A Secret Alpha Mate

(Jackson)

“Do you accept this?” The preceding elder asks Alpha Benjamin, I couldn't believe this. After yesterday, I knew it might go this direction, but this was way too easy.

“Yes, Elder. Thank you."

Challenge him

I have to wait for Elder John to let us know the outcome of their conversation

I look to Elder John and he’s already looking at me, I raise my eyebrows question, he gives a short nod and mouths, “You' allowed to challenge him." I give a short nod of understanding.

Without a second thought I stand up, I hoped I wasn't interrupting an Elder, but I tuned everything out.

“I Alpha Jackson Black of the Moonstone Pack challenge Alpha Benjamin Hemming of the Silver Moon pack for his pack ar title.”

All eyes go to me, no one says anything. The preciding Elder has his mouth wide open, and I sneak a look at Elder John wi is smiling. 1 didn't dare look at Isla, I didn't plan it like this, I knew she supported me but wanted to avoid this.

Alpha Benjamin finally turns around a mix of shock and, was that, humor on his face? This man was twisted to think he could stand up to me.

I wait for him to accept, but he just stares at me smiling. If he was trying to intimidate me, it wasn't working. I refused to speak again. I challenged him not its up to him.

“Alpha, Jackson” He says. A minute goes by before anyone says anything else. Everyone sitting was holding a collective breath.

“Do you really think it is wise? The Elders have just given me a punishment for my actions.” He folds his hands together, * trust that the elders have made the right decision, do you not?” He c***s his head to the side and looks at me, not breaki eye contact.

“I planned to do this before the trial, I respect the Elders enough to let them make their decision first before I continued: “Ah, I see, is this about your omega mate?” He turns to Isla, “Isla, darling, there seems to be a miscommunication betwee us, is this not something we can all sit down and discuss like civilized people?”

I look down at Isla, but I can't read her expression. To my surprise, she stands up next to me, and takes my hand again. “Alpha Benjamin,” She takes a breath and steadies her voice, “I don't think there was a miscommunication between us. Ju different ideas of how people should be treated.” She was speaking with such cool confidence, I couldn't help be proud o her, even though the situation was less than ideal.

“I support my mate, and my Alpha in his decision. I know he has every member of his,’ She pauses, “Our pack’s interest a heart I squeeze her hand fighting the urge to smile down at her, I wanted to maintain the serious atmosphere I created I the room.

“And you think trying to take over your closest allied pack is the best way to go about that?” He asks me.

“It is not my intention to destroy the pack in any way, my quarrel is with you, and you alone.” 1 turn to the Elders, “That's why I propose the Elders choose the time and location of the challenge. Somewhere on neutral grounds.” I see fear in Alp Benjamins eyes for the first time but he quickly composes himself.

“That isn't traditional”

“It's not," I agree, “But I think we can all agree that it’s the most fair. They can tell us the place the night before the challenge, so that neither of us have the upper hand." I look towards the Elders and continue before he can respond.

“Is that acceptable to you? Would you be willing to help us with that?” They looks to each other and whisper amongst themselves.

“Yes,” One of them speaks, “We will do that” A small smile plays on his lips as he answers me. I recognize him as the man that was challenging Alpha Benjamin during his questioning last night.

“That wont be necessary, thank you Elder” Alpha Benjamin cuts in, “We can do it at my pack, there's a clearing there.” “Neutral grounds!” 1 repeat, “I'l see you where the Elders choose a week from today." I state firmly.

“Alpha Jackson, there really isn't a need-"

“Do you accept my challenge, Alpha Benjmain?” I cut him off. He pauses for a second no doubt trying to find a way to get out of this. His face changed from confusion to happiness.

He smiles wickedly, “I accept, Alpha Jackson.” He enthusiastically agrees. What is with the change of attitude? Was it a sca tactic or was he plotting something?

“I can preside over this, if that pleases the Elders.” Elder John stands up.

“Oh, a friend of yours?” Alpha Benjamin looks towards me, “I thought we were supposed to be neutral”

“Ill come, as well” Another Elder stands up.

“Me too."

“Is that suitable to you, Alpha Benjamin?” I look towards him again, “Three Elders at our challenge?”

“It seems a bit excessive, if you ask me.” Alpha Benjamin says, “But the more the merrier” He smiles at the Elders.

“Now, are we done here with your little interruption?” Alpha Benjamin turns back to me, “I want to hear how the Elders c: help me make my pack the best it can be for my poor omegas." He smiles and turns towards them.

Ym sorry about that, gentleman. Shall we continue?”

Let me at him right now

Islas small hand runs up my arm, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The challenge would go ahead. The Elders wou choose the location. In one week all of our problems would be over.

(Benjamin)

I had to fight to keep control. One second I'm getting my pack back with no consequences and the next this boy Alpha decides to challenge me for it.

He would win in a physical fight, yes. But I had something that he didn't. I smiled, after next week I could have two packs. Hell, I could have an empire if I started with this.

After his interruption I stayed behind.

“Julianna, why don't you take the kids somewhere in the city tonight? I'll head back and figure out all of this." Julianna loc at me, her face white. This was the first time that I thought about how she would be feeling about all this.

“Darling?” She looks at me her eyes filled with tears.

“You can't, yo-you-you wont make!” I grab her shoulders.

“Listen to me, I will take care of it, stop worrying” I hoped I came off sincerely, she was annoying me with her tears, I needed her to pull it together.

“I just-" She buries her face in my head and I pat her back. Hailey looks scared behind her and Seth is looking at the floor “Pull yourself together, love.” I whisper in her ear, “Take the kids and the credit card and spend a night away. Everything v be okay before you get home, I promise.” I pull myself away from her.

“Hailey, Seth, take care of your mother” I hand Hailey my credit card, “Go take her away for a night, or two actually.’ Her eyes light up and grab it from me.

“Seth, please.” I plead with him, he hesitantly takes his mother’s arms away from me and puts an arm around her. I close my eyes trying to compose myself.

“Now, then. Where were we?"

I listen as they drone on about timelines and check-ins. It looks like I would actually have to set this up for them. I think could cut corners with some things, or else this was going to be expensive.

Building an entire new village, I wonder how long this would take. I could probably put it off for a while or have them slo it down, I needed to look at my finances, things weren't looking great, but after I took over Moonstone I wouldn't have an problems anymore.

I wonder if 1 would have to take over their members or if 1 could find a way to siphon their resources. I couldn't possibly move everyone over to my pack. There wasn't space. I would figure it out when it happened. I started off with potentially losing my pack and now I was going to have a new one. Things were turning around.

“Alpha, Benjamin?”

“Yes, sir" 1 say pulling my attention back to the old man sitting directly across from me.

“Are these conditions acceptable?” I look back to the papers in front of me, small writing and diagrams of my pack were laid in front of me. When did they have the time to do that?

“Thank you, I'll look over all this. I appreciate you putting it together for me." They stand up and I stand up too, shaking their hands.

Heading out of the old dusty room, I had a new sense of energy.

Alpha Benjamin of the Moonstone pack had a nice ring to it. I had to call someone for a car, I forgot Julianna and the kids took mine.

I dialed a familiar number, “Val? Change of plans, I'm coming over.”