Chapter 3-Snow-Moon Pack

The next day

I look through the notebook that Alpha Damon gave me, looking over the names of the local packs.

“Snow-Moon is probably a good place to start. Aren’t they an ally?” I ask Enyo.

‘Yeah, they are. But I don’t think we’ve had much to do with them in a few years.’

I put the number into my cell and dial.

“Hello, this is Alyssa speaking. How may I help you?” A friendly voice answers after a few rings.

“Hi Alyssa, my name is Athena Argos. I’m a member of the Blood-Moon pack, and I was wondering if I may speak with your Alpha if he’s available?”

“May I ask what it’s regarding, please?”

“It’s regarding an attack against our pack that happened two years ago.”

She goes silent for a moment, then says, “Please hold.”

The line goes quiet for a moment, and then another voice speaks. “Miss Argos, this is Alpha Jackson.”

“Hello Alpha Jackson. Thank you for taking my call. I was wondering if I could please meet with you?”

“My assistant said this is about the attack two years ago?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m not sure how I’d be able to help you. But out of respect for your father, I can meet with you this afternoon.”

“Thank you so much, Alpha.”

“I’ll have my assistant schedule you in for 1pm. I’ll see you then.”

*

I’m filled with nervous energy as I drive along back roads, following my GPS on my phone to the Snow-Moon pack territory to meet with Alpha Jackson.

I finally pull up to the gate, and a warrior walks toward my truck. I roll down my window, and with a smile, I introduce myself. “Hi, my name is Athena Argos. I have an appointment to see Alpha Jackson,” I tell him.

He says nothing, he just nods and walks back to the small security office near the gate, and I see him press a button. The gate slowly slides open, and I give him a wave as I drive through, the gate closing behind me.

Snow-Moon territory is a lot like our pack’s territory, just smaller. If a human were to stumble across it, they would think it’s a charming, gated community, with well-maintained lawns and charming houses, with one house larger than the others in the middle. I drive towards the pack house and park in one of the designated visitors’ spots.

When I get out of my truck, I see a man standing a few feet away, and he approaches me with a smile.

“Hi, Athena. I’m Beta Colton. It’s nice to meet you,” he says, offering his hand.

I shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“Please follow me. Alpha Jackson is waiting for us in his office.”

I follow him inside, and he takes me through to the back of the lower level of the house and leads me into an office. A man stands from behind the desk inside, and he comes around the desk as Beta Colton closes the office door.

“Athena, I’m Alpha Jackson. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says, shaking my hand.

“Thank you for meeting with me, Alpha,” I say, bowing my head slightly in respect.

“Please sit. Can I offer you anything to eat or drink?” He says as he sits on one of the couches.

“No thank you, I’m fine,” I say as I sit on the opposite couch.

“So, what exactly is this about, Athena?”

“This is about the truth, Alpha Jackson, and my pursuit of it.”

“The truth about the attack?” He asks as he crosses one leg over the other.

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

“And how do you think I can help in this pursuit?”

“I’m wondering if there’s any information at all that you can tell me about the attack?”

“I hope you’re not accusing our pack of having anything to do with it,” he says with a low growl.

I bow my head again. “No, of course not, Alpha. I know our packs have an alliance, and I remember my father speaking highly of you. But someone has to know something. The pack that attacked us got into our territory with no one knowing they were there. So, I want to speak with all the local packs to see if there’s anything the council overlooked.”

He watches me silently for a moment. “You have your father’s determined spirit,” he says with a smile.

I smile back. “Most would call it stubbornness,” I say, and he laughs.

“Well, I can assure you, Athena, that I know nothing about the pack that attacked yours. To be honest, the only reason I’m meeting with you today is because of your father. And, unfortunately, you will receive the same answer from the rest of the packs in the area.”

I slump back on the couch sadly. “I don’t understand any of it. How can no one know anything?” I say, holding back tears.

“I’ve often wondered this myself. The only thing I can think of was that it wasn’t a local pack. When I spoke to Alpha Damon about it, he said that no one in the pack recognized any of the dead left behind.”

I nod. “That’s correct.”

He uncrosses his legs and sits forward, resting his arms on his thighs. “Why are you doing this to yourself, Athena?”

I take a deep breath. “My father meant everything to me. I need to know why this happened.”

“We all lose people, Athena. That’s just the way of life. We mourn, but we move on,” he says gently.

“I can’t move on, Alpha. Not knowing the truth is killing me. I feel like I have to avenge him.”

“As a father, I can tell you that your father wouldn’t want this for you.”

“And as a father, what would you do if someone came into your pack and shot your son?” I say, my anger returning.

Alpha Jackson lets out a menacing growl, his canines extending and his eyes turning yellow as his lycan comes forward. “I’d kill them all.”

“So, how can you tell me to move on? How can you possibly tell me my father wouldn’t want me to find those responsible?”

He closes his eyes, taking a moment to calm down. When he opens them, his eyes are back to their normal blue. “I’m sorry, Athena.”

“Me too,” is all I can say.

“I didn’t realize your father was one of the wolves that was shot,” he says.

I nod. “Alpha Niko was the other wolf shot. The wolfsbane on the bullet forced them to shift back to their human form. They couldn’t heal, and they couldn’t shift back.”

“Interesting… We weren’t told that.”

“You weren’t? Why would the council hide that?” I ask, confused.

“Probably to avoid a panic. There’s only one type of wolfsbane that can do that, and it was banned over a century ago. As far as I know, the council had all the wolfsbane found and destroyed.”

“What the fuck… Then how the hell did someone get their hands on it?”

“That is a good question. One that I will be bringing up with the council.”

“Is there anything else you know about it?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

“Just that it’s a bright yellow.”

I nod and stand from the couch, and so does Alpha Jackson. “Thanks for seeing me, Alpha Jackson. And thanks for your help,” I say, holding my hand out for him to shake.

“I just wish there was more I could do to help,” he says, shaking my hand.

“You’ve done plenty,” I say with a small smile, and Beta Colton opens the door for me, and walks me outside.

“Good luck, Athena,” he says, shaking my hand.

“Thanks,” I say and get into my truck and leave.