Elena's heart was pounding in her chest as she approached the border of her old pack's territory. She had been avoiding it for so long, afraid of what she might find there. But now she had no choice. The unity ritual was approaching, and she needed Simon's pack to join in.
Elena's thoughts were racing. She couldn't help but wonder about her past and how she ended up at Simon's pack. Was he involved in her kidnapping? Was he trying to use her for his own gain? The questions were overwhelming, but she knew that she needed answers.
Despite her fears, Elena was also looking forward to seeing Nick again. She missed him, and she hoped that he would be happy to see her too.
As she crossed into the territory, she felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. It had been so long since she had been there. She wondered if anything had changed. Elena couldn't help but remember the last time she was here. The way Simon had demanded that she mate with his son Nick, and how she had refused, leading to her eventual escape. But this time, she was here with a purpose.
Elena's heart was beating fast as she was approaching the packhouse of her old pack. She couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity wash over her. She remembered the times when she used to play with the other pack members and the happy memories she had created here. But now, everything felt different. She was no longer the same Elena who had left the pack. She was a Royal and she had a purpose.She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She felt a mix of fear and excitement. She was determined to find out the truth about her past and to convince Alpha Simon to join the unity ritual.
As she walked towards the pack's main entrance, Elena felt a mix of emotions. She was nervous to see Simon, but also curious about how she ended up with his pack as a child. Was he part of her kidnapping or did he come to her rescue?
Elena's heart raced as she stepped inside the packhouse and was immediately met with the scent of the pack. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. As she looked around, she saw that some of the pack members had already recognised her and were staring at her with curiosity.
She walked straight to Alpha Simon's office, where she was greeted by the Alpha's beta, a young woman named Sarah. Sarah gave Elena a polite smile.
"Alpha Simon will be with you shortly," Sarah said, gesturing for Elena to take a seat. Elena sat down, feeling a bit nervous and unsure of what to expect.
After a few minutes, Alpha Simon walked in, followed closely by his son Nick. Elena's heart skipped a beat as she saw Nick, but she quickly composed herself and focused on her mission.
"Welcome back, Elena," Simon said, his voice cold and unwelcoming.
"Thank you, Alpha Simon," Elena replied, trying to keep her tone respectful.
"What brings you back here?" he asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"I'm here to discuss the unity ritual," Elena answered, trying to remain calm despite her nerves.
Simon chuckled. "So, you need our pack's help, do you?"
Elena nodded. "Yes, it's important for all the packs to join together for the ritual to be successful."
Simon gave her a hard look. "And what makes you think I would be willing to help you?"
Elena took a deep breath and decided to be honest. "Because it's the right thing to do, Alpha Simon. This isn't just about our individual packs, it's about us as a greater family of Moon and Crescent uniting to bring peace and prosperity to our packs. Don't you want to be part of that? Wouldn't you want that for your pack?"
Simon's expression softened slightly, and a deep silence has filled the room as the Alpha got lost in thought.
Nick broke the silence saying "Hello Elena, it's good to see you. I wanted to let you know that I'll be taking part in the upcoming mating games. I hope to find my Luna there and, if all goes well, I will be taking over from my father as Alpha and gladly join you in the unity ritual. I would be honoured to be part of the Moon and Crescent united kingdom under your rein."
"That's great to hear, Nick. I wish you all the best in the mating games. I hope you find your Luna there." Elena responded
"Yes, Nick will make a fine Alpha. But, Elena, I must insist that you find a mate as well. It is unheard of to lead a pack on your own, let alone a kingdom! You are weak on your own as a lone wolf. Having a mate is important for the stability of our packs and kingdom you wish to build."
I understand your concern, Alpha Simon, but I don't want to rush into choosing a mate just for the sake of having one. I want to choose the right person for me and for the unity of our families."
Simon looked at Elena and after a moment responded: "I see. Well, if you do choose a mate in the mating games, then I would be happy to join you in the unity ritual. But I must also insist that you have a mate before we officially join you."
Elena thought about this for a moment and decided to make Simon an offer "How about this? If I take part in the mating games and choose a mate, will you tell me everything you know about how I became part of your pack?"
Simon is clearly taken back by Elena's request. He was hoping that this conversation could be avoided, but now Elena seems to be closer to the truth. What will she do when she finds out that he was the one that ripped her out of her parents and destroyed her home? Now that she has gained power and soon will gain even more, there will be no escaping her wrath once she will know that he is to blame for it all... Simon considered his options and decided that the longer he will postpone sharing the truth the better for him.
"That's a bold offer. But I think we can make a deal. If you choose a mate in the mating games, and if that mate is strong enough to lead with you, then I will tell you everything I know about your past."
***
After the meeting with Simon and Nick, Elena was about to leave when Nick stopped her.
"Hey, Elena. Can you stay for a little bit longer? I have something to show you," Nick said with a smile.
"Sure, what is it?" Elena asked curiously.
Nick led Elena to a nearby house and knocked on the door. A young woman answered the door with a smile.
"Zoe!" Elena exclaimed as she hugged her friend tightly.
"Elena! Oh my, it's so good to see you!" Zoe replied, hugging her back just as tightly.
Nick gestured for them to follow him inside, and they all sat down in the living room. Elena's adopted parents, who had raised Elena when she was a child, were also there.
Elena couldn't help but cry tears of joy at seeing her dear friend and adoptive parents after so long. They caught up on each other's lives, and Elena shared her story with them. They were shocked to hear about everything she had been through, but they were also proud of the strong and resilient woman she had become.
Elena: Mom, Dad, I want to ask you something. How did you become my parents? What do you know about my origins?
Mom: Oh, sweetie. We were hoping you would ask us one day. The truth is, we don't know much. We were told that you were brought to us by Alpha Simon himself.
Elena: Alpha Simon? He's the one who brought me to you?
Dad: Yes, he said he knew that we couldn't have children of our own and he wanted to give us the gift of a child.
Elena: But why me? How did he come to have me?
Mom: We don't know, Elena. He never told us. All we know is that he said you were special, and that he wanted you to be raised by people who would love you as their own.
Elena: I see. Thank you for telling me. I've been trying to piece together my past and figure out where I come from.
Dad: We understand, sweetie. We wish we could tell you more, but that's all we know.
Elena: That's okay. I appreciate everything you both have done for me. You've always been there for me and loved me like your own.
Mom: Of course, Elena. You are our daughter in every way that matters. And we will always be here for you, no matter what.
Elena: Thank you. That means the world to me.
***
Elena left Nick's pack feeling lighter and full of hope. She felt a renewed sense of purpose now that she knew her true identity as a member of the Royal family. The thought of the upcoming mating games excited her, and she couldn't wait to see what the future held.
As she drove through the woods, her mind raced with thoughts of potential mates and what it would be like to have a pack of her own. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready for the challenge.
The sun was beginning to set, and she realized she had been driving for hours. She decided to rest for the night and find a place to stop and camp. She found a clearing and set up a small fire, settling in for the night.
As she sat by the fire, she couldn't help but feel grateful for everything that had happened so far. She had found her true identity, reunited with her adoptive parents, and had a newfound sense of purpose.
With a smile on her face, she drifted off to sleep, excited for what the future would bring.