Another Leap of Faith
thirty-five
*FOREST*
Martin, Rose and I enjoy our breakfast to the fullest. I was scared of today, mainly because I didn’t want anyone to harass Rose or to treat her any differently when they find out who she truly is.
I guess, while it’s true that my pack members have had no trust in me in the past, it’s the same the other way around.
I didn’t trust them much either. I was surprised by how accepting they were.
There was curiosity, a lot of curiosity, and some of them clearly wanted an explanation.
However, the moment they heard everything, I couldn’t detect any hostility.
In fact, I think most of their anger is now directed at my parents, which is awesome.
So, what if the luna was Jordan’s luna first, our own has been gambling with pack money.
It’s good that I’ve had Rose’s support during the last weeks, and was able to build up a better relationship with the pack to show them that I am my own person.
I am sure if this type of news had broken out with me still being under my parents’ thumb, then no one would have believed I had no idea of what my parents did.
“So, now we are all almost official,” Martin says, smiling happily.
“Yep,” I grin. “Francis made that clear.”
“More than clear, actually,” Rose says. “I did not expect that he would put your parents under house arrest,” she laughs. “The humiliation they must feel.”
“Dad will try to weasel out of it,” I say.
“But we won’t let him,” Rose assures me before turning to Martin. “You will need to contact Alpha Leonard and see what you can set up with him.”
“I am ready for some action.” He rubs his hands. “I bet if I play it right, Jordan will love having me around him and his group of allies, just to get back at you.”
“You are introverted,” Rose says. “And Jordan is not. He will deem it a weakness.”
“I plan on playing into that,” Martin verifies.
It’s funny. Only a couple of weeks ago, Martin was so awkward around me. Now I know, it’s because he didn’t know how to properly approach me and close the distance between us.
“Oh right, babe,“ I turn to Rose, once again struck dumb when she looks at me.
She is so beautiful. My beautiful rose that only I am allowed to hold.
I did not believe that she reciprocated my feelings…
until last night. I know for her it was a big step to be intimate with me, to let her guard down and trust someone again, after everything that Jordan did.
She had lost all trust in others, especially other alphas, but she was ready to trust me.
And I would rather die than disappoint her.
“Yes?” She nudges me gently before bending forward to kiss me.
“Sorry, I was distracted by your beauty,” I say.
Rose looks flustered but also happy. “What did you want to say?”
“Dr. Francis asked me to meet him and Betty, our second elder, later after breakfast.”
She nods. “So that’s why he linked you. I was expecting him to want to talk to us. I am sure he is aware of certain things not adding up, like Leonard was.”
“Do you want to be honest with him?” Martin asks.
“I feel like we should,” Rose admits. “About both Forest and me. But I don’t like adding more and more people to the circle who know.
Leonard was an exception because he was an old friend of my father, and he always stayed away from Jordan.
He knew certain things when he approached us last night.
In his case, it was safer to include him than to build even more lies.
The elders, however…” Her voice trails off.
“I get that,” Martin agrees. “But I also think Dr. Francis is a risk worth taking. Having him in our corner…”
“…gives us all the power,” I agree.
“So far, he hasn’t disappointed us,” Rose admits. “And he was a great help today by stepping in. He was also a great help with Lissa.”
“I don’t think he will share our secret with anyone,” Forest says.
“What to do when someone from your old pack blabs?” Martin asks.
“That’s the least of my concerns.” Rose shrugs.
“Jordan decided on the narrative first. He will not want anyone to think I was his true fated mate. It will have him killed if everyone finds out that he illegally broke the bond. Even if his pack starts saying otherwise, he will pretend it’s not true. ”
“And you think everyone will believe him?” I ask.
“No, but I also think others won’t be sure what to believe.
And the truth of me being his chosen mate is the much easier one to swallow.
A lot of high-ranking people made deals with Jordan.
For them, it’s simply more comfortable to tell themselves that there was no way I was his true mate.
Just look at it from their perspective.”
“People are gullible, especially when they want to believe something,” Martin agrees.
“Well then, the ship has sailed and let’s keep it that way,” I joke.
Rose smiles, leaning her head against my shoulder. The fact she does that so naturally makes my stomach do joyful backflips. She is such a strong and dignified person, yet she allows herself to be vulnerable with me.
“Do you want me to accompany you?” Martin asks.
I shake my head. “Go and get some sleep,” I tell him.
“I did get some sleep last night,” he argues.
I raise my brows. “Yeah, more than two hours?”
Martin looks flustered. “Am I really that easy to look through?”
“No,” Rose reassures him. “But we know you well enough by now.”
“Alright, alright,” he sighs. “But you two didn’t get much sleep either, I bet.”
Rose and I avoid looking at each other, not to give anything of our nightly activities away. He doesn’t need to know how true his statement is. “We are okay,” I finally say. “We’ll talk to the elders and then have a short rest.”
Dr. Francis and Betty await us when we arrive at Betty’s place. It is a bit secluded, giving us more anonymity and privacy.
The moment she spots us, she gets to her feet, walks over to Rose and hugs her. “We haven’t met each other officially yet,” she says, drawing back a little and taking Rose’s hands. “I am Betty,” she says. “And I, for one, am truly happy that fate brought you to our pack.”
“Me too, in case that wasn’t obvious from our first meeting on,” Dr. Francis adds. “Come, sit down.”
Betty has prepared tea and cake. I should not be hungry after breakfast, but I have a sweet tooth. It’s like I have a whole separate stomach for sweets.
“You’ve changed a lot,” Dr. Francis says all of a sudden. “Forest. I knew you had it in you, but I wasn’t sure if you would be able to step up.”
“You must have been so disappointed in me,” I muse.
“Well, a little,” he admits. “But then, no one truly supported you either. I am glad to see you becoming the alpha you were always supposed to be.”
“You have great qualities for a leader,” Betty agrees. “The same goes for Rose. Unbelievable that Jordan would let go of such a competent luna. He is a fool.”
“He is a bit more than just a fool,” Dr. Francis adds, his gaze wandering towards Rose and looking at her thoughtfully.
“I know you know that I have questions, and that certain things don’t quite add up for me.
Not that I am complaining. What Donna and Harry did is beyond any redemption.
The same goes for Lissa. But how did you do it?
” He looks from Rose to me and back to Rose.
“Why the sudden change, Forest? What happened?”
“Also…” Betty folds her hands. “And I don’t mean to pressure you, Rose, but I know from one of my contacts that Jordan was seen buying a potion from a dark witch. An illegal substance, used to sever the bond to a fated mate.”
Dr. Francis stares at her. “Is that true?”
“I don’t know if it’s true,” Betty admits before looking at us again.
I stay quiet for a while before taking Rose’s hand. It’s her call to make. I don’t want to decide for her, and I don’t want to push her either. Silence lingers for a while longer before Rose straightens her shoulders. “I don’t have much faith in elders,” she finally says honestly.
Dr. Francis leans back, meeting her eyes, and again, for a long time, there is silence. “If what Betty said is right, he could have only done it with support and with someone to protect him.”
“Isn’t Arthur one of the elders of your old pack?” Betty asks. “I don’t know him well, but I thought he was a friendly man.”
“Friendly, but with no spine,” Rose says. “I’ll be honest. I'd rather have an arrogant asshole as an elder, who gets on my nerves occasionally, but could at least step up and do the right thing when it matters, than a spineless nice guy.”
“Am I the arrogant asshole?” Dr. Francis wants to know, an amused smile curling his lips.
Betty chuckles. “Sometimes you are.”
“Arthur is one thing,” Rose says. “But we had two more elders, and they fully supported Jordan in everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were involved in the gambling thing too.”
“Rose…” Dr. Francis pauses. “Or do you want us to call you Rosea?”
“I prefer Rose,” she says.
“You must be deeply suspicious of alphas, too, but you trust Forest, don’t you?”
She nods. “I trust him.”
“How come he earned your trust so soon?”
Again, it’s silent. This time, however, it’s Rose who takes a step back.
“We met under certain circumstances,” I say. “Trusting me was still a risk for her, but given both our circumstances, she was more able to trust me.”
At that, Betty and Dr. Francis exchange a glance. “By the goddess,” the latter mutters. “What happened? I know something must have happened, but I get the feeling it’s worse than we expected.”
“That’s because it is,” I admit.
Betty reaches out her hand and takes Rose’s into hers again.
“Rose, I know trust doesn’t come overnight.
And even without knowing what happened to you, I am well aware that your trust and faith have been broken over and over again by more than one person.
But Martin and Griffin have earned your trust. Would you give us a chance to prove ourselves, too? I promise we won’t disappoint you.”