The Jaded Assassin

The Black Hills

Jaessa POV

After driving to the airport in Las Vegas, we board the private jet of Black Hills, and settle in before flying to Rapid City, South Dakota.  Once we land, we soon disembark the jet, and a black Land Rover awaits us on the tarmac, driven by the Beta of Black Hills, Chad, who happens to be the mate of another cousin of mine and Sarah’s sister, Jenni.

“Jaessa, I can’t tell you how excited I am to get to work with you.”  Jenni exclaims, seated beside me in the back seat.

“She’s being honest,” Chad remarks from the driver’s seat, “she hadn’t stopped talking about you all week.”  He laughs.  Travis nods in agreement from the front passenger position.

“Oh hush.”  Sarah scolds, “It’s not everyday we get to learn and help develop the powers of a witch.”  She adds before turning to me, “Jaessa, we really are super excited to see what you can do.”  She smiles at me.

“I hope I don’t disappoint you.”  I tell them honestly.

“Oh darling, you could never!”  Sarah reassures me.  

The rest of the drive centers around small-talk, as though they are trying to distract me from my doubts.  I’m learning a lot though about the pack.  

Travis is actually the former Alpha, and Sarah still holds the position of Luna for official purposes, as their son Trystan has taken over the pack and has not yet found his mate.  Trystan is only 19, so pretty young to be an Alpha, but according to Travis that’s how they’ve always done things.  Travis’ parents are still alive, and their names are Kelli and Derrick.  They have long-since retired from pack business.  Chad continues to hold the position of Beta and Jenni as Beta-Female until their son, Ashtyn comes-of-age next year.  Their older daughter Rosalyn is away to college, but comes home every few weeks to maintain the pack socialization.  Sarah’s father Lewis has unfortunately expired in his time on-earth, but Sarah says she’s glad that he was able to join her mother in the garden of the Goddess, so they can spend eternity together.  One of Sarah’s gifts is to convene with our deceased ancestors, a trait she inherited from her Aunt Diane who is now an old woman, living out her days with her mate Terrence tending to her needs.  

We reach the Black Hills and I can’t help but think of how breathtaking the mountain range is.  The size is nothing compared to the Rocky Mountains, but my heart still feels instantly connected.  I voice my thoughts aloud.

“As Auntie Diane once told me, it’s because the Black Hills belongs to us by our birthright, and we belong to the hills.”  Sarah says gently.  

I take in a deep breath, allowing her words to fully engulf my presence, here in the land of my ancestors.  For a moment, I feel at ease, as if I have found the place in which my heart recognizes home.  The SUV turns down a narrow path, almost hidden by the overgrown limbs of the forest.  After a short climb up the rocky path, we enter into a clearing and I note up-ahead a large gate to the pass between two mountains.  The SUV slows before the guard waves us on as the gate opens.  We travel over a small hill, and as I look beyond I can see the outline of a small city, with a towering stone castle-like packhouse in the distance. 

"Welcome to the Black Hills packlands."  Travis proudly announces.  

"It looks bigger than Crystal Lake."  I comment, taking in the many structures of various businesses, stores and housing developments.

"Only by a few thousand."  Travis replies with a smug satisfaction.  Despite being allies, each Alpha has his own rivalry of pride across the numerous werewolf packs of North America.  

We drive through the heart of the city, before reaching the suburbs lined with multiple duplexes, apartments, and single-home cottages.  A little further we pass through a more impressive neighborhood, and Sarah explains that these are the homes of the retired ranked members, which makes sense with the grandeur displayed.  

As the SUV pulls to a stop in front of the packhouse, I peer out the window and see Alpha Trystan standing upon the steps, near a frail-appearing elder woman in a wheelchair, with an elder male standing beside her.  Travis exits from the passenger seat, before he opens the door for Sarah, and I follow her out of the vehicle as Jenni exits from the other side.  

"Hello, Jaessa, welcome to the Black Hills."  Trystan smiles warmly to me, as we have years of familiarity through our pack and family connection.  

"I already beat you to that."  Travis chuckles to his son.  Trystan rolls his eyes and I grin at their playful comraderie.

"Hi Alpha Trystan, thank you for having me."  I reply genuinely.

"There's no need for that 'Alpha' business, we are family."  Trystan reassures me.  

"Ok, then how about 'Your Majesty'?" I tease as Trystan gives a dramatic grimace.

"No, definitely not."  He laughs.  

Sarah takes my arm and gently leads me to the elder couple, before she introduces me.  "Jaessa, this is Auntie Diane and Uncle Terrence."  She says softly.

Diane reaches a small withered hand out to me, and I take it gently.  The old lady closes her eyes as a look of peace crosses her features.  "My dear child, I'm so blessed to have lived long enough to know you."  She tells me in such a grandmotherly way, that my soul melts.

"I'm so grateful to know you as well."  I tell her earnestly.

"Let's get you settled in, before we go out to the courtyard to begin training."  Sarah suggests, leading me into the packhouse.  

All I can think is that I've only just arrived and we will already begin training?  Well, then, bring it on.