The overnight flight to Umbra was relaxing. Carmine wasn't poor by any means. But who the hell could be rich enough to have a private plane? Just what kind of pack was Umbra?
"How is Carmine?" Lucien asked. He had opened the door to the car for me and I thanked him quickly as I took my seat. I practically melted in my chair. Heated seats were a blessing.
"We're a small pack that minds their own business. Zaina is three years older than me and is learning the ropes of being Alpha," I explained as Lucien took a seat across from me. "How much longer to Umbra?"
"It shouldn't take more than an hour," he said as he got into the van, "And I meant to ask how Carmine treats you, not how they are as a pack."
I shrugged.
"I haven't seen them in a while, but they mind their own, just as much as I do," I said.
"How often do they come see you?" Lucien asked.
"Um, well, I came to see them last Christmas–"
"They don't come see you? Not even your sister?"
"I'm probably just forgetting…" I trailed off. Lucien shook his head. I didn't want to think about it.
I spotted Xander as he carried someone in his arms and my eyes widened as I realized that it was Lana who was now dressed in a simple white T-shirt dress. He rested her on another chair and buckled her up before he bowed his head towards Lucien and then at me. He then closed the door and got into another van.
"Is he Lana's mate?" I asked and Lucien chuckled.
"She's not old enough to know if that's true – but from what he tells me, it seems like it," he said as he looked over at his sister and smiled.
"How old is he?" I asked. Lucien nodded at the driver and I assumed they had mind-linked to signal that we should get going.
"He's seventeen, five years older," he said as the car went on the move.
"And you're okay with that?" I asked.
"Lana and Xander have been friends for years. He's been there her whole life. I knew he'd be the perfect guardian for her. That's why he's done it for so long. When he turned sixteen, he told me immediately and asked if I wanted him to put some distance. I told him it wasn't necessary. I trust him," Lucien said, "Though I guess that kind of justification doesn't work in our case," he added.
"Why were you in New York?" I asked.
"Business reasons," he said casually and I stared at him.
"What business reason would have you drag your pack out there with your sister and get her almost bleeding to death beside my apartment?"
"We were hunting for some people, but another group found us instead," he said plainly.
"God, it's been a while since I've been on this side of things," I murmured.
We spent the rest of the hour trying to get to know each other. I told him that I worked as a vet but that I had trained previously to be a pack doctor. He told me about Lana and a bit more about his pack. Honestly I can't even recall at which point I fell asleep but I did.
"Auden," Someone called and I shook my head. I heard a slight laugh close to my left ear before I felt someone literally blow into it. Startled, I opened my eyes immediately and lifted my right hand to smack the shit out of someone when I saw a pair of hazel eyes staring right at me.
"You could've just woken me up like a normal person," I said. I yawned, stretched out my arms, and hit the ceiling with my fists.
"We're here," Lucien said and I looked around, there was nothing but trees everywhere– and a nice solid road.
"Where exactly?" I asked.
"Close to home," Lana said groggily from behind me.
"Hey," I greeted and she grinned in my direction. God she was adorable.
"We're near a mountain trail, but we gotta get off," Lucien said and I looked out at the snow-covered road. "Need a jacket?" he asked.
"Do you have one?" I asked and he nodded, pulling something from underneath the chair. I took it from him and shrugged it on, it was a little too big but it was a good enough winter jacket.
"Can I take her? Please?" Lana asked and Lucien petted her head.
"I don't think that's a good idea," he replied.
"You just want her to ride your back, it's not fair if you're mates you guys can do it whenever you want," she said as she pouted.
I froze.
"Okay, taken completely out of context, this conversation can really fu– screw with my head," I said, "Can someone please tell me what the plan is?"
"Our main territory is found deeper within the forest. The cars have to make a longer trip to get to the garages," Lucien said. "We're gonna have you ride until we get to the packhouse," he continued.
Lana opened the door and hopped off. The cold burst into the car and despite the werewolf blood running through my veins, I couldn't help but shiver. It was really fucking cold out there.
"Lana!" I heard Xander yell. He had just gotten out of another van.
"Let her be, she won't leave until Auden here gets out," Lucien said calmly as he stepped out. I shook my head as I shoved my hands deep into my pockets. I stepped out and felt the cold crawl up my legs.
I loved winter, but goddamn sometimes the cold bites way too hard.
I closed the door behind me and shoved my hands into the pockets of the jacket and I felt someone grab my arm.
"Let's go!" Lana said as she tugged me towards the edge of the road.
Multiple sounds of cracking bones, half-synchronized groans, and yelps later, I turned around and found myself surrounded by wolves. One of them, Lucien, was just about a foot below my neck when he was on all fours. I folded my arms over my chest.
"Well, I can't mind-link you so you better start barking," I said. He wagged his tail and nudged me with his nose.
Lucien's wolf was a totally different color from his sister who had brown and gold bundles of fur that faded to black. Lucien had mainly black fur with white tips and the fur on his chest leading down his body was white too. As his pack disappeared – save for Lana who refused to leave and Xander who stood by her – he laid down and barked, motioning for me to get on.
I shook my head. Let's just pretend we're riding a horse. A large furry horse that gives you the tinglies.
Okay.
Not helping.
I stepped forward and just as I was about to grab hold of him and hoist myself over, Lana tackled him. He rolled over and she barked at me and bowed down to have me sit.
"Lana, I don't think that's a good idea," I said with a smile and she whined at me.
Lucien nudged Lana's stomach away with his nose and she whined louder. I looked over at Xander and he scratched the back of his head with his back foot. His wolf was light brown and tinged with black. The cars around us had already left, leaving just us four – and from afar, I was sure I looked like a lunatic with three giant wolves around me.
"Lana, if I apply pressure on the wrong spot, you'll get even more injured," I threatened – and lied. She bowed her head and her ears flopped downward as she backed away pouting. Lucien barked and moved in her place.
"No funny business, or I'll rip your fur out," I threatened. He barked and I rolled my eyes as I touched his fur. Shivers traveled down the length of my arms as I grabbed hold of him and straddled his back.
By the time he stood up, I had wrapped my arms as far as I could around his neck. Lana whimpered as Xander barked at her. Lucien barked as well before he reared back.
"Oh God," I murmured just as Lucien broke into a sprint. My breath hitched as he began running through the forest.
I did my best to look up, but it really wasn't all that possible. The wind was so frigid, the cold air felt like getting smacked in the face with ice water over and over again. I buried my face deep into Lucien's fur and basked in his scent. It was sweet and musky. He smelled a little bit like cinnamon and vanilla. Goddess help me.
Lucien barked and I looked up. We climbed up a hill and were now alone. He turned and I looked at the view. There were mountains topped with snow and frost layered trees. I could feel the strength that ran through his body as he propelled forward. He was also probably showing off his abilities but hey, a woman could appreciate the effort.
We soon arrived at the pack house, which was a small house on the edge of a tall cliffside. It looked like a very modern cabin with wooden logs and stone walls. It looked small but extended over the edge of the hill. The plants and trees were thicker around it but there was definitely more to this house than it seemed.
Lucien laid down. He panted as I released him and got my feet on stable ground. There was a fine dirt path heading up to the home that seemed to have formed over years of treading over it regularly. Lucien barked as he trotted, quite adorably, towards the front of the house which had a small wide wooden bridge made of smooth wooden panels.
We walked across and it was only when I stepped onto the 'bridge' that I saw it.
The foliage in front hid it really well. I walked over to the edge of the bridge and felt my breath catch in my throat. There were maybe three more floors down, all made of rugged stone and wood. A concealed staircase led further down as an alternative route. I followed Lucien as he pawed the door and it swung open. I took a deep breath before I stepped inside.
The warmth embraced me first before I marveled at the house. I was greeted by a wide balcony with a beautiful panoramic view of the mountainside. A lake could be seen in the distance. Though I relished in the warmth of the pack house, I couldn't help but head out to the balcony. I slid the glass door aside and looked out into the forest, nothing but greenery, snow, and a serene lake. It was like the ultimate getaway from the city.
"Enjoying the view?" Lucien's voice asked from behind me. I turned to find him dressed in a black shirt and dark wash jeans.
"Are you kidding? I literally thought you dragged me into the middle of nowhere and now…" I trailed off, "it's gorgeous," I admitted.
"A lot of our pack members live in the town nearby and I took the long way to show you the other side. If you look closely, you'll find a few cabins hidden along the slope – a lot of Umbra live around here and the others spread throughout the mountains," he said as we walked over to the edge of the balcony. I squinted my eyes searching for any other homes.
"You guys sure know how to hide," I muttered as I gave up and Lucien laughed.
"We're called Umbra for a reason," he commented and I raised an eyebrow.
"What does Umbra mean?" I asked.
"It's the shadow on the moon– if I wanted to sound cool, it's the dark side of the moon-"
"Please don't go all Mulan on me," I said with a smirk and Lucien merely smiled.
"Well, that's what an umbra is, we're hidden from most packs for good reason. Only a few packs know our location," he said, "Anyways, your room is ready, you can head out if you'd like or you can go ahead and sleep."
"Lead the way," I said. I had zero complaints right now, especially since I'd basically be on a vacation – although I did want to continue working. I knew I'd have to discuss that with him later.