The delegation of the Silent Winter pack stood add the border of their lands. Winter felt nervous, today was important, she just hoped it would go as well as Arsen's visit had go. And that none of his wolves would put her in a situation like Louis had done. Even though she was pretty sure that Arsen kicked him out of his pack for insulting the alpha's mate.

Winter looked at the men and women that stood behind her, they looked as curiously around them as Arsen's men had done. She and her wolves were curious to see how the pack function and lived.

Josh greeted her with a big smile.

"Arsen isn't coming himself?" Blade smirked.

"Our alpha is waiting for you at our main compound. You can cross the border" Josh said.

Winter walked through the woods and felt right at home.

"It's nice here." Blade remarked.

"It feels almost the same as around our compound." He added.

"Yeah Graham said something similar when they returned yesterday evening." Josh added.

As Winter's eyes fell on the pack house she smiled, mostly because Arsen stood proudly in front of it.

"Alpha Arsen."

Winter started in the same tone as yesterday.

But Arsen was past it all, he had missed her too much, the more time they spent together the less he could do without her. He just grabbed her collar and smashed his lips against hers.

Winter was startled for a second but quickly kissed him back, he devoured her mouth in seconds, a few wolf howls followed. Arsen smirked as he let go.

"That's an introduction." He said.

Winter softly licked her lips while looking right into his eyes, Arsen's eyes turned pitch-black in seconds.

"Right maybe we should get to it, before you order us away again." Graham smirked.

He walked over towards Evelyn and kissed her with the same passion.

"You are one to talk"

Arsen smirked and another set of howls followed.

The people that gathered around them looked curiously at the new found mates, Winter noticed how they all carried the same glimmer in their eyes, a glimmer of hope.

Arsen escorted them inside over towards the pack meeting room. The table there was much smaller than the one in the pack hall. Winter was curious to see who would walk in the room.

Josh and Graham walked in first, and a few other followed even a couple women. Arsen explained that they all were responsible for something in the pack, but that it was mostly dedicated by heritage. The wolves were trained from the start for their role. Winter and her pack looked and listened.

As they were all done with talking and explaining their duty Winter looked around the room.

"What is the biggest concern your pack has, facing the possible merge?" she finally asked.

"That we will lose or position, our standing." One of the leaders of the army said.

"That we will be declared rogues as well." Another person voiced.

"That we won't have a Luna to bless our bloodlines and to seek out for advice." One of the females said.

Winter was silent for a moment all eyes fell on her.

"You won't have a Luna, but you will have two alphas to ask for advice, the silent Winter pack is already blessed without having a Luna, I don't see why we can't as well." Arsen answered before Winter could say something.

The female thought about it for a moment and then nodded her head.

"Is it true?" she asked Winter.

"Yes, the first year we hadn't any pups. But for the last two years, our numbers are booming. There are a lot of us that can confirm that the rumor about rogues not having mates is false." She smiled.

"But don't take my word for it, you can ask Evelyn, head of health and youth in our pack." Winter added.

"Two years ago, we head 8 pups, last year we had 12." Evelyn answered proudly.

A lot of hopeful looks were exchanged again.

"As far as the rogues go, I don't know what to answer. I have thought long and hard about it, I feared that that was the concern the pack would have. But then again what are rogues? We settled down and live by pack rules. Are we rogues because we kill trespassers?"

She asked the wolf who had mentioned the rogues. He didn't answer.

"Because if I recall correctly those are your rules as well." She added.

"Are we rogues because we don't live by the alpha king's rules?" she asked.

"Because if I recall correctly, you guys aren't doing everything by the book as well." She added.

The wolf looked at her.

"No, but you will never share a blood link let alone a mind link."

Winter's eyes blanked and suddenly Blade stepped forward and grabbed the wolf by the throat.

"Who says we can't?" she asked sweetly.

"What's next do you want a performance of me using my alpha power? Because Graham and Josh can testify that I have it." She smiled sweetly.

Winter looked up at Arsen and smiled.

"You haven't answered my question."

An arrogant older men stepped forward. Winter turned around and smiled back.

"Right position, power and standing" she said.

"Well, if that's your biggest concern then you don't have a place in my pack, in the merged pack or any other pack for that matter." She answered.

The room fell deadly silent all eyes went from Winter over towards Arsen.

"She is right." He simply said.

Arsen grabbed Winter's hand and pulled her out of the meeting room.

"Lunch will be served in half an hour, Graham lead the Silent Winter wolves around."

He said before pulling her along the hallways back over towards his office. As he closed the door, he pulled Winter against his chest and wrapped his arms around her.

"We are going to be okay." He softly whispered.

Winter's fingers brushed through his hair all the way over towards his jawline, her fingers trailed the lines of his beard and she tenderly kissed him.

"How will we decide if we'll merge?" She softly asked.

"Full pack meeting." He answered.

"What if they don't agree?" she asked.

"The majority will decide." Arsen said without emotion.

"And those who don't agree?" she carefully asked.

"They are free to leave." He replied.

"I am not letting you go." He said.

"But what if it's more than half your pack?" Winter wasn't sure.

She knew her pack would agree in a heartbeat if they saw it was what was best for their future. But she didn't know how Arsen's pack would react.

"How about we wait and see what happens tomorrow?" he asked.

"I can't let you choose between me and your pack Arsen, and you can't ask the same from me." She softly whispered.

"I know." He answered.

"But the more we talk I am convinced that together we could build something really beautiful, something really powerful. A really good place for all our wolves and even maybe our family".

Graham had escorted Winter and her wolves back to the edge of their territory after a full day of watching the Opal Storm pack in action. Winter felt nervous as she crossed the border.

"Graham can I talk to you in private for a moment?" she asked.

Graham nodded his head as the wolves around them disappeared.

"What's the feeling in the pack about the merger?" She started.

Graham looked confused at her.

"Arsen made it seem as if most wolves will agree, but I fear that he may not tell me the truth." she clarified.

"I don't want to lose him, but I don't want to place him in an impossible situation. I can't let him choose between me and his pack. I won't do that." she added.

Graham looked at her.

"And he can't ask the same from you." Graham replied.

He stepped over the border and hugged Winter.

"I am sorry for how I behaved when we first met. It takes some time to get used to the idea that you are more than a traditional Luna." he smirked.

"The fact that more wolves found their mate is hopeful, and the fact that most prejudices about rogues aren't true helps as well. The pack hasn't decided yet. But I hope that they choose the right thing, not only for you and Arsen, but for me and Evelyn as well." Graham added.

"You two make a cute couple." Winter added.

"Yeah we do." Graham smirked.

"You and Arsen both deserve some happiness, Winter."

"I know. Can you let me know how the result of the vote? I am going to postpone ours a bit, if needed I'll influence the decision." She added.

"It'll break his heart." Graham said.

"And mine." Winter sadly replied.