My Unexpected Alpha

Chapter 6: Vacation

Abby:

Mindblowing s*x with another pack’s single Alpha was exactly what I had needed to clear my mind. While I was still pissed at the Moon Goddess, I was looking forward to my vacation now. Matt was right, I needed time away. 

After seeing Winter Moon safely on their way a few days later, Dillon and I hopped on a private plane and headed up to Iron Moon. 

I didn’t know a ton about the Iron Moon Pack. Like other packs, they had many successful businesses, but they primarily ran the largest iron ore mine in the world. Hence their name. They were the most remote pack in North America, which would take some getting used to since my Golden Lake Pack’s land was mostly cities. 

Dillon led the way off the plane and onto the tarmac where a man was waiting for us next to a huge pickup truck. Dressed casually in shorts and a t-shirt, he was tall and built, like most werewolves, with longer sandy blonde hair that he had pulled back into a man bun. 

“Good to see ya, Beta Dillon.” The man said cheerfully, reaching out his hand as we approached.

“Likewise, Beta Wyatt. It’s been too long. Please let me introduce Abby. Abby, this is Beta Wyatt of Iron Moon.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Beta Wyatt! Thank you for the offer of hospitality for the next few months,” I said, also shaking his hand. 

“The pleasure is ours, Abby. We’re glad to have you enjoy the summer up here in Iron Moon. Come on, let’s get you to the house.” Wyatt said as he took the bag I was carrying.

The drive from the airport to the house I would be staying in was about an hour. On the way, Wyatt explained how vast the pack lands were - hundreds of thousands of acres - filled with lakes and forests and, of course, the mine. Looking out the window, the landscape was beautiful. It seemed mostly like pine forest from the road and every now and then I spotted sparking water between the trees. It was quiet and peaceful. Because of the mine’s prominence, there were humans that lived and worked on the pack lands. This was relatively uncommon for werewolves overall, but more familiar to Dillon and I since we also had humans that lived in many of the cities in Golden Lake.

After about an hour, we pulled off the two-lane highway onto a gravel road with tall swaying birch trees on either side. 

“Just a few minutes now,” Wyatt said.

I almost gasped as the trees broke and suddenly there was a sparkling lake before us. The sun was just starting to set, sending light dancing across the water. Water that was so still it almost looked like glass. The road curved slightly, following the lake and then ended. Wyatt pulled the truck into a gravel parking space.

“Welcome to Last Lake!” he said with a smile.

I slid out of the truck and was not able to keep my eyes off the water. The air was warm and clear.

“It’s beautiful.”

Wyatt laughed, “I’d like to say you get used to it. But I’ve lived here all my life and never have. Come on this way up to the main house.”

Dillon and I followed Wyatt down a worn path and up the back steps of the main house. It was a large wooden lodge. Once inside, I saw everything was spacious yet cozy with huge windows and a screened-in porch on the lake side that showed off the view. Coming through the mudroom into a large kitchen, we were greeted with a squeal as an adorable blonde she-wolf barreled towards us. She stopped to give Wyatt a sloppy kiss before tackling me with a hug, talking a mile a minute.

“Oh my gosh I’m so glad you’re here, Abby! My name is Allie! We’ve heard so much about you and are so happy to have you with us this summer! You’re just going to love it! Oh, you must be so tired from traveling. Let me show you your cottage!” She said in almost one breath and then she took my hand, dragging me away towards the front of the house. We barged out of the house through the screen door off the front porch. Taking a right, I realized there was a path that led to a smattering of little cottages that ran along the lake. There were maybe ten that I could see with trees and gardens woven between them. Allie led us right up to the first one.

It was tiny as werewolf things go... and it was adorable. It had its own little screened porch with two comfy looking rocking chairs and a little vintage wood coffee table. Entering the cottage, I found that it was a mostly open floor plan so tastefully done, blending antiques and modern pieces seamlessly. The living room, kitchen, and eating area composed the main space. Off the kitchen I could see two doors that I assumed were a bedroom and a bathroom.

“It’s so lovely!” I said, turning to Allie and meeting her huge smile with one of my own. 

She looked pleased, “I’m so glad you like it! As you get settled, please let me know if there’s anything I can get you to make your stay more comfortable. Wyatt and I live in the big house, so we’re always nearby.”

“Thanks.” I gave her a warm smile. 

“I’ll send someone over with your bags and you can get settled in. Dinner should be ready at the big house in about an hour. See you soon!” She called cheerily over her shoulder as she left, the screen door banging behind her. 

Dinner that night at the big house was relaxed. It seemed everything was more casual and laid back up here. As dinner winded down, I asked, “Where does the rest of the pack mainly meet?” There were only ten of us around the table in the big house. The group was mostly male and the three other she-wolves appeared to be mated.

“There’s a large lodge a couple miles down the road that serves as Pack Offices and the main pack house,” Wyatt said as he leaned back. “And our territory is so large and spread out, that the whole pack is rarely all together. Most live in communities this size or smaller and report to me or Alpha Nick weekly.”

“Where is Alpha Nick?” I asked. I’ll admit I was a little surprised when he wasn’t at dinner. Not that I was anyone special, but this group seemed to be Nick’s inner circle, so his absence was odd.

Wyatt paused, giving me an appraising look. “He’s taking care of some business in town. Should be back late tonight.”

The conversation veered to other topics. An omega came in to start clearing the plates and I got up to help, earning a warm smile from Allie and a confused look from Dillon. 

It seems like the right thing to do here. I said to Dillon over our mind link. 

Whatever you think, Abbs. He replied. 

Back at home, I usually had a whole staff under my supervision. But I wasn’t a Luna, or even a ranked pack member for that matter, and in this casual setting helping seemed to be appropriate. 

Allie did come to rescue me from doing the dishes, steering me toward the porch where the others had gathered for after-dinner drinks.

“Any interest in a morning run tomorrow?” Allie asked as she pushed an old-fashioned into my hand.

“Sure thing!” I replied, taking a sip of the drink. Damn, that was a good cocktail. 

“Great! She replied brightly, “I’ll meet you at your place around 8! Jennah will join us!” She motioned to a she-wolf across the porch who was cuddling up to her mate. Jennah gave me a warm smile that seemed very genuine. I wasn't used to females being so... friendly. Back home, all of my best friends were males, with Matt and Dillon at the top of the list.

We all spent the rest of the warm evening on the porch laughing and sharing stories. I was a good group. As I fell into bed close to midnight, I realized that this evening was the first time I hadn’t been anxious in a long while.