Sam walked up to the Littlesea home.
He was happy to see Embry, Seth, Leah, Kim, Anna, Karen and Phyre there with Sue Clearwater. Paul and Jared were on patrols at the moment, probably run pretty ragged as Sam had rearranged schedules to account for so many not being able to phase for a while. He didn't want Leah, Phyre, Quil or Brady spreading too much information until it was all said and done. Of course, Quil and Brady had been out of town for a few days. Collin was grieving, and Leah and Phyre were on special assignments. So, it wasn't like they were on vacation. Yet, that did leave Jake, Embry, Seth, Paul and Jared to pick up the slack. Sam would have to make up for it after the pack meeting later.
"Hey guys." Sam greeted.
"So, are you going to explain?" Embry asked. He had been irritated with Phyre for keeping secrets. He understood she was under an alpha order, but it bugged him that Sam would ask that of her.
Sam nodded with a watery smile. "I will tonight at the pack-meeting. After that, patrols will be reworked. The girls, Quil, Brady and I will be joining and help to give the rest of you a break. However, I want to give Collin some more time."
Seth jumped in. "That's fair."
"Why are you here?" Collin's voice was harsh.
"To talk." Sam answered. His heart broke for the pain he saw in Collin's face.
Collin shook his head. "I don't want to hear more of your lies."
"Please Collin, can we talk privately?"
"Why? There is no one here but pack, and Sue. My mom is locked in her room crying herself to sleep. Everyone has come by, except for you, Emily, Quil, and my former best-friend." Everyone was shocked by Collin's anger toward his alpha.
Sam growled. "You damn well know why. We had to get answers first."
"Collin, sweetheart, perhaps you two should talk." Sue tried to sooth the younger wolf.
But, he stepped away from her touch and growled. "No. I won't listen to him create more slanderous stories about my brother. Have some respect for the dead. Or for my family and I as we grieve." Then he stormed away. Shaking as though he was close to phasing.
"They weren't lies!" Sam yelled.
With that, Collin ran back out of his house, phased in mid air and went straight for his alpha.
Sam barely had time to phase into his wolf form to defend himself. Scraps of fabric littered the lawn. The brown wolf charged for the midnight black of his alpha. The others moved the imprints into the house and away from the fighting wolves. Then Seth and Embry took off their clothes and phased as well, hoping to calm things down. But, they weren't needed. Sam had Collin pinned to the ground beneath him.
With an alpha command, everyone phased back. Sue found shorts for Collin and Sam while Embry and Seth re-dressed in the clothes they had taken off.
Sam went over to his tattered reminents of clothing and found the pocket that held the information that Collin needed to see.
"Where did you get that?" Collin's eyes grew wide as he saw the letter in Sam's hand.
"It was sent to Old Quil, we found it this morning." His brows creased.
Collin's breath froze as he grabbed it from Sam. "Mom got one today. Just before she locked herself in her room."
"Fuck." Sam snarled. "That means your brother probably outed you without realizing it."
"What?" Sue gasped as Collin growled.
"I don't know if the letters are the same. But, you need to read that Collin. No one was lying to you."
Collin opened the letter sent to Quil.
He collapsed as he read the words. "He didn't. He couldn't." He trembled in the rush of emotions.
Sam pulled the boy in as he broke into sobs. Learning that his brother had taken his friend from him so many years ago, only to give up his life to let her be free once more. The rest of the pack members joined in to sooth their young pack brother.
Carefully, Sam passed the letter to Sue so that she could try to comfort Collin's mother, armed with the truth.
Hours later, Rae sat in the spare bedroom of Sam and Emily's house once again.
She had been happy to see her parents. Yet, as she expected, they had tried to convince her to leave with them. She refused. She said that she wanted to live with her grandfather and help to care for him as he was getting older. He chuckled at the assumed need, but agreed that in a year or two, he would need the help and he was always happy to welcome family into his home.
Her mother had tried to push and Rae pushed back. "No mom. I have spent eight years away from home. Controlled. Terrified. I am finally free. To come home. To make my own decisions. And I chose La Push. I don't know anything about living in a big city like where you live. I wouldn't know where to start or what is safe. The idea of it terrifies me more than going back to that burned down cabin. La Push is safe. I know it. I need the quiet, simplicity of it. Please."
Her mother tearfully nodded.
"I would like it if you came home too. But, I understand if you have a life in California now. However, I hope you would come to visit me."
Her father hugged her tightly. "Baby, we aren't leaving yet. We will stay all week and see what we can work out for future arrangement. But, I support your choice. I am just happy you are home and safe. With family, if not with us."
They did stay for a while, until Gramps had suggested they go get settled into his guest room for the night.
Her parents wanted to have a barbecue to celebrate her being home. However, Rae declined. She didn't want the attention. And she didn't want to distract from the Littlesea's time of mourning. So, her parents quietly left.
Quil and Sam grilled up some burgers for everyone there and the rest of the pack, but kept things minimal and quiet.
After she ate, Rae went up to the room where she sat quietly.
While her parents were in town, she wanted them to stay at her grandfather's house. Emily said she could stay there. However, she wasn't ready to meet the pack. At a one on one level, she had gotten used to Phyre and Leah. Even to Brady. Sort of. She was alright with Quil. Sam still scared her. The others, she didn't know. However, she knew that she couldn't really handle more than two wolves. It was hard enough with Brady and Quil all afternoon. Even though Brady mostly stayed outside and gave them some distance. It was harder when Sam returned.
Brady knocked at the door.
Rae looked over.
"Hey."
"Hey." She answered softly.
"I, uh, I wanted to warn you."
She raised a brow.
"You said you are still scared of the wolves, as wolves. And with a pack meeting starting soon, they may come into the yard as wolves and change where you could see."
"Oh." Rae backed away from the window.
He stepped forward until he saw her step back. His shoulders dropped. "No one will hurt you. I won't let anyone near you. I am going to sit on the stairs through the meeting to make sure of it."
Her lips tugged into a soft smile. "Thank you."
Brady nodded. "Also, I wanted to tell you that Collin might come. I, um..."
"It's alright Brady. If he asks to see me, let him. If not, I understand."
"I don't want you to be scared. He looks so much like Craig."
She chewed on her lip. "I made a choice today to stay in La Push. He lives here too. I will see him eventually. Especially since he is part of the pack. I can't guarantee what my reaction will be. But, I have to face him."
Pride filled Brady's chest. Rae had shown so much strength and courage that day. The fact that she wanted to remain in La Push and even associate with the pack in any way, shape or form was far more than he could have hoped for when he left to find Craig's cabin just the day prior. "For what it's worth. I am really proud of you."
She blushed and smiled a small smile. "Thank you. I'm sorry I am so much trouble for you."
"You are no trouble. Craig caused all the trouble."
"But, you are angry at Collin because of me." She whispered. "He is your best friend."
"So are you." He said firmly. "And I can't help but focus my anger at Craig on to Collin right now. I am trying to get over it. I am. But, it's hard."
Rae stepped closer to him. She looked at him with her dark chocolate eyes, still red and puffy from the days tears. "Please Brady. For me. Find away to forgive him and move past it. I don't want to be the reason for you losing a friend. He just lost a brother. He probably thinks that he lost you. I can't imagine how he feels right now. He was my friend too. And I know that no matter how much he tries to hide it, he is more sensitive to rejection than you are. He always was."
He took a deep breath. "I will try."
"Thank you."
They could hear the footsteps and voices of people showing up for the meeting.
"Is it alright if I come check on you tomorrow morning?" Brady asked.
She nodded. "I would like that. Good night Brady."
True to his word, Brady went to sit on the stairs as everyone slowly arrived.
Sam, Brady, Quil, and Old Quil were already there. The other pack members and Tribal Council members arrived in fits and spurts. Eventually, the only people missing were Sue Clearwater and Collin. Brady assumed both were with Collin's mother and would not show up.
Since the Council members were given respect and priority seating on the couch and chairs, seating was limited. So, Brady moved to the top of the stairs to leave other spots open lower down if needed. But, he left no room for anyone to pass him.
Once everyone was settled. Sam finally cleared his throat.
"Alright. I know that most of you are confused. And I will apologize now for any hurt feelings over some getting information before others. Please understand that decisions were made to handle everything in the most delicate ways possible. And honestly, it really isn't everyone's business. However, with the nature of the pack, information will be shared quickly. And I would rather everyone has the whole story instead of bits and pieces or juvenile speculation."
"You've done and admirable job of being courteous to all involved. Even if young Littlesea is too upset to see that yet." Old Quil stated.
Sam gave a half smile to the Elder.
With a deep breath, the alpha continued. "The best way to paint the complexity of the situation is to just start with the events on patrol two nights ago..."
From there, Sam shared the whole story. Brady's imprinting. Quil running over to find that the girl was his cousin. The story she shared. Craig Littlesea's death. The confirmations, and Craig's letter. Even the story that Raelynn had concocted to tell her parents and a modified version to tell the public at large. Well, not that she would tell everyone that she killed a man. Just that she was taken and escaped.
"Man. That is some messed up shit." Paul breathed out. "Why do our girls get dealt such fucked up hands?"
"We have our theories." Phyre said. "We are the girls that need men that think like wolves. Protective. Strong. Loyal. Family oriented. And the men need girls who recognize that and appreciate that part of your characters. The guy heals our fears. Our fears help the guy feel needed. It is a balance."
Billy nodded. "My thinking, exactly. But, this case is a bit more unique. Raelynn was imprinted on twice. The first was disturbing, to say the least. And by all accounts, she didn't have a problem that needed to be healed at the time."
"Neither does Claire, but still Quil imprinted on her." Miccah added.
"And Renesme." Jacob joined in.
Phyre shook her head. "Renesme has her issues. She is unique. And isolated because of her fast growth rate. Damn, she remembers nearly starting that war with the Volturi and she is scared that they will return. Jake, you help her stay calm and feel safe. She knows that it was the combined power of the wolves and the vampires that protected her. Together, you represent that union."
"And when did she tell you all of this?"
Phyre shrugged. "The last bonfire you brought her to." She stuck her tongue out at her pack brother.
"And Claire struggles too." Quil admitted. "Sorry Miccah."
Claire's father raised a brow.
"Watching her grandmother get old and struggle with cancer is hard on her. Mortality is a difficult concept to grasp when young. She doesn't always understand what is going on. I think that is why I imprinted on her. I grew up with Gramps, especially after my parents passed. I was there when my Grams lost her battle with cancer. I can relate to her fears. But, I make sure that she knows that she still has her parents, Emily, the pack and I to always make sure she is alright."
"So, what does that say about Raelynn and Craig?"
No one had an answer.
Collin walked in the door. "It was Craig that needed the healing." Everyone looked up at him. He looked down as he quietly continued. "Craig was diagnosed with social anxiety problems when he was in seventh grade. With therapy and medication, he was functional and no one knew. Everyone thought he was just shy. It was why he went into the forest fire program. He spent most of his time sitting in towers alone, to watch for fires. Or in small groups in the woods, clearing trails or clearing underbrush. It wasn't a social job. It was really only in the summer months that he was with his larger crew more. But, it was a job that had rules and procedures. As long as he knew those, he had more confidence in small groups. He was good at his job. Got all sorts of awards. But, he could never talk to a girl. He was too shy." Collin sniffed and looked at the ground. "I don't know why Raelynn was chosen by the ancestors, but I know why Craig imprinted and why he was stupid enough to do what he did. He truly feared being judged. More than any of us could understand."
"Then you know why Raelynn was chosen." Brady spoke up. "She has a huge heart that never judged anyone for something that was out of their control. She was strong and confident. But, she was always the girl you could picture living in the middle of nowhere. Able to create and entertain herself. Ready to jump in and get her hands dirty and not afraid of the woods. She really was perfect for him. If he wouldn't have fucked it up." He hated to admit that. Rae deserved better. But, he could see the reasons.
The soft vanilla scent of Rae hit Brady's nose as he looked back to see her stand in the hall with tears on her cheeks. "Thank you for understanding." She whispered. She knew that wolf hearing was strong. But, she hoped everyone else would be too distracted to hear her.
He nodded and offered his hand if she wanted to join him.
She shook her head quickly.
"Rae, you can come out if you want. Your Gramps, Quil, Leah, Phyre and I will kick anyone's ass if they scare you." Brady said.
Everyone stayed quiet, waiting to see the girl that they had all been talking about.
"Raelynn, you know that Leah and I will totally rip their balls off if anyone looks at you funny." Phyre hollered up. The Sheriff quietly chucked at the unruly attitude of his step-son's fiance.
That made Rae scoff. Giving in, she quietly sat next to Brady who held her hand for support. She closed her eyes and leaned into his shoulder rather than look around at everyone.
"I am very sorry for everything Raelynn." Collin's voice softly drifted up the stairs. Then he turned to go.
Rae opened her eyes to see Collin. He really did look so much like Craig. She would know him anywhere.
"Collin?" She called. He stopped and turned around.
She got up and ran down the stairs to tackle the boy in a hug. "You have nothing to apologize for Collin. I am so sorry for your loss."
The two friends hugged each other tightly as they cried once more. Sharing in each others loss and pain. Breaking through the fear to find forgiveness.
"As you said Brady. Strong." Old Quil smiled at his granddaughter.