Chapter 7

Tony

We all took a seat in the small room that Cristi's mother had led us into. Cristi was sitting beside her father. He still had his arm around her and she was quietly crying. I looked at where Zac had sat down on a single armchair. He was looking around the room, taking in the decor and photos. Honey was sitting beside me, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. I knew she was nervous about being here, and I understood her concerns. She was an heir to a pack, albeit it is a pack that no longer existed. Regardless of that, she was still the offspring of an Alpha. If word got out, her existence would be put in jeopardy.

"So, four members of the Midnight Sun pack turn up on our doorstep at the butt crack of dawn. Anyone care to tell us what you are all doing here?" Liam asked, looking around the room.

"Our pack was attacked during the night a few days ago," I informed him. He looked at me with interest and his father sat up straighter on the seat where he was sitting with Cristi.

"Survivors?" Cristi's father asked.

"You're looking at them," I replied.

"Out of hundreds of wolves, you are telling me that only four survived an attack on your pack?" Connor asked.

"Yes, that's what I am telling you," I said, knowing he was having a hard time believing it.

"So, did you do a sweep? Did you check for survivors?" Connor asked.

"I did. I went back to our pack the next morning. The dead were torn apart and left for the scavengers to eat. The heads of our Alpha and Luna were displayed on spikes," I stated, hearing a light gasp from beside me.

"That's a hell of a statement," Liam muttered, glancing at Connor.

"Meaning?" I asked.

"Displaying an Alpha and Luna's heads like that. It's a statement. It's barbaric but effective," Liam explained.

"It's something that attacking packs used to do in the old days. These days, the council frown on such grotesque methods. In fact, if the council finds out who the attacking pack was, the offending pack could face serious repercussions," Connor explained.

"What kind of repercussions?" Honey asked, looking at Connor.

"Well, there have been times when offending packs have had members executed," Connor replied.

"Okay, so, my sister, her mate and her son," Liam asked, pointing at us as he said who each of us were. "So, who are you?" he asked, as his finger came to a stop on Honey who sat beside me.

"That's Honey, we were looking after her the night of the attack. As you may remember me telling you during one of our many phone conversations, our house was on the farthest side of the pack accommodation area. So, when the attack happened, we were able to get out because of the location of our house," Cristi explained.

"So, what you are telling me is that when your pack came under attack, you ran," Liam stated, looking at Cristi like he couldn't believe his ears.

"No, we, no, you don't understand..." Cristi was fumbling for words, so I jumped in and said, "We weren't on the roster that night. And given the intensity of the attack, there was nothing we could have done, so we got out of there to save our son."

"Exactly. Like I said, you ran," Liam repeated.

"You know being on the roster means nothing when it comes to an attack on a pack. As a Beta, your job is to do your job whether you are on the roster or not," Connor stated, looking at me in disapproval.

"We were focused on saving our son, your grandson," Cristi hissed, looking at Connor as though she was imploring him to understand why we had made the choice we'd made that night.

"Beta's have a duty to their packs," Connor stated, holding Cristi's gaze.

"Yeah, a duty to the pack and not the family, right? I remember daddy," Cristi whispered, dropping her gaze to the carpet.

"You did it right mom. You put your family in a position where I always knew I could rely on you. I'm sorry that you never had that when you were my age," Zac said, reaching over and taking my mate's hand in his.

"Son, when you become a pack Beta, you will understand the sacrifices that have to be made on account of duty," Connor said, as he looked at Zac.

"I am not your son," Zac stated, as he held Connor's gaze.

"You've got fire boy. I like that," Connor said as he smiled at Zac.

"So, you were babysitting, and you took the kids and fled," Liam said almost to himself. It was like he was trying to process what we were saying. Turning the pieces of information around in his head like puzzle pieces, trying to see where they fit together.

"Yeah, that is what we did," Cristi said, nodding in agreement. As I watched her, I noticed it was almost as if the fight had gone out of her. I was starting to wonder if coming here had been a mistake.

"So are you going to tell us who she is?" Liam asked, pointing at Honey once more.

"I'm nobody. I am just a member of a pack that no longer exists," Honey stated, looking at Liam.

"Well nobody. What are we going to do with you?" Liam asked.

"What do you mean, what are you going to do with her? She is staying with us!" Cristi told him, as she looked at her brother in anger.

"Everyone in the pack contributes, you know that," Connor said, as he looked at his daughter.

"What, have you gone and introduced child labor into the pack, while I was a part of the Midnight Sun pack?" Cristi asked in annoyance.

"Of course not, but the families all pitch in. This girl has no family," Liam explained.

"She is part of my family," Cristi growled.

"Fine, have it your way," Liam said, as he dismissively waved his hand in Cristi's direction.

"When did you become such a snob?" Cristi muttered, shaking her head.

"Careful Cristi. You are my sister, but I am still the Alpha of this pack, and I will not tolerate disrespect, even from you," Liam warned.

Cristi's eyes flew to Connor, "You stepped down already?" she asked.

"Yes. I wanted to step down while I was able to enjoy my retirement. But I am still young enough to help your brother out when he needs it. So it worked out well. Plus, I am enjoying teaching my grandson the ropes. It is one less thing Liam has to worry about when he is busy," Connor explained. Looking at the happy look on his face, I could see he meant what he was saying. He was enjoying being retired from the stress of leading a pack.

"So, if my family wants to stay I have to kiss your boots?" Cristi asked, looking at Liam.

"You're family, Cristi. You are welcome to stay here. I just need you to rejoin our pack, that's all," Liam replied.

"Well, we are packless right now. So it is no hardship for us to do the ceremony and join your pack, brother dear," Cristi replied, as her eyes met mine.

"Good, we will arrange for the ceremony to take place after the weekend," Liam stated as he nodded his head in confirmation. "Dad, could you get them set up in a house? The one that the Milton family used to live in should be a perfect fit for them," Liam instructed. Connor nodded in agreement and Liam turned to leave the room, saying, "I will start making the preparations for the ceremony."