Chapter 21

Mark’s POV

I'm waiting at the edge of the Light Coven, “where is she?” I complain sniffing the air again. I catch a scent coming towards me; “you’re late.” “Patience Betta” the witch says back to me. “What information do you have for me, Cecily?” I ask the small stature with black hair and purple eyes coming towards me.

She moves within a foot to myself, “they are 70 miles south of here, you won’t find them,” she tells me. “I have my resources," “your resources will be pointless.” I let out a growl; “how do I know you aren’t sending me on a wild goose chase?” She pulls something out of the black bag she is carrying and hands it to me.

There are three photos; one of the blonde slut with the Alpha that took her, they have mate marks on their necks. There's one of the brunette half breed with Jonny. Shit; Seb isn’t going to be happy and I let out a growl of disgust. The last photo is all four of them together.

“You were able to find them; I can go get what belongs to us” I fume.

“They are in a territory with safeguards in place; no shifter can enter without invitation. Once you get close, you find yourself back where you started from. You just end up going around and around in circles.” “How did you get in?” I snort, my patience wearing thin. “Who said I did?”

I wave the photos in her face. She gives a small chuckle; “I found them, but I didn’t get the photos. I am not welcome. I have reliable informants.”

“Then we need to lure them out” I tell her.

“That is the only way” “My informant also told me they have allies.” Allies? My eyes going wide; “how many?” I ask her. “Not certain; all I know is you can’t fight them where they are, you will need to make sure they are away from their territory.”

I throw a small satchel of cash at her feet and head back to Emerald Moon. I need to speak with Sebastian. “Seb needs some more of that serum” I call out over my shoulder; “he knows where to get it.”

………….

Alex’s POV

After Master Joseph finished torturing Jonathon and Olivia; Olivia went back to her parent’s room to do some witch training with her mum and we headed up to Jonny’s office to plan a party.

A text comes through on my phone; SEBASTIAN’S CRONEYS BEEN SNOOPING AROUND. WE BELIEVE THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE HELPING HIM. DON’T LEAVE YOUR PACK.

“What the hell?” I yell, walking in the office behind Jonathon and Jessica. “What’s up?” Jonathon asks. I pass him my phone; his face losing all expression; “Is everything OK?” Jess asks. “Hmm; yeah” he says unconvincingly. “Bull Shit. What is it?” She fumed.

“Dad’s been searching for us at the Light Moon Coven” he whispers to Jessica. “Yeah and?” “And what? That’s it; aren’t you concerned about it?” he states. “I was at first, but Celeste helped me see sense. Your dad will most certainly be a ‘Dumbass’ if he tries to set foot anywhere near here. What is there? 4000 shifters here?” she looks at me. “Give or take” I answer.

“We knew he would try and come after us Jon; the only thing to do is let him try. He will fail if he does” she says placing her hand on his shoulder. “For your peace of mind, Jon, we can put our own safeguards in place to stop him. We are a joint force, he or anyone will not be able to break.” I tell him.

“You’re right” he says half-heartedly. We need to show Jonathon; he is a strong Alpha.

“Enough of this sombre mood, we have our ceremony to organise and ceremonies around here are bigger than Ben Hur” I smile.

“I have a list of things we need, to get this ceremony happening. Mum has already organised Elder Samuels to officiate, we just need to let him know what day.” “Where will we be holding it?” Jessica asks. “Where we always do; the training arena. It’s the only place big enough to host” “So what else is on the list?” Jonathon asks.

“We need food, decorations, invitations, seating, lights and music” referencing the list Mum gave me. “Delegation” Jonathon remarks. “Elaborate?” “I am assuming we are inviting all the packs, clans, prides and coven; you referred to the training arena the only place big enough. Food and Invitations are going to be a nightmare alone; we need to delegate. I suggest you and Jess be put on food with the help of Omega Simone; she’s been itching to spend time with you Jess. Liv and me will do the invitations. They are the 2 biggest things. We will have Adrian to do the lighting, Nathanial to do the music” “No” both Jessica and I yell together. “Nathanial’s taste in music is…well…” “is shit” Jessica finishes my sentence. “Ok we’ll swap Nathanial and Adrian, no objections?” he laughs. “That leaves decorations and seating.” “Mum, Aunty Leanne, Aunty Gil, Debbie and Cathy can do the decorations and seating. They go hand in hand anyhow” Jessica states.

“Well, that’s settled then” I say. “We just need a date, when’s the full moon?” Jonathon asks. “In three weeks, Friday” I confirmed; “three weeks, Friday it is then.”

“Jess, how about you go tell the others what they will be doing, I have a few more things to discuss with Jon.” She narrows her blue eyes at me; “Ok;” shutting the door behind her, as she leaves.

I sit down on the seat, across from Jonathon “Jess was telling me you took majority of the beatings for Liv and her from your parents, is that right?” I ask; he sighs and stays silent. “Jon, you are my best friend. Our relationship over the last 4 years; given most of it was via text message or phone conversation; you have shown me you are strong. Stronger than anyone I know. With what she was telling me; your father is one sick fuck” “It’s not just Dad” he interrupts “Mum, Uncle Mark, hell even Omega Esther. I knew if I took the focus off of them, they wouldn’t get hit or whatever they would do. That’s not what bothers me” he tells me.

“Then what is bothering you?” “Livvy and Jess” he remarks.

He opens his mouth, then closes it again; tears well up in his brown eyes. “From the first time I saw Liv, I fell in love with her. I thought she was so beautiful. Uncle Mark was holding her in front of your pack house. When they bought them back to Emerald Moon, Uncle Mark and Dad had beaten them both. I knew I had to protect them. I’d do anything to stop people from hurting them, even if it meant I would get hurt. I was so happy the day she turned 18, Tyler went off his nut about how she was my mate; it meant I would be with her always. Dad looking for us; Jess was right, we knew he would, but the thought of him hurting Livvy or Jessi…” he trails off.

“I see where you are coming from.” If anyone even attempted to hurt Jessica; I’d have their balls hanging on my wall as a trophy. “You asked me why would I want to have you as an Alpha alongside me when you first came here. I didn’t really answer you. I will now. This;” holding my hands out in front of him.

“I don’t understand” he says. “I’m talking about you. Organising and delegating the ceremony; that’s an Alpha. The fact you are thinking of others before yourself; that’s an Alpha and like Aunty Cyndy said you have understanding and compassion, two qualities you have in abundance. This is why I want you by my side. I know your dad doesn’t think you are Alpha material. Your Dad is very wrong and you have shown me how wrong he is, just now.”

He gives me a weak smile, “thanks. I was always told if I don’t lead with an iron fist, those around me won’t respect me. I could never do it, so dad would try and beat it into me. When that didn’t work, he would tell me I wasn’t Alpha material because I was too much of a soft cock. The old sticks and stones saying.”

“Us together; no one will be able to hurt our mates or our pack” I reaffirm.