Broken Halves

Chapter Twenty-Four

Taking Emilio's advice, I sit down on the office couch leaving Faolan in Jorden's arms. Emilio takes a moment to briefly run his hands over his face before he as well sits down in one of the two chairs that are stationed in front of the desk.

"Lupi Silenziosi" Jorden visibly stiffens at the Brazilian's words and pulls Faolan closer to his chest. "Let me explain Alpha." Emilio says, glancing upwards at Jorden briefly. Jorden nods after a while of looking at Faolan.

"They are perceived to the wolf population as a group of ruthless and murderous wolves who kill for pure enjoyment, but it is all a front." I can tell by the shift in Jorden's body language that the information piques his attention.

"The Moon Goddess herself created the stories of the group so that their true purpose could remain hidden." Emilio continues. He takes a moment to stare us both in the eyes before he speaks again. "The both of you are sworn to secrecy for the group still exists today." Jorden tenses and I know the news surprises him. Emilio however doesn't wait for his words to settle as he begins his story once again.

"We were all chosen at 16 by the Moon Goddess to be members of the team. Cole was our leader. We knew each other's true identity, but we only met for missions and used code names to help remain covert. Upon admittance we are all sworn to secrecy and that is why Alpha and Luna you never knew." He holds eye contact with both of us as he explains why Cole had kept a secret from us.

"Cole led our group until the day he died. I took over when we heard the news and I felt it my duty to disclose to truth to you both." Jorden shifts in his chair, intrigued but still guarded as Emilio rambles on.

"Are we ruthless? The answer is yes. Are we murderous? In some situations. Truly, Lupi Silenziosi is a group of hand-picked warriors who uphold the duty of protecting the werewolf race. We go on missions where we take down illegal wolf rings and we stop government testing. We protect from the shadows." Emilio pauses and clasps his hands together in his lap.

"Cole was the best leader we could have ever asked for and I only can imagine he was an even better Alpha." I nod silently at his words as they process in my mind. Cole was even stronger and more heroic than I had ever known him to be. Instantly, the ache in my chest intensifies as I think of all that he had done for others in his lifetime.

Lost in my thoughts, I am surprised to see Emilio on his knees kneeling in front of me as I never even registered his movements. "Luna," he begins with his head bowed out of respect. "Cole was a truly remarkable man and he always put his team before others. You should have seen how he lit up once he found you. You truly were the core of his strength. If he was unbeatable before, he was an irresistible force once he had you at his side. When Cole fought he fought to protect you and that only made the man so much more admirable and fierce." Emilio looks up so our eyes lock as me mutters his final words to me, "He truly did love you Luna." A few tears escape from my eyes at Emilio's speech. Not allowing me time to wallow, Emilio lightly kisses my hand before standing and turning his attention to Jorden.

"Alpha, he truly loved you as well. There wasn't a single time I saw him where he wasn't fighting an internal battle. He hated having to lie to you Jorden. You were his brother in so many more ways than I was. He understood his duty to our people and our Goddess, but he resented the fact that he had to withhold information from you." Jorden sits up and I can see that his own eyes glisten with unshed tears.

"When each member gets inducted into the team they prepare final words for their loved ones in case they do not make it back from a mission. For the longest time Alpha, Cole only had something for you. But, a few weeks before his passing, something for the Luna was added into the mix. I have them here with me today for you both." Emilio gestures to his coat pocket before pulling out two envelopes one with each of our names printed on the front in Cole's script. Emilio places them both on the corner of the desk before turning towards the door. "Thank you for allowing me to speak Alpha and Luna I'll leave you now."

"Wait!" I shout while jumping up and grabbing Emilio's arm just before he steps out of the office. "Please stay. We can arrange a room for you and you'd be welcome to stay forever if you wished." Emilio smiles at me before shaking his head. "I appreciate the kind gesture Luna but I am afraid I have my own duties back home that I must return to." His eyes shine in a way that I know all too well and my heart clenches for the pain I know the man is experiencing.

"Your mate," I ask quietly. "What happened?" Emilio quickly masks his look of surprise before answering me honestly. "She is human Luna, much like you. I met her when we were young, but at last her father had other ideas. She was forced into a marriage and I must watch from the distance." His eyes drift over my head to look at Faolan.

"You have a child." I conclude. He nods, "A daughter, Maria, named after my mother. Liza and I, we were together before her Father ripped her away from me. She was pregnant at the time of the marriage and she hid it from me until much later when I forced it out of her." He looks down as his shoulders slump. "It is a situation I am working on." I nod in understanding while placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Good luck Emilio, you are a good man and you are welcome here anytime." I smile up at him and he returns it with a genuine look of gratitude. "Thank you Luna." He says while slipping on his long coat and hat. He turns one more time to look at Jorden with Faolan on his lap happily gurgling. "He is going to have a long journey ahead of him. Protect him while you can." Jorden nods in Emilio's direction before the Brazilian slips out the door.

Sighing, I close the office door and turn to look at Jorden. He has his goofy smirk on his face that I haven't seen in a while since he has become Alpha. "What is it?" I ask a smile of my own taking over my features. Jorden kisses Faolan's head before responding to me, "Even in the death the bastard continues to surprise me." Neither one of us hold back our smiles as in true Jorden fashion, he spoke the truth. Even in death, Cole is continuing to leave us surprises.

Question of the Day: What do you guys think of the Lupi Silenziosi?

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