Adea
Ethan and I grew quiet as the pack territory popped up in the distance. Black walls over 20 feet tall surrounded Alpha Rich’s pack lands, which was smart on the alpha. It wasn’t just a regular fence. What I was seeing was a fortress. Even as a wolf, we couldn’t jump that high.
Desert Moon would be well protected if we had walls that high surrounding our territory. The material used looked sleek and would be impossible to climb unless you had a special ax similar to an ice ax.
As we drove closer, I noticed a group of very large warriors standing guard outside. Slowing to a stop, Ethan lowered his window and two of the warriors stepped up to confirm our identities and why we were here. I wasn’t a criminal but I had just been up to no good and the guilt had me avoiding eye contact. When they signaled the okay I felt relieved.
They let us in and as we drove into their territory, I took note of the various warrior check-in locations we passed n our way to the meeting hall. The warrior’s facial expressions were stoic and had Ethan not specifically told me he trusted Alpha Rich, I would have wondered if they were friendly.
We also passed by large clusters of homes and large shops but they were closed and the streets were empty. There wasn’t a soul in sight. We pulled up to the meeting hall and it was packed. There were a ton of cars, too many to count. I wondered how we hadn’t seen the meeting hall on the drive through the territory. The building looked to be as tall as the walls that surrounded the territory.
Ethan put the car in park and walked around the door. Opening it for me, he offered me his arm and I took it as I stepped out. My heels sank into the grass and I put my weight onto the tips of my toes so I didn’t get stuck in the grass. Despite what I said, I was feeling a little jittery but my mates’ proximity calmed my nerves.
“Have I told you how amazing you are today?” His breath fanned my neck and caused me to shiver.
“Mm, let me think,” I teased. “Yes, you have. Please, go on.” Ethan’s lips brushed against my mark and I gasped. His fingers lifted my chin and our lips met in a sensual kiss.
“You’re fucking amazing,” he growled.
Even with my heels, on the tips of my toes, I could barely reach my mate’s mouth. Thankfully, he was leaning down. My lipstick slightly smeared on his lips and I dabbed it until it was gone.
“That’s not the only place your lipstick smeared,” Ethan whispered.
“Ethan!”
My face was inflamed but before I could slap him the sound of an engine cut through the air. The two of us turned towards the noise and Odis, Darci, and Leo pulled up and parked beside us.
Remembering I owed him a slap, I slapped his chest and Ethan threw his head back and laughed. Goddess, I loved his laugh. The passenger’s side back door opened and Leo practically flew out of it. In an instant, he was by my side.
Odis and Darci strode up to us and everyone was accounted for. They nodded to Ethan and he led us in. The warriors stationed at the front doors pulled the doors and they creaked as they swung open.
My heels clacked against the marble floors and I did a scan of the halls. There wasn’t a pack member in sight. Alpha Rich must have ordered his pack members to stay in their homes.
He can’t do anything to hurt you. I won’t let him.
I know. I’m safe.
Keep your chin up.
I will, my love. He’s nothing.
That’s my girl.
Ethan’s words were soothing. As we neared large double doors, I knew we had arrived at the meeting room. On the other side of those doors were allies and foes.
For a second, I wondered about the other Luna’s and what they thought of the new addition. It would be great if the Luna’s held meetings just like the Alpha’s did. Four of Alpha Rich’s warriors stood side-by-side outside the door. The two on the inside greeted us and went to open the doors.
With squeezed my hand before the doors swung open. The chatter came to a standstill as the occupants turned to look at us. Several Alpha’s sat around the table, their Luna on their right. The Beta’s and Gammas are to their left. Most of the Lunas smiled at me and I smiled back. I told myself I wouldn’t look for him but my eyes scanned the table.
There were a few empty seats and I fought the urge to sigh in relief when I realized Shane wasn’t seated yet. My eyes drifted to the snacks that were in front of everyone seated. It reminded me of earlier days when Mavy would share the snacks from Alpha Joshua. Had they still been alive, I would have eventually seen him and Luna Rose at these meetings.
There were only two sections to choose from. One section was directly in front of the door and the other was on the opposite side by the wall. Ethan led me to a seat on the opposite side of the room facing the doors we just walked through.
I swallowed as we made our way through the room. I held my chin high and nodded as I made eye contact with a few people we passed by. Ethan pulled out my chair for me and I smiled at him before I took my seat.
Leo had followed close by and stood directly behind me. Ethan pulled his chair out and sat by my side. When he was seated, Darci sat two seats down from him. Odis remained standing, his hands on the back of his chair between Darci and Ethan.