Wren woke with a smile on her face and a knock at her bedroom door. Looking over at the door she was greeted by her mother's smiling face peaking into her room. Her mother stepped inside ide and closed the door behind her. "Wren dear, I thought you might want help packing for your trip. We have an hour until breakfast, can I help you gather your things?", Luna Freya asked as she walked over to Wren's bedside.
Wren stretched and sat up. "Yes, I'd like that very much, mother. Although, I'm not sure what I can take with me."
"I think we should just pack a couple of bags with your clothes and toiletries for you to take with you today. Anything else I can have shipped to you later." Wren nodded in response to what her mother had suggested. Then pulled her blanket back and got out of bed. After going to the bathroom, she brushed her hair and teeth, and dressed herself for the day. Choosing an ankle length floral print skirt in autumn colors with a brown leather belt and sandals and a mustard colored blouse with brown wooden buttons down the front. She also made sure to put her new necklace on her neck.. Looking into her vanity mirror and smiling as she did so. It was beautiful and sparkled brightly in the morning sun that poured into her bedroom window. Then she placed Phelan's ring on her left hand, pausing to admire it before picking up her grandmother's ring. She took a moment to take in the two stones. Smiling to herself and thinking fondly of her grandmother, she lovingly slipped it onto her finger on her right hand. As she did she felt the tingling sensation once again. She wondered why that happened. Maybe it was just excitement? She wasn't sure. But she quickly dismissed all thought on the matter, because she knew that she was pressed for time and should get busy. She didn't want to start the day by running behind. Surely that would fail to impress her mate. So she stood and joined her mother who was eyeing her clothes thoughtfully. Wren and her mother went through her wardrobe and chose which items would be going with her and which things would be shipped later on.
Once they had Wren packed and ready to go Luna Freya promised to have someone bring her bags down to their car and to personally over see the shipping of her other belongings. As they left Wren's room they were pleasantly surprised to see that Phelan was patiently waiting in the hall outside her door. He had a smile plastered on his face as he greeted first her mother and then Wren.
"Good morning my mate.," he said as he tenderly kissed her cheek and offered her his arm. "You are more beautiful than the morning my love." He noted as he escorted the two women to breakfast. Looking down he noticed that she had chosen to wear the necklace and two rings given to her yesterday on her birthday and his smile widened with delight that his mate had chosen to wear his mother's ring again. He hoped she always would. At least until he was able to mark her. He didn't want anyone to question who she belonged to. He was very proud to have her as his own and he wanted everyone to know it.
As they entered the Alpha family's private dining room they were greated by Alpha Mixon, Future Alpha Mitchell, and his pregnant mate Anna. Luna Freya walked over to her mate and kissed him on his cheek before he pulled her seat out for her and pushed it in again as she sat down. Phelan and Mitchell did the same for their mates and then took their seats as well. Breakfast was served and everyone ate their fill. They had a lovely time together and then the Alpha family walked Wren and Phelan to their car.
There were all of Phelan's men waiting for them there. His Gama Thomas and the original two warriors waited at the bottom of the steps. The additional men, who had brought Wren's ring, all stood next to a black SUV that was parked in front of Phelan and Wren's limousine. Everyone said their goodbyes and the newly mated couple and their men got into the two vehicles. Driving away, Wren looked back wiping away a tear from her cheek. Beside her Phelan had noticed. He tenderly took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze before kissing her knuckles. He knew this would be hard for her. He couldn't imagine leaving his home, his family, or his pack behind. Wren turned with her eyes filled with tears and smiled back at him.
They drove for over an hour before finally reaching her grandparent's home. The older Alpha and Luna had moved out to their lake house not long after the Alpha title had been handed down to Wren's father. They had spent the next twelve years happily enjoying their retirement. Until that dark, stormy day, when her grandfather was lost. Wren's grandmother had called and told them that he was gone. He was just gone.
Grandfather Mixon, had gone out after breakfast to work on his boat motor in the boat house. When he didn't come back in for lunch Grandmother Mixon had mind linked him. But she got no response. The rain was pouring down and the wind was blowing. Grandmother had had no choice but to go out into the storm looking for her mate. When she made it down to the boat house she had found it empty. No boat, and no grandfather. Later, his boat was found on the lake. It was freely drifting. The motor was still torn apart as though he was still working on it. It didn't make any sense that the boat would be out there in that condition, especially during the storm. The boat was found, but Grandfather never was.
A memorial service was held. But grandmother didn't attend. She had refused to go because she was adamant that her mate was still alive. She told everyone that would listen that her mate was still alive somewhere. She was angry that her son wouldn't continue looking for his father. There was a lot of tension and bickering within the family during that time. Grandmother wouldn't give up. She pushed and pushed for her son to send out pack members into the world to look for Grandfather all the time, for a solid month. She claimed that she felt him, that he wasn't far away. But no one ever picked up his scent. No one was ever able to locate him.
Then one day a mournful howl and an immense amount of pain poured through the mind link. Wren remembered barely having enough time to recognize her grandmother's heart broken cries before her entire body was crippled immediately by a waive of both physical and emotional pain. She had fallen to her knees and had tried to cry out for help. But instead, the pain was far too great and Wren had passed out. No one else experienced it like that. They all felt the heart break and heard the howls. But none of them felt the pain like Wren and Grandmother. None of them were like Wren and Grandmother.
Wren looked around as she got out of the limo. She sensed her Grandmother before she saw her. Grandmother was sitting in a chair under an old oak tree at the side of the house. She was looking across the lake. She looked as though she were lost in her memories.
Wren led Phelan over to her grandmother. As they approached her grandmother turned and smiled. "Hello Wren. I had hoped that you and your mate would come by before you leave." Wren was confused.
"Grandmother, did mother and father tell you I found my mate?" Her grandmother chuckled to herself and shook her head no.
"No child. No one sent word. I felt it. I knew you would find him and be leaving us to start your new life. Now what is your name young man and what pack do you lead?", she asked turning her full attention to Phelan.
Wren looked at him and chuckled to herself also. She knew her grandmother regularly just knew things without explanation. But her mate had not been informed and looked a little bewildered. But he wasn't rude he stepped forward, "Hello Luna Mixon, my name is Phelan Mchughes. I am Alpha to Red River Pack and it is a pleasure to meet you."
Grandmother smiled and gestured for the young couple to have a seat and join her looking out at the lake. Once they had taken their seats Wren looked over at her Grandmother and held up her hand to show her the ring she had given her for her birthday. "Thank you Grandmother for this ring. It is beautiful, I absolutely love it!... I missed you yesterday at my birthday celebration. I'm sorry you weren't able to attend." Her Grandmother smiled down at her ring sitting on Wren's finger. Before looking across at Phelan expectantly. Before she was able to speak his cell phone rang out in his pocket. Phelan quickly excused himself as he looked at the screen with concern and walked back towards the waiting cars to answer the call.
Wren and Grandmother watched him as he walked away. Then Grandmother turned quickly back to her granddaughter and spoke low and urgently to her. "Wren, listen to me now. We don't have much time until you must leave." Wren was taken aback. She started to explain that Phelan had said they could visit as long as she wanted to, but Grandmother waived her hand at her and began explaining what was so urgent.
"His Beta is calling him home, my dear. You will soon be on your way. Now listen well, there is a reason I passed that ring to you. You inherited my family's abilities and gifts. You were not my daughter and so I have not been able to train you or prepare you for what is to come. Your mother doesn't understand. She ment well, keeping you away from me or limiting our time together. But she has certainly made your task harder for you. Trust your instincts, granddaughter. You are stronger than you know. In time your gifts and abilities will far surpass my own. Believe in yourself and you will conquer any foe. There is an evil coming. It will affect us all. You stand beside your mate. He is a strong and brave wolf. More than that he is a wise leader. Together, the two of you will succeed. But only if you make this journey together. Keep this ring on your finger always. It is special. It will grow and mature your gifts quickly and help you to control them. Guard it well." Wren wanted to ask questions but Grandmother interrupted herthoughts by shushing her quickly, "Shush. He's coming to collect you. Do not forget what I have told you."
Phelan approached and cleared his throat before explaining himself. "Pardon me, ladies. I do apologize but I just received an urgent phone call. I'm afraid my Beta and my pack require me to return immediately. Wren I am sorry, I did promise you a visit with your grandmother. And I will understand if you would like to stay on longer. I can provide transportation for you for whenever you are ready to join me, if you would like."
Wren and her Grandmother shared a knowing look before Wren got to her feet, ready to follow her mate. She quickly kissed her grandmother's cheek and hurried over to Phelan. "I'm going with you, mate. I believe I can better serve you if I remain at your side." Phelan smiled down at her and kissed her lovingly. They bid Grandmother farewell and hurried to the car. They quickly jumped in and rushed to the airfield where Phelan's private jet was waiting for them.
Phelan sat quietly the entire drive. He had a look of concern frozen on his face. His jaw muscles tensed and there was an air of real worry all about him. Wren could feel his anger, fear, and frustration washing over her. His emotions were overwhelming her. She was starting to feel the need to distance herself from him. Just like she did when ever she had felt this way before. But that wasn't an option. Remembering her Grandmother's words Wren dug deep and took a deep breath to steady her emotions. She felt the tingle of the ringing her finger as she reached over and grabbed Phelan's hand. He looked at her for the first time sense they had left her grandmother's house. Wren felt a warmth growing from where their hands joined and felt it traveling up her arm to her chest. It carried with it feelings of love, protection, and strength. Phelan looked questioningly down at his hand in hers then back up into her eyes. He felt it too. It was foreign but felt like home all at once. He smiled at his mate and put his arm around her shoulders. He held her the rest of the way. He couldn't understand what had just happened, but it was good. He knew it came from her and that it was good. He didn't need an explanation.