Kissing his cheek, I step away and walk toward the front steps of the alpha house.
The slate stairs leading to the grand log cabin are an impressive sight, each step resonating with the weight of history. As I ascend, the sheer magnitude of the building becomes apparent—the embodiment of generations of Alphas and Lunas who have governed our people.
The rich mahogany doors stand tall before me, bearing witness to the secrets and legacies of countless eons. I extend my hand and touch the cold brass handle, the chill a reminder of the protective embrace of the mountains.
Strangely, the cold doesn't bother me.
With a firm push, the doors swing open, revealing the heart of the alpha house. The scent of pine, earth, and wolf fills my senses as I step into the expansive foyer. My eyes instinctively shift, adapting to the dim lighting. My mates follow closely behind as we traverse the halls toward the grand banquet hall. The walls seem to echo with whispered conversations of those who came before.
All alpha houses look the same. The familiarity is both comforting and daunting. I lead the way down the hall, each step measured, anticipation palpable. Raising my hand, I bring our group to a halt about ten feet from the towering pine doors that separate us from the assembly.
The scent of aged wood and distant conversations seep through the gaps. The doors, adorned with intricate carvings depicting the history of the Blackmore pack, stand as a symbolic barrier. I exchange glances with my mates—a silent acknowledgment of the weight of this moment. Khal's steady presence, Diaval'sunwavering support, Easton's calm assurance, and Torben's quiet strength. All crucial pillars in the foundation of our family.
As the doors creak open, the atmosphere shifts. The room, with its polished wooden floors and ornate chandeliers, exudes timeless elegance. Alpha Roman, seated at the head of a long, intricately carved table, gazes at us with a mix of curiosity and authority. The elders, flanking him on either side, regard us with measured expressions.
I lead our group forward, navigating the space between the long tables. The eyes of the assembled elders, each carrying the weight of centuries, follow our every move.
"Alpha Roman," I greet, my tone respectful yet assertive. "We come seeking guidance. I seek the knowledge of my family and those that remain within this mountain pack." Alpha Roman acknowledges our presence with a nod, his gaze lingering on each member of our group.
"We have information that leads us here to your pack," I continue, choosing my words carefully. "We seek your counsel and the wisdom of the elders in locating my last surviving relatives." The room falls into heavy silence. Alpha Roman finally speaks, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
"Share your information, and we will consider its relevance to the pack. But know this—the decisions we make today will be to protect our people first and foremost." With a nod, I signal to Khal, who steps forward with a map. The flickering candlelight casts dancing shadows on the faces gathered as we unfurl my family tree on the long table.
"I know the Havardr family and the Torsten family. The rest of these names, I do not know," declares the elder and advisorto Alpha Roman. His gaze moves across the parchment, his furrowed brow revealing the weight of contemplation.
"I am Clem, advisor to Alpha Roman. I can take you to meet with the families tomorrow." Hope flickers in my chest. Finally. Answers within reach.
Roman, however, interrupts with a forceful gesture that echoes through the hall. "I didn't give permission," he growls, directing his glare at Clem. The sudden outburst draws my attention back to Roman, and I feel a subtle nudge within me—an instinctual response to assert dominance. Before Roman can further assert his authority, I intervene, my voice cutting through the tension.
"Do not disrespect your elders, Alpha." I leave no room for argument.
Roman steps back, seemingly affected by a force beyond the physical. The familiar sensation of power coursing through me intensifies—a power that echoes the primal strength of my wolf.
My eyes glow with ethereal light as I fixate on Roman. His knees buckle under the weight of the unseen force, and he clings to the edge of the table for support. The room falls into uneasy silence as the alpha, momentarily subdued, grapples with the unexpected display. The elders exchange knowing glances, recognizing the significance.
I did that. That was me.
"Feray, let him go." Torben's deep voice resonates through the hall, a grounding force that reaches me even in the midst of my newfound power. I heed his words, gradually releasing the tenuous grip on the rage that surged within me. The glow in my eyes recedes, and the air lightens as the oppressive force dissipates. Roman straightens, his composure returning.
"Forgive me, Alpha Roman. The urgency of the situation overwhelmed my judgment," Clem apologizes.
Roman, though visibly unsettled, nods. "Tomorrow, then. Clem, you will accompany them." The decision is made, and the room exhales a collective breath.
As we prepare to leave, I exchange a glance with Torben. His steady presence grounds me. Something about this meeting—the way all the elders were present—sets me on edge. It would not benefit us to remain.
Khal gathers our papers and scrolls before we make our way out.
The moon hangshigh in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over Blackmore. The weight of the alpha's authority still lingers, but so does the promise of a new day. Tomorrow we venture into the homes of families whose names hold secrets that may expose my past.
Back in the crisp night air, I turn to my mates, each one bearing witness to the shifting dynamics within the alpha house. The journey into the heart of Blackmore's history has only just begun. We are finally reaching into the very heart of my biggest question.
Who am I? And where am I from?
There's a burning deep inside me, and I know it's my heat. The tincture does its job, but the knowledge of it lingers. I won't lose my mind from the heat. I won't conceive a pup even if I wanted to.
Glancing over my shoulder, I look at each of my mates. What are the odds that any of them would play nicely together? "I see that look in your eye, little wolf..." Torben's nose is still twitching. He's caught my scent, and he won't leave me wanting.
"The nose never lies..."
