A Secret Alpha Mate

(Jackson)

“sorry, do you mind repeating yourself?”

“Alpha Seth of the Silver Moon Pack.” He states cooly, I put the phone down and push the button to put it on speaker. Luc and Cam scoot closer looking confused.

“What happened to Benj- Alpha Benjamin?” I catch myself.

“He gave me the title now.”

Bring Elder John to my office immediately ~ 1 link my dad

“Are you there?” Seth says. It didn't feel right even thinking of him as an Alpha in my mind.

“Yes, sorry. I'm just a bit confused.”

“Let me explain it to you. My father handed me the title. It's been made official with the cup and blood thing, whatever” cam rolls his eyes, “Now I am the Alpha of Silver Moon.”

Keep him talking- Lucas links

“Well, congratulations, I never thought he would step down like that." I said, honest about the second part, at least. “Well he did, so I just wanted to formally introduce myself to the neighboring Alpha's, especially the one’s we've had suct close alliances with in the past”

“The past might be a key

My dad and Elder John come into the door without knocking. My dad has a worried look plastered on his face.

I see Lucas linking him filling him in and whispering to Elder john. Elder john looks at the phone and walks closer to it. “Alpha Jackson, 1 do have other calls to make, please finish your sentences. Oucht”

“You're not supposed to act like that." I heard Benjamin in the background.

“F**k off, dad. Or do I need to command you to leave?” The line was silent.

“Uh, Se-Alpha Seth?” I say,

“Sorry about that. Well, I'll see you around, I guess.”

“I'll see you tomorrow, or do you not plan on attending the challenge?” The line is silent again.

“Uh- well, my dad isn’t Alpha anymore. 1 am.”

“Give me one moment, Seth” I say and place the phone on mute.

Everyone starts talking at once. I put up my hand, “Quiet please.” I turn to Alpha John, “What does this mean? Is my challenge with Seth or Benjamin?”

“I've never seen this before, it depends on if you are challenging Alpha Benjamin himself or for Silver Moon."

“They used to be the same thing”

“I guess, challenge Seth.’

“But I want to get rid of Alpha Benjamin, that was the point of this. Can I challenge them both?” Elder John looks shocked “Challenge two fully grown wolfs?” He asks,

“I can do it"

“I just don’t think that's smart.”

“Let them decide” Lucas interjects We all look at him, “The challenge stands. Let them choose who fights you. You might get both of them and then case closed.” Hmm.

Elder John doesn't say anything, just looks back to me, “Its worth a shot” I shrug.

“Alpha Seth, sorry to have kept you waiting."

“I-It's fine, Alpha Jackson, I really must be going. I have other calls to make.”

“Okay, I'll see you tomorrow,” I state.

“Tomorrow? You want to challenge me?” He asks, shock coloring his voice.

“I'll challenge either you or your father. My problem is with Alpha Benjamin and how he treated his pack. He was an unfit leader. However, I don't think you'll be any better. One way or another, I will take Silver Moon. Theoretically, both of you would be gone, but now you have made things complicated. So I will be fighting, and killing, one of you tomorrow. You choose who goes against me, I'm fine with either” 1 said coldly, no emotion in my voice, before hanging up the phone. “This dude will do anything, and I mean anything to get out of a fight. Dark magic, handing the pack over. Why doesn’t he fight like a real Alpha?”

“Because he isn't one” My dad says under his breath, we all nod.

“I'll give him one thing, he really is tenacious. That f****g bastard." I say, sitting back in my chair. “So, if I kill Seth then I Silver Moon, but if 1 kill Benjamin then I get nothing?” I look to Elder john.

“I have never dealt with anything like this. I'll call the Elders and inform them of the change, but if you are challenging fo the pack it would have to be Seth. Alpha Seth now.” He strains against those last words.

“This fucker” Lucas says.

“Nothing we can do now. Once the Elders call, we can go for a run, release some of this tension.”

We waited for only a few minutes, discussing “Alpha Seth” and their one hope of stopping the challenge.

I pick up the phone and immediately put it on speaker,

“Alpha Jackson, we're calling about the terms and location of the challenge”

“Yes, Elder”

“Direct coordinates will be sent to you in the morning. There is a town called Timber Moor about two hours south of you. Do you know the place?”

“Yes, Elder, I know it"

“Head towards there, the challenge will be at 10AM sharp. You are permitted to bring up to ten guests. Your guest are not permitted to shift during the fight. They show up in human form. Five elders will be in attendance presiding over the fight as well as a council of five as witnesses. Are these acceptable terms?”

“Yes, Elder. Thank you, Elder”

“Very good, Alpha Jackson. I will send you the exact coordinated to your phone in the morning” He hands up.

“We need to be out by 7:30 at the latest.” Cam states,

“Who else are you bringing?” Lucas asks,

“I don't think we need all ten but I want to bring them just in case, we never know with this one” I shake my head, “You a Cam and sla, was all I was planning on. Maybe my dad now, Abigial, Jim."

“Excuse me, Alpha.’ Cam interrupts, “Do you think it might be more prudent to bring a few warriors, as you said you never know with Alpha Benjamin” I nod and think that through.

“Yes, Cam. Leave Bryce in charge here and bring five of your best men.” Elder John looks between us.

“Just an added layer of protection, I assure you." 1 tell him, “This will be a fair fight on my end, even if that means I lose.” “Maybe we drop Jim then and bring Abigial for moral support for Isla. Dad? Did you want to come, or stay back with Mom, know she will be a wreck.”

“As much as I would love to support you, I couldn't leave your Mom, she wouldn't forgive me. Besides, I'm not worried in the least.” He assures me.

“Alright, we have our ten. Cam, please go choose and fill in your men. We will wait for you out back to go on our run. (1sta)

I was excited to let Adrastea out for a run, its been a few weeks since the last time we went for a night run and I knew she was feeling it. We haven't actually given our wolves the chance to mate yet. We have ran together before but it was when we were waiting on the paternity test.

I felt so guilty for not thinking of letting her out sooner, there was so much going on with the Luna ceremony, Jennifer, the trial, my potential heritage, and now a witch.

I made a mental note that no matter what was going on in my life to think of her more often. I was a s**t counterpart.

No you're not.

Thanks, but I do feel guilty

You've been distracted.

But still

I accept your apology, now get me to my mate

As soon as they're ready he's all yours

I re-joined Elder John and Jackson's parents after Jackson filled me in about Jennifer's potential cohort. I did feel bad for him, he sounded so broken like he did really care about Jennifer. Knowing what I knew about her, she was probably just using him.

I made sure Jackson wouldn't go too hard on him, and he assured me that he would be re-joining his pack once we got ot answers.

After dinner, Abigial came up to my room to help me pack, while Jackson met with Lucas and Cameron to get the details into place.

“What do I even pack to go back there?” I'm walking circles around my closet, overwhelmed, “What do Luna's even wear?” “The clothes you normally wear.” She stops me mid circle, “Sit down.” She guides me to a chair, “No matter what you wear even if you show up in a potato sack, that would be what Luna's wear. You are a Luna so no matter what you choose it wil be what a Luna wears." She smiles at me, then goes to my drawers and pulls out some sweaters.

“How about what you've been wearing here? Sweaters and jeans? You look put together, but you'll still be comfortable.” I nod, leaning back on the chair my eyes to the ceiling.

Abigial puts them into the suitcase that we found, new of course, Gianna really thought of everything.

“Do you think I'll need something more formal?”

“I think it's best to pack one or two things, nothing outlandish, but maybe a skirt and a nice top and a dress?”

“Thanks. I smile at her, “I'm glad you're here. Things seem simpler here, I'm comfortable at Moonstone now, but going ba to Silver Lake as their Luna, I don't know if anyone will accept me.” I say what I was worried about out loud for the first time.

“They will have to accept you.” Abigial says, “Not just because you are their new Luna, but because you're a damn good one.” She comes back to sit by me.

“Although, I respect all ranked members, to some extent. There are some that are far more deserving of respect. Alpha jackson is one of those people, as well as Beta Lucas, and Gamma Cameron. We've seen them in fight mode, and boy can they be scary” She chuckles, “But, they are the most kind and caring ranked members I've seen. I know I don't have much to compare it to. We've only had Alpha Benjamin and Luna Julianna before.” She rolls her eyes, “But you know those rank members care about every one of their pack members. I have heard nothing but good things around the pack about ther and about you.” She looks up into my eyes.

"Head towards there, the challenge will be at 10AM sharp. You are permitted to bring up to ten guests. Your guest are not permitted to shift during the fight. They show up in human form. Five elders will be in attendance presiding over the fight as well as a council of five as witnesses. Are these acceptable terms?”

I try to keep eye contact, but the praise makes me want to look away.

“Isla, I don't need to tell you how strong you are, you know that. I don't need to tell you how selfless and caring you are. You will win them over not just because of your new rank, you will win them over because of who you are, and how good a Luna you are.”

She's right. You're meant to be Luna, the Moon Goddess chose us for an Alpha

I know you're right, I feel like this is where I was meant to be.

Then screw any judgment anyone would give you at Silver Moon, send them my way.

(ll remember that.

“I bet your wolf agrees with me” Abigial smiles,

“She does. Every day I feel more and more sure that this is right. I feel like everything is falling into place and this is wher was meant to be. Honestly, the thought of being Luna terrified me at the start, but the more I ease into the role the more natural it becomes.”

vaaaassss baby girl

“tam so proud of you, Isla." Abigial pulls me into a hug, “My Luna.” She pulls back and looks at me, “Never would I have thought that I would get the honor of calling you that” She wipes a tear away.

“I wish you could come with me."

“I know, 1 do t00, but this is something I know you all are more than capable of handling. I'll be here when you get back” She stands up, “Now let's finish packing so we don't have to worry about a thing in the morning” Well, except the challenge, I think.

We fell into comfortable chatter as we finished packing the last few things.

Isla, we're almost done here if you're ready - Jackson linked me

Perfect timing. Where should we meet you?

Heading out back now, want me to wait?

Don’t worry about it, I'm going to walk Abigial down.

“Jackson's ready, are you going to come for a run with us tonight?” She shakes her head.

“I want to be there when the Elder sees your fur, but Jim is working late tonight, so I was going to make some dinner. If yo wanted to come over after, if you're not exhausted, Jim wants to try out a new homemade hot chocolate recipe.”

“That sounds delicious, but you know you might end up with ten people coming back to your house then.”

She smiles, “That's what we like.” She looks at her hands, “You know, Jim and I talked about it, we always wanted children but neither of us found our mates in time. So, its nice to have you all around.” She shrugs, “We really enjoy having the house full” I take her hand in mine as we walk out of the closet.

“Well, you're not going to be able to get rid of us” She squeezes my hand.

“Goddess, we are lucky, aren't we?” She says to me.

“Remember when you used to say how good we had it back at Silver Moon?" I reminisce, “How we had food, friends, and were part of such a gorgeous pack.” She looks at me and smiles, something in her eyes I can't quite decipher.

“I do, and I still count myself lucky. But, I had no idea what true happiness could feel like. This is more than my wildest expectations.” She says to me as we press the elevator button.

Everyone was already out back.

“We're just waiting on Cam to finish something up” Jackson comes and pulls me to his side, his and Abigial's eyes cloud over.

“Why are you mindlinking?” I ask them, confused.

“Of course, 1 will be there” Abigail says out loud, she turns to me, “He was just asking me if. I wanted to come to the challenge, He wanted to make sure I was okay with it, and of course, I am.” She nods at Jackson and goes to stand by the others.

“A bit of moral support for you.” He kisses my head.

“You shouldn't be thinking of me tomorrow, you're the one that needs all the moral support.”

“Well, I have you." He leans down to place a soft kiss on my lips before we go join the others.

“Everything is sorted, Alpha. We will be ready by 7:00 AM sharp.” Cam comes out.

“No need for that, we aren't leaving until around 7:30." Jackson says.

cameron shakes his head, “They will be ready at 7:00, I don't want to cut anything too close”

jackson nods, “Thank you, Cam.’ Then turns to me, “We're bringing five warriors, just as added backup.” A pit in my stoma started to form, backup, warriors. I trusted Jackson, especially after I saw him spar this morning. But, I couldn't shake the feeling that something would go wrong going against Alpha Benjamin.

“Oh, also, he made Seth the Alpha.”

I turn to him not sure if I should laugh or not, but he was being completely serious.