Wolfmoor
Arthur
Finn was taking his time running through our territory. After all, I made him endure three days of intense study and exams, and lately, he has been restless.
Our territory was diverse and balanced. Exmoor had all a pack of wolves could wish for; moorland, woodland, coast and rivers. Wolfmoor is the only wolf pack in England. Most packs had their land occupied by humans and ended up moving either to Canada or Scotland. Humans are completely unaware of our existence.
Me and Finn were racing against Cody and Skyr, and Finn had already gained a good distance from them. We made a bet, the last to arrive at the pack house had to do the dishes.
"Oh Skyr, looks like you're doing the dishes again!" Finn teased.
"UHH! I almost had you! s**t, why do I keep betting on runs?!" He growled, unhappy with his own choice of challenge. He was my cousin, our dads were brothers and both betas of our pack. Only I had the upper-hand since I had alpha blood from my mother's side. My dad and mum met in London when she was traveling through Europe.
Mum was the alpha heir of the Italian pack, Lunamia, a pack who moved from the states during the revolutionary war. My grandfather (who I've never met) found my dad's beta blood "unworthy" of taking over his pack alongside my mother. He disowned her for choosing him above her title.
It was the last Sunday of the month and the whole pack had breakfast and then assembled in the great hall to discuss day-to-day problems. We were merely three hundred, but there were always issues that needed addressing, like alpha succession.
Alfred, our alpha, was set to choose from any young wolf with alpha abilities to lead our pack before this year was over. Only me and Cody had enough aura to earn the alpha title. Alfred had no direct descent. His mate and child died during childbirth, a significant loss and tragedy for our pack.
I knew I was incapable of following orders from another wolf. But as much as I wanted to protect my pack, I was still determining if I liked the responsibility.
I am to start a degree in Biology at Plymouth University and move to campus as soon as the term begins. I have already started looking into possible jobs as I don't want to depend on my parents for more than what I already have. We have a comfortable lifestyle but aren't rich like some packs. Most wolves in our pack have the same sort of lifestyle.
As we made it to the house, we shifted back and as always ran for our rooms, to get showered and dressed.
My mother's voice rang through our link.
"Arthur, hurry! You're late for breakfast again. Alfred asked for you and Cody. You both need to present the solutions regarding the weekend patrol around the moor. And he wants to listen to it before the assembly starts." I seriously hated having to constantly prove myself.
"Yes mam, I'm just having a shower. I'll be there in ten." I ran and showered as quickly as I could, got dressed and ran to the dining room.
I sat next to mum and noticed Cody was already in the seat in front of mine with a smirk on.
"Looks like I should've bet I would finish shower first..."
"Hmm, looks to me that you shirt is soaked, did you missed the towel step?"
"You're missing the point, which is I got here before you."
Mum's alpha voice was not to be ignored, she quickly realized our silent conversation and interrupted our banter. "That's enough banter with you two! Eat, we have things to discuss." My mother's Italian accent was evident in her speech. She has been teaching me Italian since I was little. So, without further delay, we devoured our breakfast. When then ran to Alfred's office to give our ideas and explain their execution. He agreed to both our suggestions and decided we should present it as it was designed at the assembly for all to understand the new changes.
After two hours of intense work, everyone left the pack house. Leaving only Alfred, me, my parents, Cody and his grandmother, since his parents were travelling. We were finally seated in the lounge when my cousin handed me printed tickets for a musical festival. Eddie Vedder was listed there. He is the lead singer of my favourite band, Pearl Jam. Currently, he's having a solo career and has a world tour that the UK isn't a part of. "What's this?" I frowned.
"This is where we are going next week!" He all but announced, unable to contain a knowing smirk.
"What the f**k? I can't go!"
My dad slapped a hand on my shoulder and gave me one of those smirks that made me feel I was in trouble,
"So we asked Cody, what did you wanted to do this summer. He mentioned this festival abroad, and we thought it was a great idea. So we decided to gift your tickets for you to go with Cody to Portugal. We think you need a break from school stress and pack duties. Besides, you deserve it."
Cody couldn't contain his excitement. "It's not just any festival! It's a full week of concerts, beach, and bikinis."
I turned to Alfred looking for confirmation that I was off the hook, he nodded.
"You two are officially on holidays. I want you to recharge batteries or whatever it is teens do in festivals. When you come back I wish for you to start the official training for pack duties. Besides, if I didn't agree, Valentina wouldn't simply take no for an answer." I couldn't believe they had made this possible. I didn't know what to say.
"Wow, dad, mom, I appreciate it, but I can't accept it. I need to save money, at least until I get a job. You have already spent enough money to make uni possible." Mom gave a stern look and started talking with her hands.
"Listen to me. It's a present from us. We wanted to reward you for your hard work, and before you start your new life, we think you deserve a break. Don't you dare refuse this present from us! Don't overthink it, because if you do, I'll drag you to the airport regardless."
My cousin snorted, "If I were you, I would do as auntie Valentina says ... start getting your stuff packed and your camping supplies ready. We are going to camp there. Oh man, can't wait, cute girls, sun, beach, and music, what more could you possibly want?"
I couldn't avoid rolling my eyes at my crazy cousin, "Of course, you would think of that..."
He paid no mind to my sarcastic comment, "Look, the festival site is ten minutes by bus from the beach. The coast's perfect for surfing. Now picture this, we wake up, get on the bus to the beach, and babes everywhere... then after having a good time on the beach, we come back and get all fresh and ready for concerts. It's going to be epic!"
"I remember now, you have nagged me about this festival since last year... You knew about this and didn't say anything?"
"Babes Arthur, we're talking about Latinas!" We all laughed at his usual girl speech.
"You've mentioned babes too many times now..." He shrieked his shoulders and relaxed on the sofa. I have to admit that did sound epic, mainly because I've never been abroad. As for the girls part, not so much... I didn't want to go around from girl to girl, and I had a mate somewhere. I always avoid relationships for that reason. I liked the idea of saving myself for her, even if she hadn't done the same. I wasn't a saint, but I also never took casual flirts too far.
As for my cousin, he believes we have to live in the moment. He's too hot-headed.
We couldn't be any different and I believe that is what makes our bond stronger and why we are best friends.
My family was expectantly looking at me, waiting to hear what I had to say. So I gave up finding excuses for not going. After all, I will probably never have the same opportunity again. "I guess I had better start packing..."
Cody jumped from the sofa and punched the air. "YES! Now that's what I'm talking about!"
