Ch. 5

"No, absolutely not!" I said. "You can't tell me no. Your just a beta wolf and a young little puppy at that!" Viviana replied. "I can tell you no. You aren't coming with us. You can't just leave your pack whenever, to go on some adventure. You need to at least pretend like you're responsible." I told her. After Tess told me about the poltergeist I realized I needed to go back. No matter how confused and unsure I was I wouldn't turn my back to my pack when they needed my help. Unfortunately Viviana decided she wanted to tag along. "I am responsible and it is not just some random road trip. Poltergeists are dangerous. Thessaly even said that Corrigan was injured. I'm not going just for myself I need to make sure that the Night Shade pack and its Alpha are safe." Viviana said in her I'm-totally-being-serious-voice. "Who?" I asked confused. "Thessaly...what you don't even know your pet's real name?" Viviana let out an exaggerated sigh. "Tess...Thessaly." I froze. I knew it was stupid but I honestly didn't know that her name wasn't actually Tess. Uncomfortable with the look Viviana was giving me I changed back to the original topic. "Anyway, what happens if something happens to you? You're the center of the werewolf hierarchy. If you die than it will be all challenges across the country as the Alphas battle for your position. We don't need alphas dying left and right as they go vying for Epsilon." I lectured. "And I can't turn tail and hide. I am Epsilon that means I need to at least appear to be badass and fighting a poltergeist is badass." I stopped what I was doing a turned to stare at Viviana. She had a completely serious look on her face. "That's your argument? What are you 5? Grow up!" She looked crestfallen when I said that but I didn't let up. "You wanna look badass? Then don't go around acting like a spoiled brat. Honestly what are you thinking. You might fool other people with this act of yours but I'm not stupid. Have you forgot: I know the real you? Be serious here for a minute and tell me why the hell you wanna go. You know exactly what kind of welcome you're going to get." She didn't say anything for a moment and we had a slight staring contest. She wasn't putting any effort in it and was just looking at me with a sad puppy dog pout. Finally I gave in and looked away. "Fine, don't tell me." I grabbed a random backpack from the closet and slid it on. The bags were filled with clothes and food for any werewolf who needed it. Viviana grabbed a bag as well and followed me. A group of wolves were standing around one of the packs vehicles. "Kye," a big hulk of a wolf moved forward from the group. He wasn't the only one I recognized in the group and they were all smiling at me happily as they watched us walk toward them "It has been awhile young pup." The large wolf called "Theo!" I ran forward and gave him a hug. He laughed shaking me to my core. Theo was gigantic and his laugh could effect a 5 meter radius around him. "Still causing earthquakes with your laugh I see." I teased. "Of course." He said letting me go. "So you're the reason our Alpha has been prancing around the compound these last few days instead of sulking like normal." He said. "I don't sulk!" Viviana said. "Of course not, Alpha." Theo said in his placating voice. "Theo, can you convince her not to come with me?" I ask him hopefully. "Sorry, pup but she has already made up her mind." He told me. I sigh and glared at Viviana. "Raiza's going to kill me if I show up with you." I tell her. Viviana burst out laughing. "She always has some bug up her a-" Viviana choked down her sentence when Theo shot her a disapproving look. Theo was one of the few people who could keep her under some semblance of control mainly because he was her cousin who acted more like her older brother. "That is no way to talk about Raiza. Especially not in front of her own pack." Theo shook his head and look down apologetically at me. "If she gets out of hand feel free to give me a call anytime." Theo told me. This time I didn't even bother arguing. Whether I liked it or not, it didn't look like I was going to be able to shake Viviana. "Are you ready?" Tess asked. She had appeared from nowhere and was now sitting in the driver's seat of the Jeep. "Let's go!" I toss my bag into the back seat and jump in after it. I expected Viviana to claim the passenger seat so I was surprised when she reached out and stopped me from closing the door to the back. "Move over, pup." She announced. I shot her a look but moved over.

"It would be faster if we took a plane." Viviana complained. We had been driving for 5 hours straight. Viviana had gotten over her excitement and was now acting like a whinny brat. She was lounging in the back her feet on my lap. I had shoved them off the first five times but I lost the will to keep it up. "You didn't have to come." I reminded her. "I couldn't take a plane. Not for such a long flight I would have nowhere to spend the daylight hours." Tess explained. "We could have covered you in a blanket, or I could have bought you a coffin and we could have shipped you." Said Viviana. "Viviana, enough! You wanted to come along so don't complain now. Just find something to occupy yourself with." I tell her. Why did I have to be stuck in a car with these two? Viviana shifted and her feet fell of my lap. She flipped around and this time laid her head in my lap. She stared up at me with big innocent eyes and silently pleaded with me to play with her. I ignored her. "How much longer do you plan on driving?" I asked Tess. "I have about an hour left than I need to get in the trunk. One of you should start catching up on sleep." Tess said. Viviana took that as her cue to cuddle up closer to me. "We're not stopping? But I was looking forward to stopping in Toronto. Do you know how rarely I get a chance to go through Canada?" Viviana pouted. "Keep it up and I swear I'll kick you out of the car and make you walk home!" I told her annoyed. "This is my car!" She yelled back. She was really starting to piss me off. I meet her gaze and our eyes locked in place. A growl ripped through my throat and my skin started shifting. "Not in the car!" Tess yelled from the front. I barely even heard her voice. My focus was locked completely on Viviana and her exotic golden-orange eyes. My wolf was taking over and all she cared about was Viviana. The car jerked throwing me down on top of Viviana. Our limbs were tangled together and I carefully started extracted myself from her lower extremities. Tess had swerved off the highway and onto an exit, and Viviana and I were now pressed against each other. My head was pounding as I fought Viviana trying to sit up. She kept wrapping her legs around my neck trying to pin me down. Annoyed I just shoved Viviana off the backseat altogether. She landed on the floor of the jeep with an enraged yelp. 'What had happened to my seat belt?' The door to the back opened and Tess stood in the door glaring. "Out! Now!" She commanded. Viviana and I climbed out of the car and I looked around. We were in the parking lot of a McDonalds. Tess didn't wait for us and started towards the restaurant. I looked at Viviana confused. She shrugged and started after the vampire.

"10 Big Macs and 15 McChickens." Tess was looking up at the menu with a thoughtful look on her face. "And 4 extra large chocolate shakes."she ordered as a after thought. "Um, is that all?" The cashier asked. Tess nodded and paid for the food. Tess didn't speak to us as she waited for the food. When it was ready she grabbed the trays and marched over to a booth. She set the trays down before she turned her glare on us. "Eat." She ordered. I wasn't one to blindly follow an order, that went triple for Viviana. However neither of us argued with the pissed off vampire.

The smell didn't hit me until I was sitting in front of the food, only than did I realize just how hungry I was. We scarfed down the food and a bit too soon it was gone. I glanced a Tess a embarrassed look on my face. "Think we can get some to go?" I asked. Tess didn't answer she just turned and walked back to the counter. When she was gone I turned back to look at Viviana. "Ah," I looked up and met her gaze briefly before looking away. "Sorry." I muttered barely louder than a whisper. "Huh? I didn't hear that." Viviana said. I grabbed one of the rolled up burger wrappers and chucked it at her head. "You did to! You're a werewolf. You have sensitive hearing." I told her. "Throwing things isn't the correct way to apologize." She replied. "Your impossible!" I said. I stood up from the table and walked out of the restaurant.

I leaned against the car, waiting for Tess and Viviana. I had forgotten that Tess still had the keys and I didn't want to go back in. My wolf felt like she was pacing, back and forth, back and forth. Something had her riled up and it was showing through my attitude. I had never felt something like this happen before. I didn't know what to do to fix it. A twinge of homesickness flickered through me. I should still be with my pack. I should be with Corrigan learning about my wolf and the pack. I shouldn't be stuck in a car with a vampire and the alpha of another pack. 'Maybe Camden was right. I shouldn't have left.'

"Here." Tess said. Her voice pulled me out of my musings and I opened my eyes to see her holding out the keys to the car and two bags of food. "Thanks." I said. I grabbed the keys and the food and slid into the driver's seat. Tess hopped into the trunk, the only secure place from the sun. I started the car and was about to back out when I realized Viviana wasn't back yet. Grumbling I put the car in park and waited for her. It barely took a minute before she was clambering into the passenger seat. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Buckling up." She said. "No, I mean why are you in the front?" I asked trying again. "What? I can't sit where I want?" Viviana demanded. Without answering I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. I was pointedly ignoring Viviana. She didn't give up though and continued to hound me as I re-entered the highway.

***

"Kye, take the next exit." Viviana said. Keeping with my new habit I didn't acknowledge that I heard her but at the next exit I still turned off the highway. I had been driving all day and was exhausted. Too exhausted to fight with Viviana anymore. I pulled into another fast food joint and parked the car. As soon as I turned the engine off it felt like the last of my energy seeped away. I think I passed out for a second. I came too after a few seconds and when I did I was in Viviana's arms. She had pulled me out of the driver's seat and was carrying me to the back. "Is she alright?" I heard Tess ask. "She'll be fine she is just exhausted. I told her a couple times to switch with me but she has been ignoring me all day." Viviana set me down gently. "I guess this is also partly my fault as well. It takes a lot out of a wolf to ignore an Alpha. Especially when they are using a bit of command in their tone." Viviana admitted. Silence descended after that. I wasn't sure if it was because they just stopped talking or if it was because I feel completely asleep.

It hadn't had enough sleep when someone started shaking me awake. "We are close. You should wake up, Mistress." Tess said. I grumbled internally about the mistress but kept my mouth shut. When I opened my eyes I noticed I had been sleeping in Tess' lap and I hurriedly sat up. I glanced out the window and watched as familiar scenery passed by. We were still a good two miles away when Viviana pulled over to the side of the road. "Why are you stopping here?" I asked confused. Viviana turned around in her seat to look at me. "We both know how excited Raiza will be to see me. Charging onto her territory unannounced would just make the situation worse." She explained. "I'm not going any farther until a border patrol comes through." She looked out the window, waiting. "Chicken." I accused. Whether we waited for the border patrol or not Viviana's welcome would be the same. She just wanted to put it off as long as possible. This time it was Viviana who ignored me.

It didn't take long for a border patrol to pass. A familiar frame stepped out of the woods and made their way towards us. I jumped out of the car, my wolf was excited to see family. Longing for the pack bond coursed through me and inside my head my wolf cried out. "Uncle Levi!" I called. Uncle Levi froze for the space of a second before he was in front of me. He pulled me in tight for a bone crushing hug. "Never worry us like that again! You childish fool!" He scolded. Guilt coursed through me at his words and at the same time I was extremely happy. It felt good to be with pack.

When I had originally returned to the pack before my 16th birthday I hadn't had any memories of the pack or the bonds between wolves. I was use to being on my own and felt like being with the pack was like being in a cage. Still I made connections and eventually my memories returned. When I left this time I didn't notice until right now just how big a part the pack had come to play in my life. I was a werewolf and like all werewolves I needed the support and strength, the sense of unity that came form being with a pack. Inside I felt my wolf-half howl in agreement. Aloud I sighed. I needed the pack. Hell I think I even wanted it but I wasn't so sure that I wanted to want it. I didn't like the fact that I felt as though I needed to have the pack to rely on. I wanted to be able to rely only on my own strength, but maybe that would change with time. Maybe I could change with time.

"It's good to be back." I told Uncle Levi and I was. That didn't mean I planned on staying.

***

"I can't convince you to stay here? Or maybe return to Michigan, can I?" Uncle Levi asked Viviana. "Levi, how can you be so cruel. Don't you want to catch up? It has been ages since I last saw you." Viviana whined. "Look, it's not that I haven't missed you...it's just that I don't want to be the one who brings you to the compound. Raiza has been on edge as it is, dealing with the poltergeist. When you show up..." Uncle Levi trailed off. "Oh, Levi you're a man grow a pair for heaven's sake. Now if your done being indecisive can we get a move on? I didn't come all this way to be waylaid at the border." Viviana said. With a huff she marched back to the car. Viviana slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. "Might as well humor her Uncle. We can't exactly tell her what to do." I said. Uncle Levi grumbled and complained under his breath but he got in the car. Tess watched the whole thing quietly from her seat.

Viviana started the car and pulled back onto the road. Snow crunched under the tires as we moved. The car was silent as Viviana drove. Uncle Levi looked unhappy to be stuck in a car with Viviana, Tess rarely had anything to say preferring to remain indifferent and I just had enough of Viviana to last me the rest of my lifetime. Viviana turned off the road straight into the snow covered trees and the white stained forest. I was finally home. The car broke through the trees into the small clearing were all the pack's cars were parked and standing there waiting for us was Raiza. A full glower on her face. I heard Viviana gulp from the front seat. "Someone remind me why I wanted to come again?" She asked in a weak voice. "I don't know! I've been trying to talk you out of it for the last thousand miles!" Viviana didn't say anything as she parked the car and we got out. As a group we made our way towards Raiza. We werewolves walked hesitantly because we knew enough to be scared. Tess on the other hand was walking about like we weren't all about to be verbally castrated.

"Will one of you explain to me why she is on my territory?" Raiza demanded glaring at Uncle Levi and me. Her gaze cut towards Levi first. "You informed me that Kye had returned don't you feel like that would have been a good time to mention her as well?" She asked. "I apologize Alpha, but I knew you wouldn't have allowed her to enter the border and I can't exactly force her out. Besides her being here may be for the best." Uncle Levi said. Raiza stalked forward her eyes shinning silver and with steam rising in the air around her. Little know fact: when werewolves were about to shift their body temperature rises. This causes steam to be produced around them in colder climates. "I am Alpha. I decide who is allowed on my territory! Not my border patrol. Your job is to inform me to any outsider who wishes to enter. You are not to say: Come on in!" Raiza yelled. Uncle Levi stood in front of Raiza his eyes lowered and his neck exposed. A position that was pure instinct for Omega wolves when confronted by a pissed off more dominates wolf. "Go! You're suspended from active duty for one month. Don't let me see you once until that month is over with!" She commanded. Uncle Levi didn't hesitate as he fled from Raiza's wrath. I couldn't blame him. Even Viviana knew to be scared when Raiza was like this, and there was definitely good reason to be.

With uncle Levi gone her gaze swung around to me. "Oh Raiza, Levi didn't deserve that. Don't you know better than to shoot the messenger?" Viviana asked trying to grab her attention. Raiza twitched at the sound of her voice but other than that she made no move to show she even heard the other Alpha. "Kylie Louise Hudson." Raiza said. I cringed internally and externally. She had to be beyond pissed if she was using my middle name. "Yes?" I asked weakly. "Please, explain to me why you brought her here?" Raiza asked in a deadly calm voice. Unnerved by the change in her tone I took a very small step back, my eyes dropping slightly. "Um, I didn't exactly bring her. I actually tried talking her out of coming but she wouldn't list-" Raiza moved closer. "Why did you even go to her in the first place?" Raiza asked cutting me off. "I didn't really have any plans when I left and she was the first person who popped into my head. I needed to clear my head and take a break from everything. Running all the way from Maine to Michigan seemed to really help." I said. Raiza's glare disappeared. "Fine, you wanted to get away. I can understand that the last few months have been hell for you. Why couldn't you go somewhere else? Maybe North Carolina a lot of wolves are passing through there." Raiza said in a desperate voice. I tensed and sent her a death stare equal to the one she had been sending me. The one place I definitely didn't want to go was to Bloodthorne pack territory. "I don't have any connections to the Bloodthorne pack. Everyone I know who is a part of that pack is in the army. Besides I rather live with the Coven then step foot there. If you don't want Viviana here than we will leave." I turned my back on Raiza and walked over to Viviana. "Shall we go back to Michigan? I'll even let you stop in Toronto on our way back." I bribed her. A delighted look came over her face. "Does this mean you're picking me over Raiza? Oooh Yay!" Viviana said. She bounced up and down and clapped childishly. A growl sounded behind me and a furry blur flew by me straight at Viviana. A large silver wolf landed in font of me blocking my path. She was facing Viviana her teeth flashing. Viviana looked on unaffected by the act. Something wasn't right. I turned around and saw Raiza still standing behind me. The silver wolf wasn't Raiza, it was Andrea. "Shit."

"Well, isn't she charming." Viviana said looking straight at Raiza. I moved forward hesitantly giving Andrea a wide berth. If I got to close she would likely turn on me and attack out of instinct. Luckily she was too distracted to notice me, and I was able to make it to Viviana's side. "Don't say anything else." I warned her in a low voice. "You'll regret it." Andrea finally noticed me and her anger washed through the pack bond and my Sevari bond. Without warning she shifted. Her shift was seamless more controlled than all her previous shifts. "What are you doing, Kye? Get away from that...that monster!" Andrea ordered. I really didn't want to but my body moved against my will. I took a small step forward, my whole body was shaking as I tried to fight Andrea's command. "Ah ah ah." Viviana tsked. Her arms wrapped around my waist and she pulled me tight against her. "Stay." She commanded me. My body froze as the two commands fought against each other battling for dominance. Pain erupted from no where. I wanted to scream but the sound died in my throat.

"Let her go!" Andrea commanded. "Now, why should I do that?" Viviana asked. Andrea growled and moved forward. "She's mine!" Andrea claimed. "If that's the case than why did she come to me on her hands and knees?" Viviana asked. A growl ripped from both Raiza's and Andrea's throats simultaneously. "A-And-rea....stop." I muttered weakly because of the pain coursing through me. Viviana's arms tensed around me. "Andrea?" She asked uncertainly. "What? Didn't you recognize me Mother?"