Finding Home: 181 - Isolation

As soon as Marina was strong enough to move around on her own, she snuck into Brianna’s room to see how her alpha’s mate was doing.At first, it was awkward. Marina did not know if Bree could hear while she was recovering, but Marina talked anyway.“Hi, it’s me, Rina. I came to thank you for what you did… wait…I hear someone. I’ll be back later.” She was like a mouse, scared of every little sound, and didn’t come back until a few hours later when nobody else was around.“Hey, it’s me again…I don’t know what compelled you to save me, but I am eternally grateful. Please wake up soon because Brandon might not tell you this, but he’s really worried.”While I lie here, listening to my visitors tell me they miss me and are waiting for me to wake up, I notice the different way Marina talks when she’s with Brandon versus when she is with the elders and Grayson.With Brandon, she sounded sweet and confident, but around the others, she sounded so awkward and out of place, which made me feel bad

Finding Home: 182 - Tribunal

The tribunal looked stern as they sat on the chairs lined up on the stage. A grim mood hovered over the ranch when only a week ago the same space had been used to celebrate the momentous occasion of marrying the first mated pair Silvercreek had witnessed in thirty years.The tribunal was composed of elders selected from every living being that moved to Silvercreek. Every pack, clan, or family had sent a representative to speak for them.Humans who were knowledgeable of the existence of the mythical beings were asked to send their representatives as well to establish integrity. A crime against one species was a crime against everyone.The action of one pack affects not only them but every living creature, person, or thing around them, as has been witnessed when Seth came to town to create chaos just to get revenge on Grayson and his pack.The large number of people traipsing through the forest had created a path where none existed before, thus ruining the vegetation and stomping on an

Finding Home: 183 - Brandon

People murmured, some shaking their heads, some nodding. Some knew Seth during his initial visit, when he laid on the charm that the entire village thought he was very delightful. “Some of you know how nice he could be. I fell for his appeal and gave him information on how to abduct Brandon. Not to kill him, but so Brianna would follow them. I wanted her out of Silvercreek. “Brianna was Alpha Grayson’s mate, and I did not realize the bond they shared was stronger than any powerful magic in this world. “Once the bond has been established separation could lead to a werewolf’s demise. That being away from their mate for long periods of times made one sick and weak.”The crowd gasped and hissed at her information. “I am guilty of being blindly in love with a person who was not my mate, but after the twins were rescued from Seth’s hideout, I made sure to amend my wrongdoings.”She earned some nods, which encouraged her to go on.“When I got to interact with Brandon, we learned he was m

Finding Home: 184 - Testimony

Ranch hands who worked with Marina stood at the podium to share their accounts of her transformation.After she quit her other part-time jobs to hide from Seth, she went to the ranch where she knew the pack could protect her.“In the beginning she was…” Tom scratched his chin. “…let’s say intolerable. She expected to do lighter work just because she knew the boss man.”“But it doesn’t work that way. So we avoided her constantly and pretended she wasn’t there.” Bob chimed in. “But then, Brandon arrived, and he brought everyone together, even her.” “And we learned, she ain’t that bad after all. Just misunderstood, maybe.” Tom added.“She works as hard as anyone, so she’s cool,” Brad, one of the younger hands, volunteered.Not all the people had nice things to say.“She never says hello to anyone.”“She’s rude.”“She is an awful waitress.”Marina bowed her head in shame. It was one thing to know that people didn’t like her, but to hear their reactions firsthand was humiliating. Sure, s

Finding Home: 185 - Brianna

“Hi! My name is Brianna Stone. I recently moved to Silvercreek with my brother from Clear Creek, Illinois. I am here to speak about my interactions with Marina.”Brianna, please don’t do this. I do not want to choose. Brandon begged through their twin connection. He would do anything to get his sister to change her mind because he knew Bree had been the most affected by all of Marina’s decisions.Bree suffered when they were first abducted, and Seth pumped all that harmful medicine into Brandon’s body. She said nothing, but it had been hard to get back to normal when they returned to the ranch. Nightmares plagued her sleeping and waking hours, and it was hard to relax. Bree would constantly watch her back in fear of Seth’s return. And of course, it did not help Marina’s case that the evil monster returned and abducted Brianna days after the happiest occasion of her life. The newlyweds were supposed to leave for their honeymoon a few days after the wedding. What should have been a

Finding Home: 186 - Verdict

Earlier, before the tribunal meeting.As people were gathering at the back of the house, Marina asked Brandon for some time alone with his sister.“Brianna, I know you’ve heard it all before, but I wanted to tell you how sorry I really am about everything that happened.” Bree nodded.“Did my brother put you up to this?”“No, this was my idea. He loves you, and you are all he lives for.”“This doesn’t change what you have done.”“Have I not proven myself enough?”“Taking the hit for me was honorable, but did you think what would have happened had you died?”“What do you want me to do?” Marina got down on her knees. “I beg you to forgive me, please. I love him very much and would not dare take him away from you.”“When you get exiled, my brother will have to make a choice, and he will definitely choose you.”“It doesn’t have to be that way. Please, I will do anything. I have never been anywhere other than Silvercreek. I do not know how to exist with humans.”“You should have thought abo