Chapter 59 The North

(Hope POV)

Being in heat was a setback, but now I was back to my old self again. I knew I disappointed Alexander when I said I wasn't ready to start a family, but I also knew he would understand. Maybe I'll feel differently next year or the year after that. Right now, there were so many things I needed to focus on.

The celebration of Alexander's birthday was a success. There weren't any untoward incidences that happened this time unlike the opening of the festival. Instead of him judging the Miss Dark Moon pageant, they had me do it. I've become a household name of sorts and it was an honor for the village that I lived here with them. A pretty olive skinned girl with the name of Leslie was crowned Miss Dark Moon. Ava, who also participated, wasn't too happy about that. I was just happy I could have a slice of my favorite apple pie.

I saw Old Man Martin. He was very happy to see me. He noticed my absence around town and I told him I made a trip to Seattle and that I would be leaving soon for New York and Canada so I might not get the chance to see him before he leaves.

"Where will you be going in Canada?" Martin asked.

"Vancouver. I need to visit my grandmother," I answered.

"You have a grandmother in Vancouver?" He asked, interested.

"In that area, yes. My biological grandmother." I told him.

"Oh that's nice to hear. I'm from that area, Vancouver. I hope to bump into you there." He smiled at me.

"Me too. You have a safe trip home, Sir Martin." I gave him a hug as a goodbye.

"You have a safe trip too. I'll try to visit this village more often. Keep safe, Hope," he said before walking away.

Right now, we're waiting for the helicopter to transport us to Seattle airport. From there, we go to New York then Canada. I had a passport made for Grace since she'll be coming with us and it is safely in my bag with mine. Our entourage and my parents were already in Seattle. It will just be me, Alexander, Diane and Aunt Cecilia on this ride to Seattle. Howard and David decided to stay to keep watch over the territory.

Aunt Cecilia has been really moody and seemed to be mad at me for some reason. I thought she'd be riding the helicopter with my parents, but she stayed behind and said it would be better if she rode with us. I hope her mood changes when we arrive in New York.

"Hope, is it possible to see the High Elder before we go to New York?" I turned around, surprised Aunt Cecilia was talking to me.

"We go straight to the airport, Aunt Cecilia. Our flight is suppose to leave in two hours. That won't give us much time to see the High Elder," I told her.

"I was hoping to speak to him and ask him some questions," she replied.

"I'll ask Alexander if there's time to see the High Elder. The chopper is already here." Alexander motioned to us that it was time to board the helicopter.

"Bend your heads," Alexander said as we walked towards the helicopter.

"Do we have enough time to see the High Elder?" I asked Alexander.

"No. Why don't you just give him a call? Is it important?" Alexander gave me a "why so last minute" look. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Aunt Cecilia, there isn't time. Do you want to call him instead?" I asked her.

"Never mind, Hope. Maybe next time," Aunt Cecilia said obviously irked and rushed ahead to walk with Diane.

"Does she know only Alphas are allowed to speak to the High Elder?" Alexander asked me. I shrugged my shoulders at him.

Grace was right, riding in a helicopter was loud. Good thing it only lasted for an hour. Aunt Cecilia was basically hugging Diane throughout the whole flight. Seems she's a relunctant flyer.

The private plane was waiting for us at a hangar. I thought we were going to fly commercial.

"Wow. Private plane. Yours?" I asked Alexander.

"Of course. I fly all the time. Having a jet is convenient as well as comfortable. Go on. Take a look." I went up the stairs and peeked inside. My mom was already comfortable in one of the chairs, sipping wine. "Hope, look at this plane! It looks like a hotel room," she exclaimed.

The plane's interior was luxurious, packed with rich leathers, fine wood veneers and stylish stonework. Aside from the usual airplane lounge chairs, there was also a small multimedia theater. In the back, a small bedroom with a bathroom.

"Nice. I want one." I told Alexander.

"Of course you do." Alexander laughed. "Get comfortable and put on your seatbelt. I need to talk to Mark."

"Where is he?" I scanned the people on the plane. No Mark.

"He's in the cockpit, love. Co-pilot." I nodded my head in understanding. Mark knows how to fly. Alexander closed the door of the airplane before entering the cockpit.

I took a window seat in front of Grace and Oliver. My mother and father were behind us while Aunt Cecilia and Diane were seated at the side across from us. So there was nine of us including Mark. Amanda left with her husband to go to Midnight Moon territory before they flew to New York City.

"Alright. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for take-off. Please make sure your seat and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you," a woman's voice said through the PA system.

Alexander came out of the cockpit and seated himself beside me. "It's time to go. You look good in a business suit. I have hotel slippers to change in if you want to take off your stilettos."

"How long is it from Seattle to New York?" I asked him.

"Five hours give or take," he replied. "Just sit back and relax. Mark has this."

The take-off went smoothly. After take-off, Ava appeared with slippers for me. I was surprised.

"Uhm, she's usually my attendant when I fly," Alexander explained.

"I am never laying down on that bed ever," I told him while giving him a dirty look.

"We never, uhm, you know...here. Ah, here have some coffee," Alexander said, relieved for a change of topic. Ava served us some coffee and doughnuts.

"Luna Hope, Alpha flies with too many of us to..." Oliver tried to explain once Ava turned around to serve the others.

"Plus, she has the training. I can have Grace start training so she can be our attendant instead. Would that be better?" Alexander asked me.

"No, it's okay. If Ava wasn't rude to me, I wouldn't care if she was a girlfriend of yours," I told him. "Just make sure she's polite to my parents. She doesn't particularly like humans that much." I pointed my finger at my mom and dad who were talking to her.

"I got this." Grace walked up to them to see if there was a problem. I see Grace pour my mom another glass of wine. My mom is a relunctant flyer. She also poured Aunt Cecilia a glass. Grace then followed Ava to the galley.

"Grace is handling it well. Better done by another female." He looked at his watch. We've been up in the air for thirty minutes. "I need to talk to Mark." He stood up and walked to the cockpit. He was followed by Ava.

Grace sat down. "She didn't want to serve your parents. Don't worry, Alpha Hope. I'll help your parents." I mouthed, "Thank you."

The PA sounded again and told us to prepare for descent. Odd. Alexander told me the flight would take us five hours. What is going on?

Alexander reappeared from the cockpit walking like there was nothing wrong.

"Alexander, why are we landing so soon? Is there a problem?" Diane asked.

"There's a problem?!" My mother starts to panic.

"Calm down, Mom. There is nothing wrong. We will be arriving at our destination shortly," Alexander assured us.

"But you just said it's a five hour flight to New York. It has only been forty minutes," I told him.

"We aren't going to New York just yet." Alexander loudly announced to everyone.

"Where are we landing then?" Diane asked.

"Vancouver, British Columbia, Mama," Alexander said with a mischievous smile.

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(Alexander POV)

Everyone was surprised we made a detour from our expected destination. I saw the look Cecilia gave my mother. She didn't like the change in plans. I had a feeling she might continue her search in New York so, I decided we'd make the trip to Canada first before we go to New York.

After hearing the conversation between my mother and Cecilia, I had Mark come see me.

"Take this. Put it in the vault in the dungeons," I instructed him.

"What is it? Can I open it?" Mark asked.

"You're right. Let's see what's in it. If I'm right, then the contents are very valuable," I said.

Mark opens the pouch and in it the ring of Adella, bright yellow, shining in the light.

"I've seen this before. I just can't remember where," Mark said.

"The ring of Adella. Well, now it is the ring of Hope. There are people looking for that ring and I need it in a safe place. If it goes missing, I know who to blame," I said jokingly.

"Great. More duties." Mark laughed. He placed the ring back in the pouch and placed it in his pocket. "Anything else you need me to do?"

"We will be changing itineraries. Instead of flying straight to New York City, we'll be going to Vancouver instead," I instructed him.

"Visit the Great Packs of the North? Do they know we're coming?" Mark asked me.

"Hope's grandmother has instructed her to visit her. I will call up Lucas and tell him to expect us. When you leave Dark Moon for Seattle, make sure to bring the ring with you and place it in the cockpit vault. Tell no one of our plans," I ordered him.

"Sure, Alpha. I'll get everything set up for our trip then." Mark nodded his head and exited my office.

Lucas is the Alpha of Aurora Sky Pack, the former pack of my mother. We were schoolmates in college and we have always had a civil relationship. Among Alphas, the rivalry is strong, especially among heirs. Although, we weren't good enough friends, we had an understanding. I called him to tell him of our plans. He was more than willing to accommodate us knowing Hope will be making an appearance.

I smiled. It feels good surprising the pants off of wolves who have plans to try and double cross me or my mate.

"I thought we were going to New York first. Isn't the ball tomorrow night? We might miss it if we visit the packs of the north first," my mother tried to reason with me.

"Mama, we are already here and about to land. We make this trip first, spend the night, and leave first thing in the morning for New York. You all will have enough time to prepare for the Hemming Ball. For now, put your seatbelt on. We are about to land," I instructed all of them.

When we disembarked, a limousine was waiting to transport us to the resort hotel near the territories of the great packs of north which is about an hour away. Mark and Ava were going to follow us in an SUV. Lucas and Alpha Aira of the Autumn Moonlight Pack were going to meet us at the hotel. I told Lucas to give Aira a call the moment we land.

The trip to the resort was smooth although Hope complained she was hungry and we had to stop to buy some fastfood. When we arrived, Lucas was already at the entrance of the resort with a big smile.

Lucas was a tall man with brown skin. He had big hands and arms and was always the man to beat during arm wrestling tournaments. When we were students, he always kept his hair long and his face clean shaven. Now he does the opposite; he now sports a short hair cut and has a beard and moustache.

I get out of the limousine first to greet Lucas.

"Alexander, my man, you haven't changed. You still look like a lady's man. Although I've heard you're now taken." He gives me pat on the back.

"And you don't have long hair anymore. Wait, it's on your face." We both laughed.

"I've gotten used to the scruffy look." He rubbed his face.

"Lucas, I want you to meet my mother, Diane. This is Cecilia, sister to Adella. Hope's parents, Jim and Mirasol. This is my Beta Oliver and that is Hope's Beta Grace. That is Ava and of course, you know Mark." Lucas gives them all a wave to say hi.

"And this is my mate, Hope. Hope, this is Lucas, Alpha of Aurora Sky." I helped Hope out of the limousine. Her long legs were peeking through the skirt of her business suit.

"It is true. She has her golden eyes. Alexander, I envy you, man. She's beautiful." Lucas took Hope's hand and shook it. Hope smiled and blushed.

"No mate for you yet?" I asked him.

"Nope. Not yet. Still looking but never mind me. Let's get you guys situated. Aira will be here in a bit to accompany us to the territories," he said.

I reserved two suites for all of us. If my hunch is right, we will not be spending the night here at the hotel. I told everyone to freshen up before we head to Autumn Moonlight territory. While Hope was readying herself, I received the message Aira was downstairs waiting for us at the lobby. I made a call to the neighboring room to tell them to meet us downstairs.

Only nine of us will be going to Autumn Moonlight territory, Ava was to be left behind. Mirasol was a bit tipsy, but she really wanted to meet Hope's grandmother. All of us met at the lobby after we all had a chance to freshen up.

Alpha Aira was a short woman, with pale blonde hair, maybe in her early 30's. She immediately went towards Hope when she saw her. I could tell she was the only one who mattered to her.

"The first daughter of Lupa, welcome. I am Alpha Aira of the Autumn Moonlight Pack. I am most honored by your visit. Your grandmother has waited for so long for you to return to us."

Hope smiled at her. "Alpha Aira, pleasure to meet you. These are my parents, Aunt Cecilia, sister to Adella, my mother in law Diane and my mate Alexander," Hope said, introducing us. "I hope you have received all the provisions you asked."

"Ah yes. On behalf of the pack, I would like to thank you for your generosity." Alpha Aira bowed, thanking Hope.

"Would you like some refreshments or would you rather we travel to your territory now?" Hope asked.

"Let's go to the territory now. The whole pack is abuzz with excitement," Alpha Aira told her. "Follow me in your car." Hope nodded.

We all ride in the limousine except for Mark, Oliver and Grace who decided to follow us in the SUV just in case something would happen. I gave Mark a look. He nodded his head at me in understanding. Lucas told me he'll drive behind Mark.

It was a short thirty minute drive to the territory. It was mostly made up of dense forest. Smoke could be seen coming from a distance. The territory was well closed off by the forest.

We stopped in front of the territory's pack house which was undergoing much needed repairs. Hope's monetary donation was already being put to use. I was surprised the territory looked deserted. Shouldn't the wolves be celebrating the return of a daughter of Lupa? Aira said the pack was abuzz with excitement. Where were they?

"Mark, be sure the men are ready. Something isn't right." I mind linked Mark.