I finished sorting my rock collection and laid the newest additions in front of them. Two of them were very similar to others. I picked them up and held them over my head. They looked better wet. They weren't as vibrant once they had dried. I couldn't decided if they were keepers or not.

"River."

I flinched at the voice. Biting my lip, I thought over what I had done the last couple days. No one had yelled at me. I had stayed near the cave. Groaning, I rubbed my face. Why did the alpha come around so much? I could never tell if he was mad at me.

"River."

I glanced through the tunnel to see red paws. I crawled out and stood with my head bowed in front of the werewolf.

"I looked for you this morning, but I didn't see you in the eating chamber after the hunting party left."

Swallowing hard, I peeked up at him. "Aden brought me more food. I still had some left."

The alpha laughed, shaking his head. I couldn't tell if it was a good or a bad one, though.

"That boy." He rubbed the side of his face. "Well," he patted my head, "I received a phone call this morning. You have an interview."

My chest filled with excitement, and I couldn't help but smile. "Really? With who?"

"Midfield," stated the alpha, with a grin of his own.

"Is that good?" I ran a hand down my furless arm. The alpha was trying to get me a mate, but also create connection with a strong pack. I could only hope I'd end up with a man that would help Northern Ridge gain a new alliance.

"Yes, it is very good." He leaned down to my level. "I'd be very honored to provide a mate for a Midfield werewolf, and I know they will treat you right. So," he stood up straight, "shift and go tell Aden the good news. I want him to come with us."

"Of course, yes alpha." I changed into my wolf and darted down the tunnel on all fours. I raced through the main chamber right to Aden's door. My jointed popped as I changed to my werewolf and barged through the curtains and leaped on the sleeping man.

"I got an interview. They asked me to go. I might have a mate." I hugged him tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so much." My eyes flicked over, and I saw Titus with his lips curled back. "I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to. Sorry, I'll go." I climbed out of the bed and fled out the door. I sat huddled next to the wall, just waiting for the dominant to chase me down.

How could I have been so stupid? I tugged on my fur and hugged my arms around me. I was just so excited. I might have a mate. I had never been asked to do an interview before. It was serious. It meant they were interested in me. It wasn't just the alpha making an offer, but they were interested, in me. I wanted to scream I was so happy.

"It's alright River," Aden called, and the curtains parted.

I stood and shuffled over. A pillow came flying from inside and smacked him in the head.

"Ow!" Aden snapped.

My heart was pounding, and I fiddled with my tail. "I didn't mean to. I was just so excited, and alpha said to go tell you." I dropped my eyes to the ground."Sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

The alpha's scent grew near. I glanced down the hallway to find the red and black walking toward us.

"And look who's coming to wake him up." Aden glancing inside. "Titus, your dad's here."

"Good morning," said Xavier light hearted.

It was a little unnerving. I don't remember him ever being so cheerful around me.

"I heard the good news. River has a date." Aden put my arm around my shoulders and rocked from side to side.

"That's why I'm here." The alpha looked into the room. "Titus."

"What!"

I jumped back, feel the urge to run building. The alpha I knew was back as he glared at his son.

"We're leaving in thirty minutes. Pack a bag, and be ready to go. Nice clothes. I have some, but bring some extras."

Titus looked very confused. "Where? What's happening?" He scratched his head.

"They called last night. River has an interview." He patted my head between my ears.

It made me feel good. I had finally done something right for the pack.

"I want to bring Aden as well to help get him ready," said the alpha.

"'kay. Go for it." Titus fell back into the mattress.

"It's in Midfield."

Titus jumped up. "How long are we staying?"

"Pack for a week. Thirty minutes." He held up a clawed finger to all of us. "River wait with Aden."

My chest tightened. I rather wait in the main chamber.

"I have to tell Darius he's having a trial run as alpha while I'm gone." The alpha left me there.

Aden pulled me to him. "I'm glad we're leaving if Darius is in charge."

I smiled until I stopped Titus. I never liked being around dominants, but a frantic one was even worse. Aden ushered me inside and pointed to a chair. I crept over and sat down. Gripping my knees, I tried to stay still as the couple battered back and forth. Why hadn't the alpha just let me go wait in the main chamber? I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to relax. It wasn't working.

"And they call me the pack princess," teased Aden.

Titus muzzle fell open. "I slept like three hours. Leave me alone."

I took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be good. My instincts were telling me to run back to my cave, but the alpha order me to wait. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on staying put.

"Come on, River. Let's go," said Aden.

I leaped to my feet and followed behind them to the main chamber. I wasn't the only one a little leery of Titus. The other omega scattered along with some middle ranks. After Titus's hormone came in, the entire pack was hesitant to even go near the dominant. He already had the presence of a beta around him. I could feel it.

The alpha arrived. "Alright." He handed me a small bag, before wheeling a suitcase passed me. "Darius and Jericho will take care of things here. While you and I, have a trial run of our own. Carry this, would you?" He gave Titus a huge duffle bag and put his arm around his son's shoulders. He led Titus outside while explaining the alpha and beta dynamic.

Aden waved for me to follow. I kept my distance as we went down the path to the ATV. I had only been allowed to ride in them a couple of times, always to meet a potential mate. We climbed inside. I sat behind the alpha and kept very still. He lectured his son as Titus fell in and out of sleep.

We arrived, and the alpha slammed on the brakes hard enough to jolt his son upright. I climbed out and grabbed the bag with Aden. He went to check on his mate while I watch the garage door open. A black car pulled out. My chest tightened. I had never been in one before. Was Midfield so far away that we'd have to use a car? I sucked in my cheek, feeling my nerves building. The alpha was proud of me. I was doing something good for the pack. I had managed to get passed an interview. Everything would be fine.

The alpha opened the trunk, and I put my little things inside.

"Wait." The alpha grabbed a bag from Aden. "Everyone shift first."

"You gotta be kidding me." Titus cracked his neck and changed to human.

The alpha handed out the clothes. I held my bundle to my chest and stared at the shoes on the ground.

"We're going all out," Aden chuckled.

"Domestic." Titus pulled on what I thought were underwear.

I had never had them before. I never wore clothes ever. My coat was so thin even in summer I was fine on the really hot days to stay as a werewolf. My eyes grew wide. Domestic. Midfield was domestic, civilized werewolves? I clung to my clothes in my arm and rest my chin on them. Could I do this? I hadn't even gone to school. I knew nothing about their world.

"River," said the alpha.

My head snapped up.

"Go on. If you're going to live with domestics, you need to get used to wearing them."

Nodding, I shifted and pulled them on. It was weird, very weird. How was I ever supposed to convince them I could be civilized?

We climbed into the car. My stomach was already fluttering and when the car started to move it only got worse. My shirt felt like it was suffocating me. I tugged on it. It all felt so wrong.

"Everything alright?" asked Aden.

I froze and grabbed my knees. "Sorry. I'm just not used to it."

"Well, it would help if it was on right," Aden said with a smile, pulling on the tag under my chin. "This goes in the back."

"Oh." I slid my arms out and swung it around. Putting my arms back through, I notice the tight feeling on my throat was gone. "That feels better."

"Don't worry," Aden said lightly, "if this works out, you'll have a lot of practice."

***

I shifted in my seat as the gates opened. All day I had been trying to take in the human world, but I felt overwhelmed. I wanted to go back to the mountains and my cave. The car drove forward and parked in front of a huge building. I swallowed hard, wondering how many werewolves lived there. It looked big enough to fit an entire pack.

We stepped out of the car and as Aden looked around excited, a sick feeling settled into my stomach. Three men in a suit hurried out of the building, wheeling a chart.

The alpha gave one the keys.

"This place is sweet." Aden nudged me. "Better than a cave, right?"

I shook his head. "This is it?" I looked to alpha. I wanted him to say no. That tomorrow we'd be going to the mountains or a forest and meet the real pack.

Xavier patted my shoulder. "Come on, let's get to bed."

Titus and Aden hurried on ahead.

A woman opened the front door. "Welcome to Midfield. Northern Ridge, correct?"

The alpha nodded.

"Excellent. You're the last to arrive. Follow me, and I'll show you to your rooms."

We walked up the main staircase that went to a landing before branching off in either direction. Along the back wall, all the way to the ceiling, were photos of different men and a few women.

"Who are they?" Asked Aden

"Passed alphas," said Xavier. He pointed to the large photo in the center. "That is the reigning one at the moment."

I stared at a very strong featured man with solid black hair. This was the alpha of the pack I might mate into. He scared me worse than Xaiver, and it was just a picture.

The woman opened a door and waved us inside. "If you need anything, just ask. The room next door is also yours."

"Thank you," said the alpha with a nod.

With a smile, she went back to her duties.

Aden race over to the huge bed and flopped down. I shuffled to the corner and tried to stay calm. This world was so different. It was horrible to think I wanted to skip the interview and go home. I didn't like it here at all.

"Well, I'm ready for bed." Titus stretched his arms overhead.

"Who's River going with?" Aden asked.

I tensed at the comment and lowered my eyes. Being left alone with the alpha all night sounded terrifying. I already didn't know what I was doing. If I messed up and embarrassed him, he'd be so angry with me. I knew he wanted to impress these werewolves, but I don't think he was going to be able to through me.

"River?"

My head snapped up. "Yes, Alpha?"

"Would you like to stay with Aden?"

Yes. I wanted to. I swallowed hard and glanced at Titus. But making the dominant anger was a worse alternative to having to stay with the alpha.

Xavier and Aden eyed Titus.

"Oh, come on," he groaned.

"We're here for him," said the alpha firmly. "If he's up all night stressed out, then he's not going to make a good impression. Not to mention, this is a pack I would like to impress. Being the birth pack of a higher up's mate would also be beneficial to your future."

Titus ran his hand down his face. "Enough with the future talk. I get it. You want to retire one day, and not have to worry about Darius and me leading the pack straight into a takeover. We won't. I promise."

"One night won't be that big of a deal," Aden added, "and River is more comfortable with me than either of you."

With a groan, Titus shuffled into the hall. "Fine. Do whatever, I just want to go to sleep."

The alpha grabbed the handle. "Goodnight, boys."

I nodded.

"Goodnight," Aden called. "I love you, Titus."

A grunt come from outside before the door closed.

"Get the light, River. I just want to go to bed too," said Aden.

I examined the switch sticking out of the wall and flipped it off. I tiptoed around the bed and removed my clothes. I hoped to never have to wear them again, but come tomorrow I'd be forced back into them. Shifting, I crawled under the blankets.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" asked Aden.

"Nervous," I replied. "This place is really different. I don't know if I'll like it here."

"Have you ever been away from the cave."

I shook his head. "I didn't go to school either. That's where everyone else learns about humans. Today was the first time I got to ride in a car. It made my stomach feel weird."

"It'll be fine once you get used to it."

"I don't know, though." I scanned the room. Nothing about this new world felt right. Every comfort of home was gone. "The smell is even off."

"But it would be worth having a mate, right?"

I thought for a moment. If a man wanted me, would I do it even if I had to live here?

"Would you give say no, if someone asked you, just because they're civil?"

Taking a deep breath, I shook his head. I wanted a mate for so long, I'd do anything, even leave home. "I'd give it a try." I flashed Aden a smile. "If it meant, I could have a mate, I'd do my best."

But there was still the task of getting a man to want me as a mate.