Eve was still huddled close to Curtis' side as they reached the boundary of the Silver Hill lands. Every noise she heard on the way had made her jump out of her skin.

They came to a slow stop and waited for the border patrol to recognise their presence.

'Weren't expecting you until late this afternoon Curtis,' a voice rang out. A moment later, the owner of said voice stepped forward into view. She was lean and muscular, her face holding a slight smirk.

'Ah well. Plans change. Had a run in with a group of rouges. Thought it best if we kept on the move until we were a little safer,' Curtis shrugged in reply. He seemed to recognise the woman who had greeted them.

'Bastards! There has been a group of rouges wreaking havoc just outside of the territory for months. Haven't had any success catching them though,' The woman replied.

'Well, you won't have to deal with them anymore,' Curtis said with Eve still tucked just behind him.

'What? You dealt with all six of them yourself?' The women seemed incredulous.

'No. Of course not. I took care of three of them. Eve here finished of the others,' Curtis said. He stepped to the side slightly meaning he was no longer masking Eve's presence.

'Huh. Who would have thought it? Well come on. I will inform the Alpha of your presence on the way. I'm sure he will want to meet with you sooner rather than later,' the woman turned and disappeared into the trees again.

Eve glanced up Curtis as he gave her a reassuring nod. He put his hand on her back and gently propelled her forward and over the boundary. Nerves filled her at the realisation this was the first time in months she had been on pack land.

After following the woman for fifteen minutes, they broke through the tree line and Eve was able to appreciate the size of the pack. It had to be at least double to the size of Emerald Eye judging from the size of the buildings and the number of people milling around.

The woman headed directly to the structure in the centre of the township. She stopped at the front door and waited for Eve and Curtis to catch up to her.

'Go inside and up the stairs. Knock on the last door on the right at the very end of the hallway,' she stated before turning and leaving the pair alone.

'In we go I suppose,' Curtis said as he pulled the door open and gestured for Eve to go in front of him.

Together they followed the directions they were given until they stood in front of a dark wooden door. Curtis raised his fist and knocked. After a moment, a voice inside called them in.

'Ah Curtis, so good to see you. It's been a while,' a figure greeted them as they stepped through the doorway.

'Alpha Sean, always good to see you,' Curtis said as he stepped forward to shake the man's outstretched hand.

'And who is this?' Alpha Sean questioned as he noticed Eve in the room.

'A good friend of mine who has been staying with me a while. Eve this is Alpha Sean. I hope it is not an issue that she has come with me,' Curtis said. However, Eve got the impression he would not care if her presence was an issue.

'Nice to meet you Eve... what was your last name if you do not mind me asking? You must understand I like to know who is within my pack at all times,' Alpha Sean questioned her.

'It does not matter. I will personally vouch for Eve. You must understand it is better that way,' Curtis immediately replied not allowing Eve the chance to even think how she would answer the Alpha's questions as to her identity.

'Right... I suppose you would be willing to face punishment should she end up posing a threat to my pack then Curtis?' Sean raised an eyebrow intrigued by the pair standing before him.

'Yes. Is that all? We have had a long night travelling. I would like to see my parents and rest,' Curtis said effectively cutting the interrogation short.

'Of course, of course. I believe your father is waiting downstairs for you. I will talk with you more later,' Alpha Sean waved his hand dismissing them.

Swiftly, Curtis turned and exited the office with Eve moving quickly to keep up with him. She was still trying to process the conversation she had just witnessed. It was clear that the Alpha was suspicious of her. Although she could not understand why Curtis had put himself in harms way to protect her identity.

These questions rattled around her head without answers as they descended back down to the first floor.

'Curtis! My boy, I'm so glad that you are here!' A booming voice startled Eve. She looked up to spot a large frame standing to the side of the front door.

He looked remarkably similar to Curtis, with the same green eyes and facial structure. However, his hair was a salted grey that would have likely been a straight, chocolate brown ten years ago.

The father and son embraced in a firm hug as Eve stood back shyly.

'Dad, it's so good to see you,' Curtis said smiling as he pulled away from the embrace.

'This is Eve, a friend of mine,' Curtis said gesturing to her.

'Nice to meet you Eve, I'm Kirk,' the older man stepped forward and gave a warm embrace of greeting.

'Hi. It's nice to meet you,' Eve said, shocked by the embrace but already comfortable around Kirk.

'Alrighty you two, come on. Your mum is waiting for you at home. I have to warn you, she is all over the place this morning. She was planning to do most of her cooking today so she could stuff you full of food this afternoon. Then she hears your early and you brought someone with you...' Kirk smiled as he described his wife's antics.

'Great. Can't wait,' Curtis said sarcastically as the three headed outside and away from the main group of buildings.

Curtis and his dad chatted as they walked, allowing Eve to take stock of their surroundings properly. The terrain was flatter than Eve had grown accustomed to. It seemed as though the forest they had travelled through came to an end just near the main settlement – effectively separating the pack from the outside world.

The grass was worn down into a rough path that they followed but was around knee high to either side. It was clear that not many people regularly traversed the makeshift pathway.

Soon, they arrived at a white cottage with the main settlement seemingly small in the distance. Eve followed Kirk and Curtis as they entered the home. Instantly she was engulfed with an array of smells – from cookies sitting on the kitchen bench cooling to a large roast sitting in the oven.

'Ah! My son has finally returned home to see his mother. I thought the day would never come and you had stopped loving me,' the tall woman in the kitchen proclaimed loudly with her hand on her chest.

'Mum,' Curtis groaned out, appearing embarrassed by his mum's actions.

'Don't give me that. Come here and give me a kiss boy,' the woman scolded him as she pulled him in for a kiss on the check.

'And who do we have here?' She turned and advanced forward on Eve.

'Hi, I'm Eve,' was the reply that she received.

'Hi darlin', I'm Maya – this loaf's mum. I'm delighted to have a gorgeous young thing come to visit. I'm sick of being overrun by these beasts,' Maya proclaimed as she held Eve's cheeks to inspect her. Eve doubted that anyone could ever overrun Maya despite what she might say.

'Well, thank you for letting me stay. I know you weren't exactly expecting another guest. But I appreciate it,' Eve said as she smiled, unable to not be affected by Maya's happiness.

'Nonsense darl, I can already tell we are going to get along like a house on fire. Come come, let us get you some food and then you can tell me all about yourself. And I'll tell you about Curtis when he was a wee little bub,' Maya chuckled mischievously as she pulled Eve to the island bench in the kitchen.

'Mum, its been a long night. I'm starving and then I need to go for a long sleep. And I'm sure Eve feels that same way. Maybe you can gossip later,' Curtis said interrupting his mum's plans much to Eve's relief.

'Oh my gosh darlin', how rude of me. Of course, you would be exhausted. Let me get you a plate and then set up a room for you. Would you be wanting a shower as well?' Maya looked startled by her own actions and began to pile a variety of food onto two plates.

'A shower sounds amazing,' Eve said with a soft smile as the plate was pushed in front of her.

'No problem, I'llsort that out will you eat,' Maya said before disappearing into another room.