chapter 37

~Dainin~

After his long flight, Dainin was relieved to be back in control behind the wheel. He was never a fan of flying. “This is going to take some getting used to,” he thought to himself, while taking in the luscious green landscape and dense forests that surrounded him. Their future territory was about three hours from the airport and two hours from the closest town. Honestly, the further his pack was from people the better and he had to admit, it was the perfect setting of trees, tress and more trees. Even spotting a deer was a rare sight.

Dainin was enjoying his quiet ride, with only the nervous rhythm of his fingers tapping on the steering wheel filling the silence. A long drive was just the kind of peace and quiet he needed before the troublesome week ahead. He couldn’t stop thinking about all the changes that were coming his way. Alan already gave him the heads up that the Alpha of Blue Ridge was giving them a hard time, so he was dreading this meeting already.

“Enough,” ordered his wolf. “We need this to work out for the pack’s sake,” he justified. Dainin only nodded his head in agreement while taking in the passing trees. “Well, one things for sure,” he started, turning back to the dirt road in front of him. “As promised, there seems to be plenty of space between our future land and his. Hopefully, we’ll rarely have to deal with them,” he said, but immediately felt a chill snake down his spine. His wolf growled in frustration at his attitude, knowing he shouldn’t have expected him to react any differently.

Dainin was never one to follow orders or kiss the ground another Alpha walked on. Unlike him, they were nothing but entitled pricks that didn’t have to work hard for anything in their lives. Dainin started out with nothing and had to build a name for himself from the ground up, and after being dealt the reputation of the son of a “weak Alpha” it wasn’t easy. His father’s mistakes and failure as a leader would have followed him to his grave if he didn’t work hard for what he has now. 

Luckily, after he and his family found refuge with White Sand, their new packs Alpha took a liking to him. Apparently, he had lost his own son and Luna in a Rogue attack and had no heir. Dainin earned his title through hard work and dedication to prove himself. But of course, given their current situation, his wolf was right as usual. They needed this alliance to work and he’d sacrifice his pride if it meant his pack would be safe.

As much as they loved their land, White Sand desperately needed to get out of Arizona. Each year the humans were moving closer to their thinning wooded borders and the Rogues were becoming more violent when turned away. He could no longer risk his pack’s safety. Simply holding the title as the largest and strongest pack in the state wouldn’t keep them safe any longer.

Humans were the least of their problems though. It was the Rogues that were becoming an issue. There were at least three Rogue sightings a day, but a few days ago it was the worst they’ve ever seen. He’d be damned if his father’s failed history was going to repeat itself. 

A Rogue attack was the reason Dainin begrudgingly moved up their departure in the first place. A group of twenty Rogues attacked his border patrol in the dead of night. They were organized, stronger and attacked with precision like they had it all planned out, which was unheard of since their kind normally lived in solidarity.

If Dainin and the reinforcements arrived a minute later there would have been casualties, instead of serious injuries. Once day light hit the whole pack searched a few miles past the borders and stumbled upon a camp. It was rare to see Rogues living together, but a few more encampments were found along the rest of their border line. Everyone was living on edge after that, afraid of what would happen next. Above all else, Dainin needed his pack members to feel safe.

He immediately booked a trip to Oregon to meet with the counsel. They suggested uprooting the pack to a more promising peaceful area. Dainin made sure they took all his concerns into consideration and eventually they discovered this piece of land in Maine. The neighboring packs were close enough to help if there was trouble, but far enough away to not interfere with another Alpha’s business. Dainin thought it was perfect, and once he returned to the pack everyone voted for a fresh start. Now it was up to he and Alan to persuade this “head honcho” that they meant no harm and to form an alliance, but it didn’t seem like they were off to a good start.

After what seemed like forever, Dainin finally came upon another dirt road that connected his future territory to Blue Ridge. The path was overgrown and looked like it hasn’t seen a car in ages, but he could just make out the fresh tire tracks from Alan’s vehicles. “Well that’s a good sign! It seems the counsel was right about them keeping to themselves,” he said, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. His wolf growled in frustration. “Oh yeah. I bet they are just going to welcome us with open arms then. It’s going to be a piece of cake convincing them to form this alliance,” he answered sarcastically, but Dainin ignored him.

A few miles up the road, Dainin could just make out the wooden checkpoint and his wolf seemed to be finally joining him in his excitement. “Are you having a change of heart,” he asked, noticing everyone shaking hands and welcoming his men. “Just get us out of this damn car,” his wolf growled in response, pacing around in his mind. Dainin took his time pulling in as he watched a tall man, who almost matched his build, order his warriors to load up their cars and pull past the checkpoint. “That must be the Alpha,” he thought as he watched the man wink to a woman with her back to his car.

Witnessing their affection made his wolf growl, but Dainin just brushed it off. He was too distracted by the stunning woman in front of him. “Hello Luna,” he said in awe, taking in her long bare legs, strong figure and beautiful hair. He could feel a strong sense of authority coming off her in waves, even from inside the car. Then he noticed Alan approaching her and bowing his head to show respect. “That’s odd,” he thought, while he parked, and Alan immediately headed his way. “Here we go,” he thought with disdain, as he got out to stretch.

As he inhaled the fresh air, Dainin was hit with the sudden scent of fresh flowers and spring, being carried on the breeze. The aroma entranced him and Dainin found himself staring at Alan’s lips as they moved, but he couldn’t make out his words. Then, he felt eyes on him, a gaze that was burning holes into his skin. His wolf was begging him to turn around, so he did, and the sight made his heart nearly stop.

The woman’s beauty put the Moon Goddess to shame and as he stared into her bright hazel eyes a heat, like no other, flooded his body. He was captivated by her flawless skin and full kissable lips, and after searching for her since he turned 18 and finally, after six years as Alpha, he found his mate by chance. He never thought she would be this far away.

Dainin brought his eyes up to meet hers and saw they were wide with surprise and disappointment. He never imagined his mate would roll her eyes and walk off after finding him. “What just happened,” he mumbled to himself, fighting the urge to run after her to stake his claim. His wolf was scratching at the surface of his mind trying to take control. “Go to her,” he desperately begged, but Dainin just continued to watch her join a group nearby. He jumped as Alan placed a hand on his shoulder to grab his attention. “Dude are you okay,” he asked.

Dainin sent a narrowed glare to his Beta, about to answer, when he suddenly remembered what he witnessed when they were pulling in. “Do you think she gave up waiting for us and became the chosen mate to the Alpha of Blue Ridge,” he asked his wolf, leaning against his car door. His wolf whined at the thought. Dainin snuck a glance in her direction and saw everyone surrounded her. She just seemed to give off a pure sense of power and authority that demanded attention.

A breeze blew his way, entrancing him once more with her scent. He was elated, until he saw the Alpha was standing a little too close to her for his liking. His wolf growled in anger and Dainin could feel him fighting to take control once again. “I don’t care what their arrangement is. Chosen or not she’s ours,” he roared, and it took all Dainin could not to shift and tear that man apart.

Dainin took a few deep breaths, turning his attention back to Alan to try and clear his thoughts. “Let’s get the warriors settled first, then I’ll introduce myself to the Alpha at their pack house,” he suggested to Alan. “Of course Alpha. I’ll have the warriors inform Tessa,” Alan replied with a bow. Dainin watched one of his warriors approached his mate. “Tessa,” he whispered, just the sound of her name made his heart race, but he wondered why Alan was having him report to the Luna. “Perhaps our mate schedules his appointments,” his wolf questioned. Dainin wasn’t sure. He just watched her simply nod, her gorgeous hair shining in the sunlight, and her shoulders relax in relief before she ran off and shifted. This was going to be a long week.