"What do you mean?" Dad asked.

"The body wasn't so..."

"Old and shriveled," Ashley finished.

"What?"

"Yeah, it looked younger. Like our age. Not that old and shriveled. And the hair wasn't white."

Dad turned to look at Alpha Brutus. "Has anyone touched the body?"

He shook his head. "No. This is the first time we're looking at it since we set up the perimeter. We've been patrolling. "

Dad knelt down next to the body and pulled out a pair of medical gloves. He pushed the head to the side, revealing a wound similar to Harry's. He motioned for one of the men he was with over to him. They whispered to one another for a moment before the man took a few pictures.

"Alpha, if you're okay with it, we're going to take the body back to Moon Mist for further study."

"That's fine. We are definitely not equipped to deal with this kind of thing."

Dad nodded and the others from his team went to the van they arrived in. He grabbed my shoulders and stared deep into my eyes.

"Ellie, I don't want you and Ashley staying here for long. We have no idea how long this body has been here or if whatever killed him is still around. The next territory over is Deer Creek. It's about fifty miles so I hope that it is far enough that you'll get away from it."

"Okay."

"You can spend some time there before moving on to Silver Peak."

"Sure thing."

"Ashley, be careful driving. If you get tired, switch out with Ellie. You two, make sure you pay attention to things around you, okay?"

We both nodded.

Dad kissed my forehead and then kissed Ashley's forehead. "I love you both."

We watched as he walked away, followed by his team carrying the body in a black bag.

"Your dad is freaking me out."

"Me too, Ash."

"Should we be worried about this?"

"I guess."

"What do we look for?"

"Girl, I have no idea."

"And Artemis doesn't know?"

"According to her, no."

"Let's get out of here. I'm totally freaked out."

"Agreed. It's only 50 miles. Want me to drive?"

"Nah. I'm still good," she said, jogging through the field toward her car.

"Ladies!" Alpha Brutus called as we reached the convertible.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I'm sorry that you had to go through this, but I'm awful glad you were able to get Beta Kenrick here to take this over. I don't know what I would have done on my own."

"You would have figured something out. You're a resourceful Alpha."

"On your way back to Moon Mist, do stop by and say hello."

"We definitely will! Bye, sir!"

"Bye, ladies."

Ashley started the car and pulled away from the town hall, driving a little faster than she should have to reach the territory limits.

'Elanor, you cannot ignore your future Luna and future Alpha. You will return home. Immediately."

"Goddess. Now Alex is texting me."

"What?"

"Threats," I responded.

"Are you going to respond?"

"No," I replied a bit quietly. "I'm going to forward them."

"To who?"

I hit send on the forward button, smiling. "Alpha Anwar. He can deal with those two."

Ashley burst into a peal of gut-busting laughter. "They are ridiculous."

"They are. But I'm sure once those two are in power I'm going to end up regretting it. I'll have to go rogue then."

"Nah. You'll be alright."

"Maybe."

We drove on the sun setting and throwing the countryside into darkness. I hit the button for the convertible top to go up as Ashley switched on the headlights.

"Snack?" she asked.

"Yup."

I dug through the bags and handed her zingers and one of her diet Dr. Peppers.

"We need some real food."

"Yeah we do," I agreed.

"Want to stop at the next place?"

"Once we're over the territory border. I don't trust this place."

"Agreed," she replied. "Then let's step on it and get out of creepville."

"Sounds good."

She accelerated, zooming through the dense forest of Misty Pines closing in on the territory line. As we crossed into Silver Creek, everything seemed to lighten almost. The dread and doom that hung over Misty Pines lifted off of everything.

"There's a diner right there."

"Oh that's adorable," I said, glancing at the little train car-looking building. "Yeah. That looks good."

We pulled into the parking lot, the only car there. Inside, the walls were lined with booths and the counter had bar stools all along it.

"Hi, girls! Take any seat you want!" a cheerful, slightly overweight woman wearing a blue dress and white apron said with a wave.

"Thanks," we both said, sliding into the first booth.

She placed menus in front of us and pulled out a notepad. "You girls aren't from around here, are you?"

"No. We're from Moon Mist. We're heading toward Winter Lake."

"Oh, the Royal City. It has been ages since I've been there!"

"You've been there?"

"Oh heavens yes! When I was a little girl. It's an incredible place. What can I get for you?"

We scanned the menu quickly and put in our orders. Yawning, we looked around hoping to find something that could tell us where the closest hotel was located.

The cheerful woman came back with our drinks and soups, placing them in front of us.

"Um, you wouldn't know of any hotels that we could check into?"

"Yes! The Windsor downtown is really nice, the Hideaway Cove in the mountains is very cozy, and Sunset Creek Lodge is absolutely adorable."

"That's great. Thanks."

"So are you heading to Winter Lake for business or pleasure?" she questioned.

"Business. Beta Kenrick is my father and Gamma Arthur is her father."

"Oh, high-ranking wolves. I do apologize."

I waved my hand at her. "Please, don't. We prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. The whole professional thing is more suited for my father."

She smiled and bounced away. "I have something just for you girls! You've been on the road a while, right?"

"Yes, ma'am," Ashley replied.

The woman giggled at being called ma'am. She returned with two plates of apple pie topped with ice cream and caramel drizzle.

"On the house." She winked.

Ashley and I both broke into wide smiles. "This looks incredible!"

The woman giggled again. "I hope you like it! It's the one thing in this place that I get to make."

We ate all of the food and dessert slowly. Enjoying the peace and relaxation we finally got to experience.

"So, where to?" Ashley asked, as we paid our bill and waddled to the car. Stuffed from all the food.

"I think downtown is probably our safest option right now. Let's head to the Windsor."

"Oh Goddess, I hope they have a spa! I need a massage so bad after all this driving."

"A pedicure and mani too," I groaned. "My paws are barking!"

We both laughed as we drove, slower, down the country road until the bright lights of the city showed over the horizon.

"Wow," Ashley said, stunned.

"Right? I always heard that Silver Peak was an impressive city for how small of a space it takes up."

Ashley slowed down as we approached what looked like the main street. Windsor Hotel wasn't hard to find. The building was wide, a beautiful white brick, and lit up like a Christmas tree. Red carpeted steps leading up to the main entrance and bellhops stood at the doors.

"Well, look at this fancy."

"We definitely made the right decision."

Checking in was easy, even easier when they found out that our fathers were Beta and Gamma. The room was expansive. Two bedrooms with a living room in the middle. Room service ran 24 hours and they did in fact have a spa.

"I'm getting a massage first thing in the morning."

"Me too!"

"But right now, I'm crashing. I am so tired."

I nodded and headed toward the bathroom attached to my room. I stood in the shower for much longer than I planned before collapsing into bed in a night of restful sleep.

******

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