Chapter 3 - Holly

When we arrived at the dock, Samuel dashed off to find his friends. I felt he would be safe running free there, and I could hear their laughter nearby. I wanted him to enjoy the cool morning before the heat set in, so I planned a swim at the lake and a cookout for his friends.

As Samuel played happily, I headed to the Kilbourn house, where I knew Finn would be. A sense of unease washed over me as the house felt unusually quiet. My concern grew when I saw Clarence standing outside Finn’s office, looking sad.

“What happened? Is Lorna okay? What about Alfred and Anna?” I asked, expressing my concern over my cousin’s distressed state.

“Holly…” Clarence took a shaky breath before pulling me into a hug so tight I thought I might hear my bones crack.

“I can’t… breathe… Clarence,” I gasped.

“Sorry. I think you should hear this straight. Finn is waiting inside,” Clarence apologized, released me, and gestured toward the office.

“Um, okay. You’re freaking me out. Should I call Katherine to come check on you?” I asked, nervously stepping into the office.

Inside, Finn sat at his desk, looking just as melancholy as Clarence, with a phone pressed to his ear and his mate, Lorna, beside him. As soon as Lorna saw me, she rushed over to hug me, just like Clarence had done. Now I was officially freaking out.

“Oh, Holly,” Lorna choked out through her sobs.

“Can someone tell me what the hell is going on and why everyone is hugging me like someone has died?” I demanded.

Lorna sobbed again, but Clarence pulled her back as Finn stood up.

“She’s here. I’m passing the phone to you now, Logan,” Finn said, offering me his phone.

Logan? 

I swallowed hard, realizing that only one Logan would go through Alpha channels to contact me. A call from Logan Kinsley usually didn’t signal an emergency, but coupled with the strange behavior of Clarence and Lorna, I knew that answering this call was likely to bring bad news. Part of me wanted to decline the call; if I ignored it, I wouldn’t have to face whatever tragedy had struck Bloodmoon that involved me.

But I couldn’t do that. I wasn’t the type of person who would reject a call from an Alpha, especially one I had once served and respected. With a deep sigh, I steeled myself for whatever news awaited me as I answered the phone.

“Yes, Alpha Logan?” I answered, hoping my voice was steadier than I felt.

“Morning, Holly.” Logan greeted with a heavy sigh. 

I lived in Bloodmoon and spent enough time around Logan Kinsley to know that sigh. That sigh always accompanied bad news or at least news he didn’t want to deliver. While the sun was up here in Ironfur, I knew it wasn’t even sunrise in Bloodmoon. That pit in my stomach churned, and it was like a cement grinder trying to start up with dried cement and bricks inside. 

“It’s a bit early, even for you, Alpha Logan. I suggest we skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point. Why do my Alpha, Luna, and Beta look like someone has died?” I chose to rip off the Band-Aid.

“I’ve missed that no-nonsense attitude,” Logan said with a dry laugh.

“As you wish. They probably look that way because someone has died. Davis and Loretta were driving home from the airport when a semi-truck struck their car. Neither survived.” He delivered the news plainly, but the remorse still crept into his gruff voice.

I nearly dropped Finn’s phone. Davis and Loretta were the only family Samuel had on Nigel’s side. They were his one connection to his father. I hadn’t considered how their death would affect me. My good relationship with them ended when I moved ten years ago. They never forgave me—especially Loretta—for moving across the country to raise my son far from the painful memories of my life with Nigel.

I had kept in touch with them for Samuel’s sake. They were the only grandparents he would ever have. And now he didn’t even have that. How would I tell him? How would he take it? Samuel is usually a sensible boy, not prone to outbursts or expressing big emotions beyond happiness. He had never faced loss before. I could hear his laughter and the other children playing by the lake, filtering in through the office window.

“Thank you for telling me. I’ll find the right way to let Samuel know,” I replied, nodding as I controlled my emotions.

This was easier than when Nigel died. There was no bond between myself and my in-laws. We hadn’t been close in years. All the pain in my heart was for Samuel, my darling boy, whose happy summer day was about to be shattered by this news.

“Of course. I’ll cover your travel expenses to get here. Will you bring Samuel to the memorial and address their estate?” Logan asked.

“Their estate? Why would I be handling that? It should revert to you and the pack,” I replied, relieved to have something logistical to focus on.

“They never changed their will, Holly. The property was still willed to Nigel, and legally, as his widow, it means it goes to you,” Logan explained.

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. They had a decade to change the will. I understand better than anyone how painful it was to lose Nigel, but time didn’t stop just because he was gone. I had to move forward and think about the future. Why couldn’t they? Now, on top of telling my son that his grandparents are gone, I have to sort out the mess they left behind.

“As much as I’d like to leave him here with my cousin, the sensible thing would be to bring him so he could say farewell to them and, I suppose, see the farm his father grew up on.” I sighed.

I added, “But I don’t want you to handle the travel arrangements. I can manage them myself. Just let patrol know I’ll be arriving tomorrow with your permission.”

“Holly…” Logan started to argue.

“No. If I have to return to Bloodmoon, it will be on my terms and how I choose. I appreciate your offer to cover my expenses, but it won’t be necessary, and I wouldn’t want any special treatment.” I cut him off.

“Stubborn as always.” Logan sighed. “Have it your way. I’ll let patrol know you and your son will cross the territory tomorrow. You are both welcome to stay here at the pack house.” Logan said.

“I’ll get a hotel. No offense, Alpha Logan. I want to keep this trip as painless as possible. In that line of thinking, I ask that Alpha Kurt and Luna Isis keep their distance. It is nothing personal, I just…” My words trailed off as I attempted to find the words.

“I understand, Holly. You will not be required to meet with anyone you don’t want. If Kurt and Isis want to express condolences, I’ll advise them to do so discreetly unless you seek them out.” Logan assured me.

“Thank you, Alpha Logan. Now I need to talk with my son and make travel arrangements.” I said.

“See you tomorrow, Holly.” Logan ended the call.

I closed my eyes momentarily as a strong, familiar arm wrapped around my shoulders. The gentle pressure brought a fleeting sense of comfort.

“Tell me how to help, cousin,” Clarence urged, his voice a soft mix of concern and affection that resonated in the stillness.

I shook my head slowly, stepping forward to create some distance, my heart heavy. With deliberate care, I placed Finn’s phone on the polished wooden desk, the sound of it hitting the surface breaking the tension in the air.

“I have everything under control,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “If you want to help, you can start sorting out who will cover the training while I’m away. I shouldn’t be gone for more than a week, two at most, while I settle Davis and Loretta’s estate,” I assured him, searching his eyes for understanding.

“Of course. We’ll get Dean to cover for you,” Finn nodded, his expression turning resolute as he figured out the logistics.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Clarence offered, his voice earnest. “I know Katherine can’t, but I can. Any of us would be willing to travel with you and Samuel to help however you need.”

I shook my head firmly, my resolve hardening. “No, you stay here. I can handle this, and I’ll have Samuel with me for support.”

“Fine. Have it your way, Holly,” Clarence sighed, a mix of frustration and acceptance flickering across his face.

“Please let us know if you need anything,” Lorna insisted, her grip on my hands tightening as if trying to share her strength with me.

“Of course, thank you, Lorna,” I replied, managing a small smile as I gently pulled my hands back, feeling the warmth of her concern linger.

Turning my gaze to Finn, I said, “If you have no further need of me, Alpha.”

“You may go, Holly. Please take care of yourself and Samuel. That includes taking care of your mental health—don’t bottle it up,” Finn urged, his gaze heavy with worry as he exhaled a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of his own burdens.

“I’ll be fine,” I assured him, bowing my head slightly in respect before making my way out, the heavy atmosphere of the room following me like a shadow.

I didn’t look forward to telling Samuel, but I knew I had to. After leaving Finn’s house, I found him skipping stones with Isaiah, Maverick, and Clarence’s kids: Keir, Kristin, Kenna, and Kenneth. They laughed and competed to see who could skip their stones the furthest.

I hung back to let Samuel enjoy the moment, and when his stone went the furthest, I smiled. His smile motivates me every day. Sensing my presence, he turned and flashed that warm, goofy grin before rushing over to me.

“Mom!” Samuel exclaimed before hugging me. “Did you see? Did you see my stone went further than even Maverick’s?” He asked, looking up at me with pride in his accomplishment.

“Yes, I did. Excellent form.” I smiled, ruffling his hair. “Well done to all of you. Skipping stones isn’t easy and takes time to perfect.”

“I should’ve been able to make it go further. I put so much force into it.” Maverick pouted.

I have mixed feelings about the boy, but my concerns are not about him. My worries stem from his family background. Although I’m not a part of Bloodmoon, I know about the Firewolf pack and the horrors Maverick’s grandfather inflicted on them. Maverick is in Ironfur because it’s unsafe for him in the Cholmáin Pack due to his psychotic father and power-hungry half-brother.

“It’s not always about force, Maverick,” I sighed, gesturing for the children to come closer. 

“Want to know a secret?” I asked. 

“What’s the secret, Mom?” Samuel asked eagerly. 

“As a child, I always won at rock skipping against Alpha Finn and his brothers. They lacked the patience,” I said with a smile. 

“You beat my dad and uncles?” Isaiah gasped. 

“Many times! So remember: choose your rock wisely, focus, and use the wrist movement—swish and flick,” I advised. 

“Let’s go practice!” Maverick declared, racing back to the shore.

“Samuel, there’s something important we need to discuss.” I sighed, gently guiding him away from the other children.

“What’s wrong, Mom? What did Alpha Finn want?” Samuel asked, looking concerned.

I paused until we were out of earshot of the other children. Kneeling to his level, I took a deep breath. “Alpha Logan of Bloodmoon called. I’m so sorry, my darling. Your grandparents were in a tragic accident and didn’t survive. We’ll fly to Bloodmoon tomorrow for their memorial and to handle legal issues.”

Tears filled his brown eyes, and he cried silently. It broke my heart. I pulled him close, wanting to comfort him and hold back my tears. This trip would be painful, and I needed to be strong for Samuel. I was all he had left.