Natalie's POV.

We have been running for hours. Nightfall was fast approaching and Rick had to be exhausted. We haven't talked through mind link for a few hours and I was growing tired.

We still had a very long way to go and more then likely wouldn't make it there by 4 in the morning at earliest.

We are close to Alpha Anthony's pack. I nudge Rick and he and I slow to a stop for a break. " Is everything ok?" He asked me.

" It's getting late. Why don't we see if we can spend the night here at Alpha Anthony's pack and head out first thing in the morning?" I ask.

He looks the way we are heading. Finally he decides what to do. " Let's head that way then. You can contact John and tell him we will be there sometimes tomorrow. " said Rick.

I agree and we start walking instead for a few minutes. I then send a mind link to John. " Are you still awake?" I ask.

" Hey mom, yeah I'm awake. How far away are you guys? It's getting late. " said John right away.

I feel joy at the voice of my son. It's always made me happy to hear the voice of my baby boy. I miss him so much. " That's what I wanted to talk to you about. We are still about six to seven hours out and have decided to stop at Alpha Anthony's pack for the night and leave early tomorrow morning. " I said.

I can feel some disappointment from him but it's understandable. " I understand. It is a bit disappointing but I want you two to be safe. Besides Alpha Grace he's practically ordered me to go to bed early today." Said John.

A bit of motherly concern flowed in and I knew something had happened. " Why? What happened?" I ask.

I can feel him smiling. " You always know, don't you?" He said.

" It's a mothers job to always know when something happens to her kids. Now tell me, what happened?" I ask.

" Alpha Grace found me in the middle of an anxiety attack and had to calm me down today. She's insisting I rest and let her take a bit more of my responsibility's so I can heal better but still be of help. " said John.

I felt for him. I know what happened to him before practically ruined everything he had been working towards. It's amazing and stupid what a single injury to a limb can do to your life. Especially if said injury turns out to be permanent like his is.

" It'll be ok John. Listen to her. She's dealt and still deals with people who have the same type of injuries as you. She helps people through their anxiety all the time. She knows what she's doing. Just be patient with her. " I said.

" I know. I just don't want to feel like I'm useless because of a simple injury. " said John.

" Sweetie, your injury isn't simple. It's permanent and that's ok. You just have to learn to work around it. A permanent injury doesn't make you useless either. You will excel at anything you do not because of the usefulness of uselessness of your limbs, but because of your determination to not give up and push forward. You are strong John. We have your back through it all. Never forget that. " I said.

" Thanks mom. You always know just what to say. " said John.

" We're about five minutes away from Alpha Anthony's pack border. I've got to go so I can focus more on what will happen, but I'll send you a goodnight mind link when we make it to a room. I love you my son. " I said.

" Love you too mom. Stay safe. " we then cut the mind link and I contacted my husband.

" Is anyone going to meet us at the borders? " I ask.

" I contacted Alpha Anthony. He already has a group of guards running the border. He asked what direction we were coming from and I told him. The guards should meet us there and half will take us to him. " said my mate.

I focused on running and soon we entered the border and saw the guard members waiting there for us. One stood in front of the others. " Please follow us to the pack house. " he said.

We then followed him and three others through the pack borders all the way back to their little town and over to the pack house. This place was completely new to me but Rick was here just a few months ago to get help when we were dealing with the possibility of a pack war from Alpha Conan.

They led us to stalls and took off the wagon Rick was carrying. We then entered the stalls and changed back to human form. We dressed in our clothes and then threw our bags over our shoulders and left the changing rooms.

We walked back to where the guards were and set our bags in the wagon and were led inside to the Alpha's office.

Once we were let in and the doors closed behind us. We bowed our heads in respect to Alpha Anthony.

" Not that it's not good to see you two again, but I wish to know why you suddenly sprang a visit on me so unexpectedly?" He asked.

We looked up. " Apologies for the intrusion on your night Alpha but we find ourselves in need of a safe place to stay for the night. We were hoping you would be able to provide us with a room?" Said Rick.

" I know you mean my pack no harm. Why, if I may ask, are you traveling so far away from your home pack at this time of night?" He asked.

" We just visited our daughter at Alpha Conan's old pack, now Luna Amber's pack. We are on our way to visit our son who stays in Alpha Grace's pack and we ended up leaving late for our journey from our daughters pack to Alpha Grace's. With all the rogue attacks and issues with werewolf hunters these days we figured it would be safer to ask for a place to stay for the night. " I said.

Alpha Anthony nods his head in understanding. " Very well. I will have some of the staff prepare you a room for the night. What time will you be leaving in the morning? I would like to join the two do you for breakfast if that's ok?" He asked.

Rick smiled. " We plan on leaving around 6:30. You are of course free to join us at anytime. This is your pack after all. " said Rick.

Alpha Anthony chuckled. " True. I am trying to be a nicer Alpha so it only felt right to ask. You two look a bit hungry. Let's go get you something to eat before bed. " he said as he got up and led us in the direction of the Alpha's personal kitchen and dining room.

" I have some leftovers from dinner. I like to cook for myself. It's a beef stew. Would you two like some?" He asks.

" That sounds wonderful. Thank you Alpha. " I said.

He smiled and started to warm up the food. I am pretty hungry from running so long after all. Once we had the food and we're eating I smiled at the wonderful taste.

I looked at Alpha Anthony. " You are a wonderful cook. Who taught you how to cook like this?" I asked.

He smiled sadly. " My mother did. She said it is better to cook for yourself instead of overworking the staff for every meal. She taught me how to cook this a while before she died so it turned into one of my favorite meals to cook. " he said.

" I'm so sorry for your loss. She must have been truly amazing. " I said.

" She and my dad really were amazing people. " he said.

It's then that I'm reminded of how young Alpha Anthony actually is. My motherly instincts kick in and I can see the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep.

" When's the last time you got a decent night of sleep?" I ask.

He looks at me with surprise. " How did you know?"

" Sweetie, a mother always knows. Plus the bags under your eyes help. " I said.

He relaxes some and sits back in his chair. A sigh leaving his mouth as he relaxes his shoulders. " I haven't gotten a decent night of sleep since the night my parents were killed. Not unless I pass out from exhaustion. " he said.

" Are you afraid your guards won't keep you safe while you sleep or are you afraid of the rogues that killed your parents coming back for you if you were to let your guard down?" I ask

He stiffens and his look hardens. " Both, I think. I know I can trust my guards but it's hard because it was a guard that let the rogues that killed my parents in the pack in the first place. " he said.

" Have there been rogue sightings around your pack?" I ask.

He shakes his head. " Not many. Only a couple here and there but it's just one rogue every time. " he said.

" Are your guards the same guards that worked for your parents?" I ask.

He nods. " May I offer a solution to help your trust problem?" I ask. He nods again. " Interview every guard member you have here in your own way. Get rid of the ones who don't answer them right and put the ones that do answer right into a tricky simulation of what they would do if you were in trouble. If they pass they are your trusted guard members. If not, then you find new ones until you get the numbers that you want. "

" That's not a bad idea. I do need more sleep then I'm currently getting. A lot of my guard members don't like me because I'm too loud and mean with them. What do I do if they take me wanting to do this test the wrong way?" He asked.

" If their feelings get hurt over a test then they shouldn't be a guard member. You are there to protect the Alpha and swear your loyalty to him and his Luna. If you let your feelings get in the way of your job then you are not meant for that role. " said Rick.

" Exactly. You have to be professional about this if you want to be a guard member. It's your job after all. " I added on.

" How about this, I'm not too tired tonight. Why don't we find a room and camp out there. My mate and I can take turns keeping watch to make sure you get a good nights sleep. " said Rick.

Alpha Anthony looked shocked. " You'd really do that for me? I'm not your Alpha though " he said.

" You don't have to be our Alpha for us to respect you and want to help you. " said Rick.

" Of course we would help you. It's a Bète's jobs for him and his mate to put any Alpha's needs before their own. How are they supposed to run a pack if they can't take care of themselves. " I said.

He sits back in his chair and smiles at us. " Very well. I'll have them put some cots in my bedroom and we will camp out there. Just for tonight. " he said.

" Tell me, do you trust your Bète?" Asked Rick.

" My Bète is about to age out and we don't have anyone yet to take his spot. My gamma is one of the people I went to high school with and was friends with. I do trust him. " said Alpha Anthony.

" What if we stayed a little longer tomorrow and I go over a list with you of names for a future Bète for your pack, one that you can trust, and a quick challenge and trial for your guards?" Asked Rick.

" What about seeing your son?" He asked.

" It won't take us too long to do this. We work until lunch and then we head on to see my son. Does that work?" Asked Rick.

" Only if you're absolutely sure you want to help me. " said Alpha Anthony.

" We do want to help you. We want to see you and your pack thrive and it all starts with a full night of sleep. So let's get you to bed dear." I said.

He chuckled. " Very well. " he said.

We then wash the bowls and put everything up. We then headed into his room and got everything situated. He then got dressed and we took turns in the bathroom before we laid down on the bed and cots and Rick took the first watch for me. After a while, once I was sure Alpha Anthony was asleep I closed my eyes, sent John a good night mind link and then fell straight asleep.

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A/N. Hey guys. Hope you guys enjoyed. The next chapter will be in Alpha Anthony's POV. Until then. :-)