Chapter 19
Alpha Reece POV
As I listened to Jeremy talk, I could feel my anger rise. So much so that when he got to a certain part, I ripped the arm off one of his chairs. I apologised, straight away. Feeling ashamed, as I had lost my temper.
‘Let me get this straight, Jeremy. The reason Steven and myself did not detect Alpha Michael’s family, was because there was some kind of potion in their systems. That shrouded them from detection. And Alpha Maximus has just admitted this too you?’
I waited for Jeremy to confirm my words. He did, so I continued, in a voice that was so strained from trying to keep Raven under control, it was barely audible.
‘And, if I understand what you are saying. Is that this; potion, he administered to the girls and our ex Luna. Also had the effect of severing the link between, Our Lady; Julia. And the beautiful wolf, Onyx.’
I could see how nervous Jeremy was, knowing that he had to contradict something I had just said.
‘Alpha, the link between Our Lady and Onyx, was not severed. It had just been blocked. So one could not reach the other.’ He smiled tentatively at me after he had stopped talking.
‘Right; yes, sorry. They were blocked. Not severed.’ I asked, reservedly. Not wanting to get any other fact wrong. This was far too important. This needed to be perfect, if I were to take this to the High council, I needed an airtight case to put before them.
‘That’s right, Alpha. But there was also a substance in Our Lady’s system, that we were having trouble identifying. It was only when the word monkshood, was mentioned, I realized what that substance was.’
Jeremy suddenly looked nervous. As if he was, all of a sudden, scared of me. This made me feel terrible. I did not want to be that type of Alpha, and I had worked hard, to not be.
‘Jeremy,’ I said. As quietly as I could. ‘I hope you are not scared to tell me something. I can assure you. Anything you discover about Julia, anything that you uncover, as you run more tests, will not be placed at your feet. When blame and judgement will be administered. They will be aimed at the right person.’
I could see Jeremy visibly relax, Steven looked at me and rolled his eyes. Concerned and amused at the Same time. The thought of me laying blame at a member of my pack, for helping me. For helping us all; as we get to have Our Lady, back among us, was amusing, to my Beta.
‘Alpha, when I heard the word monkshood. I ran to the lab to confirm my suspicions. Monkshood, on its own is dangerous enough for us. But to combine it with certain herbs would be devastating to a werewolf.’
Jeremy closed his eyes for a second, as he gathered himself for what was next. ‘I found traces of gentian, burdock and nasturtium.
On their own, each herb is powerful, used in the right spell. But the four, or more, herbs I have already identified, when mixed together create a spell so powerful it can alter one’s perception. It will also, strengthen over time and is always in the system. Unless it is flushed out with a mixture of healing and protection herbs. There is no way a werewolf, or human for that matter; could produce a spell like this. This is mage work, Alpha. And a powerful one, at that.’
Jeremy finished speaking and the room remained quiet, as we all took in what he had just said.
Alpha Maximus, of the Moons Wane Pack, had shielded the family. For his own benefit. But someone else had place a powerful spell on Julia. Someone who wanted to keep Julia under their control. How long this spell had been placed on Julia, Jeremy could not say.
But I had a sinking feeling in my gut. It was only speculation at this point. And I told my two closest friends. My Beta and my Gamma. Whilst we sat together in this office, my belief. And what it would mean for the Moons Wane Pack, as a whole. Not just the Alpha. Who I would punish. To the fullest extent of werewolf law.
Alpha Maximus Forester POV
I threw the phone that was in my hand, hard against the wall. And watched it crumple into a hundred tiny bits of plastic. I mind linked with my Beta, my Gamma, my wife and my useless son. Commanding them, to attend my office.
One by one they entered the room. My wife, the Luna of my pack, was first. As always, whenever I needed her, she was there. Second to arrive, looking rather flustered; was my Beta, Terry Kingsley. Soon after him, my Gamma, Paul Barret, arrived. And finally the boy, whom I had not long ago, disinherited. The latter walked in and had the audacity to looked pissed off at my summons. “The pup is really testing my nerves, Max.” I heard Brutus say, I couldn’t disagree with him. He was right. He was getting on my nerves too. But his mother was protecting him, as she has always done.
That was my own fault, of course. I loved my Luna so much, I tried to give her the world, everyday. But that meant that her protection of my son, Jackson, was something I could not challenge. And the insolent boy knew it.
‘You should have beaten that attitude out of him, whilst he was still a pup.’ Spat Brutus, in my head.
I responded by reminding him that if crystal heard him speak about their pup like that, well, lets just say Brutus would be very frustrated indeed. For a long time.
At my response, the angry wolf, slinked to the back of my mind. I knew he was angry, but he also knew that I was the one that had to solve this. As Brutus had been against my plan, all along.
When everyone had taken a seat, I walked over to my Lilian, standing in front of Jackson, until the boy realised what I wanted, and moved away from his mother, so I could sit next to her.
Lilian promptly took my hand in hers. Interlocking her fingers with mine. I raised our hands and placed a gentle kiss across her knuckles.
It was time to come clean, to the most important people, and Jackson, about what I had done. All those years ago. After I explained the situation I now found myself in, I waited for their council.
These three people were my most trusted, my most loyal of all my pack members. We had known each other since childhood, and they were my most dependable friends.
My Gamma spoke first, he had always had one opinion or another that was contrary to mine. But he kept me sharp, and focused. Something which I relied on. ‘Well, at least we know were the girl is now.’
My Beta, Terry, agreed and added, ‘now we know she is safe, we can bring her home and marry the boy. That will give us leverage with the high council, should Alpha Reece decide to press charges against us.’
Lilian gripped my hand tighter, as I corrected Terry. ‘ME, if he decides to press charges against ME. This is all my doing. And I will not stand by and watch as this pack tears itself apart. It was my ego. My mistake, which led us here.’
I sighed heavily, I looked toward my Luna, saw her give a slight nod of her beautiful head, and went on to describe what was going to happen next.
‘Terry, you and Paul, must travel to the Blood Oaths Pack and bring Julia Mason back. She belongs in this pack. We shall get her to swear fealty to me again and, once she is part of the pack again. Jackson will marry, mate and mark her. I know this will mean that she will out-rank me, immediately. But it will be worth it to have such a powerful young She-wolf leading us.’
I finished talking, waiting for the shout of protest. Jackson did not disappoint.
I watched as he stood and walked over to the large fireplace. The last time he stood there, I had disowned him. I was humiliated by his behavior. And it was time for him to redeem himself, to me, to my pack.
‘No, father. I’m not going to do it. And you can’t make me. I am going to mate and mark Eva. And that is my final word on the subject.
I am a grown man, and you continually treat me like a child. So, I am putting my foot down. It will be Eva as my mate. Or I shall remain mate-less. And your precious Alpha line will end with me.’
I will admit, I was not expecting that load of shit to come out of his mouth. What caught me completely off guard, was his mother, his Luna; standing up, walking over to him and pushing him too his knees with her Luna-Aura.
‘You will do as your father says, pup. If it gets out, what you did. How idiotic you have been. Rejecting an Alpha-Luna, She-wolf. We will be ruined. Everything that your father has built, will crumble. Until there is nothing left. And. It. Will. Be. All. Your. Fault! Do you understand, Jackson? You have lost any rights you had within this pack. At the moment, you are nothing but an omega. And I am ashamed of you!’
As Lilian walked back to the sofa on which we sat, I could see my darling Crystal, shining out from her eyes.
'Well said, my love.’ I uttered, approvingly, which was followed by ‘ Hear, hear. Alpha.’ Said my Beta and Gamma, agreeing with my approval.
I was gratified to see that Jackson looked like he had been hit by a ton of bricks.
I waited a few minutes, then added my own command. ‘Jackson, you will leave here tomorrow, with Terry and Paul. You will not return to this territory unless you have Julia Mason with you. You will reverse your rejection of her. Mate her, mark her and bring her back. Hopefully, she will already be pregnant when you return. And we can rejoice in the fact that we have the rarest wolf of all, leading us on, towards a better future. One where my blood line will remain as the leaders of the Moons Wane Pack.’