They drove through the day and well into the night stopping only for gas and a couple of pit stops to grab some food. Kaiden was worried about Aislinn who so far had refused to eat but every time he brought up his concerns Richard merely brushed them off with a shrug. Still he was growing concerned.

With so many drivers they all agreed that it would be easier to just drive straight through. Switching drivers every few hours seeing as no one was that keen on spending another night in a motel.

It was early afternoon when they reached their destination. Montana.

Slowly making their way off of the interstate they wound their way through the state turning from large interstates, to highways until they were making their way down an old single lane country road. With a final turn they started down a long curving gravel road.

"Whose territory are we in?" Kaiden thought to his Beta.

"Montana is part of the Fraser Pack's territory. Alpha Stanley Fraser leads them, he has an alliance with your father although they tend to keep out of most things. A smaller pack, less than half our size but don't cause trouble with the council." Austin thought back his voice brisk and professional as he switched into his role as Kaiden's second dropping his immature facade.

The drive they were following was at least two miles long the twists and heavy forests on either side completely blocking it off from the road, the entrance itself nearly hidden from eyes a heavy black metal gate had barred their path further and had required Aislinn to get out of the car to punch in the security code so that the gate would slide open for them to pass.

Kaiden looked over at Aislinn who sat once more in the passenger seat beside him. She was staring straight ahead her body and face calm and seemingly unaffected.

After another few minutes of driving over the crunching gravel the two vehicles finally broke through the heavy tree line. Awe and surprise breaking the silence that had fallen around them as they pulled up in front of an architectural masterpiece.

Glass, wood and metal with aspects of stone wove together into an elegant yet absolutely simple and modern house. It looked to be at least three levels, most of the walls on the outside appeared to be glass allowing for the trees and forests that hugged around it to be visible and the stunning landscapes that ran for miles in every direction to become the backdrop for every room.

Piling silently out of the cars. The group followed Aislinn as she walked up to the large tall heavy front door. Her hand steady as she pushed it open letting them step inside what was so obviously her home. She seemed to fit here so perfectly it was strange, everywhere else she stood out. It was so obvious she didn't belong that she was out of place, but here ... it was different ... this was her place.

The inside was as beautiful as the exterior. A mixture of nature and metals that only intensified the stunning views coming from the floor to ceiling windows and yet not taking away or overshadowing them. The furniture and decorating was cool and simple. Modern clean lines, greys, whites, black and silver warmed by natural woods. The floors were contrasting mixes of stone and woods with some rooms even sprouting bare concrete. Together it created a balance that was calming, inviting and yet extremely tasteful and lavish. The ceilings were high soaring up so that every room was airy and bright.

Aislinn lead them off to an open room on the left. The walls of windows letting the afternoon sun pour in warming the bare stone floors before the soft dark wood planks started. Sleek low modern sofas and chairs scattered around the space. A high tech and massive entertainment system was set against one wall over a simple clean low fireplace. While the other wall not made of glass was given to towering metal and glass bookshelves crammed full of every type of book imaginable.

Aislinn motioned towards the seats gesturing for them to make themselves comfortable.

Blair and Austin threw themselves on one of the sofa's facing the gigantic insanely thin 80" television. Olivia still overwhelmed and intimidated perched on the chair nearest to where Aislinn stood. Richard moved so he was standing at her right shoulder his eyes never pausing as he continually scanned the room and doorway his body alert. Clay with a huff lowered himself onto another sofa his elbows on his knees as he watched the Guardian his face not quite hiding his dislike.

Kaiden was too nervous to sit and instead stood watching his mate, trying to control the urge to pull her into his arms and bury his face in her neck.

"Obviously this is my property in Montana." She spoke her voice cool and monotone. "This building is the main one on the property although there are four other smaller versions spread around. You may all stay in the main house here. The kitchen, dining, living, entertainment, and other common rooms are on this floor. Guest suites and offices are on the second floor. The top floor is for myself. Kaiden and Richard will stay on it as well." At their surprised faces she let out a sigh. "I understand the necessities of the bonds even if I do not like them. Richard whether I like it or not you will be near me so why fight it? Kaiden neither of our wolves will let me sleep with another male close to me and you on a separate floor. I am not ignorant of what a mate bond is."

Kaiden felt his shock and was almost positive he felt a sliver of amusement through their bond at his show of blatant relief and surprise. Austin was full out laughing while Olivia's face had blushed red at the words, and Blair was attempting but failing to hold back his own laughter.

Ignoring all of their reactions Aislinn continued. "An infirmary, armory, security center, cells, gym and training space are located on the two lower levels."

"You have all that?" Austin said incredulously. His earlier amusement gone. If what she said was true her set up here was nearly better than Kaiden's father's house and even their pack house.

"Of course." She said. When they continued to look at her expectantly she sighed internally feeling the urge to roll her eyes at them.

"You forget so soon who I was. What exactly do you think the first 6 years of my life consisted of? Do you not think from the moment I could speak I was not training how to run a pack, not unlike your own Alpha? Even if I did not want others to join me, to bring a pack around me again, I was not naïve enough to not consider the possibility. I am not blind as to what I am planning. I understand what I will need and what I am facing. I am not running around like a child, I have and will take all necessary steps. Each and every one of my properties is equipped similarly. All with top of the line security and defensive systems, electrified fences encompassing the property, safe rooms and enough artillery for a small scale war as well as adequate funds and vehicles."

"Kaid man, your women is kinda terrifying." Austin deadpanned, never taking his eyes from her.

"I second that." Blair put in.

Aislinn of course completely ignored them. "You all will need to decide what you wish to do here, stay or leave. If you stay you will be throwing your lot in with mine. I will find and destroy those responsible for what they did to my family. And once that is done I will take down the corrupt and cruel leaders of our world who are abusing their power. But know, if you leave you will be commanded to forget everything you have learnt about me. Richard the security suite is on the lowest level, please make sure everything is operational, I had people in yesterday but you will want to go over it. It is a similar yet more updated version of the systems you ran at Hiems I will get you the codes."

Looking back at her he nodded once before moving towards the way she had pointed with a last glare at those still sitting and standing around her he prowled out of the room looking like the powerful wolf he was.

Finished with her introduction Aislinn moved to a wide and low armchair placed close to the windows. Curling up with her feet under her she pulled out her sketch book. Settling in she let the deepening light and thick forest behind her be her backdrop.

"Well what's the plan man?" Austin asked as he looked to his Alpha.

Kaiden's mind raced. He had been thinking about it the whole trip here. And if he was to be honest his first thought had been that he would find a way to talk or if necessary force her out of her insane plans. He wanted to find a way to return with her to his pack. Where he would be able to keep her until they could figure out a way to go after those she wanted to that would keep her safe and far away from it. But having finally gotten here, seeing what she had built what she had accomplished he was conflicted. He felt guilt rise in him. What she said was true. He had forgotten who she was, what it would have meant. He had thought of her as though she was a child with a stick trying to run at an army. But looking around and hearing her speak he felt like the child. She was preparing for war. Had prepared for war, all on her own. Maybe he shouldn't be doubting her so easily?

Where would that leave him then?

Richard said he couldn't be Alpha of the Salvatori pack anymore, but then what was he supposed to do?

And could he really just sit by and watch her walk into battle? Was there a way to do both? Let her have the fight she wanted while keeping her safe? He felt his heart tear at the thought of her hurt, of losing her. But could he take this from her? Could he lock her away just to keep her safe? Did he really have any other options?

Maybe he needed to talk to his father. He cringed internally at the thought. That would not be a pleasant conversation. But she was his mate his father would have to understand. Right?

He let out a grunt of dissatisfaction before looking at Austin's anxious face, sighing again he ran his hands threw his dark hair. "I'm going to call my father."

.

.

"Father" Kaiden's voice was deep and he made sure he spoke only with respect after hearing his father's professional greeting. He couldn't let his nervousness leak through. Weakness is not something you can show to an Alpha at least not if you are his heir and expect to be taken even marginally seriously.

"Kaiden my boy! How is your little road trip going? Got it out of your system yet? When do I get to formally meet my new daughter? Your mother is dying to get her hands on her!" Kaiden cringed at his father's words, but he couldn't help the momentary satisfaction it brought to him and his wolf when he thought about what mating fully with Aislinn would be like.

"Alpha that isn't what I called to speak to you about." Hearing the seriousness in his son's voice and the use of his title had the Alpha of the Salvatori pack sitting up in his chair his laughter instantly cutting off. This call was no longer a son to his father, but an heir to his Alpha and that meant pack business.

"Alright. What have you called me to discuss?"

Kaiden took a deep breath this was the part he wasn't looking forward to, he had stepped out onto the wrap around balcony that encircled the back half of the house to have a bit of privacy. Looking back through the windows he saw his men spread over the various sofa's watching some game on the TV while Olivia was hesitantly looking over the numerous titles on the shelves of books. Aislinn still sat tucked in her chair her pencils spread around her. As if feeling his gaze her steely eyes snapped up and captured his.

Staring into those grey depths Kaiden felt himself calm. It felt as if suddenly he felt the ground again, it steadied under him firming into place as he looked at her. The tension and nervousness leaked away replaced by a calm contentment. And just like that he was decided. This girl was his life and he would go through hell, war, and even his father so that he never had to part with her.

"I am calling to discuss my role in your pack."

The older Alpha was suddenly alert his body tensing his voice low and dangerous "What is there to discuss as to your position? You are my heir and shall take your place as the next alpha within the next year, just because you met some girl does not change my plans."

Kaiden had to push the urge down to growl at his father's blatant dismissal of Aislinn's importance in his life. He took a deep breath feeling himself calming again as he looked at her silvery head bent over in concentration once more.

"That is just it father, they are your plans, they are no longer mine."

Kaiden had to pull the phone away from his ear as the growl ripped from the speaker.

"I don't know what stunt you are trying to pull, but I am your father, your ALPHA and you will take your rightful place when I tell you."

"No father I will not."

"You will be alpha one day boy, but you aren't yet. I am still your Alpha and my orders are not disobeyed."

"No father unfortunately I am unable to follow your orders on this."

"HOW DARE YOU ATTEMPT TO DEFY ME! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! I ORDER YOUR RETURN TO THE PACK LANDS IMMEDIATELY WHERE I WILL TEACH YOU SOME G*DD*MN RESPECT BOY!"

"I'm sorry father but I cannot. I did not call to fight, merely to inform you that I will be cutting my links with the pack. Effective immediately."

Silence.

Suddenly Kaiden could feel his father's fury over the mind-link and even having him blocked it was so powerful it dominated everything in his head. The waves of pure fury and anger crashed through the link beating against the wolves of the pack. He felt sorry for the less powerful wolves and those in closer proximity to his father at that moment, as the power of his fury would be infinitely more painful to them. The wolves of the pack would surely be going crazy at the feel of their Alpha so out of control and livid.

"You're leaving the pack?" the voice was deadly calm belying the continued sensations that were drowning out the mind link in his head. That voice was by far more terrifying than any amount of screaming, it was the tone of voice that made you want to fall to your knees and beg forgiveness.

Kaiden looked at his mate again thankful that she had somehow known he needed her and had looked up at him, letting him lose himself once more in her eyes. He drew his strength from her, felt the sight of her filling him stiffening his resolve, steeling him against his father's anger. He would do anything to keep her safe, even this.

"Yes. I called as a curtsey father not your approval. I wanted to let you know my decision so that you may tell mother that nothing happened to me. Austin, Blair and Clayton will be following me."

Kaiden couldn't help the pride for his friend's loyalty from leaking into his voice as he told his father. A smile on his lips as he remembered their instant assurances that they would be following him even if it meant away from their families and pack.

Over the phone he heard a last roar before a deafening crash and then the line went dead.

Opening the sliding door Kaiden tried ignoring the pounding in his head as he looked at his friends. At their grimaces and winces of pain he offered them a tight smile. Looking at his beta and seeing his raised eyebrow he let himself nod his head. All three of them let out a low breath.

And then together they cut the mind link and the bonds of loyalty they had carried with them since birth. Their grunts and groans of pain slowly faded as the last of the old links were severed. Kaiden had it the worst. As the future alpha his links to the pack was extremely strong and that to his father was nearly unbreakable but he gritted himself against the pain and sliced through the familiar connections, firmly cutting himself from his father. The hardest part wasn't his dad or pack it was the severing of ties to his mother and siblings. All he could hope was that one day they would understand and forgive him.

Austin ran a hand over his face wiping away the beads of sweat that had sprung up at the effort, while Blair just let his head fall back against the sofa in exhaustion his body going limp. Clayton just kept his elbows on his knees and his head cradled in his hands. They all stayed silent just trying to let the unfamiliar feeling of emptiness register inside them. Taking deep breaths they all tried to get their racing heartbeats and breathing to return to normal.

"Now what?" Austin asked his voice still slightly weak.

"Well I guess were rogues!" Blair said without raising his head or opening his eyes his voice oddly peppy considering the gravity of his words.

They all looked at each other questioningly. When no one spoke for a good five minutes after Blair's statement. Aislinn let out an annoyed breath startling all of them.

The sound was accompanied by Richard sauntering into the room, taking a single look around his eyes settled on Aislinn before he moved so his massive frame stood directly in front of her. His feet wide as his arms crossed over his chest. Feeling the tension in the air his body tensed further as he felt Aislinn's annoyance spike. He searched the room trying to pinpoint the source of whatever had upset her.

Aislinn merely looked at him standing protectively in front of her and let out another irritated sigh. Realizing that there was no actual threat to her, Richard let himself relax, although completely unapologetically. He moved so he was instead standing beside her chair although his muscles stayed alert his eyes searching. Forever on guard.

"You are an Alpha are you not?" she asked in a soft tone as she looked at her mate. Ignoring his look of confusion she waited until he nodded his head before continuing. "Just because I do not want to lead a pack does not mean you cannot. Just because I shall not join one does not mean you all cannot. You are an alpha I own this territory which means there is no challenge to an existing territory or pack and you have a beta, third and warrior."

"Are you suggesting we start our own pack?" Austin looked at her incredulously.

"Obviously."

"Can you even do that?" Blair asked Kaiden who simply looked at his mate having no idea himself, he had never heard of such a thing.