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***Shaela's POV***

I love Grey. I really love Grey. He is an amazing mate, father and Alpha. But, I'm so hurt. Carrying these secrets should not have been his burden to bare alone. I would have supported him in anything and everything.

This man has given me an incredible life. I would not separate with a moment of it. I am just so distraught that he did not trust me enough with his troubles.

There is nothing to forgive, honestly. It is a personal choice to divulge your past to your partner. He did not cheat on me. He did not break our bond. But, he did not trust me.

How do you move forward in a relationship that lacks the fundamentals?

Collin came by to check on me. He informed me that Landon was in fact his biological father. That question was never at the fore front of my mind. I would have loved him the same as any of my pups.

I have been updated on the current standings. Demetri is finally relieved of the stress he induced with his fishing expedition and actively leading as Alpha. Alex is worried about his father. Alivia is doing her best to hold it all together as Luna. Really, nothing has changed within the pack.

My heart though, this is where changes are manifesting. I have to choose to not only forgive, but to forget. I must find a way to nourish all the amazing parts of my mateship and to file away the one discrepancy that never had to be.

A childish side of me would love to entertain the idea that he was not pure when we met. It would be easy to focus on that detail. Easier still to be angry with that flaw. But, the maturity in me knows it never mattered. He was patching a hole, she was his filler. I can't blame anyone for past mistakes.

It's only been one day since I took my bag and headed to this cabin. I requested time to process the skeletons that have been exposed. At first, I craved the solitude. I was hellbent on taking my time. I have learned several things in a 24-hour period.

1. I miss my Alpha. Truly, it is as if I cannot breathe without his presence. Twenty years will do that to a soul.

2. I miss my children. The lights of my life. They are the most cherished and magnificent gift I could ever receive.

3. I cannot hold grudges. Everything inside of me, as a Luna, is demanding that I comfort my family. I am a Luna. My soul is one of a nurturer.

With the conviction of my spirit, I choose not to dwell on the singular perfidy that shadows the bliss of my life. I would trade that betrayal a thousand times for my mate.

With a sound mind and a lonely heart, I made my declaration:

I am heading home. My home. My mate. My pups. My everything. It all awaits and I'm coming home.

***Grey's POV***

24 of the worst hours of my life. Every second is kindle to the raging fire of self loathing. I did this. I stacked the planks one by one. I soaked the wood in gasoline. I set fire to the pier.

Shaela is my everything. Next to my pups, her love is what keeps me alive. I have been wholly blessed with my Luna. I miss my mate.

I should have trusted her with my past. I should have let her share in my secrets. If I could, I would. But, I did not.

I'm sitting at home, our home, thinking over every decision I made. I have rehashed every detail of my deceit. Sleep evaded me. I don't deserve to sleep. I would rather punish myself for the pain I rendered my family.

My hands have assaulted my hair and I'm positive I look more dead than alive. I can't bring myself to care. Guilt weighs me down like an anchor in the sea.

I just want to find a way to fix this.

If there is any way to fix this.

Moon Goddess forgive me. I have broken my treasure.

***Demetri's POV***

Devastated. Disrupted. Disheartened.

These are a few of the emotions running rampant thru our family. In the end, my father's secret did not hold any actual value. It was not anything to be either ashamed of or fearful from.

Sometimes, it's not in the weight of a lie, just the fact that you bothered to keep it.

Watching my father unravel from his untruths was single handily the worst day of my life. I have never witnessed a fall from grace so disturbing.

Seeing my mother flee from my office in tears, tore at my heart. My mom is an angel. Her tears were like acid upon my soul.

"Alpha" Alisa called.

"Yes Beta?" I answered.

"Your mom is on line one." She stated.

"Mama?" I answered the phone.

"Demetri honey, get your dad to the pack house please. Have Alex, Alisa, Efran, Lindsay and Alivia come too. I will be there in twenty." My mom rushed out.

"Yes, mama." I promised.

"Don't tell him I'm coming." She added.

We hung up and I gathered my family and my dad and brought them to the pack house.

I was nervous for how the scene would play out. But, knowing my mama, everything would be okay.

"Demetri, what's going on?" Dad groaned.

"Just give me a few. I'm waiting on something." I responded.

I really couldn't give him any information. I didn't have any answers.

We waited patiently, on edge, as the moments ticked by. I was anxious to see my mama. I love her and her absence did not go unnoticed in the pack. A missing Luna, even if former, would always be a burden to a pack.

***Shaela's POV***

I have not been this nervous in such a long time. I can't wait to see my family. I rushed out of the cab and headed up the stairs of the porch. I breathed slowly, to calm my nerves, as I turned the handle on the door.

His scent wrapped around me like a viper. The smell of wood and spices completely enveloped me. I was here. I was home.

I walked in and was immediately greeted by my beautiful children and their mates. I took in every worried face and tried to comfort them with my embrace.

Once all the kids were smiling, they all turned to the center of the room.

There he was. My Alpha. My Mate. The other half of my being. In all his disheveled glory. The most handsome specimen to grace the earth.

His empty blue eyes met mine and I knew he hadn't slept. I could feel his guilt thru our bond. It was time to relieve him of his agony.

"Greyson Micah Scott, get your tail over here, right now." I demanded.

His feet shifted. His hands stuffed into the pockets of his slacks. His head bowed toward the floor. He slowly walked to face me.

He dropped to his knees in a heap before me and I heard his gut wrenching cry.

This was the cry of a broken man. I was perfectly made to mend it.

I kneeled in front of him and took his face in my trembling hands. The contact immediately sent electricity dancing across my skin.

I pulled him up and stood in front of him. His head still would not meet my eyes. I forced his chin up and I locked eyes with the man of my dreams.

"Grey, you have hidden things from me. Unnecessarily. I understand how you thought you were making the right choice. It hurt. But, I forgive you. You are my world, my mate and my Alpha. I love you." I declared.

He stared so deeply into my eyes, no doubt searching for the but.

There was no but.

I grabbed his face and smashed my lips into his. He took a shocked intake of breath before responding to my touch. His lips encompassed mine and I welded my face to his.

This is where I belong.

He sucked on my bottom lip and I moaned. He took that opportunity to deepen the kiss. The feeling of his tongue upon my flesh elicited a guttural moan and shivers raked thru my body. His arms circled around my waist and I laced my hands into his hair.

This is my Alpha.

When he pulled away, to allow for oxygen, I pulled him close enough that my words would feel like a kiss upon his lips.

"MINE, only MINE." I growled.

"YOURS" he cried.

I pulled away.

"Demetri, keep the girls. I'm going home to claim your father." I announced with a dismissive hand.

I yanked Grey with me and as we walked out the door I heard Efran's smartass comment. I had to giggle.

"Use protection." Efran yelled.

"That boy." My Grey laughed.

That laugh is worth a million forgivenesses.

***Alex POV***

"I should be disgusted, but my appreciation is outweighing my sanity." I laughed.

"After all those years, it's incredible." Alisa crooned.

"Thank you Moon Goddess." Demetri prayed.

"They are perfect." Alivia whispered.

"They are an example of Love." Lindsay stated.

"That's our Alpha and Luna." Efran cheered.

I'm so happy they could work it out. They truly are an inspiration. My parents are my rock.

***Alisa's POV***

Watching these events unfold, it was heart breaking. I could see the devastation that an untold truth could unleash.

Beyond that, I saw how love and forgiveness could outweigh fear, pain and betrayal.

I couldn't be more proud to be a part of this pack, of this family.

A lot of lessons were silently taught over these last couple of week's. I would carry these truths with me throughout my life.

Nothing is more sacred than the bonds formed by love. My in-laws were a shining example to all of us.

***Izzy's POV***

"Can we have a movie night?" I requested.

"And pizza." Ari added.

"Ice cream." Aunt Lindsay demanded.

"Perfect!" Alivia beamed.

"What movies?" Uncle Efran asked.

"Disney!" All us girls squealed.

"Oh look at the time, guess I will head to bed." Efran whined.

I jumped on Uncle Efran's legs, molding myself to him.

"Please Uncle Effie, pretty please." I pleaded.

"You don't fight fair." Uncle Efran huffed while he flipped me upside down and blew raspberries on my belly.

"Mercy!" I squealed.

We spent the whole night watching Frozen, Tangled and Brave.

We fell asleep in peace knowing that our Mama and Daddy were home.

We would all be okay!