Chapter 20- Beyond The Gate

Polly was in a terrible mood that morning. She regretted messaging her stalker that she was on the way to Aleyska to beat his ass, and despite her non-empty threats, the creepy fella had the audacity to be interested in her comeback.

She reported his line to the police, but his number could not be traced.

Everything concerning her stalker was so confidential, she was afraid he might be a mob or some dangerous figure that was out to get her, or even a werewolf.

Her brother had advised her to ignore further messages, delete his number and get herself a new line. But this man was testing her patience. After the incident in the hospital, which she was certain he orchestrated, she knew she had reached her limits.

She was going to confront this man eventually, but first, she had to prepare to grace her hometown; Aleyska.

When the plane landed in a different town that was the closest to Aleyska, Polly and her brother continued their journey by car, and Malcolm had accompanied them on the trip.

Polly didn't even realize when she fell asleep. She had been staring at the dense forests and trees when she accidentally hit the snooze button. The calm weather, combined with the rain that had fallen twice during the drive, lulled her to sleep.

It was needed, since she hasn't been getting enough sleep for the past few days. When she woke up, the rain had stopped completely, and they were in a whole new town.

"And we're here." Norman said to the sleepy head, gripping the steering wheel. Their eyes darted towards the well-crafted sign that welcomed them to Aleyska.

The last light of day met the encroaching night, and Polly's heart swelled as she took in the scene. Each house they passed boasted traditional architecture—steeply pitched roofs, ornate wooden carvings, and flower boxes spilling over with vibrant blooms

Inhabitants strolled by with their umbrellas and large fur coats.

Old-fashioned lanterns lined the way, their warm glow dancing on the cobbles. It was their first time visiting their hometown, and their father never told them how enchanting Aleyska was. It's almost as if they had stepped into some sort of forgotten fairy tale, and Polly was excited to see what awaited them next.

"Are you seeing this, Malcolm?" Polly's head was already out the window, staring at the lovely architecture that made her feel like she just traveled through time. Malcolm quietly gazed from the glass window, lost in his own thoughts, but his eyes flickered with a hint of nostalgia.

As they rounded a corner, a grand building came into view. Perched atop a hill, its spires reached into the darkening sky. Black birds circled around it, silhouetted against the fading light, and Polly's eyes were in awe.

Even from here, she could feel the fortress's intimidating presence washing over her. She wondered what sort of people lived there.

"Norman, did you see that?" Polly couldn't help but draw her brother's attention to it, "that building over there, it's situated so far away. Who do you think might live there?"

"You, if you don't sit down properly." Was her brother's cruel response to her innocent inquiry, "you're acting like a child visiting a kindergarten park for the first time."

Polly pouted in annoyance, and she would not listen to him if he continued to use that tone of voice on her.

Thirty minutes into the drive, Polly's eyes widened when an ancient wrought-gate loomed ahead. Norman eased the car to a stop, and Polly shifted uncomfortably as she scanned the dense forest beyond the gates.

Aleyska had many trees, no doubt.

Stepping out of the car with their luggage, Polly waited for her brother to park the car in a designated spot before joining her and Malcolm. A territory stretched before them as they went through the gate, and it was a wild expanse of towering pines, moonlit glades and hidden dens.

Polly inhaled the smell of wet earth, mixed with pine needles. It was a primal perfume that stirred something deep in not just her, but her brother as well.

"Come." Malcolm led the way this time, and the siblings quietly followed.

Within the gate, inhabitants strolled by, all minding their business till they spotted the red-haired siblings— an unfamiliar face walking right through their territory. Their eyes held curiosity, and everyone was dressed in casual outfits, regardless of it being cold as hell out here.

Little children played near the bonfire, and Polly found it hard to believe this was her home.

"Welcome to the crescent moon pack." Malcolm introduced to them the name of the territory, "when your father was still alive, he owned this side of Aleyska, and he still does. In fact, there's something you two need to—"

"Incoming!" A panicked feminine voice called out, and Malcolm effortlessly stepped aside before a moving wooden cart could collide with him.

Everyone else had moved out of the way on time, and the lady responsible for that chaotic wooden cart cringed as it crashed into a building, spilling all the weapons it carried onto the ground.

"Not again." she exasperated.

Polly and her brother glanced at the young lady who seemed to be in her twenties, as she approached them with an apologetic look on her youthful face.

"I'm so sorry! Are either of you hurt?" She asked, her gaze darting between three of them. They shook their heads, much to her relief, and the lady placed a hand to her chest, emphasizing she was also glad to hear that they had been unharmed.

"Thank goodness, I was so worried that I–" the rest of her words trailed off when her gaze settled on Malcolm, and she gasped in sudden recognition.

"You… are you Mr Malcolm?" She inquired, her question puzzling not just the twins, but Malcolm as well.

"Yes. Do I know you?"

"Wow, it's really you!" Her voice brimmed with excitement as she confirmed his identity. "Your photo did you justice, you aged like fine wine, Mr Malcolm! I'm Serra, I'm the daughter of Albin, our pack's historian."

Malcolm's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed into the young lady's sparkling eyes, and the keen resemblance became evident.

"You're Albin's daughter?"

Serra smiled warmly, "Yes, I remember you from the family photo book. It's an honor to finally meet the one who served late Alpha Bernard. My father has been expecting you."

"Who's Albin?" Norman inquired, but Malcolm stayed silent. He turned his attention to Serra.

"Can you take me to your father?"

"Certainly," Serra nodded, "please come with me."

"What about your—" Polly gestured towards the wooden cart, but Serra was already walking away with Malcolm.

She led them to a house nestled beneath a massive oak. The house was just like the one they had passed while coming here, and they went inside with their bags.

Polly sank onto the worn sofa, a mix of exhaustion and relief washing over her. Serra started the fire in the hearth, illuminating the spacious living room, and that was when a man stepped out from a corner.

"Ah, the prodigal siblings return." He rasped. Polly's gaze darted to the man who had a strange semblance to her father in terms of facial features, but he stood taller, and his dark brown hair mirrored their father's own.

Could it really be…

"You've both grown so well," he said, his eyes shifting to Malcolm who approached him first.

"Can we talk, Albin?"

"That can wait, allow me to say hi to my niece and nephew." He replied, his attention shifting to the twins. "Serra, these are your cousins." Albin introduced them to one another, ignoring Malcolm whose expression had grown serious.

"Dad had a brother?" Norman frowned questionably, his gaze shifting to Malcolm, but he was interrupted by Albin.

"So much to unravel." Albin put his arms behind their back while leading the siblings to the exact room he stepped out from. "Come, let's have a little chat, Serra will make dinner for everyone in the meantime."

Albin paused in his steps and glanced briefly at Malcolm, "come too, your presence will be needed."