Chapter 231

Ava

Leonard and I knew we couldn’t tell the Elders about Patrick. There would be too much time wasted on bureaucracy before we could come to a decision about hiring him, and if Elise or any of the other Elders was the mole, then it would be too dangerous.

So, I made the decision to keep Patrick hidden in my wine cellar, converting it into a makeshift bedroom for him.

“You’ll have the freedom to do what you need to do to discover the mole in Moonstone,” I told him as I showed him around the space, which we had outfitted with a more comfortable sleeping arrangement, a space heater, and whatever surveillance equipment he needed.

I paused then, turning to him with a grave expression on my face. “But remember, one wrong move and—”

“I know, I know,” Patrick interrupted, holding up his hands. “You’ll end me. I got the message, loud and clear.”

I flashed my fangs at him quickly, one last reminder of my threat—to show I was serious, that I would do anything to protect my pack from a traitor.

But even as I did so, I knew in my heart that it was an empty threat. I couldn’t bring myself to actually kill anyone, and I think he knew that, too. I was just trying to scare him into compliance.

Although, if the person who killed Dedrick was the mole… Well, then perhaps I wouldn’t have to kill Patrick. Perhaps they would do that for me, if they discovered him.

And I think he knew that as well.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he lowered his hands. “You know, for what it’s worth, I did like you that night at the bachelorette ball.”

My fangs retracted involuntarily, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “What?”

Patrick shrugged, looking a bit sheepish as he rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “It’s true.”

“You were sent to distract me while Chris was assaulted,” I growled. I hadn’t forgotten that night; I never would. And I wouldn’t forgive, either, no matter what Patrick did for us. Same as how I would never truly forgive Amelia.

“I mean, yeah, I was employed that night simply as a way to keep you from Chris,” Patrick admitted. “But I did genuinely like you, Ava. You’re... quite beautiful and interesting. I would have liked to have gone on some dates with you, under different circumstances.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. Part of me was flattered, while another part was even more suspicious now. “Why are you telling me this now?” I hissed, turning and making my way toward the cellar stairs.

“Because you never would have liked me once you found out the truth,” he said softly. “And besides, you were clearly madly in love with Chris. Even I could tell, and I hated getting in between you two.”

My footsteps slowed, and I stood there with my hand on the railing, stunned into silence. Finally, I managed a quiet, “Well. Thank you for being honest.” Then, not knowing what else to say, I began ascending the stairs. “I’ll let you get to work. There’s food in the fridge if you need anything.”

To avoid raising suspicions, I returned to the Packhouse a little while later to continue the cleanup efforts. Leonard, too weak to do much, remained in my cottage to keep an eye on Patrick in case he tried anything. An ache went through my chest just having to leave him laying there on my couch.

I got to work in the Packhouse, scraping away at the black fungus that still clung stubbornly to the walls. The physical labor was a welcome distraction from my swirling thoughts, and soon, I was lost in the work. Chris still hadn’t done much more than send an oblivious text message, and honestly, I was glad for it; perhaps it was best if he didn’t hear about Patrick until he returned. I didn’t want it to dampen his work in the human world.

“Ava?”

It must have been hours later when the sound of Leonard’s voice came from behind me. Startled, I turned to see him in his own hazmat suit, looking even more frail than he had this morning.

“Leonard, what the hell are you doing here?” I asked, rising from where I crouched by a section of wall. “You should be resting.”

He waved a hand at the window, where the sun was setting. I hadn’t even realized how much time had passed. “You’ve been in here for hours, and… I can’t just sit at home while everyone else is working. Besides, the air in here isn’t any worse for me than anywhere else at this point.”

I wanted to argue, but I knew it would be futile. Instead, I handed him a scraper. “Fine. Just... take it easy, okay?”

We worked side by side for hours, neither of us speaking, slowly but surely clearing away the fungus. As the evening wore on, more pack members joined us, replacing rotted planks and reinforcing weakened structures.

“It’s starting to look like home again,” Leonard commented as we took a short break around dinnertime.

I nodded as I looked around at our progress. The Packhouse was far from restored, but you could see glimpses of its former glory peeking through the damage.

As evening eventually turned into night, my muscles began to scream in protest from working nonstop. I noticed, too, the way that Leonard’s breathing was becoming more labored.

“I think that’s enough for today,” I said firmly. “You need to rest.”

He didn’t argue this time, which worried me more than anything. I helped him out of his hazmat suit and watched as he slowly made his way home, each step looking like it took monumental effort.

Our poor, dear Beta…

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tilted my head back and looked up at the night sky—at the crescent moon overhead.

And for a moment, just a moment, I closed my eyes and grit my teeth… And I cursed the Moon Goddess.

I had never cursed her before. Never. But now, as I watched my friend withering before my eyes, the fury that coursed through me was stronger than it had ever been. How dare the Moon Goddess punish us like this? She was supposed to be our savior, our protector…

“How could you?” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Of course, there was no response, unless you counted the chirping of the crickets.

When I opened my eyes again, the moon was still shining overhead, partially obscured by a cloud. I hastily swiped away the tears that had slipped free and shook my head, returning my attention to removing my hazmat suit.

I turned back to the Packhouse as I packed up my suit, taking in the progress. Leonard was right: it was starting to look like home again. Moon Goddess’ wrath or not, we were rebuilding.

Serves her right for punishing her devout followers.

I almost scoffed at the thought. Maybe Chris had rubbed off on me; taught me the ways of not always staunchly believing in a deity’s goodwill, but rather in my own ability to control my fate. Somehow, that was comforting, even if cursing the Moon Goddess ended up with me being dead in the morning. At least I’d die being honest.

As I was locking up, a movement caught my eye. I turned to see Elder Elise scurrying across the square, her head down and her steps hurried. Something about her demeanor seemed... off.

I glanced around, wondering if anyone else had noticed, and that was when I saw him. Patrick was leaning casually against a lamppost, his eyes fixed on Elise. When he caught my gaze, he gave me a questioning glance, subtly jerking his head toward her.

I grit my teeth and nodded.

Without a word, Patrick slipped into the shadows, following Elise’s path. I watched him disappear into the darkness, my heart racing.

As I stood there in the empty square, a chill ran down my spine.

Was it possible? Could one of our own Elders have been against us this whole time, right under our noses?