“So. . . you aren’t going back?” Harper asked me as I sat down on her and Albert’ bed. When wolves mate, their scents mingled together so she smelled like my brother. She was rummaging through her closet, looking for something to better fit her growing bump.
“No,” I didn’t explain further and I was grateful she didn’t ask why.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. You can help me take care of my babies.” Her voice faltered as she spoke her last word.
“Babies?” I emphasized and she flushed.
“I’m having twins.” She wrapped her arms around her stomach lovingly. Her stomach was slightly more rounder but other than that, she looked the same. “I’m going to balloon any day now.”
A wave of sadness hit me. I would never be able to have a family of my own.
I shook my head and snapped out of it.
“Wow, good luck!” I smiled at her and she smiled back. She was literally glowing.
An abrupt knock on the door made me jump off the bed.
“Harper, Amy,” It was only Albert.
“Hi,” Harper walked over and gave him a chaste kiss him on the lips.
“Can I talk to Amy for a minute?” He asked, looking at me.
“Of course,” Harper nodded. Albert gently led her out with his hand on the small of her back and closed the door tightly.
“We’re signing the truce today.” He said as soon as we were alone.
“It’s been a month already?” How time flies. I hadn’t even thought about- I stopped myself from thinking. About him.
“I don’t want to see him.” I cleared my throat and pretended not to be bothered by this. I would not say his name.
“I know.” He didn’t say anything else.
Finally, after a moment of loud silence, he spoke again. It looked as if he wanted to get this off of his chest for a long time.
“The war wasn’t about Alpha’s or territory or anything like that. It was about you, Amy,” He looked straight at me, not looking away for even a second, “I should’ve told you this a long time ago, but Mom was never marked by Dad. When they first met, she didn’t really like him. She only stayed with him because her pack was killed by hunters. She never allowed him to mark her, which is why Keith’s father was able to be her mate. Keith’s father’s mate died after Keith was born and he was on the verge of death, but Mom came and helped him.” He explained and I absorbed it all. It was a lot to listen to.
“Dad found out about the affair and threatened Keith’s father to stay away. He would agree, if they would return you to your birthfather. We refused. So Keith’s father told Brandon that he wanted you. He would do whatever it would take to get you back, which meant that he would kill our parents for the sake of the Beta. That’s how the war began, Amy, and it isn’t pretty. It never is.”
By then, my knees had weakened and I was sitting on his bed.
I was speechless, lost in my deep and crazy thoughts.
“So it was about me? It’s my fault?” My voice cracked as he quickly rushed to explain himself.
“No, it’s not. It’s about where your loyalties lie.” Albert corrected and I sighed in exasperation.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“You’re not mates with Tr-”
“Don’t say his name.” I trembled and tried to hold it in. I wouldn’t cry in front of my brother.
“You’re not mates with him but you still feel the bond, don’t you?” He asked so low I had to strain to hear him.
“Yeah, I still do, but I’m loyal to this pack.” I said firmly. I would never change my mind.
“Even though you’re a Luna of another pack?” Those words echoed in my ears.
“I’ll go back when I’m ready. But for now, I can’t stand to even look at his face.” I snapped, a little angry he’d question my pack. “Lock me up in this room, I don’t want the temptation.”
*****
Albert did exactly what I said. He locked me up in his and Harper’s room.
I spent most of my time reflecting on my past while staring out at the golden daze high in the sky. The warm air on my face and the lazy scent of summer flooded my senses. I hadn’t felt this calm in a while.
I exhaled and made my way back to the bed after I shut the balcony doors.
“Wait,” My heart stuttered and I almost tripped over my own feet as I heard two male voices in the hallway.
I regained my balance and pressed my ear to the door, listening very carefully to the other side.
I thought I heard his voice.
“Don’t go in there.” Albert said strongly and I could hear his heartbeat quicken.
“Who’s in there?” There it was again. I turned so that my back was against the door as I just stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do.
God, please don’t let him sense me.
“No one.” Albert answered monotonously without giving anything away.
“I heard something-”
Don’t let him come in here, I mind-linked Albert and he promised he wouldn’t.
“Let’s go,” I could hear their voices fade until I couldn’t them anymore.
I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm my heart down. He still had this effect on me, but I needed to break free. I needed to be my own person without all these lies left and right.
He signed the truce. The war is over. I could literally hear the smile in his voice as he spoke.
I smiled to myself, wiping my eyes. A tear unknowingly made its way down my cheek, because it’s felt like all we’ve ever known was war.
The stubborn, relentless war between our packs was finally over.
Hopefully, it would last for a very long time.