Chapter 2

Travel to the pack had been relatively uneventful.  It wasn't until we were at the borders that we ran into delays.  We expected the security to be intense from being isolated for so long and they delivered. There were at least three checkpoints with menacingly large guards who seemed to get bigger the closer to the centre of the pack we got.  I couldn’t see them but could feel eyes from the woods following our car as we drove.  

Dante and I tried bantering with some of the guards, but their seriousness would put the Buckingham palace to shame. 

“Like talking to brick walls” I quipped to Dante, as we drove past the last checkpoint, making light of the situation.  The Alpha wanted to show his power that much was clear.  Alpha’s always made a big show when I visited.  Male wolves always were trying to one-up each other, even to those above them.  It could make dealing with Alphas a big headache, judging from what we’d seen so far Alpha Fin would be no different.  

“If those are the guards,” Dante spoke “I need to meet the pack trainer. I could use some toning.”  Dante had a larger build and was strong, however, he always wanted more definition.  If he wasn’t my Beta, he’d probably be a bodybuilder. 

“You’re going to scare the she-wolves away” I teased “Muscles aren’t supposed to have their own muscles.”  

The conversation fell away as we approached the packhouse.  To say it was grand, was a bit of an understatement.  Marble stairs led up to a large building, whose architecture told everyone who passed that here was the seat of power.  Large wooden doors were carved detailing the creation story for all werewolves.  A woman sat amongst a pack of wolves, laying around her feet bathed in rays of moonlight. A battle rages below them, wolves against men.  The other door had a girl crying over the body of a wolf, the woman standing over comforting her.  The final image of the girl transforming into a wolf for the first time.  It was quite a statement to have it displayed so prominently.  Lush gardens surrounded the packhouse.  The plants were thriving in organized chaos.  I wonder what statement the Alpha was trying to make.  Through my job, I had come to learn a lot about how people use their environment to subtly let others know about their power.  Everyone did it, whether intentional or not. 

On the stairs stood a group I could only assume was the Alpha and his inner circle. The auras of power they radiated are what clued me in.  Each wolf had an Aura and the more power they radiated the higher rank they were.  They stood in a V formation on the steps, most likely in order of rank.  At the top, making up the point of the V, stood two wolves I assumed were the Alpha and Luna.  I hadn't remembered hearing in our communication that Alpha Fin had found a mate.  Then again, they had detailed very little information, reluctant to have anyone, especially the King's men on their pack land.  The king had tried to send scouts to find out more when the pack went silent, but the security surrounding the pack would rival some dictatorships.  Clearly, they were on edge about the King's intentions.  I was unsure if they knew about the spy attempts, I'm sure they did.  The process we had to undertake to get through the border-left little doubt in my mind that they were acutely aware of the lands immediately surrounding their pack.  

That was why we were here after all.  After three years of near isolation, the king had run out of patience and demanded an inspection of the pack or risk starting a war.  The pack had to agree, there wasn't a pack that could rival the King's forces.  He was King for a reason.  To werewolves, power spoke and the king had no rival even though he was getting up there in years. Stories of his ruthlessness, in uniting the werewolves, were still told in every pack, even taught in pack schools.  After holding on to his title for so long, paranoia was only natural and his suspicions of the Cresent Moon pack had reached a tipping point.  He was shocked when Alpha Fin sent back rules for the king's men to follow when visiting. The King decided to overlook that. After all, if we could find reason enough, the King could demand the pack to reveal all of their secrets or face the King's army.

"Alpha Fin" stated the wolf who lead us to the packhouse.  "I present Alpha Cyrus Astor and Beta Dante Clifford of the Golden Moon pack." I looked at each person's face to assess their emotions determined to find their tells.  Those on the lower step showed interest in who we were.  The Golden Moon pack was the King's pack after all.  His royal court and warriors predominantly came from them.  Being Alpha and the King's next of kin, I was also next in line for the throne. Our presence didn't seem to phase the Alpha and Luna.  Their faces were passive showing no emotion or surprise at who the King sent.  

"Alpha Fin" I bowed taking a good look at him.  He was of average build with deep brown hair, nowhere near as big as I was expecting after seeing his guards.  His brown eyes held an unknown emotion but he let me continue.  "Luna..." I said pausing longer than I intended looking up at the Luna. I found myself transfixed.  She was stunning, to say the least, where Alpha Fin seemed like a slightly above average looking werewolf, his Luna was breathtaking.  If mates were evenly matched there was something that connected them you couldn't see on the surface.  The Luna had perfectly styled blonde hair.  Her eyes were silver like moonlight on a lake.  She wore a white lace dress, that fit perfectly.  She looked almost too young to be a Luna, but werewolves aged slowly and I was bad at guessing ages. I stood there realising I did not know her name.  "My apologies Luna," I continued meeting her eyes "I don't believe I know your name." 

I could see the others in the group smile, maybe even giggle.  I could feel the confusion from my Beta as well.  I had not said anything to merit laughing.  The Luna put on a coy smile and stepped down the stairs towards me.  The Alpha close behind protectively, he seemed annoyed.  Maybe he was offended I didn't know his mates' name.  Or that his mate was close to an unmated male who was more powerful than him.  Males were often fairly jealous and overprotective of their mates. 

"Alpha Astor" the Luna spoke brightly as if I told a joke. "I believe you must be confused..." Her smile remained but she waited for me to speak.  She was playing a game.  I decided to indulge her.

"Confused?" I asked making a big face "We received so little information on this pack. Please don't be offended.  I couldn't ever forget your name once I heard it." I put on my most charming voice.  It must have been effective because the Alpha scowled stepping in front.

"I'm not Alpha Fin," said the man, who I thought to be the Alpha, roughly. Well, now I was confused, if he was not the Alpha then who was.  The man certainly had an Alpha Aura. "I am Alpha David Martin of the half-moon pack.  I am simply here as a friend to Alpha Fin." He stated glaring at me. 

"Alpha David speaks too humbly. He has been a true ally and support to the Cresent Moon pack" Spoke the Luna placing an arm on Alpha David's shoulder.

"Where the fuck is Alpha Fin?" I asked confused looking at Dante.  He looked back with the same confusion.  Clearly, we were the butt of an inside joke.  I wasn't amused, this game was becoming old fast.  The Luna's face turned serious as she dropped her pleasant demeanour.  Her eyes looked like they were challenging me to believe the words she spoke next.

"I am"