Chapter 50: New Beginnings

Three days after the vote, life started feeling normal. Or as normal as it could be when you're a Luna Alpha.

I moved into Cole's room officially. No more sleeping in separate spaces. We were mates. Time to act like it.

"You sure about this?" Cole asked as I unpacked my stuff. "Moving in together is a big step."

"We literally shared a body. I think we can handle sharing a room."

He laughed. "Fair point."

I hung my clothes in his closet. Put my books on his shelf. Made space for myself.

It felt good. Right. Like I was finally home.

A knock on the door. Stacey walked in. "Hey. Got a minute?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"We have our first problem. As Luna and Beta." She held up her phone. "Two packs are fighting. Over territory. It's getting bad."

"What packs?"

"Coastal North and Coastal South. Derek's pack and another one. They both claim the same hunting ground." Stacey sat on the bed. "Three fights this week. One wolf in the hospital."

"Did they ask for help?"

"No. But The Elder says we should step in anyway. Before someone dies." Stacey looked at me. "This is your first test as Luna. How you handle this sets the tone."

No pressure.

"What do you think we should do?" I asked.

"Honestly? No idea. I'm a fighter. Not a negotiator." Stacey shrugged. "But you're smart. You'll figure it out."

"Thanks for the confidence."

"That's what Beta's for. Blind faith in the boss." She smiled. "So what's the plan?"

I thought about it. Two packs fighting. Both claiming the same land. Someone had to give.

But making them give would create resentment. Make them hate me.

Unless I found a different solution.

"We need to see the land. Talk to both Alphas. Hear their side." I stood. "Set up a meeting. Tomorrow. Neutral ground. Both leaders. No pack members. Just us and them."

"You sure? Derek voted against you. He might not listen."

"Then I make him listen. I'm Luna. That means something." I hoped it did anyway.

Stacey left to set it up.

Cole pulled me close. "You nervous?"

"Terrified. What if I mess this up? What if they don't listen?"

"Then we try something else. But they'll listen. You're more powerful than you think." He kissed me. "And I'll be right there with you."

"You don't have to come. This is Luna business."

"You're my mate. Where you go, I go." His voice was firm. "Non negotiable."

I didn't argue. Truth was, I wanted him there. Needed him there.

The next day, we drove to the meeting spot. A park halfway between both territories.

Derek was already there. Young Alpha. Angry face. Arms crossed.

The other Alpha arrived minutes later. Older woman. Maybe fifty. Short gray hair. Hard eyes.

"I'm Marina," she said. "Alpha of Coastal North."

"I'm Lita. Luna Alpha. This is Cole, my mate. And Stacey, my Beta."

"I know who you are." Marina didn't smile. "You're the girl who almost got removed three days ago."

"But didn't. I'm still Luna. And you're fighting over territory. We're here to fix it."

"There's nothing to fix," Derek said. "That land is ours. Has been for ten years."

"Wrong. It's been ours for twenty." Marina glared at him. "Your pack moved in and claimed it. We're taking it back."

"You abandoned it. We found it empty. Finders keepers."

"That's not how pack law works."

They started arguing. Louder. Angrier.

I let them go for a minute. Let them get it out.

Then I whistled. Sharp. Loud. They both stopped.

"Enough. Fighting won't solve this." I looked at both of them. "Show me the land. Let me see what you're fighting over."

We drove to the territory. Forest land. Nice. Good hunting. A small stream running through it.

I could see why both wanted it.

"How big is it?" I asked.

"About fifty acres," Marina said.

"And you both hunt here?"

"We try. But his pack scares off the game," Marina said.

"Because your pack hunts at the wrong times," Derek shot back.

More arguing.

I walked the land. Looked at the stream. The trees. Got an idea.

"The stream divides the land in half. North and south." I pointed. "What if you split it? Twenty five acres each. North side for Marina. South side for Derek."

"That's not fair," Derek said. "The north side has better hunting."

"Then we make it fair." I looked at Marina. "You get north side. But Derek's pack can hunt there two days a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your pack hunts the other five days."

Marina thought about it. "And what does Derek give?"

"His pack patrols both sides. Keeps other packs out. Protects your territory too."

Derek frowned. "So we do the work and share the land?"

"You get security. A buffer zone. And hunting rights you didn't have before." I looked at both. "It's not perfect. But it's fair. Both give. Both get."

Silence. They both thought about it.

"What if it doesn't work?" Marina asked.

"Then we meet again in three months. Adjust the deal. But we try this first." I stood taller. "Unless you'd rather keep fighting. Keep sending wolves to the hospital. Keep wasting time and energy on a problem with a simple solution."

More silence.

Then Marina nodded. "Okay. I accept. Three month trial."

Derek looked at the land. At Marina. At me. "Fine. But if her pack breaks the deal, I'm coming to you."

"Fair. Same for you. Break the deal, Marina comes to me." I pulled out my phone. "I'll write this up official. You both sign. We make it pack law."

I typed up the agreement. Simple. Clear. Fair.

Both Alphas signed it on my phone.

"Deal done," I said. "Any problems, you come to me first. Before fighting. Clear?"

"Clear," they both said.

We left. Drove back to the gym.

Stacey was quiet for a while. Then smiled. "That was smart. The split. The hunting rights. The patrol trade."

"You think it'll work?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. But you tried. You found a solution they didn't think of." She looked at me. "That's what Lunas do. See options others miss."

Cole squeezed my hand. "Told you. You're better at this than you think."

I wanted to believe them. But doubt stayed.

One problem solved. But how many more would come?

My phone buzzed. Text from The Elder.

"Heard about the territory deal. Well done. But don't celebrate yet. You have a visitor. Someone from your old life. She's waiting at the gym. Says it's urgent."

Who from my old life?

My parents were dead. Brian was dead. James was dead.

Who was left?

We got back to the gym. Walked inside.

A woman sat in the common area. Back to us. Long dark hair.

She turned around when she heard us.

My stomach dropped.

It was my cousin. Victoria. From my mother's side.

The cousin I hadn't seen in five years.

The cousin who hated me.

"Hello, Lita," she said. Smile cold. "Long time no see. We need to talk. About your mother's will. About your inheritance. And about why you're not getting any of it."