Chapter 5

I glance around the compound as they lead me to see Alpha Mortlock. The compound holds the guise of a woodland retreat, with the main offices being based here. I know what you're thinking—a big, macho werewolf pack running a woodland retreat? Well, they have to earn money somehow. It works well for them. It's far away from human society, they have private space where they can shift without fear of being seen, and they rake in the money. This compound is mainly where they run their other businesses from, but they do have a couple of wooden cabins for supernatural guests. Their other compounds are branded as a luxury and open to the humans at an exorbitant fee.

The atmosphere seems relaxed, and the people I've passed so far seem happy and well looked after. Everyone we have come across has nodded respectfully to Alexander, or Alex, as he wants to be known as, and only sent questioning glances towards Garett and me, not a glare in sight. I imagine it's not every day that a new wolf and a bear shifter wander through their private compound. Alex wanted Garett to stay behind, which resulted in another argument. Sebastian, the overly friendly naked guy from before, arrived at this point with some clothes for me, which were almost a perfect fit, showing he has a good eye. The argument ended pretty quickly once I stood up and dropped the jacket to the floor to get changed. Sebastian made a comment about helping me into my clothes, which had Garett growling at him. My grizzly bear is grouchy today.

I glance behind me at Garett and catch him looking at my ass. I snag his gaze and wink at him. My ass does look great in these jeans, and the tight black strappy top reveals just enough to show my assets nicely. My wink has the desired effect as he smiles at my cheeky gesture, but I can still see the tension in the way he holds himself. He seems to have calmed down a lot, although he must be feeling out of his depth in the middle of all these wolves. I turn to face forward and see Sebastian walking in front of us. Seems he's also going to see the alpha too.

"Hey, Sebastian?" I call. He turns his head and smiles widely at me. "Can I call you Seb?" I ask. He's way too touchy-feely, but I like him, and I feel like I'm going to need a friend here.

"Darling, you can call me anything you like," he replies with a wink.

I chuckle, trying to rid myself of this uneasy feeling as we get closer to the main building. I smile as I feel the sunshine on my skin and take a deep breath of fresh air. As we approach the main building, I think back to when I first came here.

I stare at the large compound in front of me. The expensive wrought iron gates guarding the land are intimidating, but they give the impression of an expensive retreat—which, in a sense, I guess it is. Anxiety attempts to overwhelm me. I try to push it down as I press the button on the intercom built into the wall, requesting an audience with the alpha. The gates squeak as they open, setting my already fried nerves on edge. The wheels of my suitcase clack on the road as I walk towards the main house and glance around, taking in any and all escape routes. They are based in the middle of the forest, log cabins are dotted around and a couple of larger buildings surround the main house. My inner wolf is close to the surface. She hated the plane ride and the feeling of being trapped thousands of feet up in the air. I need to let her out, but pack protocol states we present ourselves before we change. Any shift by an unregistered wolf is regarded as an insult or a threat, both of which are dealt with swiftly and brutally.

I am nervous. I have finally escaped the cruel and dictatorial thumb of my pack, and without so much as a ‘Welcome to the U.S.,' I have to present myself to the local pack like some sort of prize. I bristle at the thought. I have fought my entire life for freedom, but even in America I'm trapped within shifter rules. The pack will want to keep me—I know they will—but I'm not prepared to let that happen. I know how they will see me — a young, skinny, unmated female with a whole load of alpha power, covered head to toe in bruises and scars. Even if they were cold-hearted bastards and ignored their instincts to protect, they would see the benefit of having that much power around. I feel my limbs begin to shake, and I tell myself it's from exhaustion, not fear. If they were human, they might see my small frame, thin from years of malnutrition, and believe this. I can lie to myself all day, but shifters will be able to smell my fear.

I stop a few meters from the main building, and I decide in that moment that I will not let fear control me any longer. I will no longer let others dictate my life. I will no longer be a victim.

Closing my eyes, I push away all of my insecurities and fears. My wolf agrees with me, and I feel a surge of strength come from her. We are strong. We can protect ourselves. This is the closest thing to harmony that I have ever felt with my wolf. Opening my eyes, I grab the handle of my suitcase and step through the front door to face the alpha.

Alpha Mortlock looks just the same as he did six years ago when I first met him. He is handsome, with short, sandy blond hair, and looks to be in his late thirties, but I am pretty sure he is near seventy. We can thank our shifter genes for our longer lifespan, which extends to around one hundred and forty, and we stay looking youthful for most of our lives.

We were supposed to be meeting in his office, but Alexander had some quick words with Seb as I was getting changed, and the next thing I know, we are meeting in the living room in the main house. I have a sneaky suspicion that Alexander is trying to make the alpha seem more approachable after my little episode down memory lane. It's thoughtful, but unnecessary.

Mortlock and a beautiful woman, who I'm assuming is his wife, are waiting for us in the communal room. They rise from the soft-looking leather sofas, and Alpha Mortlock takes a step towards me, holding his hand out slowly for me to shake. I turn to glance at Alex, raising my eyebrows in question. What on earth has he said to these people? They are treating me like I'm about to bolt from the building. I straighten my shoulders before turning back to the alpha and shaking his hand firmly. I'm no shrinking violet. I'm also not the frail, malnourished eighteen-year-old I was the last time he saw me.

"Ariana, good to see you again, although I wish it was under better circumstances. Welcome back to Moon River Pack. This is my mate and wife, Lena." He gestures to the woman just behind him, who is beaming at me. "You've met my beta, Alexander, and this is my gamma, Isa."

A tall, broad woman peels away from the wall she was leaning against. Her muscles almost put Garett's to shame. Note to self—don't piss her off. Although, with a name that literally means ‘strong-willed,' I wouldn't expect anything less. Walking towards me, she reaches for my hand, gripping it tight in a death grip of a handshake. I force my face not to show pain and meet her steely gaze, mirroring her tight grasp. She smiles slightly at this small display of dominance and slaps me on the back hard enough that I take a small step forward.

"I like her. She can stay," the mountain of a woman states in a thick German accent.

I hear a small whistle of disbelief and glance over my shoulder to see who is making the noise. Seb is watching the exchange with his mouth open in shock.

"I have never seen Isa smile. Ever. What did you do? Did you break her?" he mock-whispers.

The smile drops from Isa's face as she glares at him, promptly causing Seb to mime zipping his lips as he takes a step back into the corner. He may act like everything is a joke, but I don't miss the slight paling of his skin. I smile to myself. I can see why she is the gamma of this pack, and I am pleased to see such a strong-willed female in a position of power. The structure within a wolf pack will always have an alpha and a beta, who is the second in command and acts as a protector of the pack. The role of gamma isn't always adopted within packs, depending on the alpha. Some believe keeping too many powerful wolves around is risky. Their primary role is as an enforcer within the pack. Moon River Pack didn't use to have a gamma. I guess this role was introduced after Alex's brother, the previous beta, was killed.

"Alpha Mortlock, Lena, pleased to meet you," I say formally with a bow of my head, my British sensibilities kicking in.

I may not have been here in six years, but I haven't forgotten the manners that we pride ourselves on. I also don't want to piss anyone off within the first ten minutes of being here, so I need to be on my best behaviour. Lena, however, doesn't feel restrained by these formalities and jumps forward, embracing me in a tight hug. God, these shifters are so affectionate! I'm pretty sure no one notices me flinch as she throws herself on me, and I awkwardly pat Lena's back as she hugs me. I'm really not a hugger.

Even Tori and Garett know not to touch me without making their intentions obvious. There have been many occasions where I have nearly thrown someone across the room for simply touching my arm. What can I say? They shouldn't sneak up on me!

Right, that's enough physical touch from strangers for one day. I pull away from the woman latching onto me, although trying to remove her arms is like trying to pull off a squid. I glance around the room for help and see Alexander frowning at me. Guess I wasn't as stealthy at hiding my flinch as I thought.

"Please, no formalities. Welcome to the pack! I'm just so pleased that we have another strong female joining our ranks! Maybe we can finally get Alex paired off!" she tells me excitedly.

I am still awkwardly trying to remove myself from her grip, sending pleading looks for help towards Seb, and the traitorous little wolf just sniggers at me, enjoying my discomfort. I freeze as her words fully register. Welcome to the pack. What the actual fuck?

"I'm sorry?" I ask, my voice coloured with disbelief.

I must not have heard her properly. I did not sign up to join another pack. No. Nadda. Hell no. I am not prepared to sign my freedom away, and I will not be tricked into joining a pack. I start looking around the room for a way out. I will need to avoid Isa, knowing I won't get past her. I look to the other side of the room where Alexander is standing against the wall by the window. If I'm quick, I can get past him and jump through. I shift my stance, and the tension in the room rises. Isa's and Alexander's positions change to match mine, their limbs poised and ready to attack. Lena realises she has committed some faux pas and takes a step back, glancing to Alpha Mortlock uncertainly.

"Ariana, before you flee from the room and make my beta chase after you, let's chat. It seems there has been a misunderstanding." Alpha Mortlock's calm voice evaporates the tension in the room, and everyone resumes their previous positions.

Except me, of course. I look at him, my distrust clearly written on my face. I look over my shoulder to Garett. He shrugs at me, leaving the decision up to me. He wouldn't have brought me to these people unless he trusted them to some degree. I nod sharply, deciding I will hear them out. Mortlock takes a seat and gestures for me to do the same. Lena sits next to him, still looking upset that she's offended me. I'm surprised she is so…nice. Nice people don't tend to last long in positions of power within the shifter world. I perch on the edge of the seat, ready to spring to my feet at a moment's notice.

"Ariana, we would like you to join our pack. Alex has already told you that we need you here to help us, but we would like to extend the offer indefinitely." I'm already shaking my head before he's finished his sentence. Alpha Mortlock tilts his head in question. "Is joining our pack so bad? Do you really want to stay a lone wolf? Never to settle down and feel safe among your own people?"

I sigh. Of course I don't want to be a lone wolf. Shifters belong in a pack, it's part of our nature. All I have ever wanted is to feel safe, welcomed, and maybe even loved if that's possible in this cruel fucking world. What he doesn't realise is that I have only ever experienced the worst of my people. My darkest moments have always been at the hands of my pack, my so-called ‘family.' Besides, I am fine on my own. I don't need anybody else. I have Tori to watch my back, and I watch hers. That's what friends do. We take care of each other.

Shit. Tori.

Fuck. I am a terrible friend. She is probably going nuts that I didn't come home last night. You do not want to piss off a witch, especially not one as powerful as Tori. I'm lucky she hasn't tracked me down with a location spell and dragged my ass back to the apartment to explain. I need to get hold of my phone and call her before she blows a gasket.

I also need to make a decision. Alpha Mortlock is watching me expectantly, and Lena has a hopeful look on her face. To turn down a pack, especially when you owe them your life, is a bad idea.

"When you've been through what I have, it makes it difficult to trust others. My pack caused me nothing but pain. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I cannot join your pack," I tell him. I even let some warmth back into my voice so he knows I am sincere.

"But you were attacked, and you won't be safe on your own. They will probably keep trying. We can offer you protection."

Damn, he does have a point. I may even have to admit to myself that I need help this time. Not that I will ever admit to such a thing out loud.

"I won't join the pack, but I will help in any way I can. I can come back each day for three months, which should give you time to find another nurse. I'll have plenty of protection that way while I'm working here and on my own. My apartment is warded, so I will be safe at home, and I can protect myself otherwise."

The hospital is not going to be pleased with me. I can only offer to stay for three months because I can't afford to take any more time off. I am lucky that today is my day off anyway. As if he could read my mind, Alex pipes up from his corner of the room.

"We will sort things out with the hospital and reimburse you for your loss of earnings."

Mortlock nods in agreement, running his hand through his neatly trimmed beard. "You are also invited to stay here while you are working for us. We have accommodations attached to the medical room. We will need a nurse around the clock."

I shake my head. I said I would help, not give up my independence. With a sigh, the alpha nods his head wearily and stands, looking at those around the room.

"What is said now within this room is to remain a secret," he commands, his alpha power strong in his words. It's so strong, I'm not even sure if I could resist his order. Alpha power works a little like a vampire's persuasion, and if you're stronger than the alpha giving the order, you can fight against it. If you're not, then the alpha's word is law.

He looks back to me, and I'm on alert at the expression on his face. "You're Shadowborn," he says. "We will keep your secret, but in return, you must let us train you, both in human form and wolf form. I will not have an untrained Shadowborn on the streets."

Hmm, so someone has told him I'm Shadowborn. Or he was there when Garett brought me in and saw me shifting in and out. The last part of his comment sounds a little like a threat, and my hackles rise, but I don't disagree with him. I would rather train elsewhere, but even I have to admit that I'm a liability at the moment. Once I've used my shadow abilities, it's always harder for me to control it for a while after. Bollocks. I realise too late that I'm being backed into a corner. I grumble and look over at Garett, who I see has a resigned look on his face.

"I hate to admit it, Ari, but I don't think you have much of a choice," he tells me, and I remember the conversation we had earlier.

I don't want this pack knowing about my abilities. The fewer people who know, the better. Besides, my shadow powers are unstable at the moment. I sigh again. I seem to be doing that a lot.

"Agreed," I tell Mortlock, leaning across to shake his outstretched hand, although I can't help but feel like I have signed my freedom away.