Chapter 5 Blue Mountain Pack

“We’re approaching Blue Mountain Pack,” I announced, gripping the wheel tightly.

We came to a stop at the border. The pack warriors blocked the road, eyes sharp and questioning.

“What’s your business here?” one of them demanded.

Lucas, calm and authoritative, stepped forward. “We have a permit.” He held it out, and I watched as the warriors mind-linked their Alpha to confirm before allowing us to enter.

As we drove toward the packhouse, I scanned the familiar grounds. Nothing much had changed over the past two years. The grounds were quiet, eerily so — no one came out to greet us.

“Is this how they greet guests?” Ethan asked through the mindlink as he, Riley, Aria, and Audrey got out of the SUV.

“I don’t know,” I replied, still sitting in my car. “I never had the privilege of seeing how they treated visitors here.”

Movement from the packhouse drew my attention. Out stepped… my brother. James, the Beta.

“Terribly sorry. It’s been a little hectic,” he said quickly, forcing a smile. “You must be from the Red Water Pack?”

“We are. Are you the Alpha?” Lucas asked.

“Oh no, the Alpha is on his way,” James replied.

Lucas extended his hand. “Lucas, Beta of Red Water Pack.”

James shook it firmly. “James, Beta of Blue Mountain Pack. Alpha Zack will meet you shortly.”

As James finished speaking, Zack appeared. My heart clenched at the sight of him. His eyes locked on mine, and I couldn’t help the small smirk that tugged at my lips.

“So… you’re back,” he said, voice low, eyes scanning me like he hadn’t recognized me.

James looked confused. “Who are you referring to?”

I watched them from inside the car, calm and collected.

“James, perhaps you haven’t noticed,” Zack said, voice sharp.

I opened the car door, stepping out slowly. A smirk spread across my face. “Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Zoe Berry, Enforcer of Red Water Pack. Not so nice to see you, Beta James… Alpha Zack. It’s been a while.”

I stood beside Lucas, confident and powerful. Their expressions froze. Zack’s eyes roamed over me, disbelief and something else — maybe even desire — flashing across his face. James hesitated, then stepped forward.

Before he could reach me, Lucas blocked him effortlessly. Both Lucas and Alpha Jacob were fiercely protective — I felt it radiating off them.

“Who do you think you are, blocking me from my sister?” James snarled.

“Sister? What sister?” Lucas replied coldly. “I know exactly what you and this pack did to her while she was here. I won’t let anyone hurt her again. She is here to train your pack members, and after that… she goes home with us.”

I forgot Zack was watching. My focus was on controlling the tension between Lucas and James — until a spark of irritation hit me.

“What do you mean ‘leave with them’?” Zack demanded, his voice sharp.

I pulled my arms free from his grasp. “Get your filthy hands off me. You heard right. After the training, I return to my pack. And who gives you the right to question me?”

“You belong here!” he shouted, anger and desperation flaring.

Celeste growled fiercely inside me. What right does he have to say such nonsense? After everything he put us through?

“Not now,” I whispered, pushing her back down. We can’t expose ourselves yet.

I looked at Zack with pure disgust, then back to Lucas.

“Get them settled. I have to talk to Alpha Jacob,” James ordered.

James looked at me, hesitating. “Can I… approach my sister now?”

Lucas glanced at me. I nodded. James closed the distance and pulled me into a bear hug. The familiar warmth, the memory of childhood hugs… it all came flooding back.

“I missed you, Zoe. I’m so sorry… for ignoring you, for everything. I was a fool,” he whispered, tears escaping as he let go.

I looked at him, shocked. “I hear you, James. But I’m not ready to forgive yet. Can you show us to our rooms?”

He nodded silently, disappointed, and led us inside the packhouse.

Inside, the place looked the same. Maybe a little quieter, less lively, but unchanged. He guided us to the floor we would be staying on — the same floor as my old bedroom.

“I haven’t changed anything,” James said softly. “I clean it once a week, hoping you’d come back. I hope you forgive me one day.”

“James… I don’t know when that will be,” I admitted, looking around the room.

As he turned to leave, I stopped him. “Training starts at 6 a.m. tomorrow. Get everyone to the grounds for introductions and assessment.”

“Okay,” he said quietly.

I stepped inside my room, memories hitting me — the photos on the walls, the familiar furniture. Everything was as I left it.

The doorknob turned, and before I could react, someone shoved me into a tight embrace.

“ZOE BERRY! YOU BITCH! How dare you leave me behind!”

“I… can’t… breathe,” I gasped.

“Oh, sorry!” She released me slightly. Jessica stood in front of me, tears in her eyes, shaking her head.

“You’re not my best friend anymore. Why did you leave without saying goodbye? I looked for you! Not just me — James, even Alpha Zack… they were worried sick! Where did you run off to?”

I glanced at Celeste. Calm her first, I thought.

“I’m so sorry, Jessica. I had to leave… I couldn’t take the pack anymore, after everything that happened,” I said quietly.

Jessica’s voice cracked. “What happened? You never told me! Do you realise how worried I was?”

“If I told you… Would you have let me go?” I asked.

“Maybe not,” she admitted softly.

“Exactly,” I said, relieved. “I had to do what I felt was right.”

Jessica stepped back and studied me. “Let me look at you… You’ve changed. You look amazing.”

“I’ve grown,” I said, smiling faintly. “The Red Water Pack… Alpha Jacob took care of me. I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been there.”

I began to tell her everything that had happened since I left — all the trials, the growth, the training… everything except the story of my fated mate.