The Arrival

Chapter 6

The Arrival

Devin stood at the entrance to Silverwood Pack's central grounds as the first members of Blackthorn Pack emerged from the forest.

The arrival had transformed Silverwood Pack over the past four days.

Since the council meeting, wolves had worked almost nonstop to prepare for their guests. Additional housing had been arranged, festival plans revised, patrol routes adjusted, and enough food prepared to feed nearly twice the usual number of attendees.

Now that Blackthorn Pack was actually here, Devin understood why his father had taken the visit so seriously.

Nearly forty wolves walked beneath the towering pines.

Warriors.

Elders.

Families.

Pack representatives.

At their head was Alpha Gideon Blackthorn.

The older Alpha carried himself with effortless confidence. Silver streaked his dark hair, and the wolves surrounding him instinctively gave him space. Like Rowan, he possessed the quiet authority of a leader who didn't need to prove himself.

Beside him walked a younger man about Devin's age.

Tall.

Broad-shouldered.

Dark-haired.

Alert eyes scanned their surroundings constantly.

His son.

The Blackthorn heir.

Devin stepped forward alongside Rowan.

"Welcome to Silverwood."

Alpha Gideon smiled.

"Alpha Rowan."

The two leaders clasped forearms.

A traditional Alpha greeting.

"Good to see you're still impossible to intimidate."

Rowan laughed.

"Likewise."

The tension immediately eased.

Good.

Devin had secretly been worried the visit would involve more politics and less cooperation.

Gideon turned to him.

"So this is Devin."

There was something assessing in the older Alpha's gaze.

Not hostile.

Observant.

"Alpha," Devin greeted respectfully.

"Your father speaks highly of you."

Devin glanced toward Rowan.

His father looked suspiciously innocent.

Which usually meant nothing good.

Gideon motioned toward the younger man beside him.

"My son. Ryker."

The Blackthorn heir extended a hand.

Devin shook it.

"Welcome to Silverwood."

Ryker grinned as he looked around the central square.

"I won't lie, this place is impressive."

Devin raised an eyebrow.

"Impressive?"

"You have permanent training grounds, actual planning, and nobody looks like they're one disagreement away from setting something on fire."

Several Blackthorn warriors barked out laughs.

"That's a slight exaggeration," Gideon muttered.

"Father, three wolves challenged each other during breakfast last week."

"Two of them were brothers."

"Exactly my point."

More laughter followed.

Ryker turned back toward the settlement. Lanterns hung between trees. Flowers decorated nearly every gathering space. Wolves moved through the territory efficiently despite the festival preparations.

"Blackthorn is stronger than it looks," Ryker said. "But Silverwood feels... settled."

Gideon nodded approvingly.

"A sign of good leadership."

Rowan inclined his head slightly.

"Or good luck."

"Luck doesn't build something like this," Gideon replied.

For the first time, Devin noticed genuine respect in the older Alpha's voice.

Just like that, the formalities were over.

---

The remainder of the morning disappeared beneath a mountain of responsibilities.

Guest housing had to be assigned.

Dining arrangements finalized.

Security patrols adjusted.

Festival schedules reviewed.

Devin found himself moving constantly.

Fortunately, Todd was equally trapped.

"This is terrible," Todd complained as they crossed the central square.

"We've spent two hours discussing seating charts."

"You spent two hours complaining about seating charts."

Todd pointed dramatically.

"Because they matter."

"They really don't."

"They absolutely do."

Devin laughed.

The festival grounds were nearly complete now.

Lanterns hung between the trees, casting warm light across the pathways.

Long wooden tables stretched through the clearing where tonight's feast would be held.

Colorful ribbons decorated the Alpha House.

Children darted through the crowd playing games while workers added final touches to displays and vendor stalls.

Silverwood looked alive.

The way it always did during festival season.

And despite the exhaustion weighing on everyone, excitement buzzed through the pack.

The Full Moon Festival was more than a celebration.

It was Silverwood's oldest tradition.

A reminder of their shared history.

Of their connection to the Moon Goddess.

Of the wolves who had come before them.

---

By afternoon, Devin finally had a chance to breathe.

Unfortunately, that meant he was immediately cornered by Sabrina.

"I've been looking for you."

"That usually means trouble."

Sabrina rolled her eyes.

"You always say that."

"Because I'm usually right."

Her smile widened.

She looked genuinely happy today.

The festival suited her.

A deep emerald dress complemented her blonde hair and brought out the confidence she carried so naturally.

"You should be excited."

"I am."

"Liar."

Devin laughed.

"Maybe a little overwhelmed."

"Everyone is."

Sabrina glanced around the bustling grounds.

"It's going to be the biggest festival we've had in years."

She wasn't wrong.

With Blackthorn attending, attendance had nearly doubled.

Already, visiting wolves mingled with Silverwood pack members.

New friendships were forming.

Potential alliances.

Stories.

Memories.

That was part of the festival's purpose.

Bringing packs together.

---

As evening approached, the first official events began.

Traditionally, the Full Moon Festival lasted three days.

The opening night focused on unity among the packs.

The second day featured competitions and challenges.

The final night ended with the Moonlight Ceremony beneath the full moon.

This year promised to be especially memorable.

The opening ceremony included:

A formal welcome from Alpha Rowan.

Recognition of visiting packs.

Traditional storytelling by the elders.

Music and dancing.

A communal feast beneath the stars.

Tomorrow's events would be even more competitive.

Archery.

Tracking challenges.

Combat demonstrations.

Pack races through the forest.

Strength trials.

Events designed to showcase talented wolves from every rank.

The festivities represented months of preparation.

Months of work.

And finally, Silverwood was ready.

---

As lanterns illuminated the gathering grounds, Devin stood near the edge of the clearing watching wolves stream toward the celebration.

Blackthorn wolves mixed easily with Silverwood members.

Children laughed.

Music drifted through the trees.

The atmosphere felt lighter than it had in weeks.

Even Rowan appeared relaxed for once.

For a moment, everything felt peaceful.

Simple.

Exactly as a festival should feel.

Then Devin noticed a familiar figure near one of the supply tables.

Jade Sullivan.

Liam stood beside her, unsuccessfully attempting to carry three crates at once.

One nearly slipped from his arms.

"I've got it under control," Liam insisted.

"You absolutely don't," Jade replied.

The crate immediately tilted.

Jade burst out laughing.

The sound carried farther than Devin expected.

His attention lingered.

Then he noticed a third wolf standing beside them.

Ryker Blackthorn.

Somehow, in only a few hours, the Blackthorn heir had inserted himself into their conversation.

Ryker reached forward and effortlessly lifted one of the crates from Liam's overloaded arms.

Liam looked personally offended.

Jade laughed harder.

Ryker appeared far too pleased with himself.

Even from a distance, the conversation seemed easy.

Natural.

As though they had known each other longer than a single afternoon.

Ryker said something.

Jade shook her head.

Liam pointed accusingly at both of them.

A moment later all three were laughing.

The sight surprised Devin.

Earlier that week, he would have assumed Jade kept to herself.

Yet every time he caught a glimpse of her away from gossiping pack members, she seemed different.

Lighter.

More confident.

More herself.

"Careful."

Devin glanced sideways.

Todd had appeared beside him.

"About what?"

Todd nodded toward the trio.

"Ryker."

"What about him?"

"That wolf makes friends faster than a puppy."

Devin looked back toward them.

Ryker had somehow convinced Liam to hand over another crate and was now carrying most of the load himself.

"I don't see the issue."

Todd snorted.

"You will."

Before Devin could ask what that meant, someone called his name from across the clearing.

The moment broke.

He turned away.

And with the sun setting behind the pines and laughter filling the festival grounds, Silverwood Pack's Full Moon Festival officially began.