she rests her hand on my arm, the sparks between us reassuring me and calming me down. “You’re an amazing male, Tristan. You are an Alpha worthy of the pack’s respect. You love me with your entire soul. You will be an amazing father.”
