Page 28 of Full Moon
When she finally falls silent, she lowers her head, her eyes burning with fierce, unyielding resolve. Dozens of wolves, forced out of their human forms, fill the alpha house. With a slight tossof her head, Diaval moves to remove the alpha's body from the dais.
Feray finishes climbing the remaining stairs and takes a seat, her gaze sweeping over the gathered wolves. Khal moves to coil up behind her, resting his head at her feet. Easton steps forward, placing Feray's mother's diadem on her head. The silence in the hall is thick and oppressive.
Diaval motions for me and Easton to follow him off to the side. "She's speaking to her people mind to mind. They are telling her about what happened before and after her father and mother fled." My eyes dart from Diaval to Feray, then back again. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline of the moment still surging through my veins.
"The violence isn't like her." My eyes fixate on the rivulet of crimson slowly rolling across the wooden floor.
"She said her wolf sheltered her from what was done. She didn't see her talons ripping his throat out." Easton's voice is heavy with concern. Diaval nods silently, his gaze locked on our mate.
"So what now?" I ask, glancing back at her.
She's running her fingertips over Khal's scales, her head tilting slightly as she looks between several different wolves. There's a distant, haunted look in her eyes that breaks my heart.
"She wants to investigate the actual alpha's house, the one her father had occupied with her mother when they moved between packs."
"Wait—her dad was a master carpenter. Do you think...?" I trail off, staring at Diaval.
"If you're thinking what I assume you are, she's already thought the same thing," Easton interjects. The feather he gifted her glows brightly, indicating that she's either in conversation with him or allowing him to listen in on her thoughts.
Eventually, the wolves rise and bow before Feray, then leave in single file. Her face remains blank, her eyes glowing with the power of her wolf as she watches them go. A single male returns and closes the twin onyx doors. The resounding noise echoes through the room, and only then does Feray finally turn to face us. The amber and crimson fade from her eyes, returning to their human blue.
I close the distance between us and take her in my arms, holding her tightly. "Are you okay?" I whisper, peppering her face with kisses.
She leans into me, her body rigid.
"I'm here," I murmur softly. "We'll get through this together."
Feray turns to me, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions, and kisses me softly. "I'm okay. The wolves are hopeful about my return. Several of them said I am almost an exact copy of my mom." Her smile is tender, and she lowers her eyes before stepping away.
She moves next to Diaval, allowing him to check her over. "You are stronger than your mom, Feray. You did inherit her cunning. It will be helpful in the future." He gifts her a rare, genuine smile before kissing her softly and offering her to Easton next.
Easton reaches up, his fingers tangling gently through her fiery tresses, pulling the feather forward. His eyes burn with intensity as he looks her over. Their silent conversation is a mystery to me. He kisses her softly, and finally, a genuine smile spreads acrossFeray's face as she takes the diadem off her head and hands it back to him.
"What did I miss?" Khal asks, pulling the thermal over his head.
"We're going to investigate Feray's father's home here."
Khal pulls Feray into his arms next, kissing her several times. "You did amazingly today," he murmurs, his fingertips grazing over her cheeks.
"Where did the wolves go?" I ask.
"Un-boarding my father's home. The minute they suspected he had passed, they boarded it up per tradition within the pack. Since I am his only heir, it's now mine." She draws in a deep breath. "I believe the answers I need are there as to who or what drove them to leave."
Feray steps closer, snuggling into my chest, clinging to me. "Let's go. They're done." Her voice is soft but resolute.
I tighten my arms around her, ready to face whatever comes next together.
