Chapter 5

Asher POV

         “Are these the final attendee lists for both your packs for the full moon run in two days?” I ask Dare and Vinny over our video call. The three of us have gotten quite chummy the last few months after everything went down with The Underground.

         I never thought I’d be inviting people to the Red Mountain Pack, much less for a full moon run, especially not in search of fated mates. As far as I was concerned, fated mates disappeared after the plague killed almost every mated werewolf around the world. Five years ago, my brother, Archie, convinced me to move our pack here to the United States from Australia. I was resistant to the idea for a long time, but things happen, and sometimes, a change of scenery is best for everyone.

         When we moved to this small corner of upstate New York, I was hellbent on keeping outsiders and threats away from my pack. I appreciated having the mountain range as a natural barrier. We were never a large pack, and after the plague, our numbers dwindled even more, including my parents who were among those lives lost.

         Archie and I make a great team. We had been doing great keeping outsiders away from our territory until we stumbled upon Vinny and his crew while they were on a quest in search of Vinny’s fated mate. Emmy, Vinny’s mate, had been abducted by some psychopath, who started The Underground. Fortunately, Vinny and Emmy killed him and our three packs have slowly developed an alliance.

         Word quickly spread throughout our pack about the possibility of fated mates returning, and faith in the Moon Goddess was restored. You’d think more people would be hesitant to find their fated mates, considering what happened to the previous generation, but I guess the possibility of eternal love and happiness clouds peoples’ rationality.

         The last two months, Vinny’s pack, The Forza Nelle Tenebre, aka Forza Pack, and Dare’s pack, The Running River Pack, have taken turns hosting full moon runs. A bunch of my pack members have traveled to these events and about fifty of them found their fated mates within the other packs. Small fuckin’ world, right?

         Now, this next full moon is my turn to have their pack members visit in hopes of finding their mates here at Red Mountain. The thought of having close to one hundred visitors on my territory makes my skin crawl with anxiety. I have ensured my security team and warriors will be extra vigilant during the full moon. I don’t want to risk something happening.

I’m sure I sound paranoid, but after you survive a plague, rogue attacks, a transcontinental relocation, and a major betrayal, come talk to me. I’m not saying I’m the type of guy who sleeps with one eye open, but I’ve learned to trust my gut since becoming Alpha ten years ago; seventeen is hardly the age to take on so much responsibility.

         “No changes to my list. Renz and Daphne will be coming to keep track of our pack and assist you with any logistics if any of our people find their mates,” Vinny tells me. He’s always in a serious mood, but I know he can loosen up. I had to have the guest room he and Emmy stayed in months ago deep-cleaned after they “reconnected” after killing Bram. Get it, Vinny.

         “How are Renz and Daphne doing? Preparing for any new shows? Archie said they are quite the performers. I gotta make it up there for one of their opening nights,” I ask as I scroll through Vinny’s attendee list. Fabian, his lead warrior, is coming down. I remember him from our rescue mission. He’s a solid dude. I hope he finds his mate while he’s here.

         “They are actually doing Grease in a few weeks. It may be their last show for a while. We just got the news that Daphne is carrying their pup,” Vinny says with a small smile on his face.

         “That’s awesome news, Vin! How’s Lucas taking the news?” Dare chimes in.

         “Oh shit, yea! Lukey can’t be too happy his baby sister was knocked up by Iceman,” I laugh as I run my hand through my hair, relaxing even further into my chair.

         “Watch it, Ash,” Vinny warns me with a finger pointing at the screen. I roll my eyes at him. “And Lucas is taking the news pretty well. Especially since he and Viv are also expecting a pup of their own.”

         “Whoa! Get out! It’s baby fever at the Forza Pack! Be careful Vin, you and Emmy are due next,” Dare jokes. Somehow, his joke doesn’t rattle Vinny. I guess these two have a closer bond with each other since they’re both mated to one of the infamous Stone sisters.

         Five sisters- all gorgeous in their own way. Their father was Alpha Bronson Stone, who had one of the largest packs and territories in the World. Coincidentally, he had alliances with packs all over the world too. I guess, when he learned he would fall victim to the plague, he reached out to each of us and declared that he was leaving each of our packs part of his territory. And now, two of his daughters are fated mates to two of the young Alphas he left his former territory to. I never met him, but our dad had a few photos of him and Alpha Bronson when they were younger. 

         Archie jokes that he and I will be fated mates with a couple of the younger sisters. I think that’s just wishful thinking on his part. He seemed charmed by one of them a few months back. From what I’ve learned about Amy is that she is a spitfire. She is visiting our pack this full moon, so I guess Archie can test his theory. I have no plans on ever finding my fated mate. I don’t think the Moon Goddess ever grants someone two women to love. I shake my head to rid my mind of heartbreaking thoughts and memories, and refocus on the conversation with Dare and Vinny.

         “I would love to see Emerald pregnant with our pup. She is incredibly busy with school right now. I want her to be able to focus on herself for a while,” Vinny says as he runs his hand through his long hair. I swear, this guy is the Fabio of werewolves. I overheard a few she-wolves from my pack talking about him, saying he is “the prettiest werewolf they’ve ever seen.” Gag me.

         “Well, you’ll be a great father when the time comes. I’m sure you’ll teach your kids how to organize their closets perfectly and arrange their toys in size order,” I poke at him one more time. This time, Dare snorts and I actually see spit go flying onto his camera.

         “Vaffanculo!” Vinny holds up his middle finger with a deep frown on his face. He’s so easy to piss off; it’s one of my favorite things to do.

         “Anyway, to get us back on track.” Dare clears his throat, but he can’t wipe the massive smile from his face. He knows Vinny is uptight. The two of us help to keep Vinny grounded. “I’m sending two more people from my pack, Ash.” Dare’s face shifts to a more serious one now, his dark eyes, which are literally black, tilt down, avoiding me, as he scratches his stubble. 

         “Yea, okay. Who is it?” I sit up a little and grab a pen to add their names to my existing list.

         “First, Tobias is going.”

         “Toby! Oh, shit! That’s awesome. He and Aurelian are such a fun time. I didn’t think he’d be looking for a mate given his…situation,” I say confusedly as I jot his name down.

         “He’s not looking for a mate. He’s just helping oversee our pack members since I’m tied up on diaper duty.”

         “I don’t envy you one bit, Dare. But, cool cool. Adding Toby to the list. Who is the second person that you’re adding?”

         He pauses and takes a swig of his whiskey. Fuck. Who is he sending that he needs liquid courage to tell me?

         “It’s Saph... She’s going to keep an eye on Amy and Pearl.”

         

“Are you fucking kidding me, Dare?! The girl fucking hates me! She couldn’t even stand to look at me months ago. How do I know she won’t try to do something stupid when she’s here?!” I feel my anxiety creeping up, the twinge in my gut tells me this is a bad idea.

         “Ash, calm down. She’s not a bad person. Saph is the kindest person I know. She wouldn’t hurt anyone. She’s just…hurting,” Dare tries to rationalize the situation.

         “People who are hurting tend to hurt others, Dare. I may not be as uptight as Vinny, but I don’t fuck around with the safety of my pack members. I haven’t seen Saph since she found out about Nate, but Archie told me she was slamming cocktails when he went to Vinny’s pack for that play. And Vinny told me what happened between her and Emmy a couple of months back. Does she know my pack is dry? We don’t serve, or condone, any usage of alcohol on pack territory!” 

I can feel my anxiety cranking up the more I think about this. I can’t risk her making a scene, or worse, taking out her heartache on anyone from my pack. Am I being overly paranoid? Perhaps, but I’d rather be paranoid than take any risks.

         “Fuck, Ash. She’s not a psychopath. You act like you don’t know what loss is like. She’s just grieving. That’s also why Tobias is going. He will keep Saph away from the full moon run. I guarantee you, the two of them will just stay in their rooms and wait to go home. She’s just going to ensure her sisters are okay,” Dare tries to reassure me and calm me down. It’s having a miniscule effect.

         “That, and to ensure your mullet-haired brother doesn’t touch Amy,” Vinny scoffs. The Italian cunt is actually chuckling. Even Dare is holding back a laugh.

         “Look outside your windows, fellas,” I instruct them as I turn to look outside as well.

         “Why?” Dare asks worriedly, turning his attention to his office window. Vinny does the same.

         “Just wanted to know if either of you cunts see pigs flying. Cause I thought that would happen the day I witness Vinny telling any sort of joke,” I wink at the screen.

         “Bastardo…” I hear Vinny grumble as he flicks his fingers from under his chin. Yea, who's got the jokes now, Vinny?

         “So, does this mean you’re okay with Saph coming?” Dare asks, his gaze has softened a bit. He clearly has a soft spot for all the Stone sisters in his heart. I guess that comes from being mated to the eldest sister.

         “Do I even have a choice?” I question, arching my brow as I lean back in my chair.

         “Of course. I promise, Saph won’t cause any trouble. You won’t even cross paths with her. It will be like she isn’t even there. Besides, Daya thinks a couple of days away will be good for Saph. Help her clear her head.”

         “Fine. Sorry, I guess I’m being a little paranoid,” I relent as I run my hands through my hair.

         The knot in my stomach gets stronger, but I do my best to ignore it for the remainder of our call.

         I just can’t shake this bad feeling.