THE PACKS IN THE MOUNTAIN

1.The Legend

It was whispered in the villages and cities of Moor.
Whispered by all, young and old. Even visitor were warned of it. Whispers of a strong and powerful beast among the packs of Moor.The whispers told of a moon kissed Moor country and a moon blessed wolf family. Everyone in Moor was a werewolf. No visitors were allowed in if they weren't. It was a code of existence. If by any reason or chance, a stray or rogue made it, they were in great great trouble because, it was also whispered that the ultimate Alpha of them all was no easy fit. He was kind but vicious. His temper coupled with his affinities, were a deadly combo and thus people both feared and respected him. And peace reigned.
***

"Lucas, get in here this instant!" Boomed a man whose voice had more baritone that when raised or deepened could cause even the bravest of men to squirm. James was the former Alpha of the Moor Pack and Lucas was his son. The current Alpha. The former was seated in his old study in their family cabin in the mountains. He and his wife Sarah lived in the bustling city and were responsible for making people believe that their leader was among them. They were a safety net Incase if invasion. Their only child however, preferred the silence and solitude of the untouched mountains. His beast was more in tune with nature than with people. Sometimes his own parents didn't get him.
He walked into the small office space and pulled a chair. He sat himself down and waited patiently.
"Lucas, what's the progress?" The older man asked carefully. He was being watchful as not to stir his son's beast.
"None. My beast is recoiled for now. It feels like he's also giving up." His voice had a hint of his father's. He could deepen it if he wanted to but it would be disrespectful to his father because, in as much as he was the alpha, his father was still his alpha.
"Why would you give up on your mate?"
Mates, or soulmates,were considered sacred omg the wolves and am alpha needed his mate more than the lesser ranking wolves. Lucas had looked all over for his but , he wasn't lucky and now his beast had given up just like it's human.
"Father, we've been through this talk...I don't have a mate. Beasts like mine don't get the pleasure of -",the ringing of the office line cut him short and he took that as a 'saved by the bell' sign and picked it up.
"This is Lawson...yes...when do you arrive?...Ok..Ok. Yes. Understandable. Alright ma'am.See you tomorrow. Have a safe flight."
When he placed the phone down, his father gave him a sceptical look. Not that he hadn't overheard the conversation with his sharp eating. He just liked making people comfortable.
"A new visitor?"
"No. More like a new neighbor. She's moving into the mountains."
James stared at his son dumbfounded.
"You must be kidding me. These mountains are dangerous. There are no settlements here. There has never been any other person in these woods."
The door creaked open and Sarah dipped her head before walking in and sat on James'lap. After placing a small kiss on his lips she turned back to her son and beamed.
" Hey son, what's this I hear about new neighbors?"
"They are a small family of shifters. They arrive tomorrow." His mom was also surprised.
"Neighbors? As in here? In the mountains?" Sarah looked at her husband before sighing deeply. She turned to her son.
"Make me understand this, you are willing to let strangers into the mountains?" Lucas simply nodded.
"You banned people from inhabiting these woods. What's different with these strangers?"
Lucas rubbed his face feeling exhaustion cing in hard.
"I honestly don't know Mom. I didn't allow them. I had no say in the matter."
The two parents looked at each other before drawing the same conclusion.
"Son," it was his mom who spoke so softly. But she wasn't addressing him. She was calling out the beast in him. And he responded. Lucas looked at his mother as his eyes changes into a deep gold sipping from the outside into the center.
"Mama," his voice was deep. Deeper than that of his father. Sarah rose from James' lap and cupping her son's face in her hands she asked in the most motherly tone ever,
"Do you feel the pull?"
He only nodded.

****