The Black Hills: Trials and Tribulations

Crystal Lake

Matt POV

After much deliberation, Travis decided to place his trust in Alpha Cross.  With the new threat to our pack, he also ruled to cut the Vegas experience short and relocate to Crystal Lake two days early.  Talia and I gather our belongings then meet the rest of our pack in the lobby. Travis checks us out while the rest of us pile into the two black armored SUVs outside sent by Crystal Lake. 

It’s a short drive to Crystal Lake territory, which lies within the Spring Mountains, nestled under the impressive Mt. Charleston. Travis, Sarah, Chad and Jenni are in the first SUV, while Tom, Serena, Talia, Jaden and myself are riding in the second. The terrain is rocky, but manageable for the SUVs.  After traveling through two guarded gates, we are now making our way through their private town which reminds me a lot of the set-up we have at Black Hills.  We enter a more rural area with multiple neighborhoods, lined with townhouses and duplexes before we enter single-family home neighborhoods, which get more impressive the closer we get to the packhouse. 

We finally pull up into the circle drive of a very large, red-brick mansion of a packhouse. I can see Alpha Tyler and his mate Eva on the steps with an elder gentleman with very similar features to Tyler, and who appears to be his mate behind them, and another male who by his stance is likely a guard for the Alpha and Luna. The SUVs come to a stop, and we wait for Travis and Sarah to exit from the first SUV before we begin piling out of the ours.  Tom exits first, then helps Serena out, before I get out next, assisting Talia behind me.  Jaden gets out last, and I feel him tense, so I look to his face to see his eyes dark and glaring at the steps.  When I follow his focus, I realize he’s glaring at the guard, who lets out a low growl and glares back at him.  Tyler obviously gets his attention and the guard’s demeanor shifts back to his previous state. 

I turn to Jaden and asks “You ok, man?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” Jaden responds as though the little interaction between he and the guard didn't just happen. I decide to table it for now as Travis greets Alpha Tyler. I take Talia’s hand as we walk to the packhouse together.

“Come, join me into the pack house. I’ll have your bags delivered to the duplex and we can head down after breakfast.” Tyler invites to us all. 

The Crystal Lake packhouse is impressive, and looks a little bigger than ours at Black Hills. We enter the dining room where the Beta Austin and his mate Lily are seated midways down the table from the right of the head, and the Gamma Derik and his mate Ivy are seated across from them. They greet us warmly as we all take our seats, intermingling with the Crystal Lake pack. Jaden and the guard end up seated across from one another but both remain cordial, despite the tension radiating from both. 

I decide to strike up small talk with the guard, “I’m Matthew, one of the lead warriors of Black Hills.” I introduce myself, “This is my mate Talia, and her cousin, another one of our warriors and trackers, Jaden.”

“Nice to meet you all.” The guard replies tensely, “My name is James, I’m the personal guard of the Alpha and Luna, as well as the head security advisor of Crystal Lake.” James explains.

“Nice.” I say, genuinely impressed before I hear Alpha Tyler’s voice draw everyone’s attention.

“That mark has nothing on the one she left.” Tyler grins. He unbuttons the single button of his collared-polo shirt, and pulls the neckline aside to reveal his left pec, which holds the mark of a Phoenix burned red into his skin.

“Truly amazing.” Sarah says in awe.

Travis nods and says, “That’s one hell of a mark.” 

We all nod and murmur our agreements, before the conversation is redirected to our trip by the obviously embarrassed Luna-to-be, Eva.

After breakfast, Tyler and Eva walk us down to the neighborhood where our duplex resides. Travis told them that it wasn’t necessary if they wanted to just point us the way, but Tyler insisted and said he could use a romantic walk with Eva. The duplex wasn’t as far as we figured it was, just behind the next neighborhood over from the packhouse was a new subdivision, without any tenants. 

“It should be quiet as no one has moved into the area yet. The duplex is fully furnished in both units, and each has three bedrooms. I hope everything is set up to suit you, my parents oversaw the omegas in ensuring it was stocked and ready for your arrival.” He explains.

“I’m sure it’ll be perfect.” Sarah answers.

He leads us to one particular duplex with beige vinyl siding with burgundy shutters. He gives us the keypad codes to each unit then bids us farewell before he and Eva leave, walking hand in hand.

“Travis, Jenni, Chad and I will take this unit,” Sarah says, pointing to the one on the left, “Tom, you and Serena can go in that one with Matt and Talia. Jaden, which would you prefer to stay in?” Sarah asks him.

“Serena’s hormones seem far less excitable, so I’m choosing to go with them.” He says, smiling mischievously at Sarah who gives him a playful glare before sticking her tongue out at him.

“Fine. We’ve been invited to the main packhouse for dinner, so we’ll meet outside at 5:30 to head up.” Sarah orders.

“I think I’ll hang back, if that’s ok.” Jaden says, unexpectedly, well almost... I’ve really got to get to the bottom of what’s up between he and the guard James.

“Absolutely not. We are a family and we will present as a family unit.” Sarah brushes him off before entering her temporary home and disappearing out of sight. 

Tom and Serena enter ours with Talia behind them, but I grab Jaden’s shoulder and stop him. Once everyone’s out of ear shot I turn to him and ask, “Alright man, spill it. What’s up between you and the guard?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.” Jaden replies, his tone bored.

“Cut the s**t, man. I saw that little interaction when we first got here, and the tension at breakfast was suffocating. What’s the deal?” I demand.

“Nothing. He just reminds me of someone, that’s all.” Jaden says to me.

I raise my eyebrow at him before responding, “Right, and you clearly remind him of someone in return, since the behavior has been mutual.” 

Jaden shrugs before answering “I guess so.” He then pushes past me, walking inside the duplex, holding the door he looks back at me. “You coming?”

I sigh before I follow him.