Alistair

It's not looking good.

We have migrated to this location specifically to enjoy a warmer temperature during the winter season. This was planned. This was by design. It's not only what we wanted, but what we needed.

And it was going well so far. Winter came with nothing but a cold breeze and we were still enjoying our daily baths at the river. It's cold, of course, but we're used to cold baths. That's not the issue.

And then snow came in yesterday, surprising literally everyone of us who never expected this kind of climate around these parts. A blizzard took over the entire town - including the woods where we live - and now we're pretty much screwed.

Not only it is much harder to get water - the river is frozen by now - it's difficult to do everything else. Hunting, for once, but not just that. Even walking is difficult under the heavy snow and we depend on nature to give us food as there are a lot of mouths to feed, as we so constantly point out.

And then there's the obvious: the cold temperature.

I woke up inside the guest room early as usual. I took a hot shower, changed my clothes and put on an oversized blouse Luna gave me yesterday. Even though it's not cold here, it's very cold outside.

I got downstairs ready to be taken home, but Ben insisted on having breakfast first. It smells so good I couldn't say no. Plus, the smell of bacon alone is enough to persuade me to do just about anything.

Afterwards, I said goodbye to his family and we got into his car. As soon as we got outside of the house, we were gobsmacked by the amount of snow. It's early morning and even so it's already much colder than yesterday afternoon.

He drove me to the trail and insisted on taking me all the way to the camp. As we walked, it's already a difficult walk to take on. Ben and I endured it as we must, but even the cleared trail to the waterfalls was completely covered by snow.

Talk about a perfect timing on these blankets Luna Alicia has donated and that I'm carrying back home. However, I don't think these will suffice for all of us. I mean, we can always sleep in our wolf forms but that's not the main issue we're worried about. Not at all.

We reach the camp and are greeted by curious eyes wondering about us.

"Good morning, everyone. I apologize for keeping Alistair back at home yesterday. We were surprised by the blizzard and I wouldn't feel safe with him wandering under this snow." - Ben spoke in a serious tone, looking at momma.

"Well played, Benjamin. Good thinking on your part and thanks for bringing my boy safe and sound." - She responded, half smiling.

"It was nice to see you again. Be safe!" - He said goodbye, before he turned around to leave.

"By the way, my mom donated some blankets for you. Ali is carrying them, I hope it's alright. Have a good day." - He continued, turning around once again.

The women thank him for the gesture and I take the blankets inside.

I got peculiar stares from everyone after I returned with Ben from staying over at his house. Elodie, who's not exactly known for her discretion, giggled whenever she looked at me during study time. Chris and Tris all smirked at me with naughty grins.

By the time we broke for lunch, I was getting tired from their silly reactions.

"I just slept over there. In a guest room. Alone. I wanted to come home but he practically begged me to stay because of the snow. What was I supposed to do?" - I snapped at them, aggravated.

"Ali, no one has the right to judge you for anything that happens between you and your mate. Certainly not the ones who are frolicking around while unmated. And he was right to ask you to stay over there. I don't want you walking in the woods alone, especially with this much snow." - Momma stated in a serious tone, glancing at the boys as she said that. They felt the sting.

"Thank you, momma." - I smiled contently at her.

"What was it like over there?" - Elodie asked me with an excited grin.

"Oh, it was fantastic. They live in this very big mansion that's called the pack house. There are 30 people living inside, not counting the Alpha family. I've never seen a house so big. They were very nice and his momma was so sweet to me." - I replied, enchanted by the experience.

"How cool! Thirty? Oh my Goddess! That's a lot of people! Do you think they'd fit us in?" - She asked, innocently.

"I don't know, Elodie. I have no idea if they have that many rooms available. But the guest wing is really large. Maybe if we share a room, who knows." - I conjectured.

"They're not gonna take in a bunch of rogues in the pack house where the Alpha lives. No way in hell!" - Pappa interjected, distrustfully.

"Maybe if you fill out those forms Chris brought." - I suggested in a hopeful tone.

"Right. And where would I even find an ID? I never had to worry about any paper before." - He spoke, dismissively.

"I'm sure you can apply somewhere in town for a replacement." - I tried to persuade him.

"Yeah. And pay for that how? Are you gonna give me the money? Because those things cost. Just forget it!" - He shot it down, annoying not only me in the process.

"Do you think they're just gonna let anyone into their pack? Do you think they're not gonna run background checks on us? Wake up, Billy! No one owes you anything! If you want it, you gotta chase it because they're not gonna come here offering you sanctuary! If anyone comes here at the camp, they're coming for the one mated to pack royalty, not you. I'd be lucky if they'd take the kids out of mercy!" - Momma snapped at him, furiously.

"I don't want to go anywhere you aren't, momma." - I spoke with a worried frown.

My siblings echoed what I just said and momma weeps at this, which in turn causes my eyes to tear up.

"We're applying today. We can't risk it." - Gabriel informed in a somber tone.

"We are applying as well." - Joe added, sounding concerned.

"Everyone should apply. Billy, I can help you fill out a form requesting a replacement birth certificate, no problem." - Sarah told him in a sympathetic tone.

"Thank you, Sarah. You're an angel." - Momma smiled at her.

"I'm taking your papers to their office myself, momma. No debate." - I stated with conviction.

"Thanks, son. But I don't have any papers for your siblings." - She replied in a defeated tone.

"It doesn't matter. As long as you get approved, any minor under your care is automatically approved too." - I informed her, which put a smile on her face at last.

"How do you know this?" - Billy questioned me, suspiciously.

"Ben told me yesterday." - I replied looking annoyed at him.

It's the rogue life for you. No one cares much about filing forms and carrying any sort of paper. We're too busy trying to survive. But smart people like women think ahead. You're not always guaranteed to succeed being a rogue. Not all the time, anyway. Unless you shift into a wolf and live as one 24/7.

When I was born, mamma was alone with my real father. She had no other choice but to rush to a nearby hospital to have me. Fortunately, she's a very wise woman and planned for this as she reached the third trimester. I was born after 9 months and had a normal childbirth. That's why I have a birth certificate.

But by the time she had Mark and Laura, momma was being aided by Sarah who delivered them. So they don't have any paper record of their births. It's not an unsolvable problem, but it's tricky and lengthy to remedy. Now, pappa is an adult. I'm sure there must be a record of him somewhere.

After breakfast, we all walked out of camp towards the town. We had papers to file and it wouldn't do anyone any good to stay behind. Like I always say, we are pack animals and we never walk alone. Nor do we stay alone.

The walk is long and tiresome as it always is, but this time we had kids to contend with, so we walked slower. The snow is thick even in the morning.

We dressed as warm as possible, but still felt a little cold. Fortunately, the kids didn't complain as much as we thought. For them, it's an adventure they don't get to experience often since they rarely leave camp.

https://youtu.be/c-3vPxKdj6o

"Sarah, do you think they're going to contact your former pack?" - I asked her as we walked.

She looked at me with a worried expression.

"It's possible, but even if they do it's been almost a decade. I doubt they even care where I am and what I do with my life." - She replied, putting on a brave face for her daughters. Bella is old enough to remember her old pack but Lizzie was born after Sarah had already left, so she only knows the rogue life.

"I'm sure it's gonna be alright." - I spoke in a reassuring tone.

It would take almost half a day for us to reach the Beta's office, which is conveniently located near the Alpha's at the pack house. By the time we got there, we were all exhausted.

A warrior let us inside once we told him our business, but he kept an eye on us the entire time, especially on the scruffy odd looking pappa.

"Wow. There are so many of you. I take it you've come to apply for entrance in our pack." - A smiling beautiful brunette lady greeted us at the entrance. We nodded along affirmatively.

"You must be the Christian I've heard so much about." - She turned to him, who nearly fainted at the shock. Both his parents are also surprised by this, standing next to him.

"Who told you about me?" - He asked, stuttering nervously.

"My daughter. Has she not told you about me?" - She raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

"You're Lisa's mom? No, she didn't tell me she was the Beta's daughter. I think I'd remember that." - Christian snickered, nervously. We all laugh at this awkwardness, including her.

"Well, I'm Beta Babcock of the Crescent Moon pack. Nice to meet you all. I'll welcome each adult one by one. The kids can go to the kitchen and have some refreshments. I'm sure you must be hungry. Have you eaten at all?" - She spoke with a charming tone, particular to the South.

"I'm hungry." - Laura said and she melted at the six year old child.

"Let's fix that, shall we?" - She said, coming closer to her and lowering herself to be on her level.

A warrior accompanied us to the guest dining hall where we were offered food and beverages, which we gladly accepted. After all this walking, we were mighty hungry. The adults stayed behind to be interviewed by her, which I'm guessing it's going to take a long time since there are so many of us.

Christian, Elodie and Tristan are all baffled at how big the place is. Laura and Mark are stuffing their mouths like there's no tomorrow, even though we had a snack midway through the walk here.

"Did you eat here yesterday with the Alpha family?" - Elodie inquired, curiously.

"No, this is the guest dining hall. Only the boarders eat here, the Alpha family eats at a separate one." - I replied as she asked me the same thing I asked Ben.

"Cool! It looks like a house fit for a king or something." - She is mesmerized by the place.

"It does. I'm baffled myself." - I agreed, admiring the century old construction but very well preserved.

"I heard you were here, so I came to check in." - Luna Alicia's voice echoed in the big hall with her signature smile. The boys and Elodie stood up to greet her as the kids only cared about the food and couldn't be bothered.

"Hi, Luna. These are my friends Tristan Maldonado, Christian and Elodie Williams. And those rugrats are my brother Mark and sister Laura." - I introduced them, who greeted her politely.

"Welcome everyone. Do you need anything? Can I get you something else?" - She asked with a polite smile.

"No, thank you. We're set, Luna." - I replied with an awkward expression.

"Do you have more cookies?" - Mark asked her and I wanna die right now. She's going to think we don't feed this child.

"Mark, no!" - I reprimanded him with a disapproving frown, embarrassed before the Luna.

"Of course, I'll get some cookies for you." - She smiled at him and he practically swooned.

"Thank you, Luna. I'm sorry for the trouble." - I said, feeling a bit awkward.

"It's no trouble at all. My pleasure." - She responded, leaving shortly.

We all look at each other and continue eating.

"She's so nice!" - Chris said, admiring her disposition.

"She really is." - I agreed, genuinely impressed by her.

A FEW HOURS LATER.

The forms have been filed, everyone was interviewed and Beta Babcock even helped Billy by filing for a replacement birth certificate online. She also offered the adults some food, which they couldn't deny as the walk home was long.

Since we had already eaten, we waited for them in the living room. Suddenly, I smelled the most wonderful scent in the world and I knew it was my mate. His scent is unmistakable to me.

"You're here." - He greeted me with a wide smile, coming into the living room.

"Yes, we came to file the paperwork with Beta Babcock. Are you returning home at this hour?" - I asked, surprised by the late hour.

"I train everyday after school. So I come home later than most students." - He explained, putting down his duffel bag on the floor.

"Train what?" - Elodie inquired. I glared at her.

"I train with the warriors of our pack. I have to be able to lead them one day if I become Alpha." - He explained.

"If?" - She questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I thought you're the one who'll succeed the Alpha." - She wondered, looking confused.

"I am, but I can't ascend as Alpha if my mate doesn't accept me." - He replied honestly and I gulped awkwardly. Naturally, all eyes are on me after his statement.

"Thanks, Elodie." - I glared daggers at her.

"If I had a mate showing up to save me like he did, I'd totally accept him." - She glanced at me as she said that. This girl... omg.

Both of us laughed uncomfortably at this. The silence is deafening.

"I'm glad you came to apply to our pack, even if it's just temporary." - He spoke after a few minutes.

"Me too, especially with this weather. Who would've thought it'd snow?" - I'm gobsmacked at the climate change.

"Not me." - He replied, equally surprised.

The adults exit the guest dining room and they greet Ben, who greets them back.

"It's so nice to see you all here. I'm sure Lex is gonna kick himself for not coming to see you, Tristan." - Ben spoke in a charming tone, glancing at him.

"It's fine. We can meet on another day." - Tristan responded, blushing next to his parents.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Ben. We need to get going as it's already late." - Momma spoke, worried about the late hour and the long walk ahead.

"Wait, you're walking home? Nonsense! I'll take you to the waterfall path, at least." - He offered without missing a beat.

"You can't fit us all in your car, Ben. But thank you for the offer, you're very kind." - Momma stated, pointing out the obvious.

"I know, but it's gonna take so long for you to get home from here." - He mumbled, disappointed that he couldn't help.

"We're used to walking. It's fine, really." - Momma reassured, not wanting him to feel bad.

"Maybe I can help." - Alpha Livingstone intervened, showing up at the living room.

The adults all bowed their heads to the Alpha.

"I'll order the warriors to drive them to the outskirts of the city and drop them off at the waterfall trail. You can wash up for dinner, son." - He spoke in a serene tone.

"Thank you, sir. You don't have to concern yourself with us." - Billy told him with a shy demeanor.

"It's the least we can do under this weather. Plus, you have children with you." - He insisted and lifted his right hand in the air, making a fist. Instantly, a warrior appeared in front of him.

"Mathews, prepare a motorcade to drive my son's mate's family to the waterfall trail." - He commanded in a stern tone.

"Yes, Alpha." - He replied, bowed his head and left.

"You can wait for them by the door, the cars will depart shortly." - He informed us with a polite smile.

"Thank you, Alpha." - I smiled at him and we started walking away.

"It was nice to see you again." - Ben spoke in a sweet tone.

"Me too." - I smiled at him, then I kissed him on the cheek, thanking him. Our skins went ablaze with the soft contact as if both of us were in heat. We blushed even if it was just an innocent peck.

Some time later, we're taken by the warriors as commanded by their Alpha. I'm so impressed with all this structure. It took several cars for the ride, naturally I rode with momma, Billy and the kids.

"Why did y'all bow your head?" - I asked her, intrigued.

"Because that's what you do in the presence of an Alpha." - She replied in a 'duh' tone.

"Really? How come you've never told me that? I didn't bow my head to him yesterday. He must've thought I was being a snob or defying him or something." - I cried out, revolted. Honestly, it's like I wasn't even raised by wolves some times.

https://youtu.be/GqjUHB6hf9s

A|N: Now it's about to start getting real!

Fun fact: I didn't know what to name the chapter and discovered this song for this exact reason.

Next chapter is aptly called: "I want you to want me."

Love,

Léo.