44. New York New York

It didn't take long at all to move the pack to New York. when you have unlimited funds it was easy to secure flights for the whole pack and Zeld had even bought a hotel right in the heart of New York.

We had contemplated buying a mansion on the outskirts of New York like the rest of the packs but I figured the proximity to their places of business was more beneficial to what we were trying to accomplish. 

The pack not being used to the loud noises the sun being out for so long and just the almost complete absence of nature being replaced by steel building and asphalt roads made them a little on edge. Which for wild wolves was not necessarily a good thing it made them twitchy and more aggressive then they were normally.  More then a few times Zeld and I had to step in over small squabbles seemingly over nothing.

Loki helped aswell intervening when it looked like things were getting out of hand, making me feel guilty every time he showed up to help since I still hadn't had a chance to talk to him since our last conversation at the blue moon pack house. With the move to New York and the constant meeting with the elders which now included Loki as a replacement for Grit and Zeld and i, there just hadn't been a chance for us to be alone.

It had been two weeks since Luna had been taken and while I could've easily used my new power to communicate with her Zeld would have none of it. His fear that the power was too much for me and was never meant to be my own which was why I passed out is what we were discussing once again within the privacy of our room.

"Rav it's too much. We don't even know if they came back to New York. Plus there's far more life energy here which would require even more of your power to tap into it."

He shook his head as he stared at me his brow creasing in worry. I was sitting at the end of our bed desperately trying to convince him to let us try.

"It's our only hope Zeld the only one of us equiped to spy is Loki and I can't ask him to do it, look what happened last time. He's an elder now his place is with his pack he is needed here."

He spun on me frustration and worry in his voice.

"And so are you!"

We stared at each other neither willing to back down. Until finally with Zeld being the more level headed then I he sighed turning his back to me as he punched the bridge of his nose. 

Facing me again he stepped closer sitting next to me on the bed our legs touching as he took my hand raising it to his lips. 

"I'm sorry Rav it's just this new power I fear that it will take you away from me."

I touched his cheek as I drew closer softly kissing his lips. 

"Luna gave me this power for a reason while it could've been just to keep it safe she wouldnt have done it unless I could handle it. We share the same blood I'm her only living relative that has to count for something."

He closed his eyes and I knew I hadn't quite convinced him so I kept going.

"How about this I'll only go as far as New York if I don't find her here we will find another way. Deal?"

He opened his eyes I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I knew he was considering as his hands cupped my face his forehead leaned against mine.

"I don't want to loose you, not when we're finally together."

He pulled me in his lips connecting with mine expressing all the love he has for me. Pulling away he sighed again.

"Can we at least explore every last option before you try. If we still come up empty then we will try it your way."

I shook my head.

"It's already been three weeks Zeld who knows what their doing to her."

"Please Rav I know as alpha the decision is ultimately yours-"

I cut him off.

"Just because I'm alpha doesn't mean your my subordinate we are in this together Zeld in my eyes we are both alphas I won't do anything unless we both agree."

What I said was true but the allure of my new power called to me. I couldn't help but wonder could I wait til we both agreed? I stood up not wanting him to see the pull this power seemed to have on me.

"Come on I can sense another argument starting downstairs."

Zeld sighed as he stood to join me.

"I don't know how much longer they can handle being in the city."

"It will be a long while yet."

He pulled me close as he kissed my nose.

"We knew it wouldn't be easy but we will get through it."

I looked down avoiding his eyes my doubts surfacing despite my refusing to give into it. Zeld's fingers lifted my chin to stare into his eyes.

"We will get through it."

I smiled burying my doubts deep as I gazed into his emerald eyes.

"Of corse we will."

With one last kiss we left heading straight for the sound of growling that could already be heard even though we were on a different level.

When we entered the room two males were facing off against each other. As they started to lunge I used my wind to keep them separated.

"Enough!"

Both turned to me growing angry at the interruption. My eyes glowed as I growled back causing them to come back to their senses as they looked down avoiding my eyes. A sign of respect I was still getting used to being alpha. Ever since the battle the pack seemed to have banished all doubts about me. The news of what I had done during the battle and after had spread before we had even left for New York.

Ever since then everyone in the pack did everything i asked them never questioning never challenging. It really forced me to realise just what being alpha meant. One wrong order one wrong move could result in the loss of their lives. The responsibility was scary at times making me second guess my choices but then I remembered Luna's words. That it was my destiny to unite the packs, it gave me confidence.

"What's this about?"

Both were younger so felt the confines of  our steel accomodations more then the others that had more control. 

"Well?"

They looked at each other as they fidgeted not wanting to invite the wrath of their new alpha. 

"Raph?"

I asked the eldest of the two a young wolf of about seventeen with blazing red hair his green eyes making the red stand out more. Clearing his throat he answered.

"We were just.." 

he shifted from one foot to the other.

"We were just.."

I groaned pinching the bridge of my nose as I waved it off with my other hand.

"Argh never mind both of you just go for a run or something."

They both nodded as they left the room headed downstairs. Zeld had purposely bought a building close to Central Park so that if any of the pack needed to get out they would be able to run somewhere that was at least close to nature.

Zeld took my hand once they were gone pressing my fingers to his lips smiling.

"Their just bored and not used to being stuck inside all day."

"I know this is why we need to find Luna sooner rather then later."

He gave me that here we go again look so I turned away heading towards the door. Zeld stopped me his hand still in mine. 

"Rav-"

"It's fine Zeld we made a deal and I will stick to it but if we don't do something soon we'll have more to worry about then finding Luna."

I gently pulled my hand away letting him know with my eyes that I just needed to be alone to think.

Nodding he let me go as I left him behind heading for the roof. Taking the elevator that went all the way to the roof. It wasn't til i stepped out that I realised I wasn't alone.

"Oh sorry didn't realise someone was already up here I'll just-"

I made to go back down when Loki cut me off.

"Rave wait!"

I stopped just hearing him call me Rave caused a new wave of guilt to blanket me. I stopped still avoiding his eyes.

"Can we talk?"

I shrugged I had been wanting to find a moment to apologise for all the things I had said and now that it was here the words wouldn't come.

He indicated for me to come closer as he looked out at the city around us the sun already starting to set. Slowly I stepped closer stopping beside him as we watched the suns slow descent.

Not being able to take the silence any more I blurted.

"I'm sorry."

He turned towards me his one good eye searching my face. Gently he cupped me face kissing my forehead in a fatherly way as he encircled me in his arms.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Rave you had every right to be angry. I'm sorry I ever put that curse on you when it's clear now I should have just trusted you to make your own decisions."

My arms wrapped around him as he stroked my hair. After awhile he pulled away as he stared into my eyes.

"Your mother would be so proud of the alpha you've become."

I smiled I couldn't remember anything about her, but his words made my heart swell with joy.

"I wish I could remember her."

He sighed his good eye showing so much sorrow i couldn't help but look away.

"One day when this is all over I'll tell you everything you want to know."

I smiled.

"I'd like that."

It felt so good to finally have everything between us aired out my mood was definitely improved by our conversation, however like everything in my life my happiness was short lived.

"Raven!"

I turned towards the elevator just as Raph started rushing towards us.

I growled.

"I thought I told you-"

He cut me off.

"I was but when I went outside I found this on the door."

He passed me a letter with a red paw insignia one the front. Loki leaned in to see it for himself.

"The red paw pack, what would they want?"

I shrugged my shoulders the red paw pack from what I could remember of the files that we had lost were one of the packs that were under Shiya's control. looking back at Raph I smiled.

"Thank you you can go back to your run now."

He nodded taking the hint that he was being dismissed. Slowly I opened the letter Loki stepped back letting me read it first as he waited patiently.

Dear alpha Raven,

                 On behalf of the red paw pack we welcome the forest lakes pack to New York. We would like to extend an invitation to you and all who came with you. We are holding a gala in your honour as a newly made alpha and would love to meet each and everyone of you as equals.

We would greatly appreciate your attendance and can assure you it will be well worth your while. I await your reply eagerly.

Kind regards 

Alpha Damen red paw

I sat down as I handed the letter to Loki so that he may read it. Once done Loki scowled.

"It's a trap."

I snapped my head to look at him.

"You think so?"

He shrugged.

"It has to be."

I frowned.

"I'm not so sure."

Loki shook his head.

"You can't seriously be considering going?"

I stood taking the letter back as I read it again.

"Rave you said it yourself he was on the list to be loyal to Shiya. He can't be trusted."

"That may well be the case but so far we have no plan of action. How am I to unite the packs unless I talk to them. This would be the perfect opportunity to do that. Besides it says right there he's invited the whole pack so it's not like I'll be meeting him alone."

Loki looked at me shock clearly on his face.

"You can't be serious he could be planing to kill us all."

I laughed.

"He could certainly try but with our whole pack there i doubt he could accomplish it."

I started to walk away but Loki pulled me back.

"Rave please think about this."

I gently pulled my arm away placing my hand on his.

"I have thought about it. We will go to this.."

I rolled the word on my tongue just the thought of going to one of the rich and famous type party I used to loath an annoying but necessary event.

"Gala and while we are there we will get a first hand feel for the red paw pack and see if they can be swayed or if they will have to be eliminated when the time comes."

Loki stared at me not wanting to break the newly found peace between us but not willing to back down.

"Rave-"

I shook my head.

"I've made my decision Loki you can either jump on board and help or stay here."

He scowled knowing he had no choice my mind was made up and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Fine but at least make sure we have an escape plan if anything goes wrong."

I chuckled.

"I may be crazy at times Loki but I'm not stupid I'll leave the escape plan to you."

He nodded as he watched me head towards the elevator.

"I hope your doing the right thing."

Without looking back I answered.

"I hope so too."

His words stayed with me as I pressed the button for the floor that would take me to the next floor down where Zeld would be waiting in our room. I didn't need to sense his energy to know he was pacing as I entered.

He stopped the moment he saw me as his eyes travelled over my body settling on the letter on my hand.

"What's that?"

Stepping closer I handed to him as I waited for him to read it I started towards the bathroom intending to go for a shower. It wasn't long before he scrunched it up throwing it in the bin. Calmly I plucked it out. 

Zeld put his hand on mine.

"Your not thinking about going are you?"

I smiled.

"I certainly am."

He started to protest but I spoke before he could say one word.

"Before you start you should know Loki already tried. I have my reasons for going and if you can't see them then I'm sorry but this is something I know we have to do if we have any chance of uniting the packs."

Zeld stared at me for what seemed like ages til finally his hand touched my cheek.

"Guess we better get started then."

I smiled glad he was trusting my decision. I didn't know what Damien was planning but whatever it was we would be ready before it. Let the games begin.