Avery stared at him - deadpan. Trying to comprehend what Edan was asking him to do.

"I talked to her on the phone, and that's what she wants. I can't exactly up and leave, especially with a pregnant mate and a pack to run."

Avery slouched in his seat, something he had been doing a lot lately.

"-And don't do that in front of her either."

"What?"

"Slouch."

Avery continued to stare at his Alpha - the idea of him coming into contact with another alpha - other than Edan, irked him.

And now, he had to go meet with the Alpha of the Cresent Beam Pack.

"You're just as much of an alpha as I am. You know just as much as I do. You help us run the place - plus, Kyle said either me or you, preferably you. And after the last time I talked to her - about my sister I should add - we didn't exactly end our conversation on good terms."

Avery sat up, gripping the arms of the chair. "When does she want me there?"

"As soon as possible."

Avery stared at his superior, "How does she even know who I am."

"Emerson knows everything. For all we know she had my mother bug this place years ago."

"And why can't she just just talk to us on the phone?"

"I don't know Avery," Edan sighed, irritated. "Why don't you ask her when you get there."

-

"Truth?" The female in front of him asked, cards in hand, eyebrow cocked, brunette hair tamer than usual.

"Sure," he mumbled.

"You suck at this game," she slammed her cards on the table. "We've played how many games? Six? And how many have you won? None," she crossed her arms, smirking at him. "I am not playing one more game." Sighing she asked, "what's up?"

Avery rolled his eyes, "to be honest I have no idea. Alpha Emerson wants me to come to Cresent Beam."

Cindy's lips made an 'o', staring at the male in front of her. Snapping back to reality, "why?"

"I do not know," he stacked the cards neatly, putting them at the corner of the small desk, much like the one he used to play chess with when Everest came to visit, he shook the thought away. Massaging his head, "she sent some guy, Kyle, to come get me. I do not know why. How does she even know who I am?"

"Didn't she used to come visit a lot when you where younger?"

Avery thought for a second, "Yeah, I guess. Sometimes, before my grandmother died. They're from the same pack you know."

Cindy's eyes shut open, "seriously? That's pretty cool."

Avery made a cuckle like noise, "not really. Grandma used to say Cresent Beam was hell."

"Oh. I'm sure. I mean, all that crap you hear about the lower rank packs. That's disgusting dude. I am so bloody glad I'm here. You know, they don't even let relatives in. Like seriously? At least now they don't have mates all over like it was back then, and mostly mates inside the pack. Can you imagine? Never seeing your mother again, or siblings after being mated off to another pack. That's retarded." She sighed for the umpteenth time that day. "Speaking of mothers, how is your's?"

"Okay, I guess. I haven't really talked to her."

She reached forward and slapped his shoulder, "seriously! You asshole. It's been eight months."

"And what am I supposed to say to her!" Avery scoffed, "yes, it's been eight months. At least I have asked her how she was doing once. She may not have answered me, but at least I asked. She has barely even glanced my way."

"Well I don't know what to say. I think you both need to figure this crap out. You both need someone. And honestly, I don't think your mother has ever truely had anyone."

---

"So, Kyle, right?"

He nodded.

"How long is this journey?"

"A couple days, depends how many stops you take."

"And how long am I expected to stay?"

"Not sure."

"Why aren't we travelling with a car?"

"Alpha Emerson didn't think it was necessary."

"So who's clothes am I supposed to wear when I get there."

"I don't know," pausing, glancing at the one who was supposed to be an alpha. "You ask a lot of questions. I was told you don't talk much."

"I have my moments."

Silence.

And that silence was present pretty much the entire journey to Cresent Beam. Not that Avery minded, if this Kyle had asked him any questions he probably would have ignored them anyway.

There was the occasional comment made by Kyle that Avery hadn't bothered to reply. Kyle quickly got the jist that he really didn't talk much just like he was told. Kyle didn't mind either, it was better than being with a chatter box. There was one thing he didn't like, that was travelling with someone who talked without an end.

They were there in less than three days. With a car it would have taken longer - with all the complicated routes and roads. In the woods you could run where you please, as long as you don't disturb another packs. Travelling on their property wasn't much of a big deal, but if they noticed that you were on there for more than a certain amount of time they were coming for you.

Avery would have preferred travelling with a vehicle, bringing along necessities, like clothes, which he wouldn't have any of when he shifted to human form.

There weren't wasn't a moment that they took to take a break. When they got to Cresent Beam - Avery was starving, Kyle looked pretty tried, they were both hoping Emerson had prepared something. The last thing either wanted to do was go hunt for a meal - which they both were expecting to do so.

Surprisingly enough, there was some fish that was prepared for them - not by the Alpha though. Their pack had gone out the previous day and caught a good amount.

There was also a set of clothes laid neatly on the ground a fair disance away from everyone where they could shift easily without being spotted. Kyle must've mind linked someone - Avery was throughouly impressed by the thought.

Mind linking was not an easy thing to master, whether it was with their special someone or anyone from the pack. He couldn't even do it. With mates it was easier. Because you desperately want to talk to them when they're not within earshot. However, if you could do it with someone you didn't share away special bond with, that was impressive.

Kyle lead Avery to his home first, surprising him as to why he wouldn't take him to the Alpha right away.

Apparently his mother had cooked them a nice meal.

And Avery was all for it.