Chapter 6

In order to reach the Everwood compound, everyone has to go through the town of Carrington. Carrington is located centrally between all three territories in the area. To the North is the Everwood Pack’s territory, to the South is Blackthorn territory, and to the West was Vale Den territory. Every year one pack would host the Twelves Celebration. Both humans and werewolves alike went to Carrington due to it being the only town around for miles.The South gate was the gate between the beginning of Everwood territory and that of the human territory. There were still several miles of woods between the main gate of the Everwood Compound and the South gate, at the bottom of the mountain. In wolf form the distance can be covered  within a few hours. .

Very few humans know about the packs, those that do have either sworn their loyalty to a pack or have become Hunters trying to “put down those mangey beasts."  There is a small sect of werewolves that are Hunters as well, this sect is very secretive, it can be very dangerous if any other werewolves find out that they kill their own for sport or power. The few who are part of the Hunters organization are called Rogue Hunters, they are identified by a small black crescent moon tattooed on their bodies somewhere. This tattoo uses a specialized formula of ink that allows the tattoo to show up on their wolf form even when they transform. 

Jaxon, Garrett, and Derrik all headed out the front door, wondering what they would encounter at the South Gate. As the group got ready to change into their wolf forms, Jaxson said, “Before we head towards the South gate, we need to mind link so we can communicate with each-other. I have already linked up with Bastian, since I sent him ahead of us before I let father know what was going on. Remember, Garrett, if there is a problem you are not to get in the thick of it, your job is to observe and report back to father. Understood?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

They changed and mind linked as soon as they exited the main gate of the compound. Jaxson was a large brown wolf, with blue eyes, of all the brother’s he was the largest, almost as large as their father. Garrett’s coat was a smoky grey color with black marks on his chest, tail and paws, and blue eyes, like all the Everwood children. He was about half the size of Jax. Derrick’s coat was a light tan color with deep brown undertones, and eyes. They proceeded to race towards the South Gate. 

“Any update from Bastian, Jax?” Derrick questioned.

“No, nothing yet, he is unusually quiet, he should’ve arrived by now.”

“Are you worried?” Garrett asked.

“Not quite yet, he may have had to handle something as soon as he got there, he will update me when he can,” Jax said trying to keep the worry out of his mind’s voice.

“Jax! We have a situation here. Some Rogue Hunters are trying to get into the party, they are beginning to get agitated. They say they are not here to cause any problems and just want to celebrate with the twelves,” Bastian’s voice came over the mind link.

“Do you know what pack they tried to sneak in with?” Jax asked.

“The Blackthorns.”

“Figures. Which ones?”

“Jebidiah, Viktor, and Iliana. They tried to hide in the trailer they brought.”

“If they are not here to cause problems, why try and sneak in?”

“They claim they knew if they came just as themselves, they wouldn’t be allowed in.” 

“Don’t let them through, I will be there in 10.”

Jax addressed his small group through the mind link, “We will be at the South gate in 10 minutes, some Rogue Hunters tried to sneak in with the Blackthorns. When we get there, Derrik I want you to come in on the left, I’ll go in on the right, we will corral them in between us and Bastian. Garrett stays back, understood? If I need your help, I’ll tell you.” All of a sudden, they heard what sounded like several small explosions at the gate. Jaxon could feel his mind link with Bastian interrupted.

"What the hell was that?! Bastian! Do you read? Bastian?” Jaxson called out to him with his mind. “Hurry up guys! I lost my link with Bastian!” They all sped up, within a few minutes they had crossed the last line of trees between them and the South Gate.