Chapter 501: Do It Quickly
August looked between Finn and Violet, recognizing the care that existed there despite the fact that Violet had led him on only to distract him. Finn was a profoundly caring soul. He was loyal and honest, and as capable as he was in his role to serve the pack, he was still naive in many ways. He was still young.
He had spent a great deal of time with Violet after he went to bring her back from where she had wandered. He witnessed the result of the violence and trauma she had endured at the hands of another pack. That loyalty of Finn’s that was such a good quality had attached itself to Violet when she was broken and alone, and it was clear that he would not be able to understand the full scope of everything she had done since he was gone—not when he had seen her only as a victim.
This was going to be a problem, August realized. Violet could not live after today. She had manipulated the pack in the most inconceivable way by taking control of their minds and then she had tried to eliminate August and her unborn child—killing Neoma instead. She was far too powerful to simply lock away.
But how could they restore two lives in such a miraculous way and then turn around and take another in the same breath of time? It didn’t seem right.
The pack wanted to celebrate the lives that were returned—it was palpable in the air now. Everyone was shocked and overjoyed at Finn’s return. There was no way that August and Graeme could put them through something that was the polar opposite. Death, even when it was just, was still a heavy thing to bear. It may be a relief when the threat was no more, but it came with a price. And it was still something to be mourned.
Violet was a daughter of the pack. She was not simply some villain who had wandered in one day like her mate, Cassian. She had been a pup in these woods. She had grown alongside these people. Her scent, her life, her being, her memories were threaded into the rest of theirs, and it wasn’t something simple to pluck out. Her death would be a loss regardless of how just it was.
Charlotte walked forward next to August and Graeme. Her presence always felt so reassuring and wise—like the train of a gown that followed her, regal and knowing.
"I think a celebration outside would do about now," she said, reaching to place a hand on each of their arms. There was a second meaning in her eyes that only the Alpha and Luna took note of. "Perhaps Calix could gather the pups to help start a fire."
Graeme offered her an appreciative smile and turned to address the chambers.
"Let’s gather on the back lawn for a celebration of this miraculous day. Two members of our family are back with us!" He said, slapping Finn on the shoulder and causing the male to smile—the issue with Violet forgotten for the time being.
Finn’s brothers cheered with the rest of the pack and lifted him up into the air, carrying him out of the chambers as everyone else followed—off to create the impromptu celebration that would surely become a new holiday from this point on. August and Graeme watched them go, staying behind with the elders, Greta, and Sam who still stood behind Violet, guarding her.
The last two to leave were Neoma and Lucas. They were both still in their own little world, consumed by the bond that had thrummed to life with its powerful desire to be completed. August gave Neoma a long hug as Lucas waited, thrilled to have been given another chance with this precious female.
"Thank you for what you did for me, Neoma," August whispered in her ear. "You didn’t even think twice about it, did you?"
"You are my Luna," Neoma chuckled, her cheeks a rosy color at so much attention being directed her way today. It was overwhelming. She did not seek attention like that. It made her uncomfortable to be the recipient of it.
"Do you remember deciding to come back?" August whispered.
Neoma’s and Finn’s souls were the most beautiful things she had ever seen in the Veiled. It was clear that Neoma had made the decision to return, asking if Finn could return on the resonance of that sound of creation as well that had risen from the whole pack. But August wondered if she remembered it—being in that form.
"Deciding?" Neoma repeated, her forehead cleaving with the question that she did not understand.
August smiled. "It’s okay. I didn’t think you would."
"What am I forgetting?" Neoma asked.
"Just that you called Finn to return with you. I witnessed it—you spoke to me and asked if he was allowed to return with you as well. You are a such a beautiful soul, Neoma. Please don’t ever doubt it," August said, feeling a swell of grateful tears again for all that they had been given today.
It was hard to fathom that it had actually happened—that they had all been a part of making this miracle of rebirth possible. That was perhaps the most beautiful thing of all—the joined voices and souls that had come together to make these miracles happen. It was as if the Goddess lived in each and every one of them.
"Thank you, Luna," Neoma said before they eventually parted and Neoma returned to the male who was unlikely to ever let her out of his sight again.
Maggie, Charlotte, and Sylvia remained behind in the chambers with Greta and Sam both standing by Violet who looked defeated for the first time today. Seeing Finn had clearly affected her on some deep level.
"How should we proceed with this?" Sylvia was the one to ask, glancing at the female whose head was bowed and who she had spent so much time with trying to help.
Before all that happened today, she would not have thought herself able to support Violet’s execution. There was so much trauma that she had endured. It was clear she was going through a lot, but Sylvia believed she could be helped. She was rooting for her. She wanted her to come through it and heal.
"Just do it quickly," Violet said softly, staring at the floor. "Do it quickly before I have a chance to try again."
