The Alphas discussed what Phelan had told them in great detail over the next couple of hours. They all agreed that it was in fact a mutual problem that would most definitely affect them all. They had a common enemy and would all benefit by forming an alliance to stand against the impending evil. Every pack represented in the meeting would immediately start protocols to protect and defend their individual territories. They agreed as a whole to begin drawing up the necessary paper work on the following Monday to form a Continental Alliance of Packs. Putting aside their differences for the greater good was going to be the only way to come together as one unit conquer the issue at hand. They would each then set up meetings with their individual alliances to discuss the matter in an attempt to get every pack in the country involved within the next few weeks. After that they would schedule a meeting of all Alphas in the Red River Pack territory, as they were the only pack in the country capable of accommodating such a large gathering. As the meeting came to an end and the Alphas started to disperse Phelan caught his hosts eye. The two men shared a look of determination and nodded to each other as they turned and exited the den.
It was obvious that every Alpha carried with him a heavy burden as some retired for the evening and others made their way out of the mansion and onto the back lawn where they were met by all who were planning to attend the midnight hunt. Phelan was met at the edge of the woods by his three men who helped him undress and store his clothes for safe keeping until after the hunt. At this time everyone's attention was drawn to the edge of the trees where Alpha Mixon stood preparing to lead the hunt. As Alpha Mixon addressed the large gathering of wolves before him everyone fell silent. Not a peep was heard as every wolf there gave Mixon their complete attention. Phelan was reminded again that this mature Alpha was a well respected werewolf and felt certain that he had made the right decision to come here this weekend. Mixon was going to be a very strong and formidable force in this battle against Cullen. He was a naturally charismatic leader, wolves couldn't help but want to follow him.
As Alpha Mixon spoke to the gathered wolves Phelan took notice that neither his mate or his daughter stood with him. Nor were they among those gathered. He reasoned that Luna Freya may have more matters to attend to for the following day or she may have gone to bed to get much needed rest. But it confused him that the daughter still wasn't present after all, all of this was in her honor it was expected that she would participate. At the very least she should have made an appearance to welcome her guests who had come out of their way to be here for her and her family. He was sure that she was simply spoiled and ungrateful earlier. Now he wondered if something might actually be wrong. His wolf Lobo had been anxiously pacing in his head since after the dinner that evening. And as he was reminded of what he had experienced this evening all thoughts of the spoiled Alpha's daughter and curiosity over her absence quickly faded away from him as he relived the evening's events once again in his mind.
Phelan's Evening Run:
After the evening meal Lobo had been highly agitated. So Phelan had gone for a second run with Chadwick before the Alphas gathered in the den that night. Immediately after shifting Lobo bolted through the forest. It was as if he was on a mission and had an intended destination. After running for more than an hour Lobo and Adonis arrived at the meadow from before. Lobo stayed just inside the tree line and circled the meadow cautiously four times. Stopping here and there to take in the different smells. Before approaching the brook and drinking the cool water. Phelan couldn't but his finger on what the matter was, but knew instinctually that something was definitely off. As Lobo sniffed the wind anxiously, Phelan pondered over the matter. He feared that it could be that Cullen or his thugs might be in the area. He really hoped that wasn't the case. But at the moment he just couldn't rule that out as the problem.
After taking in the meadow and drinking his fill, Lobo ran off into the woods again. This time he ran away from the meadow. But he didn't go far before he turned and ran parallel with the meadow for a while. Then turned back in to the direction of the meadow. Just before reaching the tree line he again turned and ran straight away from the open area. He had done this over and over. As time passed he got faster and faster. As though he was more and more driven to find something. Phelan was becoming aware of his own anxiety building. Adonis was fast but he lacked the stamina of his Alpha and was beginning to struggle with the pace. Chadwick's exhausted voice came through the mindlink, "Alpha what is wrong? What are we searching for? I haven't seen any trace of danger, nor have I smelled any alarming scents. I'm sorry, but my wolf is tiring. Might we soon rest, please?"
Phelan answered his warrior, "I don't know what is driving Lobo on and on. Nothing about this makes any sense to me either. I'm going to try to regain control. We can rest in the meadow before heading back to the mansion for the Alpha meeting. Try to stay with me til we reach the tree line."
By the time the two wolves reached the tree line Phelan had all but regained complete control over his wolf. As they came to a stand still and were about to shift Lobo suddenly turned towards the meadow. There standing in the moonlight in the center of the open area stood a red headed female. Her white flesh almost glowed in the moon light. Phelan and Lobo together felt mesmerized and inexplicably drawn to her. Adonis said something through the mind link, but it was as if his voice was a million miles away. Lobo slowly started to walk towards the female. The wind shifted and the most delicious mixture of cinnamon, apples, and other spices wafted over to him suddenly making his body ravenous. This hunger was primal and no amount of food or drink would ever bed it down.
Lobo stepped slowly towards the delectable morsel before him. He still had not seen her face and loved to look upon what he already new was going to be the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He longed to fly to her side. But like in a dream where one is forced to tread water with all that they are and is only capable of moving inches ahead at a time, Lobo was only able to move forward slowly, one infuriating step at a time. As he reached the edge of the trees he was frozen in place the angel in front of him transformed into the most beautiful red wolf he had ever set his eyes upon. He watched as she shook her fur and took one last look at the night sky above her before racing away in the opposite direction at an amazing burst of speed. Unable to make his body respond to his desire to run after her, Lobo slowly stepped out of the cover of the trees and watched her disappear.
Adonis stepped out in front of his Alpha and watched her go before turning and cockking his head to the side in confusion. Lobo and Phelan were held there completely captivated by the female's spell. Only snapping back to reality when Chadwick's voice rang out in his head. "Alpha are you ok? Who was that she-wolf? What is going on?"
Lobo shook his head and huffed before turning his gaze upon Adonis. "I-I-I don't know who she is. Wait! I don't know who she is!" Phelan exclaimed through their link before Lobo turned and sprinted in her direction unleashing every last bit of his power and speed. He ran so far, so fast, that very soon he had left Adonis in his tracks. Hard as he tried he never caught up to the female. Before long he reached the pack house. There was no sign of the female or the red wolf anywhere. He shifted quickly and threw on his shorts. He didn't even notice that his t-shirt was gone. He ran into the Pack house and searched all of the common areas. But found no traces of her anywhere. Had it all been a dream. After sometime Chadwick found him. His warrior was still breathing hard and finding it hard to regulate his breathing. "Alpha please, what is going on?" he huffed out between ragged breathes.
I don't know. But I have to find her. I have the meeting with the Alphas now, but I have to find that woman, Chadwick. I'm going to get ready. You find the others and see if you can figure out who she is."
Standing here now with the others preparing to hunt, he found himself looking over the crowd for the mystery woman he had seen earlier. But to his disappointment he didn't see her anywhere among the wolves. Nor could he pick up her scent. Lobo was once again pacing anxiously in his head in anticipation of being let out again. Glancing over he caught Chadwick's knowing eye. Chadwick spoke to him over the mindlink, "Alpha I briefed the others. We will all be on the look out and will report immediately if we find anything. "
Phelan nodded his head in acknowledgement just as Alpha Mixon gave the signal that it was time to shit and begin the hunt. As the bolted into the woods as one, Phelan struggled to stay focused. It took all he had to reign Lobo in and keep him with the pack as they raced along. Lobo wanted to go off on a hunt of his own. Phelan knew that now was not the time. He was a guest here. For now he was obligated to participate in this hunt. Later he assured his wolf they would hunt on there own for the beautiful red wolf that had momentarily escaped them.
For the first hour the wolves ran as one around the territory. When someone fell upon the scent of several deer the group of wolves split into four groups and ran wide around the herd of deer feeding in the meadow. Once in position they inched closer and closer to the wood line and waited in anticipation of Alpha Mixon's signal to attack. As they waited Phelan and Lobo found it very difficult to focus on the hunt. As he looked out across the open area to the herd of at least thirty deer grazing, his mind wondered back to the memory of the enchantress that had stood in the middle of the opening before. She had been so close! It infuriated him now to think that he could have easily met her! If only his stupid body and brain had communicated better. What was wrong with him? Nothing like that had ever happened to him before. He had spoken with beautiful women many times before. What was his problem. If only he could have snapped out of it then he wouldn't be hating himself and longing to find her now. He wondered why he had been so drawn to her, yet unable to cover the distance. Was she acwitch? Had it been a spell? Or was it possible that the one thing that had eluded him all these years had been right here all this time? Was this heavenly creature the one destined to him from the Moon Goddess herself, that he had not even seen her face, nor did he know her sweet name! Was this magnificent wolf the one destined to be his mate? Could it be true?
Phelan's heart left with the hope of joy and the fear of being wrong simultaneously. As he was lost inside his mind mulling over the matter, Phelan and Lobo missed the signal to attack. So when everyone left forward as one Lobo stood frozen in place. His men halted beside him unwilling to move forward without their Alpha. The rushing of wolves running out into the meadow and the resulting panic frenzied deer taking flight snapped the Alpha back from his thoughts. Shaking his head in anger he snarled with frustration as he raced forward. He and his men hesitating had left an opening for several of their prey to escape. This embarrassed Phelan who had an image to uphold with the other Alphas. He knew that they would doubt his ability to lead them in war if he couldn't even successfully hunt a few deer. Cursing his stupidity at allowing himself to be so badly distracted he flew at the fleeing deer, overtaking and killing first one, then another, and another in a matter of moments. After felling the third animal Lobo looked around at the others. His feat had not gone unnoticed. He hoped his actions would be enough to redeem himself with the other Alphas. After a moment he celebrated with his men's wolves and then they feast they feasted on the kills.
After filling their bellies the wolves took a more leisurely pace back to the mansion. Once they made it back to the pack house and stood outside their rooms Phelan's men said nothing to him about what had happened. They gave him a few concerned glances and then entered their respective rooms.
Phelan knew they were worried about him. They had never seen him like this. He was an excellent leader that excelled at every task. As he undressed and stepped into the hot water of his shower he stood with his head down leaning against the tiles of the shower. Letting the hit water wash the blood and dirt from his body his mind was flooded with images of the redhead and her beautiful red wolf. He wasn't sure what had come over him. But he knew in his heart it would not get any better until he found her. He snatched up the bar of soap from its dish on the wall beside him and hastily began scrubbing his body. He washed like a mad man. As though he believed the soap was magical and possessed the ability to scrub her memory from his mind. But as he washed himself he found it increasingly impossible to entertain a single other thought.
Taking a moment to gather his wits and catch his breath before finishing his shower and stepping out to dry off. Phelan felt consumed and walked as if in a fog to the bed. As he laid down and covered his body with the sheets, visions of the she wolf danced once more in his mind. "Oh my Goddess, Phelan old boy. You're definitely in trouble...", he said aloud to himself as he reached over and turned out the light. It was difficult to accomplish, but eventually he managed to fall asleep.