“I wish you could just snap your fingers and make this all right,” Peri said as she fisted her hands at her side. “You have the power to do it, so why don’t you?” She might have yelled that last bit. Her emotions were making her reckless.
“It is not yet time for me to show my glory. I made my sacrifice in the battle for my healers, but there is more to come,” the Great Luna said. “It is not for you to understand, Peri. You have the power you have because I have allowed it, and you continue to use it to protect the supernaturals I have placed in your care, but that does not make you my equal.”
“I would never presume to be,” Peri said, hoping her voice held the tone of respect she felt for the goddess and the awe that she had for her. “I am simply—”
“Tired,” the Great Luna supplied. “You are tired, and you have been through so much. You will go through more. Great change doesn’t happen without great acts of service and sacrifice.
“There is much to be done and so few willing to do it. It is easier to stay in the dark where a person can cocoon themselves within their selfishness. It takes much courage and faith to step into the light. It makes you vulnerable, but it also makes you see the truth.
“Don’t give up, Perizada. I have given you the responsibility that you have, not because I think you can do it on your own, but because I know you know that you cannot.”
“Pack, it’s not just for wolves,” Peri said with a teary smile.
“It is not,” the Great Luna nodded.
“And you…” Peri said. “You hear us when we call.”
“Always. And I will always answer.”
Peri felt the Great Luna’s warmth fade, and then Peri was standing in the driveway of the Colorado pack mansion again. She looked up and saw that all the eyes of her group were on her.
“Great Luna?” Elle asked.
Peri nodded.
“Are you alright?” Lucian cupped her face in his hand.
“I know how to save the pups, girls, and Costin,” she said in answer because that seemed more important than how she was freaking out inside. Lucian took her hand, and they started walking toward the door of the mansion with Sorin, Elle, Wadim, Zara, Adam, Crina, Chris, and Cindy right on their heels. Peri took a deep breath as Lucian knocked on the door. She had to prepare herself for seeing Fane. But she wasn’t sure that it was possible, not when her own heart was still crushed.
The door opened and Dillon, the Colorado pack alpha, stood there, not at all surprised to see them. “I was expecting someone, but I wasn’t sure it would be you,” Dillon admitted. “You’ve been MIA for a week.”
“It wasn’t because I didn’t want to help,” Peri said. “Unfortunately, evil villains don’t coordinate their attacks so that it’s convenient for the good guys.”
“Where is my nephew?” Lucian asked, obviously not in the mood for small talk.
Dillon stepped aside. “Come in. He’s in the main living area.”
Peri wasn’t sure what she was expecting to see, but Fane, standing, stoically calm, his eyes looking out the large window into the beautiful mountains behind the house, was not it. There was no destruction to the room … unless they’d magically cleaned it up. Decebel was standing a few feet away, his back against the wall but his gaze on Fane. Or at least they were until their group entered, then Decebel’s eyes shifted to them.
Sorin moved before anyone could speak. He walked straight to Decebel, and they embraced like brothers. Soft words were spoken and pats on the back given before they released one another. Then Sorin walked over to Fane. He stood a step behind him and bowed his head. Peri could see the pain and sorrow in the rigidness of Sorin’s shoulders. He wanted to embrace Fane in the same manner, but Fane was no longer Sorin’s charge to protect. He was now his alpha.
After a few tense moments, Fane slowly turned. When his gaze roamed over the room, every wolf dropped their eyes, and some even had to lower their heads, under the power of Fane’s wolf. His eyes were glowing brighter than Peri had ever seen them.
“Alpha,” Sorin said as he lowered his head even more.
Fane looked down at him, and Peri got a glimpse of the love Fane felt for Sorin.