Chapter 3

WREN

We talked the whole way to Helena. Raven has grown up so much. She told me how she likes to hunt and she likes helping the women of the pack.

I asked her if she had a boyfriend because that’s what sisters do and she confirmed. His name is Dale Hunter. He apparently treats her right and she loves him. I’m happy for her.

She asked me the same question. I told her about Jayson and how we were in love for a year. When the Blue Moon showed us we weren’t mates, we fell apart. Jayson couldn’t handle it. He was so sure. I never dated anyone else after that.

We talked about my job with the Alliance. I told her all the stories of the events in the last three years. Told her about Torrent, White, and Rennet. I talked about how my friends all found their mates. It was great. Unreal actually. It used to be that finding your fated mate was rare, but when it comes to my friends, they all hit the jackpot and are now riding the fated bond high.

I wish I could have the same. Aside from Jayson, there was only one person I ever loved. He died years ago. Was he my fated? I don’t know. I know my feelings for him were strong, but we were too young to feel the connection. Then he was gone.

As I travel up the highway, I see a sight I never wanted to see again.

Aurora.

My head whips to Raven. “Please, tell me we aren’t going there.”

She laughs. “No. That’s a Dragon City.”

“I know.” I look at her with concern on her face. “I’m starting to wonder why my baby sister is living around a fucking Dragon City.”

I couldn’t help but get my back up. You would think after being attacked by Dragons, the last place you’d want to be would be near a city full of them.

“The Alpha will tell you everything. It’s not as bad as you think.” She sits up. “Get off here.” She points to an exit sign.

I pull off the highway. Raven directs me down more roads. We’re driving on a lonely highway through the thick, old growth forest.

“Where are we, Raven?” I started to get a twist in my gut.

“Helena.” She smiles a big, toothy smile. “Turn there.”

She has me turn my Jeep onto a dirt road that leads into the forest.

The canopy was arched above us. The treetops were thick. The Jeeps headlights came on in the low light level.

I drove slowly on the rough road. “Raven, this isn’t Helena.”

She grins. “No. It’s better. Pull over.”

I stop the Jeep and put it in park. “What are we doing?”

She opened the passenger side door. “We have to walk from here. Your car is safe here.” She shuts the door.

I get out and walk around my Jeep. “Raven, please tell me you’re not living in the woods.”

“Come on. I’ll show you.” She grabs my hand and leads me into the thick brush. We maneuver our way through the giant old trees and come to a clearing.

At its edge, the sun blinds me. I raise my hand to shield them. The clearing is large with two foothills on either side. There’s a dip of a shallow valley in the center.

My eyes travel across the clearing to the opposite edge. I can make out small houses made of what looks like, tree branches. There’s smoke rising from the center.

On that side of the clearing, children play. Chasing each other. Adults lay in the sun, talking.

An eagle screeches across the blue sky.

“Welcome home, Wren.” Raven grabs my hand and laces her fingers into mine.

I stand dumbfounded. Bastian was right. My people are Nomads. Packs living in the woods. Hiding from the rest of society. These are the survivors. Survivors of the Dragons devastating attacks.

“They’re all Helena?” I ask slowly as I’m still trapped by my amazement.

Raven shakes her head. “No. Not all. There’s some who are from other packs that just want to live with us.”

She grabs my hand again. “Let’s go.” She pulls me into the clearing. We descend our hill and cross the valley.

“Ravens back! Ravens back!” One of the kids yells. Raven gets a bit nervous as she sees one of the adults get up and run to the village.

The kids all run to us. “Raven! Did you bring us anything?” A boy no more than eight says.

“Not this time, Finley.” She hugs him and giggles.

“Who’s she?” Another blonde boy asks.

“This is my new friend, Wren. She was looking for new friends and I told her I have great friends here. Do you think you could be friends with her?” She flicks her head around the boys' faces.

Finley smiled at me. “Yeah. We can be friends.”

I nod. “Thank you, Finley. That’s very kind of you.”

Raven shows them away. “Ok off with you all.”

The kids run off. “Bye, Raven.”

“They’re cute.” I smile.

“They’re troublemakers. You’ll find out quick.” She laughs.

We head up the hill the village sits on. The adults on the hill stare at us as we walk up to the village.

We enter the village that is nestled in the tree line of the clearing. It’s dark wood houses are all one maybe two rooms at best. Some have small makeshift fences around them. There’s people washing, cooking, repairing…. doing various jobs all around the main road into the village center.

People stop what they’re doing. They stand. I see some jaws tick on the men. Some women hold their pups. On the other side, men eye me as stop their construction of another building.

My cheeks heat and my mouth goes small. I lean to Raven. “They don’t look happy to see me.” I whisper.

“They’re not used to strangers. They’ll warm up.” She whispers back.

“Raven! Where the hell have you been?!” a voice yells.

Raven smiles big. “Dale!” She runs to the blonde haired, brown eyed man. He looks young and angry.

Raven jumps into his arms and kisses him. She hugged him. “I missed you.” She laughs.

Dale put her down. “Don’t act like you haven’t been gone for two weeks, Raven. I was worried sick!” He grabbed her arm and pointed a finger in her face.

“I’m sorry. But I had a really good reason. I swear.” Raven defended.

I stepped forward. “Please…don’t get mad at her. It’s was my fault.”

“Who the hell are you? Raven, who is this?” He points to me.

Raven pulls him to me. “Dale, I want you meet Wren Miller. My sister.”

He stares at me. “Wren? You…. you’re alive.”

“Surprise!” I nervously try to make the situation less uncomfortable.

He scratches his head. “Um…wow…just…. just give me a minute.” He pulls Raven aside.

They argued low. I could only hear parts. “Are you out of your mind? He’s going to flip out!”

“Dale, she’s, my sister. I don’t care.” Raven responds.

Dale looks at me and forces a fake smile. I raise a brow, crossing my arms.

After more arguing back and forth, Dale steps toward me. “Wait here. I’ll get the Beta.” He grumbles as he walks away.

I look at Raven. “He seems nice.”

“He’s just worried how the Alpha is going to react. The Alpha is very nice. He’ll love you.” She waited beside me.

I kicked at the dirt while I waited.

Then I see Dale come back from behind the village with a man about his size. Black, nicely trimmed hair and brown eyes. He’s really easy on the eyes. His t-shirt presses against his well-built chest. His jeans hug his built thighs nicely.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets and stops at us. “I’m Curtis Miles. The Beta of the village. Raven, you want to tell me what’s going on?”

He looked at me suspiciously. Obviously, these people protect their privacy.

“Curtis. Meet my sister, Wren.” Raven beams.

Curtis' mouth goes small and his eyes widen. Much the same look Dale had a moment ago. “Oh. Wren.” He cleared his throat and forced a small smile. “Welcome to Helena.”

“This is Helena?” I look around then turn to the faces surrounding me.

Curtis looks around then back to me. “It may not look like much, but it’s home.” He stood beside me. “Come on. I’ll take you to my house and we can talk there.”

I nod. “Ok. Let’s talk.”

He leads me to a house that’s slightly bigger than the others.

He pulls back the make shift door and waves me in.

It’s about two and half small rooms. One’s for eating and it looks like ones for sleeping. It’s dark. He walks to the wall and props open a stick window panel, letting in light.

“Sit, please.” He gestures to the furs and roughly made pillows on the floor.

I look cautiously and slowly sit. Raven sits beside me preening and holding my hand. Dale leans against the wall.

“So. Wren Miller. Alive and well." He grabs a couple of cups and dunks them in a barrel of water. He hands me one and sits opposite of me.

“Thanks.” I tilt the cup to him. “Yes. I’m alive and so, are you?”

He takes a drink. Sucking on his top lip. “Where have you been?”

I took a drink of my cup. It wasn’t great water, but it was water. “The Unit. They found me in the destruction and raised me. They told me you all were dead. For years I thought I was the only one. That’s apparently not true. I still can’t believe it.” I smiled.

He took another drink. “Did you search for us?”

I looked confused. My head flicking between the three people. “Um. No. I didn’t. I was told there was no one to search for.”

He nods. “Ok. So, for ten years you never once thought to search out your pack.”

There was an air of agitation behind his words.

“Every day I wished to see someone from my pack. But I was 17, Curtis. The unit said you were dead. I believed them." I held my cup and stared into his eyes.

He nods again. “Did you join them?”

I shook my head. “No. I’d have to give up my title and I wasn’t doing that. I didn’t want to go rogue either so I joined their ranks not the pack. I work for them now.”

He brow ticked up. “You’re Alliance.”

“Yes.” I confirm.

He scratches at his temple. “I have to talk with the Alpha. After, you can talk with him and we can decide what to do from there. Stay here.” He rose to his feet and left the house.

“I bet the Alpha will hug you and welcome you home, Wren.” Raven was practically bouncing on her but.

“Don’t be so sure of that.” Dale says. His face dark.

“Why do you say that?” I ask him.

“You’ll see.” He looks down at the floor.

We waited for what felt like an hour. Finally, Curtis returned.

“The Alpha will see you now.” He says in a monotone tone.

We follow him out and turn behind his house. Following a path deeper into the trees. After a few minutes the trees thin and a house appears. It’s buried in the trunks of the old trees. It was at least three rooms. Slightly bigger than Curtis', but significantly smaller than most Alpha pack houses.

Curtis moves a wolf skin covering and opens a door made of branches.

“He’s in there.” Curtis points in the darkened doorway.

I slowly walk in. Unsure of what I’m about to find.

I step quietly. There’s light from candles. Furs and pillows all over the floors. Weapons and shields hang on the walls.

I search the room and then I see him. He’s lying on the floor with his hands behind his head.

He rolls his head my way and I’m hit with heat.

He sits up with a jolt. His arm draped over his bent knee.

It’s like time slowed. My eyes float over him.

His dark blonde, perfectly cut hair looks soft and silky. His blue eyes like the deepest ocean. They surround me. Like they know every part of my soul.

His jaw held strong and his features were sharp. I felt like I needed to touch him.

His chest was so defined. Rippling muscles. The black ink tattoos made my stomach flutter.

I look into his eyes and my face pains. My heart jumps into my throat.

My eyes well with tears as I suck in a breath. I can only whisper one word.

“Lucius.”