Chapter 4

OAKLEY

It's dark. There are trees all around and the moon is shining bright. Something feels off but I cannot place what it is. I can hear a creek in the distance. I don't know where I am or how I got here. I start walking towards the creek when I hear the snapping of twigs and some leaves rustling behind me. I spin around and see yellow eyes in the shadows. Out walks a massive black wolf. I don't know if he is friendly or not and I am not about to take my chances. I turn and run as fast as I can. I have no idea where I am going but I don't plan on stopping. All I can do is hope that I don't run into anyone else that might cause me harm. I can hear him behind me. He sounds like he is gaining on me. I reach out to Haven but I cannot feel or hear her. I start to freak out. I'm only half paying attention to where I am going because I'm focused on Haven so I don't see that I have come a field. I want to stop and admire it, bathed in the glow of the moon, white flowers everywhere, but I hear the wolf behind me. I get to about the middle of the field when I trip over something. I'm not sure what I tripped over but that's the last of my worries right now. I turn around to see the wolf standing right there. He crouches down and looks like he's about to pounce, I'm getting ready to scream when suddenly…I'm startled awake.It was just a dream. Or more like a nightmare. I take a moment to gather my bearings and remember everything that has happened."What's wrong?" Haven't asked.I told her about the nightmare in detail. Not leaving anything out."Oh. Wow. It's probably just a stress dream from everything that has happened." Haven said when I was done."Hmm." I responded. I got up and showered and then put on some blue jeans and a plain black T-shirt. I gathered my belongings into my bag, left a tip for the room cleaners and then headed out to my car. Once I got to my car I looked up somewhere I could have breakfast. I found a little diner just up the street so I headed there to get a bite to eat. Once I was settled into a booth and had ordered I decided that I should call my grandparents."Oakley! What a pleasant surprise!" My grams, Marjory, answered. She is my mothers mom and even after my mom had passed they were still a big part of my life. I imagined my grandfather, Gene, was out helping with the training of the newly shifted. It was one of his favorite things to do. A despite his age he is in amazing shape. But wolves don't age as fast as a human does."Hello grams." I said."How are you dear?" She asked. I could hear the sound of the sink running in the background. I guessed she was doing the breakfast dishes. I knew she would be heading out soon to her job at the bakery that she owned."I am alright grams. I'm coming to visit you." I told her, hoping she wouldn't tell me it was a bad time."Oh that's great dear! When are you coming? In a couple days? Week? We can plan it!" She sounded excited."Uhhmm" I cleared my throat, "I'll be there this evening, probably around 7." I said."Oh goodness! Is everything okay?" I heard the water turn off and I knew she was completely focused on the conversation."Um not really but I don't really want to talk about it on the phone. It's a lot. Can I tell you when I get there?" I asked her."Of course dear. I will let Alpha Mark know so that there are not any issues. Actually it will have to be beta jack because alpha is away right now." She said."Okay grams. See you soon.""Bye dear." She said. We hung up the phone. I finished my breakfast, paid and then went on my way. Stopping only to get gas and use the bathroom. Grabbing some snacks and drinks at the gas stations so I don't have to stop longer then necessary. After hours of driving I finally arrive at the silver moon pack border. There are trees as far as the eye can see other then the driving path to get into the pack town. Haven is itching to get out and run. I call my grams to let her know I am at the border so that I don't cause any trouble by just crossing into the territory unannounced. I wait for border patrol to come.I'm waiting in my car with the windows down so that I hear them coming. I sit there for about 5 minutes when I hear them. They are walking up the path. 3 men and one wolf."Hello miss. The beta sent us to escort you to your grandmothers. He will meet you there. He had something to do. But before we can do that we need to search your car." Said one of the men. He was tall, dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Built like a warrior."Um okay." I said confused. I got out of my car and stepped back. I didn't have anything to hide and I didn't have anything that would harm anyone so I didn't have an issues with them searching my car. I had just never encountered this before."Hello. I am gamma Justin. We conduct searches on a vehicles and persons coming in to the pack lands because of some threats we have received and all the rogue attacks we have dealt with lately. I'm only telling you because I have spoken to your grandmother and I know your not a threat. But we have to do our job." Said one of the other men. He had dark hair, green eyes and was taller then the other men. Built like a weight lifter, I could see why he would be gamma. The gammas job was to protect the Luna of the pack and serve her."I understand." I said. I felt it was a little concerning but better then what I would have to deal with back home. The gamma made some small talk with me while they searched my car. Once they finished and gave the okay it was time to head to my grandparents."Alright. You are cleared to go. We have a car parked just up the road to escort you so we will meet you there." Said Gemma Justin."Sounds good." I respond, getting into my car.I drive up the road to where there car was and wait for them. Once they get their and get into their car I follow them to my grandparents house. I notice we go through the woods for quite a while before reaching the little town within the pack. It really is a beautiful and peaceful place. I can see why my mom loved it so much.We pull up to my grandparents and my grandmother and grandfather are waiting outside on the deck."Oakley! I'm so happy to see you and I'm glad you made it safely!" Said my grams as she pulled me into a hug. It took a lot of my self control to not start crying as all the feelings of the past couple of days hit me at once. But I knew I was going to have to explain what happened and I needed to be strong for that.