Bonded Souls

C 4

Jasper POV

I studied abroad in other packs by watching and learning from other Alphas, understanding negotiation techniques, several foreign languages, and different cultures I would encounter, and learning battle tactics and strategies from the pack's war leaders and trainers.

Training with accountants on the best business policies since I would eventually work with the human world. I wanted to leave and work with different pack leaders so that when my father stepped down, I would already have these relationships established and make him proud of the Alpha King I would be.

As our private plane landed, I saw several cars waiting for me. Dad's driver, Sam, was standing by the car, holding an umbrella. The skies were grey and looked like it could rain at any moment. I counted ten warriors standing guard, waiting to escort me home. It's overkill, but being the next Alpha King warrants this special treatment.

I stepped down the plane's stairs, and Sam greeted me. "Hello, Alpha Jasper. It is good to have you home," he said as he lowered his head.

"It's good to see you too, Sam. How is your family?" I smiled.

"They are well, thank you. Everyone is excited and waiting for you at the packhouse. Shall we?" he asked as he guided me to the car. "There are some refreshments and snacks Luna sent for you in the car."

I slid into the back seat and smiled to myself. Mom had packed some fruit, sandwiches, and iced tea. Sam pointed to a cooler on the floor, "That's from the Alpha King. He left clear instructions that the Luna is not to see that." I smiled, knowing my Dad slipped some beer into the car for me. I laughed and thanked Sam.

Reaching the pack would take about an hour and a half, so I wanted to catch up with my boys. Eric will be my Beta, and his brother Blake will be my Delta. Mark will be my Gamma. We've been friends our entire lives, and they are absolutely loyal to me and the pack. I share many classes with Eric and Blake, but Mark has many classes to train his Gamma abilities.

The guys and I train for combat with my Dad's Alpha unit under the elite warrior trainer, Warren. He's a massive wolf with a well-deserved reputation as a killing machine. The stronger the human body, the stronger the wolf. The three of us train with my Dad's unit for more comprehensive training.

I powered up my laptop, opened a can of beer while I waited for it to connect, and uploaded my messaging app. I immediately told the guys to meet me at the packhouse after dinner.

We still had some time before we reached the Black Moon River territory, so I read through my emails, caught up on pack news, and then decided to watch some videos.

The closer we got to home, I could feel its pull. Although we were still a little too far away, I rolled down my window to see if I could catch the scent of home. Morning dew with pine needles is the best.

Last week, I emailed the school with my plans to return to finish my last year of school. I wanted my schedule ready when I walked into the school on Monday. The school sent my schedule, and it was what I requested.

I continued through all of my emails. Once I finished, I started writing down the ideas I wanted to share with my Dad about training that I learned from the other packs. Wolfgang pushed forward as I listened to music, observing the familiar landscape. He said, "Hmmm ... home. I want to run in my territory and return to nature."

After a little while, we arrived at the border gate leading into my pack territory. I leaned toward the opened window and inhaled deeply at the smell of home.

"We will, as soon as we get to the pack house and see Mom first. She would kill us if we didn't go straight there.' The guards emerged to welcome us as we approached the gates. Once the automobiles were let in, they all bowed in greeting as we drove through the gates.