☽ Chapter 15: A New Pack ☾

?Chapter 15 – A New Pack?

“See that trail just ahead of us?” Ira asks, pointing to a barely touched trail which I assume is for ATV use. “Yes.” I confirm, slowing down as I wait for her to continue. “Good, turn left onto it and keep driving until we reach a clearing,” She exclaims. I smile as I switch my left turn signal on and slowly turn onto the barely there dirt path. I cringe as the tires to my precious car bounce on the bumpy terrain, Ira clinging onto the handle above the passenger window. Only one vehicle can fit, with the bushes and grass brushing against the side of my car. Hopefully, there will be no scratches by the time we reach our destination. [Remind me to get this godforsaken path cleared and properly paved.] Alex links and I chuckle. [Trust me, this will be priority number one when the pack is established.] I agree instantly. The final stretch is slow, with the speed of our cars staying around twenty kilometres an hour so as to not drive into a tree or flip the car over if a tire hits a large root or rock. Feeling like an eternity under the cover of trees, something that makes me itch and want to run in wolf form under, the “road” grows slightly bigger as the shadows blend into dazzling sunlight and we exit into a large clearing. Noticing a black Hummer parked just to the right, I steer in that direction and park beside it, the others following suit. Climbing out of my car, I walk around to see the area better, a grin on my face at the sight before me. The clearing is huge, wildflowers covering most of the ground in the late fall weather, making me smile. We would have to dig up a few and make a couple of gardens to preserve these flowers. Off to the west, just outside the forest, is a large, crystal-blue lake. I can picture a pack house here, one with a path leading to a small dock we could use for fishing on or docking small rowboats. On the north side and directly opposite of where we all stand are tall mountains that would provide great training terrain for future pack members, giving us an opportunity to train in higher altitude. “There is an entrance in the mountains by a waterfall, with a river that flows into the lake. You can have your friend move there.” Ira whispers low enough for only my ears to hear. I grin, excited to explore the new hidden valley for Lizaria and the Unicorns to move into, knowing the Elf will need to have the herd move away from Hidden Claws quickly before Mika becomes Alpha and the Blakes could find them. “Hey Ira, what took you so long?” A deep voice calls out to our left and I turn to see the man I met the first time I shifted. Turning to face the black-haired, tattooed man who helped me through my first shift, I smile and take in his appearance once more. He stands there with no shirt or shoes on, a pair of jeans hang loosely around his hips. For once, I get a glimpse of his tattoos, noticing them all designed in black ink; the intricate lines, swirls and pattern running along his muscular torso. “What took us so long was the fact we had to drive through the worst pathway ever, and I had to bring your new Alpha." Ira states with an eye roll and I chuckle. Putting two and two together, I deduct that this wolf who Ira mentioned last night will be the first member joining the pack as soon as it’s established. The thought of it makes me excited as I have a feeling this wolf will make a great Theta or Head Warrior. He is a perfect addition if I do say so myself. [He looks strong.] Alex links me and I nod, turning to look back at my brother, only to realize he is standing beside me. [Theta?] I ask and he shrugs. [Maybe. Or a second Beta.] I smile, turning to look back at the wolf who sizes everyone with his gaze, a flicker of approval in his deep forest-green eyes becoming ones I wanted to look at a little longer. His gaze returns to the trio consisting of Ira, Alex and I as he takes a few steps towards us, holding his hand out to Alex. “It’s nice to meet you, Sir, and thank you for accepting me.” He states, Alex letting out an awkward chuckle as he takes the offered hand in a firm handshake as I try my best to hold in my laughter. “It’s nice to meet you too, but I am not the Alpha,” Alex replies, causing a look of confusion to cross this wolf’s face as he looks around. I couldn’t hold in my laughter any longer as I bend over clutching my sides, hearing my father chuckle behind me as well. “If you’re not the Alpha, who is?” The man asks slowly, his eyes scanning the crowd while I compose myself, a few chuckles escaping every so often. His confusion soon fades to a look of astonishment as our eyes meet and I give a cheeky grin to the handsome man. “A female Alpha, I would have never guessed!” He exclaims, stepping forward and holding out his hand. I take it expecting a handshake but am surprised when he bows and brings his lips to the back of my hand, planting a soft warm kiss. “I am sorry for jumping to conclusions. I am Ariven Cross and look forward to serving you Alpha...” Ariven trails off, Alex letting out a low growl of warning as the wolf before me releases my hand, rolling his eyes at Alex’s childishness before retuning his attention to me. “Geminie Starlight but call me Gem.” I answer his unspoken question. “And I am Alex Blake.” Alex cuts in rudely, eyeing Ariven. I sigh, smacking my brother on the back of the head at his rude behaviour. “I see. Guessing this is your mate, then Gem.” Ariven concludes, a perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised above his eye. I fake gag, the thought of my brother being my mate disgusting me. “Gross, no! Alex is my brother. My mate-” I start to correct him, my explanation stopping short as a piercing pain runs through me, causing me to gasp in pain and clutch my stomach as the ground slowly comes closer to my face. Strong arms catch me before I collapse, Ariven’s familiar scent that I remember from our first meeting surrounding me as he holds me gently against his body. “Mika, that bastard. First he rejected you, and now he is fucking some whore.” Alex growls in anger, my brother pacing as his eyes hold frustrations in them. “Gem was rejected?” Ariven asks, scooping me up bridal style into his arms as I let out a scream, the pain in my abdomen feeling like my insides are being clawed out by a silver knife. “Yes, by her mate Mikael Alibaster.” Amberle answers, a towel with her scent on it wiping away the sweat forming on my brow from the pain. "Why would anyone do that to her?" Ariven asks, his concern evident in the way he holds me gently but tight enough so that I don’t jostle much as he moves. “Because she is weak! She should be safe and secured in a pack, not creating one!” Alex states with a growl, one that is met with my own furious growl before a whimper replaces it, the stabbing pain bringing tears to my eyes. "That is no way to talk to your Alpha! Sister or not, Geminie deserves respect!" Ariven growls in warning at Alex, causing my brother to stop pacing at the realization of what he just said. “Gem, I… I didn’t-“ Alex stutters with a look of panic on his face. “Go for a run, Alex.” I cut him off, the power of my blood making it a command. I catch my brother stiffen before giving a short nod, slowly walking away from me until he reaches the tree line, where he shifts into his brown wolf and runs off. He needs to cool off, and I need to speak to him after the pain subsides. “Gem, take this and sleep. You will feel better in a few hours.” Ira’s warm voice fills my ears as a pill is pushed against my lips. I accept it and soon darkness seeps in and the pain fades away.

◆◆◆

“How is she?” A concerned voice calls out softly as someone else sighs in reply. “I think she will be fine, and maybe wake up soon.” Someone answers, hands softly running through my hair. I smile contently, the pain from earlier now gone. I just want to sleep in the warm embrace that holds me tight. “I know you’re awake, Alpha Geminie.” A deep voice chuckles and I peek slightly from under my eyelashes to see Ariven looking down at me, the warm embrace most likely being his. “Sshh. Beauty sleep now.” I mumble, yawning as my relaxed body beckons me to sleep more. “You are beautiful. Why not get up and work on your pack house?” Ariven persuades me, making me sigh and roll my eyes. “Party pooper.” I grumble in response, getting another deep chuckle from the man holding me. “I assume you are ready to establish your pack and pack house.” Ira’s voice sounds from above me. Ariven helps me to sit up on the grass in front of him as Ira takes a seat beside me, holding out a sketchbook and a case of pencils. “What do I do with that?” I ask, accepting the art supplies and opening the book to a blank page. “Well, as you know, many packs had to be built from the ground up the hard way. But, with you being the next Moon Goddess, all you have to do it is draw any design you want, and then we will place the book on the spot where the pack house will be under the light of the moon, and voilà, a pack is formed.” Ira explains, the theory behind creating a pack of the Moon Goddess making me smile. “So, sort of like a witch’s spell?” Comes my follow-up question. “Similar to it, but purer.” Ira continues with a smile, tapping on the book in my lap. I smile and take a moment to look at the land before me, the lake, the clearing as a whole and begin to draw. I start with the pack house, deciding on a building big enough to house offices, a large pack dining room and kitchen, a lounge as well as a few entertainment rooms. I add rooms where pups can go into and play, rooms wolves coming from patrol duty can come watch a game on the TV and relax with a warm meal before returning home for some needed rest. With the basement being designed as one of many training areas I plan to have, I move on to a separate area just behind the kitchen where a laundry room will be. I hated the basement laundry room, the dingy, dark, moist air and the lack of sunlight of a place I never wanted to be in again. This pack will be different, with a state-of-the-art laundry room, windows to allow both sunlight and fresh air in, and multiple clotheslines to be used in the summer heat to air dry the clean laundry. The finishing touches end on the third floor, with guest rooms. “How far away is the mountain base?” I ask out of curiosity. “About an hour run in wolf form away.” Ariven answers and I smile, deciding where I want my own home to be. I start right away on my house, deciding on a modest three-bedroom cottage with a large garden and an even larger pond. I smile as I design the quaint area, the pathway leading from the forest to my house, the large bay windows where I can sit in and read, a kitchen where I can cook food and never feel hunger again. Of course, there will be a well, one that allows the moonlight to shine inside and down into a moon pool, a place to meditate, like the one in the Temple of the Goddess on the Full Moon and be able to see my Mother. My hands move on their own after that, my mind focused on my own pack, the school I will have built, the training center, the supply room for storing food, goods and everything else that will be needed for the pack, and then a pack infirmary for our sick and wounded. Keeping in mind other needs of a pack, needs that were never met at Hidden Claws, I design a dorm meant for new wolves as well as for those wanting their own space once coming of age. No one will be homeless in my pack. Finally, I add small cottages dotting the pack scape, some around the lake, some in the forest and some just before the mountains, each with varying size to fit my future pack members needs. “I think I am done.” I state, putting my pencil down and flipping through the designs, smiling at the work I have created, knowing that soon this will be a reality. “Good. The next step is to place the book where your pack house will be and say what comes to mind. The magic will work right away, and your pack will be established.” Ira instructs me, giving me a smile. I stand, stretching my stiff body for a moment before making my way towards the place I want my pack house to be. I know it will take a few years to establish a pack, as I take in the lush land under the moonlight and the scent of the lake on the wind. Reaching what will be the centre of the pack house, I turn to look back at everyone waiting where I left them, a look of anticipation on their faces. Then Alex appears out of the forest behind our group giving me a smile. [Go on, Gemmy, you’ll make a great Alpha.] My brother links me and I smile, turning back to the spot in front of me where I promptly place the sketchbook on top of. Taking a few steps back, I look up to the Full Moon now directly above me and take a deep breath. Mother give me strength . I pray, taking a moment to allow the right words to flow. "I, Geminie Starlight, declare these lands as the Alpha of Silver Crystal Crescent Pack. Those who oppose me are my enemies and those who seek a family shall become part of mine." I state, power radiating from my voice and body as the light of the moon illuminates the land that will be mine. The sketchbook on the ground glows brightly, the earth moving causing me to back away as walls begin to grow out of the ground in various places, the earth turning to stone as pathways and driveways are created. I soon find myself beside the group once more as we all stare in awe at the display of magic. Houses are formed within minutes, the training facility erected and ready to be used right away, and the dirt trail we took to enter the pack grounds now paved in an even road, leading into the forest and hopefully towards the main road. Finally, the clearing becomes quiet, and a fully formed pack stands before us, the pack house a welcoming cream-coloured building with both a vegetable and flower garden, a driveway big enough to house multiple cars, and large windows to allow as much sunlight as possible. I smile, a sense of belonging and home filling me. A shimmering light directly above me halts my steps, my body tense in anticipation for anything amiss. But the shimmering light soon forms multiple papers, hovering just above my head. “Take it. Those are the deeds to the land and the paperwork for utilities. It’s yours, Geminie.” Ira declares, encouraging me with a smile to reach for the papers, which I gladly do. I watch as the blank sheets slowly fill with words, my name bright and bold at the very end, and pride swells inside me. "Welcome home, Alpha." I shiver at Ariven's voice, his lips behind my ear and I smile up at him. "Let's go home."