Chapter 4

• Allison's point of view.
• I now understand how she persuades Adams and Tobby to help her decorate the house. I can see how she affects male werewolves, and it makes me happy. I believe living with Daniella will be enjoyable.
• "While I show you around the house, tell me about yourself." What country are you from? "What prompted your decision to visit Highland?"
• "I'm not from someplace in particular. "I moved around a lot as a kid," I admit.
• "Which pack were you originally from?"
• "I've never been in a pack." I've always been an outcast. It was always just my mother and me."
• "You had to have a pack at some point?" "What was the name of your mother's pack?"
• "I honestly don't know." For the first time, I notice how odd this is. Why don't I understand? Why didn't she inform me? She must have once been a member of a pack.
• "You are unique. I've never encountered a loner who didn't know whose pack they belonged to. We usually have a sob tale about fleeing a brutal alpha or having our pack wiped out by an enemy pack or a band of rogues.
• For example, the Lavage Wolves Pack ambushed my pack, the Wolf Claws. Those of us who survived the war were offered the option of becoming omegas in their pack or going rogue. I liked being a lone wolf to being a slave in their pack. "It's been four years, and so far, so good," she replies brightly.
• "You are very bold. I've never gone through anything like that. Mum simply enjoyed moving about. We never stayed in one spot for an extended period of time. We had previously been chased out of town by a local pack, but it was the worst that had happened to us.
• I'd never heard of the Lavage Wolves Pack. "Are they as vicious as their name suggests?"
• "Yes, the alpha considers himself a savage, thus the moniker. He's no better than a rogue. He was expelled from the Midnight Moon pack. They are vicious and ruthless when crossed, but because they do not mix with other packs, they do not pose a threat to peaceful packs. In reality, we know very little about them.
• When Ryan was kicked out, he used the chance to form his own pack, filling it with the worst rogues he could find.
• Anyway, let's not bring him up. It couldn't have been easy to be on the road all the time."
• "It was fine, but I'm glad I'll be able to stay here."
• "You'll adore Highland." I've been here for a year and it's been fantastic so far. At the university, there are over fifty loners, and we all stay together. The pack wolves outnumber us, but we remain to ourselves and avoid them whenever possible."
• She keeps talking as she shows me around the house. It is spotless and recently painted in vibrant colors.
• A big living room with faded carpets and vintage leather sofas is available. The dining area accommodates twelve individuals at a large table with mismatched chairs.
• We enter a spacious kitchen where two young wolves are preparing food.
• "Adams, Tobby. Say welcome to Allison, our new housemate..."
• "Hi. Allison. "My name is Tobby, and it's a pleasure to meet you." A huge wolf with blond hair and a lovely smile approaches to shake my hand.
• "And I am, Adams..." replies a shorter dark-haired wolf with a wave.
• "Your meal will be ready in five minutes." "Why don't you set the table, girls?"
• "I'll do it as soon as I open the wine." We need to celebrate Allison's arrival."
• "It's chilling in the fridge," Tobby says.
• "Excellent!!!" she exclaims as she walks over to the fridge and grabs the bottle.
• The five of us sit down to eat. Tobby and Adams prepared lasagna as well as garlic toasted bread. I'm going to enjoy myself there because the food is great.
• ________
• Lance's point of view.
• "Thank you, Alpha Alistair." Everything appears to be in order. My wolves are prepared to take over the management of your old pack and facilitate its smooth integration with the Silver Light Pack.
• The elderly gentleman sighs and nods in agreement.
• I feel a pang of sympathy for him, but it is fleeting. In a long time, he hasn't led this pack like an alpha should. For the past ten years, the pack has been hemorrhaging wolves. They haven't kept their borders secure, and as a result, rogue attacks have grown. Not to add their folly in allowing rogues to attend the local university.
• Merging with my pack will put an end to this. I've dispatched my chief warrior to begin training their wolves. She will make certain that they are prepared for fight. Meanwhile, I'm going to bolster their ranks with some of my own fighters. I must immediately enhance their border patrols.
• "Where do you plan to go?" I inquire out of politeness. I want him gone, but I don't care where he goes after that.
• "I intend to relocate to town." It is uncharted territory."
• "For the time being," I caution him. I intend to end that neutrality. Linton is too close to the pack's border to be completely out of my grasp. Allowing pack-less rogues to live poses a security risk that I am unable to accept. After I've resolved the pack merger, my next task will be to officially incorporate the town into the pack's domain.
• He gives me a nod. "Well, I'll stay there while it's still neutral." "I've been here for sixty years."
• "Fine, that won't cause me any problems."
• "What will happen to my top wolves?" My beta is a lovely lady, a lovely lady..."
• "They are welcome to stay in the pack, but only as regular wolves." I don't need a fresh beta or gamma."
• He nods but remains silent. He understands that this is an offer that any alpha would make when taking over a pack. Most people would kick them out and push them to go rogue. That makes no sense to me. They are welcome to stay as long as they keep their heads down and are eager to integrate. If they prove themselves, they will be able to move up the pack hierarchy.
• "All right, I believe we're done here. I'll turn you over to Chris, my beta, to finalize the details."
• As I exit the room, Chris steps forward and takes over the discussions.
• I'm overjoyed. It's been a productive morning. This pack will complement the Silver Light Pack nicely. Because their domain is large and forested, it will allow my wolves to move out and find new homes. My sole concern now is absorbing Linton into my area of influence.
• For far too long, this pack has accepted rogues, allowing them to live freely in Highland and attend university. They must be relocated before they may cause any problems. I'm amazed they haven't already; the Scarlet Moon pack has been extremely fortunate.
• Now, though, I'm going to stop working on the pack and go see my younger brother, David. He is a university student. I'm looking forward to seeing him again. In a three-month period, I haven't seen him.
• He should also be able to give me some idea of what problems I might have in Highland.