Chapter 163
Elle’s POV
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The gentle rumble of the road beneath us was oddly soothing as I watched the landscape change outside the window. Raymond had been explaining the intricacies of Moonvale Town’s political structure.
“So these six small packs,” I said, turning to face Raymond more directly, “they all get along now? Because from what you’re describing, it sounds like there was a lot of territorial fighting in the early days.”
Raymond chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “That’s exactly what makes Moonvale so interesting. Yes, they had their conflicts – bloody ones, actually. But here’s the thing: these six packs aren’t just random groups that happened to settle in the same area. They’re all offshoots of a much larger pack that split apart generations ago.”
“So they’re related?”
“Blood–related, yes. Which explains why, despite their fierce territorial instincts, they can pull together when it really matters. When an outside threat appears, they unite like one massive pack.”
I leaned back in my seat, processing this information. “And you think the key to solving our project delays is understanding these family
dynamics?”
“Exactly. We need to find where their interests diverge and address those specific concerns. It’s not about throwing money at the problem – it’s about understanding pack psychology.” Raymond’s expression grew more serious.
I nodded, then felt a wave of fatigue wash over me. The baby had been particularly active today, and the long drive was taking its toll. My thoughts drifted to Brad, wondering what he was doing right now. Probably finalizing those alliance gifts for the packs, making sure every detail was perfect for the upcoming negotiations.
“You should rest,” Raymond said, noticing my tired expression. “I need to make some arrangements anyway.”
“Arrangements?”
Raymond’s smile had an almost mischievous quality to it. “For the bonfire ceremony tonight.”
I sat up straighter, my fatigue momentarily forgotten. “Bonfire ceremony? What bonfire ceremony? No one mentioned anything about that
to me.”
“It’s a welcome ritual,” Raymond explained, his grin widening. “The six pack Alphas decided to prepare it in your honor. Given your status as the Blair family’s goddaughter, they’re pulling out all the stops.”
Something about his expression made me suspicious. “Raymond, why do you look like you’re enjoying this a little too much?”
“Let’s just say… werewolf hospitality can be quite intense for humans. But don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Probably.”
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Chapter 163
“Probably?”
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But Raymond was already pulling out his phone, effectively ending our conversation. I settled back into my seat, wondering what exactly I’d gotten myself into.
As our convoy crested the final hill before Moonvale Town, I pressed my face to the window in complete amazement. The settlement
stretched out before us like a small city, buildings extending for miles in every direction.
Abigail leaned forward from the back seat. “Those sections correspond to the six pack territories. The Blair family had a hand in the
original urban planning.”
Then Brad appeared beside our vehicle. When he saw me watching him through the window, his expression softened, and he made his way
over to open my door.
“Ready for this?” he asked, offering me his hand as I stepped out.
The moment our fingers touched, I felt that familiar warmth spread through me. “As ready as someone can be for a surprise bonfire
ceremony, I suppose.”
Brad’s eyebrows rose. “Raymond told you about that?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll make sure you’re taken care of,” Brad said quietly.
A delegation was approaching us from the town center – one distinguished older man flanked by six individuals who practically radiated Alpha energy. Even from a distance, I could feel their power pressing against my awareness like a gentle but insistent weight.
“That’s the town elder,” Brad murmured near my ear. “He handles external relations, but internal territorial decisions require unanimous consent from all six pack Alphas. The tall one on the left is Marcus from Stone Claw pack – Raymond’s primary contact.”
Brad and Raymond stepped forward, performing the formal greeting.
“Alpha Rayne, Mr. Carter,” the elder said warmly. “Welcome to Moonvale. I trust your journey was comfortable?”
“Very much so, Elder Thompson,” Brad replied. “Thank you for accommodating our rather large party on such short notice.”
Elder Thompson’s gaze shifted to me, and his expression immediately brightened. “And you must be Miss Blair! We’re deeply honored by
your visit.”
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I stepped forward, extending my hand in the human greeting I was most comfortable with. “I’m Elle West, actually. Thank you for
welcoming us.”
The elder’s eyes widened with what looked like genuine excitement. “Miss Blair… you’ve come home!”
“I’m not Dakota,” I said gently, confused by his reaction. “I think there might be some misunderstanding.”
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“Oh, I know you’re not Miss Dakota,” Elder Thompson said, his voice filled with warmth. “But you’re still Mrs Blair’s goddaughter, right?”
I felt heat rise in my cheeks as the six Alphas stepped closer, their expressions ranging from curious to openly pleased. Whatever the Blair
family had done for Moonvale, it had clearly left a lasting impression.
As we began walking into the town proper, I became acutely aware of the attention we were drawing. Werewolves emerged from buildings and stopped their conversations to watch our procession. Their gazes lingered particularly on Brad and Raymond – two powerful males
whose Alpha presence was impossible to ignore.
“Sophia’s looking nervous,” I murmured to Brad, noticing how she kept glancing around as if searching for someone specific.
“Her contact is probably watching from somewhere nearby,” Brad replied. “Pack hierarchy means he can’t approach until she’s been
formally welcomed.”
I felt eyes on me from multiple directions and realized that my own presence was generating significant interest. Young werewolf males in particular seemed fascinated, though they kept their distance out of obvious respect for Brad’s proximity.
“That’s… unsettling.”
“It’s about to get more interesting,” Raymond called back to us, his voice filled with barely contained laughter.
A young werewolf male, probably in his early twenties, had broken away from his group and was walking directly toward us. He moved with the determined stride of someone who’d worked up considerable courage, his friends calling encouragement from behind him.
‘Oh, this should be good,” Sophia muttered under her breath.
The young man approached with obvious nerves, his cheeks flushed red. Without warning, he thrust a small carved wooden wolf figurine into my hands, mumbled something that sounded like “for good fortune,” and then practically sprinted back to his friends.
I stared down at the intricately carved little wolf, completely bewildered, “What just happened?”
“Werewolf courting behavior,” Raymond explained, his grin now practically splitting his face. “He just gave you a traditional mating gift.”
I looked up to see Brad’s expression had gone completely black, his Alpha aura suddenly so intense that several nearby werewolves took involuntary steps backward. The poor kid who’d given me the carving had gone pale and was being hastily pulled away by his more
sensible friends.
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“I had no idea what that meant,” I said quickly, trying to defuse the situation.
“I know,” Brad said, his voice carefully controlled. “But he did.”
This was going to be a very interesting weekend.
