Silvershore

Chapter Twenty-Four

That night, Stormjay and Bright Moon lied in their den, with Bright Moon's head on Stormjay's chest as Stormjay's tail and front leg wrapped around her body.

"I couldn't imagine something like this happening to me..." Stormjay sighed. "Imagine how lonely it would be, being an invisible ghost, wandering the earth alone. Poor girl must be so confused..."

"I don't even understand how this could have happened. I've researched The Pack of the Stars my whole life, and I've never once encountered this possibility. The only reason I can think of that she wouldn't go up to The Pack of the Stars is...is that she was a really bad person. But, I remember her, and she wasn't! Of course, no one really knows what happens to bad people, but they don't go up to The Pack of the Stars, as we never receive visions or dreams with any of them in it. I'm wondering if that's what happens to terrible people, and, unless she did something really, really wrong in her lifetime that locked her out of The Pack of the Stars...there may have been some sort of mistake?" Bright Moon caught her breath after talking quite quickly.

"I don't believe that she'd do anything so bad that it would lock her out of The Pack of the Stars. I find that hard to believe. There must have been some sort of mistake...but, how could The Pack of the Stars make a mistake?!"

"That's what I'm confused about! Why would they let this happen to her?" She paused. "I guess the wolves in The Pack of the Stars don't really control who goes up there and who doesn't...it's just based on if you're a decent person. Not even just a decent person...just, basically, don't kill anyone innocent without really good reason...like, that's basically the only rule. Don't murder. You don't even have to believe in the pack. Just...don't be evil!...I got off topic there. But, you know what I mean. Adira wouldn't kill anyone innocent without reason...right?"

"I don't think she'd do that." Stormjay shook his head. "I guess we'll just have to wait to see what happened someday..."

"Hopefully soon." Bright Moon puffed. "Oh, hey...did you wanna tell me what's going on with you?" She asked. "Like...what happened to you last week? With your mom?"

"Oh..." Stormjay sighed. "She just...she's made mistakes. It's fine."

"If you don't wanna talk about it, that's okay, but just remember that I'm not only your partner - I'm your best friend! I'd never tell anyone anything you didn't want me to, or judge you for anything!"

"Thank you...you're so sweet." Stormjay chuckled a little. "Alright, I guess I'll tell you what happened." He cleared his throat. "So, she's admitted to seeing Aries in the past, but...what she failed to tell me and Sky is that Aries is our dad. Not Wood."

"...So, it's true." Bright Moon sighed. "He's...really your dad..."

"But, the thing is...she swore Aries wasn't our father. She just...she's been lying to Sky and I our entire lives. Just...I know Aries was a good person before Daruk took control. I mean, I was told his personality was pretty similar to Sky's, and that means, like, he was the sweetest guy ever. But...I don't know. I still have a really bad association with Aries for some reason..! I want Wood to be my real dad. He's just...he's got me through so much, supports me unconditionally, and literally drops everything to take care of me. And not just me, he does that for everyone! Good example of that is when after my mom told me everything about Aries, I was having a panic attack in our den, and as soon as he found out about it, he came and comforted me for I don't even know how long! He's...he's my father. And...one of the best people I've ever met. I don't care that we aren't even related biologically, Wood is my father! Not Aries!" Stormjay gasped for air after he finished, as he had talked for quite a bit without taking a breath in between words.