"You are going to love this place Zaya." My mother said as we entered the lands of Blood Moon pack. My father remained quiet as she tried to convince me this was the right move.
"So, you keep saying. I still don’t understand why we had to move so far away from the only home I ever knew and my friends." I was still angry with my parents. We lived on the outskirts of a human town for as long as I have been alive. Ever since I heard we were moving, I thought about running away. I only had one month left in school and would turn eighteen soon after that. In most cultures, I was practically grown. But every time I tried to leave, I felt compelled to stay.
My father’s parents were exiled from his pack when he was only a boy for healing a slave. Both were great healers. My mother’s parents were rogue. Soon after my parents mated, my father's parents passed away. Only then was my family invited back into our pack. The Blue Stone pack. But my father refused. He felt my mother, being born into a rogue family would not truly be accepted.
My father taught my mother to be a healer. Together they made a great team. When the Alpha King heard of my parents’ healing gifts, he immediately requested we join his pack. My parents accepted his invitation with no hesitation. They longed to belong to a pack. And they tried to make me understand how strong we are in numbers.
I, myself, did not care if I belonged to a pack. I missed my human world. My human school and my human friends. I would also miss my human boyfriend, Luke. He may not have been a wolf, but he was strong.
After we entered the Blood Moon pack lands, the atmosphere changed. The wind was stronger as we drove towards what looked like an elevated forest. There were so many trees and in between them were random houses. After passing the wooded area, we came across a small marketplace. There were clothing and grocery stores. It was small but charming. It took us almost an hour to reach the gates of a mansion. There were a few guards near the gates which were almost twice as tall as me.
My dad rolled the windows down to speak to the guards. "My name is Zane, and I was invited by the Alpha."
"Let him through." The guard yelled as my dad rolled up the window.
As we drove further up the driveway, my father looked at me through the rear-view mirror. "I know you are still angry with us for making this decision Zaya. But from this moment forward you must behave yourself. Pack life is different. There are rules you must follow. I cannot tell them all to you as I, myself, have only lived the pack life for a small amount of my life. But you must know this rule above anything else. First, always obey your Alpha, the Luna, and the Beta. In that order. Be respectful. Everything else you can learn as you go."
"Yes, father," I responded as I looked out the window. I wanted to cry but the anger inside me wouldn’t let me.
We exited the car leaving our belongings. As we approached the doors of the mansion, a group of kids holding flowers ran past me almost knocking me over. A pair of hands reached out grabbing my arm. I was saved from falling over and embarrassing myself. "Watch out little pups." He said as they continued running without missing a step.
"Sorry, Godric." They yelled back.
"Are you ok little one?" A strong demanding voice asked. He released my arms.
"I’m fine," I said to him not noticing I was still holding his massive arms.
My dad cleared his throat as he watched my hands still clinging to my savior. I jumped back releasing my grip. My face was red with embarrassment. "Sorry." I held my hand down. He simply smiled.
Just then the doors to the mansion opened. And a couple walked through the threshold. "Zane! Yalia! I’m so happy you could join us. And you could not have come at a better time. Remembrance Day has just begun." My father and mother bowed as the tall man greeted them.
"Alpha Ken, this is our daughter Zaya." My father reached for me to join them creating a picture-perfect pose.
"Nice to meet you Zaya."
My father grunted again clearing his throat. I stumbled as I gave a halfhearted bow. "Please forgive my daughter alpha. She is not familiar with the pack ways."
"It is ok. I know she gives no offense." He gave me a light smile. "This is my Ariel. My Luna."
The Luna reached for my hand. "Welcome my child." She groped my face. "Your beauty is unlike any I have seen." She looked at my parents. "Truly an extension of both of you. I am so happy to know you have accepted the Alpha’s invitation to join our pack."
The Alpha continued. "I see you have met my son, Godric." He looked to the guy who had just saved me from falling to the ground." He is the Alpha’s son? No wonder why he is so well built. The Alpha was a few inches taller than my father and his body was strong like a young man. Yet the greys on his hair let me know he is much older. Godric was almost as tall as Alpha Ken. We studied each other as our parents continued to talk. Godric looked a lot like the Alpha with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. His eyes were a shade of honey brown. His body looked like it was completely made of muscles.
The only thing he didn’t inherit from his father was his hair. Which was a sandy brown, matching the few strands his mother had that were not yet grey. Those honey brown eyes watched as I fidgeted with my hair. They went from my face to my chest, to my pale pink toes hanging out of my sandals. Due to his stern demeanor, I could not tell if he liked what he saw or if he was unimpressed. Either way, I was uncomfortable.
Our gazes were interrupted by mother fixing my hair. She pulled one of the curly red strands back from in front of my face. She hated anything from being out of order. That was also her way of telling me to pay attention. I stopped staring at Godric and began listening to the Alpha.
"You guys will stay here in the big house with our family and a few others. The Beta can show you guys your room and Godric can show Zaya her room. She will be with some of the younger crowd on the west wing. You will be in the East wing. After you guys get settled, please join us in the field on the side of the house. The Luna and I must start the festival."
My parents bowed. My mother tugged on my sleeve to remind me to do the same. The Alpha and Luna left us standing there. Godric grabbed my hand and lead me into the house.
"Let’s go. We don’t want to miss too much of the festival." We left my parents standing there as they waited for the Beta to arrive.
"What about my bags?" I asked as we entered the house.
"Don’t worry. One of the workers will bring them up."
"Workers?” I questioned his comment.
"Yes. We have a few wolves that work here in the Alpha’s house. Two cooks. Four cleaners. And two errand runners."
Those were the only words I heard as we fully entered the house. Compared to our two-bedroom flat, this place was like a castle. The space was overbearing. We walked past a library and what seemed like a living room before we made it to the stairway which was split midway to the top. East and west. The middle of the stairway continued past the split to a third floor.
"Young adults to the west and adults to the east. The third floor is the Alpha and the Beta." He looked back at me to ensure I was paying attention. "I hope you are listening; I would hate for you to get lost." He said in a grim tone.
I simply nodded as he continued.
"This is your room." He pointed to the first room in the hall.
"That was quick," I said out of nervousness.
"This is the room we normally give to the children of our visiting guest. For now, this will be yours until they can find you permanent accommodation." He opened the door for me and waited until I entered. The room was almost twice the size of my old room and had a private bathroom.
"This is nice. I would have never imagined." I said under my breath, but Godric smiled letting me know I was heard. He was still standing in the doorway, never stepping foot in the room.
"Ok, now we must go outside. The festival has already started." I left my beautiful room.
As he walked back toward the stairs, I asked "Who do the rest of the rooms belong to?"
"The room across from yours is another guest room and it is currently empty. The room next to yours belongs to the beta’s daughter, Hailey. The room across from hers belonged to one of the elder’s grandsons, but he has moved on to another pack. The last two rooms in the hall belong to me and my brother."
My eyes jumped to his in confusion. The alpha did not mention another son. "You have a brother?"
"Yes, he is running around here somewhere."
"Now please little one. We have to get to the festival."
"Zaya."
"What?"
"My name is Zaya."
"I know your name."
"Then why do you insist on calling me little one?" I asked him. This was the first time anyone had given me a nickname and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
"Don’t worry. I’m just referencing your height."
"I’m pretty sure there are plenty of people shorter than you. But don’t worry. I will be sure not to hold that against you."
After a few seconds of silence, I realized I had just smart-mouthed the alpha's son. I stopped in my tracks and placed my hand over my mouth. My father warned me of being respectful. Less than an hour of being here, I have already dishonored him. Godric grabbed my hand slowly and pulled it away from my face. Then he continued towards the festival. I wasn’t sure what the punishment was for being rude towards the son of an alpha, but I was wondering why Godric let me get away with it.