The Shadow's Heir

Guilt and respect

I sat on a overstuffed red armchair as Damien returned, he looked at me, "Are you ok?"

I nodded, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because this is the first kill you had actually sanctioned your wolf to do."

"I'm fine."

Damien kneeled in front of me, "No you're not. I know how difficult it is when you spill blood for the first time."

I redirected my eyes out the window, I couldn't deny the guilt that clouded my mind. I closed my eyes only to see Sebastian's lifeless body at my feet, I opened my eyes and looked at Damien, tears threatening to overflow.

"I feel guilt. Not pain. Not regret. Guilt." I bit my lip and stared at the wall to my left, "I close my eyes and I see his bloody body." I turned back to him, sympathy filled his eyes, "I see a man who's life I took. Not an enemy. Not a killer. A man. And I can't see him without feeling guilty about what I did, even though I know it was to protect the people my father cared about. The people I barely know!" My voice grew louder with every sentence, Damien pulled me into his arms. I imagined that this would have been what hugging my father would have been like.

"We all know the feeling Angeline. We've all been through this." He pulled away but continued to stare in to my eyes, "You will get to know the people your father cared so much about. But don't forget, he cared about you more than the pack, you're his only child and he protected you with his life."

That didn't make me feel any better.

"You make it sound as if it's my fault he's dead."

I heard a deep growl come from Damien's throat, forcing me to continue looking at him.

"Don't you ever think that! It was Sebastian's fault. He took you and your mother. He killed your father."

"You can say what ever you want Damien, but now that I know the truth about my parents and my heritage...only I can decide what caused my parent's fate, no one else."

Damien nodded his head reluctantly, "I understand."

He stood up and held out his hand, "Come. You need to rest. Heal your body and mind."

"And spirit." I added as he supported my journey back to the bleak room I awoke in.

...........

I ran through the trees, back to the two storey house Damien healed me in. It's been a bit over a month and my body had finally healed; apparently my kind heal a lot faster than humans. As for my spirit? Not so healed. The guilt of Sebastian's death still surrounds me, his limp bloody body invading my dreams whenever my body tries to salvage sleep. The big brick house stood in one of the many clearings in the woods that the wolf pack occupied, it looked like it could've housed at least fifty people. Damien said that it's a hospital specific for those of us who aren't human, it's so we didn't have to explain the injuries and odd illnesses that only affected us, not humans. I jogged to the back of the hospital, finding the white robe I dressed in after a much needed run. I changed and covered myself, letting myself in through the back door. I saw Rosie working in the kitchen as always. She forced me to eat when I refused to, when I say 'forced' I mean she put a temporary charm on me. Rosie's an elf, like all those who care for the sick and injured, her pointed ears was a dead give away.

"Bonjour Rosie." (Hello Rosie)

"Morning Miss Valcourt. How are you feeling after that run around?"

"Much better."

"Good good. I expect you to eat a full bowl of casserole tonight, no excuses."

I giggled, "Why wouldn't I? It smells amazing!"

The scent of stewing meat and vegetables filled my nose, making my mouth water.

"Why thank you Miss... Also..."

I sighed, here we go.

"How are you sleeping? Are the periods getting longer or haven't they changed?"

"They're the same."

Rosie dried her hands on her white apron and turned to me, her eyes were an unnatural pale blue, her hair was white blonde and reached her waste in gentle waves.

"Angeline, as your friend, I am telling you that you need to talk to someone about these dreams. You go on like this."

"I know, just not yet. I'm not ready to talk about this."

She nodded, "I understand. You do know that I'm here when you're ready to talk?"

"I know, and I thank you so much."

She smiled her small gentle smile and turned back to her duties in the kitchen. I walked down the hall and up the stairs to my designated room, I shut the door and slid into a pair of skinny jeans and a purple t-shirt matched with a pair of converse. A knock echoed in the bleak room, "Come in."

Damien entered, I gave him a hug, the stubble on his jaw scratching my face. We parted, I was happy to see him but there wasn't a smile on his face.

"What's wrong?"

"The pack requested a meeting, now."

"Where?"

"Here, they're downstairs right now, waiting for you."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. Damien led me down stairs, where the pack members filled the room. Adults and children, all were present.

The woman with red hair, Kathleen, stepped forward, "Have you recovered."

"Yes."

"Good, then we can proceed."

Everyone took a seat, Damien gestured for me to sit in the red arm chair as he sat on the floor. I looked in to the faces of the people my father vowed to protect, they have seen so much violence during Sebastian's rule, I could see it in their eyes. I turned to Kathleen, "Please, continue."

She nodded, obviously not use to the politeness, "We gather here to discuss the change of power. We need to discuss the changes that come with it."

She turned to me, awaiting an answer to her introduction.

"Oh. Well, I don't know much of how this pack was run. Could you possibly give me a run down of what the 'rules' were?"

Damien looked up at me, "He only really made them up as he went. Basically, it was his way or the highway. You never had say and if you defied him you paid with your life."

I looked across the room, all those faces shared sadness and fear.

"Right then. During my time as pack leader, everyone here gets a say. Decisions will be based on majority. No matter the outcome, I will respect your choice and will not use my power of authority to go against you. Everyone here is equal."

"What of the Hunters?" asked a middle aged man, "Sebastian was always against them."

"We will respect the Hunters and their authority in Fae Law, which I am yet to be briefed on. However, if a situation only concerns our pack and does not affect the rest of the population, Fae or human, we as a pack will handle it."

Damien smiled at me, "All in favour?"

Every member held up their right hand. I felt a sense of respect come from them in waves, I understood the care and love my father had felt for them. I stood up, "I know that most of you remember my Father, I hear that he was a great man who would do anything to protect you all. I can't guarantee that I will leave up to my father's name and fill the hole his death has left, but I promise that I will try with all my heart and soul to protect you with my life."

An elderly man struggled to his feet, "You have already shown us that you are your father's daughter."

I couldn't stop the tear from running down my cheek. I've finally found my family.