The Rise of The Alpha

Chapter 6

  The hall was silent, waiting to see what councilman Adam would retort, but the only thing we were seeing was his face contort in anger and turn multiple shades of red as he stuttered looking amongst his colleagues, who were in no hurry to help him and risk becoming the focus of my anger.

  Jane stepped forward, "There is no way to guarantee that you two wouldn't wait to complete the marking ritual. The council is allowed to step in and interfere in certain instances like these." She placed her hand on councilman Adam's shoulder, "He is only acting on what he believes will keep his and Alpha Cole's previous agreement in tact."

  I heard Selene snarl as she stepped around me to face Jane herself, "You clearly aren't familiar with Alpha Law, which states a mated pair cannot fight against each other with the intent to purposely cause harm." She looked up at me and, as she grabbed my hand, "Which means that Cole and I are physically unable to complete the marking ceremony until after our fight. And since that is the case it does not endanger your chances, no matter how hopeless they are, of becoming Luna."

    Selene then turned to councilman Adam, "If I am correct, all pack houses are required to be equipped with multiple rooms made specifically for females to go through their heat safely. So there is no need for Alpha Kellan's, disgustingly disrespectful offer." She finished, sneering at Kellan as she did.

  I turned towards Jane, "It also seems like you forgot one of my packs many customs," I turned to address the councilmen, "It's a tradition in my pack for the newly mated pairs, especially when the Alpha finds his Luna, to have a ceremony that we will host. Almost like a blessing, that the pair have a long and lively life together. And it would be highly disrespectful to my father to begin the marking and mating process and leaving it out."

  Jane paled at that but didn't say anything else, Kellan stepped forward, "Then perhaps the fair thing to do would be to also build Selene a home on the property? That way it doesn't seem like you're showing her favoritism?" He smiled crookedly at me.

  I looked down at Selene and she nodded in agreement, "Fine," I stated, turning and directing Selene towards my wing, ready to end the conversation.

  "Where do you think you're going Alpha Cole?" Councilman Nelson spoke up, causing me to turn and look around Hunter, Lydia, Chase and Thomas as well as some of Selene's guards to see him.

  "Councilman Nelson I'm sure you're not blind but I'm taking my mate to my wing of the mansion. It seems that I cannot trust you all to act justly." I replied with a shrug, "And don't worry, my room has a couch so that's where I'll be sleeping." I said over my shoulder pulling Selene closer.

  We said goodnight to Hunter and Lydia as they entered Hunter's room and made our way into mine. When we entered my room I released Selene from under my arm and instead grabbed her hand and lead her to my bed where both of our suitcases were.

  "Have things ever been this complicated?" Selene asked as she plopped down onto my bed, I looked up at her and shook my head with a small smile, she huffed, "I guess it's just something about me that makes everything difficult." She finished, stretching her arms above her head, causing the tank top that she was wearing to rise ever so slightly over the waistband of her shorts.

    I felt her gaze on me as well and when I looked up to make eye contact I shook my head, "I'm going to take a shower." I said gruffly as I made my way to the bathroom, my eyes going to her thighs as she clenched them together.

  Selene nodded, grabbing the blanket to cover herself but her eyes staring back at me were hooded, meaning that I was having the same effect on her that she was having on me.

  I cleared my throat and stepped into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind me, to prevent her from entering. What I had told Jane was the truth, there was a mate ceremony and it was especially important for the Alpha and Luna to complete in front of their pack before they finished the marking and mating process, obviously, in private.

  I turned the cold water on full blast and stepped into the shower wincing a bit as I did. I leaned my head against the shower walls cool tiles in attempt to cool my temperature.

   "Have you tried connecting with her wolf?" I asked reaching out to Xerxes for the first time since we had met Selene.

   Xerxes hummed happily, "Yes she is quite amazing. She's everything we prayed to the goddess for." I could hear the smile in his voice.

   "What is her name?" I asked, curious to know more about Selene's wolf, the one who probably convinced Selene to give us a chance.

   "She is the one who convinced Selene to give this a shot. Her name is Luna." I beamed, our mate's wolf is also named after the goddess?

   "When we get home I'm sure I can convince Selene to allow you guys out to meet officially." I told him, surely Selene would agree.

  I closed off my thoughts from Xerxes, perhaps I could convince Selene. I grabbed for the body wash and the bathroom door handle jiggling made me jump then as I heard Selene's frustrated groan of defeat I chuckled to myself, looks like I was right to lock the door.

  I got out of the shower and dried off, putting on some shorts and a loose fitting shirt in an attempt to discourage Selene from trying to seduce me again. When I opened the door to enter my room I noticed she was facing the rooms desk, her back towards the bathroom door, and she appeared to be asleep. I chuckled to myself, perhaps she realized that her efforts were futile.

  I removed the couch's cushions and pulled the built-in bed out, checking behind me to make sure that the moving hadn't disturbed Selene, after putting sheets and pillows onto the bed I grabbed the comforter and climbed onto it, wincing as the metal frame creaked under my weight. I looked up towards the bed and saw Selene glaring at me.

  "Just because you tell them we're not going to share a bed doesn't mean we aren't actually allowed to share the bed." She said, a frustrated sigh leaving her lips as she pulled the covers off of herself, grabbed the pillow she was laying on and made her way over to the couch.

  "I figured that it would be easier on us both if we slept separately." I told her questioningly as I scooted back to make room for her on the bed.

  Rolling her eyes, she lifted up and slid under the blanket, cuddling up next to me, "Next time don't just assume. It makes an ass out of you and me." She said and I could hear the smile in her voice.

  "Noted." I replied nodding as I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her more snugly against my chest.

   "Things will be difficult." Xerxes hummed, thinking of our mate as he spoke to me as I looked down at Selene's sleeping form.

   "Yes, things will be. But she is ours. And in the end, everything will be worth it." I replied as I kissed the top of her head.

  I woke up stretching to find that the spot next to me was empty, concentrating I could feel that the spot was still slightly warm, then I heard the faint sound of the shower coming from the bathroom. Smiling I got up and began getting dressed for the day, hearing humming coming from the bathroom as the water stopped I chuckled.

  As I was buttoning up my pants Selene opened the bathroom door with one towel wrapped around her body and another wrapped around her hair. When the door opened and the steam blew out her scent hit and it hit me full force, I turned around and braced myself on the desk behind me taking breaths in through my mouth as I moved to open the window that sat behind it.

  She giggled, "I can't smell that bad can I?" I glared at her sideways, as I stuck my head out the window attempting to break the haze of the mate bond.

  "You know very well it is not that, but if this is how you felt last night I do apologize." I replied as my head hung out the window.

  I heard Selene snort, "If we're leaving to your pack today then I would suggest you get dressed so we can attend breakfast then leave. I have some matters to take care of before we leave so I will meet you in your office in thirty minutes." She replied before closing the door as she left.

  I continued inhaling the air outside my window until I could comfortably reenter my room without being suffocated by her scent. After composing myself I finished getting dressed and gathering my things together I made my way to the office, where I found Hunter, Lydia, and Selene waiting already.

  Smiling sheepishly I went over and kissed Selene on her cheek, "Sorry I had a call to make instructing Liam and David on their duties in your pack, making sure that your house on my pack's property was finished, as well as telling them that their future Luna may have instructions for them as well when we arrive."

Selene made a humming noise at the base of her throat, "I will indeed have a few things I will need them to do while they are in my pack." Selene and Lydia stood, Hunter and I taking our places next to them. We made our way down to the banquet hall, noticing the bustle of all of the butlers getting the Alpha's things ready to load in their respective vehicles so they will be ready to head back to their respective packs after today's breakfast.

As we entered the dining hall, we noticed that Jane and Bane were seated at the councilmen table, huddled and whispering amongst themselves. Walking past the table Selene gripped my hand, the tension between her and Jane hung in a like a thick fog. Hunter and I looked between the females and pressured Selene and Lydia forwards, upon noticing the food was on our main table instead of a table that was separate from our main eating area.

I turned around and looked towards the council's table, "Any reason that our food is on our main table?" I replied gesturing at the table that was now next to me.

Councilman Henry smiled and nodded, while gesturing towards Jane, who was now sitting up with her hands clasped in front of herself, clearing her throat she spoke, "I thought that meals should be served here like they are at any other pack from now on. Since I'm in the running for Luna, I'm taking the chance to adjust things while I can."

Selene snarled at Jane causing her to flinch and Bane to sit up from her relaxed leaned-back position defensively, "You are in the running for nothing. The title of Luna is rightfully mine, I am an Alpha. You're some washed up traitorous slut." She growled taking a step forward, spitting at Jane's feet. Jane looked at us both with wide eyes as we walked away.

Selene pulled me to our seats, I pulled her seat out and pushed the seat in when she sat down. We began eating with the rest of the Alpha's and Beta's. Hunter and I looked at each other and then stared in shock at our females as they began eating without hesitation. Hunter and I began eating soon after without discussing much, just focusing on our food.

After eating all the Alpha's and Beta's and their guards said good-byes, then loaded into their respectful cars and trucks, my group was the last one leaving with my truck leaving first followed by Selene's, and then Jane and Bane's truck , with councilmen Henry and Nelson's car bringing up the rear.

Hunter and I were going through the business emails and updates on the councils new adjustments to the pack lands. Leslie had sent us the backgrounds for Jane and Bane encrypted through a non-company related email. While reading Bane's we found out she was once a body guard for a famous fighter in the Wolf Underground, which used to be a prominent scene for Alpha's looking to gamble away money, but was disbanded by the council around five years before I took over as Alpha. Jane's background didn't hold much just that for the last three years she held a membership at a gym close to the council's home, as well as holding a part-time job at a local flower shop.

"Nothing about Jane's background check is alarming, however, with Banes background we may want to do a bit more digging, since she has been training Jane we have no idea what she's learned." Hunter spoke up, leaning towards me and glancing at my laptop to make sure we got the same email, "I'll have Leslie go ahead and make a few calls to other packs to see what they can find for us, perhaps they'll be able to give us some insight on Jane as well."

I nodded with him in agreement, we needed as much information as we could get, especially if Bane was familiar with the Underground. Perhaps the council allowing Bane to train Jane comes with the hope that she will be my Luna so they have influence over her every decision, and therefore they will have indirect influence over my pack.

"Perhaps our mates could ask their pack members to do some digging as well? They assisted with Selene's overthrow of Evan, so there's a high possibility that they would assist their Alpha and her Beta." I said, proposing to Hunter an idea I had been considering since this morning after leaving the mansion. Hunter nodded in agreement, so I pulled out my phone and texted Selene my idea.

"Hey boss will we be stopping for food after we finish filling our gas tanks or will we just head straight to the pack?" Thomas asked, peeking his head in through the open driver side door, " Luna Selene and Beta Lydia wanted to know."

I looked at Hunter and he nodded, agreeing with Xerxes and myself, if our mates were hungry we would stop so they could eat, "We'll stop at Grandma Gwendolyn's diner." I replied with a smile, knowing that if Jane tried to show off Sawyer wouldn't stand for the disrespect.

When we pulled into the diner I noticed that it wasn't as busy like it was when we first stopped by on our way to the mansion perhaps that is better, without knowing how this meal was going to go. After I exited the truck Selene ran with Lydia over to Hunter and myself. Smiling I linked arms with Selene making our way into the diner with Lydia and Hunter falling in line behind us, and Jane and Bane bringing up the rear.

Selene chuckled when she heard Jane let out a sigh, I smiled down at her, she glanced up at me with the brightest smile. Then I saw the weirdest thing, Bane was looking at us, studying us. And she did something out of character, she smiled.

Selene felt my tug, I hadn't walked with her. She tugged on my hand, " Everything okay?" She looked worried, looking between Bane and I.

I smiled and nodded, "Yeah. Everything's okay babe." I squeezed her hand and led her into the restaurant, holding the door for her and waiting until Hunter took the door before stepping away, then someone who stood taller than Hunter and I took hold of the door his hands old and rugged covered with little scars. I looked up to meet the look of Sawyer's father, he had a stony expression on as he stepped out onto the little patio, blocking Jane and Bane from coming into the diner. Gwendolyn came up behind us and shut the door, locking it with a solid click.

 "Come on now let's get your orders together." Gwendolyn said as she ushered us into a both furthest from the door. As we all sat down Gwendolyn pulled out her notepad, "What can I get for you kids tonight?" she asked, looking at me.

"Is everything okay?" I questioned, speaking for everyone in my group, who were all thinking the same thing. Selene looked up from the table and she placed a hand on my shoulder.

"We'll start with mozzarella sticks, the 10-piece, and small salads for everyone." She paused and smiled at me, "Cokes for everyone too. The main would be four large cheese pizzas with two cheesy breadstick sides and marinara sauce on the side."

I stared at her in shock but Hunter who was looking between my mate and Lydia, questioningly at his mate, who was looking at my mate proudly and nodding in agreement. My mate and her Beta felt like my questioning the situation was wrong? I shared a look with Hunter, "what could I have said that they found wrong?" is what my look said, he shrugged in response, he too was clueless to what our mates found wrong with my question.

Gwendolyn looked at Selene and nodded, "Right away Luna Selene." I stared open mouthed at Sawyers Grandmother and Selene with realization, the packs new about the councils deal involving Jane and Selene. They had made their stance, they found Selene to be my true Luna, Jane would not be tolerated in any packs lands. They would not allow her to be in the same room as Selene, Jane would not be received in my pack as well as she hoped.

The meal was ate in silence, all of us too shocked to speak. Afterwards Selene and Lydia walked Hunter and I to our truck, kissed us on our cheeks briefly, and went back to their vehicle. Getting into our vehicle, not a word was said between Hunter and I the whole way back to our pack. Something happened back there, that was a pack Alpha directly disobeying the council's order.

When we crossed back into pack borders I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I felt Xerxes relax as well, after the encounter at the diner we were both on edge. There was no way Jane, or even worse the council, would just let that go.

I had texted Liam about the incident at the diner so that he and David would be prepared for how my pack may receive Jane, and to make sure that Lydia and Selene's home on the property is ready and adequately able to fill their needs. I was so engrossed in my phone I didn't even bother to look up as we passed through the gates before Hunter punched me in my shoulder, gaining my attention.

Looking through the window as we pulled up to the pack house I saw only mine and Hunter's mother outside of it, standing defiantly, their arms crossed over their chests. Behind them I saw Liam and David standing together having a headed conversation, they were both frantically making hand gestures as they argued, only stopping once Hunter's mom turned around and undoubtedly hollered at them to stop behaving like children. I ran my hand over my face, my mother was a force to be reckoned with, and if both her and Hunter's mother were out here then something was about to go down and the council wasn't going to like it.

Stepping out of the car I immediately walked over to my mother, grabbing her hands between my own, "Mom, can this wait until after everyone's been settled in? It would probably be better so."

My mother sucked her teeth at me, making a tsk sound as she pulled her hands out of mine. As she saw Jane step out of the council's limo her face contorted with rage and she began walking fiercely towards her, her heels clicking against the pavement. Selene watched our small group walk by with confusion, Hunter paused to stand with her and Lydia and explain to them the amount of s**t that was about to go down.

"Who in the name of GODDESS allowed this piece of trash through our gates?" My mother shouted out as we neared the limo, causing councilman Henry, who was making his way our of the limo, to stumble the rest of the way out in a hurry to intercept the furious Luna.

"Luna Kyra! What an excellent surprise!" Councilman Henry began, opening his arms in greeting, "You look absolutely amazing my dear." He finished with a smile.

My mother snarled at him in response, "Would you care to explain the meaning of this? Perhaps beginning with why the council has had builders here for the last three days putting up not one, but TWO houses on my sons land?" she looked between councilmen Henry and Nelson, who had finished getting out of the limo.

She then turned and pointed a finger at Jane, "And while you're explaining that you can also explain what the HELL she is doing here?" Looking between the two councilmen she waited for one of them to speak. Both councilmen looked between themselves, as if they were having a silent conversation on who should speak and risk pissing my mother off even more.

Councilman Nelson cleared his throat, "I'm assuming that your son hasn't kept you up to date on our agreement then?" Councilman Nelson smirked at me, thinking that he had leverage of some sort.

Hunter chose to rejoin our little group at this time, with Lydia and Selene following behind him. Selene walked up next to me, smiling at me she grabbed my hand and rubbed her thumb along the back of it. Hunter's mother didn't miss the interaction between Selene and myself. She nudged my mom and after gaining her attention she nodded towards Selene and I, I'm assuming that they used their mind-link to talk because no words were exchanged before my mother was running over to Selene and engulfing her in a hug.

"I was aware of the stipulations to your barbaric agreement with my son. However," she replied ,pausing to smile at Selene, "it seems like the arrangement is off now that my son has his mate. And your attempt to cause an argument between my son and I did not answer me to why SHE," my mother paused to once again point at Jane, "is present on these lands. Better yet, why is she even still alive? She was sent to the council to be punished for treason."

Councilman Henry began stuttering in an attempt to come up with an excuse, councilman Nelson rolled his eyes, stepping forwards, "Your son did not announce his mate until after we introduced Jane. So she is still technically a contender. It is up to her if she wants to exit the running for Luna." He finished gesturing at Jane, and if looks could kill, my mother would've had Jane six feet under in a heartbeat.

Jane stepped forward to stand directly between the councilmen with Bane standing behind her, "No disrespect Luna Kyra, but Cole knew the stipulations beforehand and he agreed to them and now he, and his mate have to live with his choices. And so do you."

My mother spun on Jane so fast, all we heard was a crunch and she was standing over Jane, who was now on her back clutching her nose with Bane standing there in shock at how fast my mother had moved. Selene and Lydia were standing therewith shocked looks on their faces, none of us had anticipated that.

Looking down on Jane my mother spat next to her face, "As far as I'm concerned you're still trash. You have NO rights here. And do not even think for a second that I wouldn't slit your throat if you step out of line." she turned and offered a small smile to Selene, "I cannot do much but I can do this," she turned to face the two councilman who, at this point were frozen in place, unsure of how to react to my mother's outbursts, "Until Cole's Luna is named I will stand in her place. I will make ALL final decisions when it comes to Jane and Selene's suggestions."

The councilman nodded in agreement, not wanting to anger my mother further then she already was. We all parted ways so we could get ready for the welcome home dinner, Selene and Lydia going to their respective house, as well as Jane, Bane, and the councilmen. Hunter and I followed our mothers into the packhouse, trying to mentally prepare ourselves for the scolding that we would no doubt have to deal with.

Following our mothers into the living area of the packhouse we noticed that Xerxes and Gaelan had gone silent, clearly not wanting to be apart of the conversation. Our mothers sat down at a table, gesturing for us to sit across from them, they were still silent. As we took our seats across from them they folded their hands in front of them, a sitting position we hadn't seen since we were scolded for the senior prank our class had pulled, causing school to be canceled for the day. Not only were they mad, they were disappointed in us.

"How is it that Hunter had no problem claiming his mate my son but yet yours must compete for her place by your side?" My mother questioned me, her head tilted to the side.

I took a deep breath, "The council and I had an agreement. In their eyes I failed to find her in time and they had already introduced Jane." I rubbed my forehead.

"Your mate was found BEFORE the council's set date so again my son I'm going to ask you. Why must your mate go through this silly trial? You are the King of Alphas. If the council can already sway your decision this easily then they won't have any issue with you if that disgrace actually manages to defeat your mate." My mother said, banging her hand against the table in frustration, Hunter's mother placing a soothing hand on her shoulder, "Your father would be disappointed in you." She finished, shaking her head, she stood up from the table and walked away.

Hunter and his mother stared at me, their shocked expressions matching my own, granted I knew my mother was disappointed in me I didn't think for a second that she would bring my father into it. I felt Xerxes's sadness through our bond and I tried to reassure him but he blocked me out before I could even get a word in.

Hunter's mother looked between us, "I'm sure she didn't mean it Cole, she's just very upset with the situation. You don't know this, but the council forced your mother to go through this as well." Without another word to us she set a key on the table, stood up and went after my mother.

I felt Xerxes stir at the presence of the key, one we hadn't seen since our father's passing. It was the key to his personal office, an office we were never allowed in, and the office he always disappeared into whenever he needed time alone. I snatched the key off of the table and turned to Hunter.

"I'm going to go and look in the office and see if there's anything that I can find that can help Selene and I end this little tirade that the council is on." I said, grabbing the key and making my way to the staircase that led to the Alpha's quarters. Even after my father had passed away I didn't bother to touch his office.

Within a few minutes I was standing outside the door, key in hand, and in no hurry to open the door. It was such a big part of my father's everyday training mantra, this door was to never be touched, it was one of the first things I had learned. And even though he had been gone for almost six years that mantra was still on repeat inside my head, a constant barrier.

I had no idea how long I had been standing in front of the door when I heard a voice, "Everything okay?" I looked down and saw Selene looking up at me, she leaned her head on my shoulder as she linked her fingers with mine.

"If I'm being honest?" I looked down and saw her nod, encouraging me to continue talking, "No, the one thing that might help us figure out how to deal with the council might be in this room and I can't seem to get up the courage to open the damn door." I said in frustration.

"It was a part of your training." She said matter-of-factly causing me to look at her questioningly, "Hunter told me. And I get it, not wanting to disobey your father, even though he's not even here anymore." She took a deep breath and took the key out of my hand, "Lucky for me though I don't have that issue." I stared at her in shock, she didn't need to help me, but she is. Selene stepped forward and placed the key in the lock, causing me to wince at the click, and pushed the door open.