Chase the Moon (On Hold)

Seventeen

I wasn't exactly sure how far the pull had taken me, but I knew I must've been getting close to the US-Canadian boarder.

It'd been a few weeks since I asked the Moon Goddess for help, and since then, I had grown used to the heavier pull. A few days ago, however, it had done something weird. It had shifted.

Now it faced me more to the southeast, which only heightened my suspicion that it was leading me to the US.

A quick stop in a nearby human town confirmed my suspicions. I was only a few miles out from the state of New York.

If I was not mistaken, there was only one pack in New York, and a pretty powerful one at that. Chances were, if I waltzed in unannounced, they would kill me thinking I was a rogue. It was probably best for me to call Alpha Anderson to see if he could alert them to my arrival.

"Mark. It's good to hear from you again," the Alpha's voice boomed through the payphone speaker. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, I'm about to cross into New York, and I was wondering-"

"I'll phone Alpha Peters to let him know you're coming."

"Thank you, Alpha."

"Anything for a member of my pack," he said. "So, do you think you're getting any closer?"

"It feels like it," I sighed and looked down the street from where I stood. "I just hope I find her soon."

"She'll be a very lucky lady when you do," I could hear the smirk on his face.

"Thanks again, Alpha," I chuckled into the phone.

"I'll make the call within the next few hours," he told me.

"Thank you, Alpha," I said one last time before hanging up. I blew a stray strand of hair out of my face as I headed back to the woods.

^^^°^^^

"Mr. Young," Alpha Peters said as he leaned back in his office chair. I took a cautious seat in front of his desk and bowed my head in respect.

"Alpha Peters," I acknowledged.

"I understand you are looking for your mate."

"Yes, Alpha."

"You've traveled quite a ways, I see," he said, looking down at one of the papers on his desk.

"Nearly 2500 kilometers," I admitted.

"And do you think your mate is in my pack?"

"I do not know, Alpha."

"Then I shall make it easier for you," he said as his eyes glazed over. He was silent for a few moments before his blue eyes returned to normal and turned to me.

I averted my eyes out of respect.

"I have summoned all of the unmated females in the pack to gather in the courtyard. I suspect you have another half hour or so to prepare yourself."

"Thank you, Alpha," I nodded. "May I borrow a shower?"

Alpha Peters chuckled before nodding and mind linking someone, "I think that would be best for everyone. My Beta will show you to a spare bedroom."

As he said this, the door swung open and a young man stepped into the room.

"This way, Mr. Young," he gestured before turning on his heel and walking out again. I sent one final thanks to the Alpha before following him.

Once we got to the room, I dropped my bag on the floor and thanked him. Then I hopped into the shower and prepared for the meeting.

^^^°^^^

"Good evening, Ladies," Alpha Peters announced when he saw me step out into the courtyard. I immediately started to look over the crowd, searching for any girl that stood out.

Once again, I felt hope blooming in my chest. Maybe she was here. Maybe my journey was done.

But even as I scanned over everyone, I felt that hope diminishing.

"This is Marcus Young, from the Yellow Moon Pack in Saskatchewan. He is here looking for his mate."

The girls immediately perked up and started to whisper amongst themselves. I gave them a small smile and waved, my eyes drifting through them.

"Hello," I muttered as I moved through them. A few of the girls threw me flirtatious smiles, but I simply moved past them, my eyes searching ahead.

When I reached the other side, I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. I turned back to the crowd and ran my eyes over it more desperately.

She wasn't here.

I felt a bit of anger surge through me. What kind of wild goose chase was the Moon Goddess leading me on?

Hellbent on figuring it out, I stormed back into the pack house and up to the spare room. I tore open my backpack and took out the folded up map I'd picked up a few towns back.

I unfolded it and smoothed it out on the desk. Then I grabbed my compass and lined the map up to the north. Pulling the desk away from the wall, I stood on one side and focused on the pull.

Finding a pen and ruler in the desk drawer, I marked my current location on the map and lined the ruler up with the direction of the pull.

I drew a line.

I drew a line all the way to the coast, and by doing that, I could see quite clearly where it was leading me.

New York City.