Those In The Forest

Part 93: Hazel

Looking at Reagan with shocked expressions, we all watched as she continued. "He would have done anything he wanted to me and not cared one bit about how I felt about it," she said, removing herself from our laps. She was getting riled up. "He and the witch told me he would keep me on the verge of life and death. Taunting you with me. Every time you got close to me, it would take me away. Leaving all of us miserable."

         Karina huffed. "He will get what is coming to him. His evil ways have spread across all the packs. No one will think us wrong for killing him or hurting him. He attacked our pack unprovoked. No one will care for him. His own son has written him off."

          Reagan glanced at Ivy. "would you hate me for killing him?"

          The question was valid. While we ignored the fact that Ivy was related to Alan, we all knew deep down there was a connection between them. And Ivy hated that part of her, hated being associated with him.

          Ivy looked away from Reagan for a second, pondering her question. Looking back at her, she answered. "No, I wouldn't. I honestly think I would love you more for getting him out of our lives."

          Something shifted in Reagan's eyes. Like relief and... worry.

          "Do you want a cop-out? Is that why you're asking that? Because you font really want to?" I asked, scared of her answer.

          I feel like she really does think she will be a horrible person if she gets revenge. The human side of her was causing a lot of harm to her, finally shifting over to her new werewolf life.

          "I want him to pay for what he did... I'm just... I'm scared of what will become of me after I do it. But then again, I feel like I will regret it if I let you all take this over. Like I wasted an opportunity to finally shift over to my new life." her brows furrowed.

          I knew it.

          "I was afraid of letting go of the human part of me." Celia started. "It was a part of me that I had known for years, and I didn't know what kind of person I would be if I forgot about that side of me. The thing is, though, when I finally came to terms with my new life, I felt no different. I was happier for sure, but I didn't mourn that part of me because it was never really me. I think you are trying to hold onto a part of you that never existed, and that's going to hurt you more than anything."

          Reagan stood there a minute, thinking over Celia's words. "You all have been so... accepting of me. In a very weird way, but even when you feared for my life and yours when I first arrived, you always made me feel welcome. I've never had that before, so I didn't know what to do with that attention." She frowned. "I'm angry I never met you all sooner, that I was put through so much shit with people who didn't even care if I was living or not. Alan made me feel human... you all make me feel alive, reborn, and fresh. You make me feel like you."

          We all looked at her, her confession sticking with us. It caused a tiny ache in my chest. Had we known she existed, known the endless possibilities involving her, we would have been out in the human world looking for her.

          Bringing her home.

          Reagan deserved the world. She deserved us. There was no doubt about it. We all loved her, even before we actually knew it.

          We could say it was the mating bond, but Reagan is remarkable. She entered our hearts, and I don't know what we would do without her.

Knowing her now, I don't even know how we lived before.

          "Fate is such a strange thing, wouldn't you say?" Karina said with a smile. "You've become a very special part of my life, Reagan. I glad my Runts disobeyed my orders and found you."

          Reagan laughed. "Almost caused me a heart attack."

           "It's up to you, Reagan. You can either do it yourself or tell us what you want done to him." Avah spoke so softly, trying to reassure Reagan that all of this talk was normal and she shouldn't feel like anything less than normal in this world. In our world.

          "I want to do it." She answered quickly. "I need this. And if things go to shit... I know you all will have my back."

          "Of course we will," I said with a small smile.

          "You'll soon learn packs cannot run on their own. If alone, the pack crumbles. We are on your side, Reagan. Always." Lennox smiled at her.

          Lennox has some favorites in my mating bond. Reagan was the favorite. I love to see it, though. I love knowing Reagan has more than just us backing her up. She deserves it.

           "We have to do it today, though. I might lose my nerve if I think too hard about it," she said, swallowing.

          Karina nodded her head. "Done. Today will be the day Alan gets what is coming to him. It will be the day when you can finally start fresh."

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Dean came into view. A one-handed Alan chained together.

          A thought came to my mind. Frowning at the scene before be, I turned to my mates.

          Every mating mark has a story. Ours... we couldn't figure it out. Not knowing just brought us to the point of giving up trying to find the reason behind it.

          Chain links down our backs. It never made sense. Every time we came up with some kind of idea as to why that was our mark, it seemed like nonsense.

          Was Alan the reason for our marks?

          Alan's mouth was gagged with a piece of cloth.

          Dean shoved Alan to the ground, making him grunt. "Here he is," Dean said, looking between us all.

          Reagan's mouth twitched. I was sure she was trying to keep from baring her teeth at them.

          "There he is," Reagan repeated.

          Dean looked at our Elders and Alphas, then over to Ivy. His face softened. "For what it's worth, Ivy... I'm sorry," he said, stepping away from Alan.

          Ivy gulped, looking between Alan and Dean. "An apology won't fix or change anything," she said angrily.

          He nodded his head. "I know. But I hope this will," he said, looking back at our Elders. Are we good now? Is my pack free from any hostility from yours?"

          Karina and Celia eyed him. "You made good on your promise. We'll strike the blood deal after we have handled Alan, per your agreement. You want us to trust you; you have to trust us." Karina offered.

          Dean nodded his head, looking down at his weak sire. He sighed. "Make him suffer." He looked up at Reagan. "He deserves it."

          "And what do you deserve?" Reagan asked tensely.

          Dean's eyes widened. "I've lost both my sister and sire. Have I not paid the ultimate price for his evil ways?"

          Reagan scoffed out a laugh. "Just his ways? You will not own up to your own foolishness?!" she snarled.

          He clenched his jaw. His eyes shifted between us all. Carefully, he stepped up to her. We all watched tensely as he dropped to his knees in front of her. "Forgive me, Reagan... til my last breath, I will make it up to you. You suffered the most from his hands, and because of that, you will be who I serve. I may not be in your pack, but my pack is there if you call upon us. You have my word."

          Reagan sneered. "Loyalty is what you have to offer me?"

          "Loyalty is all I have left." he sighed.

          Reagan looked Dean in the eye for a beat and then back at a scrambling Alan. She did not say anything. She just turned and walked away. 

A/N: As promised, five chapters in a row!! I'm fantastic, I know! Love ya! Hope you enjoyed each chapter!