A Secret Alpha Mate

(1sla)

The next two weeks went by in bliss. The cold weather rolled in and I spent long, cozy afternoons in my library with Abiga after mornings spent learning everything about Luna duties from Gianna.

jackson wanted me to sit in on meetings when I could so that I would understand more of his duties. William spent most nights walking me through Moon Stone's history and traditions. Since I wasn't from here I had a lot to catch up on. He wa great teacher though and I looked forwards to evenings spent with him.

I had to admit it was a lot to take in. From what I saw from Julianna she was mostly out shopping or yelling at someone, i she was even around, that is. I didn't think there were so many responsibilities, it always seemed like more of a supportir role, someone called her a trophy wife at Silver Moon, but I never really understood what that meant.

I was going to be in charge of so many things, especially since Lucas and Cameron didn't have their mates yet. Jackson sa once they found their mates they would be in charge of some of the things I would take over.

jackson, Cameron, and Lucas were splitting some of the Luna duties, and Gianna was helping with a few things of course, and still did.

I would eventually take over all the responsibilities with the omegas, the housing improvements and placements, plannir events, meeting with pack members.

I already had a few meetings with Dawn to plan upcoming menus, but she had such a handle on things I felt useless ther jackson wanted me to talk to the omegas to see if there were any improvements there. The omegas have seemed happy k he still wanted me to ask them if they thought anything could be better, I had to admit I had a lot of experience in know what not to do, so I told him I would have a look at everything.

The days were so full with learning my myriad of new duties and spending as much alone time with Jackson, they went by so fast. I wanted them to slow down or I would be old in the blink of an eye.

Gianna’s familiar knock comes on the door to my office, I haven't changed it much since she left it. I love the creams against the rough stone that she has throughout our floor and my office. A few soft blue chairs are the only color in the office. 1 just added a large bookshelf that was already full of books about Moon Stone that William lent me.

“Come in," I call as Gianna is already opening the door.

she’s followed by someone carrying an armful of garment bags. I quickly glanced at my schedule, nervous i forgot about. event coming up.

She motions to the person to set them on one of the chairs, “Thank you so much, darling” She calls as her helper leaves the room.

She sits down on the other chair and intertwines her fingers in her lap.

“I just wanted to get you as ready as possible. Abigail has already chosen hers." So this was an event.

“Do you want to look at them in here or try them on in your room?”

“Uh, let's take a look here, and then I can try the ones I like on?” I ask.

“Brilliant She opens the first bag and shows a dark blue, pantsuit? What was she thinking? I smiled at her still confused. “Okay, then on to the next” Mistaking my confusion for disdain.

She pulls out a black blazer, cream shirt, and black skirt.

“Something more traditional.” Was this for a meeting?

“Gianna, I'm sorry," I had to ask her my mind was as blank as my upcoming schedule, “What is this for? I must have blanked.”

Gianna pauses and looks up at me.

“Oh, well Alpha Benjamin's trial is tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” I repeated.

I thought that was a week away. I glanced back down at my schedule. Still nothing.

“I knew you must have a lot on your mind so I wanted to help take one thing off of it” She unzips the next one and I stan up.

“Ym sure whatever you choose is fine," I say, standing up and turning to the window behind me.

The trial was tomorrow. I knew I was protected by the elders, Jackson would be there, and no harm would come our way. was an overwhelming situation, things from my past life, my old life, that I didn't want to face anymore.

If 1 could do anything to help the omega’s at Silver Moon, my friends, I would do it. I needed to put my feelings aside and focus on them.

I didn't realize Gianna had walked up next to me until she touched my arm.

“You already gave the statement, you have nothing to worry about. Just say what you know to be true, that's all. 1 look at her, I knew she was right.

“I know, it just seems like a lot, and to be honest I completely forgot about it." I tried to look back the past few days, may there was more mention of the trial but I realized I didn't pay much attention when the conversation started turning that way.

“It's my fault, I guess I was purposefully not thinking about it. The days have blended together and I just” I shrug letting out a sigh,

“After tomorrow this will all be over with.” She turns away from me for e few moments.

“Brilliant,” She turns back, “Abigail and Jim are hosting us all tonight for a game night. Let me know your pizza toppings. I put my top two options in your closet” She leaves in a whirl. I knew she was trying to distract me and I was grateful for it. I walk across the hall to Jackson's office and hesitate to knock.

“Come in," he says before I make up my mind.

I open the door and he sets the papers he was reviewing down. I walk around the desk and sit in his lap.

“Is everything okay?" He mutters into my hair stroking my back. I nod but don't say anything. He just pulls me tighter and take a deep breath into him.

“The trial is tomorrow,” I say after a few minutes.

“Ah, yes it is" He pulls me tighter against his chest, “You are going to do so well, it will be over before you know it and yo will be helping everyone from your old pack. Hopefully, justice will be served tomorrow and we never have to deal with Alpha benjamin tomorrow.” That was definitely a thought I could focus on, a thought I could get behind.

I pull back and look at him.

“Maybe I'm being dramatic.”

“No Isla.’ He stops me, “I know this is hard for you facing them all again, not as a luna but as a mistreated omega there. I can't even imagine what must be going through your head right now.” He brushes my hair behind me ear.

“But you know we will all be there for you. The entire time. Me, Jim, my parents, Lucas, Cam. No one will leave you or Abigail” I nod.

“It's just, I guess I pushed it out of my mind 1 wasn't prepared at all.”

“You're more prepared than you think you are. We can plan something fun tomorrow after. Maybe go into the city with everyone for lunch? We can get a hotel and spend a night away.

I've never been to a city that did sound really nice. I nodded enthusiastically.

“Thank you, Jackson.’

He places a kiss on my forehead.

“Anything for you, my love."

(Unknown POV)

“This isn't going to hold up much longer,” I scream. I'm sick of dealing with his s**t and he’s not holding up his end of the bargain. No, f**k that, not even a bargain. I'm doing him a favor. What was I getting out of this anymore?

I knew 1 would be blamed if this failed after so many years, but I really couldn't stretch this out much longer without someone else to draw from. He isn't helping and it was somehow my fault.

“Do something”

So something” I repeat mocking him, “You know what I need, even magic has its limits."

“Can you please? Just for a day.’

“You've been saying that for ages. I. can't. Do. this. Anymore” I throw my hands up and the line is blank.

“Hello?” I scream.

“I'm trying to think,” he screams back. I'm at my boiling point. No. Way past that actually.

“You figure this out tonight, or I walk” Silence again but I don't say anything this time.

“You wouldn't” He whispers

“What's in it for me?”

“I love you." He says.

“Hal As if love was enough to do this. I didn't sign up to babysit for two f**+*g decades. I signed up to help you a bit 1 said, emphasizing the bit, “I didn't sign up to be stranded out here without you holding up the one simple thing I ask of you!"

“I can't risk taking another omega.”

“There are so many of them, take someone else instead.”

“You know the situation, you know I'm being watched."

“I don't give a rat's a*s. You figure this out or you pay the price. Simple.”

“Val, please.” I don't waver.

“Tonight.” I hang up the call.

Trying to calm me, there really wasn't any time and I did want to see him.

Hate 5*x was 50 good, especially with your mate or whatever these dogs called it.