The Black Tooth Pack lands were in northwest Wyoming, where they had access to more national forests and parks than almost any other pack in all of North America. The pack house was actually a series of buildings, almost like a business complex, but for wolves to live in, set deep in the forests. The complex was situated in the middle of the Bridger Teton National Forest, the Shoshone National Forest, and Grand Teton National Park. In addition, just to the north was Yellowstone National Park, which gave the pack wolves even more places to roam.

But over the last twenty or so years, most of the wolves didn't have the ability to do that thanks to the draconian rules that they had lived under.

Kenzie was almost giddy at the thought of how things might change now that Eliza was going to be the Alpha and let the pack live with rules that would be beneficial for all, and not a select few. There were so many places that she wanted to go to, and now she'd finally have the chance. She wanted to run through the trees with Eliza at her side, mingle with the wild wolves in Yellowstone, climb Grand Teton and have a picnic at the top. All of these things and now were now possible, and she couldn't wait to start.

Eliza held Kenzie's hand across the center console. Squeezing excitedly as she took in the new sights. Florida didn't have mountains, and while she'd seen them up at the conclave, the ones they were driving past now were going to be a part of her life from here on out. There was a knot of nerves in her belly, but her heart was full to the brim and exploding with happiness. She'd never expected to leave Florida, nor join another pack, but now that the die had been cast, she was thrilled to be starting a new chapter of her life with Kenzie at her side.

In the back seat, Emerson and Esther looked out the windows with wide eyes. Their lives had changed so many times in the last few months, with the loss of their parents and being held as prisoners to being freed and taken in by Kenzie and Eliza, that they didn't know what to expect any more. They were young enough to feel excited about the future, and yet old enough to still be crushed at the loss of their parents. For the first time since they were put into their cell up in Alaska, the young pair finally felt hope. Hope that their life could get better, and that they could live in safety. Having been in captivity with Melashka and having her constantly assure them that they would find a way to get out of there, they knew that they would have friends beyond Kenzie and Eliza, and that put them even more at ease.

The one who might have been the happiest though, was Melashka. While Hazel and Karano were just happy to join Eliza in her new endeavor, the trees and mountains reminded Melashka of home, just with a little less snow and a lot less fences.

"This looks amazing!" the Russian said happily as she looked out at the terrain. "This would be perfect for a pack." Indeed, since her family and friends were all Siberian Tigers, many of whom had white coats like she did. The cooler weather, big trees and mountains would make them all feel right at home.

"I think our wolves would like this too," Hazel agreed. "We've grown used to Florida and living near the Everglades, but I think our wolves mostly tolerate it because we had nothing else."

Karano couldn't help but chuckle. "Of course. We grew up there, and never even thought about leaving once we joined the pack. It was just so much easier to stay. But I think we liked it more than the wolves, that is for sure."

"Yeah, but you'll miss hunting snakes," Hazel said with a giggle.

"Duke will keep them under control." Karano had always prided herself on keeping the invasive species under control, and she knew that the were-gator was just as motivated to do the same. "I'm sure I'll enjoy other things up here just as much." In talking to Wesley, it sounded as though almost every one of the wolves was coming, other than a few of the younger ones who had family in Miami. They were already packing things up, and the plan was to charter a bus to get everyone up there with all of their stuff. That would allow Duke and the others to keep the vehicles back in Florida, and then rent out rooms in the motel again to make a little more money. If Kenzie could help them learn how to make more money, then things could be even easier for those people back in the South Glades

The closer they got to the destination, the more their collective excitement built. "Wait, slow down!" Kenzie yelped quickly as they passed through the ski town of Jackson Hole. "The general stores up near the pack are closed for the season. We should grab some food here so we can have a celebration tonight. A lot of the pack members would probably love to have some food. Plus, it will be a great way to spend the money we found on Rodney and Jackson."

"Was he named after the town?" Eliza asked with a snort. "Or is it just a coincidence? Either way, I like that idea. We can load up on a bunch of food and make sure we keep it up." The GPS showed that they were less than an hour from the pack house, so there would be no problem with the refrigerated or frozen items they bought.

Kenzie shrugged with a smile, as she had no idea how Jackson got his name. but he turned out to be an asshole, so he had the Hole part in common with the town too. "No clue. Pull in up there at the Creekside Market. That's where we go in the winter if we need supplies."

It was already dark when they pulled into the parking lot, and they all piled out and explained the idea of getting more food for everyone back at the pack house.

"It's going to be a new era for the pack," Karano said while nodding. "A big celebration will be perfect. We should get some of those too." She pointed at wood bundles stacked in front of the store. "Maybe have a big bonfire for everyone to enjoy."

"Yes!" Kenzie cheered. "That would be awesome! But we'll need marshmallows too."

They almost emptied the market.

It was a good thing that Rodney had been driving an SUV, because they filled the back up with every steak, chicken, egg carton, and rack of ribs they could before they moved onto the sides and snacks. Cans of baked beans, lots of marshmallows, chips and dips, a dozen gallons of ice cream and popcorn galore. There were many other things added, mostly by Esther and Emerson who had been given free reign to get whatever they wanted, and then the vehicles were packed up and they got back on the road.

They headed onto a dirt road just north of the town of Moran, and wound their way through the gorgeous trees and hills as little reflectors on the trees shone under their headlights to mark the way. But at last, light bloomed around them as motion sensitive lights turned on and illuminated the area.

"Just park right here," directed Kenzie as pack members started to come out of the main building as well as some of the smaller ones. Many of them started to wave and call out as Eliza got out of the car, only to fall still as the rest of them got out to look around.

"Where is Rodney? Where is Jackson?" yelled one man, as he strode towards Eliza with a frown on his face. He was tall and gangly, with a mess of oily hair pulled back in a short and greasy ponytail, and Eliza moved quickly towards her mate as he got closer.

"He's dead," she replied, making the man pull up and look over at her in confusion. "And you should address her as Luna, and me as Alpha, going forward."

"Is this some sort of sick joke?" He let out a bark of laughter while everyone else looked on nervously. A pair of young men, barely out of their teens, moved to join him in a threatening manner. Eliza could feel Hazel, Karano and Melashka slipping up behind her for support as well.

"That is Ryan," Kenzie's voice echoed in Eliza's mind.

"The only joke was the way he ran this pack, and he wanted to steal my mate. He lost the challenge, and Jackson tried to interfere on his behalf. The pack is under new leadership, and you can either accept that, or start packing so you can leave in the morning."

"What if I don't want to pack?" Ryan moved close, clearly trying to intimidate her.

"Then I'll kill you, like I did them. The days of running this pack as though you're a lord with a harem are over. Everyone in this pack is going to be treated as an equal member and will be respected as such. You're not a king, and you should think long and hard about what you want to do with your future." Eliza turned her gaze on the younger men too. "The same goes for you two. You can either live like a proud wolf, or you can live like a coward and try to steal the mates of others."

"He's going to attack you," Cobium whispered as he took in the shift of Ryan's feet and arms.

"Let him. It might be easier."

"And what if I'd rather kill you and be the Alpha?" Ryan smirked as he let his eyes wander over Kenzie's body. "Rodney called dibs on that sweet piece of ass, but I might want to – "

Eliza shifted faster than she ever had before, and her claws ripped through Ryan's spine, leaving his head to bounce in the dusty driveway. "Does anyone else have any issues with me being the Alpha?" she bellowed out. With the moon goddess' blessing, she was now almost as large as her moms, and the majority of the pack let out a huge cheer. Only the few that had followed Rodney were unsure, but even they saw the writing on the wall and quickly fell in line.

The Black Tooth Pack was under new leadership, and things were looking up.