Page 86 of Moonlight and Mischief
Hawthorne holds onto Crickett who is quietly weeping. Perhaps it’s the shock of the day or the destruction of her beloved kitchen. My grandmother has already patched Hawthorne. Bandages wrap his torso, one bicep, and the opposite thigh. Despite leaning on his mate, he looks decent with color in his cheeks and a tired smile. Daisy keeps calling him a mummy.
Exhaustion permeates the entire pack. No one is injured worse than Hawthorne, and most only have shallow cuts and bruises. Through the pack bond, I can feel a sense of relief, multiplied by my bond with Jasper. Quiet discussions buzz around us.
My mate’s arm wraps my shoulders, holding me against his side. It’s comforting. My hand rubs wide circles across his back, trying to offer as much comfort as I draw from him. He tightens his grip and presses a kiss to the top of my head. The air leaves my lungs in a contented sigh.
His pale hair is silver in the moonlight, a fine highlight outlining his straight nose and high cheekbones. Reaching up, I wipe a spot of blood off his jaw.
Hazel’s brown eyes connect with mine. A wry smile curves her lips. It looks like she already knows about our decision.
“Did you tell?” I whisper, frowning at Hazel.
“Slate kinda figured it out.” He shrugs, glancing up. “And he told Hazel, looks like.”
“If she didn’t already know.” When I think about it, it’s surprising she didn’t see through us the moment we walked out of the bedroom this morning.
Our musings are cut short by Heath raising a hand. Silence falls across the clearing instantly Dozens of eager faces watch their leader.
“In all my years as your Alpha, we’ve never faced a threat this grievous. And despite our injuries, we are all still standing,” Heath says, “more or less.” He chuckles, motioning at himself.
“We have proven that loyalty and kindness are stronger than greed and revenge.” The pride in his voice is unmistakable and it echoes through the emotions of our packmates like warmth spreading from person to person.
Slate takes Hazel’s hand where they stand beside her uncle.
Heath glances over at them. “My heirs proved they can lead our pack without me. Their quick thinking and wise decisions saved many of our lives and homes.”
Hazel’s cheeks flush and her eyes go to the ground.
“That being said, it looks as though the damage to my leg will be permanently disabling. I believe it is best if Hazel and Slate take up the mantle of Alpha in my stead. They are capable and ready, and I know all of us will support them as they grow into the role.”
Murmurs of approval echo around us.
Hazel’s mouth falls open, but she allows Heath to pull her into a one-armed embrace. He converses quietly with Hazel and Slate.
Jasper’s arm around me goes slack. His expression echoes Hazel’s. But while Hazel recovers as Heath speaks to her, Jasper continues to blink dumbly at our leaders.
“Are you okay?” I ask. His mouth snaps shut. “What's wrong?”
Like breaking from a trance, he looks down at me. “He just stepped down.”
“Yeah, pretty sure we all saw that happen.” He frowns at me like I’m missing something. “Jasper, what’s upsetting you?”
Clearing his throat, he explains, “My father always said I would never be Alpha until he was cold in the ground. He never would have handed his role over to anyone. The fact Heath would willingly retire and give up his authority.”
“Oh,” I say, understanding finally. Yet again, our pack has surprised him.
“It’s unbelievable,” he says, his voice scraping. His happiness for his brother is tinged with sadness, though I would have missed it if we weren’t connected with a deeper bond. I know him well enough to be confident it isn’t jealousy, but a mourning for a family other than his own. The differences between Heath and Ferris are vast, and I know sometimes those differences feel painfully unfair.
“You’ve always belonged here,” I murmur, tugging him into a tight hug. “Not there. You’ve always deserved a family like this.”
His hands grasp me like I’m his lifeline as he breathes in the smell of my hair until his breathing evens out. By the time we’ve broken apart, the gathering has dissolved. Hazel stands by Heath, accepting congratulations from various lingering pack members.
“Are you two done?” Slate asks, his fake irritation giving way to a smile.
Jasper smirks and I pinch the skin on his side in a silent warning. “Sorry, yes,” Jasper says, “Alpha.”
“We’d like to talk with you later. Can we stop by your cabin in a bit?”
“Of course,” I say over my shoulder as Jasper pulls me away and spins me to face him.
