Flash Fic Friday

**Episode 2 coming atcha! Familiar faces for sure in this one. (Hi Duncan!) Not sure yet how long this serial will be, but it’s definitely more than a few episodes. Enjoy!**

It was a fourteen hour drive in an uncomfortable rented box truck, Ariadne, my beta—could I even call her that anymore?—assured me once we made it through the small town of Mariot that the Carver pack lands weren’t much further. She’d driven the whole way, and we hadn’t stopped longer than to eat and use the bathroom. I wasn’t sure she wanted to make this journey with me, but the alpha had assigned her the task and so she saw it done.

As far as I understood it, she’d be dropping me off in the hands of my new, and temporary pack, driving the truck to the nearest office, and then flying back home. It was on the tip of my tongue to beg her to stay, even though I knew that was ridiculous. Ariadne and I weren’t particularly close to begin with, and even though she would make sure I was safe, it was done out of duty and nothing more. But I didn’t want to do this, and she was at least familiar.

I knew the instant we made it to pack lands, not just because Ariadne slowed, but because two wolves appeared out of nowhere to sniff at the truck, and us, and then lead the way. Dusk was creeping in, so the trees lining the way looked a bit ominous but the journey was smooth. The road was paved, but the way it wound around led me to think that it had once been more of a path that the pack just improved for their road in.

The alpha house was a large building with wings on either side, not dissimilar to our pack house. It was where the alpha lived, where the pack met, and where wolves could stay if they needed space. What I liked about the this house was that it looked warm. Inviting even. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the lights were on and shone through the windows or because of the clearly used looking furniture on the wide front porch. Or maybe it was the man standing on the steps, his bright smile welcoming.

Ariadne parked, and I waited for her to hop out before I did the same, knowing my role in the pack was to defer to her. I stayed a few steps behind we approached, but surprisingly, the barrel-chested silver haired man walked closer as well. Not the alpha then. Beta?

“Welcome to the Carver pack.” His voice was deep, calming in the timber, and my shoulders relaxed for the first time in days. “My name is Duncan. I’m the beta.”

Ariadne tipped her head and introduced herself, but didn’t introduce me. Which was strange, but I stood stock still, knowing better to interrupt. Ariadne crossed her arms over her chest. “All his things are in the truck. My alpha said you’d have a place for him to set up.”

Duncan stared her down for a long moment, and then turned to me, his expression softening. “Devin? Its wonderful to meet you. I’m here to make sure you get settled comfortably.”

I glanced at Ariadne, but I couldn’t work out what her expression meant, so I offered Duncan nod. “Thank you, sir.”

He waved that away. “No sir. Just Duncan.” He shot a look at Ariadne, but then addressed me directly. “We’ve cleaned out a space here in the garage to store your things tonight. We wouldn’t want to take up any more of the beta’s time.”

I wasn’t surprised when Ariadne bristled. When she spoke, her words were clipped. “Is your alpha not home to greet a visiting wolf?”

“My alpha is indisposed at the moment caring for his mate. Let’s get the truck unloaded and then if Trey is done, he’ll speak with you before you leave.”

Duncan didn’t wait for her agreement, just headed toward the rear of the truck and took it upon himself to raise the door. Ariadne had no choice but to follow, since anything else would break protocol. We were visitors after all, and that meant we followed the hosting pack’s lead.

It didn’t take long to unpack. Even with all my equipment. Most of it was packed very carefully into plastic totes, and though Ariadne didn’t seem to give it the care it deserved, Duncan was very conscientious. When I gave him a smile of thanks, he winked one blue eye at me. Duncan clapped me on the shoulder when we were done.

“You’ll stay here in the pack house for a couple of days, until we can get you settled. Tomorrow, I’ll show you where you can set up. Considering you’re love of books, you’re going to love the Book Cellar.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Who’s that?”

Duncan laughed, his eyes crinkling with mirth. “Not who, what. It’s the bookstore. But Ellis is the seller of said books, and the two of you will probably get on just fine. Now, come in and I’ll show you the kitchen. Ariadne, would you like something before you depart?”

There was something in his tone that I didn’t quite understand but clearly Ariadne did. Though her expression remained impassive, her tone was tense. “I’d like to meet your alpha before I leave my pack member in your care.”

Duncan wasn’t swayed. “My alpha is busy. I speak and act with his authority.”

Ariadne drew herself up, but before she spoke, the door swung open.

“Of course you do.” Trey Carver stood for a moment, backlit by the interior light, before he walked closer, all swagger. But it was clear he had the power and confidence to back it up. I felt it power wash over me like a cool, calming breeze and I took a breath. “No point in a measuring contest, Ariadne. Duncan’s bigger.”

“Alpha Carver—”

“Yeah, I don’t care.” Trey beelined right for me, and I froze. Jonathan had assured me I would be safe here and I believed him. More than that, Duncan showed me that the pack was welcoming, at least on the surface. So while the logical part of my brain said I didn’t have to worry about the alpha’s attention, my hindbrain saw Trey for the predator he was. “Devin.”

“Hello, sir.” My voice was so quiet that if he hadn’t been a wolf, he probably wouldn’t have heard it.

Trey laughed softly, and he brushed the side of my neck with his fingers. “Only my mate calls me sir. Trey is just fine. Duncan, take Devin inside and feed him and Asher, all right?”

I followed Duncan inside, not looking back at Ariadne and Trey. I didn’t want to get in the middle of it, and I was glad I didn’t have to worry about it. That was far above my paygrade.

The house was even better on the inside, smelling of fresh laundry and citrus. Also something else, something decidedly not wolf, and when Duncan nudged me through the kitchen door, and I saw the bearded man standing there, I instantly realized what it was. The alpha’s mate was a bear.

“Oh! Aren’t you the cutest thing! Devin, right? Come in, come in, let me get you something to eat.”

“I’ve got it, Asher.” Duncan directed me toward the table with a hand on my back. “Have a seat and get to know Devin.”

Asher made a face. “I’ll stand, thanks.”

Duncan chuckled. Asher flipped him off. And I couldn’t help the way my brows beetled together.

Asher smiled, motioning me over. “Don’t worry about it. Come sit. Dunc, can you make some sandwiches? Duncan makes the best turkey BLTs you’ve ever had. How does that sound?”

“Uh.” I had to clear my throat. This dynamic, the welcoming attitude and the hint of playfulness, was very confusing. “Good, thank you.”

When I was close enough, Asher reached out, but he didn’t put his hand on me, instead inviting me into his space. I was drawn to him, so I stepped closer and took his hand. The alpha mate’s smile was lovely.

“Good. Now tell me everything. Trey said you’re a bookbinder? I want to know everything about it and about you. We’ll make sure you have the best time here. I promise.”

Another deep chuckle sounded, and we all turned to see the alpha enter the room, his stride easy and measured. “Cub, give Devin a chance to breathe.”

“Yes, sir.”

The breathless quality to Asher’s voice, and the intensity of Trey’s stare on his mate, clued me that there was something else going on here. But I didn’t understand what and it wasn’t my business anyway. Fortunately, before it took up too  much brain time, Trey turned to me.

“Devin, you have my oath that you will be protected and safe here. And I, along with every member of my pack will do whatever is necessary to make sure you are as comfortable and happy as possible.”

It was a promise, backed with Trey’s power as an alpha, and I felt it all the way to my bones. When Asher grabbed Trey’s hand, the power seemed to grow, and for a second it was hard to breathe. But then it settled, smoothing into something comfortable and comforting.

For the first time in a very long time, I smiled a real smile and breathed easy.