The Secrets We Keep

Ayanna I hoped everything would work out. Michael was a great alpha and mate. He was an even better father. I saw his love for our children as he played with them in the back of the Pack house. My heart melted as my mate looked up at the window and saw me admiring him from my office. I could hear the familiar voice of a male talking to me but I couldn't make out what he was saying, being preoccupied by the beautiful site of my family being happy running around without a care in the world. "Are you even listening girl?" Alpha Demetrius of the White Moon pack, questioned me as I came back to reality. "Yes, Alpha, I heard you. But at the moment, my mate is preoccupied with his pups. If you'd like to schedule a meeting with him, you are more than welcome to." I never appreciated the lack of respect from alpha Demetrius. The only good thing that came from his arrogance, was the alliance that came with him. Demetrius wanted an audience with all the packs in this region, in hopes to prevent a war rogues were hoping to start. Marcus, my uncle, was the beta to Demetrius, so we usually had some idea about when they were to make an unexpected visit. Marcus was extremely loyal to White Moon and us. Marcus had an amused look on his face and irked Demetrius instantly. "Something funny Marcus?" He cleared his throat, trying to stifle his chuckle. "Mmm no sir, I was just admiring my niece's glow, and my nephew's growing home." I chuckled at how endearing my uncle was, and how he never failed to laugh at the wrong time. My Amarie was the same way, always laughing. The aging alpha nodded at Marcus, who bowed to me respectfully, "Luna, thank you for your time." "Uncle, it's always a pleasure." I returned my uncle's respect as he turned to follow suit and leave. As they were leaving, I made sure to link Liam to schedule a meeting with Demetrius and surrounding packs. There has been an increase in rogues lately and it has been becoming a safety issue since our pack was growing. I was so busy with emails, I didn't even notice my handsome mate coming in. "Hello love," my head sprang up to see his beautiful green eyes and million dollar smile, "you look tense." "Did you enjoy your day off?" If I didn't make him take a day to enjoy his children, life would pass him bye. "As a matter of fact, I did. Thank you." I started to adjust to getting out of my seat, but before I could, he was already bringing me to my feet. I scrunched my face at him for not letting me help myself. All this ever did was give me a smile. He wrapped his arms around me, and took my scent in with a deep breath. "Mmm.... you ma'am smell positively excited right now?" This made me laugh, my hormones ran wild during pregnancy and he knew it. Actually, I'd say he rather enjoys it and takes it to his full advantage. "Oh please do not start going at it with the door open." My brother's voice interrupted, and I couldn't help but laugh. " A meeting is scheduled as requested, the surrounding pack Alphas should be here within three days." "Thank you Liam. How is Amelia?" Michael asked in hopes his sister was pregnant with a boy, since they already had Audrey. Elias needed a best friend. He had Amarie but they fought to unusual ends. I can go on about how special my children are, but I guess every pup has the potential to be. But Amarie and Elias need to be separated before they start. Strange things happen, I guess you could say. "She's good man. But it looks like I'm a girl dad. Ame is happy Audrey gets a best friend, so it works out." He smiled. "What?! Aww man you are so screwed!" Michael couldn't help but poke fun at him. "No but, on a serious note brother, congratulations." Michael was a big soft pup when it came to the littles. "Well, now that the day is over, time for bed, my beautiful Midnight Moon. You and this soon-to-be born boy need some rest. Thank you Liam for helping your sister with her busy day." "Anytime man." I had always been close to my big brother, and he was always very protective of me. "You guys get some rest and I'll see you both tomorrow." As we went our separate ways in the hall, Michael decided he wanted to get caught up with everything. Once I finished telling him about today's events, we showered and went to bed. Tomorrow we had to plan for about six alphas and about five guards each to visit. The next few days leading up to the meeting were hectic. Demetrius was non stop calling. Michael was just about over it and finally decided to screen his calls. Alpha Rolland, from the Silver Moon pack, came a day early to help Michael prep all of the info gathered about the rogue issue they had both come across. "Michael, I'm telling you it has to be Demetrius! Why else would he go through all the trouble to meet with you?" Rolland was one of our most trusted allies. He was also Michael's Godbrother. "But why rogues? What use are they? Obviously, they have zero use for breaching any territorial borders, so what are they trying to do?" I agreed with him. No one but us knows about our kid's powers. We also have the largest number of warriors in our region. "Look Michael, Hunter's Moon may be well guarded, but there are always threats from the inside. I don't want your pups to end up on the wrong side of this possible war. They are quite literally the next step in our evolution." I hated to hear such things being said about my children. "Enough! The rest of the alpha council will be here early tomorrow and we will be able to discuss this further, but as of now my children stay out of any talk of war. Are we all clear?" Everyone in the room nodded and cleared out when they still sensed my agitation. All but Naya and Michael left the conference room. I loved Naya, she was from our pack originally and then when she found Rolland was her mate, she went to his pack and became Luna. She had a hard time adjusting, given she wasn't in the top ranks of our pack, but I thought when she found her groove she was meant for it. "I'll get you some tea, maybe it'll help you relax since madness is all around us right now." Ugh its like she knows me. "Naya, you are literally my hero." She headed for the kitchen, leaving me and Michael. He was lost in his thoughts and didn't seem to notice I was still present. "Come back to me." He was still in his head. I cupped his face in my direction. "Come back to me." He sighed and pulled me into his embrace. The comfort made our pup kick and squirm. Michael felt it and got so his face was level with it. He whispered to our unborn son quietly. Even after four years, I still felt like everyday was the first with him, and he never looked at me any less either. He looked up at me and if I didn't know him any better I'd say it looked like he looked like he had tears ready to fall. As he stood, he pulled me close and I felt a sudden pain stem through my mid section. It was followed by a sudden sound of what sounded like water. Michael stepped back, he looked confused at first. But we both realized what was going on. "Oh baby it's go time!" He swooped me up and took off running. I couldn't help but laugh at his excitement. "Michael, wait, we need the bag!" I tried to convince him to take a pause and grab the stuff we packed for the hospital. Of course, he didn't listen and kept running with no way for me to stop him. "No time babe I got a son to see!" All I could do was laugh at how silly and fun he still was even right now. He barged through the doors and the first face we saw was his sister. She smiled the same million dollar smile that all the Montoya family was blessed with. "A little excited there, brother? I see you wasted no time making a mad dash here." She giggled, knowing exactly what a goof her brother was. "Ame, no time for jokes. An alpha pup is on its way!" "And as always so full of yourself." She laughed as she led us to the wing of the hospital they designated for high-rank members of the pack. "I'll link Liam and let him know his nephew will be here so he can get here and let Gamma take charge until the little man is here. Once the luna and pup are cleared, you lot can go back to leading the pack." "Oh, tell him to get my bag! It's by the door and I want my comfy clothes for when I can change!" They all walked out talking amongst themselves as if they didn't hear me. Ugh, I swear it's like I don't exist when my children are born. And I don't even have my phone to call anyone! That's it, they all hate me. I got up and went to change into the dreadful hospital gown Ame left on the bed for me to change into, and it wasn't without attitude. I was fully aware no one was around to feel my annoyance. I must say I was kind of a spoiled brat at some points, but I blame Michael for that. He made sure I felt like a queen.... that is until it came to the pups. I decided to try and nap before all the magic happens, literally. I was hoping this birth was at least kind of normal. The room glowed for the last pups. It was like the moon and starlight combined and each of the pups absorbed it. I knew our line was blessed, but it's been generations since any were born with any types of blessings. We had a sister that was born in the same light but she didn't live past her first birthday. She was sick and weak. Liam and I tried all we could to help her but there wasn't any saving her no matter how hard we tried. I didnt even notice I had fallen asleep for what I'm guessing was a couple of hours because once I woke up, Amelia was prepping everything for the pup to arrive soon. I noticed Michael looked slightly panicked and then he noticed I was awake. "Hello love," I told him when he got to my side, " what's going on?" He looked at me confused, like I was missing something. "Baby you were on the floor by the bed when we came back inside. You...... you were bleeding." I looked around and then to the floor and saw the pool of blood just like Michael said. I felt panic start to build. What the hell happened? I started to realize I felt light-headed and heavy. There was an oxygen tube on my face and a monitor was beeping. s**t, the baby! Is he ok? What happened, and why was i bleeding? Michael noticed my panic and held my hand. "He's OK, beautiful, but you have to get ready to push or he won't be." "Hey, momma, I'm glad you're awake." Ame started with a smile. "Ok girl, you've lost a lot of blood, I don't know what's going on yet but we have to get the pup out so we can make sure you are both taken care of. Got it?" I nodded as I felt the pains of my contractions intensify. The room started a faint glow but it wasn't nearly as bright as the last pups, and Michael noticed. I could hear someone saying for me to push and then it all faded. I heard what I thought must have been Michael's voice calling me from far away and then silence fell. I heard the beeping again but that was it. "Come back to me." I heard his voice break the silence, and I blinked. It was bright and my eyes were sensitive. "Please." I could hear pain in his voice. I groaned at the sore feeling in my abdomen, and in my head. I looked to my right and I saw his bright green eyes fill with tears and hurt. He started to sob uncontrollably as he stood and reached for me to pull me into a hug. "What happened?" I was finally able to speak. "You left me. I-I was scared, and I'm sorry my love, they couldn't..... They couldn't save him. Amelia tried but nothing worked. His light went into him but he cried for only a second, and then he went silent and cold." He was so frantic he was speaking so fast I wasn't sure if I heard him right. I felt my chest tighten. As I tried to get up, Michael grabbed me and pulled me to him. I screamed and thrashed, trying to get out of his embrace. Everything burned , I could feel his pain and it only intensified my chest tightening. "LET ME GO!" I screamed so loudly and so intensely. I could literally feel my throat going raw from it. "Shh, calm my love." He whispered to me as he held on with every bit of strength he had. "No, no, no! He can't Michael! My baby!" I went limp and let Michael try to soothe me. It felt like hours before anyone else came in. I had already changed into my discharge clothes. I didn't want to be in this place anymore, I wanted to go home. I wanted to be alone, and I felt awful because of it. Michael, on the other hand, didn't. He had always been that way though, he could never be alone when hurting. I was sure he deserved a better mate than me. When someone finally did come in, it was Amelia. "I'm sorry Luna. I failed him and you." She bowed out of respect, which only hurt more. She wasn't just a member of the pack, she was my best friend. I stood up and walked over to her and pulled her up for a hug. Once I had her, she started crying. I knew she hurt. He wasn't just any pup, he was her nephew. "In time, this will pass." I looked at Michael and let him know I wanted to go home. He did as I wished, and got everything we had and we headed out. The alpha council met, and Michael faced them alone. I wasn't ready to deal with any of the issues they had to bring forward at the moment, and Michael needed to get his mind off of everything. He did what he had to do for a few weeks. Extra meetings were scheduled, more training sessions, and just all around, extra everything. After a few weeks, I was trying to move on myself. I was sitting watching my children from the reading nook I had set up in our room. My heart throbbed as I imagined the boy who should have started his life and grown up with them. I wiped my tears as they all looked up at my window and saw me. Their guard was an overgrown pup himself, but one of our best warriors. Aaron had a family once, a human mate, which was rare. Children as well, but they were all born human. No wolf abilities whatsoever. She left him and took the littles with her, which is why he takes pride in being their guardian. He watched over the high-ranking pups, and they loved him like they would love an uncle. I received a link from Liam letting me know that Amelia was in labor. Just as I was about to respond, Michael came busting in through the door. "We need to leave now!" I heard the panic in his voice. "What is going on?" But instead was answered by screams instead. I turned and went back to the window and saw rogues everywhere. Many of our pack were in wolf form, already defending what was ours. "Michael the kids!" I watched in fear as Aaron shifted and knelt down as four of the children climbed up and he ran. One of our other guards in human form ran and grabbed other pups playing and ran after Aaron. I turned around, and ran with Michael and met Aaron and the pups on the stairs. "Momma!" Amarie shouted as she jumped off Aaron and ran straight to me. I hugged her, looked at her and the rest of the little ones over to make sure no harm was done to any of them. "Take them and hide them. There is a masking potion in their room. Behind the dresser there is a passage that'll lead out past the border. You get them to White Moon!" I yelled at Aaron. I looked at Michael and we ran down to where the horror was taking place. We saw my brother's wolf already in action making his way tearing through every rogue that crossed him. Michael wasted no time on his shift. His silver wolf was a beast. He ran to lead as many of them as he could in his direction and our warriors followed along with the rogues set on taking him down. Amelia flashed into my mind and I was struck with fear and worry. I ran as fast as I could in my human form. I was almost there when a blue, gray-colored wolf jumped out in front of me. And I recognized it. "Naya? What the hell?" I was confused, and she shifted back. "Hello Ayanna. Going somewhere?" She smiled and I realized she wasn't here to help. I have never felt so betrayed. It must have been apparent on my face because she began to laugh. "It was you and Rolland, these wolves.. they aren't just rogues, some are from your pack. Why, what did we do to you?" She laughed and went on about what was best for the packs, they wanted to combine the packs. And then the main reason for this was my pups. "You see Ayanna, Michael, let us know about your lineage. The blessings from Selene, and about how your pups were the first in generations to be blessed. You and Michael aren't cut out to raise them, neither are Liam and Amelia. You want to hide their powers, control them, when you should use them. Imagine the possibilities!" The thought of my pups in harms way infuriated me, the thought of them being used for personal gain even more so. "No? Well I can, and they're just a bonus, I have my sight set on you and Michael." She took a step back and shifted, she lunged at me and, without even a second thought, I dodged her attack and was able to jump on her back and squeezed around her neck. She thrashed and tried to escape my grip, but before she could, I felt a pop and she went limp. I released her and turned to run inside. Once I entered the building, I heard a painful howl ring through the halls and my heart broke instantly, and I could feel the pain. It was my brother. My knees buckled and I fell. It couldn't be true I ran to the high rank wing. As I ran, I noticed bodies and blood everywhere. They ripped everyone in the building to pieces. I finally made it to the room my best friend was in only to see the gore that had Naya's stench all over. The sight was terrifying, and would be etched forever in my mind. And there on the bed laid my best friend's lifeless body. "No, no Amelia wake up!" I shook her but she wouldn't wake up. "No! I'm sorry, Ame, please don't leave me! I need you still!" I pulled her into my arms and that's when I felt movement. I looked up hoping she was breathing, but I realized it wasn't her. It was her unborn pup. I wasted no time and started to look for a scalpel. Once I found one, I looked at her face and I made her a promise to take care of her pup like my own. I kissed her forehead and went to work trying to perform a sorry-looking cesarean. I wasn't a doctor but I did what I could and managed to pull the pup from her. I pulled HIM from her. I grabbed a suction bulb from the table and cleared any fluid from his airway and that's when I heard it. He cried. "Hello handsome. Your momma waited a long time for you, but we thought you were a she." Amelia had picked out a name for a girl so I had to think of something new. Adrian. As I was wrapping him, I felt a sharp pain in my chest worse than the one I felt from my brother, and heard a pack wide howl. The pain was so intense I almost dropped the pup. Thats when I realized. It was for Michael. He fell and the pain I was feeling was his death. I clutched my chest and I knew I was running out of time. Tears flowed uncontrollably as I ran back to the pack house, hoping to make it to Aaron before he was gone. I made it back inside the house and there was blood and death everywhere. My pack was slaughtered. I was making my way to the stairs when I heard a crash from the kitchen. I ducked and went to hide in the closet under the stairs. I heard someone crying and quietly calling for help in hopes that someone would hear, just hoping the rogues didn't hear her. I peaked out and saw it was my cousin, the Gamma's mate. "Iris?" "Oh my goddess Ayanna, you're alive!" "Iris, where is Carter?" She looked down and clutched her chest. She didn't have to say anything else. I knew what she was feeling. "Okay Iris, I need you to listen to me okay. We need to get to the pup's room. There's a way out through a tunnel. It's behind the big dresser." She nodded and we made our way up and silently crept up to the room. We heard a groan coming from the omega wing of the house. I instructed Iris to continue up to the room and gave her the baby. Once she was on the move, I went to investigate the sound. If any of my pack members were alive I would get them out. I made it to the conference room and I found alpha Demetrius and his son Raymond along with one of their guards. They were injured and weren't moving. "Alpha Demetrius, you need to get up." I shook him and Raymond. When their guard finally came to, I sent him after Iris to be with the kids. When he left, I focused back on the alpha and his son. Raymond woke up first. "What happened?" He looked at me and then his father "s**t, Demetrius.......Dad?!" "Raymond shh please. I don't know if they're still here." I was choking back sobs and he noticed. "Luna, what happened?" "They're all dead. And I have to get to the pups. You have to get back to your packlands, be ready for them to get there." I tried to explain what happened but I forgot to mention Rolland and Naya being behind all this, but I figured I could explain the rest when we all met up back at White Moon. "Ayanna, go to your pups. I'll get him out. You guys get back to White Moon and you will be safe. We had an alliance with Michael and Hunter's moon pack. We will honor it." I thanked him and made it up to the pups room. As I was about to walk to the dresser I caught Rolland's scent. It stopped me dead in my tracks and I turned around to see him standing there holding Naya's limp body. "She's alive Ayanna." He looked hurt but more evil than anything. I was terrified, but then my mate's face flashed in my head, and all i felt was fury. "So, what's your plan, Rolland? Michael is dead, the pups are gone. You failed." "Oh no, no, I killed the alpha of this pack. Its now only a matter of time before one of those pups cries and causes a hurricane or snow where it doesn't belong, and that'll tell me exactly where they are. I'll find them, Ayanna, no matter where they go. I'll be able to find them, one way or another. All that is left in my way is you." Rolland placed Naya down and turned to me. This room was too small to shift, so he stayed in his human form. He made his way towards me and I readied myself. I spun into a kick that was meant for his face but he caught it. Without any effort, he threw me across the room into the brick wall over the fireplace. I hit the floor and saw the poker meant to stoke the fire. It was made out of silver to keep the pups from touching it. I looked at Rolland, who had a smirk I couldn't wait to tear off his face. I shook off the pain, and quickly grabbed the silver poker. In a few swift moves, I threw it. It went straight into his upper torso with ease from the amount of force I threw it with. He dropped down and yelled out from what I could only imagine, considering the burn on my hand, the most agonizing pain. I had an advantage now, and I started to make my way to him to finish the murderous traitor. "Ayanna." I heard Naya from behind me. I turned around ready to finish her as well, but I suddenly felt a burning on my neck. I held my throat and looked at her hand. She had a glove on holding what looked like a knife that had a silver blade that was covered in wolfsbane. I felt myself gurgle and warm liquid ran down my chest. I fell to my knees and Naya walked to Rolland. I started to tingle. I'm sure it was from the poison coursing through me, but all I could think of was my pups, and then my mate's voice rang through my ears. "Come back to me." Then there was nothing.