The Tech Room

Devon

“Earth to the Alpha,” a voice says.

I look up, surprised, and there’s Mandy setting down a sandwich and a drink on the desk beside me. I’m not sure how long I’ve been staring at my computer screen, but for some reason, my brain is a lot more focused this weekend. 

“Sorry,” I say. “Thanks. What time is it?”

“Almost two in the morning,” she replies. “And while you may have the energy to research the latest tech all damn night, I’m headed to bed. You missed dinner, so I thought you could use a bite.”

“Thanks again,” I tell her. 

“Don’t forget you have to work tomorrow, so don’t stay up too late,” she reminds me. “We may have quite a lot of the Emerald Moon treasury left, but we still have to keep replenishing what we spend to keep us going in the future.”

I nod. “Of course,” I say. “I’ll just be here a few more minutes.”

“M’hmm,” she hums, not sounding very convinced. “I’m out. See you tomorrow.”

“See you, Mandy.” I swivel in my chair to watch her walk out the door. 

I pick at the sandwich she’d left me–peanut butter. She really is stretching out the budget. I shrug and take a bite, spinning back around in my chair. 

My tech room is where I do my research, in the basement of the packhouse we all share. Well, we blend into different homes in town, but this is our central meeting location and where we do all pack business. The tech room is filled with computers and other electronic equipment, with a separate room for chemistry experiments. 

After the attack on Emerald Moon, I started doing a lot of research to come up with a technology we could use, something that would make my pack powerful again. I’m determined to face the vampires and finally beat them, and get our old pack lands back to live like we used to–in peace. 

Back then, our biggest problem was getting along with other packs and keeping our territory straight, but even that wasn’t very hard to do since most of the organized packs were too focused on managing their own packs to worry about encroaching on other territories. Sure, there were the occasional rogues who caused trouble, but basically, life was pretty good. 

I will never forget the day of the attack. We never had the upper hand at all. And it wasn’t because they took us by surprise because we’d trained well to be prepared for anything. It was just that they seemed to have some sort of technology or magic–or something–that overpowered even our strongest warriors–including my dad, the strongest Alpha.

I still didn’t understand what happened, but ever since then, I’ve been determined to find some sort of technology for our side that can overcome our weakness and help us get back to where we were, or rather to move forward, stronger. 

It’s all up to me.

I don’t think there are any other packs left. Ours is the last wolf pack, and back then, I’d gathered all the members that were still alive and held us together by a string here in this human town, all with the hope of one day being what we were–a real pack with a real life, and a real territory.

Well, sitting here thinking about it is getting me nowhere, so I go back to work. I’ve found a few calculations online that sound promising. Anything is worth a shot. 

Now, when I talk about technology, I’m not necessarily talking about a device like a cellphone or a weapon like a laser beam or something. Instead, I think there’s something out there, something completely different that no one has ever discovered that could be wielded as a powerful weapon to give Emerald Moon the strength it needs to return to its former glory.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not looking for a way to take over the world. No. I’m looking for peace, the kind of peace that we can only get through strength and power. 

And for some reason, this weekend my mind is much more centered. I’m not constantly thinking about Emma, the beautiful redhead from town. Honestly, I think she’s been clouding my thoughts too much, and as Alpha, I need to focus. I can’t act like a lovesick kid all the time. Somehow, I’d managed to hold it all together all weekend, and I think I’m getting closer to what I’m looking for. 

I set down my sandwich and punch in some more numbers, looking for that perfect solution.

***

Emma

“I guess I’ll never get to meet a hunky forest ranger,” Kara says with an exaggerated frown as she finishes packing up her tent.

I laugh. “Maybe next time,” I say, trying to be reassuring. I actually would love to see her find someone special. She’s such a sweet person. 

It has been a great weekend, but now it’s time to pack up and get back to reality. I hate to leave, but Mom needs my help as much as I needed to breathe in this fresh air, and I know she’s back there lifting up heavy stuff without asking for help, even though we have plenty of regular customers who would happily lend a hand. 

Mom isn’t old, but she has had back trouble for the last several years. That makes it harder for her to work all day, so I want to get back home and be there for her. 

“I’m all set,” I say. 

“Next time, I plan the girls’ night out,” Kara insists. “This was fun, but it’s filthy out here. I’m in desperate need of a shower!”

I laugh again, though I can’t deny that a hot shower sounds pretty good. 

After the hike out to the parking lot, we hug all the ladies and thank them for the fun weekend. Everyone is laughing and happy. We’ve had a great time out here. 

I take a deep breath of the fresh forest air before I hop into my SUV for the ride home. Everyone else has pulled out already, so Kara and I are in the last car to leave. 

The drive back is beautiful, with bright green trees against a clear blue sky. I love this place. I’m so glad the town is so close to a forest this beautiful. 

We’re about halfway home when I notice it, and I nearly slam on my brakes. It’s a dog–no, it’s way too big to be a dog.

It’s a wolf… a wild, white wolf standing on the side of the road, just outside the treeline. 

My heart skips a beat when its eyes turn to me, locking on my gaze right through the windshield. A wolf is staring straight at me? But this is a wild animal, so that’s not possible. 

Right?

The strangest feeling of familiarity and comfort washes over me as its silver eyes seem to gaze right into my soul.