It was good to hear that the pack was close. "And the alpha?" I couldn't resist asking.
"He's a good and honorable man. He has two sons, but their mother died eight years ago in childbirth." I could see his hands visibly tighten around the steering wheel.
"I'm sorry." I said, "That must have been hard." He looked at me, "It wasn't great. But we have healed and grown stronger from it."
We passed the rest of the eight-hour ride in a comfortable silence, except when he suggested I sleep through the long journey, and when he woke me up as we were crossing the bridge to the island preserve.
We drove down a long road past large pine trees going through their first autumn stages. The road continued for a while until we reached a large and impressive compound with several people waiting outside. Albert and I climbed outside the car as a warm looking woman in her mid-forties approached. She had red hair and light skin, more Germanic features to prove true my pittance of knowledge.
"Welcome Erica," she smiled and took my hand. "I am Maggie, the pack's room coordinator. I will take you to see your new room and then you can meet Alpha Ulfric." It was all a lot to take in. "Thank you." I said, after an awkward pause. "It's nice to meet you."
"Is she here?" A child's voice asked. "The new girl is here now?" "Yeah doofus," another young voice replied. "That's the car isn't it?"
Two little boys rushed to the front of the crowd and collapsed in a heap of knees and elbows, gaining worn chuckles from the adults around them. They both had brown hair and lean wolf cub bodies. In fact, these boys were almost identical except for their eyes; one had blue eyes and one had brown.
"Boys!" Maggie scolded, "don't overwhelm her! And where are your manners?" They both looked at the ground in response to the reprimand, I couldn't blame them, it seemed as if Maggie could be pretty terrifying.
"Hey." I smiled at the boys, "my name is Erica Adams. What's yours?" they both looked at Maggie. Once she nodded they stood up and came closer.
"Hi I'm Carter!" The blue-eyed boy said. His brother hit him upside the head. "That's not how you do it Car," he took my hand and kissed it. "Enchante, mademoiselle. Je'mapelle Lucas Ulfric." I curtsied, laughing inwardly at the silliness of the gesture. "Il est très agréable de vous rencontrer. Vous êtes les fils de l'alpha?"
"Oh man, she actually speaks French." Carter said. "Give up now Luke." Maggie put her hand on my arm. "Erica, we should get you to your room so you can unpack and meet Alpha Ulfric."
"Of course." I said, turning back to the boys. "Could you guys help me get to my room?" They nodded yes, and Maggie led us up the steps and through the front door of the main building. The first room in the building was very grand, with stairs on either side leading to different wings of the large house. Muted green colors on the walls accented the carved wood of the banisters and window frames, creating a rustic effect. From my vantage point I could see two stories separated by a balcony running around three sides of the room. There were multiple doors on the second story, and hallways on either side hinting at more space in the house. But on the first floor there were only three very ornate doors, one for each of the three walls I was facing. It was a very beautiful room, and I hoped that the rest of the house was as great. My old Alpha's den was decorated in blue, and although I loved the color this change was new and welcome.
Albert, the boys, and I became a sort of odd caravan trooping through the maze of the second story as Maggie guided us through, chattering all the way about the history of the den and what hall led where. From what I could gather, the second story was used mainly for unmated housing, as was the third. The fourth was devoted for family units and the fifth was offices, not very different from my old den. The first floor's fancy doors led to the Alpha's office and personal suite, dining room, and a small lunar chapel. In the basement there was a kitchen and an infirmary. Several other buildings on the compound had various uses and purposes. The Ulfric pack was gigantic, at least three times as large as my old one. I guess they need the space.
Finally we got to a door at the end of a long hallway, and Maggie said it was mine. "We'll give you some time to unpack and get comfortable." She said as Albert carried my bags into the room. "In half an hour I'll come to get you so you can meet Alpha Ulfric. Come now boys lets give her some space." They twins jumped on Albert as he was walking away. Maggie followed, clucking the whole way. I could only laugh at their antics as I walked into my new room and closed the door, looking around at the square that would house my new, alien life in service to a new pack.
My new pack.
