Charlie asked The Guard to send more help searching the old pack house. The mission at the forefront was to find the missing children and The Guard was more than happy to lend a hand. Every file and book was meticulously combed through and not a single thread of evidence was found. It wasn't until late into the evening when another secret door was found in what had been Alpha George's bedroom.
Stacy and Colt arrived and just like before Charlie had waited for their arrival. Behind the wooden panel door was a narrow stairwell spiraling downward with binding spells etched into each step. As they descended, they could feel a frightening calmness. When the group reached the bottom, the room opened into another large chamber. It was colder than they expected, a member of the guard turned on camping lantern and set it on the podium in the center of the room. Shelves lined the walls, filled with scrolls wrapped in dragonhide and books brittle to the touch. This wasn't a normal library or archive. "The forbidden archives" a member of The Guard said in awe.
On a table there lay an open scroll. Stacy gasped as she noticed the insignia of the Bloodborne Pack on the corner of the parchment. The words on the scroll were jumbled and didn't make any sense, there was a notebook where someone, presumably George, tried to decipher the text. Stacy touched the scroll. An illusionary smoke curled around Stacy like a living mist, warm and tingling against her skin. The shadows of the room danced against the light and made it's way toward the scroll. Stacy froze in terror. As much as she loved watching the shadows dance, they shouldn't move like that.
A voice emerged from the shadow as it hovered above the scroll. "I am your sentinel Anastasia Grace Bloodmoon. This scroll was left by your father to help guide you." As Stacy stared at the scroll she noticed that instead of ink, the words had been replaced by symbols of drifting light. They rearranged themselves as she watched, forming pathways that spiraled outward, then converged into a single shimmering trail. "Follow, and the realm unseen will open". She gasped at the beauty of the silver symbols, she took a step forward, her heart pounding and the symbols burst into motion, lifting from the parchment and forming a glowing ribbon of light ahead of her. The light swirled against the stone walls, caressing every crack until a doorway formed.
Colt and Stacy looked at each other in shock. The Guard member stepped forward and examined the doorway. "It's not another realm, it's a portal." The silence that followed was deafening. "Uh, guys...what's a portal?" Stacy asked in confusion. The Guard member smiled amusingly at Stacy and spoke "Portals are doorways to other places. No one has physically seen one in centuries and are thought to be a myth. I only know of them because the archives at The Pack Ten".
"Should we go through? I mean is it safe?" Charlie asked. The Guard member nodded and answered "Actually yes it is safe, however we don't know where this portal leads, it might be a hostile territory. It should be scouted first." The group quickly came up with a plan. Charlie would go through the portal in his wolf form and scout the area and report back in one hour.
The wait was excruciating, Stacy gripped Colts hand so hard that her knuckles were white and Colt did everything he could think of to calm her down. Isaac and the member of The Guard were chatting about portals. Then Charlie came through the portal with a grim look on his face. "Moon River" was all he said.
Colt stationed two warriors to guard the stairs that led to the portal. In the former Alpha's study, Charlie briefed the rest on what he witnessed in Moon River. " I heard children crying but I couldn't locate the source, I suspect that they are being kept in cabins in the territory." Just then The Head Guard entered the room. "The Guard is offering it's assistance to the Thunder Heart pack". About another dozen Guard members entered the study and a plan was formulated for a rescue mission.
A soft breeze swept across the luminous meadow, carrying the scent of honeysuckle and night flowers. Stacy stepped forward, feeling her boots sinking slightly in the grass. The air was alive with intention as the group gathered as they came through the portal. Stacy touched her palm to the earth and light spilled outward, forming a silver path to the captives. Silently the group moved forward following the path with only the hum of the river breaking the silence.
Colt had changed into his wolf form, paws silent against the earth as he moved through the tall grass towards the cabins that the silver path led to. He lifted his snout to taste the air. Fear, children's fear. He growled low, the traffickers have crossed the line by kidnapping children. Charlie and Isaac were behind him. Once the group reached the first cabin Stacy stepped forward and unlocked the door with her ability. She moved silently, disabling locks and calming terrified children. "Don't be afraid" Stacy whispered to a trembling girl "You're safe. We've got you."
By dawn, the children were nestled inside the Thunder Heart territory. Warmth flooded through the pack house. Pack members brought blankets, warm broth and gentle reassurances. Nessa and Niall were reunited with their children and Stacy's heart swelled with happiness while watching the reunion. Nessa caught Stacy's eye and headed towards her and Colt.
Nessa studied Stacy "Why did you help us?"
Stacy smiled "Because Mother Rhiannon teaches us to protect the small and no child deserves the darkness that they have endured." she reached for Nessa's hand "And you are a mother who was separated unjustly from her children. I was in a position to help you because it was the right thing to do."
Nessa squeezed Stacy's hand "Then I will teach you how to unlock and to control your abilities. Your wolf is strong and capable but.." she winked "She's not fae."
Stacy expected Dev to growl and be hostile but to her surprise Dev said " I like this one! Her attitude is spicy!" This caused Stacy to laugh out loud with Nessa looking at her like she was crazy. "My wolf likes you" she explained. "Alpha Anastasia Grace, we will be good friends." Friends? Stacy loved that, a real friendship. "You can start by calling me Stacy".
From across the gym Colt observed the she-wolf and fae. They were smiling and chatting like they were life-long friends. As he was admiring how charming Stacy was, Niall approached him and put his hand on his shoulder and sighed. "It looks like we may be visiting your pack for awhile. Tell me friend, how are your warriors?" Colts eyebrows shot up, "Not great, we could use the help." Inside Colt was so excited, a fae to help train?! That would be so fucking awesome, but he was trying so hard to play it cool. Niall nodded "We will start after your Alpha ceremony."
Stacy was truly magnificent, after only a week she won the dedication and love from the Thunder Heart pack, she forged a friendship with the fae, rescued fae children, rescued fae, she learned some of her abilities. Colt was so proud of her, he thanked Mother Rhiannon for blessing him with such a wonderful Luna. Charlie, Isaac, and Hunter came to join him at his sides. Isaac laughed and said "Now what?". Colt grinned mischievously "Now we have that fucking bonfire!"
The bonfire was pre-planned event for the younger wolves to meet their Luna, but it turned into a pack wide event. Dixie and Leah quickly coordinated with the cafeteria to bring in tables and food, but all pack members brought food anyway, creating quite a feast. A stage and dance floor had been set up with Edison lightbulbs creating a tent around the area. A local band played a good blend of music ready to take turns with a DJ. Pack members set up games for everyone and laughter rang out over a cornhole tournament. Colt beamed with pride. This is not the pack he grew up with, this is so very much better. This is the beginning of a fresh start for his pack.
Colt went to wine cellar and found a nice bottle of summer wine and sought out his mate. His heart about leaped out of his chest when he spotted her on the dance floor . Children were around her laughing and wailing the arms. She was laughing with them and doing the silly dance, and Colt felt himself fall in love all over again. He used their mind link with her and said " you are so beautiful" Stacy looked up and found his eyes and he gasped. He never thought he could feel a love like this, fearless, unwavering, soul crushing love. Colt took a deep breath and held up the wine bottle and wiggled his eyebrows. "May I have a moment of your time Luna Stacy?" The kids giggled and made kissing sounds. Stacy knelt and hugged the children and took Colt's hand.
Colt took Stacy to a secluded spot overlooking the pack. He opened the bottle of wine and offered her the first sip. "Oh, uh...I'm only 18, I cant drink" Colt rolled his eyes "Are you kidding me? You're a she-wolve you age different." Shocked, Stacy asked what do you mean?!"
" It's not a bad thing. Think about it like this: When a cub is born it grows into a pup after a few months, right?" Stacy nodded her head as she understood "That pup will grow into a juvenile pup or in human terms 'a teenager'. This is about 13 years human time but in wolf time that's 8 or 9 years. By the time a werewolf is 15 or 16 where they are and adult and fully mature after they mate. There for my dear wife, you can drink as much as you fucking want."
Stacy laughed and took the bottle and took a long drink. It tasted like berries and sunshine. It tasted like a sunny day on the beach while the Tradewinds blew in her hair. It was a heavenly wine. Eyes wide she looked at Colt and said "What is that?!" Colt grinned and kissed her forehead "Babe that is the taste of summer wine. Pretty good ain't it?"