Blood Moon Rising

Chapter Nine || The Pyre

The walk back was painfully quiet. Valus wouldn't look at him and the others were keeping silent as well. Probably because this tension could be cut with a damn butter knife.

They had returned to the campsite to gather their things and allow Xander some time to change. Valus never left Cora's side. He did, however, overhear her speaking with Liam about the funeral as well as taking time to speak to her father about her memories.

Just what kind of things did that man tell her..? She had stared at him on those dungeon stairs with such anger that all he could do was stare at her back. And that thing about him taking her memories in the past, Xander felt ashamed to say he couldn't tell her honestly that he never had. Somehow he would find a way to make this right.

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Discreetly, all of them made it to the Valus' house. Alpha James came down the stairs quickly, taking in the sight around him. He stepped back as Kane came forward with Cora. "What... happened?" James asked, walking over to Cora and brushing back her hair. "Novan." Valus spit the name out with a scratchy voice, one that came from crying a lot. Xander's heart was aching for her but right now he could not give her what she needed.

One name could turn a man's eyes dark with anger, "That monster... Did this to her..." James growled, a sound rippling through his chest. He straightened and looked at Liam, "You take her body to the morgue to be cleaned and prepared. The funeral will take place tomorrow. Kane, would you accompany him?" Kane nodded and followed Liam out. Remus watched as they left, finally speaking out, "I have something to do, if you don't mind Alpha." He spoke quietly to Xander and with another nod, Remus sulked out.

Valus turned to her father, and Xander knew what was coming next. "We need to talk." The words came out hushed but angry. Alpha James looked her over before motioning her towards the study. Even he knew right now was not the time to try to stifle her. Xander followed, he didn't care if she made him stand outside the door; he was not leaving her alone again.

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Entering the study, Valus stopped and Xander shut the door as James made his way to his desk chair. After he sat he looked at her, "What did he tell you?"

Valus glared, "Why did you take me from them?" James looked away, "The elders told of the prophecy long after your parents had been banished from the pack. Cassidy and I knew that we needed to find you. To stop you from being raised in... that life." He paused briefly, "Your mother dying was never part of the plan. They fought hard to keep you even knowing we were trying to give you a better life."

"So you just killed her?!" Valus' hands spread out around her in a questioning stance. "Did you even think of the repercussions? That some day I might just, I don't know, find out!" She was yelling. Xander stepped forward but Valus' head snapped around at him, "Don't."

"I do not have a good enough explanation for you!" James stood yelling back, "What do you want me to do, Valus? I'm sorry that you got to live a better life because of us. I'm sorry we wanted to give you alpha!" He was jabbing his finger into his desk, "What do you want from me?!"

Valus inhaled and said simply, "Give me my memories back." And James slumped into his chair, rubbing his temples. "Only the ones who can erase them can give them back." Xander perked up, "Then I can?" Anything. He would do anything to prove himself to her. Valus looked back at him, something flashing behind her eyes that he couldn't place.

"I'm sorry Xander but no, the original wolf who took them is the only one." James glanced at him. Xander's head dropped with a growl, of course that would be the case. He barely understood the ability as it was and he has no real idea on how to even begin to help her retrieve the one he did take.