The Full Moon Effect

Chapter 22: Justice and the Full Moon

"And like the moon, we

must go through phases

of emptiness to feel

full again."

*********

It took nearly a whole day for us to get authorization to fly back home. With our Advocate dead, Kanaya's recovery was top priority. Only she could inform the proper authorities of the events that had unfolded in the past twenty-four hours and it took a while for Kanaya's head to clear from the drugs. At first, she was groggy and grumpier than ever. She wouldn't stop biting the hand that fed her, and for a human, her teeth were pretty sharp. Her good eye was in a perpetual glare and I had half a mind to lace her food with more drugs so she'd go back to sleep. The irony was we needed her awake and clear headed for the task that was ahead.

Despite her frustrating behavior, I pitied for her. Her injury was caused because of wolves that had already caused her much pain. And as much as I wanted to rip her head off, I respected her. She didn't complain about the pain or whose fault it was that she would now bear a scar. She didn't even flinch when she looked in the mirror for the first time. She truly was more fierce than a lot of wolves I knew.

After her initial sleep though, it was clear that Kanaya's eye was merely scratched, although the scar up her eyelid and through her eyebrow was still raw and healing. Since receiving that news, she donned an eyepatch and got back to work as if nothing had happened.

A few of the wolves, including Bryton, had to purse their lips to keep from laughing at her eyepatch—but I made sure to slap them upside the head whenever I caught it. Kanaya and I had been on much better terms since she'd woken up. Whether it had been our conversation before Leyton's call or me defending her from Leyton, or a combination of the two, some trust had been built between us.

New temporary Advocates would be assigned to all the packs Cervantes had been over, including Connell's and ours. Kanaya would finish her apprenticeship elsewhere until she took her qualifications exam over the summer, then we'd have the opportunity to request her as our Advocate. Despite our history, we trusted her. Throughout all of this, loyalty remained the one thing that couldn't be bought. I knew it wouldn't be perfect relationship; we weren't best friends just because I'd saved her life. She still glared at me as best she could with half her face hidden between her eyepatch and bandages. But I knew I could count on her to be just. I knew she couldn't be intimidated by wolves who thought themselves better than her. I could put up with some attitude because she'd earned my respect. And I had a feeling that despite all her pretenses, I'd earned hers too. So by the time transportation was arranged, she gave me a cool nod and I returned it with upturned lips.

Jones lumbered down the porch toward me after shaking hands with Connell. Asena sent a soft smile my way, her eyes shining with gratitude as she gripped her mate's arm.

"Thank you again," Connell addressed our gathered pack, "for your claws and teeth. Your hearts have proved your pack loyal. I hope we will remain close friends. And if ever needed, you'll have an ally in us."

"May the full moon be witness of your commitment to justice," replied Jones, settling beside me.

I studied the couple as our wolves began packing up in the cars. Asena definitely came out better than Connell, whose face was still downcast and his eyes dull. Bandages covered his body but I knew the pain throbbing from his wounds was nothing from that coming from his heart. I took a deep breath and walked against the crowd towards the porch.

My foot toed the first step and I locked eyes with Connell. "You had so many opportunities to look the other way, to ignore the cries of Leyton's victims. You even had a chance to have a whole family again, yet you chose the right way over the easy way; I'll never forget that. Your pain is not in vain."