Chapter 7

Alpha Gannon took a deep breath before answering the question. “My ultimate goal is to reunite my pack, but I have to make sure it’s safe. I won’t put them in danger for my own selfish need to have them all together. You know how it is Alpha, they are like my children. I feel a bond with absolutely everyone in our pack. Living in urban areas is certainly not ideal, but it’s been safer, and we have made it work. Again, I sincerely apologize for not knowing about your pack and requesting permission before entering. “ Susan and Travis both sat quietly but hung on every word spoken by their Alphas. Occasionally Susan would glance over at Travis and his mother sitting at the table and found him watching her almost as much as he did his Alpha. “Currently, Susan is in her third year of college to become a nurse. I would really like to see her finish that program if possible. Alpha, May we please remain in your territory? I give my word with my life that we are not here to cause trouble. Our household is made up of myself, Kyle, Susan is my younger sister. Then I have a mate named Tia and four children under the age of 10 years old. If it was safe to return to our pack lands Alpha, I would do so, but I fear it never will be.” Alpha Trayvon studies Gannon before he spoke again. “Can you tell me about these exterminators and what the deal is there?” Gannon nods before explaining the Catfish incident, how every pack member changed their identity, and they scattered across America. He then went on to ask the other Alpha, “Have you heard of Oliver Ongst?” Alpha Trayvon seems to get a far off look on his eyes before turning to his Luna. “Do you recall an Oliver Ongst?” The Luna, Paulina, finally contributed to the conversation. “Wasn’t there an Ongst that was killed somewhere by a wolf that turned to be a shifter? Maybe my memory is fuzzy, but wasn’t his father a rich businessman or politician or something?” Alpha Gannon smiles. “Very close Luna. Oliver was indeed the son of Octavius Ongst, the billionaire. Not only is Octavius rich, but he lobbies for politicians and donates a lot of money to keep them in his pocket for a rainy day. Somehow word got out to Octavius that his son wasn’t killed by an ordinary wolf, but a shifter. So now, Octavius has a group of mercenaries on his

payroll and is hell bent on exterminating werewolves all together. It appears they troll the internet and pop into groups that specifically interest young werewolves. Then they befriend them and get as much information as they can. In our case, Tabitha thought she was talking to a teen werewolf from Canada. Turns out she was talking to a mercenary that then sent her a message letting her know they were coming for her and the rest of her pack. They would torture information out of us in an effort to exterminate ALL werewolves. I’m not sure they are aware of other paranormal creatures, but werewolves are on their radar because the wolf killed Oliver who was out hunting with his buddies and decided poaching wolves would be fun. Well, the werewolf he shot at, did not agree. Oliver’s body was full of werewolf venom and DNA. Heck, if he hadn’t been decapitated, Oliver would likely have become a werewolf himself.” They were all aware that decapitation was one of few ways to kill a werewolf, and probably the easiest. Removing a heart and burning someone are more difficult than simply removing their head. Of course, it’s not as easy to decapitate someone as they make it look in the movies. It’s rarely a one swing and you're done thing. Werewolves teeth and claws are sharp, but it still takes time to remove a head. Generally speaking, wolves go for the neck and chew through to remove the head. Then you know your opponent is truly deceased. Susan shivered as she fought to let go of her gruesome line of thinking. When she looked up, Travis was watching her and smiled. That’s all it took for her body to respond. Susan could feel her feminine channel clench, her cheeks felt hot like she was likely blushing, and her nipples felt sensitive rubbing on her night shift without a bra. Susan’s cheeks became even warmer when she realized she was in mixed company with only flannel pajamas, no robe, and definitely no bra. Travis tilted his head to the side and continued to study her. What a wolffish thing to do, cocking his head like that. The gesture made Susan smile before she looked back to the Alpha’s who were now talking like old friends. Luna Paulina looked over at Susan and said, “Travis tells me he met you at the college. What are you studying or what’s your final goal?” Susan smiled at Paulina, “I’m just starting my nursing classes after two years of mostly general education classes. I work as a PCA in the evenings and every other weekend. That’s about the extent of my life. Not much time for much else.” Luna Paulina smiled in return and reached up to move the piece of brunette hair, cut to fit her face in a Bob, out of her mouth. Paulina must straighten her hair because there was not one wave to be seen. Unlike Travis whose hate was very wavy, almost a slight bit curly. Paulina’s eyes were green. A quick glance revealed Alpha Trayvon had brown eyes, light brown hair, and skin that looked like he spends everyday in the sun. Paulina was about the same height as Susan, about 5’7”, but they both were still a head shorter than the males in the room. Susan became curious and decided not to pass up the opportunity. “So Travis, what are you studying in college? Other than football I mean.” Travis laughed, “you’re a funny one. I play football, I don’t study it. My course of study is premed with a focus on DNA. I’ve applied to several medical schools already. I’m just waiting to hear back.” Susan’s mouth was gaped open. Pre med? What the actual fuck? Man did I misjudge this man. The look of shock on her face made Travis laugh so loud both Alphas looked in his direction. Susan nodded before changing the subject. “Luna Paulina, do you work outside the home?”

Paulina smiled again. “I’m an accountant with my own office in town. I also keep all our pack finances and inform our Alpha of pack needs and any issues. So I certainly stay busy.” “Oh, I can certainly understand busy. I’m a full time student, work part time in evenings and weekends, plus I try to hit the gym at least four days a week. Even though we left Alaska, we continued to train because we know the exterminators will catch up to us eventually and we need to be able to protect ourselves. The discussion finally ended about 1 AM and Alpha Gannon and Shelby saw their visitors to the door. Only at home were they genuinely themselves and considered their own names as reality. The rest of life, outside the house felt like one huge lie sometimes as they went on as Susan and Kyle. Shelby has come to realize she would likely have to change her name legally to Susan since her degree would be in that name. However, she would cross that bridge when she came to it. As Gannon was closing the door, Alpha Trayvon turned back and said, “I almost forgot, thanks Luna Paulina. We wanted to invite you and your family next Saturday to our big fall cookout and bonfire. The vast majority of our pack will be there, and we run as wolves at the end of the evening. It happens to be a full moon that night, so even newbies shift easily. I’ll have Travis bring an invitation to you this week.” “Okay, thank you Alpha. Have a good night all.” Susan said before turning on her heel and crawling back into bed for the remainder of the morning before her 7 AM to 7 PM shift. As she drifted off, Susan began to obsess about next Saturday and before long, was asleep and dreaming about Travis, his pack, and running as wolves next Saturday.