A few days had passed since Winter had last seen Arsen, she was waiting impatiently in front of the compound. She agreed with Arsen that he would meet her here to talk about the future of their packs and their future as mates.

When Blade came into view with the delegation of the Opal Storm pack Winter felt relieved. Arsen had his ice cold alpha face on, she imagined it looked just like hers. Graham was by his side and looked curiously around.

There were a couple more men in fighting gear, but what surprised Winter was that Arsen's delegation also contained two women. It was a nice surprise, she looked over at Blade and saw how nervous he was.

"Alpha Arsen" Winter greeted.

"Alpha Winter." He replied.

Winter escorted her guests inside over towards the pack hall, right until they stood in front of the round table. All wolves looked curiously at her and then one by one Winter's men walked in taking their seat.

As Evelyn walked in something surprisingly happened a low growl was heard from inside the delegation and Arsen looked with a smile from Graham over towards Evelyn. It took Winter a second but as they approached each other it quickly became clear that they were mates.

The moment mates meet for the first time is magical. Winter smiled and looked at Arsen, two more wolves found their mates. This would make things more easily. The wolves looked intrigued from Winter over towards the table.

"We aren't a traditional pack" Winter started

"But we like to examine the possibilities of us becoming one pack ruled under two alphas."

The wolves around the table nodded their head.

"Alpha Arsen and I discovered that we are mates, but neither of us wants to abandon our pack so we are here to see if there is a way in which we can work together and become one pack."

Arsen's ice cold look had changed he held a sexy, nonchalant smile as he watched Winter. She was beyond sexy when the true alpha in her raised.

"So, the idea is that we watch each other and see how this puzzle would fit and believe me when I say I want it to fit." Arsen added.

Arsen's wolves placed themselves around the table and looked curiously around.

"Each person around the table is responsible for something." Winter started.

"But the biggest difference is that we look for the wolf most fitted for the job in our pack. That means that every job and position is challengeable even mine."

Winter looked at the wolves surrounding the table.

"No bloodline, no superior position. The only thing that is stated is that the compound stays in my family as it has always been."

Winter took a moment to let it all sink in.

"I suggest that each of us takes a moment to introduce themselves Luke and Blade are my right hand, you would call them beta or gamma. Maybe we can start there."

As introductions were made Arsen and his men curiously watched them. Winter looked proud at her wolves and then over to Arsen. The look in his eyes sent shivers over Winter's body.

"Why are you the alpha?"

On of Arsen wolves asked challenging, immediately the whole table reacted by baring their teeth, not so friendly growls were thrown in his direction.

"What is your name?" Winter asked.

"Louis." The guy answered.

"Louis, what is your function in the Opal Storm pack?"

Arsen looked intrigued from his mate over towards the wolf he was about to kick out of his pack.

"I am one of the top fighters in the pack."

Winter nodded her head.

"Well, when we started this pack, the council insisted that there would be an alpha, in case we couldn't agree in a discussion. The council decided unanimous that that should be me. I think it's because I offered them a home when no one else would, because I have visions and strategies most of the alpha's miss. I care about my pack before everything else." She replied.

"Or maybe because you pushed a powerful alpha to his knees." Luke added with a grin.

Winter smirked

"Maybe that as well."

Winter looked over at the young wolf.

"So, anybody can challenge you for your position?" He asked.

"Yes" Winter replied.

"But so far nobody has tried."

"It's rather pretentious to think that you can beat a wolf that beat half of a rogue fighting pit, pushed an alpha to his knees and even your own beta." Luke answered with a smirk.

"And gamma, but who's keeping score." Winter smiled sweetly.

"I want..."

Before the wolf could finish his sentence Arsen roared

"Are you done challenging my mate? She has been polite because we are her guests but I am not going to be."

Winter smiled.

"You always may try" Winter replied.

"But it will be to death." Flint added.

"Do you want me to showcase my power or do you still want to try?" she asked.

This wasn't about fear, this was about respect there was no way it would ever work if the wolves didn't respect her and alpha Arsen. Winter looked Louis in the eyes, he was scared she could see it, but she didn't know how far his ego would push him.

She preferred not to kill some possible new pack member. Arsen stepped between her and Louis, knowing what position she was in.

"Enough." He commanded stern.

The wolf whimpered at the command.

Winter escorted by Luke, Flint and Bastian walked over towards the training grounds.

"Our pack is divided in divisions with a division council per division, the division leaders sit in the pack council. But we train and fight over divisions, they are organized to survive as a single small pack in case of an attack. Flint and Bastian are two of our top fighters and division leaders but not all divisions are run by fighters. " Winter explained.

The wolves looked expectantly at her.

"How about a good fight?" she asked Arsen and his wolves.

Arsen smiled at her.

"I thought you never asked."

She looked at Arsen, she couldn't go against him, she wasn't sure about the outcome and how it would affect the vision of her pack.

"I am not going against you." She smiled as he walked right up to her.

"Why?" he asked challenging.

"Because if I kick your ass, I am not sure your wolves want us to become one pack."

He smiled at her. If any other wolf had said what she just had said, he had killed him on the spot. But with her it was different.

"There will be plenty of time for me to kick your ass." He answered.

"Graham" Arsen yelled and Graham walked forward.

"He is the second-best fighter after you?" she asked.

Arsen nodded his head.

"How is this fair?" Graham wined.

"Relax, I won't command you to sit." She laughed.

Arsen staired daggers at Graham, he wanted to fight his mate he didn't like that another man was about to receive her attention, but he knew that she was right.

Winter and Graham stepped in the ring. She quickly removed the black turtle neck she was wearing, leaving her in her sports bra. She felt Arsen's eyes roam over her body.

"Flint" Winter called.

He stepped in the ring as well.

"For we start a quick rundown of the rules. Fighting is allowed, shifting is allowed and biting is allowed. If at any point you need to surrender do so by hitting with your hand on the ground. If not fight till you get killed."

Flint said and smiled at Winter, he barely acknowledged Graham.

"Fight." He yelled.

Winter studied Graham for a second.

"Nice scar." He said with a smirk.

Winter responded with a blow in his face. Graham nose broke and blooded dripped over his lips. She focused again on him, not letting anything divert her. She knew she would win, but she couldn't fuck up. Graham circled her and charged at her with serious force, Winter blocked his punches, if she would survive this fight without receiving a hit it would be even more impressive.

Graham tried again and charged with a combination of punches at her. Winter however dodged them again instead she kicked him hard in the stomach. Graham started to get angry, she could feel it. She just needed to push him more. Winter rammed herself against his chest, making him stumble and almost trip.

"Falling that easily?" she asked.

Graham eyes spit fire and then Winter saw in his eyes what he was planning. He shifted into his wolf, the beast was big and impressive but it took him several seconds to change. As he looked back at Winter her white wolf stood there already waiting eagerly to attack.

"Fuck that was fast." Arsen cursed.

She was a bit smaller than Graham but she knew she could easily take him down. And she was right seconds later Graham's wolf lay below her white paws surrendering.

Arsen's and his wolves looked startled at her. Winter released Graham.

Flint quickly shielded her as she shifted back, a low growl followed and a shirt hit her head. The smell was divine of course Arsen would offer his shirt. She put it on and looked right into his pitch-black eyes.

"I think we need some time alone."

In seconds the wolves around them had disappear.