"No one ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." - Heraclitus

I expected to receive cheers, or congratulations, or even a sigh of relief from the crowd but instead I was embraced by an awkward silence.

"Okay... totally not the reaction I hoped for," I turned towards Ethan, “Did we do something wrong?”

His calculating eyes went over the area in search of a praising eye but were met with complete silence.

I could never quite figure out what they really wanted from me; first they asked me to accept him and when I didn’t, they got mad at me, however now when I did accept him, they didn’t give a wolf’s ass about it.

“That’s why I say life is too short to waste trying to impress others.” My wolf commented.

Okay, wiseass.

Two minutes had passed and not a word left anyone’s mouth which soon began to annoy me.

“Maybe they’re shocked? You do have a tendency to bring up things at the worst time.”

Do you come with a mute button or something?

“That’s great news, Alpha Vivian and Alpha Ethan,” Alpha Lennon finally mustered up the courage and broke the silence, “But do you think it was the appropriate decision considering the journey we are going to embark on?”

Something switched in Ethan.

He took a dangerous step forward, “What are you trying to say… that she shouldn’t have accepted me?” His voice was low and threatening.

The blackness of his eyes confirmed the presence of his wolf. And he wasn’t pleased with Lennon’s reply.

Alpha Lennon raised his hand in a surrendering manner which was clever of him; Ethan’s wolf had just returned and no one exactly knew how he was feeling after his return. One wrong move could have triggered him.

Better to be safe than sorry.

“Look, I am not your enemy, Ethan. I am sure everyone here, including me, is very happy to know that you both have worked out your complications.”

“It doesn’t seem like that.”

“All that I am trying to say is that… as of now, it would become even more difficult to keep you both separated from each other. Your connection is new, meaning it would be more powerful and intense. And it is only a matter of time Vivian’s heat will make a return. All we can do is pray that it doesn’t happen when we are there.”

Oh, damn.

I totally forgot about that.

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.

“Say it again, I am sure you haven’t damned our heat enough,” My wolf observed.

“Let’s just take it one day at a time, shall we?” Beta Jonathan came to our aid.

“Yeah, they are not kids. I am sure they don’t need us to make their decisions for them anymore,” Chris added.

They couldn’t have realized that years ago, could they?

“Better late than never, I guess?”

“This is the first piece of good news we all have received since… I don’t know – since I was born? So why don’t we focus on the positive aspects because only Goddess knows what the future holds for us,” Josh chimed in while picking his snacks from the ground. “We have more pressing matters on hand.”

I sent him a grateful smile and he winked in return.

“Alright, we need to stop talking about this; the drivers must be almost here to pick us up. We were already notified that five cars will be coming, which is why I think it is best that the current Alphas and Rogue leader divide and sit in separate cars. Otherwise it would be too convenient for them if we sit together.”

“Makes sense,” Chris agreed and the others nodded.

“Plus, make sure to make minimum contact with each other,” Alpha Lennon gave me and Ethan a pointed stare.

When the conversation ended, everyone continued to do whatever they were doing before our announcement. A second later, Ethan excused himself and went to talk to his father. As I watched him make his way towards Chris, my eyes fell on Tyler who was angrily digging at the dirt with his shoe, refusing to make eye contact with anyone around him.

My legs took me towards him, “Nice job, partner. We’ll split it evenly, no one will notice.”

He momentarily stopped wrestling the dirt and looked straight ahead, “What?”

“Alright fine, sixty-forty. How’s that for a deal?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The gold, duh? Don’t think I didn’t notice you wrestling Mother Nature.”

He closed his eyes and covered his face with his hands, feeling annoyed.

“You’re digging the ground; surely you must’ve struck upon a treasure map which has a huge cross on the exact spot you’re digging.”

He sighed and turned away, his back facing me.

I poked him with my index finger, “What’s wrong, Tyler? Why won’t you look at me?”

He stayed rooted to his spot for a moment but then spun around to finally look me in the eyes, “It’s nothing.”

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, and money grows on trees. Seriously Tyler, spit it out.”

He wordlessly assessed me for a few moments, “Why did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“You deserve much better, Vivian.”

“Come on, Tyler. After the talk Ethan and I had, I think I am the one who doesn’t deserve him.”

“Any werewolf would be lucky to have you.”

I placed my hand on his arm and squeezed it, feeling touched after hearing his kind words.

“You’re sweet, Tyler. You’ll make a special someone very happy someday.”

“Yeah yeah…,” This time he rolled his eyes but then abruptly caught my gaze again, “He didn’t pressure you or anything, did he? I swear I will -”

“He didn’t.”

He swallowed, “Well, in that case… if you’re happy, then I’m happy for you, Bluff.”

“I am.”

“However,” he raised his finger and pointed at me, “If he messes up this time, I'm not even going to ask for your permission to hunt him down.”

I raised one of my eyebrows, “What makes you think he'll survive me?”

“Touché, Alpha.”

I decided to close the gap between us by giving him a quick hug. He returned the gesture by wrapping his arms around me, assuring me that we were okay once again.

“I have just been informed that the cars have entered the territory. They’ll be here any minute; everyone stay on guard. Every step we make henceforth decides if we get to live or not,” Alpha Lennon alerted.

“Your Dad makes very morbid speeches, man,” Josh came towards us, his snacks once again back inside the bag. “Now I see where you get if from.”

My wolf senses picked up the vibrations of the wheels and judging by the look we three exchanged, I figured that they both sensed it too.

They were here.

“Time to wear the friendship invisibility cloak,” Josh remarked as five SUV’s pulled up at the driveway, “Black cars with black mirrors, suuuure they’re definitely not planning to kill us all.”

Tyler looked at him, “You sure talk a lot for someone who is not our friend.”

I laughed and then excused myself to join my pack members who were discussing something with Beta Jonathan. Right as I was about to join them, something warm tickled my ear.

“Stay safe, Freddie.”

I would’ve almost screamed if not for the sparks I got when his lips lightly brushed the top of my ear.

I swiftly whirled around to confirm my suspicions, “You scared me, Ethan.”

He winked and walked past me towards Aiden who was watching us both with a childish grin. I didn’t miss the way how Ethan intentionally bumped his shoulder with mine as he walked past.

As I watched him walk away from behind; my eyes caught the five drivers, immaculately dressed in black suits, emerging from the cars. All of them were wearing the golden pins - circular with a triangle inside, on their suit jacket.

“Well, that confirms it,” Beta Jonathan mind-linked me as I joined him and his wife, Ella.

All the pack members soon began to assemble inside the car after Alpha Lennon ordered them to do so, not wasting even a minute.

Soon after, there were only the current and future Alphas who were standing outside.

“A word, men?” Alpha Lennon threw a knowing glance our way and took all the drivers to the side, giving us ample time to settle inside the cars without having to deal with their scrutinizing gaze.

Tyler made the rounds of the car and informed us that there were only two spaces left in each car. One car had Rogue leader Jeremy and his wife Janice, and the other two were assigned for Alpha Lennon and Alpha Carlos.

Tyler sat in the car nearest to us and moved a seat, “There is a spare seat, Vivian. Hop in.”

Before I could even step forward to enter the car, Ethan marched between the open door and me, “She'll be sitting with me.”

I rolled my eyes, “Not this, for Goddess’ sake.”

They both ignored me.

“Didn’t you hear? Alphas cannot sit together in one car and since I still have four more years to go, this is the safest choice we have.”

Ethan crossed his arms, “What makes you think I’ll let her sit with you?”

“Look at those arms,” my horny wolf emerged, admiring Ethan’s flexing biceps in the tight, pale blue t-shirt he was wearing.

“What makes you think she needs you to tell her where to sit and where to not?” Tyler shot back.

“You know what Tyler; you have your entire life to be a jerk so why not take today off, yes?”

My eyes travelled to Alpha Lennon who was still talking to the drivers and keeping them busy.

Josh raised his eyebrow and pointed towards the last vacant car, “Shall we?”

The conversation between Alpha Lennon and the drivers would come to an end soon but I don’t think their argument ever will which is why I nodded and began to walk in the direction of the car, letting those two to proceed with their lover’s quarrel.

They were so deeply immersed in the fight that they didn’t even notice that we weren’t standing behind them anymore. It was only after Ethan turned around to ask me something when he realized I wasn’t there. All the colour in his face vanished in less than five seconds; he probably thought somebody abducted me or something.

“Hey, where are you going?” Tyler’s head and his upper torso popped out of the car.

Ethan visibly relaxed when he noticed I was safe.

“Vivian and I are going to sit in the other car; you both can sit together and use this time to work out your problems,” Josh sent them a flying kiss. “Au revoir!”

The looks on their faces were priceless.

“They’re going to kill us once we reach there; if we reach there.”

“Well, then...,” Josh raised the bags of snacks in his hand, “Let’s enjoy our final meal, shall we?”

----

Fortunately, I was greeted by the familiar faces of my pack members upon entering the car. We agreed not to communicate verbally to make sure we weren’t giving out any information that could be used against us; however, we occasionally used the mind-link to discuss about our whereabouts and other small issues.

Feeling left out from the conversation, Josh stole my phone and began to swiftly type something in. For a minute, I thought he was keeping himself preoccupied by playing some game but a minute later, he threw the phone back at me which I safely caught.

“What’s wrong with him?” Ron spoke in the pack mind-link.

“Guess he wanted to check the time or something?” Hera answered back.

A minute later, a ping from my phone grabbed my attention.

DJ: Told you I’d find a way to talk to you, V.

I looked up from the screen and was met with Josh’s grinning face.

I texted back and turned my phone to vibrate mode.

D as in Daddy and J as in Josh.

I rolled my eyes at him.

My phone vibrated once more.

Don’t worry; I’ve saved yours as MV.

Nope. Mommy Vivian.

My eyes widened and connected with his.

“Are you kidding me?” I mouthed but he immediately brought his finger to his lip and then pointed it towards my phone.

Use this to talk. Have to avoid unnecessary suspicion. This human alternative of a mind-link has to suffice for us on this trip.

“You all do realize that not talking to each other on a Goddess knows how many long hours road trip is even more suspicious than talking?” My wolf commented.

She was right.

“Of course I am.”

“Don’t you think no talking at all would be even more suspicious?” I mind-linked Beta Jonathan.

“You’re right, Alpha.” Jonathan mind-linked back, and then turned to look at Josh. “Josh, how are things going at the East Moon Pack? Does Alpha Carlos still have those bi-weekly running competitions of his?”

“Oh yes. He used to love them when there was no one good enough to beat him, but now, since he has been dethroned by someone better looking, yes you’re right, it is me, he has made it a monthly thing.” Josh leaned back, and brought his arms behind his head, effortlessly flexing his biceps in the process.

I could practically hear the drool dripping from Ashlee’s mouth but I couldn’t blame her, he was insanely good looking, and there was no denying that.

“He is a sore loser, my father that is.” Josh winked at her and she visibly flushed.

“Oh, I’d pay good money to see that,” Beta Jonathan answered back.

“I’ll send you an invitation for the next time it happens.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

We made idle conversation in the car to avoid any doubts from arising in the mind of the driver. He was eerily silent, made zero effort to say anything and did not even bother to look at us from the rearview mirror. It felt as if a robot was driving us.

“Anyone want M&Ms?”

“Peanut?”

He made a did-you-really-ask-me-that-question face, “Always go for the nuts, Vivian.”

Ron laughed at the inneundo as Josh chucked a bag of M&Ms my way.

He then took out other snacks and began to distribute them around the car. He even had the audacity to ask the driver if he wanted a Snickers bar.

DJ: Should I ask Mr. Silent but Deadly if he wants one?

Of course he took that as a dare. My eyes met his, begging him to not do anything foolish but he just gave a boyish smile in return.

Here we go…

“Yo dude!”

My eyes widened at his choice of words. Beta Jonathan almost fell out of his seat.

“Would you like a one?”

“Are you mad?!” I mouthed.

His smile grew wider and turned into a full-blown grin.

The driver didn’t answer him, probably because ‘Yo dude’ wasn’t a proper way to address someone.

“Yes or no?”

No response.

“Hey, I’m talking to you!”

The driver finally looked up at the rear view mirror and made eye contact with Josh. That’s when I noticed he was wearing dark sunglasses.

“Pardon, Sir?”

“I am gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse,” he mimicked Marlon Brando’s accent in The Godfather, “Would you like to devour this gooey chocolaty goodness?”

“I’ll pass, Sir.”

“I won’t offer twice.”

“Thank you, Sir but I am alright.”

“Fine, more for me then,” Josh shrugged his shoulders and hungrily chomped on the chocolate like a child.

Everyone in the car silently stared at the mystery that was Josh.

“This kid is something alright.” Beta Jonathan’s voice rang in my head.

----

It took us four hours to reach our destination. As soon as we arrived, people dressed in complete black burst out, like peas in a pod, to grab our luggage.

As the attendants hurriedly swiped our belongings from the trunk of the car, a familiar voice grabbed my attention.

“Alpha, are you sure they didn’t raid your closet? Literally everyone is wearing black.”

It was Aiden, his curious eyes taking in the surroundings.

“He must be their role model,” I spoke once I checked there wasn’t anyone near us.

Ethan’s grey eyes found mine, “Don’t encourage him.”

A well-dressed man passed us and of course, he was also dressed in all black, “I am positive that I have definitely seen your Alpha wearing that exact shirt before.”

Aiden let out a boyish laugh but quickly restrained it when his Alpha glared at him.

Within five minutes, all of us were assembled in an orderly manner. Each pack member stood next to their respective Alpha in front of the mansion which appeared to look more like a castle.

The place stood there as if conjured from the storybook of a child. It seemed impregnable; the ancient grey walls seemingly went on for infinitude. There were gigantic towers which were carefully designed with defense in mind. It gave a clear vantage point over the surrounding areas.

Soon, another impeccably dressed person came through the massive oak doors and stood on the top of the stone steps. He was also wearing the same golden pin.

"Welcome to the Lycan Committee everyone. My name is Lukas Kai and I will be chaperoning you for the time you are here. I hope the ride here was comfortable. If you can all follow me."

Lukas didn’t wait for anyone to reply and began to swiftly walk back inside where he came from. The attendants who were carrying our luggage also immediately trailed behind him like lost puppies.

We all stood rooted to the spot for a minute, still processing the fact that we had finally made it to the Lycan territory.

A place inhabited by people that did not even exist for me a few months ago.

Alpha Lennon gave a firm nod and began to walk up the steps, silently signaling everyone to remain on top of their guard.

My wolf took this opportunity to take over a few of my senses so she could gauge and familiarize herself with the surroundings. She rapidly scanned the area and committed the areas into our mind. There were twisting spiral staircases, ancient stone walls decorated with rich tapestries of emerald green, coat of arms and crossed swords. Everyone around me was also mesmerized by its appearance.

The place was absolutely stunning.

We caught up with Lukas just as he was about to enter a humongous golden door. He knocked on the door twice and stepped back. And then as if we were Cinderella entering the ballroom, the doors opened automatically and unveiled the grandeur of the majestic hall that was in front of us.

I had never seen something quite as beautiful as the hall we were now walking inside of. It had a grand entrance, which forced the eyes to look at the end of the hall where a marvelous throne was situated, carved of fine oak and crested with several jewels and decorative metals.

However, it was the person sitting on the throne which caught my eye.

Randy Black.

Right beneath him was two chairs which I could only presume were occupied by his wife, Natasha and niece, Leia.

There was no one else in the hall except for them and a few of the guards.

“Welcome, Alphas. We’ve been anxiously waiting for your arrival,” his loud voice boomed the entire hall.

“This man doesn’t need a microphone," My wolf regarded.

“Do we gotta bow down or something?” Josh whispered to his father, Alpha Carlos, whose pack was standing right next to mine.