Dire Choices

Chapter 3: Storm Moon Pack

I spent a few more minutes talking with Parker in his hospital room. It was mostly about getting him home to his pack but also how he and I could keep in touch. We decided to exchange numbers. I told him to let me know when he was back. Parker had given me a confused smile, which made me embarrassed for saying something so weird. Why would Parker need to check in with me like my mother used to make me?

I left the room and said my good-byes to Fiona, letting her know that someone from his pack would be arriving soon to fetch him. She insisted I send for their pack doctor since he was still not fully healed. So I found someone to act as a messenger outside, and asked for him to go to the Snow Moon pack in order to for them to send theirs to get him.

It has been awhile since we have had any dealings with our allies. I realized it may be best to notify my father, vaguely, about Parker. I went into the packhouse to find him, heading upstairs to father’s office on the second floor. I listened for a moment to make sure no one is in there with him before knocking. He does not take kindly to having meetings interrupted.

“Who is it?” my father growled. It would have likely intimidated even the sturdiest of wolves.

“It’s Wilder, I need to speak with you,” I said, straightening my back and shoulders to make the best impression. I heard him groan. Goddess save me, why can’t he ever be happy to see me?

“Come on in.” I stepped into the room. My father doesn’t even look up as he is focused on reading something on his laptop. My father is a large man, even for an alpha. He towers over my 6’1” by another half a foot easily if not more, with broad shoulders and thick body. His grey-blue eyes when trained on you can freeze you in your place. And that often isn’t even with the help of his alpha aura. As a pup I both feared and revered him. The only visible signs of his aging is his steel grey hair and wrinkles from years of scowling and frowning.  

I walked up to his desk and waited for permission to speak. His office is lined with bookshelves, with all manner of writings and authors. My father had told me once that each alpha has added to the knowledge in that library, in order to pass it to the next generation. His desk was likely almost as old. It was a curved solid ash desk, stained a dark brown. Marks of wear and use were all over the surface. I imagined the room was meant to feel warm and comforting when it was first decorated.

After a good five minutes my father sighs and looks up at me, “Well?”

“I wanted to inform you about the young man I found yesterday. He seems to be a member of the Snow Moon pack. He is nearly recovered so I sent for someone to come get him,” I stated. “His fellow pack member should be here within the hour.”

“I see,” my father rubs his chin. “Did the boy say what he was doing in our territory?”

“Just that he got, overzealous, while chasing the rogues out of his territory.”

“Young pups,” he said as he rolled his eyes. “Though I would not mind having a good reason to check in on how Alpha Kent is fairing lately.”

I nodded, “I will let the pack member know who is coming to retrieve him you would like to lunch with him soon.”

“That should work,” he said as he squinted back at his laptop. “I will give him a call tomorrow morning to set it up. You may go now.”

I bowed my head slightly before leaving. I grit my teeth as I go. My alpha wolf instincts fight against being dismissed like that, but I also know he has been worn down lately. My family, and many of our pack members, ran one of the largest agricultural companies in the area. I know he wants to hold onto his responsibilities as being the CEO and Alpha, but even he can’t keep it up for much longer. I just hoped he realizes it soon.

I headed back downstairs to find Bentley, our lead hunter, in order to keep him in the loop and wait for the Snow Moon doctor. Unlike the other hunters, he usually spent most of his time in the guard house near the front gates of the packhouse property. The hunters are a group that has been trained specifically for being able to find intruders in our territory and defend out territory if it is called for. When needed, other pack members can also help with the patrol or other similar duties, but usually that is not necessary. As a pack on the border of the city, we have done our best to keep our group of hunters well trained and with adequate numbers. With so many other packs and non-human creatures, we have to keep on our toes.

I followed the long winding dirt road to the guard house. I suppose I could have drove since it is a decent walk, but I liked it. Besides, Griffin hated being confined even in the packhouse for long. As the front gates came into view, I can make out Bentley talking with two other people. One seemed to be the hunter in training I had sent to the Snow Moon pack a short time ago. As I approached Bentley notices me and waved. The young hunter looks at his shoes.

“Great timing, Wilder,” Bentley said as he jogged up to me. He is fairly young to lead the hunters, in his early 30’s though he looks much younger. “So, Hayden here just said that you sent him to speak with the Snow Moon pack?”

I nodded, but I was confused about how he had made it back so quickly. The packhouse for the Snow Moon pack is about an hour run in wolf form from here. And yet, there was Hayden and a strange individual with him. It was a young woman, likely in her mid to late twenties. Her long brown hair flowed down her back loose. Her stunning green eyes seemed familiar though. She smiled warmly before she stepped closer, offering her hand.

“Good Morning Alpha, I am Gemma Newman. It’s a pleasure,” she said. I shook her hand. Now that I had heard her name, I remembered meeting a girl named Gemma when my family was invited to the future Snow Moon pack alpha’s birthday party several years ago. I remember she was introduced as the alpha’s daughter. I was sure even then that my father had some hope she would end up my mate. So much for that. What was more important however, was that it meant she was Parker’s sister.

“Yes, likewise. What brings you to Storm Moon territory?” I asked. I had heard she had been away at college for some time, which made her appearance more puzzling.

“I was on my way here when I ran into young Hayden,” she said, gesturing to the teen. “Our hunters had found our lost wolf’s scent leading into your territory. Is he ok?”

I nodded, “Yes, he suffered from some deep wounds during an attack from ferals though which is why I had sent a messenger in order to bring your doctor.”

“Well it’s a good thing I am training to be our next pack doctor now isn’t it?” She said with a mischievous smile. It made those green eyes of her glint and change shades. I couldn’t help but wonder if Parker’s did the same.

“Shall we?” She asked as she began to walk past me. Griffin rumbled in my head, not liking that she was leading us. I quickly caught up and matched her pace though, before waving back at Bentley and Hayden.

“I do believe we have actually met before Ms. Gemma,” I said. I wanted desperately to get more information from her. There was a reason Parker having a different last name then she did.

“I thought you looked familiar. You are Wilder, yes? Alpha Desmond’s eldest?” She inquired.

“I am. How is your brother these days?” I said.

She looked at me, puzzled, “You did not hear? I suppose we did keep it close to the chest. My brother Aaron recently took over as Alpha.”

I bristled. Though older than me, he had been named the new alpha of his pack. I did not seem fair when I had to fight so hard to even be considered. Also, the few times I met him, we either ended up arguing or physically fighting.  

“I am glad,” I lied. “My father will be pleased to hear this. He had mentioned he wished to have lunch with Alpha Kent, but maybe both of them could come?”

“Possibly, I will let them know that he wishes to talk. It has been quite awhile since our packs have formally interacted hasn’t it?” she asked.

“It has. Maybe that would explain why I have never met your other brother,” I said bluntly. I knew it was a mistake, but I have also been bad at being tactful.

I see Gemma visibly stiffens before responding, “Ah yes. Well, I think my father prefers that he is busy training to be the next lead hunter. So, he often isn’t available for those kinds of political gatherings.”

I nod. I suppose that is a logical excuse even if it is a poor one so I do not press the issue further. There clearly are some messy family dynamics going on judging from her reaction. Further sating my curiosity would just hurt whatever rapport I could be building with Gemma.

When we reached the packhouse proper, I brought her into the hospital and left her to tend to her brother. I wanted to join her, to see Parker again and observe their interactions, but that would be weird. I had to keep this mate thing low key for now. I tried to keep myself busy outside until I saw them leaving. I ended up going back to talk with Bentley to remain occupied. It was almost noon by the time they could be seen walking towards us.

Parker looked pale, and was walking slow with a hand on Gemma’s shoulder to steady himself, but seemed to be doing ok. When they reached the gate, they both bowed slightly to me.

“I guess we will be off. Hopefully with Aaron in charge now we can have more get togethers between our packs maybe,” Gemma said with a warm smile.

“We can send you with a driver since your wolf is still weak,” Bentley offered. True, they would have to walk instead of run as wolves.

Parker shook his head, “No, but thank you. I could use the fresh air.”

I wanted to say something, but it’s like my tongue was made of bricks. I wanted him to stay. I reminded myself I could text him later, where there weren’t going to be curious ears. So, I bid them farewell.