3. Travis Phoebe (ManxMan)

•Travis/Raphael 16.

It felt odd returning home. Greyhound Mountain pack was no more, not since my father Elijah had had his final stand and died infront of us. It has not existed since our Alpha, my elder brother, Claude decided we would leave and find our own way.

While the travelling served no other purpose but to open our eyes about ourselves and for our souls to heal together in an environment different to the one which hurt us. Being back gave me a sense of nostalgia. Here I was, 21 years old, having spent a year in two different locations, working on my accounting degree, helping my siblings run what was left of the pack and making sure that when I ran into him again I'd be ready for the fight he'd surely bring.

Drakkon Shire Mountain Pack, is what we called ourselves now, while the land had once been Greyhound, now it was not and it held memories we had all dealt with and accepted. Together.

The pack was smaller and varried compared to the original. Most had gone for fear of Caster's and the trouble we brought. Others to heal had joined other packs, others went rogue. We may have been cut down to less than half but we were strong.

"I'm not unpacking this minute." Claude growled and sat on his own suitcase staring at the large mansion which thanks to Theodore still looked fresh.

"Well, I would like to sleep so you better change your mind." Claude pouted at his mate who glared instead, hands on their hips. Claude whined and grabbed his mates hips, laying his cheek on their small yet noticable baby bump.

"Let's just shift and sleep in the grass."

"Ugh, total caveman."

"Hey! You said you love those!"

I snickered beside my brother and sister who simply watched amused.

"Mama, a snake in room." We looked over at Kathryn's first born who sighed and shook her head picking the adorable scowling three year old. Meghan cooed and they all went to investigate. If Kalika's pet snake was still alive I needed to give the soon to be six year old credit.

"So, are you going to see him?" I looked over at Trent, the boy had grown out his beard and looked much older for it than I, who preferred to shave.

"I doubt I'd find him in time."

"It's been three years, I'm sure he knows how we left and probably came back."

I shrugged and threw my arm over his shoulder. "Let us just unpack yes?" He smiled and ruffled my hair to which I pouted.

"So it's true." I paused turning to see an old friend. Regina smirked as she walked over, arms folded in short shorts and a lose crop top. "When I heard I had to see for myself."

She inspected my home, the members who laughed together and helped in bringing everything inside. I could hear their arguing on the claiming of rooms in the huge place.

"If it isn't Beta Gina." I called her by what I heard she preferred lately. I brought her into my arms then.

"I hear you guys have three Beta's this worries me."

"With a family as big as mine, can you be surprised?"

"I guess not. How have you been?"

"I've been good. Haven't heard from you since I left.... actually thought you may have decided I wasn't good enough to be friends with anymore."

She shrugged nonchalantly. "I've been busy... travelling alot for work."

"Ah, you work now?"

"Not everyone can afford to just go to college," she rolled her eyes with a soft smile. "Well, now that I've seen you."

"Hey now, shouldn't you at least help out?" She gave me an incredulous look and I laughed.

"Do I look like I do manual labour? Psht."

I shook my head at her retreating back.

"See you at the treaty signing." She waved and I gave a weird salute.

"So, while I know we worked on a system of magic which kind of alert us on intruders, I don't want to push you over your limits." Alpha Claude spoke in the office. I nodded understanding.

"I'd suggest a type of alerting system less of a hassle, I can work on it with Scoot. Not too complicated, just tied to an object that can give indication of area and level of threat."

"Sounds good. Now, I want Kathryn, Marshal and Kellan to take the south border-" Clause then gave the shifts of patrol to start as soon as possible. We went over the necessary measures to take being that the land had been abandoned for over a year and certain threats should be investigated.

It was fun, having all of us there. Trent and I were seen as the Beta's of the pack, Kathryn was the Gamma along with holding Head Warrior title and while this was how it was, Scoot and Marshal lead along with us, this made it easier for everyone as the work load was always shared among us in a way we could handle.

Claude clapped then ending our meeting and we went our separate ways, seeing to whatever still needed to be done and alerting everyone of their duties before the first shifts for patrol could begin.

I found myself walking along the western side of the pack house, strolling through the thick trees and seeing what could be done about the growth that had begun because while Theodore took care of what he could, he didn't do everything on purpose.

I ended up by the pond I had frequented to plant flowers. The memories flew at me with no restraint and I welcomed them, marvelling at the growth which stood before me. It was beautiful in the array of colour and the length and thickness. It was like a rainbow and it gave me some peace. I sighed touching the flowers that held more meaning to me than any other part of the nature I watched.

I sat in the centred space left without flowers and only soft green moss. I closed my eyes and I received a time I had been young and naive and so scared to love for fear of having to chose at some point.

My magic flowed into the earth as I did and I summoned water, providing nourishment to the lively blossoms. I wondered if I'd see him any time soon. I sure hoped I would.

Raphael

The noise of life was honestly too much sometimes. I dealt with the frustration of Airlines and the whole procedure until finally I could got home. I was surprised to see Gabriel with Harkin beside him and Dante leaning against their car.

"I know how to use a cab."

"That is no way to greet family." I rolled my eyes as Gabriel enveloped me in a hug. "Tell anyone I ever hugged you, I will cut you."

I laughed patting him on the back.

"Nice to see you too." I looked down at Harkin who stared up at me, I raised a brow and he tilted his head to the side before raising his hand up in a hand shake. I smiled taking his small hand in mine and shaking before he stepped back and clung to his dad's pants.

I finally turned to Dante who kept a blank stare.

"I wanted to stay home."

"I can tell."

"My husband thought you'd like being picked up." I nodded giving him my best sympathetic look.

"I can imagine."

"Get with someone yeah? I don't want to have to keep doing this."

I laughed at my old friend and gave him my bag.

"I can't help being adored even by your mate." He hissed at me, raising his fist and I playfully flinched.

"Not infront of the kid!"

Dante glared at me and rolled his eyes before taking my bag and putting it in the car. I laughed shaking my head.

A/N
Written: 15 August 2020