As we approach the entrance to the packhouse, the moonlight spills into the territory, casting an ethereal glow. Jill walks by my side, the pack silently sleeping as we wait at the door for Billie to arrive. We step out into the open, the night air crisp and filled with the scent of pine. Billie meets us at the door, her mum beside her, giving me a sorrowful look. I give her a tight hug and whisper my apologies into her ear, she nods in understanding. Letting her go, Billie rushes in to give her mum a final goodbye hug. Billie tells her mum that we will make contact when we are in a safer pack, and to be ready if we need to extract her and her mate. We wave our goodbyes once more as we get to the treeline.
We all stop as we arrive at the border of Mystic Moon territory, looking at each o
