The Pack Down South

Ch 2

“The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and all the memories we’ve made along the way.”

– Unknown

**Sarah**

I look at my Alpha as she stares out the window.

“Help take her mind off of Matt”

“Any suggestions Cricket?”

Instead of answering, my wolf lays down in my mind, “Thanks for nothing.” I turn to face Gabriella.

“Gabs, let’s call your parents and let them know we are on our way to the airport.”

“I’m not really in the mood.”

“Gabby, I know it sucks that we’re leaving Ventura, but we’re going to Maui! We’re twenty-two, our vacation starts now, this is our last chance to have some fun before we take over the pack. We have about an hour before we get to the airport why don’t you just close your eyes and relax.”

“Thanks Sarah.”

I know Gabriella is going to miss the condo, I will too. I mean who wouldn’t miss a two story, three-bedroom, two bath beach condo? But as future Alpha of the Sunset Pack, she has responsibilities to fulfill.

“You both will. But give her a break, it seems that she broke things off with Matt before we left.”

I know Cricket is right, being the Alpha of the largest pack in California will be a huge task. One I’m not sure I’m ready for, but I will stand by Gabriella, and be the best beta I can be.

**Gabriella**

We sat in silence on the way to the airport and I close my eyes. I know Sarah means well, but I was never supposed to be Alpha. My brother Rob was supposed to take over the pack, but instead he was killed on the night of his twenty-third birthday.

Rob met his mate while doing patrol at our border. Katie, a petite blonde she-wolf, came seeking refuge from the Costa Moon Pack located in Northern California, under the guise that she was being starved and beaten by her Alpha for refusing to be his chosen Luna. Our pack had a reputation for being welcoming of all wolves escaping the violence of our world. Thinking back now, she came to us filthy, wearing tattered clothing, and had scratches all over her body, which was the perfect cover.

Katie and Rob mated within a month of her being in our pack, and for the next year everything seemed perfect. In our pack, when the next Alpha in line turn’s twenty-three, they complete the last stage of training before they fully take over. A week before Rob’s twenty-third birthday he spoke to my father, Alpha Peter, about delaying his training one more year. My father understood his want to travel and meet other packs, with his future Luna. Rob’s vision was to build stronger relationships and make new alliances. When my brother told Katie his idea, she was furious, and told him that they would be able to travel once they were officially Alpha and Luna. My mother, Luna Niki, told Katie that it would give them more time to get to know one another, and a chance for her to make friends with Luna’s from different packs. Katie politely agreed with my parents and told Rob they could talk more about their plans later.

It was the night before my brother’s birthday, I couldn’t sleep and decided to go down to the kitchen and sneak a snack that was made for the celebration. But on my way down I heard Katie on the phone, and realized she was facetiming someone I had never seen before. Before I made myself known, I heard Katie tell the man, “Don’t worry, I’ll be giving him a present he won’t forget.”

“What a pretty little girl” the man said.

I walked into the room, and said “Katie, I want to know what present you have for Rob! I can keep a secret.”

“Oh Gabs, you scared me, why are you out of bed? Is anyone with you?”

“I had trouble sleeping, and I came down for a snack. Who are you talking to?”

“Oh just a friend that’s helping me with Rob’s birthday surprise. But no telling him, I can’t wait to see the look on his face when I give it to him.”

The night of my brother’s death was when the dreams began. It was at 4 am when I felt pressure on my chest and felt the loss of something. Confused I got out of bed and heard my mother scream. Rob’s throat had been slit by a silver dagger, and Katie was nowhere to be found. I heard a voice in my head telling me to go to my room, before I could say anything, I heard,

“I’m Penny, your wolf.”

“…but I’m too young to have my wolf, I’m only twelve, we’re not supposed to meet until I turn sixteen.”

“Yes princess, I know, but you have been gifted by the Moon Goddess in your packs time of need. I have always been with you Gabriella.”

“Do you know happened to my brother?”

“He was murdered by Katie.”

“Why? I don’t understand, is that why I felt the pressure on my chest? How do you know this?”

“Unfortunately, you had a very strong bond with your brother, you share the same connection with your parents. When you become Alpha you will have a similar connection with all of the members of our pack and feel the loss of connection when someone dies.”

“Penny what did you mean you’ve always been with me? Can I shift now?”

Penny laughed, “no, not yet, but you will have part of my strength and speed until you turn fifteen. Then we will shift, and we will share all of my abilities.”

“I don’t understand”

“I know, but you will.”

----

I’m shaken awake by Sarah when we arrived at the terminal.

“Alpha, we have to go check in to the private jet terminal. I spoke to Alpha Peter while you were sleeping. He said that the pack’s jet was ready and stocked with all your favorite snacks. Luna Niki asked me to tell you to relax, not train too hard, and enjoy the beach.”

“Thanks Sarah.”

We went through security and were taken straight to our plane. A few pack warriors stood waiting for us to take our bags.

“Seriously?”

Sarah smiles sheepishly at me, “what?”

“You didn’t tell me my dad was sending warriors with us!”

“I thought you knew! I mean come on Gab. You’re a kick ass warrior, I know that since Rob died, your training has been intense. But Luna thought it would be best to have some to ensure you didn’t always have to be on edge. That you could have an opportunity to relax and have some fun before we move back to the pack.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised. Ever since I went away to college at The University of California, Santa Barbara to earn my degree in business, there have always been pack warriors around me. Penny and I knew it was to appease my father, and I pretended that I didn’t see them, so they could observe and report back to my father to ease his mind that I was safe.

My eyes glaze over, Sarah steps back from me, she knows me better sometimes than I know myself.

“Penny, I’ve had enough.”

“I know Gabs, but he means well. As an Alpha male, he is just trying to protect his daughter.”

I roll my eyes at my wolf; did she forget that we’re an Alpha too?

I face time my dad as soon as we board the plane.

“Hi my Princess. Are you ready to go on your trip?”

“Dad, yes, thanks again. But we really need to talk. I don’t need you to protect me. I know you sent the warriors with me posing as flight attendants. I may have been born at night, but it wasn’t last night. Did you expect me to pretend that I didn’t notice them, like I did the entire time I was in school?”

My dad smiled at me and shouts, “See Niki, I told you she knew!”

I roll my eyes.

“Gabriella, I know you can handle yourself; you have even been able to take me down during your training. But extra precautions never hurt.”

“Dad, Alpha or not, if they do not stay out of our way I swear to the Goddess, I will throw them out of the plane.”

My father gave me his million-dollar smile, “Oh Gabs, I know you would, but I also know that you would never hurt anyone in our pack unless given a just reason. The two warriors are there to help you with the non-shifter men. You my daughter take after your mother and are a knockout. Jaxon and Neil are there to ensure you don’t rip anyone’s throat out.”

I shake my head at my father and tell him that I will call them once we arrive.

“Girl you know it’s true, we’re hot. That’s why I never understood why we stuck with Matt for the past two years.”

I smile at Sarah as we take our seats and take off for Maui.