MAX
As we approach Asolo in our van, the driver starts to point out cottages that belong to the locals. The countryside is a vibrant green, lush and breathtakingly beautiful.
The cooler months are just around the corner, and soon the trees will change. This will be followed by the arrival of winter with its blanket of snow and a slower pace of life.
We first enter the town, navigating through its narrow streets. The guards highlight various buildings, including a Cathedral that has been standing since the tenth century.
Itâs still in use by our human residents and the tourists that visit. The Cathedral, with its vibrant stained glass windows depicting scenes beloved by Catholics, is a major tourist attraction.
As werewolves, we follow the Moon Goddess and have our own sacred place to worship and honor her. This place is kept hidden from most humans, with only a few townspeople aware of its existence and purpose.
As we continue our journey down a street adorned with flower boxes, a gallery is pointed out. Along with a restaurant named Al Bacaro, known for its excellent food.
We are also shown the road that leads to the fortress. The driver asks if we want to be dropped at the bottom of the hill or return to the car park outside the town and walk in.
I choose the latter, eager to fully immerse myself in the town and its surroundings. I am aware that we have only seen a fraction of what this hidden gem has to offer.
Once the van is parked, we sit and wait for a few minutes. I am informed that the beta will meet us at the parking lot to guide us through the town.
I am pleased to hear this, as respect for your alpha should be shown, even if the alpha doesnât reside in your home. Soon, a small black Audi pulls up next to us and a large, dark-haired man emerges from the back seat.
He thumps the roof of the car, which then drives away. We exit the van, and the man bares his neck to me.
âAlpha Maximus I presume,â he says.
âYes, thank you for meeting us. Beta Arthur?â I extend my hand to him, signaling that he can relax and shake my hand.
âYes Alpha. Allow me to show you around your pack lands. Iâm sure you had a brief tour with the kingâs guards here,â he gestures toward the men in our company, clearly recognizing the uniform of the king's Army.
âIndeed, they did, very brief though. I look forward to seeing more and hearing all about Asolo. I hope you donât mind though; I donât really speak much Italian so we will need to keep it to English.â He nods in acknowledgement.
I then introduce Alpha Frank and we make our way into the town. Beta Arthur points out various businesses, owned both by our pack and by the humans in the town.
As we pass by some of the store fronts, werewolves come out and stand with necks bared to me in submission. They recognize that I am from the alpha line that this pack belongs to.
I see hopeful looks in some of their eyes, without an alpha here for far too long. A few humans wander outside briefly, giving us a nod as we pass by.
Beta Arthur points out that they do not force humans to show any sort of submission to us. But if they knew who I was they probably would have knelt.
He had only mind-linked the pack to let them know I had arrived. The humans would not be privy to that information.
As we start our ascent to the Fortress, we pass an old Carabinieri building. I question Beta Arthur on its condition, clearly empty and not in use.
Itâs in great need of repairs, and I wonder why it isnât used in some form. He says it was the old police building, but that police were unnecessary when we had werewolf patrols for security.
I understand this but think for certain it could be put to better use. I make a mental note to see into repairing it.
It would be a great community home for unmated warriors. This could also give the appearance to outsiders that there was a police presence, even if it wasnât something the town needed to be safe.
We provide all the safety they need, humans and werewolves alike. Making the way up the hill, we pass many lovely cottages.
These are homes to some of the residents. Some are wolves and some humans, but all well maintained.
There are a few children running about playing. Apparently, the school day is over for them.
When I question the beta about this, noting it isnât even noon, he states that on the day of the full moon, the pups are released early so that parents can prepare them for the evening and make sure they're cared for before those who could shift ran off into the countryside for the monthly pack run.
It pleases me to hear they have the same ritual that we do back our pack, a bonding moment for the shifters of the pack. I had actually forgotten that tonight was a full moon, and this gives me the realization that I would be running with my grandmotherâs pack tonight.
That is both exciting and terrifying. It does make me happy that I am an alpha so that I can still mind link with them even though I am not officially part of this pack.
It would be a simple ceremony for me to take it over, should I choose too. I find the town of Asolo to be beautiful and quaint.
The relative quiet of the town is calming and serene. Beta Arthur assures me that on Saturdays, the town is bustling since school is out and many of the residents have the day off.
I discover that many go to Venice for work, making the hour commute daily. It provides them with an opportunity to own businesses that bring in more money for the pack.
Beta Arthur had made a point to open several of these after the alpha passed. He oversees finances and knows that this could ultimately help the pack.
The extra income has allowed them to update the inside of the Fortress, repair some of the older cottages and even build a few new ones for the growing families. I am glad to hear that he is doing such a good job, although my father had already stated how impressed he had been on his visits here.
Approaching the entrance to the fortress a heavy steel gate that is easily twelve feet tall blocks our entrance. Two patrols stand just inside the gate, initially giving us a curious look.
When recognition comes upon their faces, they immediately bare their necks and await instruction. I ask them to relax, not used to so much of this submissive behavior.
We are much less formal in our pack in Montana, although alphas are always given respect, we donât make it a habit of projecting our aura unless needed. Beta Arthur advises me that since they hadnât had an alpha in a decade, they feel the aura without me even projecting it.
I imagine it must be stronger when my father visits, and with a smile and a nod he admits it is. The heavy gate swings open and we enter, passing into a small courtyard and then into a garden area that is used to somewhat hide the main entrance from roaming eyes that may be passing by in the street.
I assume he means human tourists as that would make the most sense. The Fortress is off-limits to outsiders, theyâre warned itâs unsafe.
But as we step through the massive double doors, itâs clear that the Fortress is far from dilapidated. The entrance is bathed in light from a grand crystal chandelier overhead.
A richly colored rug stretches from the entrance to the foyer. On either side of the foyer, about two dozen wolves are arranged.
Omegas kneel with their heads bowed. The betaâs family, along with the gamma and his family, stand at the end of the line, necks bared, watching us from the corners of their eyes.
âPlease welcome Alpha Maximus Moon, son of Alpha Sebastian Moon,â the beta announces as we enter.
âAlpha,â they all respond in unison.
I appreciate the respect, but Iâm growing weary of the formalities. Iâm here to review the packâs finances and leadership situation, and I want to get to it.
âEveryone, please relax. I appreciate this, but you can ease up. Please stand,â I tell the omegas.
They glance at each other, whispering quietly in Italian. âOur alpha has limited knowledge of the Italian language. Please speak English when heâs present,â Beta Arthur instructs them, his voice thick with an Italian accent.
The omegas rise and hurry off to resume their duties. I approach the betaâs family and the gamma and his family.
Beta Arthurâs mate is Cecile, and they have four children, ranging in age from three to fifteen. I canât help but wonder how they spaced their children out so much, with only the two youngest close in age.
Theyâre all polite and well-mannered, especially the eldest, Angelo, who steps forward to shake my hand. He reminds me of my little brother Jaydonâquiet and observant.
I give him a warm smile and a firm handshake. Next, I meet Gamma Vincenzo and his mate, Clair.
Theyâre about a decade younger than the beta. Vincenzoâs father was the gamma to the previous alpha, retiring shortly after the alphaâs death.
Vincenzo and Clair have two little ones, both under five. The children are shy, hiding behind their mother, each clinging to a leg as they peek at me.
I find it amusing, but theyâve only met an alpha once before when my dad visited. The older boy squints at me with a daring look.
His father scolds him, and he quickly releases his motherâs leg to apologize. I ruffle his hair and nod at him.
Heâs just a kid, and I know he doesnât understand whatâs happening, only that a big, scary alpha is in his house. Once everyone has been introduced, including Alpha Frank, Cecile leads us to our rooms.
Iâm staying in the alphaâs suite, while Frank is in another room on the alpha floor. To my surprise, everything is immaculate.
Given that these rooms arenât used often, Iâm impressed by how seriously the omegas take their duties. The entire floor is modern and well-furnished, with no room left untouched by updates.
The funds for these renovations came from businesses in Venice that Beta Arthur started years ago. My room features a massive four-poster king-sized bed, draped in dark blue linens and piled with big, fluffy pillows.
I havenât slept in a bed this luxurious since I left home, or maybe ever. I test the mattress and know Iâll sleep well for the next few nights.
Thereâs a cozy sitting area in one corner, complete with a reading lamp and table next to a large chair. The attached bathroom is luxurious, boasting a large walk-in shower with marble tiles and dual shower heads.
Iâm equally impressed by the walk-in closetsâone for the alpha and one for his luna. The entire space is stunning, fit for a king.
Itâs more grand than anything Iâve seen back in the states, but then again, this is Italy. My favorite part of the room is the floor-to-ceiling window that takes up an entire wall.
Since itâs on the back side of the Fortress, no one outside would know itâs there. It offers a view of the countryside, and I can just make out Venice in the distance.
I canât wait to see the night sky lit up by the full moon. Clair assures me that no one can see in, only out.
I canât help but imagine myself living here, even though I know itâs not what I want. After a quick shower and change of clothes, I head to the second floor where the betaâs office is.
Heâs at his desk, reviewing some financials when I walk in. He stands as I enter.
âAlpha, please come in. Letâs sit at the table over there and go over some of these financial reports,â he says, pointing to a large wooden table in front of a big window.
He signals to an omega in the corner, who quickly leaves the room, returning shortly with a tray of snacks and water. The next four hours are a blur of reports and my endless questions.
My head is spinning with information, and Iâm in desperate need of a good meal. I call it a day, and Beta Arthur leads me to the dining room where his family is already waiting for dinner.
Alpha Frank is already there, having a quiet chat with Gamma Vincenzo. As we enter, everyone takes their seats.
I feel awkward sitting at the head of the table, but I know itâs my future, whether here or in Montana. We discuss the pack run scheduled for that night.
Beta Arthur has already told the pack to be there if they can. Although I should be leading the run as alpha, Iâm not comfortable since I donât know the area.
We decide that Beta Arthur, Gamma Vincenzo, Alpha Frank, and I will go for a quick run after dinner. This will give me a chance to familiarize myself with the terrain before leading the run.
Itâs my first time leading a pack run, and Iâm excited. Iâm really looking forward to meeting so many pack members at once.
Will this be the moment I feel a connection to this place, or will I just not feel it at all?