***Zara's POV***

As promised the inn was just a few minutes away. After seeing nothing but snow and a few trees dotting a gradually increasing hilly landscape, the quaint two story structure was a welcome sight. From the outside it guaranteed at least a bed and a sit down meal as I read the words "Le Contrefort Inn and Dinner." Billowing smoke trails rose from the largest chimney as the calming scent of burning wood tickled my nose. Memories of sitting around the campfire at Fabian's cabin and my childhood memories going camping with my mom threatened to bring tears to my eyes.

'I miss them.' I sighed. My fingers traced along the edges of my steel locket I always wore. Indecision plagued me. 'Wasn't Conlan's reaction to the picture of my parents a little... extreme?' While I was lost in my thoughts my door opened. Cold air caressed my face and helped my inner resolve.

"Hey." I called as Conlan offered his hand like a gentleman out of a cheesy romance novel.

"Hi." He looked expectantly at me. This gorgeous Alpha male figure illuminated by the last rays of sunshine distracted me for a moment. Even his unshaven face begged me to run my hands over the stubble. Quickly I shake the magnetic pull I always felt when I was around him.

"Can you tell me who," I looked at his face hoping to catch any nuance he may give away to my question. "The man in my locket is?" There was no way in heck I was going to say 'father.'

Instantly, I notice the panic in his eyes. He dropped his hand to his side. The panicked look was fleeting as he battled with himself and changed his look to one of indifference. His demeanor changed to stone, as if he could just will himself to be unfeeling or unaffected by our undefined messed up relationship. 'Welp. That stings a bit,' and I wince in hurt at his reaction.

'But I can choose to be a cold bitch too.' I glare at him.

"Got it. You won't tell me." I scoff angrily and jump pass him to catch up to Auntie.

"Zara." He snarled as he growled out his displeasure.

"What is he about now?" Auntie asked. She hung an arm around in comfort just outside the front door. My aunt looked tired but at least her eyes looked brighter.

"Just ignore him." Conlan was making that impossible though, as he was hot on my tail.

Once inside James handed us our room keys. He gave Conlan a raised eyebrow over my head before he stared at me in shock. I just leave and take Auntie to our room. With my hand on the rail I turned back to see James and Conlan silently communicating. Conlan's face furrowed into a cruel mask. The golden eye's of his wolf became prevalent.

'How can someone be both beautiful and menacing at the same time?'

Gamma Rolland was the next person that came through the door. He observed the silent battle in front of him and narrowly dodged Conlan as he stormed out back into the cold. His swift evasion allowed him to realize he was being watched.

"Alpha Luna." He called to me once our eyes locked.

I had enough for the evening though, and I turned away from him in a cold fashion. 'I'm all out of fucks to give at the moment.' All I wanted was the bed, any bed, after the days and days of travel. To say that I was exhausted would be an understatement. Between the cold and warm thing that I have going on with Conlan, and the fact that I'm still recovering from everything that has happened in the last week, I haven't had time to come to terms with my new life. Right now I'm longing for my best friend just as much as I'm longing for a comfy bed. Usually I would wake up early and think about my life or lean on my bestie. 'I'm going to have to start all over more alone this time.' A long sigh escapes me when I feel Rolland gently tug on my arm.

"Please wait."

I just stand there waiting on the stairs. All my energy is spent. There is no way that I have the stamina to protest.

"I know you don't like your pack very much, but we are here for you. We have followed you to protect you. We will not fail." He stepped in front of me. "And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what our pack has done to our Alpha's family. Please know that my father is working day and night to restore the pack and to root out the Rogue King's followers." I had to look up high to see his expression. A few of his choice words rubbed me the wrong way.

'Can I trust him? Will there really be any redemption for what they have done? Mom, what made you so loyal to the wolves that abandoned you?!' For as long as I could remember I strongly disliked the Veiled Moon Pack. Growing up I was called ET by those pack wolves. They made it so I could never forget that I was an outsider; an extraterrestrial. 'Now the same pack that got my mother killed and me kidnapped wants to accept me as their Alpha Luna?' My teeth clenched. If my wolf was here she'd be warning him to back off.

"Move."

The Gamma looks me in the eye a second more. In the end he rightly lets me pass. Every step I took to my room was laden with more guilt. 'Damn. Mom, why'd you have to raise me right?' It wasn't even a week ago that half of that pack fought for me against the witches and the Rogue King that had Grandma, Freddy, and Uncle Patrick killed.

*ugh* I groaned out.

When I entered my room with Auntie she was already sleeping. After my little exchange with Conlan and Rolland I decided I needed a hot bath to wind down. Of course the bathtub was super small but I wanted one anyway and it looked clean like the rest of the room. There was a cool draft coming from somewhere so I made the water extra warm. The water was so hot my skin was turning pink but it felt good against all my aches and pains. My back was aching and the hot water stung my scabs, but soon it was like my own private hot tub. All my worries ebbed away as I let the soothing feeling of the bath encompass me.

***

I woke sometime later. My body shivering from the cold. The hot water now tepid. Cold air from the ghostly draft combined with my stupidity of falling asleep in the tub now created the state I'm in. Deep goosepimples riddled my skin. 'I'm such a dunce.' I chided myself. 'Now I'm worse off than before. Fucking great.' In an effort to bring my body temperature back up I hopped into the shower. It helped a bit. After brushing my teeth with the inn's toiletries I stepped back into the double queen bed room. Auntie was still sleeping.

"Fuck." 'I forgot that I don't have any clothes to change into.' "Oh, well. It's not like anyone can smell me." I was still a bit chilly even after a warming shower so I put on the jacket that Grandma left me. My letter I've been avoiding to read fell out. I know Auntie hasn't read hers either. We promised to read them together when we had some time alone. It just felt personal and we didn't want to share our experience with anyone else. 'Almost like a last farewell.' At the time we weren't ready to say our final goodbye.

*Yawn*

"Oh, Sweetheart. What time is it?" She stretched into another yawn. "I'm starving." Her sleepy smile warmed me. 'I'm so glad she got some decent sleep.'

"Umm, it's about seven." I say after glancing at the vintage flip clock on the nightstand next to the plant Auntie took from Grandma's home.

"Let's go get some food. Before those wolves eat it all."

I turn to her with my letter in my hand. She's surprised but nods all the same as she pulls out her letter from her jacket on the end of the bed.

"You first." I find myself saying.

"To my precious girl," Auntie began. "I don't need to write the words you already know in your heart. Our garden may look small and withering, but it will bloom into the most beautiful sight, and you will be happy. Little Rose will have many difficulties ahead and she will need you." Her brown eyes brimmed with tears as she glanced at me. My own eyes were close to spilling. "All will be forgiven in the end." She read confused. "Love you always, Mother."

"Only Grandma could write a letter like that." A smile played on my lips.

"I'm not sure what all it means. It could be a literal garden or a figurative one." She looked back down at the letter. "You're Little Rose, but does this mean you haven't forgiven me for taking your wolf away?"

"Of course I have. Besides, it wasn't your choice. I made the decision. I'm the one that needs forgiveness for asking you to do it in the first place. Because of me you don't have your powers anymore."

"That was a price I was willing to pay to get my Sweetheart back. And I would do it again." She got up and hugged me. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you." Then she laid a gentle kiss on my cheek. "My gosh! Zara! You're burning up!"

"I'm fine. I just need something hot to drink and get some decent sleep."

"You need to eat something too. Let's go see if they have something light and nourishing, like soup."

I just stared at her. My unread letter cold in my hand.

"It's up to you. Do you want to read it now?"

"Yeah." I finally say after a few moments of silence. 'Her handwriting is, was, so beautiful.' "To my darling Little Rose, I'm afraid that I can't offer anything comforting. Your future is uncertain. I can only hope that you get the life you've always deserved. The Moon Goddess smiles onto you, and that should give you comfort as it is comforting to me. Don't give up. Your mate waits, loyal and steadfastly. He's the greatest man I could have asked for you. You'll just feel it, and you will discover that seeds can be planted but love makes them grow. Love you always, Grandma."

"I love Mother, but for once couldn't she just tell us what we wanted to know." Auntie said with a small smile as she shook her head. "That woman." She laughed and pressed her head against mine. We stayed this way for a few moments contemplating her words. Knowing my grandmother, there are hidden secrets in every word. 'I'll just feel it?'

"Let's get some food and something hot to drink." The thought of food put me off slightly but I could go for a cup of tea.