Chapter 30
Lucas
It had been a week since the fire. The Blacks had settled into my guest wing, adapting to their temporary home with quiet dignity.
William Black, in particular, had impressed me with his resilience.
The man had lost his ancestral home, yet he carried himself with the same authority as always, focused on supporting his wife and rebuilding what was lost. There were already talks about clearing out the damaged parts of the estate to prepare for rebuilding.
Alison had thrown herself into establishing her new consultancy, converting one of my spare offices into her workspace.
Her determination was inspiring—and entirely unsurprising.
Leo's werewolf part, meanwhile, was increasingly becoming more pronounced and would soon require more targeted attention.
I found Alison in her makeshift office, focused on her laptop. She looked up when I entered, a small smile forming on her lips. That smile was still new enough to send a rush of warmth through me every time.
"Can we talk?" I asked, closing the door behind me.
She nodded, setting aside her work. "What's on your mind?"
"I want to take you and Leo to my pack's territory," I said, getting straight to the point.
"It's a place where Leo can learn to control his abilities without holding back.
His werewolf aspect is blooming, and he needs space to be himself.
He needs to be with a pack when his first shift hits.
It can be scary, but being with a pack makes it easier to handle. "
She bit her lip, considering. "And your pack... they know about us?"
"They know you're my mate," I said. "And that Leo is my son. They're eager to meet you both."
"Will they accept us? I'm human, and Leo is..." she trailed off.
"Half-human," I finished. "And yes, they will accept you. You're my mate, Alison. In the eyes of the pack, that makes you the Alpha female regardless of your species."
She raised an eyebrow at that. "Alpha female? That sounds... intense."
I couldn't help but smile. "It just means you're my equal partner. No one in the pack would dare disrespect you."
"And Leo?"
"As my son, he's next in line to lead the pack one day," I explained. "His mixed heritage doesn't change that. If anything, it might make him stronger, combining the best of both worlds."
Alison stood, pacing the room as she processed this information. "This is a lot to take in. A while ago, I didn't even know werewolves existed, and now you're telling me my son might become the leader of a pack someday."
"Only if he chooses that path," I assured her. "I would never force that responsibility on him."
She stopped pacing and looked directly at me. "When would we leave?"
"Tomorrow, if possible," I said.
After a moment of consideration, she nodded. "Alright. We'll go. But Lucas—" her eyes met mine, serious and determined, "—is he going to be fine?
"You have my word," I assured her. "Pack what you need for a week. My caretaker will have the cabin ready for us."
The next morning, we set out in my Range Rover, Leo bubbling with excitement in the back seat. He'd been thrilled when we told him we were going to the mountains, especially when I mentioned the horses and hiking trails.
"Will I get to see you turn into a wolf?" he asked, his eyes wide with anticipation.
I glanced at Alison, who nodded slightly, giving her permission. "Yes, you will," I told him. "And I'll teach you how to control your own abilities, too."
"Cool!" Leo exclaimed. "Mom, did you hear that? I'm going to learn wolf stuff!"
Alison smiled, but I could see the concern behind it. This was all new territory for her, a hidden world she was only beginning to understand. I reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly.
As we drove deeper into the mountains, the roads narrowed and the scenery grew wilder. Cell service disappeared, and the forests thickened. Finally, we turned onto a private road marked only by a discreet symbol carved into a boulder—the Moonshadow Pack's emblem.
"We're on pack land now," I explained as we passed through a high metal gate that swung open automatically at our approach. "Over a thousand acres, protected and preserved for generations."
Alison looked out at the vast wilderness with newfound understanding. "This is what Victor wanted. Not just your company, but this land, this territory."
"Yes," I confirmed. "In the werewolf world, territory is power. The Moonshadow Pack has held these mountains for centuries. Our land is rich in resources and strategically positioned between three other pack territories."
"And as Alpha, you control all of this," she said, not quite a question.
"I protect it," I corrected. "For the pack, for future generations. For Leo."
We drove for another twenty minutes through the winding forest roads before reaching a clearing where a large log cabin stood.
Though "cabin" was perhaps too modest a term—the structure was expansive, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing a breathtaking view of the valley below, a wrap-around deck, and a separate guest house nearby.
"It's beautiful," Alison breathed as we parked.
An older man emerged from the main house, his weathered face breaking into a wide smile as he recognized me. Jacob had been the pack's caretaker since before I was born, maintaining the property when the Alpha wasn't in residence.
"Alpha," he greeted me with a respectful nod before turning curious eyes to Alison and Leo. "And this must be your mate and son."
"Jacob, meet Alison and Leo," I introduced them. "Alison, Leo, this is Jacob, one of our pack elders and the guardian of our mountain retreat."
Leo immediately bombarded Jacob with questions about the forest and wildlife, which the old wolf answered with patient amusement. I used the distraction to unload our bags and show Alison inside.
The interior of the cabin was rustic but luxurious—all natural wood and stone, with comfortable furniture and modern amenities. A massive stone fireplace dominated the great room, and the kitchen was equipped for a chef.
"This is your retreat?" Alison asked, taking it all in.
"It's the Alpha's traditional residence," I explained. "I come here when I need to connect with my wolf or meet with the pack. The main pack compound is about a mile deeper into the mountains. There are other cabins within the woods that are residential. Some also serve security purposes."
"Your pack members, do they all live in these woods as werewolves?" she asked, moving to the windows to take in the view.
"No," I said. "Most live ordinary lives in the human world but return here for important ceremonies and the full moon."
She turned to face me, a new understanding in her eyes. "You're responsible for all of them."
"Yes," I acknowledged. "Just as I'm responsible for the employees of my company. Leadership comes naturally to me. It's in my blood."
"And it's in Leo's blood too," she said softly.
I moved to stand beside her at the window. "He has time to grow into it. Years before he needs to make any decisions about his future."
Alison nodded, seeming reassured. "So, what's the plan for the next few days?"
"Tonight, we settle in," I said. "Tomorrow, I start teaching Leo about his wolf heritage and how to control the changes he's experiencing."
The next day was devoted to Leo. I took him to a clearing near the cabin and began teaching him about his dual nature. His eagerness to learn was matched only by his natural ability. By midday, he could already control the partial shift of his eyes and nails, an impressive feat for one so young.
"You're a natural," I told him proudly as we took a break for lunch. "It took me weeks to master what you've learned in hours."
Leo beamed at the praise, his eyes flashing gold with excitement. "Is it because I'm half-human? Mom said that might make me special."
I ruffled his hair affectionately. "Your mother is right. Hybrid children often have unique strengths."
"Will Mom ever be able to do what we can do?" he asked innocently.
The question caught me off guard. "No, Leo. Your mother is human, and that has its own kind of strength."
That evening, after Leo had gone to bed exhausted from the day's training, Alison and I sat on the deck under a sky brilliant with stars. The near-full moon cast a silvery light over the mountains, calling to my wolf. I felt the familiar itch under my skin, the desire to shift and run free.
Alison noticed my restlessness. "You want to change, don't you?" she asked perceptively.
I nodded. "The pull is stronger as the full moon approaches."
"Then do it," she said simply. "I'd like to see."
I looked at her in surprise. "You're sure?"
"I've accepted what you are," she said. "What my son is becoming. I should see it with my own eyes."
Without further hesitation, I stood and walked to the edge of the deck. With practiced ease, I let my transformation flow, welcoming the shift rather than fighting it. My bones cracked and reformed, fur sprouted across my body, and my consciousness expanded to include the wolf's heightened senses.
Within moments, a large black wolf stood where I had been, powerful and alert. I turned to face Alison, watching her reaction carefully.
Her eyes were wide, but not with fear—with wonder. Slowly, she approached, hand outstretched. I remained still, allowing her to touch me, to run her fingers through my thick fur.
"You're magnificent," she whispered, awe in her voice.
I nuzzled her hand, then moved back, signaling for her to follow. She did, and together we walked down to the fire pit Jacob had prepared earlier. I gestured with my muzzle for her to light it, which she did, understanding my intentions without words.
As the flames illuminated the night, I settled beside her, my large form providing warmth against the mountain chill. For a long time, we simply sat in comfortable silence, the crackling fire and the night sounds of the forest our only companions.