CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO - THE FINALE

"I've received word that they're crossed onto my territory," Roarke muttered, rubbing his hand up and down my spine. I was standing in the living room, staring out the wide window at the trees. I was about to face my biological parents, the people who gave me up, the people with horrible reputations. Roarke had warned me that they might not be warm or gentle - they were savages, unaccustomed to caring about anyone but themselves. "No casualties, yet."

"They've come peacefully like I told them to," I responded, folding my arms across my chest.

"I didn't think they would listen," he admitted, quietly. "Especially since they didn't come alone."

"They brought other wolves?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. He nodded his head once. "Well, I guess my biological father is an Alpha and my biological mother is a Rogue leader - they wouldn't risk coming alone, would they?"

"Not with your parents hating each other and knowing they'd be here together to negotiate," he said, before taking a deep inhale of my scent. "Both of your parents are strong wolves and each other's biggest threat. They know this, but they agree on one thing - you. Maybe that will save bloodshed today."

"Why do they even care?" I grumbled, shaking my head. "They gave me up and now suddenly, they're concerned about who I'm with?"

"We have no idea why they gave you up."

"Still, they don't have a say on who I'm with," I responded, bitterly. "I don't know them and they don't know me. I asked them to come for answers. If they truly care, they will listen to me."

Roarke was quiet for a moment. "Don't be surprised if they don't. They're not used to taking orders from someone. They give the orders."

"Not anymore."

"Are you nervous?"

"No, I'm just fed up," I told him, honestly. "I'm tired of being fought over, of being confused. I want to deal with this, then just live the rest of my life in peace." He nodded his head again, keeping his arm around my waist. We stood there together in silence until my biological parents arrived, along with familiar faces. I watched as wolves filled the front lawn of the house, cautious and itching for blood. I spotted Weylyn standing with Rudy and Scarlett who were holding hands, lingering behind a large, dark-haired man.

I knew this man was my biological father. I could unfortunately see pieces of myself in him. He was intimidating like Roarke, tall and broad-shouldered. There was an aura about him, like he demanded respect from those who didn't even follow him.

As for my biological mother, I assumed she was the petite brunette on the other side of the lawn. She didn't appear friendly. She had war scars up and down her arms and she was dressed in dark clothing. Her feminine features reminded me a lot of mine, like her pointed nose and oval-shaped face.

When the petite brunette and the dark-haired man started bickering back and forth, creating tension between their followers, I sighed.

"I should go out there now, shouldn't I?" I said, breaking the silence.

"Or, you could just let them kill each other," Roarke said, half-joking. I nudged him with my elbow, then walked towards the front door, my heart racing.

As soon as I stepped out onto the porch, many heads turned and suddenly all eyes were on me. Bewilderment. Relief. Pride. Curiosity. These were the common expressions on everybody's faces.

My eyes locked with Weylyn's. He seemed - disappointed. His jaw hardened when Roarke stepped out onto the porch, right next to me.

Scarlett gave me a small nod.

"Wow, you look just like me," the petite brunette woman blurted, cautiously taking a step forward. I eyed her up and down after receiving my confirmation that she was indeed my biological mother. "It's a good thing you got my genetics."

When she sent a nasty look to the dark-haired man, he gritted his teeth. "Oh, shut the hell up, Beatrice."

She scoffed.

As soon as Roarke placed a hand on my shoulder, my biological father released a quiet growl. "I suggest you remove your hands from our daughter."

"Oh, I'm not your daughter," I interjected, purposely inching closer to Roarke. "And, you certainly don't get to order him or me around." Surprise crossed his face while Beatrice simply grinned in wickedness. "I invited you two here because I want answers."

Beatrice tilted her head. "Got my attitude too, huh?"

She reminded me of a high school girl, not because she looked younger than her age, but because of the way she acted. Her posture, her voice, her general behavior. It was as if she was my older sister rather than my biological mother.

"What would you like to know?" Tau asked, all the men behind him shifting in their shoes. He seemed like the most level-headed one of my parents. I guess he had to be since he was an Alpha.

"Why did you give me up?" I started, holding back all the emotions wanting to rush forward. "Why did you wait this long to find me?"

"We were in no position to raise a baby," Beatrice spoke, sighing. "He just got out of jail and I was barely keeping a part-time job."

"I was an accident?"

"Of course you were," she responded, shaking her head. "You think I ever wanted kids?"

I gave her a look. "But, now you want me."

"I've matured," she said, simply.

"That's the biggest lie you've ever told," Tau huffed, facing her with his demeaning posture. "You're leading Rogues - look at you, you abandoned my side to lead some savages."

The wolves lingering behind my mother erupted into growls and shouts. They carried a scarier, more wild look than the wolves belonging to my father's pack.

"I left your side because you were a controlling piece of shit," she retorted, rolling her eyes. "Yes, look at me. I'm a leader. I can say that I've accomplished just as much as you."

Tau was quick to respond, "I wouldn't say leading a pack of savages is anything close to leading a pack of respected wolves."

"Respected? Ha!"

"Do you want me to do anything?" Roarke murmured in my ear, his breath tickling me.

I took a deep breath. "No, I got this." I cleared my throat, quite loudly, grabbing their attention again. Both of them seemed immature and competitive to me. "I can't get my answers without you two arguing, so we're just going to move forward."

Tau glared at Beatrice.

"I'm not having you two control my life," I declared, stepping forward. "I'm done with people controlling me. If you want to get to know me, like you say you do, you will do things my way."

My biological father hesitated. "Your way?"

"Yes, to start, I'm staying with Roarke," I said, feeling a sense of pride. "And, I want you to keep your mouths shut about it and don't start bloodshed. I better be convinced soon that you've accepted us together."

"He's not a good man - "

"To me, he is," I interrupted my father, giving him a glare. "Not another word." I raised a hand, then waved a finger between the two of them. "You both will make alliances with Roarke's pack. If you don't, I will be considered your enemy. You can't have your daughter as your enemy."

Beatrice folded her arms across her chest. "Rogues don't create alliances."

"And, I certainly won't create one with the Farkas Pack," Tau snarled, his eyes narrowed at Roarke.

"Then, I suggest both of you leave right now," I responded, a strictness to my tone. "I want nothing to do with you."

I watched as they exchanged looks.

"Fine."

"Okay."

"Good, that's settled," I said, overlooking the bunch. "And, lastly, you will listen to me. I'm your daughter and I expect some loyalty." Tau nodded his head and Beatrice kept her gaze focused on me in understanding. "You can prove your loyalty by helping me with the humans."

An explosion of whispers and confused expression filled the front lawn.

Roarke gently grabbed my arm. "What are you talking about, little wolf?"

"The humans are fighting back," I said, loudly. "It's only a matter of time until they're considered a threat. We need to stop them, convince them that we're not evil, and prevent more bloodshed. We need to save this world from becoming even more of an apocalypse."

"But, we are evil," Tau responded, a frown on his face. "We are beasts, my child."

I winced. "No, we are werewolves. We are part-human, so we are still capable of empathy, of humanity. Heck, we all started off as human, didn't we? Before we were bitten? We aren't beasts unless we allow ourselves to be."

"You're standing next to Roarke Farkas, the most lethal wolf there is," Beatrice said, gesturing towards him. "Your father is a deranged Alpha - " I witnessed Tau look away with his hands clenching into fists. " - and you have a leader of Rogues as your mother. We are beasts. You're speaking to the wrong crowd."

"I'm not asking you to care, I'm asking you to help," I said, as Roarke stiffened behind me. "I want to make peace with the humans."

There was a glint in Beatrice's eyes. "There is no such thing as peace."

"If you don't want to help me, then leave," I argued, not feeling a damn bit guilty for my harshness. "This world is ugly and I want to change it. I want to make this world worth living on. I'm only now seeing its potential for me."

My biological parents looked at each other again. Neither of them spoke. They were conflicted. Much to my surprise, Weylyn stepped forward, causing many eyes to shift to him, including Roarke's.

"I'll help you," Weylyn announced, calm.

Roarke cleared his throat. "You know you have my help, little wolf."

Scarlett stepped forward with Rudy, giving me a nod. A revolution, her eyes read. Like Luna wanted.

Tau sighed. "I will help."

"This is ridiculous," Beatrice muttered, a low growl emitting from her chest. "But, I will help."

A wave of relief washed over me. My eyes widened when Rudy suddenly bowed. Scarlett glanced at her partner, then bowed as well. A grin stretched across Weylyn's face, a proud grin, and he bowed as well to me. This wasn't happening. There was no way this was happening.

Wolves behind my biological parents began bowing. Beatrice looked over her shoulder in irritation while Tau seemed impressed by me. He gave me a low bow of his head. A respectful gesture.

As all of these wolves continued to bow to me, one-by-one, I looked at Roarke who was astounded. He pulled me closer and pressed a kiss against my forehead, whispering, "You have me."

I had all of them. I had Roarke and his pack. I had my biological father and his pack. I had my biological mother and the Rogues. I had Weylyn Norwood. I had Rudy and Scarlett. All of them were looking at me now.

And, as I would fight for peace between humans and werewolves, they would all see me on my worst behavior.