Chapter five
Louise's POV
I reached the border of the Golden Moon Pack at exactly 11:30 a.m. The massive iron gates towered above me, embossed with their crescent insignia,even the air felt heavier.
Two border warriors in dark green uniforms stopped me before I could take another step.
"Name and origin?" one of them asked, his voice clipped and professional.
"Louise. From River Moon Pack," I replied steadily.
His brows lifted slightly. "Purpose of visit?"
"Seeking residence," I said. "And possibly enlistment."
They exchanged a glance.
"Enlistment?" the other one repeated, eyeing me from head to toe.
"I'm an alpha-ranked she-wolf," I stated calmly.
"In River Moon," the first corrected.
I met his gaze. "Strength doesn't shrink at a border."
A corner of his mouth twitched. "We'll see."
Clearance took longer than I expected,papers were examined. My scent was verified. Questions were asked. By the time they finally waved me through, it was 11:55 a.m.
"Welcome to Golden Moon," one of them said. "Don't cause trouble."
"I don't start it," I answered, stepping past them. "I end it."
The pack grounds were enormous,ten times the size of River Moon. The buildings were grand, the pathways wider, the wolves stronger. I could feel it in the air.
I was heading toward what looked like the main administrative building when loud cheers and the sharp clang of metal cut through the air. Curious, I followed the sound.
It led me to a massive open field. But it wasn't filled with regular pack members,it was filled with warriors.
Rows and rows of them in green uniforms, standing in formation. Border warriors, judging by the insignias on their sleeves. Some sparred in the center. Others stood at attention.
My wolf stirred,you could stand there, she murmured my dear wolf larah.
I lifted my chin slightly,I was alpha-ranked in River Moon. Golden Moon wolves are ten times the size of ours, but my wolf was huge even by alpha standards, we'll see were I'm placed.
I found a seat among the arranged rows of what looked like broken stadium benches and sat down, folding my arms as I observed.
Then the ground practically vibrated.
A fleet of cars rolled in from the far end of the field,luxury reeked from the convoy,Sports cars, Sleek black SUVs,Jeeps, even heavy trucks. If someone thought of a high end vehicle, it was there.
The warriors immediately straightened.
Four older figures stepped out first,two men and two women, cloaked in heavy robes. Elders, no doubt. Their presence alone demanded respect.
Then three younger men stepped out of another vehicle.
The two behind looked similar in aura but not related,one had brown hair and sharp features, the other a pretty blonde hair his hand was hooked by a woman at his side.
And then,
The man in front.
He stepped out last.
Huge. Broad shouldered. Long dark hair brushing past his collar. And when he lifted his head, the sun caught his eyes.
Red.
Beautiful, dangerous red.
My breath stalled.
I couldn't take my eyes off him and within a second, I smelled it.
Something rich,deep,masculine.
But beneath that…
Something that made my knees weaken.
Old aged wine so intoxicating and addictive,impossible to describe.
My wolf surged forward, nearly knocking the breath from me.
What is this larah? I whispered internally.
She didn't answer.
She purred seductively.
Kyle's POV
It was 11:30 a.m. when we started the journey to the border grounds for my quarterly inspection.
I slid into the black SUV with Lypon, Dave and his mate Tess, wanted privacy, so they took the Jeep behind us. The elders followed in another vehicle.
The ride was uneventful,too uneventful.
Kael had been restless all morning.
The moment we stepped out onto the inspection grounds, that uneasy feeling returned stronger this time.
Kael suddenly howled inside my head.
Excited.
"What is it?" I muttered under my breath, scanning the field.
"Move further", he urged through our private mindlink.
I frowned but obeyed, walking ahead of Lypon and Dave.
The warriors snapped to attention as I passed, but I barely noticed them.
Then it hit me.
The sweetest scent I had ever perceived.
Fresh berries. Every kind imaginable. Sweet, tart, wild.
Paired with something warm and intoxicating that wrapped around my senses and sank into my lungs.
It was overwhelming.
A low sound escaped my throat before I could stop it.
"What is this smell?" I demanded quietly.
Lypon blinked. "My Alpha?"
I ignored him.
Kael growled inside my head.
Not angry.
Possessive.
MATE!!!