4 - Ben


    I still don''t fully understand why organizing a trip to a pack just an hour away demands weeks of preparation. The sheer number of protocols and formalities is overwhelming, making my head spin with details. We had to negotiate everything— from securing protection to agreeing on how and when we could enter the pack''s territory. But beyond that, there were unexpectedplications none of us anticipated. Alpha James and my dad had us poring over mapste into the night, searching for potential ambush points where rogue wolves might strike, and marking all the locations where previous attacks were reported. By now, I probably know the borders of ck w almost as well as I know our own pack''s territory.


    The more they exin, the clearer the picture bes, yet it doesn''t ease the tension. We''re told to take all this intelligence with a grain of salt-trust what we see, but don''t dismiss the warnings either. Since the discovery of a young warrior disyed at their far western border, no new attacks have urred, but Alpha David remains convinced that the root of the problem lies in his daughter''s recent transition to leadership. He insists this isn''t over by a long shot and promised to borate once we arrive. That vague threat does nothing to calm my nerves. I like to have a n and be prepared; having crucial information deliberately withheld feels like a form of torture to me.


    "Ready?" Jason''s voice pulls me out of my thoughts as he steps into my dad''s office, where I''m hunched over the maps again.


    "As ready as I''ll ever be," I reply, rubbing my temples. "Something about this whole situation feels off. I can''t quite put my finger on it. I don''t think we''re walking into immediate danger, but there''s definitely something strange going on."


    "Yeah, I feel the same way," Jason admits with a nod. "We''ve got our n and orders. Let''s just get this over with. Alpha David expects us before dinner. Come on, help me find our Alpha and Luna—they''ve disappeared again.” He chuckles, and we both know exactly where they''ve gone, but neither of us is eager to interrupt their private time.


    By the time we hit the road, the group is restless. Jeremiah and Rayna are still tense, locked in a quiet disagreement about her safety. Her attempts to distract him haven''t helped much. Meanwhile, Jason, Tommy, and I have had too much time to imagine every worst-case scenario possible. But ording to our fathers, this is the best way to learn-by diving headfirst into the deep end.


    The drive itself is surprisingly pleasant. We rarely venture to this part of the pack''s territory because Alpha David seldom requests aid. From what I''ve gathered, his pack is calm, small, and generally pleasant neighbors. This makes the recent attacks on his borders all the more unsettling. The forest trails here remain unpaved but are well kept, clear of debris. As we reach the heart of the pack, the houses grow older but are meticulously maintained—the kind of ce my grandmother would choose to retire.


    Pulling up to the pack house, I''m caught off guard. After all the descriptions we''ve been given about this pack, the grand mansion unfolding before us is nothing like I imagined. The building is an old-world stone structure with multipleyered rooftops, giving it a sprawling, stately appearance. It looks like it couldfortably amodate ten families. I''ve never seen a house like this before, but I''ve heard that older Alphas like to disy their status and wealth through their homes. I can only hope Alpha David''s personality isn''t as imposing as this mansion.


    We park our two SUVS at the base of the grand staircase leading to the front door. As we step out, four Omegas are waiting to greet us. Great-this is going to be a prickly wee. The lead Omega offers a formal greeting and escorts us inside to show us to our rooms, while the others gather our luggage and follow behind. I''m not sure how I feel about strangers carrying my bags for me.


    Inside, the interior is all dark wood and old-world elegance. A massive staircase lines each side of the entry hall, leading to the upper floor where a full wrap-around balcony overlooks the space below. The Omega guides us up one of the staircases to the guest wing, where we''re told to freshen up. Someone wille for us in an hour to take us to dinner.


    Jason, Tommy, and I tease Rayna and Jeremiah, joking that an hour isn''t nearly enough time for a quickie, earning a few smirks in return. Despite the tension, we try to keep things light at least for now.