Chapter 37: The Alpha Meeting

The gym parking lot was full. Cars everywhere. Motorcycles lined up. Wolves in human form standing around watching us.

Every Alpha in California was here. Maybe fifty of them. Each brought their second in command and one guard.

Over a hundred wolves. All staring at me.

"Stay close," Cole said. His gunshot wound was healing but he still moved carefully. "Don't show fear. Don't say sorry for anything. You're Luna Alpha. Act like it."

"Even though I'm scared?"

"Especially then."

We got out. Alex and Stacey walked beside me. Cole led the way.

The crowd moved aside as we walked through. Everyone watched me.

I heard them whispering.

"That's her? She's so small."

"A brand new Luna? This is stupid."

"She won't last three days."

I kept my head up. Didn't look at them.

Inside, chairs sat in a big circle. In the middle was a platform. For me.

The Alphas came in and sat down. Almost all were men. Only three women. All looked powerful and dangerous.

The Elder stood by the platform. "Welcome. Today we meet our new Luna Alpha. Lita Dillard."

Nobody clapped. Nobody smiled.

Just stared.

"Lita, come forward."

I walked to the platform. Climbed up. Looked at the circle of Alphas.

My shoulder hurt from the bullet. But I didn't let them see.

“You passed the trials,” the Elder said. “Strength. Wisdom. Heart. But leadership is harder. Today, the Alphas will question you and decide if you can lead them to war.”

"I understand."

"Then we start." The Elder pointed at the circle. "Who wants to go first?"

A huge man stood. Six foot eight, scarred. “I’m Ragnar, Northern Pack. You beat me in the strength trial. Well done. But I want to know something.”

"Go ahead."

"Are you ready to die in three days?"

The room went quiet.

They all knew about the prophecy.

"Yes," I said.

"And your mate? Ready to kill him too?"

"The mate bond kills him. Not me."

"Same thing. He dies because you're too weak to find another way." Ragnar's eyes were cold. "That's not strength. That's giving up."

"It's sacrifice. That's different."

"Is it? Because it looks like you're taking the easy way out."

"Easy?" My voice got louder. "You think dying is easy? Watching my mate die is easy?"

"I think you have choices and you're not looking hard enough."

"What choices? Tell me. Please. I've looked everywhere."

Ragnar sat down. No answer.

Another Alpha stood. A woman. Short red hair. Mean green eyes.

"I'm Sienna. Coastal Pack. I want to know about the soul stone."

My heart stopped. How did she know?

"What soul stone?" I lied.

“Don’t lie. We know Cole’s dad gave you one.” She folded her arms. “So will you use it? Cheat death? Run from your job?”

"I'm thinking about all my options."

"That's not an answer."

"It's all I have right now."

“Not good enough. Are you committed or looking for a way out?” Sienna snapped. “Use the stone, break the prophecy, and the demons win. We die.”

"I know what's at stake."

"Do you? You seem pretty calm for someone who has to save the world."

I wanted to scream. Tell her I wasn't calm. I was dying inside. So scared I could barely breathe.

But I couldn't show that. Not here.

"I will do what I have to do," I said. "When it's time, I'll make the right choice."

"Which choice? Death or running?"

"Whichever saves the most people."

Sienna looked at me hard. Then sat down. Not happy but done.

A third Alpha stood. Older guy. Maybe sixty. White beard. Nice eyes.

“I’m Marcus, Sierra Pack. I trained the first Luna Alpha.” His tone softened. “I know the fear and doubt. Knowing everyone lives or dies because of you.”

He walked closer. "So I'm not here to judge. I want to know what you need. How can we help you?"

I didn't expect kindness. It almost made me cry.

“I need time with my mate and to ready my pack.” My voice shook. “And I need your promise. When I’m gone, protect them. My family.”

"You have my word," Marcus said. "Anyone else?"

One by one, Alphas stood up. Nodded. Made promises.

Not all of them. Maybe half. But it helped.

"Thank you," I said.

Then Claire walked in.

Nobody invited her. She wasn't an Alpha. But every wolf tensed up when they saw her.

"Claire," The Elder said coldly. "You can't be here."

"Too bad. I'm staying." Claire walked to the middle. Looked at me. "I came to tell the truth. The real truth. About what happens if Lita uses the soul stone."

"We know what happens," Sienna said. "She lives. Prophecy fails. Demons win."

"Wrong." Claire smiled coldly. "The prophecy doesn't care about souls. It cares about blood. Luna blood spilled at the right time in the right place. As long as Lita's body dies when it should, her soul doesn't matter."

The room exploded. Wolves yelling. Some angry. Some confused.

"Quiet!" The Elder commanded. Everyone stopped. "Explain. Now."

“The prophecy requires Luna's death. Blood. Body. Not soul.” Claire looked at me. “Move Lita’s soul first, and the body still dies. The prophecy works. The demons are sealed. She survives, in another form.”

"That's impossible," Ragnar said.

"This one works that way. I wrote it. I know." Claire's eyes glowed gold. "So Lita can die and save the world. But also survive."

"What's the cost?" I asked. "There's always a cost."

"The host. Whoever holds your soul will slowly disappear. You'll eat them from the inside. Take their memories. Their personality. Their life." Claire tilted her head. "But that's better than real death, right?"

My stomach hurt. Another person had to die for me.

The Elder stepped forward. "This meeting is done. Everyone leave. Now."

The Alphas got up and left. Talking. Arguing.

Soon only The Elder, Claire, Cole, Alex, Stacey, and me were left.

"You're playing games," The Elder said to Claire.

"I'm giving them hope." Claire turned to me. "You have two days. Decide. Use the soul stone or don't. Pick someone to hold your soul or die alone. But decide fast. The demons are coming."

"How do you know?"

"I can feel them. The seal is breaking. They're pushing through." Her face was serious. "War starts in two days. Not three. They're coming early."

My phone buzzed. Text from Morgana.

"She's right. Demons everywhere. Get to me tonight. I can help. I can show you how to use the stone without killing the host. But you have to trust me."

I showed Cole.

"It's a trap," he said.

"Maybe. But what if it's not?"

"Then we go together."

The Elder spoke. "Go. Both of you. See what the witch wants. But be careful. Morgana is powerful. Power always wants something back."

We left. Walked to the truck.

My phone rang. Unknown number.

I answered. "Hello?"

"Lita. It's your mother." Her voice was shaking. "I decided. I'll do it. I'll be your sacrifice. I'll die so you can live."