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“Your mother was my best friend. I was here when she met your father. I went to live with her for a few years, but I came back to visit my mother, who owned this bar and found my mate. I thought you were dead,” she cried.
“Alpha Diego is waiting for them mama,” Tomas said, and I felt Markus put his arm on my shoulder.
“Perhaps we can come back another day? We are here for a week,” he suggested. I nodded.
“I would like to know more about my mother,” I said to her.
“Of course, come by anytime,” she said. I allowed Markus to guide me toward the exit but turned around before we reached it.
“Wait, your name?” I wanted to know.
She smiled. “Lupe.”
We got back in the SUVs and left. After a little while, we drove through a set of gates deep in the mountains. We passed field after field of farming before the road opened up to a large space right before the mountain. The pack house was built right into the mountain. It was both impressive and breathtaking to behold. There were tons of windows carved out of the face of the mountain and a giant set of double doors marking the entrance.
“This is impressive,” Gillian said as we exited the vehicle.
“It is strategic. There was a time when our people were at war. The cover of the mountains ensures only one way in, same with the pack house,” a man waiting for us at the bottom of the steps said as he approached us. He smiled at Markus and stretched his hand out.
“I am Alpha Diego. Welcome to the Mountain Moon Pack.” He turned to me. “Welcome to your ancestor’s home, Luna Celeste. You look just like my great aunt Azalea.” He turned back to Markus. “With your permission, Alpha? I would like to hug my cousin.” Markus nodded, and Alpha Diego gave me a quick hug. “Come on, my mother is cooking for you all. I will show you to your rooms and give you a tour. If you need to speak to the outside, we get a signal between nine and eleven. If you have an emergency, you will have to leave the mountains and head back to San Juan. We can talk about the family legacy tomorrow.”
Chapter forty-two
Markus
Thiswasgoingtobe such a long trip. I wish I had spent more time trying to learn Spanish. It looked like I would be waiting for someone to translate for me all week, and it made me uneasy. How was I supposed to react if something threatened us while I had to wait to have it translated for me? Atlas had been pacing all day, and it was driving me nuts. At least Alpha Diego was speaking English to me, but all around me, all I heard was Spanish. I was a fish out of water here. I had my Spanish-speaking warriors at strategic points along the table and tasked them with keeping an ear open for any threat, but I didn't like feeling like I was in the dark.
We were currently in the dining room eating some spicy dish. It was delicious, but I was on my third glass of water, and I didn't want to know if people noticed how often I was wiping the sweat off my face. The red rice accompanying the dish was especially tasty and helped soothe the heat. Even so, I cleaned my whole plate... twice. Celeste was talking to Diego’s mother about the recipe, or so she mind-linked me. It was all in Spanish.
“So, Alpha Markus, have you encountered Huitzilopochtli yet?” Alpha Diego asked.
“I don’t believe so,” I told him.
“Hmm, your people know who Celeste is, do they not?” I nodded. “Then it is probably just a matter of time. I would be careful who you show her gifts to. The more people know, the easier he will find her. He has killed many of our family, though he never bothers much with the males in our bloodline. He wants to kill his sister. One of many that fought against him and his mother. My great aunt and my grandmother died to the monster. We’ve since only had boys on my great-grandmother’s line; however, my great-aunt’s branch had a few women. We thought we kept Bella safe by sending her so far with her mate, but we heard what happened. We believe he was behind the death of her pack.”
“But Celeste’s parents were killed by another pack,” I said, more confused than ever.
“No, Bella’s father, Alpha Jose, sent his people to try to find Celeste after we received the news. They could not find her, but they encountered Huitzilopochtli also searching for her. My uncle believed that he was responsible for her death. How we’re not one hundred percent sure, but if he was there, he had a hand in it.”
“Is my grandfather alive?” Celeste asked. I hadn’t noticed when she started listening.
“I’m afraid not. He passed away eight years ago. Having lost his mate, his only daughter and his granddaughter left him heartbroken. His wolf died, and the pack passed to me as the only living heir of our bloodline. Well, at least at the time, I was. With you back, the pack is yours by birthright, should you wish it.” I was taken aback by his statement, and I could see that so was everyone around the table.
“You would just give up your alpha title, just like that, without a fight?” I asked incredulously.
“It is hers by birthright, Alpha Markus. My people,herpeople, would follow her, and so would I. We do not hold the same standard as most packs around here that a woman can only be luna. She would be the alpha,” he stated simply, waiting for Celeste to speak.
“My pack is Crescent Moon. It was destined by our Moon Goddess, Selene. Coyolxauhqui. I will not doubt her wisdom. As far as I can see, the men and women here are well cared for. Unless you need to be removed for their safety, I can assure you, this is your pack, cousin,” Celeste stated as she took my hand, making Atlas purr in my head.
“Thank you. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, we will gladly respond.” Alpha Diego inclined his head at her while the rest of the pack murmured in agreement and thanks.
“Enough heavy shit,” Alpha Diego’s mom said, making us all laugh. “Let us dance!” Everyone got up from the table at her words. “It’s not every day our long-lost people come home for a visit! A celebrar!”
Celeste started laughing as we followed them to the front of the pack house. The area was cleared and set into a dance area with tables and chairs. There was Spanish music playing from speakers. The mood was light and happy. We moved to a table, taking in the party, our warriors standing at attention around us. They were good warriors.
‘Do you feel safe here, Tuli?’I asked Celeste.
‘Yes, do you?’she asked.
