~Tristan~

We listened to the ring on the other end of the line. Titus, Brandon and I collectively held our breath as we waited. I had put the call on speaker phone after instructing both of them to be quiet and merely listen.

A gruff voice picked up on the third ring, “Silver Moon, Alpha Lucian speaking. State your business.”

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it. I quickly recovered from my momentary lapse of speech, “Good evening Alpha Lucian. This is Alpha Tristan of Moonlight Pack.”

“I see. What can I do for you, Alpha Tristan?” Lucien was cold and sounded as though he was irritated by the phone call.

“I have a pack member who is looking to find a chosen mate. His fated mate passed away many years ago. He is originally from Silver Moon and was hoping to perhaps visit his home pack and start his search there. I would, of course, never expect you to invite a virtual stranger, original pack member or not, into your lands without meeting them first. So I was calling to invite you to visit our pack to meet him first.”

I was hoping that sucking up a little would help keep the disdain I felt about inviting him and his people here from coming through in my voice. It seemed to work as his tone and demeanor changed a little with this information.

“It has been awhile since we’ve been to visit another pack, and I do have a handful or two of members who are unmated. Might I bring them with us as well?”

“I don’t see that being a problem. How many do you think would accompany you? As we are a smaller pack I want to make sure we can comfortably accommodate you and your members.”

“There will be as many as 18 of us. I have about a dozen unmated, of age wolves in my pack and then my family and my Beta and his family. Assuming everyone desires to come.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Then it would be an honor to visit and meet this person. When would you like us to be there?”

That was a bold face lie. Lucian had no honor, no idea what honor was, but I bit my tongue and responded as though I were none the wiser, “Shall we say in two weeks? That will give us time to make sure we have rooms prepared for everyone?”

I could hear him flipping papers on his end, I assumed he was looking at a calendar of some kind, “Two weeks should be fine.

“Wonderful, we should be able to accommodate that number pretty easily. We will see you in two weeks, Alpha Lucian.” I barely waited for his parting words before I ended the call, unclenching a fist that I hadn’t even realized was clenched.

“Just the sound of his voice makes my skin crawl.” Brandon shuddered, like he couldn’t get rid of the feeling fast enough.

“You’re not wrong kid, you’re not wrong. Lucian is a slimy creep. He wasn’t always from what I’ve heard, but the time when he wasn’t was long ago. Probably before you were even a twinkle in your father’s eye.” Titus chuckled.

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“I understand why we’re doing what we’re doing, and I’m happy to continue to help with it, but I’d much rather just rip him to shreds when he shows his face here.” I was having a hard time containing my anger at the things he had put Alyce through. It felt like an inferno raging within.

*Tristan? Are you ok? I can feel your anger from here. What’s wrong?* I heard Alyce’s panicked voice come across our mind link, and felt it shift quickly to anger that someone might be riling me up. It was enough to instantly calm the inferno, maybe not put it out, but calm it down.

*I’m sorry my love. I am ok. I promise. I just had to deal with some trash and it got me worked up. Are you enjoying your trip?*

*All things considered, yes. We will be home in a couple hours. Are you sure you’re ok?*

*Can’t wait, and I’m sure. I just finished up my phone call with Lucian. I would like to pick your memory sometime in the next day or two if you’re willing, but we can discuss that when you get home.*

*Alright, I can’t wait to see you. I miss having you with me when I go out. Is that weird?*

I chuckled through the mindlink, and by the looks on the guys’ faces, out loud as well. *If it is, then we’re both a little weird. I miss having you at my side when you’re not there. Be safe, I will see you soon. I love you.*

*Not soon enough. I love you too.* She closed the link and I couldn’t help but be a little amused.

I loved that she got angry on my behalf, just as mine had been on her behalf this time. I caught myself grinning at the thought. Titus and Brandon waited for me to close the mind link before giving me questioning looks.

“Alyce felt my anger from town and was just checking in. They’ll be home in a couple hours. In the meantime, Titus, would you please inform the cleaning crew that we need the old bunk house cleaned up and ready to house 12 visitors, and that we need guest suites prepared for the Alpha and Beta families. Give them the time frame. The bunk house is going to take some extra work, it's been awhile since we’ve had to use it. I want them to have plenty of time without feeling rushed.”

“I’ll get right on it.” Titus nodded curtly in acknowledgement and then excused himself to tend to his tasks.

I looked at Brandon, “Well Gamma, we have some research to do while we wait on everyone to get home. Let’s head to the conference room. We need to find out everything we can about Lucian and Silver Moon. Grab the file box on Silver Moon, I’ll grab the Alpha files and we can start digging.”

He grinned at me. Clearly eager to dig up dirt that would help us get justice on Lucian, and any Silver Moon members that were willingly on board with him. We grabbed what we needed and headed for the conference room where we could spread out and organize as needed.

The time passed more quickly than I thought it would and it wasn’t long before Alyce came through my head once more.

*We’re about to the turn-off for the driveway. Would you mind getting some help to take these supplies upstairs to Rian’s room?*

*Of course not love. Brandon and I will grab a couple of people on the way down to meet you.*

*Thank you!*

Once again the link closed and Brandon looked up as my eyes cleared, “They almost here?”

“Yes, let’s find a few Omega’s to unload the supplies and head down to meet them.”

“I’ll grab the Omega’s, you get Cedric. I’m sure Mat has already contacted him, but let’s just cover all the bases.”

“Ahh, young love…” I smirked.

“Says the man who is just as bad with his mate. Pot, meet Kettle.” Brandon snickered.

“Touche, Brandon, touche.”

“Alpha’s prerogative?”

“Something like that.” We left the conference room, both laughing as I went to retrieve Cedric and Brandon headed down to find a few volunteers to help unload things from the town trip.