‘*Alpha, can you please meet us in the conference room*?’ Leah mind-links.
‘*I’ll be right there*,’ I respond, leaving the bunker with Uncle Alex, Ryna, and Tony.
As we get outside, most of the crowd has dispersed, and things seem to have calmed down. At least I thought it had until we reach the conference room and hear arguing inside.
“Tony, take Leah and update the Luna Guard and Crescent Warriors on what’s happening. We will meet shortly to go over the plan for tonight,” I tell him.
“Yes, Alpha,” he says, and he and Leah leave.
I open the door and find Beta Castor yelling at the Elders.
“How do we know that you’re not one of the Elders involved in this? You’re probably just covering your ass!”
Before Elder Laskaris can respond, I answer for him. “I can assure you, Beta, that Elder Laskaris is on our side. He was the one that told me there was a prophecy.”
“We vouch for him too,” Luna Rachel says.
“With all due respect. Luna, but I don’t know you,” Beta Castor says, earning him a growl from Alpha Peter.
“Enough of this,” I tell them, exasperated. “We have enough shit to worry about without fighting between ourselves. I trust Elder Laskaris. But I’m not asking you to trust him. I’m asking you to trust me.”
Beta Castor looks at me for a moment, and then nods and sits down.
“Thank you, Alpha. And thank you, Luna,” Elder Laskaris says to us.
“Alpha, my name is Lauren, and I’m an Omega from the Blue-Stone pack,” a young girl says from the back of the room, who I recognize as the she-wolf from the pack meeting.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lauren. Please sit down,” I say, motioning for her to sit at the table.
“Thank you, Alpha. I’d like to discuss joining your pack.”
“Can I ask why?”
“In the short time that I’ve been here, I’ve seen how your pack treats the Omegas. My pack treats us like slaves, and the only reason that I was allowed to attend the mate ball is because my Alpha forced me to come with his Beta to serve him while he represented our pack.”
A few of us in the room growl.
“Has Beta Stephan mistreated you while you’ve been here?” Uncle Alex asks.
“Not as badly as he treats me at home. He’s kept it behind closed doors,” Lauren says.
I growl again. “I will speak to Beta Stephan before he leaves.” I turn to Elder Laskaris. “Is there anything stopping her from transferring to our pack?” I ask.
“Considering the circumstances, I don’t see it being a problem,” he says.
I turn back to Lauren. “Then consider it done. We will accept you into the pack tonight after the ceremony.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” she says with a big smile. “There’s another reason why I want to transfer though,” she says, and her eyes change colour from brown to aquamarine.
“You’re chosen!” Alpha Pollux says, his eyes changing as well. Four others in the room also get excited and show that they’re chosen as well.
“Incredible,” Alpha Peter says. “You’re the first Omega I’ve met that is chosen. Most of the chosen I’ve met have been ranked a warrior or higher. But then to also have all of you here? Incredible.”
“Is this why your pack treats you poorly?” I ask, my anger coming to a boiling point at the thought.
“Not exactly. Blue-Stone doesn’t allow Omegas to shift with the pack. But I shifted early, and when my mother saw that I was different, she told me to keep it from the pack. So, because my sixteenth birthday came and went and I didn’t shift, they think I’m wolf-less,” she explains.
“Is there anyone in this room that is treated poorly because of who you are?” I ask around the table.
A man and woman put their hands up. “Alpha, our son is chosen. We’ve hidden it from our pack because we didn’t know why he was different. Our pack doesn’t mistreat us because he hasn’t reached the shifting age yet, but we’re concerned for his safety after everything we’ve learnt today,” the woman says.
“How old is he?” I ask.
“He’s 14.”
“Are you looking to transfer to our pack as well?” I ask.
“We don’t know what to do. Both of our families are still in the pack. We don’t want to leave them, but we also don’t want them hurt if someone comes after our son. We just want to protect him.”
I sit back for a moment as I try to think of a solution.
“Those of you who are chosen, or know of someone chosen, would you consider coming to the Blood-Moon pack for protection?” Elder Laskaris asks.
“And what about our packs?” Alpha Pollux asks. “I’m their Alpha. I can’t just leave them.”
“What if you brought your pack here as well?” I ask, looking at Uncle Alex.
He nods in agreement. “We have the room, and it would mean more protection for everyone.”
“Or it could put them all at greater risk,” Beta Castor says. “You yourself said that there are people who want us dead, and your pack was attacked just last night. Having all the chosen in one place could get us all killed.”
“Or it could be what saves you all,” Elder Laskaris says.
Everyone in the room discusses the pros and cons of moving to our territory while I give Uncle Alex a questioning look, and he nods. ‘*Tell them what we’ve learnt*.’
“I know why we were attacked last night.”
Everyone stops talking and gives me their attention.
“Last night after the challenge, while I was recovering in the pack hospital, I was attacked by a girl who was trying to kill me,” I say and look at Alpha Peter. “Catherine,” I add.
Luna Rachel gasps. “What was she doing here?”
“She was a part of the rogue attack last night. But they’re not rogues. She claims they’re a pack.”
“But they smelt like rogues,” Alpha Peter says.
“They’re working with witches. They give them tonics to cover their scents,” I explain. “She says that the rogue pack has been behind all the attacks on the chosen and their packs.”
“So, it’s confirmed,” Elder Laskaris says, worried.
“If she’s to be believed,” Ryna adds.
“If she’s to be believed, she’s confirmed the werewolves are involved as well,” I add.
“Werewolves?!” Alpha Pollux growls.
I nod. “I’ll explain all of that later. The reason for the attack last night was because their Alpha told them to find me and kill me, because I’m the chosen Alpha.”
“I knew it!” Elder Laskaris shouts.
“You knew about the chosen Alpha?” Ryna asks, looking at him suspiciously.
“Not for certain, but I had a hunch. And after meeting Alpha Athena, I knew it in my gut that it was her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.
“If I was right, I felt it was something you needed to learn on your own. That’s why I wasn’t surprised last night when you could command not only Alpha Damon, but Elder David,” he explains.
“And you wonder why not everyone trusts you Elders,” Beta Castor snorts.
“Can you command anyone?” Alpha Pollux asks, intrigued.
I take a deep breath and then force my aura out, causing everyone in the room to bare their necks to me. When I drop my aura, Alpha Pollux sits there silently for a moment, staring at Beta Castor. When they finally return their attention to me, Alpha Pollux nods. “I will discuss it with my pack, and those that choose to will come here.”
“It’s settled then. Anyone who wishes to, can come here for protection. However, to make myself clear, the rules of Blood-Moon will be followed. Anyone who disrespects our territory will be asked to leave.”
Alpha Pollux and the others nod.
“Okay then. Gamma Alex and Elder Laskaris, can you please help to tell everybody this, and make sure it’s clear that this isn’t a transfer. It’s only temporary until the threat to the chosen is over. If there is anyone else in the same position as Alpha Pollux, we will do our best to accommodate everybody. We’ll build more housing if we need to. If it’s just individuals, then they can stay as long as they keep to the rules.”
“Of course, Alpha,” they both say.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to speak with our warriors. I will be unavailable until the ceremony tonight,” I say as I get up.
“Is everything okay, Alpha?” Alpha Peter asks.
“We found the location of where the rogue pack is staying. We’re going to check it out.”
“We want to come,” Alpha Pollux and Beta Castor say at the same time.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I say.
“We’re chosen, and if you’re supposed to be our Alpha, then we should come. Especially if these assholes are behind the attacks that were meant to kill us,” Alpha Pollux says.
“I want to come too,” Lauren says.
“Me too,” the other chosen in the room say.
“Okay then. I guess this involves you guys, too. Come on, I’ll explain everything Catherine told us on the way to meet with the warriors.”
#
“By the time we get to the pack house, it will be dark,” Harry tells everyone.
“And Felix is sure there isn’t anyone patrolling that side of the border?” Uncle Alex asks.
“He’s sure.”
“Okay everyone. You all know your jobs for tonight. Meet back here in an hour and a half, and we’ll go,” I tell them.
Everyone leaves the pack hall, until it’s only Uncle Alex, Noah, and I left.
“You’re sure you’re okay with staying here with my Mom in case anything happens?” I ask Noah.
“Of course. But there’s something I need from you.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
“I want to join your pack, Athena,” Noah says.
“Why? Are you sick of the warriors complaining you stink like rogue?” I ask, teasing him with a grin.
“They won’t shut up about it,” he rolls his eyes. “But no. I meant it when I carved that moon into my skin. You’re stuck with me, and I want to make it official.”
“We’ll do it tonight after the ceremony with Lauren,” I smile, and he gives me a hug.
“Thanks, Alpha,” he says squeezing me tight, then follows the others out of the hall.
“You need to rest, Alpha,” Uncle Alex says softly as he puts his arm around my shoulders.
“You don’t have to call me Alpha when we’re alone, Uncle Alex,” I smile up at him.
“I can’t help it. You have no idea how proud I am of you, kiddo. You make my life complete; I hope you know that.”
“You don’t regret not finding your mate?” I ask him.
“I don’t think I was meant to have a mate,” he says, thoughtfully. “My place was here with your father, mother, and you. To help look after you when your father was killed.”
“But you could have had a whole different life,” I say. “You could have been happy with your mate.”
“Now who said I’m not happy?” He asks with a small laugh. “Having you in my life makes me extremely happy. Seeing you reach your potential and then exceed it makes me ecstatic. You make me so proud to be in your life, Athena. I have zero regrets and would never change anything that has happened to me.”
I hug him tightly as tears stream down my face. The love I have for this man who has always been there for me is overwhelming, and as he hugs me back, I know now that everything will be okay, as long as I have him by my side.
“Daddy was my hero, and no one could ever replace him. But you’re my hero too,” I say as I sob. “You’ve been a father to me when my own couldn’t, and I hope it’s okay, but the only thing I want to call you from now on is Dad.”
He hugs me tighter, and I can hear him softly crying. “I’d like that, daughter,” he says as he pulls back and wipes the tears from his eyes with a broad grin.
“I love you, Dad,” I say with a big smile.
“I love you too, kiddo.”
I hear a soft sob from behind me and turn to find Mom crying in the doorway. “Oh Mom, I hope this doesn’t upset you,” I say as I walk to her and hug her.
“No darling, it doesn’t upset me. Your father would be so happy and proud of both of you,” she says, hugging me back. Uncle Alex joins in on the hug and we all just enjoy it for a moment.
“Come on, you both need some rest before tonight,” Mom says, and we leave the pack hall.
#
“Athena, sweetheart, it’s time to wake up,” I hear my Mom say, and I groan as I rub my eyes. “I’m sorry, honey, but you told me to wake you in twenty minutes.”
“I know, Mom, it’s okay,” I say as I sit up and blink my eyes to get them to focus.
Mom hands me a cup of coffee, and I swing my legs down off the couch and sit up properly so that I can drink it.
“Is Dad back yet?” I ask.
“He’s just having a shower,” she says as she sits on the coffee table in front of me and fidgets with the rings on her fingers.
“What’s wrong, Mom?”
“I don’t know. I just feel off. I wish I could come with you tonight,” she says, her brows creased with worry.
“I wouldn’t be able to concentrate with you there, Mom. I need to be focused to keep everyone safe,” I explain as I place my hand on her knee. “The safest place for you is here.”
“I know. But Alpha or not, you will always be my little girl. Just promise me you’ll come home,” she says with tears in her eyes.
“I will do everything in my power to come home,” I say, leaning over and giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
I quickly finish my coffee and Mom takes my cup and goes into the kitchen as Dad comes downstairs.
“Are you ready to go?” He asks as he dries his hair with a towel.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I say with a stretch and then stand to put my shoes on.
Mom comes back from the kitchen and hugs us both. “You both be careful and come back to me.”
“We will,” we both say, and leave to meet the warriors.