The drive to the pack proves to be more interesting than I ever thought possible. In the forty five minutes it takes us to navigate our way there, I learn a lot about MiLuna.

I also have about a thousand further queries to research. The biggest being the fact that they have not been able to produce any male pups since the previous Alpha died and the male succession line stopped.

Ellena looks forlorn as she explains the loss of her mate and former Alpha, Jeremiah.

"He was a wonderful man. And a very just Alpha. And I'm not only saying that because he was my mate honey. No. Everyone liked Miah. He was so admired within the pack and abroad aswell. He was a well respected man and wolf." She says fondly.

As she speaks about her husband and mate, with nothing but lovely memories between them, I feel the last glimmer of hope for my own mate wither and die inside me.

MiLuna, much like my pack Hastings, was founded on the old school traditions. They believe whole heartedly in waiting for destined mates. In mating for life, whether it's a chosen or destined. They believe in the power that the moon goddess grants those who find a true soul mate. And in the solidarity that pairing creates not just for the two, but for the entire pack.

It warms my heart a little to know that I was close to a pack that believed as I did when it came to mates.

Even if I cannot have one now.

But that is where the similarities stopped.

Since Miah was killed all those years ago, the small pack was thrown into chaos. Whilst they do have a few hundred members, most young pack were joined members, not born and the old rules they followed said that only a born member could take over as Alpha.

Unless usurped.

And since there has never been a female Alpha allowed to lead in Mi Luna, or my pack for that matter, it's very rare for that to occur, Ellena's daughter Gia was not able to step up. And her only child Milena, is a girl.

So, the pack waited. They still had the old Beta, Frederick, who was happy to lead in the interim until a new Alpha was born. Miah and Ellena had a niece  in another pack and they hoped that she may have an heir.

But after five years of waiting, she had not birthed a male heir and the pack numbers started to dwindle. People left. The Beta was aged, his mate long passed and he had no children of his own. He was not able to keep up with training. Soon enough he had to retire from active duty altogether. Warriors left to train and serve elsewhere. The pack did not attend any events thrown by other packs anymore in the worry that they may sniff around a pack with no Alpha and try to usurp them.

And this left them with the small number they have today. Only eighty pack members remained true to MiLuna and most of those were the older generation, the original pack families. And a few young travellers, similar to me, searching for a new home.

I say nothing during our drive, i take in every piece of information Ellena gives me, like a sponge soaking in each drip of precious liquid.

It's all vital to me. Every last drop.

She is silent for a moment, letting it all sink in before I finally ask my most important question.

"Then how is Benji your Alpha?" I ask, all the pieces of this life puzzle are here but I can't figure out how they go together.

She smiles, a devious grin taking over her face.

"I was wondering when you would ask me that." She says quietly.

"He is the rightful heir we were waiting for, he is Miah'a son. Just not mine." She almost whispers the last part, afraid almost. Maybe of what I will think of Miah? Or her?

"How?" Is all I ask, very aware all of a sudden of the shift in atmosphere inside the car.
Shame is evident in the close proximity of the air.

"The summer before he took over as Alpha from his father, Miah went to train with some other young Alpha born in a camp just south of Anchorage.
While there, he met and loved, a young she wolf. Neither had met their mates yet, we were not yet of age and they couldn't fight their feelings. When their relationship was discovered, his father called him home and they ended it. And then the very next week he turned 18 and then a few weeks later I did and we realised who we were to each other." She quickly wipes a small tear from her eye and I reach over and place a comforting hand on hers. The heartbreak is still there after all this time.

"We didn't know about Benji until much later. His mother told him the truth after he asked why his younger brother was to be announced as Alpha and not him and so , the truth came about. Benji eventually came to find Miah but by then it was too late. Miah was gone. But I was here. And I knew he was the one we had been waiting for. I. Many ways except one, he is my son." My heart breaks into a million pieces for the strong woman sitting next to me.

We are not that different she and I. We took on surmountable tasks, for the sake of our packs. Sacrificing our own lives. Our own happiness.

If I didn't like her enough before, I adore her now.

"And so, here we are. Benji is an amazing man and wonderful Alpha. It hasn't been easy. He has an uncomfortable relationship with Gia. And the elders weren't easy on him. But he has proven to be a strong leader. He has interesting new ideas, some do not like the change, but I for one am proud of how he leads us." She says and I can instantly tell she adores him.

"Does he see his mother?" I ask feebly, not wanting to make her hurt anymore than she has by telling me this. Also, I'm pushing it as it's none of my business.

"No. When he came searching for his father and then took on the Alpha role here, she disowned him. She never got over the fact that Miah did not come back to claim her. She never found her true mate." She says, a hardness in her voice and I know that there is more to that story.

Another time.

She turns to face me, her face stoic once more.

"All you need know is that Benji, is a man of honour. He truly loves this pack. These people. And he is a good man." She tells me this, hand on her heart.

"I believe you." I reply, nodding my head. Strangely, I find comfort in her telling me the short version of this packs history. I know there is more to learn, something tells me there is much more there than even she knows.

And I will find it out. Just not now.

Right now, I need to focus on my tale. I need to decide if I'm to remain pack less for now or take up the offer the Alpha extends. If he even does make an offer.

As Ellena points out a slightly hidden turn off on the left, I feel my heart jump into my throat.

This is it.

"Ellena, one more thing. Are there any other high ranking here? You mentioned a new Beta?" I ask, recalling her saying her was not here at the moment.

She nods as we edge onto a small rustic road and head down the tree covered driveway.

"That's right honey. Gainey is our chosen Beta, he is a childhood friend of Beni's. He has a troubled past but that's a long story for another day. What I will say is he is a wonderful young leader and one of the best trackers you will ever find. He was born at Longridge." She says proudly and my heart stops.

It actually physically stops.

Longridge is famous for their tracker training. The best are rumoured to be able to scent any pack from around the world. One sniff and they can tell where you are from.

Shit just got real. Let's hope he left because he is a shit tracker.

Breathe Alice. He isn't here. We just need to get through this first and then come up with a plan.

I pep talk myself all the way up the drive, hoping Ellena doesn't notice that I'm essentially losing my shit. Or maybe she does and just takes it for worry over meeting the Alpha.

As we finally clear the tree line and come through the other side, the pack grounds come into view.

It's not what I expected for the middle of nowhere. I had dreamed up a broken down shack, dirty, dusty and falling apart.

It's rustic yes. Buts is far from falling apart. It's an old style log house, complete with wrap around porch and wooden recliners and double swing on the patio.

But it's completely majestic. As we approach closer, I can see that parts of it have been later additions. The wood is slightly less discoloured in parts recently built. For one, there is a four car garage and an expansive workshop set up to the side of the main house. . I can also see another larger building to the back of the property and Ellena explains that it is the medical centre. To the side of that building sits a cute little school house and play ground. There is also a huge open fire pit with seats surrounding it at the front of the pack house. As our driven ends, I can make out a few smaller log cabins bunched together at the back of the larger main building. All in all, it's a complete post card. It's like a little lost world. If things were easier, I would feel so excited to be here.

It's very homely. Comfortable.

As I pull the car up at the front of the main house, a few older wolves come out of the small cabins as Ellena exits the car and they all greet her with the respectful dip of the head, used for all retired leaders.

She gives them a small nod as she assists me to get Rox out of the car and she ushers me up the drive and towards the house.

I feel him before I even notice him. The formidable scent of an Alpha stands out above all the other overwhelming scents on the property.

As I gather the courage to look up, my eyes come to gaze on a solid figure standing on the front porch. As we edge closer I see that he is as handsome as Ellena said. Dark messy hair frames a square jaw line and a strong dark brow line. His easily six foot frame stands tall and proud. His solid build is covered by a taught simple black tee and dark denim jeans.

He looks like a freaking supermodel. Damn it why can't he be ugly. It would make this all so much easier.

As Ellena steps forward to greet him, he gathers her in and embraces her tight. Over her shoulder, his dark brown eyes catch mine and I nod in respect, edging my eye sight down for just a second before returning to meet his questioning gaze.

Respectful but not weak.

His brows lift just a little. Surprise evident on his face but he quickly covers it with a uniform blank expression. Firm but inviting. It almost works.

Almost.

"Alice, this is our Alpha, Benji. Ben, please meet Alice and her son Rox." Ellena concludes the formalities and I step up to be level with Benji as he extends his hand for me to shake.

Juggling Rox into one arm, I take his hand in the other and he gives me a firm handshake while looking me straight in the eye.

I manage to hold it for a few seconds before I am compelled to lower my gaze momentarily. It's the standard test for new wolves around the leader of a pack. The length of the eye contact determines the strength of your wolf.

Benji steps back form me and a small grin forms upon his lips. He is impressed.

Tick one for me.

"Alice and Rox, I would like to formally welcome you to our home. Please come in." He says, sweeping his arm out and gesturing for us to enter the pack house.

I wait for Ellena to walk in first, an unspoken sign of respect. Benji smiles as I do and then extends the same courtesy to me.

Fascinating. He let the females walk in first.

This Benji is something else. Any old school Alpha worth a dime would walk into the house first, leaving the females to follow. A sign of the traditional roles in the pack.

I like this guy already. Feminism clearly lives in MiLuna.

So we get to see a little of Alpha Benji!

What do you think of the history of MiLuna?

Any guesses about what Alice might discover?

Thanks for reading and voting XX

Ali