The One The Whole Town Abandoned

Dominic's POV The leaves are gravitating slowly, falling from the trees, covering the large open landscape. The amount that has fallen increases daily, the closer we get to winter. The leaves have almost all changed from bright green to vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. This is my favorite time of the year, so I'm just trying to enjoy the time I have on pack lands for now, because I don't know when I will have to leave again. Being the soon-to-be Alpha of the strongest and oldest pack, the Cresent Moon Pack. I've had to travel a lot lately to other packs, running the council's errands to help them at their request. At least taking care of as much as I can, before I get the Alpha title and have to stay on pack grounds a majority of the time. So we prefer to stay in the council's good graces just in case we ever need their help in the future. It's what's best for the pack's safety and future. So we help out if we can, when they call and earn more and more respect from them and the surrounding alliance packs since we are helping all of them in their times of need. I just got home from my latest assignment and I don't know when I'll leave next. So I'm just trying to enjoy what spare time I do have here for however much longer I will have it... So since I just love the calming smells that autumn brings, I will go on walks all the time in both forms, wolf, and human, to ease my mind. This time of the year helps me so much in both forms, but in completely different ways, and is needed for me to keep any peace of mind. For myself, the temperature that this time of the year brings is absolutely perfect... Plus, I love the way the pack property looks and feels at this time of the year. With the crunching of the leaves under my feet and the fresh woodsy, moistened smells that just fill my senses, it calms my soul completely.. So I will use this relaxing area of the home, to help me gain the peace of mind that I need. I walk around the property by myself taking in the scenery and smells, trying to clear my mind and it works every single time... Dom, can you meet me in my office ASAP? I think we might have another assignment for you. Mind linking is an amazing thing we, as pack members, can do with each other, being werewolves and all... But man, it sucks when I'm trying to clear my mind, just to be interrupted by my father's booming voice in my head. Taking the clarity and solitude away instantly. Yes sir, I'll be right there. I say not wasting any time as I turn, walking back towards the pack house. It's a huge mansion that looks and acts almost like a hotel for everyone who lives here. We do have other houses on the property for anyone's family who prefers to be in their own houses. But a majority of the pack members stay here for social and safety reasons mostly. I walk into the back patio doors and through the common area, passing the bowing pack members as I head to my father's office. I knock out of respect, giving a warning, before opening the door and entering on my own accord. I entered to see there is a couple of council members inside my father's office with him waiting for me, along with my Beta and Gamma. I walked to the council members, first bowing out of respect, as they nodded their heads in return, then turned to my father. I also bow to him out of respect. My gaze trails across the way, looking towards my Beta Nathaniel and my Gamma Wesley, who I have known and been best friends with since I was a child, making them family. I shake their hands as I take a seat next to them on the cushioned dark brown leather couch. My father's office has a nice warm, homey feel to it, with an autumn-themed color scheme. I have always seemed to feel comfortable at home here since I can remember. I must've got my love for autumn probably from him, now that I think about it. "Ok now that Dominic is here, we can get this meeting underway. First, we are going to hear what request the council has from us and we will discuss what actions we should take to go forward if any at all." My father says to us as my Beta, Gamma and I nod and look at the two council members to start their explanation of this unexpected visit. I watch both the council members stand up before they began, but only one spoke, explaining everything. "We came here privately because we needed to do a private investigation. We needed people we knew we could trust, to keep these things private but to act respectfully and responsibly, putting the pack in question and its safety first, no matter what the situation. We have had multiple accusations about a bordering pack, The Willows Pack. These accusations consist of abuse, malnourished, and possibly missing pack members.. Plus a loss of income for unknown reasons, to the point that they can't pay most of their bills and are asking for financial help from the council. Some of the pack members have even gone missing from an unknown source that we are at least not told about. We want to use the recent rogue attacks in that area as our cover, as to why you will be sent there for an extended period of time and looking around investigating. We need to know if any of these accusations hold any weight to them and if so, then we need to know the extent and urgency of these matters. The pack member's safety is key in this situation, so we would appreciate any help you would be willing to extend our way in privacy.. but with compensation for your pack, of course." My father nods at them and stares at the three of us on the couch. "Ok Dominic, what do you think?" I clear my throat before starting. "I think this sounds like a matter that is completely under a time restraint. If any of these accusations hold merit, then the whole pack could be in a perilous situation that we could've prevented if we had acted immediately. I think we should go as soon as possible to make sure they don't need our help now. They might not be our pack, but they are someone's family who might need help.. and he says there have been multiple accusations, showing that multiple people are trying to reach out to get help for their pack. So why not answer their call? We are at a good point with our defenses, finances, and training. So I think we can put our attention on these matters until we figure out what's going on there. But with private situations such as this, it might take us a while to gain trust with the members before we start to figure out what's happening behind closed doors, which will make things a little more complicated. So better to get on this immediately." I retort back to my father as he nods at me with a look of adoration in his eyes. "Good son. That's exactly what I was hoping to hear from you. I want the three of you to go since my Beta and Gamma should be back any hour now from their assignment. I want you to take 6 of your best warriors with you that you trust with your life and know they will keep this in complete confidence. Secrecy is key in these types of situations. We will alert the Willows Pack of your arrival, to help with any preparations needed for any rogue attacks. We will tell them that there have been rogues spotted in the area, which isn't a complete lie and we will tell them who you are and that we are sending our best warriors to help in case of an attack. Mostly just so they know you are coming and are prepared for you with multiple men. We will send you on your mission tomorrow morning. Now let's go start getting your men and the items you need for your travels underway, just so you're ready to go bright and early." My father says to us as we stand, bow and say in unison, "Yes Alpha." "I will see you three at dinner after everything is prepared. Both of you are always welcome to join our dinner as well if you're not in a rush to get back." my father says to us, then the council members. They smile at us and then at my father as they answer, "We appreciate the hospitality but this is a matter of confidentiality, so we would rather people not know about us being here. But we will make sure to hold you to that offer the next available time we are all together publically." We all nod in response to the two of them as they grab their things and stand to take their leave. We walk out with them making sure that they get off the pack property safely and without really being noticed. Nate, Wes, and I stay outside to talk privately and discuss who we think we can take with us for this secret assignment. After much debating, back and forth amongst each other, we narrowed it down to a strong group of 6 dependable pack members. We collect them together, after they agree to a confidential mission in my father's office for privacy, as we explain our mission to them. Then Alpha command them to secrecy about the matter at hand. Which means we bind them to secrecy. We end the meeting by sending them to collect their things and tell their mates, if they have them, where they are going... But they have been told to inform their mates that they are going for a private matter with me, so they don't inquire about the details, just that it's Alpha orders. We collect everything, packing the 3 black escalades that we brought out, with everything we will need, from clothing to weapons. Once we are done, we make our way into the pack house to have dinner with the rest of the pack. As we walk around, we separate to sit with our families or friends. I, of course, sit next to the head of the table, next to my father, and across from my mother. I have my Beta and Gamma sitting next to me, further down the table, since none of us have our mates yet. The food is already set out on the table as we wait for the Alpha to begin the feast before we can start. Once he begins by taking a bite, we all start digging into the delectable meal in front of us. In the middle of this meal, I can feel someone's gaze on me, and let me tell you I hate to be stared at. I look up from my plate to see Portia's lust-filled eyes staring at me. She is a she-wolf that has had her sights set on me for a very long time. I watch as she licks her lips and winks at me as she puts a strawberry in her mouth as seductively as possible. I roll my eyes, looking back down at my plate, just trying not to make eye contact with her desperate-for-interaction eyes. She is a couple of years younger than me but has been infatuated with me for a very long time. Since I have been getting closer and closer to the role of leading Alpha and still in search of my Luna, she just won't leave me alone. It has always been annoying, but it's getting to the point of insufferable that it's almost calming to go on these missions, just to get away from it. I shut her down every single time because I'm waiting for my mate. I had fun. Don't get me wrong, I am an Alpha with a lot of needs, but I just get myself taken care of by the ladies and then go on my way. I don't want them with me forever, I just want my Luna. But for some reason, Portia just doesn't understand that... I know she wants to be my Luna, but I won't let her have that position no matter how much she thinks she wants or needs it.. she is not my mate. Why does Portia always have to act like this every time I come home? It's so annoying. I can't wait until I get my mate, so she will leave us alone. Says Miles, my wolf counterpart, who hates her as much as I do. I continue to eat my food, trying to ignore her until my plate is clean. I politely excused myself as I put away my plate in the sink and make my way upstairs to my room. I make it to my bedroom door. As I reach out my hand to the doorknob, I see a hand land on top of mine. I turn quickly to see it's Portia.. again... She has done this too many times to count. "Portia don't... I don't want this and you know it. I have to get some sleep. I leave in the morning for another assignment. Goodnight." I spat as I opened my door. I step inside and start to close the door as she sticks herself in between the door and the doorframe. "Come on Dommy... I just want to help you relieve some of your stresses before you go... I don't know why you won't ever accept my advances, we would be so good together... I would be a wonderful Luna for you and the pack." She says sweetly as she stares up into my eyes, batting her eyelashes at me. "I'm waiting for my mate and you know that. I'm only 23. I have plenty of time to try to find her, but I'm not just picking the first person I see to make my Luna, sorry but I'm not and I'm fine with my stresses. I don't need any help. Have a good night." I said, slowly shutting the door, forcing her to get out of the way or a body part is being shut in the door, whether she wants it to or not. She whines and steps out of the way, then goes down the hall and away from my room in a huff, thankfully... she drops by often when I'm at the pack house and it makes me want to change rooms. I can't do much about her just because she is annoying me... So I just try to be as nice as possible and tolerate her. Don't get me wrong, she is nice and pretty, just not my type... Especially when she is harassing me every time I'm back home... She just doesn't know how to take a hint... Actually, it's not even a hint anymore and she still doesn't get it. You would think she would just stop after years of trying and being shut down every single time, but nope, not this girl. I lock my door just in case because I wouldn't put it past her to come back and try to get in without my knowledge. So I would rather be safe than sorry. I turn around, slowly undressing as I cross my bedroom floor towards the bathroom. Tossing my dirty clothes into my hamper and getting into my bathroom. I turn on the shower, and hop in, letting the hot water cascade down my body, soothing me almost instantly on contact with every last drop of water. After a nice long calming shower, I reluctantly get out, drying myself off and grabbing a pair of basketball shorts to slip on before jumping into bed. Turning on my music, I just relax, melting into my bed. Which I always miss every time I'm gone. It doesn't take long before I let the exhaustion consume me in a deep, much-needed sleep. -------- My alarm blares, echoing in the room. I groan out as I slowly wake up, blinking a couple of times before sitting up and turning off my alarm. I flop back on the bed groaning as I rub my face with my hands, waking up a little more. Come on, get your ass up, Dom! I have an anxious feeling about today, so let's get this show on the road. Miles says to me as I groan again, rejecting his idea, but knowing he is right, we do have to get going to take care of this assignment ASAP. I reluctantly sit back up and run my hand through my dirty blonde hair as I stand up and walk over to my closet. I put on a pair of boxer briefs along with dark blue jeans and top it off with a red, green, and black plaid, long-sleeve shirt. I love this shirt. It fits just right, hugging my muscles perfectly in the Goldie locks range... Not too tight, and not too loose, just right. I run my brush through my hair, then some hair gel to finish up my look. I quickly grab my jacket, cell phone, wallet, and keys, heading out of my room and down to meet the guys for our assignment. We all say a groggy good morning to each other as we all slowly pile into the escalades. I grab myself a coffee before we leave, so I have something to wake me up for when we meet up with this other pack. I want to be on my A-Game with this pack, just in case they are as bad as the accusations. We listen to some soft music as we make small talk, heading out of our territory and straight to theirs. It takes about 4 hours, maybe a little longer, until we get to their area. We pulled into the Willow territory, taking a look around while we slowly approach the main area of their land, taking in the surroundings as we progressed closer and closer to their pack house. It's a beautiful space, but since it's a little further north this time of the year, they have already lost almost all their leaves. The grass has frost all across the top of it, making it sparkle under the sunlight. We made it to the pack gates and they let us in automatically, since they knew we were coming prior to our arrival, thanks to my father. Once we pull up and park, we climb out of the escalades, standing up for a second to stretch our legs out. We see the Alpha and I assume his wife, at the doors to this almost shabby-looking hotel, known as their pack house. You can tell from the outside that they are neglecting it for sure. It looks like it will fall apart at any moment if not repaired immediately. I just hope there isn't a strong wind to knock it over. Especially while we are in it, trying to help. The property isn't taken care of at any point that I can see... Not to mention that we only saw two border patrols on the way, which isn't good. You need to have at least triple that for this size of the property or they will get seized by rogues pretty quickly if they do decide to come this way. They would be able to take over the whole property before anyone here even knew what was happening. I take the lead as I bow to the Alpha, showing him respect on his property, then standing straight up, extending my hand to shake his. He takes my hand, looking me over. "Hello Alpha Dave, I'm Alpha Dominic. Thank you for accepting our extended help in these times of need. We will help out as much as we can to try to prevent any type of attack on you and your pack." I start with the pleasantries to get this introduction going. We have to start things off right, just so we don't look suspicious about our assignment.