When I had followed Drake through the small metal gate that lead into the wolf enclosure, I had to remind myself that this wasn't just an enclosure like you'd find in the zoo.

Instead, they had the freedom to go wherever they wanted over an entire mountain range. As far as these wolves knew, they were free.

They had miles of thick forest to explore, mountainsides covered in snow and open plains where local deer foraged.

Though the property was still fenced off to keep any trespassers and poachers out. However I would've been very surprised if anyone was able to go near the property, as the wolf's territory laid well within the pack's territory.

Nobody could claim they stumbled into the wild wolf's territory without being trespassed for being on private property.

The pack would stop anyone the second they stepped a single toe over the borders. Especially human hunters and would-be poachers, who would use the excuse of their hunting dogs running loose to be on private property.

It had surprised me to learn that some hunters didn't even ask permission, merely following the baying of their hounds as they trailed their quarry. The pack had encountered quite a few hunters who blamed a runaway hound or deer for their presence on private property.

Which is why the pack had to put up signs around the perimeter of their territory, announcing it as private property and that hunting was strictly forbidden.

Still didn't keep some persistent humans from trying their luck. Some even tried to remove the signs and toss them away so they had grounds of defending their claim that they never encountered anything to declare the property as private.

Too bad that the pack had thought ahead and had trail cameras pointing directly at said signs. Anyone who messed with them would only realize after that they have given the pack photo evidence of their trespassing.

It was liberating to be able to run with the knowledge that you were safe. There was no chance that any hunter managed to find its way this deep into pack territory and endanger not only the wild wolves but pack wolves as well.

Which was why the pack was so focused and diligent about their border patrols. Not only to prevent any ex mates from sneaking in the pack unannounced, but also to make sure that no hunter snuck their way in the pack's territory.

Nobody wanted a newly shifted pup to become a trophy on the wall because some human decided to shoot it.

Drake switched directions slightly, heading up the mountains and paused occasionally, tail twitching as he gave me ample time to follow the steady climb on my own tempo.

I huffed happily, understanding he didn't want to strain my muscles and aches anymore than necessary. Yet the eagerness within his gaze made me want to push further, push myself to follow to whatever surprise he had prepared.

I didn't quite know what I expected but I was rather surprised when we finally approached a natural cave that was shrouded in a thick layer of fog.

Only as we got closer, I realized it wasn't fog...but steam, steadily drifting from the natural hot spring a few feet away from the cave entrance.

My surprise only rose as Drake walked in the cave, shaking off the excess snow in his fur before shifting. I hesitantly followed his example, understanding filling my body as I spotted the glass windows and the sliding doors that closed off the rest of the cave.

Drake guided me inside and offered me some clothes, smiling softly. "This was the cave that I found when I was...well, not fully myself." He scratched through his nape, a sheepish expression on his face but I understood.

I had found myself in a similar situation, where the rejection had hurt to the point where I handed most of my control to my wolf and slumbered. Only to wake in an unknown location with no recollection of how I managed to find my way there.

Many a time I had regained partial awareness, finding myself walking through unknown woods, digging through trash cans to find food.

There had been moments where I had been more aware, waking in a haphazardly dug out den, or where my wolf had found shelter in a den that had been abandoned by other animals.

I smiled softly as my own wolf snorted in amusement. If there had been a hot spring wherever we had roamed, it would certainly have ventured there to soak our tense muscles and injured limbs in the hot water.

Drake motioned to the fully furnished bedroom, kitchen, living room and small bathroom that was built within the cave walls.

"When the pack found me here, mom and dad made some arrangements to make the cave as comfortable as possible in case I shifted back but wanted to be alone." He gestured around the room with a fond smile on his face.

And I smiled as well, wishing that I had the same luxury, the same kindness and love during my own rejection. During those long, everlasting weeks, of scavenging for food, restlessly looking for improvements in regards to a den.

"Newly rejected are placed here if they want or need some isolation." Drake continued, flicking on the lights in the living room. "If it's not in use, some of the newly mated couples will come here to finalize their mating. A little resort for just the pair of them."

At that, my cheeks flushed as I realized why we were here. As Pack Alpha, Drake couldn't just up and leave on a honeymoon in some distant, far away country. He had to remain close to his pack in case he was needed.

Even most pack members would feel more comfortable remaining close to their pack. Their inner wolves were more at ease with the familiar scents and sounds of their own territory.

And this, was the place to spend a few days without being disturbed by others.

Either to lick your wounds and recover from a mind-blowing injury, left shaken and utterly distraught from the rejection. Or by cherishing what has been rediscovered, rebuilt and formed into something stronger, unbreakable.

And perhaps, a bit of both. Even now with a reforged bond stronger than the previous one, I was still scarred from my rejection. Physically and mentally.

And so was Drake. No matter how strong he was or how much effort he put in the pack, he too was still wearing the scars of his own Rejection.

"You have an amazing pack, supporting you in any way possible." I murmured, feet slowly taking me closer to Drake, who's eyes sparked with emotion.

He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing over the back of his neck. "Truth be told, I owe my life to the pack. If they had treated me like I was worthless, something too broken to fix..."

The unspoken words hung heavily in the air. I didn't need another explanation as to what Drake meant.

For Alphas, rejections were always worse. Yes, they had a pack to lead, a pack to fall back to for support. But an Alpha was seen as the pillar of their pack, the strength and support of their people.

If the foundations of a settlement were cracked and on the verge of breaking, not a lot of people would trust it full heartedly.

Like my former pack showcased, once the trust in their Alpha was lost, the pack is no more. Individual members would scatter, finding a better pack that fit their needs.

While the pack was still under the rule of Drake's parents, the mere fact that their successor had been rejected, mortally injured, could've been enough to strike a tremendous blow to the pack's mentality.

Instead, they all had rallied behind Drake, had supported him through the worst time of his life. This time, the pack had been the Alpha's pillar.

And it showed. So far what little packs I've encountered, the few interactions I had was all the same. Packs were groups of family units that shared a common territory. Strangers that lived together by choice.

Drake's pack was .Every single member, no matter if they were born in the pack or accepted into its folds, every single one of them was seen as family, a loved one that needed to be nurtured and protected.

Had they cast him aside like useless trash and sought out a different pack, a different Alpha... He would've had to endure a second rejection, this time from his own pack.

Such a tremendous blow to an already shaken foundation would destroy the remnants that had refused to fall.

In other words, Drake would've gone rogue....or killed himself.

I swallowed heavily at the thought, nuzzling closer against Drake in love, in reassurance. Both to reassure him I wasn't going anywhere and to reassure my wolf that Drake was still here, would remain here.

We won't lose another mate. Not now. Not ever.

Drake's arms instantly wrapped around my body, pulling me closer against him. A whispered apology was murmured in my hair but I shook my head. Drake didn't need to apologize and he knew as much.

It still didn't stop my heart from racing, the inner wolf whimpering and pacing nervously. Not because the implications of what could've happened to Drake, but rather the realization of future possibilities.

Rejection was a brutal, permanent thing that time and time again, people tried and failed to undo. Words spoken in a heated moment, people raised in the wrong environment and lashing out to the one person they're supposed to protect.

I had found my redemption within Drake. But the worry gnawed at my heart because I knew that Max was still lurking around.

Drake drew me backwards a few steps before both of us flopped on the bed. There was no sexual intent behind his motions as he pulled me to his chest and held me close.

"Do...ex mates ever lash out physically?" I questioned out loud, making Drake smile gently, brushing his knuckles against my jaw.

His eyes searched mine as he slowly replied, "It has happened, very rarely. But I do have to add that the couples involved had already been in a previously highly toxic and abusive relationship before their rejection."

"I doubt that Max will try to force himself upon you, or attack me in any shape or form." Drake reassured, guessing the direction of my thoughts. "Judging from his actions, his wolf is the one who is trying to make amends, which also means that his wolf will do anything it can to prevent Max from getting out of hand."

A thoughtful hum slipped past my lips before they curled in a soft smile when Drake pressed a kiss on my forehead. "Remember, I've seen countless cases of both rejected and rejecters cross my path. While everything is possible, I'd like to think that my pack and I have more experience than most in how to deal with this situation."

Suddenly a smirk slipped on his lips, "Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if Tutu is going to try and foster a bond between Elliot and Max. Just to make sure my ex mate will never lay eyes on either of us again."

I snorted, shaking my head but wholeheartedly agreeing with Drake's statement. From what little I knew of Anna, that headstrong woman, a former Luna herself, would have no qualms setting up rejected with one another.

Both from the kindness of her own heart or, like Drake just pointed out, better the bonds of the pack. If Elliot and Max managed to form a bond with one another or someone else, they were much less likely to try and intrude on our bond.

"Is this why I haven't seen nor smelled a trace of either Elliot and Max around the pack?" I questioned, chuckling as an adorable grin spread over Drake's cheeks.

"What can I say? Tutu can be very persistent if she want something to happen. Though she won't force the issue, no matter how much she desires something." Drake shrugged as I snuggled closer, letting out a relieved sigh.

A sigh that turned into a pained hiss when my joints protested after the long trek. Drake instantly sat upright in the bed and smiled reassuringly.

His fingers found the edges of my clothes and with little effort slipped them off of my body before discarding his own. "How about we relax a bit in the hot springs and then we'll see where the day takes us?"

I smiled, eagerly following has he led me towards the steaming pool a few steps away from the cave entrance along with a set of soft, plush towels for later.

"I've heard tales that hot springs have healing powers." I murmured teasingly, attention divided with watching my step around the natural rocks and feeling my eyes slide to Drake's toned ass as he walked a few steps ahead.

The cheeky wink he shot my way made me flush, caught in the act of ogling him. "They do, though I don't advice diving into a random hot spring you encounter. Some are far too hot or acidic for a dip and even the cooler ones can contain heavy metals, lethal bacteria and other filth."

Drake motioned to the hot springs ahead, which were mostly natural, though I did spot a few carved out stone benches that had been placed within the pool.

"We keep a vigilant watch over the spring and test it regularly. While us wolves can survive slightly higher temperatures than humans without getting burns, nobody wants to witness a young pup getting severe burns from what was supposed to be a relaxing trip."

I agreed with a hum, stepping up alongside Drake and taking the first few steps in the spring. It was hot, but not scaldingly so. However, it did take some time getting used to the heat, slowly, step by step submerging ourselves.

When my joints were submerged, I let out a relieved sigh, as I could already feel the heat sink into the sore muscles, removing the tension bit by bit.

"If you want to swim, the northern edge of the spring is about ten feet deep. Most of the spring is about chest deep water except the edges." Drake smiled, guiding us to the submerged benches where we could lay down.

"This feels like heaven." I murmured lazily, smiling as Drake's own smile widened in an ecstatic grin.

"I had wanted to bring you here earlier but, the doctors ordered me to wait until all the injuries are fully healed. Something about the sulfur and silica contents within the water."

He waved the thought away, making a little splash in the water as he did. It was strange though, how I have never felt so vulnerable in my life, yet also so loved, treasured and protected.

I knew that if I were to fall asleep in this spring, Drake would keep an eye on my health, would carry me back to our room and make sure I was completely safe and healthy.

There was nothing that forced me to draw up a hard, protective front. I knew I could let myself crumble, showcase my scars and wounds both physically and mentally, because Drake would support me.

Just like I would support him.