Chapter 6

6

W hatever I expected the Blackwater Alpha house to look like, this wasn’t it.

The drive to the house took a little over fifteen minutes, up a winding road. The car climbed higher and higher, thick trees lining the way. The Alpha home sat atop the mountain surrounded by woods, and I could see a small town set below. It was like the residence and people who lived within the walls were standing sentry over the people below.

The building itself was a sprawling log cabin, three stories high with large windows and smoke curling out of the stone chimney above. It was beautifully rustic. The wraparound porch had several seating areas that looked comfortable and inviting. It was a stunning home that made the one my mom grew up in look tiny in comparison.

We barely made it to the stairs leading up before the double front doors were pulled open. A tall woman with dark hair curled into glossy brown waves beamed a smile down at us. She was dressed in jeans with a red flannel shirt and a pair of socks with dancing sloths, no shoes. Her brown eyes were sparkling in the fall sunlight as she watched us approach.

“Welcome to Blackwater,” she greeted kindly, coming down the stairs to meet us, stepping onto the grass with her socks. She extended a hand to Mom, clasping it firmly. “I’m Mallory Holt.”

“Mallory is our Alpha’s mate,” Zoe supplied, taking Mom’s place to hug Mallory.

Mallory returned the hug but waved her comment off. “Please. All that means is that I have to make sure Gabe behaves himself.”

“But you do it so well, babe.”

Gabriel , I realized, forgetting to look at the ground and instead taking him in with wide eyes.

We all looked up to see a man leaning against the door frame, one muscular shoulder propped against the wood. He looked completely at ease in a black t-shirt and jeans and... also no shoes. His light brown hair looked like he had been running his hands through it all day. The stark domesticity of it was jarring. I was used to an Alpha who insisted his mate be seen and not heard. Zara was mostly just pretty decoration for Linden and a big screw you to my mother.

This man screamed Alpha, but he also gave an air of safety and kindness. The way he watched his mate was beautiful. He looked at her like she hung the moon and the stars just for him.

Mom elbowed my side, and I quickly ducked my head the way she did in deference, waiting for the Alpha to acknowledge us.

Gabriel cleared his throat. “Thank you, but that isn’t necessary.”

Mom and I exchanged wary glances before lifting our heads.

Gabriel looked down at his mate. “One of your timers went off before I came out here.”

Mallory froze and gave him a suspicious look. “And you left it alone, right?”

He flashed her a sheepish grin. “You shouldn’t have made my favorite cookies if you didn’t want me to touch them.”

She shook her head and climbed back up the stairs. “You would think that with the children at school I would get a bit of a break from chasing people out my kitchen.”

Gabriel pushed off the door frame and hooked his fingers in Mallory’s belt loops, tugging her against him as he smiled down at her. “You love me.”

Her eyes narrowed playfully. “Sometimes.” She pushed away and walked back into the house, motioning for us to follow. “Come on in. You must be starving from your trip. We prepared lunch. We can talk while we eat.”

Gabriel smiled as we all came up the stairs. He clasped Michael’s hand firmly. “I hope you’re all hungry.”

Michael and my mom followed Gabriel into the house, but I paused, still in shock. Gabriel and Mallory were nothing like what I expected. In Long Mesa, the only time I saw Linden touch Zara was with force, like at the night we escaped. Most of the male shifters in the pack treated women as though they were beneath them. Only a few female shifters were part of upper pack members, and they were just as cruel as the males.

“They’re bonded,” Zoe said softly, pausing beside me.

I looked back at her. “What?”

“Gabriel and Mallory.” She inclined her head towards the house. “They’re true mates. I don’t think there are any true mates left in Long Mesa now.”

“What are true mates?” The term sounded completely foreign.

“They’re soulmates, essentially. Their wolves are bonded. It’s a deeper, even sacred connection that’s more than just being mated or married. True, bonded mates are a rare blessing. Once wolves bond, the connection between them...”

Zoe sighed, rubbing the back of her neck with a wry grin. “It’s hard to explain. There’s an added layer of awareness. They can sense each other’s emotions, even across long distances. In wolf form, they can eventually learn to communicate with each other. It also slows the human side of the aging process and increases fertility. It’s why they have four children instead of the usual one or two most shifters can conceive.”

That sounded like something out of a novel. “So you’re saying that they’re telepathic immortals who have lots of babies?”

Zoe considered that with a laugh. “I guess that’s one way to put it.”

“How did they know they were bonded?” I asked, curious about the whole thing.

“They grew up together and were always inseparable, as Mallory tells it. They played together as kids, went to school together, dated, got married... There’s no obvious predictor of what pairs will bond. It’s a connection that just happens, and, once it does, it’s undeniable. One day, when they were in wolf form, the bond snapped into place. Like the final piece of a puzzle.”

“And it just happened? No warning?”

Zoe nodded, a soft smile ghosting across her lips. “A mate bond is a strange thing. Most pairs don’t find it. We have couples in the pack that the bond snapped into place after they had been married for a decade. Usually the bond seems to happen in pairs in their late twenties or thirties. Occasionally when they’re older than that, though.”

“Wow,” I whispered, wondering why I had never heard of such a thing.

Zoe gave me a soft look. “My parents were true mates. It’s the only reason why we can figure they had two daughters.”

“They died, though, right?” I asked hesitantly. Mom had told me a few stories of her life with Zara and Zoe before she was banished.

Her smile slipped a bit. “Yeah. They were killed in a car accident outside of the compound. I was eighteen, Zara was nineteen. It was a year before your mom...”

Got pregnant, I filled in silently.

“Anyway,” she said, breathing deeply and shaking away the memories, “I had already met Michael the summer before, and we planned to get married. I begged Zara to come up here with me, but she didn’t want to leave her pack. She didn’t want to leave your mom. Then when your mom found out she was pregnant, Zara got sucked into everything between the packs and was married to Linden before Michael and I could get her out.”

“I’m sorry,” I told her honestly.

“Thank you,” she replied, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “I did get to come back a few times and visit for the first few years. We used to try and sneak things to you and your mom, but the guards always seemed to find them. Eventually your grandfather and uncle decided we were no longer welcome in the pack.”

“But you like it here?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “I love it here. Blackwater is my home. A lot of that is because of Gabe and Mallory. They’re amazing friends, and a terrific Alpha pair.”

I smiled, unable to stop the chuckle. “They seem happy.”

Zoe reached over and stroked my hair. “They are happy.”

“Are you and Michael...?” I trailed off, not sure if it was appropriate to ask.

Zoe nodded, grinning. “Our bond actually snapped into place last year. We were all out on a pack run, and it just happened. Like being struck by lightning. Suddenly I was hyper aware of him. I could feel his emotions as if they were mine. I’ll never forget it.”

“Are there a lot of true mates here?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “In the pack we have about a couple dozen bonded mates. Considering the pack here is a bit over six hundred—”

My jaw dropped. “Six hundred ?” I sputtered.

Zoe nodded. “We’re definitely one of the bigger packs in the US.” She motioned to the town below us. “It’s why we have an actual town. We’re our own community. Inside the pack territory we have zones that are watched by betas and deltas on the council, but ultimately, when it comes down to it, Gabriel is our Alpha. Michael is one of the betas and keeps an eye on the center of the town proper where we live and work.”

“It sounds too good to be true,” I admitted, crossing my arms over my chest as a breeze blew cold air across us and sent a wave of multicolored leaves fluttering across the front yard.

Zoe smiled at me sadly. “I know. I felt the same way when I came here from Long Mesa. Everything here is different. It isn’t perfect by a long shot, but it’s definitely better.” She reached over and plucked a burnt orange leaf from my hair, arching her brows. “At least we have more than one color as the seasons change.”

I was still laughing as we walked inside to join the others. Maybe this would work. Maybe this could be home.

“ I need you to know that you’re both welcome in the Blackwater pack for as long as you like,” Gabriel started after we had finished eating. He pushed his plate back and glanced from my mom to me.

Mom nodded, ducking her head as she pushed food around on her plate before setting her fork down. “Thank you, Alpha.”

“Gabe,” he corrected with a wry half-smile.

Mallory smiled at him, then mom. “We understand there is a time for formal titles, but a meal amongst friends isn’t it.”

I forced myself to sip my water slowly, making sure I left some food on my plate. Mallory had piled it high with food—roasted meat, cheesy potatoes, veggies, and cornbread. I had quickly learned after the first meal mom and I ate outside of the compound that I needed to pace myself. I had eaten so much, amazed by the texture and taste of food that was hot and not expired, that I threw it all up less than an hour later. Neither of us were used to rich foods, or any kind of food really that wasn’t prepackaged.

Our bodies were trying to get used to a more normal caloric intake on a regular basis.

“That being said,” Gabriel continued, “we do have some questions about the Long Mesa pack.”

“You mean about Linden,”Mom murmured. She raised her water glass to her lips and took a sip.

Gabriel exchanged a rueful smile with his wife before nodding. “Yes. Should we be concerned he’ll come after you?”

Mom seemed to consider the question for a moment before answering. “I honestly don’t know. Long Mesa doesn’t have the resources you do. And to come after a couple of omegas doesn’t necessarily make sense.”

“But?” he prompted, resting an elbow casually on the arm of his chair. His blue eyes didn’t miss a thing as he studied her.

“My brother hates me. Hates us. He’s driven by that hate, and by rage and paranoia. And I know you and he have a past.” She lifted her eyes and met the Alpha’s stare head on. “I don’t know what he’ll do.”

A muscle ticked in Gabriel’s jaw and I held my breath, waiting to see what he would do. Maybe he would decide we weren’t worth the trouble and send us packing.

“Did Linden ever tell you what happened when we were younger?” Gabe asked.

Mom shook her head.

“I caught him slapping a young shifter who was serving us at a dinner during the Summit one year,” Gabe said frankly. “She jumped when he grabbed her inappropriately and spilled some water on him. He struck her before I could stop him.”

I winced. That sounded about right.

A brief smile drifted across Gabriel’s mouth as he spoke. “I forced him to apologize to her.”

“In front of all of the Alphas?” Mom asked, amazed.

He nodded. “And then the Council leveled a fine against the Long Mesa pack. Your father was livid, but your brother was humiliated.”

We were all quiet as that sunk in. I wished I could have seen that firsthand.

“Everyone in Blackwater contributes in some way,” Gabriel finally said. “Michael and Zoe have said you can stay with them until you’re on your feet and find your place amongst the pack, but there is no rush.”

He looked at me. “The school year is a few weeks in session, but you should be able to catch up easily. What grade are you in?”

I cleared my throat. “I’m a senior.”

He nodded again. “How are your grades?”

“Good,” I replied. Truthfully, my grades were awesome. Without friends or a social life, all I had were books to read, both for homework and ones that I got from the school library.

“Straight A’s,” my mom added with a smile. “Skye’s always been a straight A student. She’ll have no problem picking up here, I’m sure. She could start school as soon as we’re settled.”

“Actually,” Zoe said, leaning forward, “the school here only covers elementary classes through grade eight. All the high schoolers attend a different school.”

“A different school?” I echoed, curious.

“Granite Peak Academy. It’s in Montana,” Mallory explained. “The school was established as a way to help the upcoming pack generations begin to network. Several generations ago, they found that children raised solely on their own pack lands were more volatile and territorial as adults. Blood lines were getting too... familial, since pack members only mated to other pack members. The academy has been in operation for nearly thirty years and packs have been thriving as a result.”

“We have twenty-two Blackwater pack members at the academy this year,” Gabriel added, “including our two oldest children, Remington and Katherine. The academy had students from twelve packs in the northern part of the continent, from Alaska to Maine, and several Canadian packs.”

“Twelve packs?” My mother asked, astonished.

“Roughly two hundred and fifty students annually,” Michael chimed in. “Each pack sends several members to teach and supervise the teens. A good amount of students return home and continue their education at local colleges and universities.”

“College?” I whispered the word that had seemed like an impossible dream for my entire life. Occasionally Long Mesa teens graduated and attended online classes, but we were told that it was best to keep to the pack and only interact with humans when absolutely necessary.

Zoe smiled at me. “Yes. College. Part of the purpose of the academy is to help teens learn how to become one with their wolf, to control their impulses, so you can interact with the world as a whole.”

“We have quite a few pack members who work in nearby cities,” Mallory told me.

“How is something like that even funded? Doesn’t the school have to be registered with the state?” My mom’s brow furrowed as she tried to figure out the logistics.

“All the packs have an equal stake. Each pack puts money into the school to aid with upkeep and such. And we’re just like every other private school on paper... we just happen to only select students from the same twelve cities around the world.” Zoe winked.

Gabriel pointed to Michael. “The original part of the school was purchased a long time ago. It was roughly thirty acres and butted up onto the Granite Peak national park. Michael here helped us acquire the surrounding four hundred acres about five years ago. We expanded the dorms, added new facilities and a few computer labs.”

Mallory cleared her throat, taking a drink of her iced tea. “Originally the school started with forty-two students and five faculty. As the school grew, packs in the area began to thrive. We would love to eventually be able to offer the option to all packs to send their children. Expand the campus or even open a second school.”

“But I would have to go to Montana?” I looked at my mom. Leaving her wasn’t something I ever considered. We had just gotten free, and now we were splitting up.

“You come back for holiday breaks,” Mallory promised. “And you can call and video chat your mom as much as you like outside of classes.”

“I don’t have a phone,” I murmured.

Gabriel smiled. “We can give you one, provided your mom agrees you can have it.”

I looked at my mom. I could see the indecision on her face. She wanted me to stay with her, but she wanted me to go and start living like an actual teenager. She met my eyes across the table, her gaze watery as she blinked away tears.

“I think this would be good for you, honey,” she said quietly.

“Are you sure?” The idea of leaving her sucked, but I also couldn’t ignore the hope that surged at the idea of eventually going to college.

Pressing her lips together, she nodded.

I looked at all the adults around the room before agreeing. “Okay.”