Chapter One

Conri…

Alpha Conri sat at his desk, gazing over his landscapes. He had a whole estate to himself, with a few pack houses. He was a fierce and well-respected leader, dominant, yet gentle when he needed to be. He has been the Alpha of the Blue Moon pack for almost seven years. He has come to make a very big name for himself under the Alphas in the surrounding areas, and there were a lot of jealousy going around. Some packs have even tried acting on that jealousy and came second every single time. In the last few years his pack became one of the largest in the Northern Country of Europe. He had a very loyal Beta, Marcus, whom he owed his life to. He would not have been here, was it not for him. In some ways he was jealous of his best friend. Marcus found a lovely woman, settled down with her and even started his own family. In some way, Conri longed for that. To meet a woman that turned his world upside down, that can be a great Luna to his pack, to even have pups with… It was as if they became restless now and again and needed a woman’s touch. But Conri decided never to settle for second best, as he knew his mate was out there, he just needed to find her. He did act on his needs though, but never has there been a she-wolf that made him want more.

Conri stood up and stretched his long strong legs, flexing his muscles as they were stiff from sitting behind his desk the whole day. With running his own million-dollar company, leading such a big pack, Conri had his hands full. It was almost training time and he tried to be present whenever he can. He always had so much paperwork and office things to do, but he also made a point to be part of anything that will make his pack stronger, more combat ready. A strong pack can protect each other and be ready for anything. He already had a close call and lost some of his pack in the past, it still hit a very deep nerve when he thought about that night…  And he promised he would teach and train them to be better, faster, stronger so that something like that never happens again.

There was a knock on the door, breaking his deep thoughts.

“Come in” Conri turned around to face the door.

“Alpha Conri” Came Sheila’s sweet voice, flashing her hungry eyes at him and making no secret how she felt about him.

“Hi Sheila. Anything I can do for you?” Conri raised an eyebrow as he watched Sheila play with her long blond hair. He almost felt amused, as this was happening quite often these days. She was damn sexy, that he will give her, and she stirred his hormones, but that was all it was… sex…

“I wanted to hear if I can walk with you to the combat training? I want to participate please.”

“Oh, you do?” Conri said as he closed his laptop and started walking to the door.

“Yes, I was thinking, that way I can show you I am worth your time and more Conri. If you would only give me a fait chance. What can I do to show you I am Luna material!” Sheila sounded almost pleading, laying her hand with her perfectly painted nails on his strong forearm.

“Look Sheila, we have been over this how many times. We have fun together, don’t we? But that’s all it is, fun. You are more than welcome to start training with the rest, but don’t do it on my account.”

Conri walked past Sheila and waited for her to come out of his office before he closed the door behind her.

“Are you coming?” Conri asked as she just stood there, looking almost as if she wanted to slap him.

“No, I have changed my mind.” And with that she turned around and started to walk away.

“Am I going to see you later?” Conri tried his luck.

“Don’t count on it.” Was all she through back over her shoulder.

Conri laughed as she walked away, shoulders held high, and he almost felt sorry for her. She was not the only single woman around here that wanted to be Luna, but Conri has not met his match. Some women have thrown themselves at him and Conri can see the look in some of their eyes, almost undressing him on the very spot! He knew what he wanted in a Luna, and although some of the women in his pack are drop dead gorgeous, he was just not that interested in them…

Conri shook his head and smiled as he walked out of his mansion and over the big lawn, to the one of the other buildings that was on his estate. Most of his pack lived right here with him, and that suited him well. He needed them all close, so that they can protect one another and stand as a united front. And frankly, they all enjoyed living here. They had everything one would ever need. Gym, entertainment area, pool. And the best was that there was a forest right around the estate, giving them more than enough space to shift and run as they pleased.

Conri could see three of his pack members returning from a run and knew they came from patrolling the borders. They had enough members to take shifts and patrol 24/7.

Conri felt proud of every pack member and would give his live for each one of them. Conri stopped and talked to a few men and women on his way to the field where Marcus was setting up to start training. Conri was always interest in what was going on in their lives.

“Hey” Marcus looked up as he saw his Alpha approaching.

“Hey, thank you for doing this and taking charge. You are my best soldier and we all can learn a lot from you.” Conri meant every word as he put his hand on Marcus’s shoulder.

“For you, anything my friend.” Marcus has been in two other packs, before he joint Conri’s pack. When he met Conri, he knew that he would be his best Alpha ever, and that they would be unstoppable together. And they have been, they always had each other’s backs. They have been through rough times, battles and had the scars to prove them. There was even a time when another pack tried to kill Conri, trying to take his place as Alpha of the Blue Moon pack. Conri has not always had it easy, but Marco knew he had a lot of fight in him. They have been best friends for more than 5 years and Marcus would do anything for his Alpha.

“Come on, time for training.” Conri looked around and there were so many of his pack members, men, and women. Ready for battle, ready to learn, to train and make themselves stronger. He felt utter contentment and felt so proud of everyone.

"Thank you to each one of you that came. It makes me very proud to be your Alpha. Now who is ready for battle training!” Conri said in a dominant Alpha voice, and everyone started cheering.

The training started and went on for a few hours. Conri even participated, as he wanted to keep himself fit and in shape. He had a few rounds with Marcus, and nobody were a match for him. Conri himself were a good 8 feet, muscular man, but Marcus towered over him. Marcus never took it easy on Conri, and he appreciated that. After the last training fight session, Conri bent over, resting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

“Always a pleasure, Marcus.” Conri smiled, through breaths.

“You done?” Marcus asked with a grin on his face.

“I am just starting to warm up!” Marcus slapped Conri on his back as he gave him a towel.

“No, no, I am done. I still want to take a run a bit later.” Conri needed to clear his mind a bit.

“Just give me 5 minutes, let me finish up with these guys and we can go for a run together.”

“Ok.” Conri took a deep breath and felt his lungs fill with the fresh air. This is a smell he would never get tired of. The fresh pine trees, the open fresh air. With being a wolve, all their senses are heightened. He knew he was very lucky to have all this, and he worked hard to achieve it.

He looked around at his pack members and saw they all were exhausted after the training session, which meant they trained well. He stood up and went over to get some water bottles for everyone and started handing them out. He took a water bottle for himself and poured some over his sweaty forehead. He looked up and saw a few women watching him closely and they started giggling. He just smiled and waved. Marcus came up behind him.

“You always know how to catch their attention my friend.” Marcus laughed as he went to sit next to Conri.

“It’s not like I do it on purpose.” Conri looked at Marcus and pulled a funny face.

“Speaking of, I had another visit from Sheila just before the training session. She even wanted to participate to show me she was Luna material.” Conri shook his head as he took another sip from his water bottle.

“Is she ever going to get the message.” Marcus said as he looked out over the green fields.

“Come on, you ready? My muscles has had time to recover, I need to run.” Conri stood up and gave his friend a hand.

“Let me just tell Brenda, then we can go.”

“That’s fine. I will get you by the tree line in 5 minutes.” Conri started walking over the fields to the tree line where the woods started. He looked around, as he always did, but maybe a bit more alert after what happed last year…

Conri’s mind started drifting to the night he was kidnapped. It was very dark, barely a half moon. He could not sleep that night and decided to go for a run by himself. His pack members that were patrolling the borders that night was attacked and left for dead. Conri could smell the blood as he run in his wolf form that night and he would never forget the sight he came across. So much blood, so much brutality. He immediately shifted back to try and help them, but it was too late. Before he knew what was happening, four guys jumped him, and he had no chance. He was kidnapped and tortured for days before Marcus and his pack found him…

“You ready?” Marcus’s voice broke his thoughts and startled him.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you, you, ok?” Marcus asked, sounded a little concern when he saw the look on Conri’s face.

“Yeah, I am fine. Was just thinking about that night again.”

“It taught us all a lesson. Never safe to go on a run alone, we need to protect each other.”

“Yeah, I just really wish I knew who they were. But I have been trying to find out for the last year, but with no success.”

“It could have been a bunch of rogues working together, you never know. I killed as many as I could that night, but some still got away.”

“I guess we will never know.” Conri’s voice trailed off.

“Come on, lets run.” Marcus got undressed and started shifting. Conri followed short after him and not long they were running into the woods.

Conri started to run faster, he needed to feel the wind. He always enjoyed his wolf. He felt more powerful, stronger, like he could do anything. Time stood still when he run freely and there were times that Conri wished he could stay a wolf, not go back. But he knew his pack counted on him, and he would never leave or forsake them. As he run, freeing his mind of everything, he caught a faint scent. He started to slow down and saw he was very close to his borders. He came to a standstill and lifted his head so that he could smell better. The scent was still there but is started fading as the wind picked up again. Marcus’s wolf came to stand next to him and their eyes met. They could all hear each other’s thoughts when they were in wolf form. Marcus also lifted his head to try and smell, but the scent was gone.

They turned around and started running back to the houses. Just before the tree line ended, they stopped and shifted back. It was already dark outside and started to get cold.

As they got dressed, Marcus could see the confused look on Conri’s face.

“You ok” Marcus asked as he put his pants on.

“Yeah, but that smell. I have never smelled that before. It was intoxicating, so say the least. It smelled so good, for a second I wanted to go and look for it.” Conri frowned, listening to his own words.

“I didn’t smell anything, just pine trees.” Marcus shrugged.

“If was very faint, but I lost it as the wind picked up again. But anyway, thanks for the run, it did me good.”

“Anytime.” Marcus said as he put on his shoes.

They started walking back to the houses, each deep in their own thoughts.

“See you tomorrow, thanks again for today.” Conri said as he stopped in front of the cottage that his best friend has stayed in since he became part of his pack.

“See you” And with that Marcus disappeared inside and Conri could hear the excited voices of the kids as they saw Marcus. He smiled as he turned around and started walking back to his own house. Still thinking about that scent…

Tala…

Tala felt all the sharp pains shoot through her body as she tried to get up. She was so weak and hated herself for it. Her wolf inside her getting more restless and wanted to be in charge. On that very spot she decided she would start training and become stronger. Enough is enough…

She tried to run away from her father tonight, the worst mistake she has ever made…

She knew never to double cross her father, as he was the Alpha of the most brutal, hated pack in Europe, the Shadow Moon Pack. They were well known for their brutality and cruelty. She never saw eye to eye with him and she always came second. Her older sister, Shanna could never do anything wrong in his eyes and she knew her sister were her father’s favorite. He made no secret of it, and Tala was always on the receiving side of his fists.

But tonight, Tala just had enough. She could not take it anymore and she lost count how many times her father has broken some of her bones, beating her just because he can. She was very glad for the wolf inside her that always helped her heal faster. But when her father told her tonight that he promised her to Hemming, she just could not bear it.

Hemming was her father’s Beta; he was worse than her father… More brutal, crueler. He killed a woman once just because she would not have sex with him! Tala could not stop thinking what she did wrong, why her father treated her this way…? She decided to leave his pack, even if it meant being a rogue for the rest of her life. Tala hoped she would be able to get away, being in her human form so that they would not hear her thoughts, but even that was not enough. She was not nearly as fast as she would have been if she changed into her wolf. Maybe she could have stood a chance then…

Tala closed her eyes as another blow came and she winched in pain. She could hear her father swearing under his breath as he told Hemming to pick her up and put her back in the car. She did not get very far until they caught up with her. Hemming picked up her frail, broken body and Tala just closed her eyes, wishing she could rather die…

Hemming threw her on the back seat and slammed the door, Tala crawled up in a bundle as she could already feel her body starting to heal itself. She just wanted to go to sleep and never wake up, how is she ever going to get away from them…

The ride back to their camp was longer than she thought, she must have gotten further than she realized… The car stopped and the door was janked open. Tala sat up and tried to move to the other door.

“Leave me alone!” She shouted as she could feel her wolf fighting inside her.

“Come here!” Hemming caught her by her ankle and jerked hard. Another sharp shooting pain shot through her leg, but she ignored it. She had to get away! But before she knew it, the other door was opened as well and there stood her father. She was trapped and she had nowhere to go.

“Please, just let me go! You hate me, why do you want me here?” Tala started pleading with her father.

“Because you are mine, to do with as I please.” Came her father’s sarcastic answer.

“I am not your property; I am your daughter, who have always tried to please you. But nothing I ever did was good enough for you! I can’t do this anymore, please!” Tala started sobbing and could feel the salt from her tears sting her cheek where it was still busy healing.

“Just get out of the car and go inside!” Her father said in a stern voice.

Tala got out of the car and walked over to their house. She looked around and could see some of her father’s pack members, they looked sad and worried. She walked up the stairs and her mother were waiting for her by the door.

“Are you ok honey, come inside let me get you cleaned up.” Her mother’s voice felt almost soothing as she looked at her. Tears streaming down her face.

“Why, mommy, why?” Was all that Tala could get out as she sobbed.

Her mother run her a bath and helped her undress. She looked into her mother’s tender eyes, with so many questions…

“Oh, my sweetie, you know by now there is no escape. He would rather kill you than let you get away.”

Tala got undressed slowly and carefully as her body was still tender from all the beating. Her mother run her a bath and helped her inside. The bathroom door opened and there stood her sister.

“I told you it was a stupid idea, now look. You made daddy just cross again.”

“Could you please get out.” Tala closed her eyes and felt the anger rising inside.

“I told you.” Shanna just had to have the last word as she walked out.

“I can’t go on like this mother, I can’t! And now he promised me to Hemming! The worst guy in his pack! I can’t be with him; he would literally kill me.” Tala said softly, closing her eyes again.

“Oh, my baby girl, I wish I had the answer for you, or that I could make it all better. You are special my Tala, you are the only pure white wolf in this pack.”

“I could not choose my wolf fur mother! Am I being pushing because my fur is white? And why mother, why haven’t you ever left him! He beats you as well, more than me!”

“I know, but I also know, if I ever tried and leave him, he would kill me, without a second thought.” Her mother said softly, brushing her hand over Tala’s still tender cheek.

“There must be a way to get out, there must be!” Tala didn’t believe herself. She knew it was hopeless…

Conri…

Conri went inside his house and went upstairs, almost wishing that Sheila was waiting for him, naked as usual. He went to his bedroom, but it was empty, so he and got undressed and walked into his ensuite bathroom and stepped into the steaming hot shower. As the steaming hot water run over his tired sore muscles, it felt so good, and he thought about that scent again. He stood like that for a while, letting the water sooth his tired muscles. He closed his eyes and looked up so that the water run over his face. He washed his hair and body and turned off the water.

He took a towel from the stand and tight it around his waist, walking into his bedroom.

He got dressed and went downstairs for something to eat. That was something they as wolves could to, all day, everyday… Was eat… They were almost always hungry.

He made himself some coffee and a snack and went to sit on the porch. He was getting tired of eating alone, the house felt empty. He had six bedrooms all to himself and he really wished that one day he will be able to fill them with love and laughter.

He looked out over the estate and saw a few of his pack members still walking around. He should not feel alone, he never was alone… But some part of him wanted a Luna, needed a Luna…

He finished up and went inside. He decided to do some work until he felt tired. He went into his office and started working again. He had a business trip coming up that he had to prepare for. When he looked up it was already after 12 and decided to go to bed. That night, the last thing Conri thought about, was that scent in the woods…