One

No one had heard from the Ouma or her pack for many years. All invitations to annual ceremonies have been sent back with a polite but brief decline.

No one is really surprised. The Silver Moon pack has always been secretive and well...different. However, everyone was surprised when the Silver Moon pack suddenly reached out.

Everyone is curious, everyone is talking and rumours are flying around like a storm. After more than 25 years, The Silver Moon pack would not only be making an appearance, they were inviting another pack onto their territory.

The Silver Moon pack was different from other packs for many reasons. Folklore is that the pack was predominantly female all of whom were chosen to join the ranks except no one has been chosen to join the ranks in at least two decades. Then there was the fact that their leader was the Ouma; a high priestess or elder (depending on whom you talked to) who had the divine link to the moon goddess.

Daniel, the soon to be Alpha of the Hellhound pack, took it all with a pinch of salt. Besides, he had much more important things to concern himself such as finding his mate. Because without them, Daniel could not take on the mantle as Alpha and that put the pack in a dangerous place. He had been contemplating choosing someone. They had a few females who were as tough as the males and would no doubt see the role of Luna for what it was. If he chose the right one, they could continue the Alpha line easily. While the thought was compelling, Daniel found himself hesitating and putting off making a decision.

One thing was for certain, being the next Alpha meant he had to travel up to the Silver Moon pack with his father. He wasn't looking forward to it. He didn't mind the politics but he did mind the idea of being stuck around a bunch of hippies trying to play nicely. He was a Hellhound. They weren't the largest pack but they were the strongest. Their reputation meant they were often called upon to deal with the nasty work. They were a tight pack with specific rules and no qualms about killing.

It was in the midst of imagining how boring and tedious the meeting was going to be that Daniel's nose twitched at the scent filling his senses and bringing him back to reality. His dark blue eyes opened, adjusting to the winter sunlight and the sight around him.

He had decided to take a break from the ruckus at the packhouse and found himself, cigarette in hand, sat in the training grounds. It was a natural clearing in the forest not far from the packhouse or garages, trees lining the whole space. In the summer, their leaves were a pallette of different greens, breaking up the golden rays of the sun and dancing in the breeze. Now though, the trees were naked, their spindly branches like the fingers of skeletons. It didn't look as inviting in the winter, not that Daniel cared.

He turned his head slightly just as his brother-in-law stepped into the clearing.

"Alpha wants to see you." Joe spoke up, his black eyes narrowing against the sun.

Daniel nodded and dropped his cigarette onto the wet grass. Using the heel of his boot to crush it out, he followed the other man back to the packhouse, shoving his cigarette packet into the pocket of his pack vest.

Inside Daniel was instantly greeted by music blaring in the den and the chorus of laughter and curses as some of the omegas drank and huddled around the pool table. He heard his nieces and nephews running around upstairs and his sister, Leah, yelling after them. Nothing in the packhouse had quietened down despite the fact the Alphas and Betas were riding out tomorrow (if Kade, Daniel's own Beta showed his face). Then again, it was rare that the packhouse was ever really quiet.

Joe and Daniel parted ways at the door, Daniel heading to his father's office and Joe to help Leah corral their children. Just because Joe was one of their fiercest and most loyal wolves didn't mean he could get away from the duties of being a father.

The Alpha's office was situated at the back of the house, away from the noise but with a perfect view of the lot and garages. Leaving the thumping of music and roar of playful competition behind, Daniel knocked on his father's door before stepping in.

"You wanted to see me?"

Slade grunted, his dark eyes lifting from the paperwork in front of him. The Alpha was a big man and wore his years as top dog with pride. His face was usually stuck in a grumpy frown, his big hands covered in thick rings. His pack vest held the coveted Alpha patch, a patch that Daniel was ready to add to his own vest. His hair was dark blond but greying and the years of leading and aging showed in the creases around his eyes.

"Gotta ride out earlier than expected." Slade huffed, standing to grab a bottle of bourbon and two tumblers before returning to his seat. "Just received word the Ouma wants to see us sooner than was planned."

"Since when have you ever done what another Alpha has told you to do?" Daniel frowned, taking one of the drinks.

"Since your mother would have my head if I disrespected the Ouma." Slade snarled.

Daniel never understood why the older generations were so wrapped up in some old woman no one had seen in over 25 years. He didn't believe that some Goddess blessed this woman with the gift of hearing her. It all seemed a bit far fetched. But he wasn't dumb enough to tell his mother that. There were just some things best left alone.

"Look," Slade leaned forward in his seat, his biceps bulging in his leather jacket as he rested his elbows on the scratched and worn surface of the desk. "Before the Ouma and Silver Moon cut themselves off they were a good ally of ours. It would be good to get that alliance warmed up again. They are good at pretty much everything and their land is sort after."

"Alright." Daniel nodded and finished his drink. "Let me know when we leave and I'll be ready."

"Six am tomorrow." Slade replied as Daniel got up to leave. "Don't be late and find that fucking Beta of yours!"

"Yeah, yeah." Daniel grumbled as he left the office and headed off to find Kade.