The Greystone Ridge Pack Series

SEBASTIAN

Greystone Peaks, one of the country’s largest mountain ranges, was home to two major packs: the Greystone Ridge Pack and the Red River Pack. The area was a popular getaway spot, with its scenic lakes and forests attracting people in need of a break or some peace and quiet.

Young people often came here for a final taste of freedom before heading off to college. The cabins and lakes offered the perfect escape.

Signs along the road warned travelers about the wild animals that roamed the mountain range. We usually kept out of sight when in wolf form.

“Sebastian, do a perimeter check. We have a group of newcomers arriving today. I want to make sure the group at the top of the ridge has left,” Hawk, my alpha, ordered through our mind link.

We took care of the cabins, which brought in some revenue for us. The main office, located at the start of the mountain roads, was the furthest point along our border. This was where keys were handed out and travelers set off to their cabins.

We had a few employees from the small circle of humans associated with us. They were well compensated for serving the visitors and only interacted with the higher-ranking officers, including me.

Our pack had a large house and several lodges located slightly off the beaten path and along our boundaries. I began my patrol around the perimeter.

Our territory was divided. Our mountain range met the lake, a neutral ground between us and the Red River Pack. They had a slightly flatter woodland on the other side.

Interactions between the packs were kept to a minimum to avoid brawls. The Greystone Ridge Pack had many cabins, which we rented out to regular people. This was one of our income sources.

The Red River Pack didn’t have as many cabins, but they had the advantage of having them around their side of the lake because the lands were flatter.

Finding a mate had been a struggle for me. It had been increasingly difficult for all of us in recent years.

I had ventured to the outskirts of our borders hoping to find a mate from another pack, but with no luck.

My alpha had been urging me to see if there was someone from the Red River Pack. It was one of the few times our two packs interacted, unless it was for business.

Typically, if a mate was found, the female was expected to leave her pack and join her mate’s pack. This often caused problems.

“Sebastian, the season is almost over. You’ll have to wait another nine months to see if you find your mate,” Hawk mind-linked with me while I was running.

My alpha was concerned about me not finding my mate yet; it was clearly on his mind. A strong, mated beta would strengthen the pack.

“I’ve tried, you know I have, but no female has attracted me. They don’t arouse me either,” I responded.

I’d been having issues, not that I wanted to admit it to anyone, but my alpha and luna had known for the last few weeks. My sexual energy had been tense, to say the least.

“Go do the border patrol and cabin checks, burn off some of that pent-up sexual energy. Report back to me before you head to the check-in lodge. I don’t want the Red River Pack hunting on our grounds.”

I ran down to the lake and along their borders. My wolf loved being free. I was returning after checking some of the cabins to ensure the group of guys we had was gone.

Guests usually stayed a week, sometimes two. We cleaned and prepared the cabins for the next guests.

I gave the green light for the cabins to be cleaned.

Some of the young females found themselves being flirted with by fellow travelers. While they didn’t mind, their youth meant they had no control over their power.

Plus, it was now forbidden to have any relationship with a human.

After a quick mind link with Hawk to tell him I was on my way back, I arrived at the pack house as he emerged from the mountain pass, which led up to the couples’ cabins of the pack.

It was pretty clear what he had been up to.

“What’s up?”

I shifted back into human form, and he tossed me a pair of shorts to put on.

After a quick look around to ensure no one was nearby, he draped his arm over my shoulder.

“I’ve been told that a group of young girls is coming. I’ve booked them into the Ridgetop cabin to keep them as far from the lake as possible. I don’t trust the Red River Pack after last year’s mess.”

He growled and tensed up. “I want you to keep an eye on them; make sure there are no lingering wolves about.”

“Yes, I cleared two young males on our border yesterday. I’ve informed Josh and the other border patrols.

“We can tell them to leave when they encroach on our territory, but at the lake, they have more control, which is where the incident happened last year.”

A girl, who was staying in one of the cabins closer to the lake in the Red River Pack area, had fallen for Max, one of our warriors.

But when he found her with a hot-blooded male from the Red River Pack, things went haywire. A huge fight broke out; they shifted into wolves, and she was caught in the crossfire.

It was a bloodbath, and the girl had to be reported dead from a wild animal attack. So, now we were forbidden to have anything to do with humans, apart from protecting them and ensuring their safety.

“They could arrive anytime after noon, keep your eyes open.” Hawk rubbed his forehead. “I have a meeting with the alpha of the Black Moon Pack; something has attacked one of their young females.

“They don’t have many in their pack, and obviously have reached out to us for help because the Red River Pack can’t be trusted.”

“Yes, because they always want something in return.” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I’ll make sure the new folks are safe.” I gave him a friendly pat on the back. “You taking Star with you?”

She was our luna, a real peacemaker between the packs. Plus, she had a knack for calming Hawk down when he got all worked up.

“Jeffery and Wyatt are coming too.” He nodded in their direction and I turned to see them approaching.

“Just keep the new folks safe, that’s all I’m asking. And try to keep contact to a minimum, for whatever reason.”

He shifted into his wolf form, and the other two followed suit. They vanished into the wilderness.

I headed back to my room in the pack house, took a shower, and changed. Then I made my way down to the check-in office. Depending on when they arrived, it could be a long afternoon.

I walked in and said hello to Linda, the girl who worked the front desk.

She batted her eyelashes at me and I groaned inwardly. “Will she ever give up?” My wolf grumbled inside my head.

“Have the new folks shown up yet?” I crossed my arms, hoping it would send her the message that I wasn’t interested.

“No, not yet.” She flipped through the check-in book and glanced up at the key rack.

“I’ll wait outside.” I didn’t stick around for her response.

Outside, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my lungs of the overpowering perfume Linda was wearing. “She must’ve sprayed it right before you walked in,” my wolf coughed. I didn’t mind waiting outside.

I checked my watch for the tenth time, wondering where these girls were. Just then, a car pulled up. Two girls climbed out. “We made it.” The driver of the car grinned.

“Only after getting lost three times.” The other girl rolled her eyes.

“Let’s go check in and get to our cabin.” The driver gestured for them to go in. Another girl got out of the car and the three of them went inside to check in.

I was sure the alpha said there would be four girls.

I turned to face the car, and saw a head of black hair resting against the window.

The window was slightly open, and even though I could smell all sorts of food from their road trip, a hint of vanilla wafted up to my nose and stirred something in me.

I tilted my head, trying to get a better look at the girl, and something inside me sparked. My wolf jumped around, excited. “Mate,” he cried out.

Time stood still when she stirred, finally opening her eyes to meet mine. My heart stopped and I couldn’t breathe.

How could my mate be human?