Chapter 136

Michael POV

It's been two days. Alpha James is chained in the prison, this time with silver shackles to assure that he cannot shift into his wolf form, or escape. I've not been privy so far to the proceedings, as I am directly involved as the Alpha's Guardian and Protector. I've spent the past two days running through the woods to burn off steam, both in human and wolf form. When I'm not doing that, I am with Shawna doing whatever it is we can to take our mind off things. Half the time, that means we are in the training grounds practicing or in our room having hot sex. It's been hard to tear away from each other, especially with our emotions so high. Our wolves practically demand we not be apart. That's not reasonable though, considering we both have things to do that do not include my cock buried deep inside her.

I've been called to testify on various findings that the council has identified in the ledgers and in the boxes upon boxes that Beta Roger returned here with. Most of it, I was unfamiliar with. There was only one or two things I could testify to knowing anything about. Part of me is down right frustrated that I was unaware of so much, and parts of me are relieved. Not knowing frees me of any wrong doing and relieves my conscious.

Today, they gave authorization for the Luna to do whatever she wanted in terms of her mating bond with Alpha James. I watched as her and the protector that had been at her side for two days eyed each other before they swiftly left the meeting chamber. I was shocked to hear of how she ended up becoming Alpha James mate, and further shocked that she had a mate amongst the protectors. It was as if the Moon Goddess had intervened at just the right time. He being there when she was having a break down, that was surely divine intervention. What else would explain that possibility?

Presenlty, Shawna and I are sitting in the dining room in the Alpha's home. We've just had some lunch and are now enjoying some fresh squeezed lemonade while we discuss what's going on in the meeting room. "Do you think they will want me to testify?" Shawna asks.

I shrug. "I don't know for certain but it seems rather unlikely," I tell her. "You've said your piece about what happened to you before and half of those councilmen were here for that. Not only that, they have record of those proceedings. The amount of evidence on paper truly is enough. I don't know what's taking so long personally," I admit to her.

Shawna nods. "Did you meet that Kennedy girl? She was ........wild," she says with a pointer finger on her chin like she's trying to come up with a word. "She was living in some remote village for the past four or five years."

"That's what I gathered. Did you speak with her?" I ask.

"Not directly. I was helping Ashlynn with some filing, since it's getting harder for her to move around with her pup about to be born. Mrs. Kennedy brought her in and asked if Ashlynn could summon our pack doctor. They all flew directly here, so she hadn't been checked out. Ashlynn gave her a quick assessment and then called the doctor," she states.

"She didn't appear malnourished," I say. "But Goddess only knows what she endured."

"Apparently she was raped, multiple times. She was also doing menial labor and the Alpha in that village," Shawna swallows and looks away. "He'd beat her daily and force her to give him sexual acts." I could see the distress this caused my mate, having survived something horrific herself. I placed my hand on her thigh and gave her a gentle squeeze so she would look towards me.

"Shawna, don't get in your head. You have your own trauma, and she has hers. She will get the help she needs and she will be okay," I give her a gentle smile.

"Maybe," Shawna says softly. "She was in captivity much longer than I was."

"Yes, but not in a cage."

"Not in the actual sense Michael, but a cage none the less," she gives me a knowing look.

"Fair enough. So do you want to talk about what we are going to do after this?" I ask.

"Yes, yes I do."

"The council approved the cancellation of my contract. I have officially been retired from the Alpha's employ," I tell her. She smiles. "I spoke to my father this morning while you were with Ashlynn."

"You did?" she replies. I nod.

"I did." I grab her hands in mine. "How do yo feel about going to Georgia, where my birth pack is?"

"That sounds like it might be a good place," she replies. "What will you do there? What will I do there?"

"My father wants me to take over the warriors, not just a squad but all of them. He thinks that my training and service here is invaluable," I tell her. "Further more, they are building us a house while we are here and it should be nearly done by the time we get there."

She looks puzzled. "Why or how can they complete a house that quickly?" she asks.

"Not as quick as you might think," I reply. "You see, I was thinking we could take a road trip. Make some stops along the way, maybe visit your birth pack and see your parents. I'd like to meet them, and they'd like to see that you are okay and that someone loves and cares for you. You haven't seen them since your abduction."

"Oh," she blinks, "I think I'd like that Michael. No, actually that's perfect. Yes."

I lean in and place a kiss on her lips, just brushing them over hers ever so gently before pulling away. "Excellent. Now what do you think you'd like to do in the pack? You have many options, my mother can't wait to meet you."

"Oh, I don't know. Can I think about it?"

"Of course my love, whatever you want."

We both rise and as we are walking out, an Omega scoots by us and cleans up our glasses. "Michael, Shawna," I hear from my left. Luna Jenna stands there waiting for my acknowledgement.

"Luna," we both give a slight bow with our heads.

"Alpha Gabe asked me to tell you to come to the meeting chamber at three p.m. The council will be giving Alpha James time to speak and then they are going to recite their verdict. Although I imagine nothing he says is going to matter much," she sighs. "It's really just a formality."

"Okay. And Shawna?" I ask.

"She may attend as well," we both nod in understanding.

"Thank you Luna," I say and we turn to leave.

"Well babe, it looks like one story is about to come to an end. Then we can truly begin ours," I say as I grab her hand and lead her down the hall.

"I can't wait," Shawna replies.