Chapter 56

Charlotte released Anders and stood back, looking at him. Studying her mate's father and the former Alpha of this entire town. He was a kind man, A man used to leadership. Strong, intelligent and wise.

She smiled at him. "It's okay, Anders. I already think that I know what they want. I'll hold my peace until they decide to make their 'request' known. But, in the meantime, I think we should prepare for the Council to descend on us." Looking at the people in the room, people she had come to love, she was about to speak when Rio and Amber re-entered the office.

"Oh, you're back. Good. I can make this statement once and not have to repeat myself." Smiling, she returned to Jaxson's lap. "The Council, if they come will not be allowed to stay in the Alpha house...."

"Charlotte! You can't do that! It's political suicide!" Anders exclaimed.

"I can and I will! Besides, after the reveal, the Council will not hold as much power as before, I'm sure. After all, how much of their power has been held because of secrecy of shifters? Once the secret is out, that will release some of their power. Besides, how many of them have held the same position for years, even decades." Taking a moment to climb back into Jaxson's lap she said, "No Council members will be allowed to stay in this house. I don't care if they are related to me. The only people from my side of the family will be my cousins and, if he comes, Alain and his family. The rest will stay in the motel or in Knoxville and drive in. I couldn't care less about their egos. I will not tolerate subterfuge. Not in my home, not in my clan, and certainly not with the Council. They will come to understand this when I make my speech at the Alpha ceremony. Jaxson had told me that I was expected to make one and I had something already prepared. But, this situation changes that." Looking over to her friends and soon to be in-laws, he said, "Rio. I know that as Jaxson's second, it falls on you to take care of this mess. You and Amber. I am sorry that this has happened. But, I will not be moved in my stance, and I'm pretty sure that Jaxson is going to back me, completely."

"You better believe I am." Looking over at this mom and dad, he said, "Charlotte's right. You both know that. The Council has known about her almost all of her life. Yet they stood back and let the human world raise her," looking over at Graeham, he said, "No offense, sir."

"None taken, Jaxson." was the man's reply.

"They could have come forth at any time. Yet they choose to wait, like Charlotte said, until it served their purpose." Jaxson let that sink in for a minute before continuing. "I would bet that they want to replace her uncle with her, thinking that they can control her. Boy, are they in for a surprise. My Charlotte as someone's puppet? That's funny."

"Indeed son, you may have a point there. From what I understand, Alain and his mate have only had female children. No male heirs. With him the Alpha of all Alphas he would almost be required to have a male heir. They may be thinking of replacing him with you and Charlotte." Shaking his head, he looked over at Agnes and Graeham, "What do you think about all of this, Graeham?"

"I think, if they push too hard, Charlotte will take her ball and go home. If you understand my meaning. She has been taught to be strong and rely on herself to make tough decisions all her life. She has always had a strong personality, so being led to do something someone else wants her to do will not happen. This 'Council' will learn the hard way that she isn't someone that you can force into a corner to make them do what they want. Charlotte dislikes bullies and has her own way of dealing with them. I have a feeling that her speech at the Alpha ceremony is going to blow this 'Council' out of the water. Wait and see. I know my Charlotte well."

Just then a knock sounded on the office door. The person waited until they were bid entrance before opening. It was Jamie and she had someone with her. "Alpha, Luna, there is a Mr. Caleb Foster here to see you."

"Let him in, Jamie. It's my cousin." Caleb walked into the office and noticed several things at once. His grandfather was sitting very close to a female, holding her hand. There were three other couples present. All large men with women of different heights. As his eyes traveled about the room, they finally landed on his cousin who was sitting in the lap of one of the large men. Caleb was somewhat surprised because Charlotte had never been one for public displays of affection. Yet here she was sitting in this large man's lap and leaning in to kiss his cheek. Looking over at his grandfather, he nodded.

"Char. Looking very well. Would you like to provide a round of introductions?" Caleb said in the way of a greeting.

How she replied shocked him to his core.

"No, I don't believe I will. Because I know you, Caleb. You already know who everyone is, how they are related to me in this situation, their security risk and, if I'm not mistaken, their bank account."

Caleb hadn't been caught off guard in a long while. This was the first time in years.

"That our girl!" Amber and Rio said at the same time.

"Well, can you at least introduce me? I may know who everyone is, but, they more than likely don't know me." He said.

"Everyone this is my cousin Caleb. He heads the security company that my grandfather owns and is Hunter's boss." Charlotte said, smirking.

"Well, now that is out of the way, can we begin with security details?" Caleb asked.

"Already handled, human." Rio growled.

Graeham chuckled. "Caleb, I think you may have gotten the impression that you are the only one who can do this. Hunter has been working with the Gamma of the pack and has it nailed down. Tomorrow, you three can go over everything together and see if there might be any holes. But, for now, it is late and Agnes and I are going to retire for the night." Linking their fingers, Graeham and Agnes left the room. Anders and Miney along with Rio and Amber followed closely behind them.

"Come on, Caleb. I'll show you to your room." Charlotte hopped off of Jaxson's lap and walked out of the office, leaving her cousin to follow.

Jaxson looked at the man who watched his mate leave the room. "You might want to follow her. She won't wait on you, you know." A look of mirth on his face.

Caleb hurried out of the office to see that indeed, Charlotte was already going up the stairs. He ran to catch up to her.

Looking sideways at him, she said, "About time. While you are here this will be your room. We generally take meals together in the dining room. In the morning we begin the final preparations for the dual weddings. Jaxson will call Bill, our Gamma and Hunter to come and discuss the security details with you." Walking to the door, she said, "Goodnight, cousin. I will see you in the morning."

Knowing that Jaxson would be waiting for her, she went to the top floor to their private suite. Really, it was an apartment. It was completely self-contained. It had everything a regular apartment had, even its own kitchen. As she entered, she smelled Jaxson's presence. Frowning, she realized that she hadn't been able to smell his 'scent' before. She guessed it had to do with the cub. She decided that she liked the way her mate smelled. Like the forest after a rain and freshly cut cedar wood. Following her nose, she walked to their bedroom to find him changing out of his clothes.

Looking over at him, she said, "How do you want this speech done? On paper or on a secure device?"

"A secure device would be better. Paper can be destroyed. Type it up on our laptop and download it to a thumb drive. I'll keep it with me until Saturday during our ceremonies are over and it is time to make your welcome speech to the clan."

They both got into bed and Jaxson pulled her next to him and gathered her up in his arms. "Of course, you will be pissing off a whole lot of powerful people. The Council is made up of several of the world's Alphas. They are used to having their way when they want something." Chuckling, he said, "They've never run across someone like you who isn't afraid of them and who won't bow down to them. I can't wait to see how they react to you and your speech. The phone calls and complaints will be ongoing because you refuse to house them in our home. They won't be able to grasp the concept of someone telling the no and denying them some that they feel that they have a right to." This would be proven true the very next day.

They had all had breakfast and were in the office when Jamie came and knocked on the door. Instantly Charlotte realized that something was wrong. In the short time she had been in the Alpha house, she had never seen Jamie flustered.

"What is it, Jamie? Is something wrong?" Charlotte asked her, concerned.

"Ma'am, there is an Alpha at the door and he is demanding to be accommodated. I did what you told me to do and directed him to the motel in town. He refused to leave." The poor woman was a nervous wreck.

Patting the woman on the shoulder, and said, "It's okay. I was expecting this. I'll take care of it. You go ahead and have my uncle's room ready. I expect him and his Luna later today." Turning back to Jamie, she asked her, "Did the Alpha identify himself?"

"Yes ma'am, he said his name was Jacob. Alpha Jacob of the Southwest pack." Jaime scurried away while she went ahead to the front door to handle their 'guest.'

Going to their front door and opening it, a very well-dressed couple stood there. "Oh good. Someone with some idea of how to treat an Alpha."

Charlotte bit the inside of her lip to keep from saying anything and invited the two in. "My men.."

"Will wait here. This is my home, Alpha and as my guest, it is rude to suggest that I bow to you and your wishes." Watching him sputtering, she turned and went inside and waited for them to follow. As they entered, Anders and Jaxson joined them.

"Oh, Anders. Perhaps you should instruct your staff better. This person is incredibly rude." Alpha Jacob said.

Charlotte had had enough. Seeing the look on his mate's face, Jaxson stepped forward to stop her. But he was a little too late.

"Let me tell you something, you enormous pain in the ass. You are pompous and ruse and imperious and altogether stupid if you think you can come into my home and treat me, the Luna of this clan, however you want to. You need a lesson in manners. Where I come from respect is earned not given just because of a title. That certainly applies in this case. Now, you and your lovely Luna can take your luggage and your men and go check into the motel in town." Charlotte turned away and walked into Jaxson's arms. He was shaking from his effort not to last.

"Jacob, I would like to introduce you to one of my sons, Jaxson, and his mate and Luna, Charlotte. She happens to be the only granddaughter of Graeham Dylan Frazier and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Now, I apologize, but this is her home and she has the right to say who can stay here and who cannot. We will be hosting a dinner for all of the guests this evening in our backyard. You and all of the other Alphas will be able to air your grievances to the new Luna there."