A Secret Alpha Mate

(Benjamin)

Cacious kept asking the same questions over and over. We get it, the poor omegas had to work for a roof over their head and free food. I thought it was a damn good trade. They should be so f****g lucky to work for such a respectable pack. Besides having some photos, it didn't seem like he had concrete evidence. It was two omega's word against mine. Megha did okay too. Definitely f****d up a few times, but she didn't give too much away, just like we practiced. Having my lead omega on my side was a huge advantage, showing solidarity and making it seem like Isla and the older one were being dramatic.

“Alpha Benjamin, will you come forward please?” I stand up and stretch and saunter towards the chair. I introduced myse for the records.

“Now, Alpha Benjamin. What do you have to say to those that are accusing you of abuse?”

“I have been treating the omegas the same way as has always been in this pack. I haven't changed anything since I took over! I say flatly.

“And you thought this treatment of them was okay, just because it's what you knew?”

“It's all I knew so yes, I thought it was normal.”

“When did all the omegas move into the packhouse? It's unusual to have all of them live there, and we found an abandoned village, that we assumed to be the omega village”

“That was abandoned before I took over.”

“Why was it?”

“Abandoned?”

“Yes!

“I think there was a fire’

“You think?”

“That's what I said.”

“Hmm, The skinny dog pauses, “And why wasn't it rebuilt?”

“I guess everyone got comfortable in the packhouse.”

“Would you call seven or eight adults to a room comfortable?”

“They didn't complain.” He looks at me.

50 a temporary move turned permanent years ago? Abigail said that she didn't remember living outside the packhouse that does match up with your story.” Conveniently, it does.

“Going back to your pack, you now are aware that how the omegas are treated was wrong, is that correct?” 1 fight the urge to roll my eyes and nod instead, “So what changes will you make to better support the omegas?”

I was taken aback. I wonder if they would actually check on these changes or not, this was surely a formality.

“Uh, rebuild a village for them would be the first thing to do” He nods.

“And then what?” What did this guy want? For me to throw them a f****g pizza party for doing the bare minimum? I didn’ want to say that I would change anything that could incriminate me. I wouldn't be found guilty by saying I would start paying them or not tie them to a f****g pole anymore.

“I think we could look at their wages and see if a pay raise or a bonus is in order” That was good.

“What else?” What else is there? I look at him coming up with nothing. I couldn't think of anything else that wouldn't thro me under the bus. More time off? That sounded stupid, then he would ask me how much time they were getting now. “Do you have anything else?” He repeats himself.

“I trust the elders to advise me on what steps need to be taken. I didn't realize that we had a problem until it was brough to my attention a few months ago” I see the preceding Elder give a short nod out of the corner of my eye, that was good, right? Maybe I should play this self-pity forgiveness card.

“Your predecessor?”

“What about him?”

“We don't have him in our records, the last one we have written down was who I am assuming is your grandfather or grea grandfather, Jeremiah Adolpha?” I nod.

“Is there a reason you never gave us the updated records?”

“Ym sorry, it wasn't something I thought I had to do. My predecessor, apparently, was lacking in some of his teachings." I smile sheepishly.

“Right. And the last name change. That is interesting. From Adolpha to Hemming? You don't see that happen every day." “My father wanted to modernize,” Trying to brush it off so we move past it, “Moonstone went from Black Fur to just Black I remember correctly.’

“Yes, I think that is correct” I nod.

“I am sorry, I didn't realize what I was doing. I just learned that behavior from my Father, just lie my kids must have learned it from me. I'm glad this was brought to my attention before the cycle could go on. Now Hailey and Seth will learr to do better and have a brighter future for the pack.” That hurt to say, I hated sucking up to these old men, but I would nc face any sort of consequences. I needed this behind me, I've come so far, yet stayed under the radar. I could swallow my pride for a few hours.

I appeased myself knowing that 1 would get revenge later.

“We want to open up the floor to the Elders to question you."

“Go ahead." I say politely. The skinny man gives me a funny look I couldn't decipher.

“Alpha Benjamin, are you aware, actually aware that you treated your pack members horribly and unjustly?”

I pause for a second trying to make it seem like I felt bad, “Yes. I do now. I don't know how I could ever make it up to ther I make eye contact with the Elder that asked me.

“But you thought it was okay to beat members of your pack for insignificant misunderstandings?” Another one asks incredulously, this one was against me I knew it.

“I never laid a hand on any of my members."

“But under your instructions someone did.”

“I can admit that it got a bit away from me. I should have known what was going on in my pack” I look down guiltily.

“Yes, yes you should have, Alpha.” He sneers. Definitely didn't win him over.

“How long would it take you to build a new omega village?” I continue looking down trying to calculate this in my head. How many omegas were there? How many could I shove into a hut?

“ would have to start looking at outside contracts and get an estimate, but it will be my top priority.” The other Elder noc “Further questions?” skinny man asks the elders.

“Who was in charge of the Omegas pay?” Someone else asks,

“The previous lead omega said that she passed it to someone.” I say, wondering who else to blame besides Meghan, “I ca ask my Beta I add, sure why not throw him under the bus.

“You do that. We will need proof of payment. You were paying them, correct?”

“To the best of my knowledge, we were. I don't see how that could have been overlooked.”

“Hmph, it seems a few things have been overlooked.” He mutters.

“Yes Elder, it seems that there has been some things that I need to look into in my pack. See who is to blame for this.”

“I think it's obvious who it is to blame.” the Elder that seemed angry before butts in, “You're the Alpha, the leader, of the pack. Whatever is happening at your pack, even if you're not to blame, is on you."

“You are right, absolutely right." I look down and take a breath, furrowing my eyebrows pretending to think, “I will have tc conduct an internal investigation, see what has been happening.” I trail off, talking to myself but loud enough for them tc hear.

No one says anything for the time being.

“Are there any further questions,” Skinny dog asks again. I fight the urge to punch his stupid face across the room.

“Not at the moment.”

“No.

“I think we need to reconvene. It’s getting late” I look out the window to see the first lights of a pink dusk streaking acros the sky.

“We will finish this tomorrow morning,’ The presiding elder says. I wait for them to stand before I get up, not wanting to look too eager.

I head to Julianna and put my arm around her, she tried to brush it off but I hold my grip.

“You will not embarrass me further! I hiss into her ear.

“Now, shall we go out for dinner as a family?” I suggest loudly enough that some of the remaining Elders can hear, “I thin we have a lot to talk about.”

(1sla)

The trial ends for the day, I was surprised that they didn’t ask him more questions. I felt that I was up there just as long, not longer than he was and he was the one that the trial was all about.

Jackson tenses next to me when it's over and I know he’s having an internal battle with himself trying to hold back Flint from ripping Seth's throat out.

“Thank you so much for coming to my trial.” Alpha Benjamin comes up to us on his way out, “You ladies really did put on good show.” He whispers the end and winks, pulling Julianna behind him. Seth smiles at me and then at Jackson who lets out a low growl.

I put my arm on his, “Really it's okay. Let's go, I'm starving." I say not realizing how true that was. We didn't break for lnc! as expected, and it went way longer than I thought.

“Come on, ladies” Lucas stands up first, “We can decide dinner on the way. Dibs on the hot tub tonight.”

“Your fat a*s will take up the entire thing.’ Cameron complains.

“That's why I called dibs. It's mine.’

Once we're back in the cars I finally muster the courage to ask Jackson what I've been worried about since Alpha Benjami took the stand.

“Do you think that they will let him go? They seemed to believe him." I whisper.

jackson shakes his head, “Ym not sure, it's hard to tell where everyone was going. I tried to read the Elders faces but they seemed split, it's not an easy thing to justify, taking someones pack away."

“That's what I was afraid of, I thought this would be more black and white and done today.”

He takes my hand in his, “I know, baby, me too. Elder John said that it was a strange situation and he wasn't sure which it would go."

“There was proof though, Abigail and I testified and there weren't any pay-slips, any proof”

He sighs, “Overthrowing an Alpha this way is hard, honestly, never heard of. Usually the elders will step in to reprimand someone, but they're more here to keep the peace.” He kisses the back of my hand, “I would love nothing more than for him to be locked away and never let out, but it's up to the Elders” He pauses, “For now."

“Jackson, please-"

“What are we in the mood for?" Lucas’ voice comes from the front, “We're about to be there and I need to know what direction we're heading.”

After mindlinking between the other car, and Lucas and Cameron arguing, Gianna made the executive decision of this Asi restaurant that apparently had the best sushi she ever tasted.

I was fine with anything, I knew I was hungry but I lost my appetite after talking to Jackson. I wanted him to be more confident that Alpha Benjamin couldn't escape this but I was more worried after finding out he wasn't as sure as he was this morning.

I wanted tonight to be a peaceful and relaxing night. A night of hopeful celebration where we could put this behind us on and for all. Instead, I just got the same anxiety in a different location. It was nice to be away, and dinner distracted me a I but 1 knew that everyone's mind was elsewhere.

(Jackson)

“Why don't you order some dessert for us? The room service menu is on the table.” The suite we got was large enough for us all to have our own rooms with our mates. Cam and Lucas had to share one, but they were used to that.

I raised my eyes at my dad and tried to catch Lucas’ and Cam's. My dad caught on faster than the others.

“Let's see if there is a mini bar in this place” He walks out and we all follow him, I see my mom raise an eyebrow, nothing gets past her.

“I don't think we have much time, mom caught on." I turn to my dad and the others, “This isn't a secret, and Isla already knows my intentions, 1 just wanted to let you know, as well" They nod, looking at me.

“If, somehow, Alpha Benjamin gets off, or gets off too easy, I intend to challenge him for his pack.’

My dad looks a bit taken aback, Lucas smiles and Cam seems serious, a look I could never tell exactly if it was a good or bad thing.

“That is serious, Son. We can't meddle into the Elders’ affairs." I put my hands up,

“I already talked to Elder John."

“And what did he say?”

“The same thing pretty much. We had to wait until the trial first and see. He told me off the record he thinks I should go f it” My dad cracked a brief smile.

“Well, hard to argue with that logic then.’

“Lucas, Cam?” I turn to them.

“I say go for it. What do we have to lose?” Lucas immediately chimes in.

“Potentially everything, our Alpha.’ Cam retorts.

“Ym stronger than him, you know that.”

“I do know that.” Cam says, “But I also know enough of Alpha Benjamin to know he wouldn't go down without a fight” “That's what he’s suggesting, that he fights them.” Lucas butts in

“I know that, you i***t. 'm saying I don't think he would fight fair

“That is a good point, he seems sketchy. I don't believe for a moment that he didn't know that treating the omegas like trash was wrong, they were practically slaves. Anyone that thinks its okay to treat another person like that, even if it was learned, cannot claim to be a decent man.” My dad says.

“50 if we do this, we're going to need a plan, and an element of surprise.” Cam says thinking.

“We can't just show up and challenge him, we have to announce it in advance, and notify the Elders." I say, I wonder “Challenge him as soon as possible, set a date” My dad says.

“When should we set the date for?" 1 ask.

“Next week” That was soon. I look to Cam who nods, if he agreed, I knew we could do this. With my dads wisdom, Cam's battle knowledge, and Lucas’ loyalty, I knew I couldn't go wrong. I trusted their guidance more than anything.

“Okay, let's start planning tonight”

I could admit to myself that I was looking forward to having something to do tonight. As calm as I tried to be for Isla I was nervous about the outcome and sitting in a hot tub drinking all night or watching a movie would have just made me mor on edge. At least this would be a distraction.

I needed to tell Isla though before it was announced, 1 just needed to figure out when.