Chapter 104

Autumn

“Autumn if it makes you feel better, here in this country, only the most violent, unredeemable criminals from all over the world are processed like this.” Said Audrey. “No innocent life has ever been served at our establishment, being run by humans to quell the appetites of the high volume of supernatural creatures here. Many old wolves, as old as Phillip live here, being an old country. This also includes vampires, witches and so on. The creatures that live here have been here nearly since the beginning.”

“Lady Gray, you look like you’ve seen a ghost, thankfully you don’t smell it though... We wouldn’t try anything either way.” Grotch chuckled. I could see his fangs in his human form, and it seemed all his teeth were pointed, but I wouldn’t show weakness. Smelling like fear excites predators like wolves… I could only assume that the same was true for trolls.

“Think of it like this. You’re all honorary trolls. Bad for business and all that.” Said Nettle.

“Plus, it’ll make our Lord look like a liar.” Said Crotch. “We keep reassuring you because in our line of work, and you being a prey animal and all, it isn’t very convincing to see us like we truly are, and do what we do… and how we do it. Which is usually very violent if you can imagine.” He chuckled.

“That’s good to know.” I mumbled.

“If you look to your left, you’ll see the apartments that house BrandgulMoon pack.” Said cousin Lucus to change the subject. “They have over six thousand known members spanning the city. If that sounds like allot, it isn’t. Packs on this side of the world are larger, but there are much fewer packs to join. The good thing is that Alpha Hershel already got paperwork for you from Alpha Phillip to be invited here.” He ate the last few bites of his burger with a hum.

“Can I get his number?” Asked Oliver, and Audrey nodded.

“I think he’s out his office by now, but I’m sure he can squeeze you in.” She smiled.

“He will. I am an Alpha from another pack. I still feel like I should’ve contacted him myself, but I didn’t know that there was a major pack here, but honestly that isn’t really an excuse. .” He said a little sheepishly. “It’s a very old, still very much alive tradition. Alphas don’t usually travel to other packs, and if we do, we must let the other know who we are, and what our intentions are if we intend to stay.”

“I don’t know how any of that works… we just feed your people and keep tabs on who runs what…” Said Lucus.

“Fair enough. Just think of it like relations between different countries. For the most part a president of one country wouldn’t just enter another, especially if terms aren’t met.” He said biting into the cow bone he had, except there was no crunch. It’s more like as he bit down, his teeth sank in and it surprised I think everyone in the car except me.

“I see now why the boss said not to piss you off.” Chuckled Grotch.

“I’d never bite anyone without reason, but pissing me off too much triggers my breath to become poison. So in confined quarters I don’t unless I have to talk.” He said taking another bite.

“Then for the mortals’ sake we won’t joke around too much.” Said Grotch. “Drop us off here, we can start our watch around the city.” He said abruptly. We were close to the apartment Oliver had rented for us, but they had their own accommodations not too far from us.

“Remember the rip up the business card Lord Vazfa gave you if you need us. It’s a magic beacon.” Said Murgul.

“I will.” Said Oliver.

“I get why you spent extra money on muscle here, but you really didn’t have to.” Said my cousin. “Phillip and Susanna told us everything, the untrue Third Seat holds no sway here…. the Wolf King’s coat of arms is tattooed on Alpha Hershel’s chest by the King himself. It’s one of the few things we do know about his pack, because I can only assume such an honor is incredibly rare. I didn’t want to talk too much around the goblin kin though. They are only as loyal as their contract, but we are blood.”

“I know.” Said Oliver. “Also Sorry Autumn… it seems our first day here has been nothing but business. I swear tomorrow I’ll make it up to you.” He said rubbing my back in a little circle.

I sighed, leaning my head on his arm. “We got here late, East started acting up, and on top of that you’re worried about me being safe even more so than usual. We’re in a different territory too. I’m not upset in the slightest.” I said with a small smile.

“Even the man meat?” He asked quietly.

“Not even the man meat.” I confirmed firmly. “When I agreed to being your mate… I knew realistically you were a supernatural creature…. This isn’t something that you’re doing to be insensitive, it’s something that is natural for your people.” I smiled.

He kissed me gently before pulling out his phone. “You can take us to the rental service. I booked a car for us the rest of the week. It’s already ready.”

“We can drop you off. It’s not too far from here, but if you drive be sure to remember some streets are one way and really narrow. GPS can translate, and if not, call us and we’ll be your translators.” Said Lucus.

“Thanks for the advice. Honestly I was just going to the supernatural spots tomorrow. But today I feel obligated to put our honeymoon on the right track.”

We rode for only 15 minutes more, pulling up to the car rental place, and we got out.

“It’s been fun. We’ll need you later anyway though.” Said Oliver, shaking his wrist.

“It was a pleasure meeting you. You make my little Autumn happy, and that makes me happy.” Said Lucus.

“It’s supposed to get 3 Celsius tonight too.” Said Audrey.

“Don’t worry. I Already bought a thick coat for her if she so much as sneezes.” Said Oliver, patting our luggage, and I inwardly groaned…. He always picks the thickest, heaviest coats.

With one last hug we separated.

“I hate to say it Autumn, but I’m glad it’s just you and me for now.” He grinned wide, cranking the ignition of the small Fiesta that he’d ordered.

“So you can have me to yourself?” I asked with a small smile.

“Yup. That and Alpha Hershel wants us to see him now.” Said Oliver.

“Really?” I asked and he nodded.

“I can’t lie, I’d do the same thing. An Alpha of Ancient blood entered my territory in the night, I’d want to see what he’s up to.” Said Oliver.

“He probably already has someone out here to escort us to the packhouse.” I said looking out the rearview mirror, and sure enough, a black mustang was trailing us.

[Alpha wishes you to follow me. I am Beta Karlson.] He linked my mate, but I wondered how I could hear him. That had happened before once or twice, but I always just figured it was a wolf thing, and I never asked…. But if I had I needed a refresher.

[Lead the way.] Replied Oliver. “There are different types of mind link. He common linked me, so all wolves in maybe a fifty-foot radius heard that.” He said most likely hearing me.

We drove and parked in front of a light blue apartment complex. All the homes here in this part of town were attached, and from what I could tell, this section of the street housed either only supernatural creatures, or some kind of arrangement was made. Even I could tell by the scent.

The Beta that got out the car honestly looked like an Alpha himself. He was a tall ebony man with his hair cut to a fade, with it cut short at the top. He reminded me of someone from the military with his stern face, having a small cut across his nose, and intensely piercing gray eyes. He was likely a really old wolf. Their seriousness was usually the giveaway for that.

Oliver shook wrists with the man, then he shook mine, though it felt as if he put no weight into it. “Alpha Oliver, Luna Autumn welcome to BrandgulMoon pack, home to the largest pack in this country. Traditionally the largest pack is in the capital city of the countries here.” He said stiffly.

“Thank you for the swift welcome. Had I known a pack was here, I would’ve called in advance myself.” He said as we walked, but I said nothing. Winter seemed a bit off…

“My Alpha likes it that way. Only a very few people actually know the true size and perimeter. We’re also very selective on our members.” He said stiffly, looking at me as if he said without words that I wouldn’t be invited if not for my mate.

“Even Omegas have their value.” Said Oliver. His eyes also flashed, and so did his. Whatever it was that he warned though had him hesitate to speak.

“That goes without saying. Those born in the pack need not worry, but we do not accept the weak…. There is much unrest on this side of the world.” He mumbled.

“Is that true for other packs?” I asked and he nodded stiffly.

“Those who are wounded, Omegas, or kicked out for bad behavior will be hard pressed to find anyone willing to take them. Their best bet would likely be to immigrate to your continent.” He said factually.

“Then I really would like to speak with Alpha Hershel, as I run the largest pack in New Apple. We’re pretty much nearly at capacity, but I have plenty of land in another state.” Said Oliver.

“You would be doing a great service to the weak…. No one will take them here.” Said Beta Karlson.

He turned right down a well used alley. I could tell because of all the foot and large pawprints that littered the snow into a well worn rut, but there was also nothing back there. It was the space between a row of two separate sets of connected buildings. It was so narrow I doubted that a regular sized car could fit. There was also something about this place that made Winter nervous. I didn’t understand why though, but I would like my mate.

[Oliver Winer is really nervous. She doesn’t like it here and I was wondering exactly how normal is that?] I asked.

[That’s Very common. Winter is kind of small, so the scent of an old Alpha she doesn’t know or one that isn’t family will make her want to leave. It’s a defense mechanism… also…. I smell council. I thought I picked something far enough away, but it seems not…]

[Damn.] I linked back.

[Soothe her if you can. She has nothing to fear; I’m here and East would let nothing happen to you.] he linked as he rubbed my back a little bit. Just that calmed her, and I was thankful. Her emotions affect me almost as if they were my own… that was still something I was getting used to.