Chapter 8: The Pack House

A week had passed since the event at the Arcadium, and the moon had waned to a faint silver crescent. Erika mostly stayed confined to her chambers, seeking solace in the volumes she borrowed from the library. Her days were spent studying centuries of Di Rocco family history, a tapestry woven with tales of power, tragedy, and triumph. The faces from the portraits lining the mansion’s walls were no longer strangers. She now knew them as the alphas and lunas who had built the stronghold Diego ruled today.

This morning, Erika’s fingers trailed the edges of a journal detailing the untimely death of Alpha Giorgio, Diego’s father. Giorgio had perished alongside his pack during a leisure hunt in the Gray Mountains. Official reports attributed the deaths to a freak encounter with wild boars, but whispers in the journal hinted at something far graver—a rogue ambush. The tragedy had shaken Valentia and devastated the Di Rocco clan, leaving a thirteen-year-old Diego to inherit the mantle of alpha.

Dunia, then Luna, had shouldered the burdens of leadership. She managed the town’s political affairs, the family’s lucrative winery business, and the household—all while raising her young son. Erika couldn’t help but feel a deep respect for the woman. Dunia had not only held Valentia together but led it through years of prosperity. Erika wondered if she could ever measure up to such a legacy.

She was about to turn the page to a chapter intriguingly titled Curses and Prophecies when a soft knock on the door broke her focus.

“Luna Erika?” It was Astrid, her maid. “The Alpha has requested your presence for breakfast at the Pack House.”

Erika’s heart skipped a beat. “The Pack House?” She’d never ventured beyond the main mansion. “Where is it?”

“Just across the swan pond,” Astrid replied. “I’ll show you the way.”

Closing the journal, Erika rose and tidied her desk. “Give me a moment to wash up and change. I’ll meet you shortly.”

Astrid offered assistance, but Erika declined with a polite smile. “Thanks, but I can manage.”

Erika chose a simple outfit: high-waisted khaki trousers, a plain white T-shirt, and a light cream cardigan. She paired it with white sneakers, a practical yet presentable choice. When she joined Astrid at the back door of the mansion, the maid led her through the olive garden. Beyond its silvery-green expanse, Erika caught her first glimpse of the swan pond. The water sparkled under the morning sun, and elegant swans glided gracefully across its surface. Low flowering shrubs and neatly arranged stones adorned the banks, framing the scene like a painting.

Beyond the pond stood the Pack House. It was a sturdy structure of stone and timber, less ornate than the mansion but exuding strength and purpose. Above the doorway gleamed the Di Rocco pack’s shield, a symbol of their unity and power.

The door swung open as they approached, and a tall, lean man stepped out. He wore a gray hooded sweatshirt and gym pants, his relaxed attire contrasting with his commanding presence.

“Good morning, Luna,” he greeted with a slight bow. “I’m Alessandro, the pack’s beta. Welcome to our Pack House.” He turned to Astrid. “You may go now. I’ll escort her from here.”

“Thank you, Astrid,” Erika said before turning back to Alessandro. “I was told the Alpha is expecting me for breakfast. Is that correct?”

Alessandro’s smile was warm. “Yes, ma’am. He’s waiting for you on the terrace. This way, please.”

Inside, the Pack House’s interior was spacious and functional. The lounge featured sturdy furniture, soft rugs, and large windows that let in natural light. A subtle scent of pine lingered in the air. Alessandro led Erika through glass doors that opened onto a sunlit terrace. There, a large round table was set for breakfast. Diego sat at its head, surrounded by his pack members. As Erika approached, everyone stood in unison to greet her.

Diego rose with them, his expression unreadable. “Welcome to the pack, Luna,” he said, his smile polite but distant. He motioned to the chair beside him. “Please, sit.”

Erika’s pulse quickened as she took her place. She had expected an intimate breakfast, just the two of them. The presence of the pack felt overwhelming.

Diego introduced each member, their roles vital to the pack’s hierarchy. When he reached Lucia, the pack’s epsilon, Erika’s stomach clenched. It was the woman she had seen leaving Diego’s chambers that night. Lucia’s confidence was palpable, her smirk almost challenging. Erika’s jaw tightened, but she maintained her composure.

Her discomfort eased when Diego introduced Sofia, the omega. The woman’s gentle demeanor was a balm, and she offered Erika a reassuring smile.

“Hi, everyone,” Erika said, her voice steady despite her nerves. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Diego’s tone remained formal. “I think it’s about time you join our meetings. After all, you are the Luna.”

Erika inclined her head. “Thank you. I’ll do my best for the pack.”

Diego’s gaze sharpened. “You need not do anything at all,” he said, his words cutting. “Just observe, listen, and learn. The next time the Alpha King asks you to speak your mind, make sure it’s the pack’s mind you represent. Understand?”

His piercing stare sent a shiver down her spine. Erika lowered her eyes and nodded. “Yes, Alpha. I understand.”

Alessandro stepped in to diffuse the tension. “Alpha, the coffee is getting cold.”

Diego leaned back, his expression softening slightly. “Alright. Let’s eat.”

As the pack settled into their meal, Erika couldn’t shake the weight of Diego’s words or the tension simmering beneath the surface. She was part of the pack now, yet the distance between her and its alpha felt insurmountable.

Diego began explaining the ranks within the pack. His voice carried authority and pride as he addressed Erika. “The Beta, Alessandro Casaletto, is my right hand. He advises me on everything and is an expert in tactics and combat. When I’m not available, he acts in my stead.”

Alessandro gave a modest nod. “It’s an honor to serve.”

Diego continued. “The Gamma, Aristide Zandi, or Aris as we call him, is our intelligence expert. He’s a computer wizard and a master of espionage. Don’t let his looks fool you; he’s more gigolo than geek at first glance.”

Aris smirked, running a hand through his meticulously styled hair. “I’ll take that as a compliment, Alpha.”

“The Delta, Pippo Politi, handles communications, public relations, and legal matters. He’s the quiet one but ensures our dealings are clean and aboveboard.”

Pippo inclined his head slightly, a man of few words but a steady presence.

“The Epsilon, Lucia Lupa, is our healer. She’s an expert in the medical field and can fix a broken bone in minutes. Smart and skilled.”

Lucia’s lips curved into a sly smile. “I’m happy to serve the pack, Alpha.”

Erika kept her face neutral, though the woman’s presence unsettled her.

“Lastly, the Omega, Sofia Sotto, is our social glue,” Diego said, his tone softening slightly. “She calms tensions, mediates conflicts, and ensures harmony within the pack. Sofia, you’ll act as the Luna’s deputy for now.”

Sofia smiled warmly at Erika. “I look forward to working with you, Luna.”

Erika nodded, feeling a sense of relief at Sofia’s kind demeanor.

The meal proceeded, but the atmosphere shifted when Diego introduced a new topic. He leaned forward, his gaze sweeping the table. “Now, let’s discuss the rogues. They’ve been growing bolder, and their presence is a threat. I’d like each of you to share your thoughts on how we should handle them.”

Alessandro spoke first. “Rogues disrupt the balance. They don’t follow the rules, and that makes them dangerous. We need to eliminate the threat before it escalates.”

Aris added, “They’re cunning but disorganized. If we hit them strategically, we can wipe them out without much risk to our pack.”

Pippo’s tone was measured. “We should also consider the legal implications. Whatever we do must align with Lycan law. Otherwise, we risk repercussions from the Alpha King.”

Lucia’s eyes gleamed with intensity. “Rogues are a plague. They deserve no mercy. We’ve lost too much to their kind already.”

Sofia hesitated, her expression pensive. “While I agree they’re a threat, I wonder if there’s a way to rehabilitate them. Not all rogues choose that life willingly.”

Diego’s gaze lingered on Sofia for a moment before he turned to Erika. “Luna, what do you think?”

Erika’s throat tightened. The pack’s hostility toward rogues was evident, and it conflicted with her own views. She hesitated, feeling the weight of their expectations. “I… I’m still learning, Alpha. I’ll need time to fully understand the pack’s stance.”

Diego’s expression remained unreadable, but his voice carried an edge. “Take all the time you need, but remember—indecision can be as dangerous as weakness.”

The pack resumed their meal, but Erika couldn’t shake the unease settling over her. The divide between her and Diego’s ideology felt like a chasm, and she wondered if she could ever bridge it.