The Convocation had been held at this ranch south of Flagstaff the last few years, and the drive from the airport had been comforting in its familiarity. Pines topped the scree-slopes flanking the highway and spread out beyond, as abundant as other species of evergreen in Seattle, but giving the impression of sparseness with little else but grass and rocky soil beneath. He wouldn’t have chosen it for a permanent home, but there was beauty in the wild spaces and easier running beneath the pines. The smells were dustier with less underbrush, but the trail of a cottontail rabbit or coyote carried more easily.Tom jumped out of the minivan next and drew in deep breaths like he could inhale the whole place. Andrew had tried to talk him out of coming. Officially, alphas were only allowed their betas and mates. Unofficially, everyone looked the other way when teens tagged along and treated the gathering as a kind of singles mixer. At least if Tom ran around with the teens the other alphas would be bringing, it should keep him safe and out of whatever might go down.
