My eyes peeled open after a long restless nap. I checked my phone and could see that I had been travelling for over seven hours now. I looked at Benji, who was slouching against the window, mouth hanging open and drool dripping down his chin. He was fast asleep, and I didn't have the heart to wake him.
I opened my window and looked at my surroundings as the limousine was driving through the country paths. Although it had been years since I had been on pack lands, I could sense the connection to the area. I knew we were minutes away from being in Redbridge. The air was thick and humid, but because of the drive, it created a cool breeze across my skin.
The land had changed since I had been here. Before, the tall trees that were brimming with green leaves and fruits were now withered away. The branches no longer looked strong and healthy, but thin and brittle. There wasn't a thick coat of grass that covered the ground, but small patches of grass were dispersed upon the hard and dried up land. The place that I once called home didn't look majestic or welcoming. It looked decrepit and derelict.
Although the scenery had changed, the roads hadn't. The layout was still the same as I felt the car to take us further into the centre of the pack grounds. There were small tiny houses loitering across the roads. They were all sparsely spread out. Once upon a time, wild flowers grew in between the homes, but now they were empty. It made the place feel bigger than what it was. There was a sense of emptiness that blanketed the town.
The homes that were once decorated finely now looked like shacks. Cracked windows, crumbling bricks in the walls, tiles were missing in the roofs. I gasped in shock as I looked at my surroundings. People were walking around in the streets in the midafternoon. They were all looking at a limousine driving through the grounds. I pushed the button to do my window up. I couldn't bear to look at their defeat. Their eyes peaked in my direction as they concentrated on the strange vehicle that was entering their grounds.
As I observed the pack members, they all looked tired and worn. Their bodies didn't hold the confidence or strength they held when I was a child. They all looked broken. Dirt covered their bodies, and their clothes were worn and torn. There was no laughter or chatter. All I could hear was the deafening silence in the air. I could hear no bird tweeting, no cricket was chirping in the grass. Everything just felt empty.
I could feel the car slowing down. I could sense the change in the terrain as we hit the gravel. It was then that I knew we would stay in the main pack house. A part of me dreaded being around so many people. I had spent the last few years in solitude, only allowing a handful of people into my inner circle. All I knew was I was going to hate being surrounded by a large group of people. I knew it would be overwhelming.
The gravel was crunching under the tyres. I took a deep breath and gave Benji a quick shake. He snapped up, banging his head against the window. "I'm awake, I'm awake." He shouted through his sleep like haze. I chuckled in response.
"We're here." I exhaled. "You ready to see my old stomping grounds?" I asked Benji.
"Yeah, but I mean shouldn't I be asking you that?" He asked.
"Too late to back down now. Jacob didn't give me much of a choice." I exhaled.
He grabbed my shoulder and looked deeply into my eyes. I could see that he was trying to offer me his silent comfort, but it wasn't making me feel any better. All I could do was feel anxious and pain from. I never planned to return to this place. I hoped to live a human life hidden away from the people that had caused me harm over my lifespan. "I'm always here for you Lettie, you're not on your own. We will get through this like families do." He said with a warm smile as he squeezed my shoulder.
The car came to a halt, and it was then that I pushed the door open and pushed my feet to the gravel. The pack house looked the same as it did when I was a teenager. It still had the same white coat of paint that covered the house, the windows still had the same wooden frames. There were vines of wilted leaves covering one side of the house. I looked up and sighed.
This place used to be intimidating and daunting, sending nothing but a cool chill down my spine. However, as I looked at the large mansion, an overwhelming sense of sadness that fills my stomach. The once majestic and bustling pack house looked dull. The place lacked life. Although there had been some fresh paint chucked over the building, it looked old and worn. Benji made his way to my side, and I could see his questioning gaze.
"Why does this place look like a haunted mansion?" He murmured.
I chuckled. "This is the main pack house. It's where most of the pack lives." I explained.
"Jesus, it's like some Adam's family shit. So how many people live here?" He questioned as he folded his arms and lent back on the limousine we had arrived in.
"Don't really know. Haven't been here for years. Back when I was a teenager, probably about a hundred." I replied.
His eyes widened at the new information. "You know, if you weren't werewolves, I would think you're some crazy cult."
I shrugged my shoulders. "Same difference. Isolated community with their own belief system. You're not wrong."
"I forget you believe in the Moon Goddess and shit." He mumbled. "Do you think they know we're here yet?"
I closed my eyes and for the first time in eight years, I willingly used my wolf's senses. Focusing on my surroundings, determining whether there was anyone here. My ears thumped with the many heartbeats that I could pick up. I peeled my eyes open and could see that there were numerous eyes on me and Benji from the windows. Some were green, others were blue. I could sense their questioning gaze as they looked down on me. I could fairly smell the scent of strawberries coming from within the pack house.
"We're not alone and yes, they know we are here. Jacob's inside somewhere." I replied.
"How do you know that?" Benji whisper-shouted.
"Wolf senses." I explained as I raised my eyebrow.
The abrupt swing of the large wooden door interrupted our conversation. It almost few off its hinges. Jacob stroll out and down the grey stone steps. I could see that he had a pep in his step. His face was relieved that I was here. Following behind him were numerous bodies of people. They were all following him like a lost puppy. They spread themselves across the pack terrace.
Behind Jacob stood two tall and dominating figures. Both were extremely handsome. Their jaws were both chiselled. Their muscles were pumping out of their black shirts, their slacks tightly captured their large thighs. One of them had soft blonde hair that draped over his head. It looked fluffy. He looked like a sexy surfer. Part of me wanted to lick my lips as I looked him up and down. He truly was gorgeous.
The other man to Jacob's right had this gorgeous brown hair that was filled with streaks of auburn. It brought his amber eyes to life. As I stared at him, I noticed his focus wasn't on me, but on Benji, who was standing at my side. His eyes widened, his breath hitched, and as I turned to Benji, I could see his sole gaze focused on nothing but the man in front of him. Someone completely captured his attention. They were both caught up in each other. It was then that I was silently cursing as the auburn God whispered a word that I knew would change Benji's life forever. "Mate."
I exhaled deeply and looked to the sky and prayed that he wouldn't hurt the one person I cared about most in this world. The auburn God making strides towards Benji who was doing nothing but gaping at his sexy mate. His strides were strong as he planted his feet in front of him. Benji gave me a quick glance as if to say, "what the hell is going on?"
"Benji, meet Jacob's Beta Lewis." I explained. Lewis' eyebrows shot up in surprise. He didn't realise I recognised him or knew him. I could see the confusion plastered on his face. I knew he wouldn't recognise me because over the years I had changed my appearance to separate me from my sister. "Beta, meet your mate, my brother Benjamin." I said with a nod. Lewis gave me a small nod and looked at Benji like he hung the stars.
A part of me was weary that he would hurt Benji. I mean, being in a same sex relationship wasn't a taboo in werewolves, but it wasn't common. As I looked at Lewis, though, I could see his eyes twinkle with awe, want, lust and love. My worries quickly disappeared.
"Mate?" Benji exclaimed.
"Yes Mate, he claimed you." I shrugged my shoulders. I gave Lewis a piercing look. "You better not hurt him, or you will have me to deal with. Do you understand?" I threatened.
I saw Lewis' eyes darken at my words. For the first time, I allowed my wolf to surface, allowing her to communicate with his wolf. There was no way I would stand by idly and hurt my brother. Lewis' eyes quickly shifted and gave me a tight nod.
"Benji, why don't you go with Lewis and get yourself acquainted with him?" I suggested.
"Are you sure?" He whispered. I could tell that his body was pulling him towards his mate, but the loyalty he had to me was interfering.
"Go on, will ya'. I'll catch up with you later." I gave him a small wink.
Benji quickly gave me a small nod and followed Lewis like a little lost puppy. I had to admit; they looked like a good couple. I just hoped that he couldn't cause my best friend and brother any pain. He deserved nothing but the best. They quickly disappeared into the pack house and they left me on my own.
I was standing in front of many people. Men, woman and children. All of them had a look of shock and awe on their face. All seemed happy that I was standing in front of them. No mutters or sounds gave from their mouths. They just stood by with a smile on their face, watching me stand my ground firmly in front of their Alpha and Gamma.
"Welcome Louise, it's good to have you back home." Jacob greeted with a smile.
All I could do was growl. I could feel the pack tense at my response. Did they expect me to be happy to return? I scoffed, knowing that Jacob wouldn't have told them the truth, that their Alpha blackmailed me.
"I told you before, Jacob, my name is now Loretta, and you will respect that. Do you understand?" I gritted out.
Jacob's eyes widened. I don't think he was expecting me to be this up front while his pack were present, but it was important for him to understand who I am now, not who I was.
"Of course. I'm sorry Loretta." He sighed. I saw the pack members on the lawn looked shocked at their Alpha's behaviour. I could tell that he rarely apologised. My eyes focused in on his gaze. There was no way I would waver and back down. I wanted him and the pack to know that I wasn't the scared, quiet, or meek girl anymore. I wanted them to know that I was someone they couldn't be trifled with.
It wasn't until two figures slowly made their way to the front of the crowd that my gaze snapped in a different directly. The man was tall but thin; the lady was small and stumpy. Both had aged and wrinkles covered their face. Their skin looked gaunt and their bodies looked worn. Both had this dark black raven hair that was streaked with small grey hairs. Both of them were looking at me in awe and amazement. There were tears welled in the corners of their eyes. The old man took steps forward, leaning his weight on the walking cane that he held in his hand.
He looked at me as if I was going to disappear. It was like his mind couldn't comprehend that I was standing in front of him. I could sense he thought he was going senile, and he thought he was imagining the sight in front of him. While, the woman next to him just allowed her tears to flow down her face.
"Little Dove, is that you?" The old man whispered.
My heart hammered against my chest at the nickname he used to use when I was a pup. It was something that I hadn't heard in years. The pain it brought to my chest was excruciating. Soon, anger replaced the feeling of my heart hammering against my chest at the audacity of him using that name with love and care when he had only shown me neglect. These two people should have cherished me as their child, but all they ever did was push me away.
My parent's faces contorted with pain as I looked away from their gaze. I could sense that they both were expecting a joyous reunion. They were expecting me to forgive them for their misgivings. Unfortunately for them, I wasn't the same pup who would do anything for the people she loved. I wasn't that stupid girl that allowed people to walk all over them. If they thought I needed or wanted their love anymore, they were mistaken.
"Margaret, John. It's been a while." I replied.
Edited 09/08/2023