**Later That Night**
“Are you sure you’ve had enough?” I ask Andreas, worried that he still can’t stomach much food.
“I think if I eat anymore, I’ll throw it all back up again,” he says, moving the plate away.
I give a little growl, upset that it’s taking so long for him to heal.
He chuckles. “I’m okay, baby girl. The Doc is looking after me,” he says with a smile as he cups my cheek. “It’s just going to take some time.”
I sigh. “I’m sorry. I just hate seeing you like this,” I say, placing my hand over his.
‘*Alpha, we need you at the pack house*,’ Tony mind-links.
‘*Is it important*?’ I ask.
‘*Felix got in contact with Harry. Alpha Leon wants to mee*t.’
‘*When*?’
‘*In an hour*.’
I sigh again, cutting the link. “They need me at the pack house.”
“Then let’s go,” he says with a smile and gets up from the bed.
#
We walk hand in hand down to the pack house; the moon shining bright in the night sky. As we walk up the porch steps, we hear arguing from inside.
“What’s going on?” I ask as we walk into the lounge room.
“A difference of opinion, Alpha,” Tony growls at me, glaring at Harry. I growl back at him in warning, and he looks at me, surprised, realizing what he did. “I’m sorry, Alpha,” he says, baring his neck to me.
“Gamma Tony thinks the meeting is a trap,” Harry says, breaking the tension.
“It probably is, but I’m still going,” I say, turning my attention away from Tony.
“He wants to meet alone, Alpha,” Noah says, causing me to laugh.
“He wishes I was that stupid,” I smirk. “No, we do this as a united front. You’re all coming.”
“Alpha, that may be a mistake,” Elder Andino says from the back of the room. “He’s asked to meet alone. Bringing the others is a sign of disrespect.”
“Their pack harbored an enemy pack that has done unspeakable damage to not just my pack but packs all over the country. You and Elder Laskaris are coming too,” I tell him.
“You do not order us, Alpha,” Elder Andino growls.
“She’s right,” Elder Laskaris interrupts. “We need to survey the scene. Especially with us leaving tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving already?” I ask.
He nods. “There’s been more attacks down south. It needs to be investigated,” he explains. “And until more Alphas are sworn into the council, we’re short-handed.”
“Okay. Please let me know if it has anything to do with the chosen.”
“Of course,” he smiles.
“Okay. Luna Cassia, Beta Ryna, Delta Harry, and the Luna Guard, you will come in first with me. Gamma Tony, and Epsilons Noah and Rich, you will come in with the Crescent Warriors and the rest of the warriors with Elders Laskaris and Andino. I want them hidden until the time comes.” I tell them.
“Yes, Alpha,” they all say in unison.
“I’m coming too, Alpha,” Andreas says.
I look at him. ‘*It’s too dangerous, Andreas. You’re not strong enough to fight back yet if we’re attacked*,’ I link.
‘*Baby girl, I’m your mate. Our bond makes us stronger. And I meant it when I said that I’m not leaving your side again,’* he says, squeezing my hand reassuringly.
I look at him for a moment, then give him a slight nod.
“Alpha, what if the trap is to get us away from the territory so they can attack?” Leah asks.
“That’s a strong possibility,” Noah says in agreement.
“Maybe Gamma Tony should stay here with the main warriors,” Rich suggests.
“What?” Tony shouts.
“We need someone here to protect the pack,” Andreas says.
“Alpha, can I speak to you?” Tony asks. “Privately.”
Andreas growls protectively, but I squeeze his shoulder to calm him and motion for Tony to follow me outside.
“Alpha, I told you I would always choose to fight by your side. I was supposed to be your second in command,” he says, giving me a sad look.
“Tony,” I sigh, placing my hands on his shoulders. “I gave you the position of Gamma because I trust you with my life, and I trust you to train our warriors the same way I would have.”
“I will not stay behind and leave you unprotected.”
“I’m more than protected, Tony. And what about the pack? They need their Gamma to protect them. If they’re attacked while we’re gone, what chance will they have if you’re not here?” I say, removing my hands from his shoulders.
“I’m just worried, Athena,” he says softly. “I vowed to protect you. I carved your mark into my flesh. Please don’t get me wrong. I was so proud that you made me your Gamma. But I’m not sure it’s the right position for me,” he sighs.
I look at him sadly for a moment. “Well, we haven’t told the pack yet about the positions. I was going to do that tomorrow and then perform the ceremony for it... You really don’t want the position?”
“I’m so sorry, but no. I need to be in the Crescent warriors,” he says, tears filling his eyes.
“I’ve already given Noah and Rich their positions. I will not take those away from them,” I tell him firmly.
“I don’t need a rank. I just need to do what I feel like I’m supposed to be doing, and that’s protecting you.”
I sigh, running my hands through my hair. “I’ll consider it. But tonight, I need you here as Gamma,” I tell him.
“Yes, Alpha,” he says, bowing his head and going back inside.
‘*Who are we going to choose as our Gamma*?’ Enyo asks.
‘*I have no idea. We might need to hold an open challenge for it*.’
‘*We should discuss it with the others before we decide*.’
‘*Agreed*.’
As I walk back inside, I square my shoulders and get my head back into the game.
“Right, it’s settled. Tony will stay here with the warriors,” I tell the others, sitting beside Andreas on the couch.
He wraps an arm around my shoulders, and I can feel that he’s agitated, so I place my hand on his thigh to calm him.
‘*He needs to stay away from you,*’ Andreas growls through the link.
I stare at him with an incredulous look on my face. ‘*I’ve already told you nothing is going on with him,*’ I growl back.
‘*Maybe not on your end, but something is going on on his end.*’
‘*Ridiculous. We don’t have time for this*,’ I say, blocking him out and returning my attention to the others.
“Where does Alpha Leon want to meet?” I ask Harry.
“At the site of the second explosion.”
I tense.
‘Of course he does,’ Enyo growls.
“He clearly wants to rattle you. He probably knows Gamma Alex died in the fire,” Noah says with a growl.
“It doesn’t matter. We need to search the area and find out if the rogue pack is still there. I’ll burn down his whole fucking pack if he’s still letting them stay there.” I growl angrily.
“Just remember there are innocents there, Alpha,” Elder Andino warns.
“I know that, Elder Andino. They’ll be welcome to join our pack if it comes to that. But anyone involved with any of this will face the consequences.”
“And who are you to decide what those consequences are?” Elder Andino growls.
“I will kill anyone involved in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of the chosen. As well as anyone involved in the attacks on packs across the country and in the murders of innocent men, women, and children.”
“And you wonder why some of the Elder council was concerned,” Elder Andino growls.
I stand and make my way across the room, my canines and claws extending as anger flows through my veins.
“The Elder council is partly to blame for the horrors that have happened,” I growl, getting up in his face. “If I had my way, I’d put those involved down too.”
“Do not mistake your new position for some kind of power, mutt. I still rank above you, and I will ensure you’re kept on your leash,” Andino growls.
“Stand down, Elder,” Laskaris orders him, but Andino puffs his chest out as a sign of dominance as his canines and claws extend, not breaking eye contact as he tries to challenge me.
I feel anger fill the room as the others take their position behind me, ready to attack, Andreas taking his place at my side, growling menacingly at Andino.
Enyo surges forward, our eyes glowing blue as she growls in Andino’s face, our Alpha aura flowing towards him. He growls loudly as he tries to fight against it. “I can and will command you, Elder, because I am no mutt. I am chosen by the Moon Goddess, and I will fight to protect her children from the those that would harm them.”
Elder Laskaris places his hand on Elder Andino’s shoulder, trying to calm him down. “Stand down, Elder Andino!” He says more aggressively. “You know our mission. The only ones that have a say in this matter are the High Council,” he says, and Andino finally breaks eye contact, turning away from me.
“I’m sorry,” he says angrily.
I take a step back, Enyo calming down enough to let our claws and canines retract, interested in what Laskaris just said.
“What does the High Council have to do with anything?” I ask, and Elder Laskaris just smiles at me.
“That’s not something I can discuss with you right now,” he says.
“What’s the High Council?” Rich asks.
“They’re the head council that governs over all Elder Councils around the world,” Tony explains, eyeing Laskaris suspiciously.
“We don’t have time for this, Alpha,” Harry says. “We need to meet with Alpha Leon.
I step away from Andino and return my attention to the task. “Harry, I want you and the Luna Guard to drive in with Luna Cassia and Alpha Andreas, as he can’t shift yet. The rest of you will come with me while Gamma Tony stays here with our warriors,” I say, and everyone agrees. “Everyone get ready. We leave in ten.”