Watching the scenery pass by, I listen to the pups behind me excitedly chat about our soon-to-be new Pack and what type of wolves we will be meeting. Gale and my Uncle have told us a lot about Crescent Phoenix and the one thing that has caught my attention is the Beta, Brynlee. She is the youngest Beta so far in the werewolf world. She is also the Goddess-given Mate of my enemy’s son.
“We should be there within the hour.” A voice calls out from behind me, making me jump in my seat. Turning away from the window and the endless forest view, I find Ashton taking a seat beside me, his easygoing smile I have gotten used to making me roll my eyes. Even though we aren’t Mates, that hasn’t stopped this wolf from flirting with me, much to my Uncle’s warnings.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He apologizes.
“It’s fine. I am just lost in thought.” I reply, letting out a sigh.
“Something has me on edge and I can’t put my finger on it.” I admit, getting a hum from Ashton.
“Could it be you are meeting your Mate?” My new friend asks. I shrug, running a hand through my hair and returning to gaze out the window. The anxiety I am feeling could be that I am growing closer to my Mate. I am only twenty-six after all and have spent the last seven years of my life hiding away from my kind in case Valor came to finish the rest of us Willow Bark wolves off. I have not had any chance to meet my Mate until now.
“I am scared to know if it is my Mate.” I admit. I have never thought about finding my Mate in all these years, too afraid to bring someone to the wolves I call my family and risk Valor finding out. But if my anxiety is because my Mate is drawing closer that means they are a part of Crescent Phoenix and will be feeling the same anxiety I feel. Maybe I won’t have to feel so afraid to let someone in anymore. My Pack Mates will be safe from Valor and his allies and I can finally take a step back and be the wolf I was meant to be.
“I can guarantee that the wolves we have accepted into Crescent Phoenix are good people. Beta Brynlee and Alpha Asteria have made sure of that.” Ashton says, placing his hand on my shoulder. I turn back to look at him, seeing a smile on his face as he stares into my eyes. He has a calm yet reassuring smile on his face and I can’t help but find myself smiling as well.
“I know. Uncle Jett and Gale have reassured me of this as well.” I admit, getting a chuckle from my new friend.
“I know it might be harder for you considering we have some wolves that came from Pine Moon, but I promise you, these are wolves that were done with Valor and the way he ruled Pine Moon. You can trust them.” Ashton adds, squeezing my shoulder before getting up and making his way to the back of the bus. I sigh, running his words through my mind and leaning my chair back. I know Ashton is right, that most of the wolves in Crescent Phoenix came for a second chance like us and I need to go into this new journey with an open mind.
I am at least grateful that my main worry of my small family being separated has been dealt with. Alpha Asteria had called just an hour ago to confirm where we would be living once we arrived at Crescent Phoenix. It was Beta Brynlee who came up with the idea of putting the fifteen of us in the guest house so that we could settle into Crescent Phoenix before being initiated and to give us all a chance to find our place amongst everyone. I was even reassured that we would have homes built for us if we wanted or chose to live in the dormitories.
Crescent Phoenix is welcoming us with open arms and trying their best to make us feel at home and I can’t help but find some happiness in this notion. Our group lost our home seven years ago. We were left scared and orphaned because of a man who thirsted for power. We know the risk of joining Crescent Phoenix. Know that the man who took our home from us will one day come and try to take Crescent Phoenix as his because of his animosity with Uncle Jett, Alpha Asteria, Beta Brynlee, Gale, and Rune. But it is because of this risk that I am joining. It will be the best way to get revenge on Valor and avenge Willow Bark once and for all.
My thoughts wander away from planning revenge against Valor to wondering what kind of person Beta Brynlee is. My Uncle tells me that she is a strong she-wolf, one that would be a good friend if I needed one. Gale has told me stories of Beta Brynlee growing up and through them, I have learned that she is a headstrong but caring she-wolf with a no-nonsense attitude. That she has been through a lot since being rejected but still welcomes new wolves with a smile. She is someone I know I want to be friends with and I just hope that when I meet her, the two of us hit it off right away.
“Everyone can I have your attention.” Uncle Jett’s voice calls out over the chatter in the bus, quietening all of us as we turn to give him our undivided attention.
“We will be arriving in twenty minutes and I have just been linked by Alpha Asteria that there might be Pine Moon spies lingering in the area outside of the Pack border but a group of warriors are waiting along the roadside to escort us safely home.” He continues, his words causing anxiety to fill the bus. My heartbeat quickens at the thought of Pine Moon wolves being so close.
Will they be able to scent us? Will they try to attack?
A long howl breaks my thoughts and I turn to find my wolves slinking into their seats to hide themselves from view.
“That’s just Ricky and a few of our Warriors.” Eddison calls out from the back of the bus.
“Welcome to Crescent Phoenix everyone.”