The drive back to my old pack took only five hours. While I rembered Marcus finding his mate like it was yesterday, the drive to Steele Academy was a blur.
"You ran for five hours?" I asked Nova, sowhat shocked.
"We had to get the hell out of there." She grumbled, "And now we’re going back."
"We don’t have a choice." I sighed, "But we’re both different now."
"You’re damn right we are." Nova growled smugly.
We pulled up to the edge of pack territory, followed to the side of the road by several wolves guarding the periter. I was surprised that I didn’t recognize any of the wolves.
A year later, I’m driving back to my old pack territory, driving through lands now marked with Sterling Corporation logos. When they arrive, I realize that everything has changed. New guards patrol the area, werewolves in expensive suits with the Sterling Industries logo.
"What business are you here for?" one of the n spoke up. He was huge, with a long scar running down his bicep.
"Ca to visit family. My brother Ryan, who handles pack politics, and Dad." I replied, looking at each of them. There really wasn’t anyone here I recognized. Had the pack grown while I was gone?
The man had a confused look on his face.
I wondered if Ryan and Dad were okay with the pack. Understanding flickered across the man’s face, and he glanced at the other n.
"Co on in." He nodded, and Nova wasted no ti in pulling away.
"Well, that was weird." Nova looked at and frowned. I was sure she was thinking the sa thing I was.
"That’s exactly it." I frowned.
We drove through the center of the pack, and I was shocked to see many new faces. Sothing had happened while I was gone.
We pulled into the driveway of my old house. The white paint was now faded. It felt like I had been gone for over a year. The flowers that were once outside were now wilted and dead. My mom was the one who took care of the flowers in front of the house. How long had she been dead?
I hesitated at the door, debating whether I should knock or just walk in. My train of thought was interrupted when Nova opened the door, and we walked into the house.
A shocked Ryan was sitting on the couch, and my dad was sitting off to the side in his chair.
"Zara?" my dad exclaid, looking more surprised than ever.
My dad and Ryan looked up and down, noticing the changes I had undergone in the last year. My appearance had completely transford—I was now a deadly warrior with enhanced speed, strength, and combat skills that far exceeded the normal abilities of a werewolf.
My Academy training was evident in my every move—a predatory grace, constant vigilance, and an aura of barely contained ferocity. My father was both relieved and a little terrified at what his daughter had beco.
"Hey, Dad." I smiled at him, walking into his arms. I inhaled his cologne and tobacco.
"I missed you, kid." My father grumbled, ruffling my hair.
"Now tell what the hell is going on." I frowned at Ryan, who was simply watching his father and talk.
"Marcus screwed up." Ryan snorted.
I rolled my eyes. "Wow, so surprised. Go on."
Ryan reveals the shocking truth: Marcus, the billionaire heir to the Alpha I once loved, refused to honor their pack’s business alliance after I left. When Alpha Kane Sterling of the Sterling Financial Empire approached his pack with a rger offer, Marcus sabotaged the talks out of spite, claiming Zara’s family was beneath his new mate’s standards.
"They ca here, Zara. They declared war on us." Ryan frowned, looking at Dad.
I couldn’t help but feel confused. Sure, there were a lot of new faces, but it all felt the sa. There was no way Marcus had defeated Alpha Kane Sterling.
"What happened?" I frowned, looking between Ryan’s grim expression and my father’s.
"I’ll tell you what happened," my father spat angrily. "No damn pack would help Marcus. Marcus made us all fight. Every man and woman had to fight." My father’s voice broke off with a mournful sigh.
"How... how could he do that?" I said the words mostly to myself. I knew Marcus was bad, but this was worse than I could have imagined. On the other hand, they didn’t finish the story.
"And you know what the worst part of all this is? Marcus fucking ran. Grabbed his bitch and ran while we were all fighting for our lives." My father spat, shaking with anger now.
"Dad, calm down. If he ever cos back, Alpha will kill him." Ryan’s face darkened again.
"Alpha? Alpha, who?" I asked.
"Once we realized Marcus had left us all to die, we did the only thing we could. We surrendered." Ryan frowned.
"We have a new Alpha now. Alpha Kane. We’re part of the Sterling Empire." Ryan grumbled, clearly not enjoying the situation.
"At least Alpha Kane will never leave his pack." His father spat. "He can be ruthless and cruel, but he would rather die than abandon his people."
Now their pack is owned by the Sterling empire, and Alpha Kane Sterling - a billionaire Alpha CEO worth over 50 billion - has absorbed their territory and business. He’s not just their new Alpha; he’s their new boss, their landlord, and the man who controls their economic survival.
***
As we ate dinner, I nearly jumped out of my seat when I heard the mind link click in my head. The mind link hadn’t worked since I decided to leave the pack. A deep, raspy voice swept through my head. I nearly flinched as it swirled in one ear, around my head, and out the other.
"Report for training at the Pack Headquarters at 10 am. Don’t be late. I look forward to eting you." A raspy male voice swept through my head. Rude and bossy.
Alpha Kane contacts directly via mind control, ordering to report to his corporate headquarters for training. I’m more surprised than annoyed - after the brutal regi of Moonstone Academy, I’m curious to test my new skills against another strong Alpha.
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