A Ridge Mountain Pack 3: The Ultimate Sacrifice

MELANIE

I’m stuffing the last of my essentials into my suitcase, zipping it shut with a sense of finality. My dad’s dropping me off at the airport in an hour. I’m Texas-bound, heading to a small pack that’s offered to teach me how to handle venomous desert creature bites.

I’m not exactly thrilled about the impending dust and heat, but at least it’s near San Antonio. I can escape to the city if I need a break. I’ll be there for three weeks, studying, then it’s back home for finals and graduation.

With a sigh, I hoist my suitcase off the bed and lug it downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, everyone’s probably at school or training. I glance at the clock, then head to the kitchen to fix myself a bowl of cereal.

Just as I’m finishing my cereal, my mom walks in, smoothing my hair as she takes a seat next to me. “It’s so quiet around here,” she comments.

“Where is everyone?” I ask.

“Well, Max and Ginger left for their honeymoon at five this morning, Jaydon and Selene are at school, as is Macy. Beck and his mate went to town for some appointment. That leaves your father and I here. And you.” She gives me a sad smile. “I guess you will be leaving soon too.”

I pat my mom’s hand reassuringly. “It’s just for three weeks, Mom.”

She sighs, “For now it is. But soon you’ll be off living your life, maybe as a pack doctor somewhere, maybe with a mate.”

“Mm hmmm,” I respond, standing up. “Okay, Mom, you’re not usually this melancholy. We’ll always be your pups, even when we’re adults. I haven’t decided yet where I’ll be a pack doctor. I could stay here; I don’t have to go elsewhere.”

“But you will, my dear. Your mate has been waiting for you, just as you’ve been waiting for him.”

“It could be a long time before I find him, Mother.” I stand with my hands on my hips, watching her reaction.

“No, Melanie, it won’t be. We all know that.” She smiles, standing up to kiss me on the cheek. She then heads toward my father’s office. “I’ll let your father know you’re ready to go to the airport.” She disappears up the stairs.

***

I’m jolted awake by the stewardess touching my shoulder, informing me that we’re about to land. I can’t believe I slept through the entire flight. I straighten up in my seat, ensuring my bag is tucked under the seat in front of me.

My nose wrinkles at the unpleasant smell of sweat and alcohol. The man next to me must have been drinking throughout the flight. I try to distance myself from him as his head bobs with the turbulence of the descending plane.

I can’t wait to get off this plane and away from these humans. Some of them have worse hygiene than rogues.

As soon as the plane touches down and starts taxiing to the gate, I prepare to disembark as quickly as possible. My bag is in my lap, seat belt unbuckled, and I’m ready to bolt as soon as they give the go-ahead.

The guy next to me wakes up, rubbing his eyes before turning to me. “Hey beautiful, have we landed?” I roll my eyes and nod.

Now at the gate, the door in the front opens and the first-class passengers start exiting. I stand, ready to make a run for it to the baggage claim and find my ride. The pack’s doctor and his mate are supposed to pick me up. They should be waiting by the curb, wearing a red t-shirt, or so he told me.

Surprisingly, my bag appears on the belt quickly despite the full flight. I grab my suitcase and step out into the sweltering Texas heat. I’m already sweating after just ten feet.

I start scanning for the doctor. I spot two men leaning against a blue Ford Explorer. One is wearing a red shirt, but he said he’d be with his mate. That can’t be him.

I put my nose to work, trying to pick up the scent of a wolf. Coincidentally, they are the only wolves I see. I cautiously approach them.

“Excuse me,” I say, standing a few feet away. “Are you by any chance Doctor Sky?”

The man in the red shirt steps forward. He looks young for his late forties, with only a hint of gray at his temples giving away his age. He’s surprisingly fit for a non-warrior, which makes me think he values his health.

“What doctor wouldn’t?” “I am Doctor Sky. You must be Melanie Moon. Can I get your bag?” he asks, taking it from my hand before I can respond.

The other man steps forward and shakes my hand. “Excuse the good doctor here, he’s rude not to introduce us.” I chuckle and shake his hand. He gives me a firm shake and then lets his hand drop. “My name is Frederick.”

“Hi Frederick, nice to meet you. Umm, Doctor Sky?” I start to ask him about his mate.

“Oh, call me George, please. We’re going to be working together for the next three weeks, I’d prefer you to feel comfortable.”

“Okay. Call me Melanie then,” we both laugh. “I thought you said you were coming with your mate.” He and Frederick exchange a look and both smirk.

“I did. Frederick is my mate. He has been for twenty years.” He smiles at Frederick. I’m sure my face shows my surprise. I know it’s possible for male wolves to be mates, I’ve just never seen it in person. Leaving Montana might broaden my horizons.

“Oh, that’s fabulous. Well, thank you both for picking me up.”

Frederick rubs his hands together and says, “We better get going. If we hurry, we can be back in time for dinner. The pack house chef is serving steak and roasted potatoes tonight, with cheesecake for dessert. I need my dessert.”

He winks at me and loops his arm through mine. “Come on, pretty lady, I’ll ride in the back so George can point out points of interest as we drive.”

I can’t deny the thrill that bubbles up inside me as we near San Antonio. It’s a stone’s throw away from Brock’s pack, and I can’t help but hope he’ll find me when he returns. I find myself lost in the cityscape outside the window, watching as the urban jungle gives way to the open road.

George is kind enough to point out parks and landmarks, anchoring me to this new reality.

Before I know it, the city is a distant memory and we’re cruising down a seemingly endless road. The landscape is dotted with tumbleweeds, cacti, and other unfamiliar vegetation. It’s a stark contrast to what I’m used to, but it’s not unwelcome.

Suddenly, we veer off the main road and onto a dirt path. Like most packs, they prefer to remain hidden from prying human eyes. About ten minutes later, we’re greeted by a towering steel gate, manned by two guards.

The doctor rolls down his window, offering them a quick wave, and we’re granted entry. I can’t help but think how unbearable it must be to stand guard in this heat.

A few minutes later, we pull up to a clinic. George and Frederick guide me inside and up a flight of stairs. It turns out they live in an apartment above the clinic.

They show me to my room, which is simple but comfortable. The private bathroom is a definite plus.

I pull back the curtain to reveal a view of the woods—or at least, what passes for woods in these parts. It’s a charming room, and I have no complaints.

“Let’s go, Melanie. I can’t miss dinner,” Frederick calls out as he breezes past my open door.

The pair are quite the characters. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better—they seem fun and grounded, a far cry from the stuffy pack doctors I’ve encountered before.

I can’t help but smile as I leave my room and descend the stairs, ready to meet the San Antonio Pack. This is the final leg of my journey before I finish medical school. I’m filled with anticipation for all the changes that are about to come my way.

I’ve waited so long for this, and now it’s almost within my grasp.