With just two options on the table, the group had little time to make a decision.
Ayla didn't have much time to decide whether to follow the pull of her bite bond or stay with the pack she'd been unintentionally working to build.
Titan was almost out of sight, and if he vanished entirely, tracking him through the Burgundy Thicket, which he'd warned her was off-limits, would be nearly impossible.
The group could venture into the forbidden part of the forest, a path Orion's men would never anticipate, or retrace their steps, though they'd been warned danger lay in wait that way.
Taking the route Orion's men least expected meant trailing Titan through the Burgundy thicket, all while hoping the witch was genuinely on their side, a hope Phoenix and Raphael couldn't bring themselves to fully believe.
With Titan nearly out of sight, they were running out of time to make a decision.
Ayla's bite bond tugged at her, pushing her to chase after him, leaving her with no real choice.
When only his tail was still visible, she bolted after him without a second thought, shifting as she ran.
A few seconds later, the rest of their small pack shook their heads, transformed, and trailed after her, curious about what kind of trouble she'd get them into this time.
Right choice or not, they went through with it, knowing deep down they never truly had a say in the matter.
If anything, they could always leave the Burgundy thicket anytime it seemed like they'd made the wrong choice, right?
The only person Titan was really worried about leaving behind was the same one Orion's men were determined to hunt down.
Ayla.
Not only did the witches know she was making her way through the woods after her journey to the Moonlight Shifters, but she also had a pack of wolves on her trail because of her mission.
He couldn't ignore the thought that they might be walking straight into a trap, which was always a possibility with witches.
As much as he cared for his witch friend, she was still a witch, and he was still on the road with Ayla.
The mysterious cloaked witch was right about one thing: he couldn't bring her to his home.
His pack and family would be just as eager to get their hands on her as everyone else.
If Orion had sent a team to his pack, they would have known who she was by then, right?
Or would they rather hide who they were searching for to keep her all to themselves?
Over the years of spending time with them, he had come to realize just how sneaky and snake-like that pack could be.
Maybe taking her home wouldn't be such a bad idea.
He could keep her safe there, as long as he managed to come up with a solid plan along the way.
Was the witch warning him not to go home as a way to lure them into a trap?
After a short run, they'd reach the fork leading either to the oceanfront, or in other words, Scarlet Crest, which held Dominic, or his home in the mountains.
If they went right, it would lead Titan home.
Left would take them to Dominic, whom they wanted both him and the world to believe was dead.
What they didn't know was that he had already figured it out, that the old wolf was still alive.
He had to guide them one way or another, but he only had a short time to figure it out and let his wolf lead the way.
Not far away, at the edge of Crescent Moon territory, the smaller group from Orion's pack was just arriving in the area.
They searched every path they could imagine, hoping to discover if the runaway wolf had returned home with Ayla and her escaping wolf companions.
As luck would have it, his guards caught wind of the four special teams' wolves and waited until they crossed just inside the border before surrounding them and moving in.
As they cut them off, shifting into human form, well, at least half of them did, the largest and second-largest stood right in front of the four special forces wolves, who had also shifted.
"Just what do you think you're doing inside our borders? You don't belong here. This is an act of war. There was no warning about your arrival, and scouting between our packs is strictly forbidden," growled the largest of the Crescent Moon guards.
It had been ages since they'd witnessed any kind of war, and their instincts were itching for a fight with anyone.
Usually, they were a peaceful pack, but they were still wolves when others started encroaching on their territory.
A second Crescent Moon wolf spoke up, "Yeah, what's a bunch of guards doing hunting on our territory anyway? Who sent you?"
At that moment, the four trespassing wolves found themselves encircled by ten enormous wolves.
Stoic and proud, the leader of the group said, "We're not here to cause trouble. I'm a friend of Titans and just came to see if he wanted to join us for a hunt. That's all."
The Luna had been clear about keeping the other packs in the dark regarding Ayla and about the fact that they were searching for her or Titan.
Unfortunately, the Crescent Moon wolves took offense, and the second largest almost barked at the intruders.
"That's Future Alpha Titan to you. If your pack doesn't respect him, that's your problem. In this pack, we show him respect. That said, last we heard, he was on his way to see you. Is he not there?"
The four trapped wolves lowered their heads in respect, realizing things had to change or they might never make it back home.
"We didn't mean it like that; we just meant he left quite a while ago. As far as we knew, he had come home. It turns out our Alpha-in-waiting gave us the wrong information. Please accept our apologies."
As they spoke, they tilted their heads to bare their necks, showing the others they were sincere.
A true display of respect and submission to the wolves, keeping them confined at the border.
They shouldn't have crossed the borders and shown up unannounced like that; it was against wolf bylaws.
"Let us make it up to you. Pass along our regards to the Next Alpha when he returns, and let him know we meant no harm. We'll be sure to send word before visiting again, provided we're allowed to leave with our necks intact, of course."
The guards of the Crescent Moon pack were wary of the four approaching wolves, doubting both their words and their intentions.
It seemed they'd found what they were after and couldn't wait to head out and report back.
Something just didn't feel right to the biggest of the ten, though.
"Why were they only interested in knowing if Next Alpha Titan was here? I don't like this," he thought to the group.
"I don't like it either. Put the necklaces on them now," the one beside him agreed.
"Then we'll keep them until Titan returns, and we figure out what this is all about," said one from the back, as he and three others slipped black flex cord necklaces with dark stone pendants over the heads of the four soldiers.
His grin stretched so wide it looked like it might split his face in two.
The four Moonlight Shifters wolves sensed that something was about to happen, and it definitely wasn't going to be in their favor.
"Hey, guys. How about the four of you join us for a late-night snack? We're just about to switch shifts, so you can come into town with us."
The four men exchanged glances, and one of them asked with a hint of sarcasm, "Is this actually an invitation?"
"Nope," one of the men who hadn't spoken yet said, as he approached them from the side.
They were all closing in, forming a circle as the men moved together in a large group toward the secret homes of one of the most elusive packs around.
As excited as they were to finally be invited in, they had a sense they wouldn't be seeing much.
This pack was hidden deep in the mountains, remaining a mystery to most others, even the two other mountain packs.
Their strongest allies were the other two mountain packs, especially the Moonlight Shifters, and even with Titan spending so much time with their pack, he never gave them any information about his home.
Even though the men knew they were being led to the secret pack, they also understood it wouldn't be anywhere near the inner areas.
If they were lucky, they'd only end up on the outskirts of the pack, because what they did was more than enough to cost them their heads.
The outer areas were designed to accommodate either prisoners or guests, in most packs.
After a bit of walking followed by some hiking, they finally reached the destination the guards had in mind.
As it turned out, there really was a late-night snack, though it happened to be in a cell halfway up the mid-sized mountain.
The Crescent Moon guards didn't think twice before stepping in to protect their packmates and the next in line Alpha.
Sensing something was off, they went ahead and arrested the men, holding them until Titan got home.
"When our Next Alpha gets back, and we know what's going on, maybe then you'll be set free," the smallest of the group said with a smile, walking away with his head held high.
None of the guards had any idea where Titan was, but they hoped he was safe and would be back home soon.
If nothing else, they were loyal beyond reason.
The biggest in the group decided to get in touch with him and let him know what was going on.
As the leader, he had a direct line he could use in these situations, and only he and Titan knew about the special link they'd created.
"Next Alpha Titan, we've detained four Moonlight Shifter guards who crossed into our territory searching for you. Just a heads-up, if you're on your way here, stay vigilant."
This was exactly why Titan let Sylvie build such a strong bond between them.
To keep him in the loop when he was away, which happened often.
Only the two of them, along with the witch, Sylvie, who performed the ritual, knew about the connection, and he intended to keep it that way as his secret weapon.
Titan instantly realized that this was exactly what the witch had meant when she warned him not to bring the wolves home.
It had to be.
Luna Alina had sent patrols to his pack to search for them.
If her spies were locked up, then the rest of the men must be on the other side of the thicket, making their way to Scarlet Crest.
That meant the only safe choice was to head home to Crescent Moon.
Right?
It was the only plan he could think of to give them food, rest, and, with any luck, a little safety and shelter.
When it was time to choose between left and right at the split, he took a deep breath and veered right, leading them toward Crescent Moon.
Home!
Unsure if he'd made the right choice, he ignored the witch's warning and charged ahead with his decision.
"Silas, I'm on my way. I can't say where I am, but just know I'm coming. Get four rooms in my pack house ready. The ones closest to mine, with warm baths and food waiting. Keep the prisoners isolated, and don't let them or anyone else in the pack know I'm coming home."
Silas glanced at the other guards, now gathered in a spacious sitting room filled with massive wood-carved chairs topped with plush pillows.
"We were right to trust our instincts. Something is definitely wrong. They must remain isolated, no contact with anyone. He's on his way and doesn't want them, or anyone else, to know. Send word to prepare four rooms near his, with warm baths and food ready."
As he finished, a curious look crossed his face, mirrored perfectly before him by his whole crew.
The others wasted no time, jumping to their feet to alert the staff, who quickly got to work before returning to join Silas.
"Who do you think he's bringing with him? He's never brought anyone before, not even those greedy status chasers, Orion and Shaw. Makes you wonder who's important enough to stir all this up, huh?" the smallest of the guards said with a smirk.
Silas shot him a sharp glare.
"That's not our concern. We don't gossip. We guard. If you want a spot on his special team, you need to know your place. Still, I hope it's finally a girl," he smirked.
"Go on, Warg, join the rest of the pack. But remember, son, you can't say a word about any of this."
"Yes, Father. What's to stop them from just talking to the others in their pack? Can't they communicate with them the same way we talk to each other?"
Silas began to shake his head.
"Sure, regularly. But our cells are built right into the mountain. The walls are made from argentite and lapis lazuli, the same as the rocks we hung around their necks when we caught them, and we never took those off. Ever notice how we can't send thoughts to each other in here? Those stones mess with wolves, like poison for us. They won't be reaching out to anyone."
Warg started nodding his head.
"Very clever. Some things never cease to amaze me. Wait, why don't the necklaces bother us when we carry them?"
"The thick lead cases they stay in until they're needed," he said, tapping his head.
"Cool. I'm heading out now. Call if you need me. I'll be on the other side of the mountain by the fire, celebrating a mating match. Wish we had more of those."
The youngest guard quickly vanished after that.
"He doesn't know, does he?" one of the guards asked Silas.
"No, he doesn't. It would break his heart if he found out it wasn't a true mate match. Someday, we'll have another one."
"Does he realize that's why Titan is always away? Searching for a true mate so his mother won't join the chase for the prized wolf, whatever her name is."
Silas let out a sigh.
"No. The less he knows, the better. If it comes to the point where we have to hunt her, I'll tell him. Until then, let him be one of the few young wolves who get to be happy. I'm just glad Titan is keeping Luna from joining the hunt for Ayla. Her name is Ayla."
Just then, Titan and the group reached the edge of the thicket.
He eased his pace and shifted to address them.
He lifted his hand, signaling the others to halt.
"I need everyone to shift so we can talk before we cross this area and head through the mountain pass."
The others exchanged glances before shifting, curious about his plan.
"We are going to my pack."
Ayla gave him a puzzled look.
"But the witch told us not to."
Titan nodded his head.
"She did, but the pack sent after us has been caught and is now in my dungeon. Trust me, they aren't talking to anyone. I followed my instincts, and I don't fully trust crossing through the forest right now. I know there are more wolves and witches out there, waiting for us to make a move. For now, I think it's safest for us to stay here at Crescent Moon."
Phoenix glanced at Raphael, then shifted his gaze back to Titan.
"What about Ayla? We can't just hide her in your pack; they'll know exactly who she is, right? Or was the whole idea to lure her here from the start?"
"I'd never try to trap or trick her, or any of you. They might not even know who she is. My pack has never gone after her. But I've got a plan for that too," he said with a smile.