My grandmother sighed. “He was content to be the Alpha of this pack as he searched.” She turned back to my father. “And he was fine keeping your mother alive because he knew he would lose standing if he got rid of her. He was the outsider.” She looked around the room. “As it stood, he wasn’t very liked.” My grandmother paced. “Your mother was so much like Amy. Strong, bright, loving. She was funny, and the darling girl of the pack.”
“What happened?” My dad asked.
She leveled him with a look that said he knew. “He did. He turned your mother from a bright vibrant, loving woman, into the cold stiff creature that you knew.”
“How?” Ronnie asked.
My grandmother opened her mouth, but it was my words that stopped everyone. “When you love someone that doesn’t respect your words, your feelings, or your life. You allow yourself to become smaller, so they give you a tiny shred of love. Men like Garith, men like Brandon, they toss you little bits of affection and warmth, so you put up with everything they do to tear you down.” I looked up at Ronnie. “They do it in such a way that you don’t even realize you are changing yourself. Not until it’s too late. Not until you are quiet and obedient. Not until the beatings become your everyday and the love they once gave you freely becomes something you now have to beg for.” My father made a choking noise. But I just smiled as I bared my soul to a room full of men that I barely knew.
“Lady bug.” Ronnie walked over and pulled me into a hug. “You never have to make yourself small.”
I pulled back and grinned. “I know that this time around.” I pulled out of his arms and cleared my throat. “Anyway.” I turnedback to my look at my grandmother, but she was gone. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Thoth.
His face was turned to me and I knew without seeing his eyes, he was watching me. His hands were clenched, as if he was mad. I watched him for another second before my dad cleared his throat. “I guess she gave all the answers she could give us.” His voice was still strong and clear, but I knew my father and heard the slight confusion buried in his words.
I nodded. “What do we do now?”
My dad blew out a breath. “I think we put the Garith issue to the side for now.”
Someone scoffed, but Thoth stood up. “Gavin is right. Knowing he is alive doesn’t change our next step. We came here because Amy told us about the rogue encampment in the caves.”
“Have we confirmed if they are still there anymore?” I looked around, turning to face Ronnie.
He nodded. “We had trackers from all the packs headed to the caves. Rogue movements have been confirmed. Cass is there now, watching.”
I looked at the other Alphas. “Do we agree that the rogues are the biggest threat at this time?” I watched as the Alphas all nodded. “Now, while I know, you might be a little doubtful because of the relationship between my dad, Garith, and I. What I can tell you is that my father and I are devoted to the Goddess and her will.”
“How do we know that?” Alpha Chris questioned. “No offense to you, Gav. I mean you saved all of us. You kept us alive, and fed these past years. But he is your father.”
There was a pause, and my father nodded. “I understand.”
One second I was looking at everyone, trying my best to not be angry, and the next second I was back in my mind with my wolves. I looked at Nix and Megan.What is going on?
“You need proof that Amy is chosen by me? You need proof that Gavin is chosen by me?” I looked out and I saw every man in the room freeze.
“Moon Blessed.” Toya’s father whispered as he stared at my body.
My body turned to face my father. “You have been through so much.” She walked over and cupped his face. “But this is close to being over.” My father smiled. “You have endured, and I can not express how well you have done. Amy has exceeded all expectations. You have been so devoted to my path.”
My father just shook his head. “You saved me.”
The Goddess shook her head. “You saved yourself.” She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Then she turned to the others. “You are all devoted to my path, or the path of my sisters or brothers.” She looked at Toya’s father. “Your daughter has done well, and will be rewarded if she survives the final battle.”
He swallowed, instantly alert. “If?”
The Goddess gave a sad smile. “I cannot see the future. I just lay the path.”
Thoth shifted, and she turned to face him. “Hiding behind a mask cannot change anything.” His head snapped up.
“Me?” His voice, confused.
She chuckled. “Who else is wearing a mask but you?”
Thoth scratched his head. “No one.”
“Exactly.” She walked to him and leaned down. “You hide yourself to protect yourself. But you’re only keeping yourself away from what could be. You’re hiding and I’m worried you will miss your chance. If you don’t confess the truth. All of it. Then you will miss the thing you want most in this world.”
Thoth swallowed. “But what if I mess up again?”
