The Final Truth
fifty
*ROSEA*
Forest is calm and much less nervous than I expected him to be.
It seems like something has shifted in him over the last few weeks.
He is much more confident in his abilities and in himself.
And even today, when he has to tell everyone what truly transpired in this pack, he stands in front of the pack members with confidence.
There is no real meeting place or hall in the pack, at least nothing that’s built for the purpose, something I will have to change eventually.
We didn’t want to have this meeting outside either, so as to not be at the mercy of the shifting weather, so we chose the dining hall.
The kitchen staff has provided plenty of tea and coffee for everyone, and the place is crowded.
I expected a lot of pack members to be present, but not that almost everyone would attend. Some of them are squeezed to the back because there are no seats left. The elders are here too, and of course, our ranked members.
“Don’t worry,” Griffin whispers to me. “It will be alright.”
His optimism is contagious, but even more so is Forest’s calm. He waits for ten more minutes, to make sure everyone who’s running late is able to attend, then he takes my hand, pulls me next to him, and finally addresses the pack.
“Thank you all for coming,” he says. “I won’t make you wait any longer, and I won’t waste your time with small talk now.
You all know my parents have been imprisoned, and you know that Jordan is gone for good.
For Rose and me, this means we can finally tell you the whole truth.
Please understand that our circumstances didn’t allow us to be open from the beginning,” he grimaces.
“Both my parents are weasels, or more like snakes; they would have slithered out of this situation otherwise.” This earns him some giggles and laughs.
“Have your tea or coffee and be prepared for a long story.”
Forest and I prepared cue cards last night, so we wouldn’t miss anything. We decided that he would tell the story as the alpha of his pack, especially since the most important parts did concern his family, with me chiming in whenever I had to add something.
He tells them everything: what he overheard months ago concerning his fated mate, how we met, how we joined forces, every step we took with Griffin, Martin, and the elders to take on Jordan, Harry and Donna.
I don’t know what I expected, but for my part, the whole event seems to be almost anticlimactic. I thought they would be shocked that I am not Forest’s fated mate, but it seems like that part of the story bothers them the least.
Jordan’s shenanigans earn shocked reactions, especially once they know the depths of his cruelty. The real storm breaks out when Forest tells everyone in detail what his parents did. Hannah’s dad is in the crowd, as well, whispering to some of his friends and nodding alongside Forest’s words.
“Please, everyone, listen for a little longer,” Forest says. “I know this is upsetting news and shocking to everyone, but let me finish the whole story.”
The whispers die down, and the pack turns quiet again until Forest finally finishes his speech. Ended it by explaining his mother’s confession and how his parents are imprisoned for good now.
“That’s it for my part,” Forest says. “Now, it’s your turn. Feel free to say what you need to say, and ask whatever questions you have.”
It’s silent for a moment, until—
“Fucking unbelievable,” one of the elite warriors blurts out. “That’s insane!
“I… I don’t even know what to say,” Ben, the brave omega who helped to out Lissa, proclaims. “Something always felt off… but… still…”
“How did we not notice?” another one exclaims.
That raises more voices, with everyone talking over each other.
“Everyone, I know that your trust in my family’s leadership is more than a little shaken now,” Forest says. “But I want to promise you now, with the elders present, that I will do everything I can to make this right to you.”
Martin and Griffin have stayed silent until now, but now exchange a look. “You have proven that already, Alpha,” Griffin says.
“You literally tossed your parents into jail,” Martin agrees.
It’s obvious they were prepared to say something, to back him up, when he needs it the most. My chest warms at the realization, and through my newly-formed bond to Forest, I can feel his joy, too. He has found true friends.
“I can provide you with an outsider’s perspective,” I offer. “I’m new to this pack, but I grew up in a relatively big, prestigious one, and I have seen a fair share of other packs.”
That was until Jordan took over and locked me in, but I don’t say that part out loud.
“Please, Luna,” Betty says, nodding at me.
“Donna and Harry aside,” I say. “This is a very good pack with good people. I have looked through the reports from Alpha Leonard, and not one single person here was entangled in Jordan’s business.”
“Is that true, Luna?” one of the elites asks me.
“Yes,” I say. “I have a very good memory, especially concerning names. We are one of the few packs with no other pack members being caught in Jordan’s web.” I pause, a smirk curling my lips. “Aside from Beta Martin, of course, the honorary VIP member of the club.”
At that, Griffin bursts into laughter. His lighthearted nature is contagious, and more of the others suddenly laugh also.
“My ranked members truly did an outstanding job,” Forest says, taking my hand. “And obviously you.”
“Yeah, without your brains we might not have got far,” Griffin admits.
“I don’t think that’s true,” I say. “You might have found a different way.”
“I’m not sure,” Martin muses. “With the amount of insider knowledge you had, plus what you knew about other packs and their ranked members… it would have taken us much longer and might have cost a lot more victims.”
My chest warms at his praise. My first instinct is to deflect it once more, but I decide to accept it now and stand next to Forest confidently.
“Luna,” Nina says. “Does that mean the alpha’s parents always knew you weren’t the alpha’s fated mate, but couldn’t do anything against it?” When I nod, she giggles.
I smile as well. “Yes, that was kinda funny. Harry’s rage in particular.”
At that, some others join the chuckling, until one young woman raises her hand. “I have a question, Luna.”
I smile at her and nod. “Go ahead.”
She anxiously tugs at her sleeves. “The former luna sucked ass,” she says bluntly, blushing when some pack members around her laugh. “I mean, she was terrible. And you already did so much for the infirmary.”
“You are one of the nurses,” I say.
She nods. “You are not leaving, are you?”
Her question immediately raises concerns, voices around us becoming louder again. “You can’t be leaving,” Nina blurts out.
“You are not going back to your old pack, are you?” one of the warriors asks.
“Yeah, we need you here. Please don’t leave!”
As more and more of them voice their concern, I feel tears burning in my eyes.
I don’t remember the last time I felt this appreciated.
My former pack tossed me aside for Jordan, but these people here appreciate me for me.
They don’t mind that I am more reserved and not a sweet, bubbly person. They want me for me!
They might even want me as much as they want Forest.
“I won’t go anywhere,” I tell them promptly. “Forest and I are very much committed to each other.”
“Obviously I’m crazy about her,” Forest adds with a smirk. “In case some of you didn’t notice.”
“Forest and I have accepted each other as chosen mates,” I say.
“He is responsible for me having faith in other shifters again. I’m very confident in my love for him and the chosen bond between us.
Jordan broke a fated bond, so I know a thing or two about fake bonds.
What I have with Forest is real. I will never leave his side or this pack’s.
This place became my home and safe space when I had nowhere else to go,” I declare.
“So, yes, I am staying. Of course, I am. I love this pack and all of you.”
Cheers erupt until Griffin turns to us. “Can we have something to eat now?” he asks in his usual deadpan. “I am hungry, and this took longer than expected.”
“Us, too, Gamma,” some of the warriors that he usually trains cheer him on.
“Alright then,” Forest agrees. “If any of you still have questions, you can always come by our office.”
The last major point Forest and I have on our agenda is relevant to me more than it is him.
Not that his announcement to the pack didn’t concern me, as their approval is of the utmost importance to me.
But it was still Forest’s major task. It was his family who betrayed the pack, his father who was involved in terrible crimes, and his parents who almost ruined the pack financially as well as its reputation.
It went better than we’d both anticipated, much better.
One day later, we are in the car, on the way to the place I dread the most. It’s not so much that I am scared for my new home, my friends and my mate, but more so for my mental health.
“Are you okay, love? You have been so quiet for the whole drive,” Forest asks me. “We don’t need to do this today.”
“I’d rather get it over with,” I admit.
“There is always the option to turn around and leave at any time,” he tells me. “You’re not a prisoner there. They have no power over you.”
“You’re right.” I nod tentatively. “I know you are.”
“And I’m here with you.”
“Me too,” Martin adds. He is driving us, while Griffin and Rory are in the second car. “And we all know what Rory would do if someone even looks at you the wrong way.”
At that, Forest and I both chuckle.
“It’s not so much that I’m afraid of the pack itself. I know you’re all there with me… It’s more this suffocating feeling, you know?”
“Yes,” Forest says quietly. “I know that feeling too well. When you feel like it’s too much, give me a sign, and I will get you out of there.”