any rest at all on an airplane, but warmth washed over her body and she realized the heat was coming from Dirk?s hand on her arm. A calming warmth radiated from him through her and somehow, it put her body and her mind at ease. She found it odd that his hand lingered there, that he hadn?t removed it, but she had to admit that she didn?t really want him to. Wolves were social creatures and communicated a great deal through touch. It must be a wolf thing that she felt so at ease from his touch. The ache in her head had even begun to fade. If a touch from another wolf made her feel so much better, she couldn?t wait to get back to her own pack. Surely then, it wouldn?t be so hard to await her memory?s return.
***
Dirk?s voice whispered in Jane?s ear, waking her up when she hadn?t even known she?d fallen asleep. ?We?re about to land, Jane,? he whispered softly.
Soon, they were in a rental car, on their way to Wolfzburg, Fritz driving and Dirk, yet again in the backseat next to her.
After a three hour drive, it was nearly nine in the morning when Dirk told her that they were almost there. They?d been on a road winding through a rural setting for over half an hour when they finally pulled into a driveway, only to stop in front of a large gate. Jane sat up in her seat and watched as the guard at the gate nodded to Fritz, then pushed a button inside the booth to the left of the gate. Fritz nodded back to the man, then drove inside once it opened.
The driveway was very long. Jane thought that it must be at least a half a mile through the woods. Then, a building came into view. It looked like a castle and it was surrounded by a tall fence with rings of barbed wire across the top. Jane took in the structure in awe realizing that it must be centuries old.
Guards stood in watchtowers at each corner of the castle and two more greeted them at the entry gate. She leaned over to Dirk as the second gate was opened for them and whispered, ?Why does the place look like a penitentiary??
?There are other packs in the world that do not like the idea of being governed by our Alpha. He takes no risks regarding the safety of the members of his pack so we are prepared should anyone decide to launch an attack.?
?So your Alpha rules over the other Alphas in the world?? she asked warily.
He shrugged, ?Not really. The other Alphas rule their packs as they see fit, but if any of them are reported breaking any laws, our Alpha steps in to protect the wellbeing of our kind, or if need be, the members of the other Alpha?s pack.?
?I don?t really understand,? she replied in a hushed tone.
?I?ll give you an example,? he said turning to her. ?Last month we raided a pack in the United States because the Alpha was forcing members to produce pups to expand the pack.?
Jane blinked as she tried to understand what he meant. ?Are you saying he was forcing them to
? her voice trailed off and she paused a moment, clearing her throat, rethinking her question. ?You mean, with someone who wasn?t their mate??
He nodded. ?Yes. He wasn?t asking them to bond, but it?s against wolf law to consummate with someone other than their mate and relations with another wolf is even worse that fraternizing with humans.?
?Humans?? Jane questioned.
?Yes. Some wolves have intimate relationships with humans because there isn?t a risk of pregnancy, but the matter is against wolf law.?
?So what was done about the Alpha?? Jane asked, feeling sorrowful for the wolves who?d been pushed into something that was completely against their nature. She wanted to vomit at the idea of being intimate with anyone other than her mate.
?He was demoted from his position as Alpha and the Beta was promoted to manage the pack. From what I?ve heard, they kicked him out of the pack shortly after.?
The conversation halted when the car stopped in front of the castle. Jane stared out the window, hesitating opening the door, but a man approached the car and opened the door for her. She climbed out slowly, ignoring the need to stretch and, instead, focusing on the giant structure before her. The man who?d opened the car door for her led them to