Page 51 of Under A New Moon

Darla was still learning what it meant to be the "mate" of a werewolf. But maybe it had something to do with that, or Armand recognized Galen's use of the past tense.

"But when some other wolves attacked, we formed a temporary alliance that is no longer just temporary."

Galen recounted their journey. Listening to it now, all together, she realized why she felt a bone-deep weariness. She'd been on the run for days. Even when they managed to find a place for a brief rest, it hadn't lasted long enough. She had every reason to be tired.

It surprised her how much reverence Galen put on Lily's death. He'd seemed so suspicious of her when she arrived, but he talked about her like she was a brave warrior for the risk she took to bring them the information on PEACE.

Armand nodded, letting Galen speak, only occasionally interrupting to ask a clarifying question. Darla couldn't help but notice the lack of worry on the pack elder's face when Galen talked about their interactions with Sol.

When Galen said Malcolm was planning to assassinate him, his look wasn't so much concerned as skeptical. She'd been hoping for a bit more shock and anger at the revelation. Instead, Armand reacted to the news more like someone who heard a far-fetched bit of high school gossip.

When Galen told his father about the battle between the wolves and the PEACE agents, she was surprised by how easy he made the situation seem. Though she noticed how he glossed over some information, like using a fallen werewolf as a shield.

Listening to Galen tell the story of her last few days made her realize how differently they had seen some of these events. He treated certain details as though they were central to the urgency of the situation. He left out things she thought were more vital.

She didn't know what she should do when she felt like he was leaving something out. She again wished that she'd had been a little more informed about werewolf customs. She didn't know if she was allowed to interrupt according to their rules.

Would doing so make Galen look weak? Would it make her a target? They already knew that she'd tried to kill Galen, and she was pretty sure, given everything else Galen had said, that they knew he wasn't the first.

So she sat and waited for Galen to bring his father up to speed.

"And then that was when you attacked us," Galen finished.

Armand was quiet for a moment, and the silence gave Darla too much time to think about how horribly wrong this could all go. Would Armand trust her enough to let her remain? She knew for sure that Galen wouldn't abandon her.

But without the protection of the pack, she didn't like their odds of survival.

Finally, the elder spoke.

"If what you say is true, then we can't do much more until Malcolm reveals himself. Unless you have any more information that would help us find him. Our isolation means we haven't heard anything."

He looked at Galen, waiting a moment to give his son a chance to reveal some hidden fact. When Galen remained silent, Armand looked at them both.

"You can rely on the pack's protection. Whatever happens to this country, always know that your pack will have your back."

Darla felt like a weight had lifted off her shoulders, but it pressed back down when he said, "But..."

She wasn't sure what the condition might be, and it made her anxious.

"...Galen, you'll need to take on the training to become a true alpha. If war is coming, you will need to fight. If we need to prevent the war, you’ll need to fight."

Darla didn't know what exactly that meant or how much of a sacrifice that would be for Galen.

"Yes, father, I will begin the training."

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Father and son looked at each other in rare agreement. And Darla could see that through the ashes of all that had happened, they began to bridge the bonds that were sundered.

They were happy. For now.

Forty-One

Galen

Galen decided that he and Darla should go for a walk. They left the campfire and walked up a trail that led away from camp and into the hills. Even though she's as sturdy of a woman that he'd ever known, he took her hand to help lead her through the passages.

"You know, Darla. I have never met, let alone cared for any woman that even compares to you," as he moved her up the hillside through some low-lying brush. Crickets chirped and quieted as they walked through.

---