The next day, late in the morning, and after a very active previous night, two ladies woke up alone in their mates’ beds.
Both of them checked their phones to see what time it was.
One rolled to lie on her back, wondering what she would do with her day, in a familiar place that she didn’t feel exactly excited to explore. The other jumped off the bed and put her clothes on, so she could run to her kids since she could already hear movement outside her door.
About an hour later, both were wandering around the Packhouse, like puppies without an owner…
Until they found each other, that is.
“Siel! Rose! James!”
“Diwa! Oh, so happy that you’re still here!”
“Believe me, I can say the same,” Di replied, hugging her friend tightly. “Did you guys have breakfast already?”
“Not yet, V left me a note about where to find the common areas, but this place is so big I think I’d need a map.”
“Well, you’re in luck. You just got yourself one, and she’s an interactive one, too!” Di announced as they both laughed. “Follow me. You’ll love our chef’s cooking for sure!”
And, as Diwa herded her friend and her kids further into the house, she suddenly paused as a familiar feeling swept through her.
The she-wolf glanced back, trying to look for something she’s unsure of finding.
Opal?
I’m uncertain about it, Di, since you haven’t been to the Packhouse for so long…
“Is everything alright?” asked Siel in a worried tone.
Alright, I should stop scaring Siel. This is probably a remnant of my trauma from long ago. Something I should be getting over now, for fuck’s sake!
“Oh no, not really. Don’t worry. SO… what do you like, pancakes? Muffins? Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen you having breakfast.”
“That’s because, not so long ago, we didn’t have time for such luxuries.”
Another laugh later, the ladies were soon walking again, carrying the babies, talking about food, and reminiscing a crazy boss they once had. They hardly noticed that outside the Packhouse, in view of one of the many large windows, there was someone hidden within the thick leaves of one of the trees surrounding the large property.
That said stranger was busily texting a report…
* * *
Meanwhile, at the boundary of the Packhouse’s mountain property…
“I felt and sniffed out these unfamiliar presences when Di and I were having a run near this area. As far as I know, there weren’t any of these yesterday. I came back to check and found all of them in different parts of our perimeter.”
V was kneeling down on the ground, checking out what Aaron was pointing out to him. He was called to the northern border of their holdings where his Beta was checking apparent signs of trespassing that he and the warriors found while on patrol duty.
“And you found this, when?”
“Early this morning, right before I mindlinked you. Seems like someone has been around the grounds, checking on our movements. At first, I didn’t think much about it, but when I noticed that there were several tracks like this all around the border, I thought you should know.”
“Yes, thank you, A. I don’t see this as normal either. With the celebrations, this could mean they’re waiting for a vulnerable moment for a rogue attack. I’m glad that we came to spend the holidays here since this could mean trouble.”
“Yes, I agree, but what did you call me again?”
V chuckled, raised an eyebrow, and displayed his most sarcastic smirk, “Oh, you know, just the cute nickname that your mate called you a couple of times during the bonfire last night. You don’t like me using it?”
“I just find it weird, feeling like I’m a pirated copy of you… and people already say that we look so much alike.”
Vince laughed at his right hand’s comment. “I don’t think you can copy me, bro, don’t worry. Let your mate call you whatever she wants. I will definitely tease you about it!”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Have fun. I’ll come back with a vengeance.”
Their laughter lasted only a few seconds as they returned to the serious problem that was staring them in the face. It won’t do to have humans exploring the area, especially since there are indications that this part of the woods, mountainside, and plain was private property.
But if it were rogues, that’s a whole other issue altogether.
However, Aaron was not sure if that was the case. “You would think that someone left these branches and grass purposefully messed up enough for us to find out. But why would they want anyone to know that they’ve been here?”
“Or maybe they’re just naturally careless. For now, though, the only thing we can do is double the patrol, especially at night. I was thinking about taking Elena and the kids back to their house today, but I don’t think I can leave now. Hope she enjoys my apartment for the time being, and she doesn’t get too upset with the change of plans.”
“Did you ask her to move in already?”
“I only hinted at it, but Lena assumed that I have already given the full invitation. She felt terrible preempting me, but since they get along quite well, Elena understood. It seemed a little shocking, but my mate didn’t completely reject it. I planned to take it slow because she’s not a wolf, so she doesn’t really know what pack life is.”
“That’s quite an understatement, and her kids being human, well…”
“I know. On the other hand, you probably already had that talk with Di, right? And are you completing your mating ritual this full moon?”
“Well, I definitely want her here, but you know Di, she’s independent and likes her life, her job, her new house. Yep, I haven’t asked her any of that, but you’re right. Since she’s a wolf, she might want to talk about the ritual and us moving together. After all, we’re mates, right? What could go wrong with that?”
“Yeah, what could go wrong, indeed,” murmured V.
Neither of them, the Alpha, the Beta, nor the warriors noticed that quite a distance from them, someone was watching. And he was now thinking of the many “productive” ideas that he had due to the fact that “his” Di is finally coming back to live in the Packhouse.
That idiot Brenner was too obvious with his spying spots. No matter, thanks to that, I managed to find where he has been gathering his information. And now I have found some important details myself.
The said werewolf, with the thick, dark gray fur, covered his scent and shape by hiding among the pines. What he didn’t plan to hide was himself growing hard at the thought of Diwa Denar finally returning to live at the Packhouse.
It didn’t even faze him that the reason for her return was his long-time rival… After all, he believed that the end justifies the means.
The maniac werewolf viciously stared with reddish-brown eyes at the man who he called the “fake mate,” as the Alpha and he continued to investigate the area. His mouth watered even more at the thought of feasting on Aaron Keizer’s flesh, drinking his blood, and even sucking his bones dry. I’ll forgive you, Brenner. After all, you’ve been more useful to me than you intended to be.
Besides, it’s time to start with my plan, and I need you for that. Very soon, the whole Silvercrest Pack will see that I should have been the Beta. I was loyal to MY ONE AND ONLY mate and was always stronger and more skillful than you, rival!
With a mighty leap, the wiry but very tall werewolf silently landed a good distance away from his position and shifted to full wolf, by allowing Xion, his wolf, full control. This left Kaiden free to gloat without worrying about effectively escaping.
You only got the position because you are friends with the Alpha. And she only wants you because you’re the Beta. But you just wait and see, you fake mate…. I’ll get what is mine when you’re finally dead.