I looked down at my flight ticket, then at all my red-nosed friends. Connell had flown up to North Dakota a few hours earlier, with Zach and my parents. They would be flying to set things up with his best friend, and then we'd all be going to Washington. We were going to meet up at Connell's parents, before apparently initiating an act of war?

"This guy just had to be across the country," Sara snapped. Of course she wasn't thinking about the fact the we could possibly die, but of the fact that it was going to be inconvenient.

"Maybe on the flight you can grow a heart," Fletcher said as he wrapped his big arm around Sara. Sara just glanced at him, her glare digging into his soul.

"Want to say that again?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. Fletcher loosened his arm, shaking his head with a nervous laugh.

I shook my head, stuffing my ticket into my pocket. "Guys, get a grip! We're about to go save Mecah's life, can you maybe not fight?"

They just stared at me.

Maddie walked up, pulling her white gloves from her fingers.

"Is this flight going to leave any time soon?" She complained. I just groaned, squeezing my temple.

Normally I was the annoying one, but it seemed that flying with three aggravated teens gave my a new perspective on irritation.

"Flight to Washington can now board," A flight attended said over the speaker. I sighed, grabbing my carry on.

Everyone did the same, and we quickly got on to the plane.

The ride was about as good as expected. Hours and hours passed with little sleep. It was surprising we had even swung the tickets in the first place, but Connell said he knew some people.

I was relieved when the long flight was over. Sara had been bothering me the entire time, saying that she didn't have enough room to draw, and shoving me multiple times. Still, I could see how stressed she was by her rough pencil strokes and occasional pauses. She never stops when she does art at home, it just comes as though she had done it a million times.

I left the plane quickly, stretching as I waited for my friends to get off.

"I hated all of that," Maddie said. She was stuck in between two old ladies, who she said smelled like antique stores.

Fletcher just had a smirk on his face. He was sat next to two incredibly buff men, and talked with them for hours.

Fletcher hailed a cab for us, and we all shoved in, before reading off Connell's parents address. He had called them earlier and told them everything, all the things he had been keeping secret.

"You think they're here yet?" Maddie asked.

Since Connell had left a long time before us, we could only figure he was going to get their before us.

"I hope so," Sara responded, gloomily sinking into her chair.

"Bucket of sunshine," I whispered, pinching her before being swatted away. I looked out the window, watching as building after building past. The drive was a long one, before we came into a thick set of forest.

It took a few minutes before we pulled onto a lone driveway, which was just dust and rocks. Big pine trees loomed over us, pine needles falling effortlessly from the strong breeze.

Fletcher paid for the cab, and then we walked up to the house. It was a one story cabin, fitted with a chimney that spat out smoke. The wood looked old and damaged, but there was a small little flag on the mailbox that said Welcome!

When we got to the door, I took a deep breathe before knocking a few times. There was loud commotion from inside, before the door was pulled open.

The woman in front of my was stunning. Her gray hair was long and thick, but she tied it back into a low bun. Her eyes were an icy blue, but unlike the cold look I often got from Connell, her only held a gentle softness.

"Ruby?" She asked as soon as her eyes met mine. I froze for a second, before nodding. She let out a gasp, before she rushing forward to wrap her arms around me. Her grip was tight and warm, and I held my breath in shock.

"Oh darling it's so wonderful to meet you," She bumbled. Holding my at arm's length, she shook her head.

"Although, if my son had just a bit less pride, I might have gotten to know you a while ago," She muttered, as though she was talking to herself. I blinked, unable to speak.

Clasping her hands together, the looked my friends over with a smile. "And you must be her friends- Maddie, Sara, and... Fletcher?"

They nodded slowly, surprised that she even knew their names at all. She must have had a good memory. Fletcher even waved, a charming smile on his face. There was nothing he liked more that meeting new people.

Looking away, she cupped her mouth with her hands, yelling into the house. "Lukas come out this instant!"

There was a drop of something, and a sputter of a curse. Then, as quick as lightning, an older gentlemen came out. His hair was graying at the roots, but other than that it was pitch black. His face was covered in gray hair, but it was groomed nicely.

He stopped when he saw me, tilting his head like a puppy.

"Ruby," He asked. I nodded, a small smile on my face this time. He didn't rush forward to hug me, but he had this kind expression on his face. I could easily see Connell in him, though I did wonder we're Connell's snappy side came from.

"Well, come in," Mrs. Wood finally said, ushering us forward into their warm house. The fireplace was burning a stack of wood, and the room was caste in an orange glow. It crackled and popped, before settling down.

"Connell not here yet?" I asked, looking at the rather empty room. Mrs. Wood led me through the room, letting us sit on the couch. Everything was open in the small Cabin; the living room was next to the kitchen, which was next to the dining room.

"Nope, but he should be arriving in another hour or so," She said, checking the clock.

Mr. Wood sat in the big recliner near the fire, while Mrs. Wood sat in the chair near the window. They both watched us, before Mrs. Wood leaned forward with a sly smile.

"So, Ruby, how did you meet Connell?"

1 hour later

I cackled as Mrs. Wood downed a shot of eggnog. Mr. Wood just watched her with a shake of the head, though there was a faint smile on his face.

Before she could reach for another, there was a knock at the door. I shot up, running towards it before my mind could think. Opening it, I was met with Connells tired face.

I said nothing, only wrapped my arms around his neck as I hugged him. He hugged me back, dropping his bag to the floor. Behind him, my parents and Zach watched with hard stares.

When I let him go, I finally noticed the other group of people with him. One was familiar, standing close behind Connell.

He was bigger than Connell, by a few inches, and was lanky. His straight black hair was tousled, and his eyes were narrowed on me. He didn't show even a sign of a smile, just standing there like a statue.

Lewis. I remembered from the photo I had seen, he was Connell's best friend. They had gone to him for help, and he had provided the trackers that led us here in the first place.

"Ruby this is Lewis, his beta, and his gamma," Connell informed me, pointing to the appropriate people. I just waved, stepping back inside the warm cabin to get away from the freezing wet cold. Connell followed closely, picking up the bag that he had dropped on the porch.

Something changed in Lewis, as he looked around the room. He took a deep breath, before looking straight at Sara.

She was laid on the couch on her belly, focusing on her newest drawing. At his presence, she paused, looking up towards the door.

"Oh no," Connell mumbled to himself. I just looked at them, tilting my head.

Sara and Lewis were quiet for a few moments, before Sara shook her head.

"Ab-so-lutely not!" She objected, sitting up on her knees. Lewis didn't look to pleased either, crossing his arms.

Two people who absolutely hated everything around them, just had to be paired together?

"This is who I'm mated with?" Lewis asked, looking Sara up and down. She gaped at him, crossing her arms.

"Oh, because your some kind of knight?" She spat.

It was as though they knew each other, and were in some kind of age old conflict. Only they didn't and were fighting their feelings.

"Better than what you've ever had sweetheart," He growled back. She showed no fear at his size, bouncing to her feet.

"Puh-lease, I've seen dogs more handsome then you-," She paused, putting her finger to her lips. "Oh wait."

He shot back, and she followed with another thunderous retort. I grabbed Connells arm, pulling him to sit with me.

"This is just great," Fletcher chuckled, watching them as they sparred.

"The worst possible combination of people," Connell just shook his head, watching as Sara grabbed a banana and smashed it under her boot. Even Mrs. Wood seemed entranced by the conflict, watching with a grin.

I took Connells hand, holding it close to me as I sighed. It was strange how hard it had been to be away from him. There had been an uncomfortable pain in my chest, that just brewed in the moments he was away.

Mrs. Wood finally looked away from Sara to smile at Connell.

"I'm happy you're home," She said, reaching out to hug him. He just smiled at her, a new sort of compassion in his eyes. I wasn't sure how long it had been since he last saw her.

"How has the pack been?" Connell asked as soon as she moved away. She frowned, hurt in her eyes.

"Alexander has turned it into an awful place. We told you that you would have been best for Alpha," His father answered for Mrs. Wood. She just nodded, sighing.

Connell looked guilty, moving his curly hair from his eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry," He said, his voice honest. "I'll fix it."

His parents nodded, after all- he was their only hope.

From what I had gathered, his brother had banished them from the pack. Most members still held their hope in his parents, and Alexander saw that as a threat. He was uncaring to most anything, even his parents. The decision to banish them was as easy as flipping a switch.

Lewis finally left Sara, who was fuming in the hallway from whatever he said, to sit on the couch. He seemed unaffected by however the conversation had ended, just fixing the cuffs of his button down. Sara glared after him, following slowly.

Looking at us, he got into Alpha mode.

"If there's any hope of stopping them from using that ring, we need to leave tomorrow, as soon as my pack members arrive," he said.

Everyone nodded, but I just yawned. With Sara being next to me, I didn't get really any sleep on the flight. Now, I could only feel bad for Sara- it was obvious whatever conversation her and Lewis had, didn't go well.

Connell noticed my yawning, and he pulled me to his chest.

"How about we get some sleep," He said. Everyone nodded, standing with him. He took me by the hand through the house, near the back corner of a hallway, and opened the door.

Inside was a small, cramped room. There was one twin bed in the corner, and a dark oak dresser next to it. The walls were painted a dark blue, which was illuminated only by the full moon streaming through the window.

"You can sleep in here," He said, leading me to the bed. The room smelled like the woods, which a soft undertone of pine.

Connell's old room, I could only assume. Mrs. Wood had told me that before they were the Alpha's of Connell's pack, they lived in the cabin. It was a place they'd go in the summer for some relaxation from the pack stresses.

"Are you staying with me," I said cheekily, pulling him by the shirt so that he was leaning over me. Connell just undid my fingers, chuckling.

"Not unless I want to be skinned by your family," He said. I frowned, but broke into a smile as he planted a wet kiss on my cheek.

I waved goodbye with a smile, laying on the bed. My mind drifted to thoughts of tomorrow. There was a lot to occupy my mind, things that made my stomach hurt.

Our possible impending deaths. Mecah. That damn ring.

I prayed for a miracle, and hoped the moon goddess heard.

Authors Note

We're so close! 

-Elle Kay