The Transfer

I woke early the next morning. I got up and showered, eager to get ready for the long trip. I then changed into warm clothes. I pulled on black skinny jeans, a singlet, a long sleeved shirt, a turtleneck and then a thick warm jacket over the top. I dried my hair and then pulled a beanie over the top.

I didn't care if I looked absolutely ridiculous. I knew I would get cold and I wasn't taking any chances.

I lifted my bags and carried them out to the front door. I rested them beside it and then turned back to the kitchen. Ezra was waiting for me, as was Jenny.

"I guess we'll be seeing you after Christmas then," Ezra told me with a small smile. I nodded at him and yawned as I hugged him tightly. He kissed my hair and pulled away.

Jenny hugged me next. She was warm and comforting to hug. I didn't want to let go. But I did when there was a knock on the door.

I knew it was Liam. The pull was bouncing off the walls. I was excited to see him. We'd been up late last night, just talking about nothing in particular. He left my cabin late in the night, and I got a sleepy scolding from Lila when he got back to his cabin, because he was apparently too loud and too happy.

"I'll see you both soon. Don't miss me too much,” I said with a cocky grin. I turned away from them and headed to the door. They called out their goodbyes to me and I got to the door.

I pulled it open and grinned as I met eyes with Liam. He smiled at me and ran a hand through his hair. I drooled over how good he looked. He wasn't even wearing anything special.

He wore grey sweatpants and a black shirt with a jacket over the top. He looked warm and comfortable. I wanted to snuggle up with him badly.

"Let me get those for you," Liam said as he reached down to my bags that were by my feet. He grabbed them both and swung them over his shoulders. I smiled at him and then shut the front door behind me.

Liam lead me to the trail that would take us to the car. He had to drive most of the way up north, where Liam's family lived. It would take days for us to get there if we ran. Plus, we had all our bags to carry too.

"Sleep well?" Liam asked me as we walked. I looked over at him and studied his face. He tried not to show emotion, but I could see that he was concerned.

I hadn't slept well last night. I had nightmare after nightmare. I was exhausted and I was sure that I would fall asleep in the car. Liam knew that I hadn't slept well, but he was asking anyway.

Every time I had a nightmare, he was always there to calm me down. Apparently, my fear would shake him awake. I felt bad that he wasn't getting sleep either.

"Mhm, somewhat," I replied simply. Liam sighed and nodded his head at me.

"What are they about?" He asked me, referencing to the nightmares. I gulped in thought of them. I didn't want to think about them but there wasn't anything I could do about them. They were always there.

"My Mum... Brennon,” I mumbled as I looked over at Liam. He clenched his jaw and bit back a growl. His chest vibrated anyway.

"You don't need to worry about any of that anymore, sugar. You're safe with me, I promise I would never let anything bad happen to you," Liam told me. I continued to look at him. My beast purred. She liked his protectiveness over us.

"I know, Liam. Don't stress about it. They're just nightmares," I told him as I walked closer to him. Liam looked down at me and smiled weakly.

"Sleep in the car. There's enough room for you to spread out in the back. Leon and Cass are taking a separate car and Lila is going with them so she can lay down and sleep in the back. Lucas is unfortunately coming along with us,” Liam explained to me. I nodded at him and yawned as if on cue.

I was definitely tired and really needed that nap.

"Can I get the bear skin out the bag before we put it in the trunk?" I asked him once we got to the cars. Lucas was already sitting in the car we were taking, and the others were in Leon's other car. "Yeah. Grab the pillow from the trunk too. You'll want that for your nap," Liam told me. I nodded at him as he helped me grab out my bear skin and the pillow. Then, we shoved my bags into the trunk and shut it.

Liam kissed my forehead as I climbed into the back seat and Liam got into the driver's seat. Lucas turned around to face me and grinned.

"Good morning, sis,” Lucas greeted me. I smiled back at him and waved as I set myself up on the backseat. "It's a long drive so get comfortable.”

"Trust me, I will,” I replied as I put my pillow down and pulled the bear skin over me. I yawned as I finally laid down.

Sleep came quickly with the rockiness of the car moving and Liam's scent prancing around my nose. 1

The car jolted to a stop and I woke. I craned my neck to stretch and inhaled deeply. Lucas looked back at me and grinned.

"Almost there. We've got to walk our bags there. The trees are too thick to drive through," Lucas told me. I smiled and nodded at him as I sat up and stretched again. Lucas got out the car and I sighed as I rubbed my eyes.

"Sleep well?" Liam asked me from the front seat. He looked back at me and I smiled and nodded. He winked and then got out the car.

Liam opened my door for me and grabbed the bearskin. He began to fold it back up for me as I climbed out. I grabbed the pillow from the car and clutched it tightly, still sleepy.

Lila got out the other car that was parked next to ours. She yawned and trotted over to me, leaning against the car beside me.

"Hi there, sleepy head,” I greeted her. She smiled at me and rested her head on my shoulder. Cass and Leon got out their car, Cass looking just as sleepy as Lila looked and I felt. She yawned and stretched before making her way over to Lila and I.

I smiled at her and she returned the gesture. I hadn't gotten to know her that well yet, but I was eager to get to know her. The trip would be a good bonding opportunity.

I adjusted my beanie on my head as Liam handed me the bear skin blanket which was neatly folded. I mumbled my thanks as he walked around to the trunk of the car. Lucas was already struggling to pull out his five different bags.

I pushed myself forwards and walked around the car to grab my bags. Liam rolled his eyes at his struggling brother, who was swaying as he tried to hold all five bags in his hands.

"We're only staying a week, Lucas. Was five bags really necessary?” I asked him as I tilted my head. Liam snorted and Lucas nodded.

"Yeah, it was actually. There's so many hot girls up here. I have to dress to impress,” Lucas replied, which made me laugh. Liam shook his head as he placed his two bags on the ground.

"You'd be the same if there were hot guys up here," Lucas told me. Liam turned around and shot Lucas a warning look as he showed his brother his teeth.

Lucas smirked cheekily. I rolled my eyes. He was such an idiot sometimes. He loved rowdiness and loved pissing off Liam. It was entertaining to watch, I must say.

"Don't push it, brother. I still have to beat your ass for inviting my mate here before I did, like I told you not to," Liam hissed out. I got chills up my arms at the fact that Liam called me his mate. It was rewarding and it sounded perfect.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, Liam. She likes me more than she likes you, obviously," Lucas teased, knowing it would piss off Liam. He had to jump back as Liam snapped around again, growling this time.

I couldn't help but laugh. Lucas really knew how to stir the pot.

I grabbed my bags and held them up on my shoulders as Liam shut the trunk. He locked the car and then picked up his own bags. I watched as everyone else held their bags also.

We began to make our way through the trees. The mud was mushy and a little slippery. Lucas found himself stumbling around with the slippery mud and heavy bags.

"He tried to take six bags, but we said no. Imagine," Liam came up to me and whispered in my ear. I giggled and rolled my eyes. Lucas was really a piece of work.

We walked for a little while before we arrived. There weren't many smells around the area. The wind and snow covered almost everything. But I could still smell food and smoke from fires. This place was oddly comforting.

It was huge. There were giant cabins all around the area. It looked like a massive park. The pack house was a practical mansion, much bigger than the one back in Takiani.

There were children playing in the snow and parents watching from the porch of their cabins. It was early, barely anyone was awake.

"Our cabin is this way. We'll settle in and then head over to my grandma's place where we'll meet everyone,” Liam told me as he nudged me in the direction of the cabin we were staying in.

"We stay here every Christmas. This cabin is like our second home," Lila trotted up to me and walked next to me. I nodded my head at her.

"It's the same with me when I stay up south with my family,” I told her. She grinned and nodded at me.

"I can't wait to meet more of your family," Lila said. I glanced over at Liam and saw the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

We got to our cabin and all made our way inside. It was extremely similar to the one I lived in at Takiani. But it was bigger.

The floorboards looked old but didn't creak as I walked over them. The living room was carpet that looked soft. I made a mental note to take my shoes off and walk on it later.

"The rooms are down here. Bathroom is first on the left," Liam told me as we headed down the hallway. Leon and Cass made their way into one of the first bedrooms and Lucas walked into the other one next to it.

Lila winked at me as she walked into a bedroom, leaving me with Liam for the last one. I raised my eyebrows as I followed him into the last bedroom as the end of the hall.

"We have a room to ourselves?" I asked him. He set his bags down on the bed and turned around with a smirk. He winked and nodded.

"I didn’t want to share you, so you're in here with me. Lila will survive on her own," Liam told me with a cheeky smirk. I shook my head and rolled my eyes as I set my bags down on the floor.

The bedroom had a large bed right in the middle, pushed up against the wall. There was a cabinet for clothes and a tall full length mirror in the corner.

My beast purred as I looked over the bed. She had great ideas for that, and I wasn't having any of it. I scolded her and she just cackled at me.

"Come on. Gran said breakfast would be made by the time we got to her place,” Liam said as he grabbed my hand. He pulled me out the room and lead me down the hallway.

Everyone else was already waiting outside when Liam and I finally came out the cabin. They were all shivering in the cold and shot Liam and I dirty looks. I smiled sheepishly.

They clearly weren't fond on the cold.

"Let's go. Everyone will be waiting," Lucas said as he motioned for us to move. He started off in the direction of the trees, and we all followed. Liam and I stuck to the back of the group, walking hand in hand with each other.

"Do you have a lot of family?" I asked Liam to start up a conversation. He looked down at me briefly and then turned away with a small smile.

"I guess so. My uncles all wanted a lot of children. My father has three brothers, and they all have children. There's always a lot of people at Christmas time," Liam explained to me. I nodded at him.

I liked the idea of Liam having a lot of family. I missed my family. The members that I had left, I barely saw. None of them were the same after my mother died. They stopped coming down to visit. I hadn't lost contact with them completely, but I didn't speak to them as often as I used to. My beast whined. She wanted to see them again.

"Sounds fun. I bet I'll love them,” I told him with a hopeful smile. Liam winked at me as we continued walking.

When we got to the cabin, I caught the scent of numerous wolves. There were so many and they all mostly smelt similar to Liam. But none of them were as good.

The cabin was more like a house. It was huge, but looked like there weren't many people living in it. There were footprints in the snow and only a single car sitting out the front.

I grew nervous as we approached the front door. My stomach twisted and churned. I felt a little sick. I wanted Liam's family to like me. What would I do if they didn't?

Liam pulled me closer, kissing my temple as he seemed to notice my discomfort. His lips were warm and his body heat spread to mine. I felt comfortable and safe in his arms.

The bond grew stronger and simmered hotter as we approached the house. The others were the first through the door. They hung up their jackets and coats as they house was noticeably warm. Liam shut the door behind me as the others walked off, leaving me with Liam. I looked around me, studying the several pairs of small shoes on the floor. They must have belonged to the children that were here.

Liam reached in front of me and pulled back my jacket. He gently tugged it down and off my shoulders and arms. He leant forwards, kissing my jaw gently, before he lead small kisses down towards my neck.

My neck tingled and I felt desperate for more. I hated that I had such a strong need for this male. But at the same time, it was more than comforting to have his lips on my skin.

"Liam," I warned him as his fingers tugged down my turtleneck. His breath was hot against my neck and it sent shivers up my spine.

My beast purred. Liam knew how to work us both up.

I listened to him chuckle and then felt him pull away. I watched him hang up my jacket from the corner of my eye. He had a mischievous smirk on his face.

"Just relax, sugar. They'll adore you just like I do,” he assured me, and I instantly felt myself feel ten times better. Liam came forwards and grabbed my hand, kissed my temple and then lead me down the hallway.

I sucked in a deep breath as the voices of talking people got louder. The smells of strong wolves wafted through the air and I wondered what they would think of my scent. Would they smell that I was strong? Would they hear my blood humming like I could hear theirs?

"Boy, shut your mouth before I shut it for you,” I heard a voice as Liam and I walked closer. I squeezed Liam's hand, desperately trying to comfort myself.

"Relax, sugar. It's going to be fine,” Liam told me as my stomach twisted from the nerves.

We walked into the room. The first thing I noticed was the giant group of people. I held my breath for a moment as I studied all the people.

There were people, young and old. Most looked my age, others were adults and some were little children. Most of the people had similar scents to Liam's. The room was overpowered by the scent of Alpha wolves.

"Liam!" I heard the voice of a child as a little girl popped out from behind the kitchen counter and bounded over. She wrapped her arms around Liam and hugged him tightly.

He chuckled as he reached towards her and ruffled her hair. My heart felt warm.

"Hi there, Trixie,” Liam greeted her gently. I smiled down at the little girl. She was insanely adorable. When the little girl pulled away, she looked over at me. Her eyes studied me for a moment before Liam cleated his throat.

"This is Alison, and Alison, this is Trixie," Liam introduced us. I smiled at the girl and she broke into a grin before hugging me. I couldn't help but melt inside. I loved children.

When Trixie pulled away, she turned and ran off. Liam lead me forwards, taking me towards a small group of people. There were two people who I assumed were his grandparents, and then what I guessed was other family members.

"Liam, boy, long time no see. You've grown," the older male came forwards first. He shook hands with Liam as Liam broke into a grin.

"Hard work pays off, Pa. As you've always said," Liam replied with a deep chuckle. Liam's grandpa smiled and nodded before he turned to me and held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, sweetheart. I'm Al, but call me Pa," Al said. I shook his hand and made sure that I was firm. I wanted to make an impression.

"I'm Alison," I told him my name and he smiled and nodded. He stepped away and the other elderly woman came forwards. She had just hugged Liam whilst I was talking to Al.

"Darling, it's great to finally meet you. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about you," the woman said. Al snorted.

"We've heard how you keep our boy over here on his toes. Darcy is just sugar-coating it," Al commented. Darcy rolled her eyes and smiled as she hugged me and rubbed her cheek against mine. I smiled and my beast sighed in relief. It wasn't as bad as we thought it would be.

"Liam, you're much bigger than you were the last time I saw you. Maybe you and I could finally give it a shot tossing each other around in the ring?” A male said with a chuckle as he walked up to Liam. Darcy pulled away from me and stood by Al's side and watched the interaction.

"Nicolas! The boy just got here! Give him a break and shift your fat ass to the side so I can meet the beautiful girl standing next to him!"