Chapter 159

Emily

The weight of guilt sits heavy on my chest as Logan drives us to my Pack’s office. I can’t stop thinking about the consequences of what has just happened.

My father behind bars, finally held accountable for the choices that have haunted me since I was a child. Derek’s death still echoes in my memory, that moment on the slide when my father’s anger and cruelty shattered everything innocent in my world. Now, years later, his greed, his theft from the pack has all come to light.

I feel responsible in a strange, twisting way. Like I should have seen it sooner, done more, prevented all of this as if it was my duty to protect the Pack after my mother’s passing.

Logan sits beside me, quiet, steady. His presence is grounding. I glance at him and see the unwavering trust in his eyes. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t offer platitudes, and that’s what I need. I just nod once, silently asking for him to walk with me, to stand with me through this. And he does, as he always does.

When we arrive, the office is still, eerily calm. The usual hum of computers, ringing phones, and chatter is gone. I can feel the tension in the air, the collective unease of the employees who have been complicit, whether actively or passively, in protecting my father. I take a deep breath and step inside the board room, Logan at my side, and immediately feel the weight of countless eyes on us.

One by one, the employees file in, each step echoing softly in the cavernous room. Their faces are a mixture of guilt, curiosity, and apprehension. Some avoid my gaze entirely, while others glance at Logan, as though he alone is the arbiter of judgment. I notice a few whispers, slight shifts in posture, but no one dares speak until the doors close firmly behind the last straggler.

The silence is deafening. I can feel every heartbeat in the room, every hesitant breath. I let it stretch for a moment, letting them settle under the weight of my presence, before I finally speak.

“As your Alpha,” I begin, my voice steady, measured, carrying across the room, “I need to address what has happened.” All eyes shift to me, some widening, others narrowing. I let the pause linger, allowing the gravity of my words to settle. “My father has been arrested for crimes against this Pack. Crimes that should never have happened, and yet did, because some of you allowed them to continue unchecked.”

I see small flinches, subtle signs of shame ripple across the faces of the employees. Their loyalty to my father — loyalty that once seemed like obligation — has crumbled under the truth. I continue, feeling the weight of every word I speak.

“He killed Derek when I was a child. He stole from the Pack while masquerading as its leader. While I may not have been able to stop him then, I am here now to ensure that the Pack does not suffer at the hands of corruption any longer.”

Logan stands beside me, silent but imposing. I feel his presence as a shield, a reassurance that I am not alone in this. His eyes meet mine briefly, giving me a small nod. It’s enough to remind me that courage is contagious, that power is strengthened when shared.

“I may not be in the office full-time,” I continue, raising my chin slightly, letting the authority in my voice resonate, “but as Luna Queen, I will keep my eye on all of you. I will hold you accountable. I will ensure that this Pack, our Pack, is respected again, restored to the place it deserves to be.”

A few of the employees shift in their seats, exchanging nervous glances. I can feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy, but I don’t falter.

“Some of you helped protect my father’s misdeeds,” I say, letting the words settle like stones. “I know it. I see it. But this is not about punishment alone. It’s about correction. It’s about righting what has been wronged and making our Pack honorable again.”

I take a deep breath, feeling the energy of my wolf stir beneath my skin. It’s a warmth, a fire, a presence I can no longer ignore. I let it ripple through me, subtle but undeniable, and I feel the employees notice it too. Their eyes widen slightly as I continue:

“My wolf has awakened,” I say, letting the words hang in the air. “All I ask for is your cooperation. Not out of fear, but out of respect for what this Pack should be. Together, we can rebuild, restore, and protect what is ours. But it starts with honesty, integrity, and accountability.”

The room is quiet for a long moment. Then, one by one, the employees begin to speak.

“We’re sorry,” a man says, voice low, almost a whisper. “We should have done more. We shouldn’t have let him get away with it.”

“I apologize as well,” a woman adds, head bowed slightly. “I wasn’t brave enough to speak out. I see now that I should have.”

The words echo around the room, a chorus of regret, acknowledgment, and a tentative commitment to change. I feel a small smile tug at my lips, though it is tempered by the gravity of what has transpired.

“It’s okay,” I laugh softly, a warm, ironic sound that fills the room, and it surprises even me, “the past is in the past. What matters now is what we do from this moment forward.”

There’s a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle lightening of tension. I see the relief, the acknowledgment that while I hold power, I am not here to destroy them, only to guide and protect. It’s strange, the way my wolf’s presence — my power — can traverse both the past and the present, illuminating truths and inspiring change.

Logan’s hand finds mine again, a steady anchor. I squeeze it gently, feeling his support, his unwavering belief in me, and it strengthens my resolve.

“Thank you,” I whisper to him, more to myself than anyone else. “I couldn’t do this without you.” He presses his lips to my temple, a quiet, grounding gesture.

“You could do anything,” he says softly. “You’re strong enough to face this and everything that comes after.”

I nod, letting the words sink in. My gaze drifts across the room, lingering on each person who has now acknowledged their part in the Pack’s misdeeds. There is a strange sense of justice in the acknowledgment, but also a deeper, more personal satisfaction. I have confronted the past, not just as a child powerless against her father’s tyranny, but as a Luna Queen wielding authority, compassion, and insight.

I glance down at Peter, who is still resting peacefully on the mat. My chest swells with a mixture of love, pride, and the quiet relief of knowing that his future is no longer tethered to the lies and greed of those who should have protected it.

I feel the faint ripple of my wolf again, a whisper of power and clarity, and I chuckle softly, shaking my head at the irony. My abilities have allowed me to see the past, witness the truth, and now, in this very moment, shape the present.

It’s strange, almost poetic, the way my powers intersect with justice. I can laugh at the complexity, at the intertwining of past and present, and still feel grounded in the reality of what I’ve accomplished.

The employees murmur their final apologies, a chorus of contrition and commitment. I smile, letting the warmth of satisfaction wash through me.

“It’s okay,” I say again, voice gentle but firm. “The past is behind us. What matters now is what we do together, as a Pack, as a family, as a community. Let’s make this Pack respectable again.”

I see nods, small but meaningful gestures of agreement, and I feel a quiet pride settle into my chest. Logan squeezes my hand, his gaze full of admiration, and I know that, together, we can face whatever comes next.

For the first time in years, I feel truly free—not just from my father’s influence, but from the fear, the guilt, and the powerlessness that once defined my childhood. I have my family, my Pack, and the knowledge that I can shape the future. And for the first time, I allow myself to fully embrace it.