Romance
ALPHA KING'S SECRET TRIPLETS Chapter 59
HUNTER'S POV
Under the cloak of night, I, Hunter, advanced along the road with Zora by my side. Our lupine forms, the bearskin on my back, hinted at the journey we were undertaking towards the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho, a land that stretched across the majestic Rocky Mountains. However, as we reached the road, Zora halted, sparking my bewilderment.
“It seems we've arrived, Hunter,” Zora announced with a smile.
Incredulous, I denied, “Impossible. We barely left Alastair's territory. It would take at least a day to get to Idaho.”
Zora, with a mysterious smile, clarified, “We don't need to travel as wolves to get there, Hunter. My pack isn't that primitive.”
Noticing the perplexity in my gaze, Zora assumed her human form and adjusted the cloak she wore. I understood that I should follow suit, and in moments, I reverted from my lupine form to human, the bear skin adorning me.
Curious, I questioned, “How are we going to do this, Zora?”
With a confident expression, she indicated for me to follow. We crossed the road to where a luxurious black car awaited, its driver clad in dark attire. As we approached, the driver exited the car and respectfully nodded his head. Zora addressed him as if they were old acquaintances.
“Have we taken too long?” she inquired.
The driver, impassive, replied, “No, hardly any time has passed.” Then, he looked at me and asked, “Who is this, Zora?”
Zora, with pride, answered, “This is Hunter, Alastair's son. Now, I am his Luna.”
Zora introduced him as Garm, a pack member entrusted with taking us to Idaho.
The driver inclined his head in a sign of respect. “An honor to escort you to Idaho.”
We entered the luxurious vehicle, and as the forest trees faded away in the distance, I contemplated the new journey unfolding before us.
---
As the vehicle traversed the road toward the Sawtooth National Forest, my gaze wandered over the rapidly changing landscape from Colorado to Idaho. Zora was by my side, asleep on my shoulder, and the weight of her presence did not go unnoticed. The bear skin rested on my back, a constant reminder of the test I faced and the choices I had to make.
Garm, the driver, skillfully guided the vehicle, and I found myself thinking about Fierce. How would she have received the news that I didn't choose her as my Luna? This doubt lingered in my mind as the road unfolded.
The transition from Colorado to Idaho was smooth, marked by changes in the landscape and atmosphere. When Garm left the main road and entered a trail, I looked at him with curiosity.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
Garm, keeping his eyes on the road, replied, “I'm taking the couple to the pack, where Alpha King Garnet awaits.”
Garm's voice brought Zora back to consciousness, and she woke up, looking around with a sleepy expression. “Have we arrived already?” she asked.
“We're approaching the Hut,” Garm announced.
“Do you also have a Hut?” I inquired, intrigued by the idea.
Zora chuckled softly. “All packs do, Hunter, but ours, for sure, will surprise you.”
Curiosity surged within me. The concept of a Hut, a meeting, and convergence place for a pack, sparked my imagination. I wondered what Zora's pack's Hut would be like, what secrets and traditions it held.
As we continued down the road, the trees of the Sawtooth National Forest began to thicken, indicating we were nearing our destination. Garm drove skillfully, knowing the paths as if they were part of his own essence. Zora, now fully awake, observed the landscape through the window with a smile on her lips. I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. What awaited us in this pack? How would Garnet, the Alpha King, receive us?
The vehicle soon slowed down, signaling that we were reaching our destination. Garm guided it skillfully to a spot that seemed to be the entrance to the pack's Hut.
“We've arrived,” Garm announced, parking the vehicle.
Zora looked at me, her eyes shining with excitement. “Get ready, Hunter. You're about to meet the pack that is now yours too.”
Garm parked the car, and I watched in astonishment as Zora's pack's Hut revealed itself before me. It was an impressive structure, a kind of mansion rooted in the forest. The imposing architecture contrasted with the natural serenity around it.
“Wow,” I murmured, admiring the grandeur of the building. “This is incredible.”
Zora, sensing my surprised expression, smiled. “Welcome to our pack's Hut, Hunter. I'm sure you'll like what you find here.”
Garm opened the car door, helping Zora descend. As we approached the Hut's entrance, I wondered about the secrets and challenges that awaited inside those walls and how this new phase of my life was connected to my destiny as the next Alpha King.
---
Inside Zora's impressive pack Hut, my eyes roamed over every detail, absorbing the grandeur of the place. It was a majestic environment, completely different from the modest Hut of my pack in the Rocky Mountains. White marble dominated the structure, giving it a temple-like appearance. The luxurious decor, scattered fireplaces, and modern electronic devices revealed a sophistication I hadn't imagined.
Zora, beside me, noticed my expression of admiration and smiled. “Impressed, Hunter?”
I nodded, still processing the magnitude of what lay before me. “I never thought a pack's Hut could be like this. It seems like a magical place.”
Zora laughed lightly. “Well, here in the pack, we like to maintain a high standard. After all, we're not just an ordinary pack; we're the main pack of the Alpha King.”
We observed the Hut for a few more moments before Zora turned to Garm, who stood near the entrance.
Zora, noticing my amazed expression, smiled and addressed Garm, who stood respectfully. “Give us a few minutes, Garm, before informing my father of our arrival.”
“Unfortunately, Zora. Ignis probably already informed him,” Garm remarked.
“I'll deal with Ignis later. For now, go,” Zora ordered.
Garm agreed and withdrew, leaving us alone in the grand Hut. As we walked through the interior, I couldn't help but admire every detail. Zora guided me through spacious halls and adorned corridors, sharing stories about the pack's history and traditions.
I stopped in front of a massive fireplace and looked at Zora. “This is amazing, Zora. I never imagined a pack could have something like this.”
Zora, noticing my amazed expression, laughed lightly. “Impressive, isn't it? Ignis is responsible for much of this splendor.”
“Who is Ignis?” I asked Zora, curious about the reference to that person.
Zora smiled, revealing a mix of admiration and respect. “Ignis is the Peeira of our pack. She has a gift for communication and often announces important events in the pack. She's responsible for everything related to our pack—she heals our sick, protects us, and, of course, is responsible for the grandeur of this Hut”.
The word “Peeira” echoed in my ears. Peeiras were protectors of wolves, some seen as priestesses of the Moon Goddess, a direct link between wolves and the Goddess. Others were portrayed as healers, settling in a pack to aid in healing and guiding them with their insights.
I had always thought these entities were just legends, stories told to scare children or entertain adults. The idea that a pack, especially one as advanced as Zora's, had a Peeira was extraordinary.
“That's incredible,” I said, still processing the information. “I never imagined a pack could have a Peeira. I always thought it was just a legend.”
Zora smiled and, with a touch of irony, questioned, “And we, werewolves, aren't considered legends to humans, Hunter? Believe me, there's much more to this world than they can see.”
I reflected on the question. “Yes, perhaps we are. But here, in this pack, I'll see a childhood legend come to life.”
She smiled, gently touching my arm. “You're part of this pack now, Hunter. And Ignis will certainly recognize that.”
I felt grateful for Zora's words, but the duality of belonging to two packs still left me uneasy. Touching my face, Zora noticed my hesitation and encouraged me to share my thoughts.
“I'm sorry, Zora, but I'm still trying to process this idea of belonging to two packs. It's something I never imagined.”
Zora smiled understandingly, encouraging me to open up. “Don't worry, Hunter. I'm here to help. We're Luna and Alpha destined for each other.”
“Zora, about all this,” I began, trying to find the right words, “there's something you need to know. Something involving the coronation, the Moon Goddess, and a choice I made.”
Zora stared at me, her eyes curious and concerned at the same time. “What is it, Hunter? You can tell me.”
I took a deep breath and said, “Zora, there's something you need to know...”
The conversation was interrupted by Zora raising an eyebrow and saying, “Ah, it seems Ignis has already announced our arrival to my father. Let's meet Garnet before he comes to us.”
I took a deep breath, trying to align my thoughts, and agreed. Together, we left the Hut, heading towards the pack. As we walked towards the pack, I wondered what Alpha King Garnet would think of me and, even more, Ignis—did the Goddess tell her about my lie?