Thanking the Elder for his hospitality and information, Lucian and his men made their way out of the house and toward the gentle slope that led away from the vige and toward the base of the mountain. Marching upward in single file they were soon lost from view from the vige below. Keeping their eyes trained for any movement in the thick brush that encapsted them on each side they walked slowly along the narrow dirt track, scanning the area for anything to do with Lilies.


    For hours they trudged up the restrictive trail, slipping on loose stones and stumbling over over grown roots but found no signs of the illusive Oakridge n or any lilies to be followed. Finally Lucian called a halt and the men threw themselves down on the ground, groaning loudly and rubbing their tight muscles. ''Beta, there isn''t a lily to be seen up here, are you sure its not a wild goose chase?'' asked Merrick as he kneaded his calves with his fingers.


    ''I''ve been thinking about this lily thing while we were walking'' mused Darius, gaining the other warrior''s attention.


    ''Go on Darius, what''s your thinking?'' asked Lucian


    ''Well Beta, the Elder said that the way would be marked by Lilies'' said Darius, still rolling his thoughts over in his mind ''But only the ones who were meant to find the n could follow it, so wouldn''t that mean we are not looking for flowers but something that only certain werewolves can sense?'' he asked ''I mean, anyone could follow a load of nts making a trail couldn''t they?''


    Lucian mulled over Darius'' words realising the older wolf was correct, they had been looking for flowers but if the stories were true and this n were protecting something, the way to find them was going to be much moreplex than a line of flowers. ''You could well be right Darius'' he conceded ''I think our best bet is to make our way back down before night fall, camp for the night in the woods and make our way to Silver Cross and fill the Alpha and Luna in on what we have learnt, they may have some ideas on what we are looking for.


    The other wolves readily agreed and they mbered up and made their way back down the treacherous path to the vige, skirting round the edge and making their way back into the woods before disrobing and shifting, setting off as fast as they could toward the Silver Cross territory.


    ***


    It took the Red Moon warriors two days to make their way to the Silver Cross pack border, as soon as they stepped over the boundary they found themselves facing fourrge wolves, each growling menacingly at the intruders. Shifting into his human form, Lucian held up his hand ''I am Lucian, Beta of the Red Moon Pack, we have been on a mission for Luna Charity ande with a report of our findings''


    Thergest wolf shifted into a strong muscr warrior ''Wee Beta Lucian, please follow myrade, he will escort you to the pack house and announce you to the Alpha and Luna''


    Lucian nodded his thanks before shifting back and they took off after arge grey wolf with amber eyes who led them through the trees emerging at the front of the pack house where they could see children ying and various members going about their day. Shifting back into their human forms, the Red Moon pack warriors quickly donned their clothes before being led into the building by the grey haired wolf who had shifted into a well built young man in his early twenties who had silvery grey hair and the same amber coloured eyes of his wolf.


    Making their way up the stairs they soon found themselves outside the office of Alpha Aaron, knocking smartly, the grey haired warrior opened the door and stepped inside before announcing ''Alpha, Luna, I apologise for the intrusion but you have visitors from the Red Moon Pack, Beta Lucian is here, he wishes to give you a report on the work he has been doing for the Luna''


    ''Send him in Nathan'' came Aaron''s deep authoritative voice before Nathan stepped back and allowed the warriors to enter. ''Take a seat Beta'' Aaron said to Lucian whilst motioning for his warriors to make themselvesfortable on the sofa''s by the fire. Charity hopped off the desk from where she had been perched and ran over to Lucian, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug as Aaron growled lowly behind her.


    ''Shhh yourself'' she glowered at her husband, as Lucian disengaged himself from her arms.


    ''You don''t want to hug me'' Lucian protested ''Seriously, we have been living in the woods for days, we stink!''


    Charity shook her headughing ''No matter how bad you smell Luc, I will always be thrilled to see you'' she confided.


    Aaron grunted behind her ''and yet I can''t even get a kiss hello after training until I have a shower'' he huffed.


    ''I see you all the time'' replied Charity flicking her hair over her shoulder ''I don''t have to get my hugs while I can with you'' she teased before circling round the desk again and cing a soft kiss on her husbands cheek. Taking a seat in the chair opposite, Lucian looked toward Aaron and Charity who waited expectantly for him to speak.


    ''As you asked, we made our way to the mountains, there is a small vige at the base, quite primitive, they have had dealings with what they call ''wolf men''. The stories that have been passed down are a bit off though, they talk about these mening and wiping out the males and kidnapping the females. They are frightened of our kind'' Lucian said and then proceeded to tell them everything that the Elder had told them about this mountain n.


    ''So you see'' Lucian concluded ''It sounds like these Wolf men could be who were are looking for but it''s how we find them. We searched for hours up that mountain for some sort of clue regarding lilies, but there was not one single lily on that path or as far as we could see through the undergrowth'' he concluded.


    Charity''s face had fallen at what she perceived was yet another dead end but Aaron was looking thoughtful.


    ''You know it''s funny'' Aaron said musingly ''the clue to finding the wolf pack is Charity''s scent''


    ''what?'' asked Charity turning sharply to face him ''what are you talking about? my scent?''


    ''It''s what I can smell when im near you'' exined Aaronughing ''Every man can smell their mate its how we find you, you smell like sandalwood and lilies'' he grinned.


    Cutting across Charity''s retort, Lucian said ''So Charity smells like lilies to her mate? it that what we are searching for? can only a white wolf mate find the path?''


    ''You think all White wolves smell like Lilies Beta?'' asked Darius shocked.


    ''Maybe so, or possibly all those that bear a white wolf'' replied Lucian ''It would certainly exin why the legend the Elder told us about mentioned more than one worthy person being able to find the path. It''s just a shame we can''t verify it''


    ''But we can!'' gasped Charity excitedly, ''we can ask my grandfather! he will surely remember my grandmothers scent, if she also had a scent of Lilies then there is a possibility that this is how we find the Oakridge n''