Undertaken for about the last three months now, it has been a long and arduous journey for both those three and the various escorts that they've been frequently passed off and on to. There appears to be no rhyme or reason evident in the course of their journey's path, which seems to be like the wanderings of some sort of nomadic tribe aimlessly roaming about in their travels with no set destination. Moving from one random location to another random one ... sometimes backtracking repeatedly on a couple of occasions ... at first glance, one would think that not much thought or effort ... possibly even none so whatsoever ... went into planning out their escape route. But on the contrary, in truth, their journey had been thoroughly thought out and meticulously planned; along with the several contingency routes devised and readily on standby to immediately fall into place should unforeseen circumstances pop up and come into play.
Meera knew that sending them directly to the intended destination would more than likely be the biggest mistake that she could possibly make during this dire situation ... and surely Countess Ardelean, who's grandniece is currently traveling along with the infant of the luna of Shadow Hunter Pack, would also have to agree ... because right now the Demon Lord has dozens, maybe even hundreds, of his spies and agents that have already infiltrated the human world scouring the globe gathering any information and possible leads to reveal the location of the missing Acrilian werewolf infant; while Princess Vodrak has her underlings and connections searching out the whereabouts of the Matriarch of the Clan of the Old Order's grandniece ... not to mention the princess's former dampyr chambermaid, Irena ... whom Countess Ardelean, out of spite for Princess Vodrak, and pity for the abused servant girl ... had convinced to accompany and look after the two infants during their journey; and afterwards, help raise her grandniece in the vampire ways.
By having them travel in one direct path straight to the intended destination, it wouldn't be too long before the Demon Lord's minions ... as well as Princess Vodrak's underlings and contacts ... have picked up on the trail and discovered their location. So instead, Meera opted to have them travel in a seemingly 'unpredictably random' and complexly roundabout route designed to keep them guessing and off their tracks. And so far, it seems to be working according to plan.
The weak illumination of an already pale moon is further obscured by a cloudy night sky, as a nondescript fishing troller innocuously sails along off the southern Canadian coast heading in the direction of the Puget Sound Bay, which is intended to be used as another devised diversion. From there it will set sail again, and by the next day, will reach port at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf; where several witches from the Raven Coven will discreetly pick up the three and secretly transport them to their final destination in Washington state.
Meanwhile ... at an undisclosed located somewhere in Washington ... within the Rainier Pack's territory, in the Alpha's mansion...
Alpha Julian Thurgood is behind closed doors of his private study with Elliot Chandler, a high-ranking and highly regarded member of the Rainier Pack's Tribunal of Elders; also, a longtime close friend of the past alpha, Julian's deceased father, Walter Thurgood. They are in the midst of an impromptu clandestine meeting initiated by the elder, which out of respect for both his current position in the pack and friendship with his father, the alpha has so graciously agreed to despite the late hour of the night. However, as the discussion drags on, the typically even-tempered alpha is starting to become slightly exasperated with Elliot's repeated ramblings; and, before losing his composure and disrespecting the elder, Julian, politely as he can, calmly interjects...
"With all due respect, Elder Chandler, if I may. You know that as an esteemed member of the Tribunal of Elders ... not to mention the fact that you were one of my father's most beloved and deeply treasured friends ... I have nothing but the utmost respect for you and have always taken in and regarded your advice as nothing less than true pearls of wisdom."
The alpha's flattery appears to be placating the obstinately old-fashioned elder, who is now displaying a pleased amiable smile upon his previous stonewall visage. Alpha Thurgood continues...
"Though I can certainly understand your position and do appreciate your concerns, I'm afraid that in regards of this matter, this time I'm going to have to overlook your advice; even at the risk of seemingly disregarding how you and the rest of the Elders feel ... which, believe me, truly is not the case, ... or disappointing all of you in the process; because as I said over and over again since the beginning, my mind is made up and won't be changed. Again, I do apologize if this upsets you and the others, but as this pack's alpha I firmly stand by my decision and insist that all members of the Rainier Pack ... including the Elders ... accept and honor it."
That pleased amiable smile quickly dissipates from Elliot's countenance and is replaced by its former stonewall visage...
"Well, being as you are our alpha, we all of course will honor your decision; Alpha Julian." There's a momentary tense silence. "But surely even you must understand that an arbitrary decision like this one will doubtingly be accepted by most members in the pack. The fact remains ... regardless of being taken in by the alpha's own sister ... this child is, and always will be considered as, a rogue. There's no overlooking or getting around this undeniable, irrefutable fact. It is what it is."
With an evident, authoritative tone in his voice, "Speaking of undeniable, irrefutable facts ... as I said, I am this pack's alpha ... and that too is what it is. Right, Elder Chandler?"
"Of course, Alpha Julian." There's another brief lull in the conversation before he subtly laughs, "You know something Julian; I always used to tease your father and mother that they were spot on when they named your sister Teresa, because that sister of yours always was a saint. Who else but a saint would be willing to take in and raise a rogue as her own child."
In a less authoritative and calmer manner, Julian responds, "Honestly, Elliot, you just may be right about that. ... But seriously, for as long as I can remember, Teresa has always wanted to have children of her own; so, of course she would jump at this opportunity and not let it slip by."
"And of course, being the doting big brother that you are, you just can't help but to cave in to this whim of hers and let her have her way ... even if it means taking a rogue into our pack?"
"How could I? After all, I am the reason that Teresa can't have the children that she so dearly desires."
A bit bewildered, Elliot inquires, "And how is that?"
Julian laughs as he jokingly teases, "Wow, I heard that one's memories can fade over the years; but have you truly forgotten, old timer? Please don't tell me you've finally succumbed to senility?"
The elder just stands there with a slightly perturbed and baffled expression on his face. The alpha lets out one last chuckle, then continues in a more serious manner...
"Relax, I'm just kidding; so, don't get mad." The alpha delivers a couple of light pats to the elder's shoulder. "But all kidding aside; don't you remember back when Teresa and I were teenagers ... it was probably a few weeks before my father was about to officially announce me as his successor after he steps down from his position as alpha; give or take ... there was an assassination attempt against me; and when the assailant lunged at me with a large Bowie knife, Teresa jumped in front of me, and the blade plunged into her stomach. It was then that her entire uterus was ripped apart; and Teresa would never be able to bear children."
The elder suddenly recalls the event. "Oh yes, I remember it now. Your sister nearly lost her life that day; barely surviving the surgery and miraculously pulling through."
"That's right. And when she first came to after the operation, even after going through that ordeal; the very first thing she asked ... the only concern she had at that moment ... was whether or not she would be able to have children. And when our mother, who was unfortunately burdened with her motherly task of informing her, told my sister with a simplistic, unintentional yet unavoidably cruel, 'No.'..." There's a momentary silence as the alpha somberly reflects. "Well, needless to say, Teresa was devastated. ... So, how can I deny her this? Especially when Sarah and I have two precious children of our own? ... I can't."
The elder hesitates momentarily before once again bringing up, "Even if it's a rogue? You feel you owe your sister that much just because she fulfilled her sisterly and pack duties back then that you're willing to overlook your alpha responsibilities to this pack and appease her petty desire of having a child and allow her to taint the pack with a lowly rogue? It pains me to say this, Julian, but I'm honestly worried about the direction you may be leading us to. Your father, rest his soul, must be rolling in his grave over this."
The alpha is angered and is trying extremely hard to maintain his composure, while keeping from lashing out at the elder.
"Elder Chandler..." He emits an exasperated huff in an attempt to release some of his pent-up ire. "It's late now, and I have some business to attend to early in the morning ... and I'm sure that as a member of the Tribunal of Elders you must have some important matters to tend to as well ... so, for now, I'm afraid I'll be putting this meeting to an end and calling it a night." The alpha takes the elder by his upper arm ... being careful not to forcefully grab it angrily ... and leads him towards the door. "Goodnight. Be sure to be safe on your way back home."
The obstinate elder just can't seem to let it go. "So, you're really not going to change your mind? You're really going to allow your sister to bring a rogue into our pack?"
Fed up with the constant repetitive badgering and feeling as if his authority as alpha is being disregarded, an angered Julian instinctively squeezes down applying more pressure on the elder's arm, abruptly thrusts open the study's door, and hastily guides ... actually, more like nearly pushes ... the elder out of the room. He curtly snaps...
"I said goodnight, Elder Chandler." Then slams the door shut in his face.