Shadows of the pack novel Chapter 66

Melody stormed into Knox's study, her eyes blazing with anger. "Rebecca is not staying in this pack," she declared, her voice firm and unwavering.
Knox sighed, feeling a sense of frustration rising within him. He had hoped for a moment of peace after the tense encounter with Rebecca, but it seemed like the storm was far from over. "I don't want her here either," he admitted, trying to reason with Melody.
"Then send her away," Melody retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "She betrayed us, Knox. She can't just waltz back in here and expect everything to be forgiven."
Knox leaned back in his chair, his eyes meeting Melody's with a mix of weariness and determination. "I understand how you feel," he said, "but it's not that simple. Aria is making me let her stay, because of the pup."
Melody's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, her anger wavered. "Aria wants her to stay?" she asked incredulously.
Knox nodded. "Yes," he replied, "You know how she feels about second chances.
He looked into her eyes, conveying the hidden message. She paused for a moment.
"But what about us?" Melody protested. "What about the pain she caused us?"
Knox's heart ached, knowing the pain Rebecca had inflicted on them. "I haven't forgotten, Melody," he said softly.
Melody huffed, clearly not convinced. "Well, I don't trust her," she stated firmly. "And I don't want her anywhere near us or the pup."
Knox sighed, feeling torn between his loyalty to Aria and his responsibility as Alpha to protect his pack. "I will talk to Aria about it," he promised. "But for now, I will let Rebecca stay secluded away from the rest of us. Since Seraphina brought her here, she will have to deal with her."
Melody's eyes softened, her anger giving way to concern. "What if she hasn't changed, Knox?" she asked quietly. "What if she's just using this as a way to get back into the pack and cause more trouble?"
Knox reached across the desk, placing a reassuring hand on Melody's shoulder. "I won't let that happen," he said firmly. "I will keep a close eye on her, and if she poses any threat to the pack, she will be dealt with accordingly."
Melody nodded, seeming slightly reassured. "Okay."
As Melody left the study, Knox leaned back in his chair, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. He knew that allowing Rebecca to stay in the pack was a risk, but he also understood Aria's compassion and desire to give her a chance at redemption. Balancing the needs of his mate and his pack was a difficult task, but one he was willing to undertake for the sake of unity and peace.
Days passed fast in the Nightshade Pack. Everyone continued with their normal activities.
 Rebecca placed her hand on her tummy. For the past three days Seraphina had tended to her needs. She was surprised because Seraphina had been her least favorite person and she was sure that the she wolf had shared the same sentiment.
After a few minutes, her stomach rumbled again. With a tired sigh, she pushed herself up heading in the direction of the pack house.
**********
Aria threw her head back in laughter as she continued to communicate with Knox through their mating bond.
“I’m telling you. Melody can be pretty scary when she is angry and that’s just part of it. Shana doesn’t even know yet.”
Aria rolled her eyes, “Don’t tell me you are scared of a little anger tantrum. Aren’t you supposed to be all mighty and powerful?”
“Where are you?”
“The kitchen. Why?”
“I want to come show you just how mighty and powerful I am. Aria? Are you there?”
“Rebecca just stepped into the kitchen."
"You want me there."
Knox felt her smile through their bond, "Don't worry. I got it."
Rebecca immediately turned around to leave, not wanting to face the Luna of the Nightshade Pack, but before she could make her escape, Aria's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Rebecca," Aria called out softly, her tone firm but not unkind. "Wait."
Rebecca turned back slowly, her eyes meeting Aria's for the first time since she came to the pack.
"I know you must be feeling overwhelmed right now," Aria said gently. "But I want you to know that I didn't ask Knox to let you stay just because of the pup. I believe in second chances, and I believe that people can change if they truly want to."
Rebecca looked down at her feet, feeling a mix of guilt and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
"But," Aria continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "don't mistake my compassion for weakness. If you think for one moment that you can come back here and cause trouble, you're mistaken. I won't hesitate to protect my pack, no matter who they are."
Rebecca nodded, understanding the gravity of Aria's words. "I don't want any trouble," she said earnestly. Rebecca could only nod in respect.
Aria studied her for a moment, seeming to weigh her words carefully. "Tell me, Rebecca," she asked, "how could you be so cruel? How could you betray Knox and the rest of the pack like that?"
Rebecca's throat tightened, and she struggled to find the right words to explain herself. "I was desperate," she finally admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. "I thought that gaining power was the only way to prove that I was good enough. I–”
The door to the kitchen flung open stopping Rebecca mid sentence.
Melody took in the two occupants in the room before facing Aria.
Melody's eyes narrowed. "What is she doing inside the pack house?" she demanded, her voice sharp with concern and anger.
Aria sighed, trying to maintain her composure. "She was hungry, so she came to get something to eat," she explained calmly.
Melody scoffed, looking back at Rebecca with disdain. "Of course she did. She always knows how to find her way back when she needs something," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Rebecca opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, Melody cut her off. "Save it, Rebecca. We used to be friends, but you betrayed all of us. You betrayed Knox, our pack, and me," she said, her voice quivering with emotion.
Rebecca's eyes filled with regret, and she took a step forward. "I know I made mistakes, Melody. I know I hurt you all, and I'm sorry," she said, her voice shaky but sincere.
Melody shook her head, her anger resurfacing. "Sorry isn't enough," she retorted. "You can't undo the pain you caused."
Rebecca's eyes glistened with tears, but she straightened her back, trying to find some strength within herself. "And what about you, Melody? You also betrayed Knox when you were working for Julian," she said, her voice firm.
Melody's face darkened, but she didn't back down. "I did what I had to do to protect someone I loved," she replied defiantly.
Rebecca shook her head, her tears now falling freely. "And I did what I did because I felt lost and alone, like I had no other choice," she said, her voice breaking.
Aria stepped forward, placing a hand on both of their shoulders. "Enough," she said firmly. "Finger-pointing won't solve anything. We all made mistakes, and we all have our reasons. But now, we need to focus on finding a way to move forward together."
Melody glanced at Aria, her anger still evident in her eyes. "I am not moving forward with her. As far as I know, she is dead to me. I can’t wait for Shana to get back because this is absolute madness.”
“I didn’t judge you when you gave me the Shadowbane Crystal. Never for once. I went through a lot when that Crystal was around my neck but yet. I fought for you when Knox planned to banish you because I believe in second chances.”
Melody folded her hand, "Maybe you shouldn’t have.” She turned to Rebecca, “I will never forgive you."
Rebecca wiped away her tears, her own voice shaking as she spoke. "I know I hurt you all deeply," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "And I'm not asking for your forgiveness right away. But please, let me try to make amends. Let me prove to you that I've changed."
Melody scoffed, her anger burning brighter. "How do we know you won't betray us again? How do we know we can trust you?"
Rebecca's eyes pleaded for understanding. "You don't," she admitted. "But what do I have to gain? I have nowhere to go.”
Aria stepped closer to both of them, "Melody, I'm not asking you to forget or forgive right away," she said, her voice gentle but resolute. "But we have to give each other a chance to grow and change. None of us are perfect, and we all make mistakes."
Melody's fists clenched at her sides, but she seemed to be listening. "I just don't know if I can trust her," she repeated, “And—”
Melody stopped mid sentence when Rebecca suddenly let out a yelp.
Aria knew what was happening as soon as her eyes went to the floor,”The pup is coming.”