Rayna turns to me with a bright smile. “We’re about to cross into my brother’s territory.” Her affection for him shines through, regardless of his reputation.
As if summoned by her words, several wolves burst out of the surrounding forest from every direction just as the SUV comes to a stop. This must be some kind of checkpoint. We’re climbing a hill, so the dense forest hides most of the pack lands from view.
Jeremiah rolls down his window and introduces himself to one of the warriors who has shifted. Despite the amount of nakedness I’ve witnessed since learning about werewolves and shifting, I still can’t look past the sheer physical perfection of this guy**he looks like he lives in the gym, and, well, he’s hung like a horse. Damn! Maybe I’ll allow myself a little fun while I’m here, considering the guys in my pack have been warned off me. But I’ll have to be careful if these guys live up to the rumors.
Rayna lowers her window, and I realize I missed the entire conversation while I was busy drooling over the warrior. “He’s expecting us, Danny. This is Jeremiah, my mate, and his Beta Ben, Gamma Jason, Delta Tommy, and Lead Warrior Kennedy.” Danny nods to each of us as she says our names, and we acknowledge her in return. She gives me a flirtatious smirk. Danny is my brother’s Delta and should be with him during negotiations. Her tone sounds scolding but not surprised to see him here.
That introduction was generous. I’m no lead warrior, but I’m not about to correct her right now. Somehow, in just a day, she’s gone from despising me to exaggerating my qualities.
“Oh, I’m here on orders**specifically for your arrival, Rayna.” I can’t quite tell if the look on Danny’s face is playful or menacing. His smirk could mean either.
Delta Danny steps aside, and we pull forward. I try to sneak glances at all his gorgeousness as we drive away, but I don’t think I’m fooling anyone. A sudden huff from my right makes me look forward**and my jaw drops.
“Holy crap, Rayna. Your pack is absolutely stunning!” I blurt out, unable to hide my awe.
The hill we were climbing didn’t drop down into another valley as I had expected. Instead, it leveled off, revealing a thick forest of towering trees, their leaves lush and vibrant. Some were already beginning to shift into the warm hues of autumn, splashes of gold and crimson scattered among the green. The road beneath us was smooth and well-kept, winding beneath a natural canopy formed by the overarching branches, filtering the sunlight into soft dappled patterns.
Once we passed the long, winding driveway, the path opened up to reveal a charming town that looked like it belonged in a storybook from a bygone era. It was the kind of place you’d imagine on a Christmas card**red brick buildings with large, inviting shop windows, all radiating a cozy, timeless warmth. The town’s layout suggested blocks of storefronts that seamlessly transitioned into neighborhoods filled with quaint homes. I knew this pack was sizable, but seeing it stretch out like this made me realize just how vast it really was. We rolled past a central square where a roundabout encircled a gazebo adorned with decorations for some special celebration. To one side, a large park spread out, and I caught a glimpse of a jungle gym peeking over the treetops in the distance. I was already looking forward to exploring every corner of this place.
As we ventured deeper into the pack’s territory, the first industrial-style building came into view. Just beyond it, rows of stadium seating rose up, making me wonder if it was part of their school facilities.
“Hey, Rayna, what’s that building over there?” I asked, pointing toward the structure and the bleachers.
“Oh, that’s our training ground,” she explained. “My brother has expanded our pack so much that we have warrior groups coming from all over to train here. That building’s a dormitory where they stay while they’re here.”
“When do they train?” I asked, intrigued.
“Evenings. It starts in a couple of hours. You’d love to watch.”
Rayna’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Why don’t we head to the packhouse first? We can drop off our stuff, freshen up, grab a bite, and then join the training. I’m sure the guys would appreciate moving around after being your pillows the whole trip,” she teased with a laugh.
“Food sounds amazing!” Tommy chirped from beside her, and we all chuckled.
Rayna guided Jeremiah through the town, pointing out various landmarks as we went, while I struggled to keep my jaw from dropping. This place was nothing like the bleak rumors I’d heard. Everything felt timeless, elegant, and inviting. When we finally reached the packhouse, its grandeur struck me immediately. It had a classic, old-world charm that fit perfectly with the rest of the town. But I barely had a moment to admire it**my boys were already restless and hungry. One of the Omegas kindly showed us to our rooms.
I was surprised to learn that we were staying on the Alpha’s floor as guests. When I mentioned this to Rayna, her explanation both clarified and confused me.
I’ve never fully understood pack hierarchy culture, especially how different packs handle things. I always assumed the Alpha and their immediate family had a floor or section all to themselves**a sort of sanctuary to escape the pack’s constant buzz. Like celebrities with gated mansions, it was a private space where only designated Omegas were allowed. When Aunt Beth took me in, I was only permitted on the Alpha floor under her watch. Even Jeremiah moved down to my floor when I moved in, so we could be closer and to help with my nightmare issues.
But apparently, because Rayna’s room is on this floor and Jeremiah is an Alpha expected to stay near her, his team is housed close by as well. It’s designed to make all of us feel more at ease, keeping us near each other rather than separated and on edge. We get special treatment since we’re a package deal with Rayna.
As we stepped onto the floor, I suddenly stopped dead in my tracks. An intoxicating scent hit me**one of the most incredible fragrances I’ve ever encountered. It was a mix of rosemary and mint, wrapped in something distinctly masculine and magnetic. Whoever wore that cologne was going to get attacked by me later; it sent tingles all over my body in ways I’d never experienced before. The scent lingered throughout the entire floor as we made our way toward our rooms. I couldn’t help but wonder if a warrior patrolled here regularly. Damn. Every part of me was on high alert now.
“You okay?” Ben asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Yeah!” I replied, my voice coming out oddly high-pitched. Clearing my throat, I added, “It’s just… overwhelming. This place is huge.” I shrugged and kept moving forward.
He huffed softly, clearly amused.
Ryker
I managed to expend just enough energy to finally get some rest. Honestly, no woman has ever truly captivated my attention, and for me, oral sex has always been more about releasing built-up tension than anything else. Being an Alpha comes with a naturally high sex drive, so even when I was younger, I found myself exploring and testing boundaries. Still, most of my time was spent alone in my room, while my friends at school seemed to have plenty of stories to share. I lived through their experiences vicariously. I was always guarded about my personal life; you could never be too careful. Even your closest friends might have ears tuned to gossip, ready to spread rumors that could cause trouble. So, I learned to keep quiet and just listen. My silence was often misinterpreted as tacit approval of their assumptions about my conquests, and I never bothered to correct them. My bedroom escapades aren’t as wild as the rumors suggest, but I’m no saint either. I just let those whispers work in my favor.
This morning, I met Edward for breakfast. He looked worn out, more than usual. I suspect he’s been pushing himself to make sure his pack is fully settled before he lets down his guard. Later, we gathered with the elders to finalize the pack transfer. The ceremony is similar to inducting a new member. They made small cuts on my arms, collecting a bit of blood in a cup, and I recited the oath of fealty before Edward drank the blood, sealing the bond between our packs. I could feel the connection growing among the new members, a tangible link forming. I’m relieved we’ve moved on from the old ways**new members used to have to bite the Alpha to draw blood. Given how I take on packs, I don’t think I could handle that anymore.
I informed my Beta that I’d be staying through the weekend to monitor Edward’s condition and see if he improves. I also requested additional soldiers to be stationed here. Even though I eliminated several key threats last night, it doesn’t guarantee everyone got the message. I need to ensure this place is secure before I head out anywhere else.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.