Chapter 6: My First Visit To The Blood Moon Pack

Dominic

The sleek black SUV glided through the winding forest roads, tires crunching over fallen pine needles. I sat in the back seat, my thoughts racing faster than the scenery passing by the tinted windows. Ethan, my Beta, was behind the wheel, his eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror to catch my expression.

"So Blood Moon reached out to us," Ethan said, breaking the comfortable silence. "They want protection from the big bad Alpha King." His tone carried that hint of sarcasm I'd grown accustomed to over the years.

"They're desperate," I replied, watching the trees grow denser as we ventured deeper into the wilderness. "After that rogue attack seventeen years ago, they've been scrambling for allies. Lost most of their pack."

"And you're just... what? Using this as an excuse to check out their females?" Ethan raised an eyebrow, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror.

I shrugged. "I've visited every other pack within five hundred miles. Blood Moon is the only one I haven't had a reason to inspect personally."

The truth was, I was running out of options. At thirty-five, I'd spent nearly two decades searching for my true mate. Every Alpha King needed a Luna, and I'd be damned if mine was hiding in some obscure pack I'd overlooked.

"Maybe the Moon Goddess just hates your guts," Ethan chuckled. "Deprived the mighty Alpha King Dominic of his mate because you're already too powerful."

I growled low in my throat. "Watch it."

Just stating facts, Ethan's voice echoed in my head through our mind link. You've checked everywhere else. What makes you think she's here?

Process of elimination, I responded silently. Besides, Blood Moon has always been... odd. Secretive. Like they're hiding something.

The road narrowed as we approached our destination, the forest growing impossibly thick around us. Most packs established their territories with clear markers and impressive entrances—a statement of power and territory. But as we slowed to a stop, all I could see was... nothing. Just more trees and undergrowth.

"This can't be right," I muttered as Ethan parked the car along the narrow shoulder.

"GPS says this is it," Ethan confirmed, checking his phone. "Blood Moon territory."

He stepped out and walked around to open my door—a formality reserved for the Alpha King. As I emerged from the vehicle, I took a deep breath, sampling the air. There were definitely wolves nearby; their scents lingered faintly in the breeze.

I scanned our surroundings, my eyes finally landing on what appeared to be nothing more than a small gap between two dense thickets of brambles. If I hadn't been looking for it, I would have missed it entirely. Two men stood beside the opening, both wearing identical black tank tops that looked like they came from a discount store's bargain bin.

Are they serious? I thought, letting my contempt show on my face. This is how they greet the Alpha King?

The men straightened as we approached. The taller one had a crude tiger tattoo on his left bicep—Trevor, I presumed, the Alpha of this pathetic excuse for a pack. The shorter one beside him sported a ridiculous skull tattoo sprawling across his arm and chest. His Beta, if I guessed correctly.

What caught my attention, though, was the fresh scar running along Kevin's hairline—still pink and healing. Someone had gotten the better of him recently.

Looking at such a funny scene in front of me, I couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Alpha King Dominic," Trevor stepped forward, extending his hand with a nervous smile that didn't reach his eyes. "It's an honor to welcome you to Blood Moon territory."

I clasped his hand briefly, feeling the slight tremble in his grip. "Alpha Trevor. This is my Beta, Ethan."

"Oh, this is my Beta Kevin."

The formalities were brief and awkward. After exchanging stiff greetings, Trevor gestured toward the gap in the bushes. "This way, please."

I shared a skeptical glance with Ethan before following. This was supposed to be the entrance to their territory? It looked like a rabbit hole, not the gateway to a wolf pack's domain.

The moment I stepped through the gap, everything changed. The narrow opening suddenly expanded into a tunnel with concrete walls and ceiling that emitted a soft, bluish glow. It was as if we'd stepped into another dimension entirely.

What the fuck? I mind-linked to Ethan, feeling his similar shock echo back to me.

How does a pack that looks this poor have... whatever this is? he responded.

The tunnel was narrow—barely wide enough for one person at a time. Trevor led the way, followed by me, then Ethan, with his Beta bringing up the rear.

"We've had to take certain precautions after the attack," Trevor explained over his shoulder, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space.

"Seventeen years ago, thirty rogues ambushed us. We lost two-thirds of our pack that night, including our previous Alpha and Luna."

I nodded, though he couldn't see me in the single-file line. The story was well-known among pack leaders. Blood Moon had been devastated, left vulnerable and desperate.

It explained their need for alliance with my pack, but not... whatever this tunnel was.

Do you think they have witches? I asked Ethan through our link. Or some other supernatural allies? This entrance feels like magic.

Possibly, Ethan replied. But why would a pack with magical allies need our protection?