Mozzy hid in the darkened corner. He’d hoped to catch Echo before she went to fetch her siblings but paused while watching her race towards them with a troubled expression. Was she worried for them? Mozzy’s tenseness towards Echo’s mood suddenly vanished when he watched her. The way the light hit her and the soft, loving expression on her face reminded Mozzy of his own mother when he watched her staring at his younger brothers after putting them to bed when they were younger. He would always peek around her arm and find their still bodies, with only their chest rising and falling, pretty boring. He’d never understood it. Now, he knew it wasn’t just a maternal instinct. It was a mother’s love. Obviously Echo wasn’t her siblings mother but she came close to being one. A pack was supposed to be a knit-tight family and would take turns caring for the pups. This pack was too large and too used to modern day ways making pack life less special. Now, Echo seemed to carry the burden of a regu

I felt blood lust like I’d never felt before. Well, I least I thought I did. If this was instinct to protect my pack, it was in high gear. Lyall and the others were stunned about what I’d learned. I’d messaged Draugluin on my phone in class and no one tried to stop me. So far he remained silent on the matter but I was sure that he was jumping all over this information. If he wasn’t, it was probably because he likely didn’t have reception in his hidden cave.I was already overwhelmed with the sudden responsibilities of my job as a Theta, as a sister, as a pack member, along with my promise to Draugluin and going to school on a regular basis. Screw school. I didn’t care if I got held back a year. There were more important things happening.Alpha pulled the whole pack from work and school early for a family emergency. I couldn’t wait to leave the school that felt like a jail cell, surrounded by its new, electrical fence. I wanted to howl with glee and feel my paws beneath me, carrying me

I could begin to see a dim light grow brighter. As we reached a steep incline, I noticed a building that resembled a ski resort cabin sitting in the bottom of a valley. Seeing how far the light reached outward made me wince slightly. I bet if someone stared hard enough, the reflection of the light in our eyes would make them strongly aware of our presence.Marigold took the lead, following a deer path. I followed but kept my eyes glued to the house. I examined every window, door and room from what I could see from my vantage point. It all seemed oddly quiet but shadows moved along the walls. A growl rose in my throat. Something was wrong or perhaps I was just suspicious of everything but I wouldn’t throw any possibilities out of the window just yet.After a short walk, my group was in position. The side of the house was plainer than I’d imagined it to be. There was no pool or anything fancy, just an expanse of grass and a small deck with a few chairs dotted here and there. Two men stoo

“Our territory isn’t going to be a fairy tale home anymore, whether or not he believes us,” I sighed solemnly.“Us?” Draugluin looked surprised.“Yes, us. You asked me to join you and showed me all of your research. We’re in this together, right?” I didn’t wait for his response before returning the child. As I walked away Draugluin made an announcement.“As Alpha Son of my pack, I am placing all of you under house arrest until further notice. This could be raised tomorrow or three weeks from now depending on your alpha’s cooperation. I suggest you all get comfortable because you are sleeping right here tonight.“And you, Alpha, what is your name,” Draugluin directed this question to the pack leader who still stood above his pack.“Jay. Alpha Jay of the Tundra Pack.”I stood guard outside the room Draugluin and Jay were in. I could clearly hear what they were saying but listening made it harder to keep an eye out for trouble.“Tell me Alpha Son, why have you come to harass my pack?” Jay

We parted ways to get in a couple hours of sleep before we had to get up and start a new day. Poor Draugluin had to give a full report to his father before he could even thinking of his head hitting the pillow. That boy could sleep like the dead, I'd tried to wake him before in the past. I could be college or he's just a deep sleeper.When I got to my room, the sky had already brightened slightly to a grey-blue color. Uncle Benny was sound asleep with Lupe and Freki laying against him. The small lamp above Uncle Benny’s head illuminated an opened fairy tale book on the table. I gave a small grin as I saw a bit of drool pooling at the corner of Freki’s mouth. It must have been a hard night for them. Freki may have found a way to get Uncle Benny to tell her where I was and what I was doing as she could be a master manipulator. I don't know where she learned it from or if she figured out how to do it on her own but it was fun to watch unless she was trying to manipulate me. I sluggishly