Alpha's Legacy (Black Moon Saga Book 3)

9. Going to the Zoo

It turns out that scouring the human parts of the internet is not nearly as informative as doing the same from within the safe confines of a werewolf pack’s intranet. Human searches produce human results, and what humans know about jade is remarkably underwhelming. I know I’m missing something, but I’m not going to find it that way.

But that’s alright. I’m sure Anya will tell me eventually, once I’m of age and her official trainee. She’d better, if I’m going to be carrying a hunk of that stone around in my pocket for the rest of my life. I deserve to know what’s so special about it, and I’m sure it’s not just that it’s a holistic remedy for colic.

“If you’re finished, then we should decide where we’re off to next,” Tian announces, emerging fresh from his morning shower.

“I take it today is not a day for teleporting here and there and everywhere?” I tease him.

We made four trips like that yesterday, the final one leaving me feeling a bit seasick. I also slept soundly through the night for once, so I consider it worth it if the teleporting had anything to do with that.

“I don’t have any specific plans for the next week, although I have some suggestions for regions I’d like to stay within, depending which direction you choose to go,” he explains. “I’d like to do as little of staying in human hotels as possible. You could say it’s that old habits die hard, but I’d argue that it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

He doesn’t need to explain himself on that. I haven’t spent much time outside pack boundaries, but I’ve heard all about the dangers of humans. Hunters aren’t as plentiful these days as they once were, but they’re still out there, and the settlements that remain tend to be the fundamentalists who don’t bother to differentiate between hostile supernaturals who pose an actual threat to humanity and people like us who mostly just keep to ourselves.

And with someone like me who is so inexperienced with humans that I’m likely to slip up and do or say something suspicious, his caution is especially warranted. I was ready to head out on my own and hope for the best, danger be damned, but I’m glad to have him along to advise me and help me gain access to safe places to stay.

“I kind of want to go to the zoo,” I confess. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but all four of my parents have always been very passionately opposed.

He sighs, leaning against the dresser at the foot of the bed, crossing his arms as he considers what to say to me.

“Animals are very sensitive to our supernatural auras,” he reminds me. “I’ve never encountered one that was anything less than bothered through and through merely by my presence, and with the two of us together … it could turn out to be quite a spectacle and draw attention to us that we don’t want.”

I expected that answer. I’m also hoping that his distaste for the idea will linger long enough to sway his opinion about my next suggestion.

“Alright, fair enough. What about Vegas then? That has to be a place supernaturals can go. There are so many people there that it would be easy to blend in.”

He gives me a knowing smirk, shaking his head slightly in a way that I fear means he knows exactly what I was up to there.

“Zoo it is,” he decides in a rush, spinning to grab up his jacket and put it on. “I have a friend who can run interference for us at the San Diego Zoo, and it’s close enough to Luna’s Grace that we can stay there while we’re in the area.”

Wait, what just happened? He hates the idea of going to Las Vegas so much that he’s suddenly willing to take me to the zoo, and acts like it’s not even a big deal?

“But understand that it will take us some time to drive down there, and I don’t want to rush from place to place,” he cautions as I’m still sitting speechless. “So, if you’re committing to this plan, then get ready to see what it’s like to really drive and see the sights. What we did yesterday will seem like practically nothing the further we go.”

He sure does seem to know a lot about road trips for someone who hates driving and mostly teleports around. But he’s also lived a long, long time. I suppose he’s had plenty of opportunities to sample all kinds of experiences.

“Why were you so against the zoo a minute ago until I mentioned Vegas?” I finally manage to ask the question on my mind.

“Las Vegas isn’t an easy place to go when you’re not human,” he explains vaguely. “I might be able to arrange it in time, but even I can’t promise that.”

That still doesn’t explain why he changed his mind about the zoo, but I know better than to keep questioning him. I might just talk him out of it, and though it wasn’t my true plan, I can’t say I’m not excited about it. I would have settled for any zoo, but he’s suddenly offering me the zoo. I’d be an i***t to pass that up.

“Zoo it is then,” I repeat what he said earlier. “And I’m looking forward to the drive. I’ve had my license for two years and barely ever use it.”

“I’m sure you’ll be singing a different tune by the time we get there.”

And he’s not wrong. The long drive does get pretty tiring, but at least he seems to have a good mental map of lots of places we can stop to stretch our legs along the way there. It’s starting to feel way more like the road trip I had pictured in my head, at least compared to the day before.

He convinces me to stop at the old Redwood pack grounds so we can get out and check in on the place while we’re in the area. The Redwood pack became part of Black Moon before I was even born, but we still keep the orchard operational, and the old packhouse still stands. It’s where the orchard staff and the guards we keep down here live now, and though there’s no Alpha here, there is a commander who runs the place.

If I’ve ever been here before, I don’t remember it, so I’m actually excited about this unplanned stop. A lot of our fresh produce back home comes from this very orchard, so I’m interested to see how they grow and harvest it.

“Alpha,” the guards posted at the outer gate both greet Tian with a respectful nod when we pull up, completely ignoring the person in the driver’s seat.

But I’m used to it. I don’t have a rank within the pack, and rank always takes priority with werewolves. As my mother’s mate, the pack treats Tian as an extension of her.

“The commander should be expecting us,” Tian informs the guard on his side, opting not to talk across my body to the guard on my side.

“He’s up at the packhouse,” the guard explains. “I trust you know the way, or would you prefer an escort?”

“We’ve got it from here, thanks,” Tian assures him. “Be sure you stay hydrated. It’s a hot one today.”

I didn’t even realize he had reached into the cooler we have in the back, but he hands the guard two fresh bottles of water. The man looks both surprised and grateful about that, but Tian is right. It is a hot, sunny day to be out working in the heat.

“Thank you, Alpha. Will do.”

The long path to the packhouse winds up through and around a lot of the fruit trees, and Tian seems to be getting a kick out of how I keep getting distracted by them while I’m trying to drive. But I’ve never even seen a plum tree before, and for whatever reason, it’s fascinating to see all the different types of trees all lined up here like this.

I eventually get us to the packhouse though, albeit much more slowly than it might have been if Tian was the one driving. The commander doesn’t seem bothered by the amount of time we took getting to him either.

“Alpha, Miss Brentwood,” the commander greets us both with a curt nod when we get out and walk over to him.

I’m honestly startled by him acknowledging me. I didn’t expect it from one of our warriors that I don’t know very well. Actually, I don’t remember ever meeting him before at all.

“Commander Blake,” he introduces himself, holding out a hand to me for a handshake.

It surprises me, but I take it anyway, hoping the whole time that I’m not making too big of a fool of myself. I’m not used to the warriors treating me with such respect, especially not a ranked one like this.

“Commander Blake used to command the Elites,” Tian explains.

“Though it was under Alpha Preston, and I’m not proud of it,” Commander Blake elaborates. “Your mother was inexplicably good to me when she took over, and offered somewhat of a lateral transfer rather than putting me out of a job entirely. And quite honestly, I’ve enjoyed the change. This is a beautiful place with a relaxed atmosphere, so it’s been kind of like taking an early retirement.”

“That’s kind of cool,” I say stupidly, not really sure what else to say. I don’t know why they’re telling me this in the first place.

I’ve heard a lot of stories just like his over the years. My mother is renowned, respected, and beloved, and I know she’s earned it. I just don’t really know the proper way to field the misplaced admiration. Misplaced, because I’m not her. I’m proud to be her daughter, but it does get weird and awkward sometimes.

Though I suppose I could be reading more into it than is necessary. Maybe they’re just making a joint effort to educate this youth about her pack’s history.

“Indeed,” Commander Blake chuckles, seeming amused by my comment. “You know, it’s striking how much you look like your mother.”

I hear that quite a bit too. I know it’s a compliment. She’s a beautiful woman. Still makes me feel uncomfortable though.

“Thank you,” I answer him, feeling the heat rising to my face.

“Well, I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for your arrival, but I did manage to set up a tour of the grounds, if you’re interested,” Commander Blake offers, still looking at me.

I am interested, but I look to Tian for his reaction first. I know heat can get uncomfortable for him, and I’m guessing a tour of this place means spending a fair bit of time outside in it.

“I’m surprised you didn’t jump on that immediately,” Tian teases me. “Considering that you were already giving yourself a bit of a scenic tour on the way up the path.”

I guess he’s okay with it then.

“Sure, I’d love a tour,” I tell Commander Blake, rolling my eyes at Tian.

“Perfect. I’ll get Rowan up here with a cart to take you around.”

The commander shakes Tian’s and my hands again and then turns and starts walking back up to the house, presumably to get Rowan, whoever that is.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay being outside for that long though?” I ask Tian once the commander has left us.

“I’m fine. Don’t you worry about me,” he assures me, leaning over to kiss my forehead as if that’s somehow going to convince me. “I’ve had a long time to develop an almost infallible tolerance for the sun, and though I don’t love the heat, I would assume it’s no more uncomfortable for me than for you.”

“If that’s all it takes to adapt to the sun, then why does Bria still have to avoid it? Isn’t she almost as old as you?”

Bria is one of the vampires he calls his progeny because he was the one who turned her. It was a long time ago, almost a millennium, and he doesn’t feed from or turn people anymore, but those he created early on are still close with him. Bria’s one of the closest because they work together hunting the sort of vampires who do still feed on people and cause problems wherever they go, and I’ve met her quite a few times. She keeps her skin fully covered if she has to go out during the day, and she still occasionally complains of the pain from sun exposure.

“Time isn’t the only factor,” Tian explains. “I was born a vampire, which gives me a lot of inherent advantages over vampires that were turned. Bria gets less sensitive over the years that pass, but she’ll never be able to fully tolerate sun exposure. I, on the other hand, haven’t worried about the sun in centuries. It was only a problem for me when I was a newborn, as it is for all newborns. For the first ten or twenty years or so, the sun must be avoided at all costs. After that, a little exposure here and there is what we need to build that tolerance.”

“Is that why Adam and my father like to call you the most powerful vampire in the world? Because you were born that way?”

I know it’s a longshot and he probably won’t answer my question to my satisfaction, but I am curious. I know there’s a bit of a friendly rivalry between my dads and they like to chalk it up to nothing more than that when they call each other by their exaggerated terms of endearment, but it also feels like there’s more to it than that. Maybe Tian really is the most powerful vampire in the world. I know my father was once the troublemaker Tian likes to tease him for being, and Adam really is an Alpha brute, so it’s not that far-fetched to assume it.

“That isn’t the only reason,” he tells me vaguely, giving me the look that I know means he doesn’t want to say more about it.

I’ve never been able to figure out the reason why some topics make my parents shut down, and others they’ll talk about all day if you let them. I’ve heard a lot about the crazy stuff my dad can do with his magic, but I know very little about Tian’s powers. He can teleport, that much I know, and he can read minds if he touches someone and concentrates. He’s fast and an impressive hand-to-hand combatant, but I don’t know much else about what makes him special.

On the other hand, Tian also didn’t bother denying being that powerful, he only said that there’s more to it than just his origin. I’ll consider that progress. Maybe someday he’ll actually come to trust me with his secrets.

“Hi there,” a young man calls out as he approaches us.

He’s tall and golden-haired, and his face is tomato red. Hard to say whether it’s from the sun or from the heat though.

“I’m Rowan,” he introduces himself, holding out a hand. Surprisingly, he’s engaging with me first instead of Tian.

“Anna Jade,” I answer him, feeling another deep blush coming on. It’s more from how he’s looking at me than from his greeting, though.

“And I’m Tian, but you can call me Alpha,” Tian cuts in, giving Rowan a suspicious and borderline hostile look. I guess he noticed how Rowan is looking at me too.

“Of course, Alpha,” Rowan practically stammers, his gaze dropping in response to the intimidating aura Tian is giving off now.

I haven’t seen him be like this before, but I suppose to be fair, I also haven’t had any of the boys around the pack paying me attention like that. I certainly hope Tian isn’t going to be a problem for me when I find my mate, though I actually don’t mind it for now. My mate is the only one who interests me.

“I brought a cart over so I can take you around and show you a bit of the orchard and what we have going on here,” Rowan explains, gesturing behind him where he parked a four-seater vehicle that I wouldn’t exactly call a cart. It’s more of an off-road vehicle by the looks of it, though I suppose it bears a faint resemblance to a golf cart.

“Good. I’ll sit up front with you,” Tian declares, though it definitely comes off more as a command.

He will sit up front so that I will not be getting any closer to Rowan than necessary. Fine with me. I can probably see better from the back seat anyway.

Rowan’s style as a tour guide seems to be to try to squeeze out as many laughs from his passengers as possible, which is impressive considering that Tian is sitting right next to him and doesn’t seem to be amused. And yet, Rowan keeps the cheesy jokes and minor pranks coming, I would assume more for my benefit than Tian’s. And I hate to admit it, but he is charming in his own way. I like him.

Our tour ends up taking enough time that we decide to stay to have dinner with the staff and accept the commander’s invitation for us to stay there for the night. I guess my long-awaited trip to the zoo will be pushed back a little, though I really don’t mind. Rowan has been fun to hang out with, and Tian even relaxed his overprotectiveness a little after a while. He’s still withholding his approval, but I’ll take what I can get.

I actually kind of wish we could stay longer, though I pretty quickly talk myself out of thinking that way. I finally have a chance to get out and explore a bit, and it makes no sense for me to squander it by letting myself get stuck in a place I can visit any time I want. This is literally an extension of Black Moon, and a couple of my siblings come here all the time. It also helps that Rowan puts his number in my phone so I can look him up the next time I’m in the area.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming to bed,” I say, finally joining Tian where he has been waiting for me by the stairs, watching my interaction with Rowan and a couple of his friends like a hawk.

“That boy is not your mate,” Tian cautions, giving me a disapproving glance before turning to start the trek up the stairs.

“You don’t know that,” I scoff, starting to lose patience with how he’s been since Rowan showed up.

A sense of déjà vu washes over me as I remember saying something similar to Adam a couple nights ago. The situation was almost opposite, but I’m getting that same feeling of being treated like a child about something no one can know, not for a couple more months at the least.

“I can practically guarantee it,” Tian insists. “And you’re smarter than to let some boyish charms get under your skin. You never give boys like him the time of day, so I’m shocked to see it now.”

I can hear the disappointment oozing out of his words. He thinks I’m being silly and airheaded, and that hurts a little.

“No, you have it wrong,” I argue, struggling to hold back all traces of defiance in my tone. “The boys back home won’t give me the time of day. Besides, I’m not in love with him. I just appreciate that he’s been friendly with me all day. It’s nice to feel welcome for once.”

When we reach the landing at the top of the stairs, Tian turns and gives me a sympathetic and possibly even somewhat apologetic look.

“There’s nothing wrong with being his friend, I suppose,” he finally concedes. “Though I will add that you are welcome back home as well. Anyone who makes you feel otherwise will come to regret it in time, once they see what an important and respected member of the pack you will become.”

Again with the childish fantasies and fairy tales. That all goes right up there with people who say you can be anything you want to be. It’s baloney. I’ll never be an Alpha, and I’m skeptical about the things he’s promising as well. I suppose I’ll just focus on the part where he relented about being Rowan’s friend, because that was the original point of our discussion.

“This is you,” he tells me, pausing outside one of the guest rooms to unlock the door for me. “And I’m right next door if you need me.”

“I won’t,” I promise, giving him a playful poke to make sure he knows I’m not mad at him. Tian can be frustratingly overbearing and protective, but I could never be mad at him.

“No, I suppose you won’t,” he answers with a hint of nostalgia and wistfulness that I know means he’s talking about more than just right now.

It’s that same tone and look he got when he was talking about me no longer calling him my dad, that tone that means his baby is growing up before his eyes and before he’s ready. I suppose that explains why he was so bent out of shape about Rowan. It’s not even Rowan that’s the problem.

“I’m not going anywhere, Tian. Not now, and not even when I’m of age. Well, unless you count the training at The Council. But you’re not losing me, and I’ll always need you.”

He smiles at me, his eyes full of affection, and I know a hug is coming. And then he does hug me, holding me a little extra tightly before breaking away with one last kiss on my forehead.

“We’re heading out first thing in the morning so we can still make it to your zoo at the time I arranged for us, so sleep well and rise early,” he informs me.

Ugh, of course. He loves early mornings, which makes no sense for a vampire. Well no, it makes perfect sense if you let go of all the common notions about vampires. He has no issue with the sun, and he barely sleeps. Of course he loves early mornings. The long nights he spends alone must get tiresome and lonely, especially without his mate.

“I’m on it. Night, Tian.”

“Goodnight, Anna Jade.”