Winterlust (COMPLETE)

The Packhouse

Owen

Owen can’t help it. He’s pacing all over the packhouse, awaiting Travis’ arrival. There’s no point in trying to get any sleep. Besides, he needs to see for himself that Peter is going to be alright. Owen’s phone rings in his hand, and he answers it immediately. “Trav?”

“Hey, yeah. Listen, you go ahead and get packed. You can take off to meet up with Janie as soon as you wrap up that meeting in the city. Just wait for us to get there. We should arrive in a couple of hours.” “How is our Luna?”, Owen asks. “She’s taking this all surprisingly well”, Travis laughs. “Well, you are pretty handsome and charming”, Owen teases him. “Listen, I need a suite set up for Violet on the fourth floor and two adjoining rooms on the third.” “No problem!” “Also, can you get an omega to post a memo that she-wolf self defence classes will begin Saturday, twice a day? All will be encouraged to join” “Got it. Anything else?”, Owen asks. “Yeah, who’s the closest Elder we have in the area?” “I’ll get back to you on that, there are a few. Oh, and by the way… your PI called so I asked him to narrow his search. He has some info on Violet’s father.” “Magnificent”, Travis booms. “Hey wait, there is one more thing I need. Can you get Janie to help me out with something before you guys come back to the packhouse?” “Sure Trav! What is it?”

Violet

Violet dives into the book about werewolves and is instantly sucked in to learning all about this new life. When she gets to the part about how often werewolves like to mate, she blushes and looks up at Travis. Luckily, he’s still on the phone. She covers her face with the book for a moment until the heat in her cheeks fades. When she pulls the book back down, she sees Travis eyeing her from the side, grinning.

Violet feels the truck exit the highway and she looks up from the book, pulling one of her buds out. The sky is the prettiest mix of orange and purple, telling her that the sun will have risen within the hour. “Are we close?”, she asks. “We are. We’re about fifteen minutes away, Peanut. How’s your book?” “Uh, very informative”, she laughs. “Are you hungry? I can have breakfast ready for us” “Yes please”, she smiles.

The driveway to the packhouse seems to be miles and miles long. Halfway up the drive, they stop in front of a set of massive gates. A man pokes his head out of the gatehouse and nods. “Morning. Alpha”. There’s a big clang, and the gates slowly begin to open inside. As they crest the hill, Violet gasps. Before them is a massive brown stone building with four floors. On the top floor, the dormers have ornate red accents, while the lower floors are peppered with red shutters around the windows. The front entrance has wide stone stairs leading up to ten foot double doors. At the bottom of the stairs standing like statues are two men, one on either side, and a black SUV is idling off to one side. At the top of the stairs, there is a blond haired man smiling and waving. As they get closer, Violet recognizes the man as the one from the mall.

Travis pulls up right out front and hops out of the truck, flipping one of the statue men his keys. He shakes the blond man’s hand and they clap each other on the back. The rest of their caravan pulls in as behind them just as Travis is opening Violet’s door. He slides his arms under her and swings her out of the truck, placing her gently on the ground as she giggles with delight. “Owen, may I present to you Miss Violet Morrison”, Travis says, placing his hand low on Violet’s back. Owen bows deeply, “it’s a pleasure to meet you, Luna”. Violet giggles again and extends her hand. “Peanut, this is my beta and best friend, Owen Kane.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Beta Kane”. Travis looks at her with his eyebrows raised. “Wow! That book really is informative!”, he exclaims, shocked that she knew how to formally address a ranked pack member.

Muriel and Evelyn are each escorted up the stairs by the elbow of a warrior. Violet introduces everyone right away, and Travis lights up and nods his approval. “Alright, O. Are you on your way?” Travis asks Owen. “As soon as I get a look at Peter, yes”, Owen answers. With that, Owen runs down the stairs two at a time and hops up into the motor home. “At Violet’s request I have arranged for breakfast to be served an hour early. Are you ladies hungry?” Travis asks. Both women smile and nod.

“Alright then, there’s just one more thing to do”. Travis walks over Muriel and places his hand over his own heart. “Do you Muriel Morrison agree to join Crimson Moon pack?” “I do”, she nods. “Do you agree to submit to me, your Alpha Travis James?” “I do” “Then I, Alpha Travis James hereby invite you in to Crimson Moon pack”. He pulls Muriel into a warm embrace and whispers “Welcome, Muriel” into her ear. He then repeats the process for Evelyn and again for Violet. “Violet, you’ll be able to talk to me, or anyone else in the pack in mind link. I don’t want it to rattle you the first time it happens. Muriel, would you please demonstrate?”

“He’s a keeper, dear”, Violet hears her grandmother in her head. Whoa, cool! Muriel winks at her and then says, “Close your eyes and picture my face and imagine the sound of my voice.” Violet closes her eyes for a minute while she stills her thoughts. “Like this?”, she asks, opening her eyes. “Yes, just like that”, Muriel says out loud, smiling. Travis claps his hands and then booms, “Let’s eat!”

Travis leads them through the packhouse doors and into the biggest foyer Violet has ever seen. About 20 feet straight ahead is a massive staircase with oak railings and steps leading up to the second floor. To her left is a closed door marked “Security”. To her right is an old school elevator with the wrought iron doors. There’s a man standing at attention just outside of it to the right. He nods at them and then stares at the wall again.

Travis takes them along the left side of the staircase and down the hall to a room labeled “Dining Hall”. Just inside the door to the left are three smiling women. “Good morning, Alpha!”, they greet him in unison. There are rows upon rows of seemingly endlessly long tables adorned with gold coloured candelabras. Across from where they’re standing is a wall of gigantic windows, and the newly risen sun is beaming in onto the tables.To their left at the front of the room is a smaller dining table that seats about twelve people, with noticeably bigger and more ornate chairs. Travis walks ahead and pulls out a chair. His two warriors follow his lead closely behind and also each pull out a chair. Muriel and Evelyn sit down, and the warriors push in their chairs. Violet follows suit and giggles as Travis pushes in her chair. The six of them make small talk while they eat, laughing and enjoying each others’ company.

Just as the two warriors, Ben and Adam take their leave, Marie and Nick arrive in the dining hall. Travis makes the introductions and asks Marie to take Evelyn and Muriel to their rooms on the third floor for ranked members. “As for you Peanut, let me show you to your suite. You must be exhausted.”

Travis takes Violet in the elevator up to the fourth floor. Just off the elevator is a lounge with two leather couches and six plush leather chairs. Across the lounge is an office labeled “Alpha Travis James”. Travis offers Violet his elbow and they turn right as they step off the elevator and make their way down the long hall. Travis stops about a third of the way up in front of a door labeled “Crimson Suite”. He swipes a key card and swings the door open for her. “I’ve had some omegas bring up your luggage and unpack for you. This is your key card”, he says handing her the card. “If you need anything, I’m right down the hall, okay?” Violet smiles and nods at him, “thank you”. “And Violet? Would you have dinner with me this evening?” Violet feels her cheeks grow hot and she breaks out into a huge smile. “Yes, I’d like that.”