5. Involvement

My allies, friends, family, and I, sit around a meeting table as we wait for Mum to lay Phoenix down.

“Osric, help Mum,” Embry raises an eye brow and scolds our mate, making me giggle watching Mum come into the office carrying a tray of tea.

“Did she go down easy?” Ares questions, getting up he is quick to help Mum pass out the tea, she smiles at him and nods.

“Right away, Phoenix adores that boy, she curled up around Gunnar and Roan and passed right out, she’s exhausted,” Mum answers while patting Benjamin’s back, as she passes behind him.

“She should be, the amount of energy she must have exhausted was incredible,” Benjamin chuckles, then shakes his head, and stares down at the table in disbelief. We look up, when tension begins to grow, as Thane and Michelle enter the room to stand guard behind Ryder and Liliana.

“She used an enormous amount of energy, I haven’t seen a witch with magic like hers in centuries,” Mum admits, with a slight bit of worry coming though in her voice. She sits in the seat Bjorn pulls out for her, as I look up and watch as Osric sits beside me.

“Nana, what kind of magic was that? What did she do to Valery?” Thane sounds tired as he questions Mum. He yawns with his arms firmly wrapped around Michelle, I look down feeling Osric grab me by my waist and pull me into his lap.

Embry moves into my empty seat, leaving him sitting to our right, and Jonathan to our left. I gently grab each of their hands and do my best to calm them through the bond, still feeling the sadness and worry that has nearly faded.

“Soul magic, she burned out Valery’s soul. I’ve only met one witch who was able to manipulate the soul; it’s said to be near impossible and extremely painful for both parties to burn out a soul. But that’s not all I felt from her, Phoenix used blood and elemental magic as well, I believe if she’s taught, she will be able to wield all magic types,” Mum answers, with an unsure expression, she looks to Mummo who nods with a grim expression.

“Before we get further into talking about Phoenix’s abilities, what is she doing in here? She’s the traitors twin, has anyone even bothered to make sure she didn’t help?!” Benjamin growls skeptically while glaring daggers at Michelle, whose heart begins to race as her eyes grow wide.

“You will not talk to my mate like she’s not in front of you, and you will not disrespect her!” Thane growls threateningly, squaring up ready to challenge an already pissed off Benjamin.

Karen and Angel quietly slip into the room, staying by the door, just in case they’re needed to break up a fight between Benjamin and Thane.

“Calm down! We will settle this calmly and properly. Thane, Benjamin has a right to be protective of his daughter and to be suspicious. None of us knew what Jacoby or Valery were capable of, they had all of us fooled, and Michelle is Valery’s twin so it does make sense she would be loyal to her. Even if she were wrong, I would always be on Liliana’s side, the same as she would be on mine,” I admit, standing up I force out my aura to calm Thane and Benjamin down, knowing the situation could become violent if I do nothing.

“Michelle please come here,” I softly speak while holding my hand out, wanting for her to come closer. I want Jonathan to look into her mind to make sure her answers are truthful, so I don’t have to use my aura and risk her pregnancy. Thane shakes his head and holds her back with a threatening growl, when Michelle nods and tries to walk towards me, trusting I won’t hurt her.

“Thane please let me clear my name, I trust Raven, she’s a good fair Alpha,” Michelle reassures, looking up she places her hand on his cheek and lets their bond calm him. I smile gently and nod, glad she trusts that I won’t hurt her or her baby.

“Yeah, but her aura can put too much stress on your body and cost us the baby,” Thane pleads with her, and Michelle smiles comfortingly before shaking her head.

“Raven just lost a pregnancy, and nearly lost her children, she wouldn’t risk that. I also know as much as I have screwed up in the past, it is in the past, Raven knows this and I trust her,” Michelle comforts him before giving me a gentle nod and walking over.

“You’re correct, I won’t risk your child, even if you are guilty of helping Valery. I could never do that to another woman no matter what they’ve done, and I have seen good in you so I hope my faith in your growth is warranted. I’m going to ask you questions while Jonathan sifts through your mind to make sure you’re telling the truth, so I don’t have to use my aura.” I reach out and grab her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze, knowing I can trust her, she has been loyal and more than made up for her mistakes since the day she arrived here. I let her hand go while looking to Jonathan, who nods with a gentle smile helping calm her and Thane’s nerves.

“Raven, I messed up when I listened to Gerard, I was young and stupid, I thought I loved him. I trust you with my life, I know you’re a great Alpha, even though my brother is my Alpha I am still loyal to you as well,” Michelle speaks confidently while holding her hand out, Jonathan gently takes it, since touching her will help him get into her mind.

“Don’t, after everything I now know it is not your fault, your own sister was using you. I’m sorry for being so harsh and cruel to you for something that wasn’t your fault. I should have never singled you out for what happened and should have heard your side of the story before making incorrect assumptions. Punishing you by ostracizing you was wrong; I shouldn’t have kicked you out of the pack house or made it harder for you to be around you mate. I wish I had known better then and treated you as a friend. I’m pleased and proud that you believe in me and are loyal to both your brother and I. Ryder is a good Alpha, and will be a great king,” I glance at Ryder and his mates to avoid eye contact, after a moment I swallow my guilt then focus back on Michelle.

“It you start to feel unwell, or this becomes too much let me know, I don’t want to risk your baby, at all. I know you’re already going through a lot losing Valery,” I do my best to make it clear to Michelle I don’t want her risking her health or her child for these answers before looking to Jonathan who nods.

“It’s hard losing her, but it hurts more knowing she betrayed our people, and our family.” Michelle’s voice is soft and slightly broken, I nod in agreement and smile sadly at her, knowing no matter what Valery has done, it hurts to lose a twin.

“Michelle Haner, were you involved in the plan to release Sasha, and blowing up my home?” I question, feeling Osric place his hand on my lower back, doing his best to be supportive.

“No, I was not involved in anyway,” Michelle answers honestly while gazing into Jonathan’s eyes. I can’t help feeling a little on edge seeing Thane fidget from his position, as I sense his stress.

“Did you know Jacoby or Valery’s plan to release Sasha, or attempt to kill my pups and myself?” I ask next, observing her free hand move to her navel as she shakes her head letting a small involuntary whimper escape her lips.

“No, if I had any idea of what they planned I would have told Ryder, and then you, she might have been my twin, but I would never have helped, or let her murder innocent people,” Michelle looks me in the eye with a sad sympathetic expression, and I nod seeing the truth in her eyes as well as hearing it in her voice and heartbeat.

“Do you know Dagon, or have you ever been contacted by him or his followers?” I inquire, watching Michelle look down and take a deep breath, my brow furrows wondering why she is hesitating.

“No, I don’t know Dagon. I have only heard the name once when I overheard Valery and Jacoby whispering, I never understood the context or I would have told someone. Valery once asked me if I believed you, and your mates, were what’s best for our people. I told her I did, because I do. She didn’t speak more on the subject, but she didn’t look pleased at my answer either. Thinking back, I’m pretty sure she did want to recruit me to Dagon’s side, but didn’t think I would turn,” Michelle explains while looking up into Jonathan’s eyes, he nods and looks sad at the damage her sister has caused.

“Do you hold ill will towards anyone in this room, or wish to harm any members of Wolf Creek, Blood Moon, New Moon, or Silver Moon?” I ask finally, I know I don’t need to ask as she’s answered honestly so far, and I can feel that she does believe in our packs and their leadership.

“Not at all, I only wish to be a good mother and the mate Thane deserves, I wish to serve my pack, and the Bloodwrath Kingdom. The last few years before I met Thane were very lonely, even with Valery alive, we grew distant, and now I know why,” Michelle answers in a deeply sad tone while shrugging, and I nod before hugging her. I’m glad I’ve given Michelle the chance to prove herself in the pack, and to slowly become my friend.

“Thank you, you’ve grown so much over this last year, and I’m proud you are part of my kingdom. You will be a wonderful mother and are the mate Thane deserves. I can see you make Ryder and our father both proud with the work you’ve done helping in Wolf Creek and New Moon.” I rub her back when she grips me tight and buries her face in my shoulder. I feel her body shudder against mine as she nods before she lets out a soft sob. I hate how the trauma of being raped made me act and treat her, Michelle deserved better, and for us to actually hear her side and find out the facts.

“It’s going ok eventually, I’m so sorry you lost your sister, but Thane and your pack will help you through this. I’m sorry I added to making you feel alone and never giving you a chance,” I whisper, rocking her in my arms, I feel she is nearly drowning in sadness at the loss and betrayal of Valery.

“I hate that it hurts, I know Thane will help, he’s amazing. I’m sorry too, I understand that you were hurting, it killed me to be pushed away and hated, but it’s in the past and it’s time we all move past it. You are my friend and I hope we continue to grow our friendship,” Michelle sniffles into my shoulder, and I nod letting her cry, knowing she needs to feel supported.

“Hey, it’s ok to hurt, no matter what she’s done. Valery was your twin sister and you loved her, my mother tried to give me to a man who wanted to sacrifice me for power, and many other messed up things. It still hurts to know I took her life, and that she’s gone and will never see her grandchildren. Yes, I hope to continue to move past what happened and become closer friends,” I admit while looking over to Liliana who nods and pulls Ryder’s arms around her feeling the emotions rolling off Michelle.

“With Thane’s help you’ll be ok in time, besides you have Liliana and I to talk to if you need, we understand the bond of having a twin,” I reassure, Thane walks over to us and wraps his arms around Michelle from behind helping comfort his mate.

“Thank you, Raven, I will remember I can come to you,” she thanks while looking back and relaxing back into Thanes arms. I gently smile seeing the relief she gains in his arms, as she takes a deep calming breath.

“You’re amazing my Luna,” Jonathan kisses the top of my hand before sitting beside Osric, making me blush.