~Alyce/Faelyn~

We trudged along the deserted trail in the forest for a good thirty minutes before coming upon what Mat and I had dubbed ‘The Fort’ when we found it all those years. We had spent an entire summer fixing the structural issues and have discretely maintained it over the years. I’m not sure anyone even knew it still existed aside from us.

The Fort was a simple building that was maybe 20ft long by 30ft wide and 8ft tall. It was likely a storage building at some point in its life, but by the time Mat and I found it, it had been a fort for kids that were probably adults at the time and it had been long forgotten. We had reinforced the walls and put in a new ceiling with a staircase leading to the roof. There was a secret room in the corner, hidden behind a false wall. It was our escape from kids to teens, and even now we find ourselves here on occasion.

Faith and Jake were waiting by the door for us. She gave me a curious look and I simply smiled, letting her know that I was ok, and there would be details later. She had my bag with her and now I was the one giving her a curious look. She mouthed “Mat” and shrugged at me. I glanced at him briefly and he just grinned.

Everyone filed in and Mat shut the door behind us. I grabbed a few folding chairs and set them up for everyone. I chose to distance myself from the others and sat on a table that was against the wall next to the door. Tristan apparently wasn’t ok with this and started to come towards me, but I put my hand up to stop him, “No, I distanced myself for a reason. You sit with the others.”

He pouted, legitimately pouted and slumped into one of the chairs. Mat reached over and put a hand on his shoulder with a chuckle, “You’ll learn buddy, everything she does, she does for a reason. With time you’ll figure out which things you can push and which you can’t.”

“Alyce… I need to know what’s going on. The comments and actions of Andrew, your reactions to various people. Mat grouping situations by whether they are a Theo or Vincent situation. Your aura…You’re no Omega, but most importantly I need to understand your reaction to our mate bond.” Tristan started, looking at me with both worry and confusion. I was glad there was no pity in them. I couldn’t stand pity.

I took a deep breath and let my eyes roam over them, “What I am about to tell you, absolutely must stay in this room, between us. It would be very, very bad for me and the Delta family if these things got out before I can get us all out. I need you to make a blood oath, that this conversation does not leave this room, and you will not act on this information unless I ok it, which will not be anytime soon. I know this is a lot to ask, but if you want answers, this is the condition.”

I could see Daemon and Tristan speaking in mind-link and I waited patiently. It was a big deal to do a blood oath, especially with someone you don’t really know. My legs were swinging and I was staring at my feet as they moved back and forth, getting lost in my thoughts while I waited.

Mat was starting to fidget a little, probably nervous that they would turn me down. If they did they would get no answers, I would reject Tristan and I would leave tonight as planned. Faith walked over to me and set my bag on the table. Then she hopped up beside me and squeezed my hand. This drew me from my thoughts and I looked over at her with a smile. It was only with them around that I could let myself be vulnerable, let my guard down a little and be myself.

Jake was leaning on the back wall, arms crossed over his chest, one foot propped against the wall. He was just watching, like the silent guard he usually was. I smiled at him as well and got one in return.

Finally Tristan looked at me and cleared his throat to get my attention, my attention was instantly on him, “We will do it.”

This made my heart flutter, though I wasn’t exactly sure why. I hopped off the table, Mat handing me his knife as I approached the group. I took it and sliced my palm, handing it then to Tristan who did the same and handed it to his father, who also followed suit. We pressed our hands together letting our blood mingle, “Alpha Daemon Willow, Alpha-to-be Tristan Willow, do you agree in this oath of blood, to keep everything that is said in this room to yourselves, to not act on it without my permission? Do you agree that failure to do so will result in a loss of your title and status, and if I so will it, your death?”

“I do.” Tristan didn’t hesitate.

“As do I.” Neither did his father.

I was surprised at the lack of even a little hesitation on both counts, “Then with this the blood oath is sealed.” I pulled my hand from theirs, my palm already healed, while theirs was sealed but not quite gone.

I ignored their surprised looks at my healing and cleaned Mat’s knife, handing it back to him before returning to the table to sit by Faith. Everyone’s eyes turned to me and Faith rubbed my back to assure me she was there.

“My name is not Alyce Lilly, though that is what all my paperwork states. Nor am I an Omega, again that is what is on my paperwork from the supposed orphanage. It’s all lies. Alpha Andrew does not know this though. He truly believes that I am an Omega and that my name is Alyce Lilly.” I started.

“Why haven’t you corrected him? Why does everyone still pretend you are who your paperwork states you are?” Tristan asked, watching me.

“Because until last week, when I turned 18 and had finalized my plan to escape this pack, no one knew who I was. Mattie, Faith and Jake are the only ones who know my true name and rank, other than Theo because his knowing was unavoidable. And tonight you will join them.”

Victor tilted his head at me, “You’re not a full wolf are you?”

“No Victor, I am not. My father was a wolf, my mother a Fae. My name is Faelyn De’Lune. I am the only daughter of Liam and Gwydia De’Lune. I am the rightful heir to the Silver Moon pack, and I am an Alpha Female and a Crimson Wolf.”

I spit the information out a bit fast, but hoped they had caught it all. The shock and awe on their faces was apparent to the entire room, but they remained focused for the moment. I was sure this conversation would take several paths by the time we were done.

“No wonder I feel so drawn to you.” Victor chuckled. “I was originally part of Silver Moon. I left to join Moonlight when you were about 3. I needed to get away from the memories of my mate after she died.”

“That certainly explains a lot. It’s the pack bond. I never renounced Silver Moon. I have every intention of getting my pack back from that traitor and finding the truth of what happened to my family. I need to know how they died, where they ended up. Not knowing is worse than facing the truth.” Victor nodded and fell quiet for the moment.

Daemon spoke next, “And how do you plan to do that?”

“That I do not have a plan for yet. I had only planned my escape into the mountains. I was planning to seek refuge in one of the mountain packs if they would have me after I made sure they realized that taking me in had risks. Once I was safely away from here I would have started planning the next steps.”

“And if no one had been willing to take you in?”

“Then I would have become a lone wolf and succeeded on my own, or died trying.”

Tristan growled, “No, you can’t think like that. It’s unacceptable.”

I smiled a bit, “You say that now, but you still don’t know everything. Hold your decisions until the end.”

“Ok. So the way Andrew acts about you and towards you? What’s the reason for that?”

I sighed, “That one may be easier to show you and fill in the details rather than explain the entire thing… Faith, give me a hand please.” I stood and turned my back to them glad I had wrapped my hair this morning. Faith stood next to me and helped me lift my shirt in a fashion that would not expose my chest, but would expose the scars. I stared at the wall, unable to look at them while they took in the view.

“These are the worst of them. Whips and knives coated in wolfsbane. She has others on her arms and legs, from knives.” Mat whispered, fighting his own anger about the situation.