Chapter 24: 24: The Southern Border

MAX

We’re deep into planning mode, spending a solid three hours strategizing. Maps are sprawled out, trails analyzed.

We decide to steer clear of the trails, choosing to walk alongside them instead. This time around, our tracker is going ahead, doused in masking spray.

He’ll be virtually undetectable. These guys are masters of stealth when the situation calls for it.

The tracker will keep a safe distance, close enough to warn us of any looming threats, but far enough to maintain a mind link with me.

Brock shares his worries with the alpha. “How am I supposed to communicate with your pack?”

He raises a valid point. Communicating in wolf form will be a challenge.

My father and Beta Jackson are tossing around ideas for potential signals we could use, even a change in a howl. This isn’t a new idea, but it’s not something we’ve had to rely on before.

Suddenly, a knock on the door silences the room. We all know it’s Melanie; we picked up her scent before she even got here.

“Come in Mel,” my dad invites.

Melanie steps into the room, clearly aware of the sudden silence. She seems uncomfortable about interrupting.

“I, um. I’m sorry Alpha,” she addresses my father formally because of Brock’s presence. Maybe that’s what’s making her uneasy.

Plus, Brock is a pretty intimidating figure. “The luna wanted to let you know that dinner is being served in thirty minutes. She insists that Max be there, so she can see him before his departure this evening.”

“Ok, we will be there. Tell her to set a place for Beta Brock as well. He will join us,” the alpha informs her.

Melanie’s gaze shifts to Brock. I know my sister. I know her expressions, her reactions.

She’s an open book to me. I see her swallow, a flicker of surprise and tension crossing her face.

She furrows her brow, then quickly smiles. I’m not sure if anyone else noticed her reaction.

My eyes move to Brock. He’s staring intently at my sister, and I feel a prickle of unease.

I don’t like the way he’s looking at Melanie. Not one bit.

Melanie quickly glances at our father, nods, and leaves the room. She closes the door softly behind her and we all pick up where we left off, as if there was no interruption.

“Well gentleman, you heard Melanie. The luna requests our presence at dinner, we better show up. Can’t have her angry with me,” my father chuckles as we finalize our plan.

BROCK

My heart skips a beat when the beautiful woman they call Melanie walks into the room. Her eyes are unlike any I’ve seen before.

Her hair is like spun silk. She’s tall, even for a she-wolf.

I can tell she’s an alpha. I assume she’s Alpha Sebastian’s daughter.

I’m certain of it when I feel Max’s glare. I chuckle to myself.

Of course, the one woman who catches my interest is the alpha’s daughter, and I’m thousands of miles from home. I shake it off as we return to the table, quickly reviewing our route and communication plan.

Alpha Sebastian mentions that we need to head to dinner or his luna will be upset. Judging by his tone and chuckle, that’s not something he wants to happen.

I wish I had a mate who made me feel that way, the need to show up at her request.

As we gather the maps for our trip, Max and I each take one, fold them, and put them in our pockets. The plan is for him to lead and for me to bring up the rear.

It makes sense since we’re the largest and strongest wolves on this journey, strength at both ends. I notice Beck, the beta’s son, giving me a strange look.

I’m not sure why. Maybe he’s intimidated by me.

I get that a lot. My size alone tends to make people uncomfortable. He and I will need to work together one day, when he takes over from his father, so I hope he’s not trying to make things awkward.

He’s young, probably twenty or twenty-one. I’ve got a few years on him and I’ve been the beta for four years now.

I’ve quickly learned how to establish good relationships with other packs. I shrug off his look, give him a smile and a nod as we leave the office.

Hopefully, that will put him at ease.

We arrive at the dining room. It’s separate from the dining hall we passed earlier, so I assume it’s the alpha’s private dining room.

A beautiful blonde woman, who I immediately learn is the luna, walks over and kisses the alpha on the cheek. When she looks up, I see she has the most stunning blue eyes I’ve ever seen.

Melanie is definitely her daughter, her eyes are also a bright blue, but not quite as vibrant as the luna’s. “You must be Beta Brock,” she extends her hand to me and I take it.

Her firm handshake gives me the impression that she’s a strong leader. I can’t doubt that, the alpha is well known across the world.

He’s a force to be reckoned with. I’m surprised that the other pack nearby is even causing trouble with them, knowing what I’ve heard about the alpha.

He once traded his mother to another alpha. That’s a story I’d love to hear one day.

“Luna, it’s a pleasure.” She ushers us in, just as the rest of the alpha’s family and what I assume is Beta Jackson’s family walks in.

A pair of twins, clearly teenagers, are bickering about something. Another teenage girl is trying to break up their argument.

The beta’s mate, and Melanie walk in together.

“Come on in Brock, let me introduce you to everyone,” Alpha Sebastian says as he places his hand on my shoulder. I nod and we walk to the table, as he makes introductions.

The twins are also the alpha’s children. The other girl is the beta’s daughter.

Amanda is the beta’s mate. She seems perpetually happy, always smiling and constantly moving.

Her energy is almost dizzying. I chuckle to myself, wondering how she’s managed to stay so cheerful after years of being married to a beta.

Our jobs are tough, we work long hours, and often have to travel far from home.

Then there’s Melanie. She gives me a shy smile and welcomes me to the pack.

I’m sure I’ve looked at her a second too long when the alpha clears his throat and tells everyone to find a seat so we can eat. He takes the head of the table, the luna to his right and Max to his left.

Beta Jackson and his mate are at the other end of the table. Then we watch as the three teenagers argue about who is sitting where.

It’s amusing watching them interact. “Selene, stop giving your brother a hard time and just sit down,” Alpha Max growls out.

I guess Selene is the troublemaker, she seems full of sass. “Brock, come sit by Max,” Luna directs me.

Melanie shoots her mom a look, and I gather she’s usually the one next to him. I feel a twinge of guilt, but I get it—they want us to chat before we head out.

I flash her a smile and slide into my seat.

Alpha Sebastian is deep in conversation with Max. I try to tune in, but I can’t help but notice Beck and Melanie’s hushed argument about seating arrangements.

She looks at him, baffled. She shakes her head, takes a seat two seats away, and Beck settles in next to me.

Ah, so that’s what this is about. Beck doesn’t want her sitting next to me.

It all clicks—the look he shot me earlier. Looks like Beck’s got a thing for the pack princess.

I just shake my head and refocus on the alpha, trying to catch up on the conversation.

MAX

We’re gearing up to head to the Southern Border of the Canyon Ranch Pack. Our two vans are packed and ready.

We’ll drive until we find a good hiding spot for the vans among the trees. The drive should take about an hour.

My dad walks over and slaps an arm around my shoulder. “Max, I trust you’ve got this. You’re strong, and you’ve got Beta Brock backing you up, plus our formidable warriors.”

I nod in agreement. “Absolutely, Alpha. We won’t let you down. We’ll be back by tomorrow evening.”

I try to exude a confidence I’m not entirely feeling. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

I mean, look at what happened to Beck, and he had Connor with him. I’m not going out with my top warrior, or my beta.

Sure, Brock is a mountain of a man, but I barely know him and we can’t communicate through the mind link, which could be a problem. We’ll just have to adapt and be quick and efficient.

I watch my dad walk back toward the pack house. It’s reassuring to know he believes in me.

With a sigh, I turn around to find Brock just a few steps behind me. “Max, are we ready to roll? We’re burning daylight.”

“Absolutely, let’s hit the road.” I let out a sharp whistle to get everyone’s attention and signal it’s time to go.

We all pile into the vans and start our journey off the pack land, heading down the mountain toward Billings. I’m hopeful this mission will go smoothly, but I can’t shake my worries.