Meadow’s p.o.v. Grand Valley territory. A territory that was abandoned over a hundred years ago; I can’t remember the reason. I finally take the time to look at the information on my tablet; I hope that it will make me understand Winston better than I do at the moment. Myka sits down on the couch, looking over my shoulder at the tablet. “Oh, Fuck.” Myka says and I believe that it is an understatement. I hadn’t seen this coming; I doubt Mom ever truly knew Winston and if she knew, she never mentioned it to anyone. “Winston Daystone, sixty four years old. Mitchell Daystone took Winston in at the age of two, after Winston’s Father and Mitchell’s Brother had died. Mitchell had a four-year-old Son at the time with his Mate, the Daughter of Winter Stone’s Beta. Winson’s Father was the heir to Grand Valley Pack; he refused to admit that his Father had been beaten fair and square in a fight with a neighboring Alpha. He challenged the Alpha for the Alpha position and lost his life in the process.” I read out loud. We all process the information that Calista found, but it doesn’t answer the question as to why Winston was after my Mom or me. “Why did you kill the Rogue?” Alpha Lincoln asks. “You said there would be less pain if he answered your question.”“I did. I never said how much less pain there would be, and with the liquid Oleander, his death came quickly.” I answer him, leaving everyone stunned with my answer. My phone buzzes, indicating that I have received a message. I open the message that Elder Chelsea sent me; it is a file on Grand Valley Pack and a map of the territory. Grand Valley Pack has a dubious history. Most of the High-ranking Pack-members took a chosen Mate, rejecting their fated Mates for various reasons and the Daystone family was the worst of all. Not one Alpha had accepted his fated Mate from their founding day until their last Alpha heir got killed. In the Beta and Gamma bloodline, there had been exceptions, but only a handful of times. It is no wonder that the Alpha was defeated in a challenge; they had weakened their Pack and their own strength over the centuries. “Maryan, call Captain Miles. Inform him of what we have discovered. He needs to start planning our attack on Winston and whoever else is in that territory.” I say without taking my eyes off the map in front of me. The territory consists mostly of trees with a few clearings and a small lake; I can’t tell where the Pack-house or any of the cottages were built. My best guess is that they were hidden among the trees, making it difficult for enemies to attack them. If their Alpha hadn’t been so damn cocky, they would still be around. No one would dare to attack them; they had the element of surprise. “Meadow, I’m not sure if you should leave the territory. Winston is after you; he has gone to great lengths to find you..” I don’t allow Beta Lennox to finish his sentence. “And he has failed every single time. He still doesn’t know where I am, who I am or what I look like.” I state. “As my so-called Father already pointed out, I don’t look like my Mother. Winston wouldn’t know if I was standing in front of him, that I am the one he has been after.” “Meadow, I know what you are capable of, but even Blade and I don’t feel comfortable with you going after Winston.” Makay says and for a moment, I look at him dumbfounded. Myka has a smile on his face; he seems to know a little more about the meaning behind this stupid remark. “Hear me out, Meadow. You have shown me that you are one hell of a fighter, a great team leader and creepy when it comes to interrogations.” Makay says. “Geeh, thanks for pointing out the creepy part.” I mutter teasingly while I place my phone on the coffee table. “Meadow, you’re not eighteen yet. What if he manages to overpower you? He has been around longer than you and me combined. You haven’t found your Mate yet; Rufus doesn’t count. You still have a long life ahead of you.” Makay keeps rambling. I smack him on the back of his head to shut him up. I'm aware of all those things, and I've never been one to enter a situation without preparation. “You were there when my team went after Janey and Andrew. How much time did I spend planning our mission?” I ask him. He knows how much time we spent preparing and he knows that Captain Miles demands it from each team under his command. “Damn, you got me there.” Makay says, rubbing the back of his head. After another hour of discussing why I shouldn’t pursue Winston, I get up to leave the Alpha floor. There is one person who could stop me from going or at least anyone will think there is. “I am going after Winston, end of discussion.” I say as I grab my phone and tablet. “Meadow, your Alpha can stop you from leaving. You and I both know that and I hate to play that card, but I might ask him anyway. I just got my baby Sister back and I don’t want to lose her.” River finally speaks up, after not saying a word since we got to the Alpha floor. “River, there will come a day when you will regret these words. There will come a day when you will be sick and tired of having me around and when that day comes, I will remind you of your own words.” I say teasingly as I give him a hug. “You are stuck with me until the day that one of us dies. I’m not sure about you, but I intend to die in my bed at a very old age. Surrounded by at least two generations of family, my Pups and their Pups.” I say, knowing that it is the way I want to leave this world someday. I send a little prayer to the Goddess to help me keep my word to my Brother.