Golden Valley (Pack 3)

“Do you mean like trading?”

“Sure.” Alpha Berger nodded. “But in a large-scale way. As an example, maybe they have a pack member with a business that needs more skilled employees than they can find in their own pack. Shifters aren’t likely to work with humans, and we’re so focused on our own pack that we don’t often know people in other packs unless we have family members that have mated outside the pack. That can mean we lose opportunities to grow our companies or expand our skills. But if the Golden Valley Alpha and his confidants consider Purple Sky an ally, they may think of our members for jobs that don’t need to be done here directly.”

“Our pack could definitely use more jobs, especially with other shifters.” With the loss of members they’d suffered over the years, they’d also lost businesses, so many pack members were forced to drive to nearby human towns to work. It wasn’t an ideal situation, and it resulted in even more members leaving. Golden Valley was the nearest pack, and while it wasn’t directly adjacent to Purple Sky, it was close enough for a daily commute. “It’s a great idea, Alpha Berger. I’ll pay close attention.” He could do that; he’d make himself useful.

“Good.” Alpha Berger dipped his chin approvingly. “And that’s just one way connecting with Golden Valley can help us. If we keep our ears and our minds open, I’m sure we’ll come up with more ideas. But the first step is learning about them.”

They turned a corner and all the houses and storefronts disappeared in favor of trees, flowers, and bushes along the twisty road. “Where are we going?” Ricky asked, surprised that they’d left the pack lands.

“To the Alpha house. We’re almost there.”

“Oh.” Ricky frowned. “The Alpha lives away from the rest of the pack?”

“Not away exactly. And there’s a story there.” The road curved, and they faced a sprawling, multi-level estate.

“Wow,” Ricky said breathlessly. No building in Purple Sky was as large, as beautiful, or, from the look of the pristine stone and wood, as new. Ricky was equal parts intimidated and entranced. If he had to dream up the perfect house, his imagined version would pale in comparison to this real one.

“Yep.” Alpha Berger pulled his car beside one of the dozens of others in the gravel area beside the house and then he turned to Ricky. “My old pack tends to have at least a small amount of information about other packs, so I called them for intel on Golden Valley. It turns out this particular Alpha is well known. His name is Morgan Peters. His ancestors founded the pack and, like Red River, every Alpha they’ve had has come from the founders’ line. Morgan actually wasn’t slated to lead; it was supposed to be his older brother. But about seven years ago, there was a fire at the Alpha house, and everyone in the family died except Morgan so he stepped in.”

“That’s awful.” Ricky’s parents were overprotective, which had frustrated him to no end as a kid and still irked him, but he couldn’t imagine losing them. “How did it happen?”

“That part isn’t clear.” Alpha Berger furrowed his brow. “It’s possible nobody knows the cause of the fire or else it’s a well-kept pack secret.” He shrugged. “Either way, it’s a testament to the unity of Golden Valley that they didn’t crumble after it happened. Apparently, they wanted a Peters to lead no matter what, and after the Alpha and presumptive Alpha died, Morgan was the only one left. He was teenager at the time, but by all accounts, he kept things together without any trouble and Golden Valley has only gotten stronger.” Alpha Berger tipped his head toward the road they had come down. “The empty land we drove through right before we pulled in here is where the old Alpha house and some other buildings destroyed by the fire used to be. They keep it natural now as a memorial, which is why it seems like the Alpha lives away from the pack, but actually, we’re still well inside Golden Valley’s territory.”

The sound of high-pitched voices and laughter pulled Ricky’s attention away from the conversation and toward the house. Dozens of kids spilled from the doorway, and a few ran in their direction.

“Time to go in,” Alpha Berger said.

Ricky nodded, opened his door, and stepped out of the car.

A black-haired girl skidded toward him, unable to stop herself before bumping into his thighs. Smiling at her energy, Ricky clasped both her shoulders and made sure she was steady on her feet.

“Hello! I’m Patricia Lopez. I’m five years old.”

“Hello, Patricia.” Ricky squatted so he’d be at her level. “My name is Ricky Marx and I’m eighteen years old.”

Deep brown eyes squinted up at him appraisingly. “Are you sure? My cousin’s twelve and he’s bigger than you.”