Nix’s POV
We drove for nearly a full day. I shared the driving with Reed. From what he has told me, he works for the Wolf Council, which fulfills his need to be part of a pack, but he is not one of them. The Wolf Council only allows him to access the communal areas of the territory when he lives there. He says that it works for him as he has problems with authority. His brother is the Alpha of his home pack and they don’t see eye to eye. When his cousin Ethan offered him a position, he jumped at the chance.
He told me I could stay with him until they figured all this mess out. He didn’t know what was going to happen or where I would end up. But I would at least be in safe hands. I know he was trying to reassure me, but it didn’t work.
I have left everything I have ever known, am sitting in an SUV with a man I barely know who is taking me somewhere? I am sure I saw this in a horror movie I watched once. The thought that crossed my mind was ‘and he was never heard from again.’ I really think this applies in this situation.
I doze off and dream of my mom’s white wolf with her sparkly eyes. That’s the closest I am going to get to Pati now, in my dreams. I woke up with a jolt and realized I had been crying in my sleep. Not that I have had much lately.
Reed tells me we are there when we pull off down a dirty road and drive several miles towards our destination. A guard stops us, and they have a discussion. Eventually, the guard allowed us entry. We carry on driving when we eventually come to a small house. “It’s nothing fancy, Nix, but it’s got a bed and running water.” Reed tells me.
“That’s fine,” I told him. I don’t want to insult his hospitality. In all honesty, this will be my first night away from home. Ever.
I brush my teeth and go to the room allocated to me. I’m not sure when I drifted off, but I know I did. As I tossed and turned throughout the night. My body knows when it is time to get up. I have gotten up at the same time every day for nearly all of my life. The animals always had to be tended to before I went to school. I would also check on some crops. I didn’t want to leave everything to my mom.
I got up and looked around. It was a basic room, but I didn’t care. This was a stop gap, anyway. I didn’t want to disturb Reed. He had a busy day yesterday. I decided to go for a walk, check out the surroundings. It was barely daylight and there wasn’t anyone around. I just put my head down and dug my hands deeper into my jacket.
I must have been wandering for around 40 minutes before anyone stopped me. I straightened up my posture. He was only slightly taller than me and I was 6ft 4. He was wearing gym shorts and a vest. “Who are you?” he asked.
“A visitor. I arrived last night with Reed and Ethan,” I answered, not knowing what to say.
He nods. “It’s early. What are you doing wandering around at this time?” he asks.
“It’s late for me, I am always up at 5am,” he scoffs. “On purpose?” he asks.
“Yeah, I don’t want to miss any part of the day.” He laughed at me, properly this time.
“Come with me, kid,” he said. “Don’t want you getting into any mischief.” I blindly followed him. I have been doing this a lot lately.
He takes me to a training field which is full of men. I feel out of place. They are obviously here to train. “You’re not exactly dressed to join us today, but maybe tomorrow. If you are dressed better, you can. We are here every morning at 6am. Today, though, you tidy up the field.”
I decided to burn off some energy instead of arguing. I looked around. There was stuff everywhere. “Fine, I have nothing better to do anyway,” I said. “Where do you want it?”
A few of the men laughed. “Just off the field would be nice. This lazy lot left it there yesterday.”
“Whatever.”
“I just realized I never caught your name?”
“Nix, my name is Nix.” I shrugged out of my jacket and walked over to some equipment. Obviously, it used to build muscle as it was heavy. I picked it up and moved it to the side. I got lost in my own thoughts as I went back to the next piece and the next piece. The huge tires were a slight challenge, but I had to move bigger and heavier. I zone out as I am doing this task, and before I know it, the place is clear.
I walk back to my jacket, not even phased by what I have just done. All the men who should be training are looking at me. “Impressive kid. I’d love to see your wolf. If you are this strong human, he must be stronger.” the man said.
I just stared at him. “Are you kidding?”
“No”
“I don’t have a wolf. I only turned seventeen a few days ago.” He looked around the field. “You did all of that without breaking a sweat.”
“It’s fine, I do more back home.” I said.
“Nix, Nix, there you are.” Reed ran over to me. “I have been looking for you.”
“I woke up, got bored. Went for a walk and bumped into that dude.” I pointed at the guy. “He brought me here.”
“You’re lucky he’s normally a grumpy fuck in the mornings.” I heard a booming laugh behind me. “He’s right, but today has been quite interesting. Name is Mike, by the way, head of the Protection Detail here. You have got strength, boy. But have you got skills?”
“He’s not been raised that way, Mike. His mom raised him.”
“I will take that as a no then. Can’t let strength like yours go to waste, can we, lads?” He shouts over his shoulder. “No, boss.” is the response.
“We train at 6am and 6pm. While you’re here, you can join us. Get you some skills to go with that strength.” It’s more of a statement than a question. “I have nothing to wear.” I told him.
He looks me up and down. “You will. Reed, make sure he’s here and dressed appropriately.”
“Sure, Mike.” We headed toward town. “How the hell did you get involved with Mike? He’s a hard arse that takes his job far too seriously and he has got a serious bad attitude. I don’t think he likes people, but he seemed to like you.”
“No idea. I just kind of bumped into him.”
“And now you have got yourself training with the head of the Protection detail. Do you have a death wish?” My face drops when he says that. “Ah, I’m sorry Nix, I didn’t think. Let’s get some breakfast and get the day started. Eh.”
“Sure” I say. I can’t just get over her. She was my world. But I need to stop being so sensitive about my mom’s death. I can’t expect people around me to watch what they say for fear of upsetting me. I have to move forward as she would have wanted. In private, I can do what I like.
Reed’s POV Restless and with an empty stomach, I woke up. Nix and I had been confined to the SUV all day yesterday. I wonder how he slept? I am getting ready for the long day ahead. But no matter what my day holds, his day will be longer, as I know the Council Members will want to speak to him. But I don’t hear any noise coming from his room. I know he lived and worked on a farm. He would normally be up by now. I knocked on his door. No response, so I knocked again. There is still no response. I turned the handle and stuck my head through the open door. I saw he had made the bed and placed a toothbrush on the side. Crap, has he done a runner? I ran to the window and saw the SUV parked there. I know that for a fact, he wouldn’t have left without his stuff. So where is he? I tried to follow his scent, but it was weak. I am wandering around aimlessly when I hear a load of shouting. He wouldn’t have, would he? They wouldn’t have let him, would they? I am not privy to the inn
Council Member Ethan’s POV I returned to the council chambers after I visited Reed and Nix. Nix seemed to take the news better than Reed. But I didn’t tell Nix everything I knew. I know full well that Nix has a half-sister. I know full well her that father is the Alpha of the Mountain Creek Pack and I know full well she is younger than him. Which would make him the legitimate heir to the pack, should anything happen to his father. I don’t know how the Alpha will take this news. Nor how the Luna will react to her mate having a son older than her daughter. I also don’t know how Nix will take it either. He has never grown up with a father figure. Which is why I didn’t tell him everything. After seeing the house he lived in and how hard he worked every day, how he lived overall. Most importantly, how much he loved his mom. There would be no chance of me getting him there if I told him that his father was there. But I need answers and I can’t get them from Nix, as he knows no
Council Member Ethan’s POV I need to get the Alpha of the Mountain Creek Pack to remove Nix’s banishment. In the meantime, I can’t risk taking my talisman off him. That is, if it is a banishment affecting him? Right now, we’re in a dangerous position, just about a mile from the Mountain Creek Pack’s borders. Rogues could attack us. We all climb back into the vehicles and drive slowly, just in case there is a problem with Nix again. When we finally get to the territory border, a pack of wolves greets us. “I am from the Wolf Council. I need to speak to your Alpha, NOW.” I told them, knowing they can mind link him. We waited around 15 minutes before a car turned up. A few men got out, obviously the Alpha and Beta, with wolves appearing at their flank. “You wanted to see me?” the Alpha asked. “Yes, I am Council Member Ethan. The Wolf Council has sent me. Someone should have informed you of my arrival.” “Why am I here, Council Member Ethan from the Wolf Council
Council Member Ethan’s POV I followed Alpha Vance into his office along with his Beta, Reed and a warrior who stands beside the Alpha’s desk. I am introduced to Beta Colt. Alpha Vance does not know why Nix had a banishment over him. Seeing as he removed the banishment order immediately, I believe what he is telling me. Then he asks “Why are we all here? The phone call from the Wolf Council was vague, to say the least.” “Nix.” I told him. “His mom raised him in a human town. We didn’t know either of them were there. Nix told us he has lived there all of his life.” Alpha Vance will not like what I have to tell him next, so I plan on starting slowly. “What has that got to do with the Mountain Creek Pack?” Alpha Vance asks. “Rogues killed his mom a while ago and he is not coping very well. In fact, he has shown some unique abilities considering he is wolf less.” “He can’t be wolf less, otherwise the banishment effects would not affect him,” Alpha Vance interrupts.
Nix’s POV I had to leave Melissa and her mom in the kitchen because I was summoned. I suppose the answers to my future are in that room. I stay confident as I walk into the room, I won't be intimidated by them. I sat down beside Ethan. The Alpha started shooting questions at me straight away. I don’t know the answers to them, and I certainly don’t like his tone. Melissa’s mom walked in. I am guessing she is the Luna, as Melissa’s dad is the Alpha. He told her about what was going on, which was when I got a grasp of the conversation as well. I am just processing what he has said to her when I am asked for my mom’s name. I wasn’t expecting the reaction I got just from that revelation. I found out she was part of this pack when she was younger, but she once told me she couldn’t return. Something is not right with what they are telling me and I believe my mom over this lot any day of the week. A man refers to my mom as a slut! He never just referred to the woman who rai
Council Member Ethan’s POV I couldn’t believe what was unfolding in front of me. The former Alpha abused his authority to banish his son’s girlfriend. So that his son had a better chance of finding his fated mate, he had free will to choose who he wants as his mate. I nearly choked on thin air when he said Natalia’s original surname was ‘Mene’. Does he not know anything, Mene? As in the Moon Goddess is also known as Mene. He is obviously not an intelligent man if he didn’t know that! I dread to think about what the other Council Members will think. I already know he is an arsehole. But when he referred to his granddaughter as a cripple, I couldn’t believe he was ever an Alpha. Alpha Vance was on the brink of killing him. But when Reed yelled, “Get everyone out.” I realized it was Nix I had to be concerned about. He was losing control. “Out” I yelled, joining Reed in his need to get everyone out of the vicinity. “Get them all out.” I saw what Nix did to the protective deta
Nix’s POV Melissa is carried in by her father. He places her gently on a chair. But she stands up straight away and uses the furniture to make her way over to me. She hugs me, telling me how grateful she is that I am okay. She has just met me, but I appreciate her loving gesture. A girl pushes a boy through the door in a wheelchair. They have similar features. I guess they are siblings. She looks to be of a similar age to me, but it’s difficult to age the boy. She places him at the table and puts a backpack I front of him. “I’ll be back soon,” she tells him. “Hey Christina, do you want some food?” The Luna shouts as she is leaving. The girl stops, “I will, when I get back. There is something I need to do before dark.” “Okay, but don’t do anything stupid.” “Me. stupid, as if?” she says, smiling before she leaves. Luna then approaches the boy. “How is she today?” She asks him. “It wasn’t too bad today, to be honest, Luna. She appears to have made
Alpha Vance’s POV I have a son, a son. From a woman I loved a long time ago, a woman who should have been my Luna. I love Stella, I really do, but my life would have been so different if Natalia had stayed. I don’t know how it would have worked out with Stella being her best friend and my mate. But Natalia was my chosen love. I don’t know how she got pregnant. My father was wrong about his decision to banish her. He will forever live with those consequences. But he was right about pregnancies outside of fated mates. They are practically impossible. Nix must be a blessing from the goddess. I sat at a table with Stella, Reed and Nix. He looks to be such a healthy man. It would be wrong to refer to him as a boy. He is as big and as broad as I am. We just sat there in silence, no one knowing what to say. “Eventful day?” Reed says, finally says, breaking the ice. I took a deep breath. “Look, Nix, you have lived a life without us. We have lived a life without you. We