Finding Shadow BOOK ONE
Pack and family.

Sweat trickled down the back of his neck, raven black hair wet with sweat, and quads screaming as he inched slowly up the hill.

It had taken a couple of days but, the track was finally clear and Shadow could begin bringing the materials up for his project.

He had to keep busy, or the Bella situation would drive the Alpha crazy and this was something he could do by himself and think about her at the same time.

Isabella Romano.

His childhood best friend, but in reality, she had been so much more than that. Even as a young pup he must have known she was always meant to be his, always meant to be here, but now that she was, she couldn't be further away.

In a few days she would be well enough to leave the hospital, and where they went from there was anyone's guess.

Shadow welcomed the physical exertion of hauling the building materials by hand up the steep slope, the play of his muscles straining against his bare flesh as he reached the clearing and unloaded the planks of wood, the ground was ready for building on, the timber being the last materials he needed.

Dusting the dirt off his callouses, he wandered over to the small statue, that had overlooked the village for the past seven years; Shadow smiled wryly, as he sat down beside the two wolves, curled up together.

One day, he would be watching his own pups run the very trails that Bella and he had run all those years ago. They would bring their little friends up here and overlook their domain just like Mama and Papa used to do.

The tussock grass was tamed into a lawn of sorts now, setting the scene to what would soon be the Alpha's home.

After everything that had happened with his father, Shadow couldn't bear to sleep in his family home anymore.

Every time he walked up onto the verandah his eyes could still see his mother and his brother splattered all over the porch. Inside the home still smelt like his papa, and there seemed to be ghosts whispering to him late at night as he'd tried to sleep in the big house, alone.

Finally, he had given up and moved back into the packhouse, on to the top floor, as was the traditional wing for the Alpha family in an emergency.

And then he had thought of this.

What better place to build his Bella her forever home, than here, where they made so many childhood memories together.

Deciding that the foundations wouldn't get laid on their own, the young Alpha hoisted himself to his feet, preparing to get to work again, before he visited Bella in the evening and headed back to the packhouse for a rest.

Camille had been a real trooper; and it didn't take long before she and Isabella were firm friends, talking boys, and makeup, which inwardly made Shadow cringe, but he followed Dr. Packard's orders and just let it be. Trying to force things would accomplish nothing.

Camille had reported back to him earlier on in the afternoon, telling Shadow that Isabella no longer viewed herself as a child, she was functioning as a typical eighteen-year-old she-wolf, and Mazlyn had spoken briefly, something that Bella seemed to take in her stride. Once more he felt pride swell in his chest at what a fighter his Luna was.

But she still didn't remember the mate bond. The only step she had taken in regards to her poor mate, was put two and two together after realizing her own true age, and surmised that the Alpha must be Shadow-not Tarakona.

When the inevitable question was asked, Dr. Packard took one for the team, telling his confused patient that the old Alpha had had some health issues that overcame him, and Shadow was now in charge.

Again Isabella seemed to accept the facts at face value.

Before he could open the bags of concrete, Shadow looked up at the sound of many footprints he could hear making their way up the track; sensing no danger though, he waited for his guests to arrive.

"Howdy Alpha!"

At least twenty of the pack's Omega males were heading towards him, dressed in working clothes, following behind them were the females, carrying dishes filled with food, and refreshments.

Shadow was gobsmacked.

The man who was in charge of the mob was Harris O'Reilly.

His mate Meryl and nine young pups were responsible for all the labor detail that went on behind the scenes at Howling Warriors; the first thing Shadow changed when he took over leadership was the status of the Omegas, and it was the best move he had ever made.

He had attended a lecture back in college, run by a guest speaker from a remote mountain pack, who operated his pack with a view of fairer work distribution and recognition. The Omegas were given proper job titles, a fair wage, and the same rights and opportunities as any other wolf in the pack. They also had a representative on the pack council who could bring up any issues that arose from the labor sector.

Integrating it into the Howling Warriors, a pack who prided themselves on archaic traditions was challenging for the new Alpha, but after a few speed bumps, it gained traction and for the past three years the pack ran like a well-oiled machine.

Harris cocked a big bushy eyebrow at the Alpha, squinting at the sun, and his deep Irish brogue addressed Shadow with respect.

"Well, you see now Alpha, a little birdie told my Meryl here, that some daft young wolf was lugging them there tools and whatnot, halfway up Ghost mountain, with nary a soul to help him, and I said to my Meryl, well..what did I say Meryl?"

A loud equally Irish voice piped up from the crowd behind the lumbering giant.

"Well Alpha, my Harris, he said no one would be fool enough to take on the mountain by himself, what with all the ghosts and such, so he thought it must have slipped your mind to ask for help."

A huge grin split the Irishman's face as he looked at Shadow's growing puzzlement, and he decided to put the young fella out of his misery.

"You see, we would be honored to help build yours and the Luna's home. You 've done so much for all of us, and well Bill over there is a builder, put yer hand up Bill, there's a good man, and Abdy knows his way around electrics, hand up...jump Abdy, you're kinda small, that's it...Joseph is an architect (Another hand flew up) Kaelas," Harris nodded at a young man on the left," He's at home around pipes and such."

Kaelas slapped a hand over his eyes muttering, "Plumbing, Harris, I'm a plumber for Goddess sakes."

"Now don't you be swearing at the Goddess young man!"

"Sorry, Meryl."

Harris frowned, "Carrying on, the rest of the men are just laborers Alpha, but we're strong and work hard, and the ladies are from either the kitchens or daycare, they can tend to the food, and help watch the children, oh and there are a couple of young lasses from the orphanage who have offered to entertain us with some music while we work."

Shadow felt almost teary-eyed with gratitude, at the kindness of the pack's backbone workers. He held tremendous respect for all that they did behind the scenes but didn't know until today, just how much that respect was returned.

With as many hands and expertise that Harris had bought, they may well have the house finished before Isabella regained her memories.

Harris was more than a little surprised when the Alpha grabbed him and gave him a big man hug, no other words were needed, and as the giant man wrapped his arms around his Alpha, a new bond was formed.

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