The Rise of The Alpha

Chapter 7

Stepping into the office felt foreign to me, I felt like my father would come out from behind the desk or the door at any second and reprimand me for going against my training. Selene seemed to sense my unease and once again linked our hands together, she made her way to my father's desk and since her hand was still linked with mine I was tugged along behind her.

"If you want I can look through his desk and you can look through the books on the shelf?" Selene questioned as she began sifting through the papers on my fathers desk.

I nodded and moved towards the filing cabinet, opening the first drawer, "Hunter's mom said that the council made my mother compete for the title of Luna as well." I said, looking up to find Selene looking up at me, horrified, "I'm wondering if there might be a file or log of it going back any more generations." I finished, Selene nodding in understanding.

"If there is anymore proof of the council meddling with the Luna title you can have them charged and have this whole thing dismissed." She said, beginning to shuffle through the papers on my father's desk hurriedly.

"Father wouldn't be stupid enough to leave anything that he had against the council in his office. He'd be worried about them coming here to the pack and trying to find anything any evidence of their meddling and destroy it." Xerxes muttered.

"If you have such a good idea of where dad would've hidden it then why aren't you making suggestions?" I asked Xerxes with a growl.

"Our mate looks amazing when she's determined." He began, "Just watching her work is breathtaking. I can't wait to see her train with the pack tomorrow." He finished, I could feel his excitement.

"I don't have time to listen to you ogle over our mate. I need to find the evidence against the council. If there even is any." I replied ignorantly.

"Any luck so far Cole?" Selene asked, looking up at me as she began sifting through another one of the desks drawers, "There seems to be nothing in the desk of importance. Just training logs, pack business registrations, pack income receipts," She groaned in frustration, "For once can't the answer just be easy?" She put her head in her hands, rubbing her temples.

"No luck so far but I'm sure we'll find something eventually." I said reassuringly, pausing what I was doing to walk over to her and rub her shoulders in an attempt to relax her, feeling her hum at the back of her throat with contentment.

Selene placed a hand over mine, "I know we will. This can't be a coincidence. Something doesn't feel right with the whole situation. Why would the council even attempt to overrule the goddess's pairing? It makes no sense." She groaned in frustration.

"Maybe what you two need is a break." Lydia said walking into the office while Hunter lingered outside of it, "We've been doing the same thing in Hunter's father's office and so far have come up empty handed, it seems that whatever the council has going on with the Luna's isn't effecting the Beta's at all." She said with a shrug, pointing at Hunter she said, "This one didn't want to take a break! I had to drag him out with the promise of letting our wolves out." Lydia paused to giggle, "Then Gaelan wouldn't leave him alone!"

Selene and I both smiled at that, "Maybe that's what we need. A run, and possibly some food." Selene said as she stood, brushing her hands off on her pants then grabbing my hand, "After all I think it's time Xerxes and Luna finally had the chance to meet." She said as she grabbed my hand, I could feel Xerxes excitement, it had me practically buzzing.

As we walked out of the office Selene locked it, then pocketed the key. We all began walking down the hallway to the staircase, I rubbed my thumb along the back of Selene's hand enjoying the feeling of the sparks dancing up my thumb. She smiled up at me, squeezing my hand a bit. Lydia and Hunter seemed to be conversing ahead of us but the conversation stopped and they stopped walking when they saw Jane and Bane entering the house.

Selene began to walk forward, a snarl on her lips, when my mother stormed out of the kitchen, hollering obscenities, waving a wooden spoon and snarling at them both which had Jane pulling Bane out of the house at a run. We all began to laugh hysterically as we descended down the last flight of stairs, causing my mother's attention to turn to us.

"And what do you all think that you're doing? Laughing just because I won't tolerate that poor excuse of a she-wolf in this packhouse." She asked, placing her hands on her hips. Her eyes moved to mine and Selene's linked hands and she smiled and nodded before walking back into the kitchen without saying another word.

Our small group made our way to the forest behind the training grounds, where I watched Selene transfer the key from her pocket onto a necklace that I hadn't noticed before, the necklace had a pendant attached to it. The pendant that was a dark red in color, with what looked to be a small rosebud in the middle of it. I made a mental note to ask her about it later.

"Won't the necklace cord break when you transform into your wolf?" Hunter asked, making Lydia chuckled as she took off her shirt, revealing a tank top and a necklace similar to Selene's with a dark purple pendant that had a violet in the center of it.

"Our necklace's cords are enchanted to stretch and grow to fit our wolf forms." Lydia said as if it was obvious, Hunter turned to look at me, we had heard of other packs inviting witches to live with them but our pack never had.

Selene looked between Hunter and I, "You've never seen a witch have you? Either one of you?" When she took in our questioning looks she nodded in understanding, "I was thinking of inviting one or two of my packs coven witches here to accompany Lydia and myself."

I turned to her, "They'd come out here? To an pack unbeknownst to themselves?" I asked, I hadn't read much on witches but i knew that they were selective on their company, and very rarely visited packs that weren't their own.

"Our witches would. For their Alpha." Lydia replied with pride, her chest puffing out. "It isn't typical for witches to acknowledge our hierarchy but the coven leader and Selene work closely together to make sure that the witches have what they need and are protected, and in turn, the witches help us and our pack whenever they can." Selene reached over and squeezed Lydia's hand.

"We will have enough time to explain everything when we get back from our run." She said chuckling as she slid off her pants revealing skintight biker shorts, causing my breath to catch in my throat, she looked amazing and I couldn't wait to have her to myself without having to worry about the council and Jane.

Selene and Lydia both took steps back from Hunter and I and the they shifted, Selene's wolf Luna stood almost as Xerxes and was about a head shorter then him and she was pure white, it shimmered in the suns rays. I could feel my chest puff with pride, my mate was beautiful, I could feel Xerxes basking in his own pride. Then Luna did something that was completely unexpected, she bowed to us. She leaned forwards one paw before the other and lowered her massive head to my feet, showing anyone who was watching, including Xerxes, that she would only bow before us.

I walked forwards and ran my hands through her fur, pushing our thanks for her gesture through the bond and beneath the sparks I felt her chest rumble with pleasure, she was seeking my approval. I stepped back and finished talking my clothes off and allowed Xerxes to come forth and we shifted. I laughed to myself as Xerxes began walking around Luna, sniffing her and rubbing himself on her to mark her with his scent, I could feel Selene's smile as Luna's tail wagged back in forth happy with the way Xerxes was showing his claim to her the marks dancing across their fur seemed almost electric.

I could feel the real reason that Xerxes was doing this though, we wished for her approval as well. After Xerxes had sat back on his haunches Luna padded over and rubbed her face against Xerxes causing him to purr in delight, only our mate could make us feel like this. She then shocked both Xerxes and I, she licked his snout and then darted into the woods right beside Lydia's wolf, Kadija.

Gaelan and Xerxes looked at each other with almost shocked expressions with Hunter and I sharing our shock through the bond with our wolves, but the expressions soon turned to excited wolfish grins as we realized that our mate wanted us to chase her. She wanted us to try and catch her, our mate enjoyed the chase.

"Xerxes you i***t! Run after her! What are you waiting for!" I shouted at him through our mindlink.

Suddenly Xerxes and Gaelan dove into the forest, splitting up soon after, following the scents of their mates, the primal want to catch them beginning to seep through. As Luna's scent began to get strongest Xerxes slowed, going from running to a slow creep in an instant. We noticed the bushes thinning and we realized that this is where we had been in our dreams, our mate had been dreaming about being home. As we peeked through the leaves we saw Luna laying beside the lake, her front paws relaxing in the water. We heard more rustling and looked across the lake to see Gaelan finding Kadija and our chest rumbled lightly at Xerxes small chuckle.

Xerxes stepped across the sand and stood by Luna's head, looking down on her with a fondness. Luna rubbed her head against his legs while she purred with happiness, we could feel how happy and content that her and Selene were through the bond. I felt Xerxes pride, our mate was happy.

Their heads turned when we heard paws walking along the sand towards us, looking up Xerxes saw Gaelan and Kadija making their way over. They were being affectionate as well, switching between nuzzling and nudging each other back and forth. The air around the pond was serene and calm, we were all happy and relaxed, and then the wind changed direction wafting a scent over our group that Xerxes and I hadn't smelled in almost ten years.

Jane's wolf Hydia was standing next to the lake next to a wolf that we didn't recognize in anything but the eyes, Bane's wolf stood not much taller then Hydia but you could see the muscles ripple along her wolves hide as she raised her head and made eye contact with Xerxes, a cheerful glint in her eyes.

Luna and Kadija turned their heads, following Xerxes' stare and when their eyes locked on Hydia they both snarled, their lips curling up in anger. Gaelan placed himself between Kadija and Hydia, attempting to block his mate's line of sight, which he succeeded at until she stood up and walked to place herself slightly behind Luna's snarling form.

Gaelan and Xerxes looked between themselves and then suddenly I was thrown forward as Xerxes shifted, giving me back the reigns. After the transformation finished I leapt in front of Luna and placed my hands on either side of her head and pulled her head towards mine until we were looking each other in the eyes. Her snarls calmed down to huffing growls as her eyes focused on mine, I could feel her anger wafting off of her in waves, it was so powerful and reminded me of how I felt in the presence of my fathers anger.

I slowly began running my fingers through her fur and I heard walking behind myself and I saw Jane walking towards us with Bane in tow, both were in swim suits. I snarled in warning as I felt Luna shift and Selene begin to dress behind me at the same time as Kadija and Lydia. Bane stopped a few steps before Jane did, standing back and allowing Jane space, which spiked my curiosity.

"Councilman Adam faxed Councilman Henry a list of what is required from you. It also involves a lengthy explanation that since we," she gestured between herself and Selene who was now standing at my side, "are both in the running for Luna, you are required to go on a dates with each of us to avoid favoritism. Four dating spots will be chosen first by Selene and myself, and then the last four will be chosen by you. You're required to go on one date a week with each of us, and you MUST show up." She finished as she handed me the paper that was still warm from the fax machine.

I grabbed the paper from her and saw it was officially stamped with the council's seal and contained the signatures of all of the council members. I sighed heavily in defeat as I folded up the piece of paper up and stuffed it in my back pocket. I wasn't quite sure what Hunter's mother was getting at by giving me my father's office key but so far it was nothing but a dead end. I could feel Selene's anger radiating off of her in powerful waves.

She stepped in front of me, "Is this a game to you? Some sort of sick and twisted game?" her lip curled up in disgust, "What the moon goddess punished you for being an unfaithful and untrustworthy female so you now seek to regain your place at my mates side? You have literally nothing to gain by competing against me you stupid foolish wolf. I'm by right Cole's Luna and an Alpha. If you think you'll be able to win against me in some little backyard scrap I promise you that you are wrong." With that she stormed off, taking Lydia with her leaving Hunter and I staring after them in stunned silence.

"Perhaps it's time we introduced the female's to the pack." Hunter replied, "Let's here the pack's thoughts on this." He threw his arm across my shoulders and directed us on the path our females took back to our clothes.

As we rejoined the females we heard Selene and Lydia on their respective phones and when we arrived in their line of sight we were each given a finger, signaling us to stay quiet until they ended their respective phone calls. After about five long minutes of speaking what Hunter and I assumed to be Portuguese into their phones they finally ended their calls.

"Should I ask what that conversation was about?" I questioned Selene as I wrapped my arms around her waist and nuzzled into her neck making her hum with content.

"I think Hunter was right when he said that it's time that the pack meet not just me and Jane, but Lydia as well." Selene spoke up and when I looked at her quizzically she added, "No matter who comes out as Luna, she will still be the Beta female, as she is Hunter's mate." I nodded in understanding, she was right.

"We'll do it tonight then." I replied, turning to Hunter, "We'll do a 'welcome' barbeque for our mates and the council's guests." I finished with a smirk. That would be all that we told our pack members, they were smart enough, they would figure it out on their own. Especially those who were here to witness all that my mom had been put through.

Selene grabbed my hand and began pulling me into the training arena, I could hear the grunts of my warriors and pack members as they were training and I understood what she was doing. She was allowing the pack to witness her with me first, she was allowing them to get to know her before I revealed to the pack who she really was.

The minute we entered the arena she let go of my hand, not wanting the pack to see and reveal her status sooner rather then later. Though I missed her hand in mine Hunter and I went our own way and headed towards the warriors to greet them. Lydia followed Selene and soon they were both warming up off to the side, kicking off their shoes they began stretching afterwards they began to wrap boxing tape around their knuckles and their heels.

"Hey Alpha, glad to see that you're back, the pack has been going completely nuts since the buildings went up." One of my top warriors, Mason said as he shook my hand.

"Everything will be explained tonight at the pack barbeque like Beta Hunter's mindlink stated earlier Mason. You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else." I replied with a smile and a shrug. The group of males groaned in frustration but soon went back to lifting their respectful weights, leaving Hunter and I alone to talk amongst ourselves.

"How do you think the pack will react to this?" Hunter asked as we made our way towards the curl-up, matted area, to begin stretching for our workout.

"I think that the pack members who are old enough to remember whatever it is that the council put this pack through while my mom was going through this will be furious. And I don't think the rest of the pack well accept Jane like the council hopes, I believe that the pack will be just as disgusted at this as we are. However, I don't see them hesitating to accept Selene or Lydia as they are both our goddess given mates." I replied as I stretched my arm above and behind my head.

Hunter nodded in understanding, "You're saying that the pack will side with Selene." He stated bluntly, turning to look at our mates who were now sparring in the ring with the bleachers slowly being filled.

"Yes. Jane's life will be hell the second the pack finds out who Selene is and why Jane is here and alive after being sentenced to death." I replied with a smile as Selene and Lydia finally called it a tie. The wolves in the bleachers surrounded our mates asking them non-stop questions about who they were and what their purpose was here in the pack.

I looked just beyond the crowd I noticed Bane and Jane studying the fight, whispering furiously between themselves. Then suddenly Jane's eyes met my own and she smiled, nodding in my direction and Bane looked to me as well. Bane nodded and said something to Jane and they turned and left the arena.

"I'll see you in a few hours mate." Selene's voice sang out in my head, "I have guests to welcome and a house to get familiarized with before the barbeque."

"See you at the barbeque my beautiful mate." I replied.

My eyes followed Selene's figure out of the arena, smiling as she left, wondering if her witch friends would be here sooner then we expected. I walked with Hunter back to the pack house bracing myself for the scolding that we were undoubtedly about to receive from our mothers. Entering the pack house we immediately noticed that it was different because of the amount of people moving around inside, the Game Room and the living room were both packed with pack members.

I saw Jane and Bane sitting at a card table deep in conversation with Miranda, looking at the video gamming area I saw Selene in competition with one of my battle strategists, listening to them both banter back and forth and watching the small crowd that had gathered around them I felt a sense of pride. Selene had done what she intended, she put herself out in my pack and they accepted Selene and Lydia with open arms.

"She is amazing, yes?" I heard a female's voice speak next to me, I turned and was met with striking violet eyes. The eyes belonged to someone who wielded great power, she must be Selene's witch friend.

"You always did have a flare for surprises Aurora." Selene spoke as she walked up and exchanged a hug with the now smiling witch, "Azalea is supposed to be on her way here as well. Have you heard anything from her on the subject."

"Azalea? Who is that?" I asked, walking up to the two females, "I thought you were just having one witch come here to help us out with the whole situation?" I finished.

"Aurora and Azalea are sisters, Aurora specializes in white magic," Selene said, nodding to Aurora, "Azalea specializes in black magic." She turned to face me, "Both are High Priestesses to their own covens and BOTH can help us greatly." She said as she grabbed my hand.

"And here I was thinking that I'd be missing all the interesting things." A voice chuckled from behind us making us turn on a dime. The female stood behind Aurora and she radiated of pure undiluted power, her power rivaled that of mine and Selene's. Anyone could tell that those who crossed her never faired well in the end. This must be Azalea, the black magic High Priestess that Selene was just speaking of.

Selene and Aurora ran over and engulfed the witch in a hug, I turned as Hunter and Lydia joined our group, Lydia going over to greet the two witches. The room was practically buzzing and when I turned to look at Jane's small group their focus was now on us, and Bane did not look happy at all. Selene began ushering us out of the lounge room and into the dining area, a place where we could have a more private conversation.

"Alright I want to know exactly what's going on and why," my mother's voice died in her throat as she took in Aurora and Azalea's appearance's in. "You girls wouldn't happen to know a witch named Andromeda? You both look awfully similar to her." She finished, leaning against the doorway.

The girls stopped mid-conversation and smiled, "Yes we do, very well actually, she is our mother. Though she prefers the other side of the pond and lives in Europe with Azalea." Aurora spoke up, drawing Azalea's attention to my mother, and now Hunter's mother who was standing next to her.

"You must be Luna Kyra, and Beta female Harmony." Azalea said stepping forward, "My mother has told us quite a few stories about your younger years." She then proceeded to take two pendants out of her pockets, similar in ways to Selene and Lydia's pendants, "I believe she knew I'd run into you two, she gave me pendant's with specific instructions on who was to receive which one." Making her way over to my mother she handed her the crystal clear pendant with a crimson red rose in the middle, "For your loss, which my mother sends her condolences, to the both of you." Azalea replied looking to Hunter's mother as well.

Azalea turned to Aurora and handed her Hunter's mother's pendant, Aurora whispered a few things to the pendant making it glow for a few seconds then placed it around her neck, whispering something into her ear as she did so, causing Hunter's mother to pull her in for a hug. Hunter looked at his mother quizzically and she mouthed, "Later.", to him, both Hunter and I were in awe and shock of what had just transpired around us.

Aurora turned to address Hunter and myself, "Selene has requested that my sister and I also make either wearable pendant bracelets for you all or, if you would prefer, an enchanted ink that can be used in a more permanent way." She asked, raising an eyebrow to us.

"We'll get tattoos, the more permanent the better, it will be guaranteed that we won't lose them." I replied, "I'll have our pack's tattoo artist draw up a few things and we'll keep you informed so you have an idea of how much ink that we'll need."

Hunter nodded in agreement with my statement, Aurora and Azalea nod, "Alright then, Selene and Lydia have also ask that we place wards over you and your families to prevent them from being influenced by anything magical. As a simple precaution of course." She said reassuringly to our mothers.

"We'll also be staying in the pack for the duration that Selene and Lydia are here, and after the tournament I'll be moving my coven here since this is were Selene would be living." Aurora stated, "My sister and I have some things to do before tonight's barbeque in an hour, so if you'll excuse us we'll meet you then and be around in time for pack introductions." Aurora finished as she and her sister turned and exited the dining area from the glass double doors, towards Lydia and Selene's house.

"Anyone else find all of that just a bit strange?" Hunter asked questioningly, looking between our small group, his gaze ending on our mates, looking to them for an explaination to the witches bizarre behavior.

"They look so much like their mother," Hunter's mother started, "It's a tradition in their family for the first female's to have names that start with the letter 'A'. Something along the lines of the passage of power." She said.

"They seem to be just as dedicated to you girls as their mother was to us. I have no doubt that this situation will be rectified soon if they're just as good as her." My mother finished. Both of our mothers smiled around at our group, "We'll see you kids later at the barbeque, still have about an hour left." Hunter's mother said as they left our group and made their way back to the pack house's kitchen.

Confused Hunter and I turned to our mates, hoping for a better explaination then what our mother's provided us with. The girls look between themselves with a smile.

"Azalea and Aurora are the best at what they do. I've known them for almost our whole lives. Your mother's are right to have a lot of faith in them, their mother is the leader of the witch council." Selene replied reassuringly, grasping my hand in hers.

I nodded with a smile, "Okay then. If you and our mothers trust in them and in their abilities then I'll put my faith in their hands." I replied to Selene, nodding towards Hunter.

He nodded at me as he wrapped Lydia in a hug and kissed the top of her head, "I know this is a shitty time to bring this up," Hunter began, looking up at me, "But I was thinking about Lydia and I doing our ceremony. My apologies that you and Selene can't do it at this time Cole but I don't want to wait any longer." He said, looking at me as he finished speaking.

I nodded, "We'll introduce everyone tonight and this coming weekend we'll have the ceremony. The two of you will have the week to make arrangements. I'll be able to handle everything while you two get things together." I replied, wrapping Selene in a hug as she let out a frustrated sigh.

"I don't understand why the council feels the need to interfere." Selene began shaking her head, "I get it that they were getting concerned, but you found me before their supposed deadline." She growled, "They shouldn't be allowed to get away with this. This is abuse of power."

Tara entered the dining area, "Alpha, Beta," she directed towards Selene and Lydia, "Luna Kyra instructed for me to get you two ready for the barbeque." She stood with her hands linked behind her back.

"Very well." Selene answered with a huff, "I suppose that the smart thing to do would be to go and get ready for the barbeque so we don't anger your mother." She mumbled into my shirt.

I laughed and kissed her on the head, "Yes. I'll see you in an hour mate." I said as Tara ushered her and Lydia out of the house and towards their own.

"I suppose that our mother's cue for us to get ready too." Hunter replied walking next to me, "They never were subtle about getting things done their way."

I nodded, "Perhaps that's why the goddess made them Luna and Beta females." I said, "Hell, my mother didn't even flinch as she cussed out the council members and spat at their feet. Once she gets Selene under her belt that Selene will be worse." I replied with a laugh as we made our way out of the dining area, towards our rooms.

Upon entering my room I went to my closet, grabbing out a simple white tank top with some jean shorts and a pair of running shoes. As I neared the picnic benches with flowers in my hands for Selene I heard snarling and yelling so I immediately handed the flowers to the nearest pack member and ran towards the yelling. Rounding the corner I saw my mother in Bane's face snarling while Selene and Jane were in each other's faces and Hunter, his mother, Lydia and Tara were trying to unsuccessfully separate the four. I looked at Hunter who looked at me desperately for help.

"What is the meaning of this?" I shouted at them. "The rest of the pack will be here any minute and you are all acting like children!" I snarled.