💖 Don't forget to vote/comment! 💖

***Grey's POV***

You ever get that feeling like everything is about to turn upside down. Yep, that's the one. Here I am staring at my perfect life, worrying that my past may tear it apart.

Secrets! So many secrets I have kept from everyone I love. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would. I would choose differently, I would have been honest. Now, I'm busy hoping that my past doesn't cost me my present.

Stupid me! I didn't think anyone would ever figure it out. I really don't know that they have. But, I feel guilty. Guilt will conjure your deepest regret and turn your imagination into an inferno of torment.

Long ago, I innocently made choices. My parents always told me to wait for your gift from the Moon Goddess. But no, I became anxious for someone to fulfill the loneliness in my heart. I didn't honor my parents wishes. Instead, I laid a foundation for today's issues.

It's my fault. Don't think I haven't felt guilty all these years. This isn't new. I have fought with my demons for over two decades. However, it's easy to box up your worries, pack them neatly away and hide them in the darkness. Well not easy, but doable once you are facing your wildest dreams coming into fruition right before your eyes.

The problem with hindsight is, it's 20/20. What I wouldn't give to have the wisdom of 42 at the age of 18. I would have made better choices. What's done is done. Either way, I will have to face it. Whether someone acknowledges my skeletons and showcases them for my world to see, that's the only variable.

I have to come clean. I have to face the past. Unfortunately, the thought of losing this incredible life I have been blessed with kept me from offering my skeletons for far too many years.

Fear! That's the right word. I have feared these revelations for so long. I have built a house of cards, one small wind and it will crumble like a Jenga puzzle.

The question is not if, but when. When will I rip apart my family? When will I make peace with my demons? When will the facade of me being the perfect mate, parent and Alpha be destroyed? When will I finally confess my sins and accept my punishment.

It's not just me here that I'm worried about. My decisions will affect my pack, my family and other's family.  Who knew? Anyone? I sure didn't.

It would be easy to blame anyone else for my current predicament. I could blame the Moon Goddess. She didn't bring me my mate until I was 20. I could blame her for pairing my boys with their mates. I could blame my boys for having such incredible hearts. Their choices have interrupted my peacefully sleeping secrets. I could blame anyone but myself.

I'm not that guy. I may have lied by omission, but I could never blame anyone for my own choices. I will step up and be the man I have always proudly pretended to be. I will accept the consequences of my actions that I never knew would have repercussions.

Yeah. So, here we go. I won't wait for my children's covert investigation to uncover my propaganda. I see the stress they are under. I see the tension placing distance between Demetri and Alivia. Today is the day. Today, I will pull my big boy pants up and face my darkness.

Moon Goddess be with me.

<<<<<<<<<<

***Collin's POV***

I was just there. I literally just left The Crescent Moon Pack. Now, I am headed right back. With my parents and wife in tow, I am on my way to a meeting with the former Alpha Grey.

I have no idea what to think or imagine. Honestly, it's a little unsettling walking into something so blindly.

What if? What if Alpha Carter says something to interrupt our alliance with the Crescent Moon Pack.

Honestly, we need that alliance. Our pack, The Red Moon Pack, has lost so many strong female warriors to mating pairs. We lost male warriors to rogue attacks. Most importantly, I didn't take my future role as Alpha seriously.

I always figured that Alivia and Alisa would claim their rightful title.

When the time came for my dad to announce the successor to his Alpha throne, I never expected my name to be called. Now, I'm rushing hysterically to learn my role.

I don't want to let down my pack. I don't want to disappoint my parents. I don't want to destroy the gift I have been given without earning it.

Moon Goddess watch over me.

***Demetri's POV***

Here we sit. Dad called a meeting. Alivia, The Beta and Gamma couples, my mom, Dad and I are all here. We are all sitting in my office with tension so thick you could chew it. Why? Fuck if I know!

There is a knock at the door. We all turn as Alpha Carter, Luna Elise, Collin and Ivana take seats. Nothing good can come from so much Alpha blood being contained in such a small area.

***Grey's POV***

Shitting bricks over here. Everyone is staring at me. I called this meeting. Now, I strongly question my conviction.

"Good evening." I address.

"I'm sure you are wondering what you are all doing here. Just sit back and try to hear me out. I promise to answer any and all questions after I have filled you in." I begin.

"I have been holding this secret in for so long, it has become little more than a memory stored in the back of my mind." I continued.

The tension is so tight it feels suffocating.

"Shaela, my beautiful mate. First and foremost, I need to apologize. I never meant to hurt you." I plead as fear wraps itself around me like death's angel.

"What's going on Grey?" Shaela gasps.

"When I was in high school, I did something I feel so disgusted by." I groan.

"My parents raised me to honor our mate. I was 20 and felt as though I may be mateless. That thought allowed me to take actions unbecoming of a wolf." I admitted.

"I met and fell in love with a girl in my senior class. There was no mate pull, no tingles and no doubt that she was not sent to me from the Moon Goddess. That didn't deter me. My need for something to fill the empty spaces of my soul drove me to pursue her." I sighed as shame seeped into my being.

"We spent our last year in high school together and the summer after. Even when another male began to actively acknowledge his desire for her, we didn't part. Instead, she kept me a secret and allowed him to advance her. I also kept our relationship in the shadows."

"Once the other wolf made his claim, I did back away. However, it was too late. Our fornications had brought forth a pup. Her belly grew as I watched from the outskirts. We were not sure who the pup belonged to, me or her chosen mate."

"Shortly after our relationship seized, I met you, Shaela, my Luna and Queen." I choked as tears betrayed me.

"In the presence of my true mate, all thoughts for my previous lover washed away. My heart was so full of love and adoration for you. Any thought of another was vapid. Unfortunately, I was so entranced in my gift that I could not bring myself to expose my past."

"For that, I am truly and forever repentant."

I watched as my Shaela, the love of my life, shook in despair over my confession. I couldn't bear the pain as her suffering echoed thru our mate bond. My knees weakened and my neck bowed as the weight of my life choices began to chisel away at my soulmate.

"My past came storming thru time and again, as this woman would keep in contact. Every once in a while she would send me reminders of herself and of the pup that was maturing in her womb. Her mate became increasingly weary of her actions, although he never found proof of his suspicions."

"I was not moved by her proclamations or her pleads for my heart. My fate had been luckily sealed by the Moon Goddess herself. I was content, ecstatic and flourishing in the discovery of my true mate."

"However, there was a child due to be born. Not knowing if I was the father, kept me curious. I secretly hoped the pup was not my own. For that would create a strain to my beloved."

"With no dna test feasible, we agreed to allow her chosen mate to claim the pup as his own. I willingly relinquished any relationship with the offspring. Thinking this was best for all involved, I buried my secret."

"While I never promised my mate, Shaela, that I was pure and untouched, I never moved to reveal the truth. In doing so, I built a home, pack, family and life on a foundation of quick sand. Recent events disturbed that foundation, rapidly deteriorating everything I had accomplished."

"Is there more, I can't see how we are involved." Alpha Carter questioned.

"I'm getting to it, I apologize."

"L was nearing the end of her pregnancy when her mate discovered a large amount of unsent or returned correspondence meant for myself. Her mate became angry and started to delve into the unknown secrets from her past. In doing so, he uncovered the truth. He surmised that he may not be the father of L's Baby."

"Things quickly became heated as she did her best to sooth him. As far as I am aware, he never made the connection between L and myself."

"Who is L?" my mate questioned.

"Soon, my love." I quieted her with a pleading look.

Shaela's lips quivered as she rested in her seat awaiting the final blows she was expecting.

"The pup was born and I made my mind up to keep the charade. Things died down, the male whom had taken my ex-interest as his chosen mate, he snapped. The pup did not look like him. He felt betrayed. Rumors spread that L had passed during the birthing process."

"I knew this to be untrue. She had contacted me and let me know the pup, our pup, had been delivered. The chances of a wolf dying while birthing are low, either way. Extremely low!"

"The Alpha that had taken residence in L's life, he hid her away. He removed the pup and sent him away to be cared for by another family. Eventually, he got rid of L all together. Losing his mate destroyed him and he lost his will to live."

"I didn't know where the child had been placed. Honestly, I didn't really want to know. However, a couple week's ago, I found the answers I was truly not seeking."

I looked around the room. Knowledge was slowly creeping onto the faces of my family before me. Shaela did not look angry. Anger would be far better than the look of hurt, despondency and loss.

"Her name?" Shaela requested with a defeated tone.

"Stacy Buchanan. Lily. L." I whispered.

"I'm the pup?" Collin asked.

"Yes, L was your mother." I confirmed.

"I'm gonna be sick." Shaela ran from the room with her shaking hand covering her mouth. Luna Alivia ran to comfort her.

"Dad?" Alex called.

I didn't want to look at my sons. I was embarrassed to dishonor my family.

"Yes, son?" I asked.

"You know we love you, this doesn't change anything." Alex stood up and wrapped his arms around me.

Tears finally broke from the dam as I weeped into Alex' shoulder. The weight of my secrets did not lift. I would pay eternally for the sins of my youth.

"Alpha Grey? Where does this leave everyone?" Luna Elise questioned.

"For you, I suppose nothing has changed. You knew Collin was not your son by blood. But, for me, I'm not sure I can answer that." I spoke.

"What blood type are you?" Collin asked.

"O positive." I stated.

"You're not my father." Collin confirmed.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"My mother's blood type is O positive as well." Collin clarified.

"My blood type is A negative. Landon was my father." Collin revealed.

"I can only speculate as to why Stacy would allow you to believe you were the father. Landon was a cruel man. He, no doubt, did what you have accused him of. He most likely killed Stacy out of vengeance. I apologize for my brother's role in your life. This was unfair to you and your family." Luna Elise quietly stated.

"It is me who apologizes. I have let fear dictate my life. Now I will need to face my penalty." I ushered.

Collin not being my son really changes nothing. Unfortunately, that was never the real concern. Collin has a life with two amazing parents and two incredible sisters. My presence in his life was never justified.

The real issue is trust. How can I ask my Luna, my Queen to ever trust me? How can my kids respect someone who did not respect them? Our whole life together has been built on a lie.

Secrets don't make friends. They destroy them.