Hello Again

Hello Again

Amelia's fifth birthday is in a few weeks. It's going to be a big party like all her birthdays. She's the princess of the pack and has been bouncing off the walls with excitement.

Our pack, the Hybrid Moon pack, has grown a lot.

Word got out that there was a pack accepting mixed shifters, and we started having people of all kinds moving here from all over the world.

We have more than 60 people at the moment. We try to keep a low profile. There's no need for even one to know our numbers.

The Hybrid Moon boarding school has 15 children living there and a dozen more who attend school every day. The twin's Aunt and uncle were happy to move into the school to become the house mom and dad; they take care of the day-to-day stuff.

Max is in charge of the pack's enforcers and training. Everyone in my pack gets trained, male, female, and children. I don't want anyone defenseless. Jane is in charge of the children's education and spends most of her day at the school.

Garth keeps busy with rescue missions and helps Max out often. Garth's latest mission was to save a flock of endangered raven shifters. Unfortunately, only two survived, Maz and Ebony.

They're both staying with me until they feel safe enough to live on their own. Garth has been Maz's shadow ever since they came here. I asked him if Maz was his mate; he just walked away without a word. I noticed he got a new eye patch and started dressing nicer. He's trying to impress her.

It turns out Gigi and Jimmy are true mates. They both had mates before that had passed away years ago. They still live with Amelia and me while the boys all got their own places. Gigi takes care of the house, helps with Amelia and the school often. Jimmy is happy to be a groundskeeper.

A few years ago, I was somehow voted to be Mayor of Spring River, the town bordering our land. I have no proof, but I know Jack, who put my name down on the ballot. One moment I'm looking at the oil rig's numbers. The next thing I know, I'm being told I won Mayor. For payback, I made Jack my beta. He wasn't happy at first, but he came around. None of us really thought we would be where we're at today. It's funny how life turns out.

Aden and Nickili called a few weeks ago to let us know their pack is planning on moving to the other side of town. When I heard that their alpha bought the other half of the oil rig, I was furious. I've been trying to buy it for years now. The shareholders wouldn't sell it to me. Something about a woman not needing control over a whole oil rig: I think they're just a bunch of sexist pigs that were mad that I owned most of the shares, and I got most of the say.

I haven't met or talked to the alpha yet. I don't know much about him or even his name, come to think about it. I don't have time to deal with everything, and I rely on other people like Jack.

Jack says he's a strong leader and with a big family that extends to another pack. I wonder how he feels about moving next to a pack of mixed shifters and a female alpha.

Felix, my lawyer, half fox, and human, is drawing up a treaty for us to sign. Shifters wouldn't usually use lawyers, but I want everything legal in the shifter and human world.

"Mommy, mommy, uncle Jack said that his cousin Nickili has a nephew the same age as me, and they're moving next to us soon, and I can play with him. Is it soon yet? Can I go play?"

"Not yet, sweetie."

Stephan's POV

"Is everything packed and ready?" I asked Nickili.

Almost five years ago, Nickili stopped by with his cousins to see Aden. Nickili and Lily quickly realized that they were their true mates, and he decided to stay. There was a lot of tension initially because he was the only bear in the pack. After he saved my sister and nephew's life, I made him my beta, and he promptly became a respected member of the pack.

"Yes, David and most of the pack have already left. Lily and Olivia are putting little Stevie in the car. It's just us". Nickili said calmly.

Looking around my empty office, I can't help but think of the last conversation I had with Steve in this very room. Steve wanted us to move to a small town called Spring River to raise his family, and that's just what we are doing. I just hope he's looking down on us with pride.

A few days after Anna left, she sent a note asking me to send all her shoes, purses, etc. It felt good when I sold it all. After it was all sold, I had enough money to start investing and made a fortune almost overnight.

Buying 50% of the oil rig was easy. The guys were ready to retire, and they didn't want to sell it to some woman.

When I went to look at the oil rig, someone named Finn showed me around. He is the foreman and part of the Hybrid Moon Pack. That owned the other half of the company.

Finn acted more like an alpha than a foreman. Perhaps he's the Alphas brother or something. Either way, he seems a little off. I will be addressing that at a later date.

Stephan and Snow's POV

As Jack, the beta from the Hybrid pack shows Nickili and me around town; I realize two things.

One that Spring River has had a significant update. Sidewalks look new, and buildings are freshly painted. The town square has been completely blocked off, so you have to park on either side to get to the shops. They turned the road between the shops into a botanical garden with paths running through it. It was unique and pleasant.

Second, I realized that the Hybrid Moon pack owned most of the town. They even renamed some of the streets like Shifter Ave, Cat Ally, Bear Cir, and Wolves Ln.

Not only did the Hybrid pack own the land on the other side of the town, part of the rig. They owned the town too. This is not good.

I give Nickili a disapproving look while wondering if he knew this before moving here. Anytime anyone from my pack wants to come into town, they would be in the Hybrids- pack's territory. Nickili just smiles at me like there's nothing wrong.

"Awww, here are our alpha and her daughter coming now. It'll be good for you two to meet before the signing of the treaty later today." Jack says. He waves at a Woman and the child a few shops down. They are dressed in the same outfit; A pink and white flowery dress with pink flats. It's like they just stepped out of a Magazine.

"Wait, did you say your alpha was a woman?" I asked, confused. I've never heard of a female alpha.

Jack gives Nickili a confused look. As Nickili just looks at his phone.

"Well, ya. Didn't Nickili and Aden tell you?" Jack asked. Nickili just smiles and says, "What? I thought Aden told you."

At least a woman won't be much of a threat.

When I turned to the woman that was now in front of me, my world stopped. My goes blank. Jack moved to stand by his alpha.

"This is."

Before he could finish, I spoke the only word that came to mind.

"Snow"

"Hello again, Stephan," She says. Her voice is just what I remember, beautiful even though she doesn't sound too happy.

"O, I didn't know you two know each other," Jack says.

"Hello again, Snow." I finally get out.

"Stephan and I briefly met nine years ago." Snow said. She was clearly not happy. I have a feeling she didn't know it was me moving in. Apparently, both of our packs need to work on communication.

She's changed a lot over the years; her white hair is much longer, and she's filled out more. Not to mention she's a mother and alpha.

Maybe the Moon Goddess is giving me a second chance, or she just wants to torcher me some more. She has a child, so she must have a mate too. I wonder if Finn's her mate. That would explain why he was acting that way.

Yep, this is torture.

It's him, my true mate, who chose someone else over me. Why is he here in my town? I'm starting to get angry; he is the last person I ever wanted to see. While still looking at him, I ask Jack, "Why is he here?" Jack can sense something is off, "Snow, this is Stephan, the Alpha of the Phoenix pack that just moved in."

I want to say, leave, move your pack someplace else. Still, I can't; the last thing I need is a pack war. Jack said he had other alliances. Although we are a big pack we don't have an alliance except for the twin's old pack that lives way up north and Con's clan, who live a long way away. We really could use an alliance close by.

As my mind is racing, Amelia steps up and sticks out her hand. "Welcome to my town. My name is Amelia," she says in her confident yet sweet voice. I keep a hand on her shoulder, I really don't know what to think of any of this.

"You're town?" Stephan asks.

"Yes, my town, or at least it will be when mommy retires. I'll be alpha and Mayor just like mommy, and no one will mess with me, or I'll kick their butts! Isn't that right, Uncle Jack?" She had a lot of spunk. She acts more like a teen than a four almost five-year-old.

"That's right princess, if anyone messes with you, they mess with me," Jack says.

From the look on his face, he didn't know I was Mayor. I hope it makes him uncomfortable.

She's Mayor and alpha; how does that even happen? "I was unaware that you were the alpha and mayor," I say. I'm starting to feel like I've made the wrong decision moving here. Good or bad, either way, I'm here to stay.

Although I still feel a pull toward her, it isn't as strong as it was on that night. Still, I want to touch her and ask her how she's been.

"Tomorrow is my birthday, do you wanna come? You can bring a friend!" Amelia is a beautiful child with yellow hair and bright blue eyes, and a lot of charm that pulls you in. It's no wonder Jack calls her princess; I'm sure she has her whole pack eating out of her hand.

"I'm sure Stephan is busy," Snow interrupts,

"You know, I have some free time tomorrow. A party sounds really nice. I have a nephew about your age. Would you mind if I bring him?" "Yes! Yes! I love new friends," Amelia says as she jumps up and claps.

I can tell Snow is unhappy; I find it amusing.

"Come on, Amelia, I have some work I need to finish before the meeting this afternoon," Snow says as she takes her daughter's hand and walks away without a word.

My feelings are all over the place for Snow; on one hand, I want her, and on the other, I don't. I still feel like we should choose our own fate. Ever since Steve was killed and Anna left me I feel like I'm being punished for rejecting her. It doesn't matter now though, she has a mate, and what is done is done. I should just put her out of my mind.

Later that day, I'm sitting outside the courthouse with the boys where we are supposed to meet to sign the treaty. Snow has a lawyer. Lawyers aren't generally used for this sort of thing, and I don't have a lawyer that knows about shifters. So I'll be going in without one. I've looked over enough contracts; I'm sure we'll be fine.

Traditionally you are supposed to bring your strongest fighters to show what kind of power you can offer in a fight. And what you would be up against if you were to break the treaty.

I brought Nickili, Aden, David, and David's brother Frank to the meeting. The five of us should be able to take anything a pack of mixed shifters run by a female can throw at us.

"I can't wait to see Snow. It's been years." Aden says from the back seat.

"How do you know her, and why didn't anyone tell me about a female being the alpha and mayor?" I asked.

"She's the one who saved the guys and me from the E Remember I told you how she bit off her finger to pick the lock," Aden says. How could I forget it's still the only story he tells about his time with the E. and I didn't notice her finger. I guess I was too focused on other stuff.

"and we didn't tell you because your sister, Lilly told us not to. She said it wouldn't make a difference." Nickili adds without looking at me in the eyes.

"So you obey my sister over your alpha?"

"Hey, man, you know how it goes; Happy mate, happy life."

Both Nickili and Aden are close to this pack and could quickly join them if they felt like it. I'm starting to think I should have brought more guys with me.

Who was this female, I ask myself.

"She was our true mate before you f****d s**t up," My wolf says to me frustratedly. "We make our own fate," I tell him for the millionth time. "Maybe we say sorry, and we'll be true mates again and be happy," he says. "We are happy," I tell him. My wolf just growls.

As soon as we walked into the meeting room, I realized I underestimated this pack badly. I really should have brought more guys.

Thiers six large males and two females are spread out on one side of the room. One of the females is small and nonthreatening, but the other is Snow, and I don't want to underestimate her again.

I see Aden go up to Snow and give her a giant hug, and I barely stop myself from snarling. My reaction surprises me. I don't see Finn in the group. I wonder if one of these guys is her mate and not Finn.

As Nickili and Aden get done saying hi, we have a seat and begin the meeting. I'm sitting in the middle of all the boys with Sandy, my assistant, by the door. Stephan is set across from me with his pack on either side of him. I really don't have much of a choice but to look at him. I can think of a million other places I want to be right now.

"Let's start with introductions. By the door is my assistant Sandy; If you have any questions or concerns about the town, they go through her first. Next to her is her mate Jason, the deputy, and next to him is Leo, his brother, and sheriff."

Leo and Jason are lion shifters who joined our pack a few years ago. I knew, immediately they were perfect for the job. It also helped that they have human mates and prefer to live in town. They take care of security in town while Max takes care of it on the pack property.

"Behind me is Garth, who is in charge of rescue missions, and next to him is Jack as you all know he is my beta. "To my right is Felix, my lawyer, next to him is Max, who is in charge of the enforcers. By the window is Alasdair, a family friend, and ally,"

Al, Con's younger brother, is here often; he even has a permanent room in my house. I think he's dating Aki, the hairdresser that moved here a couple of years ago from Japan. I don't mind having him around; you never know when you might need a dragon.

I smile confidently. Stephan clearly underestimated me. The contract is straightforward: we help each other if there's an all-out attack and stand with each other's pack if there's a challenge for support and numbers.

Signed by both Alphas and betas with a signature and a drop of blood.

As everyone is making their way to the door, Stephan says, "We need to go to the rig and talk about how we're going to manage it together,"

It's going to be next to impossible to avoid him. I push all my emotions, both good and bad, deep down. Even though all I want to do is lock myself in my room and drink a bottle of wine and paint.

"I'm available Monday," I say in a business-like tone.

"Why didn't anyone tell me that she had a dragon." I thought all the dragons stayed in Europe.

"It's just Al, Con's brother." Aden says, "who is Con?" None of this makes any sense to me.

"Con is Snow's ex-boyfriend. They lived together for a while. They're still really close. I think Con and his mate are godparents to Amelia." Aden said.

Snow's ex-boyfriend is a dragon, and his brother lives with her. I don't know how to feel about this. I'd really like to hit someone.

"From now on, everyone tells me everything! I'm tired of being kept out of the loop! I swear if I get one more surprise, I'm gonna take someone's head!" No one says anything. I might have overreacted, but I don't care at the moment.