Two Mated Alphas

Heartless

James’ POV

I sat there across from Luna Victoria and held her icy gaze. Lyanna stared at me with a stony expression, while Kason stretched lazily on the couch by his sister.

“Luna Victoria, I can understand this is all very difficult to hear…” I began, but was cut off by her raising a perfectly manicured hand.

“I don’t think you understand anything. You are asking my son to risk this pack, a pack he, his father, his father’s father have all worked to build. Do you know the sacrifices and hardships this family has undergone to build what we have today? If you did, you wouldn’t be asking this of my son”

My jaw clenched. This woman was not going to be won over easily. I had to respect her ferocity as a Luna and a mother. I could only imagine what my Mother would be like in her shoes. Luna Victoria must already hate me….Not that I cared much what she thought in this moment. This was not going well at all.

“I understand perfectly well the hardships Opal Moon has faced. I know that Alpha Lucius’ father worked tirelessly to build this pack from hardly nothing. He forged alliances, defended this land and his people, and built industries that are flourishing today. I know that this pack suffered a great tragedy when Alpha Lucius’ sister was brutally and mysteriously murdered. My father and grandfather assisted however they could in that investigation if I recall. Not that that act of alliance was ever repaid when Blood Moon experienced our own tragedy not too long ago with the death of my mother and the convenient subsequent rogue attack that followed. But it’s understandable as Blood Moon handled it quickly and quietly.” My voice was dripping with venom.

“And I don’t think you understand the risk I am taking here. I am the future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. I am a Laurent, and a Laurent must always lead the Blood Moon Pack. As the future Alpha, I must always make decisions that put the well-being of my pack first. Which is why I had always resolved myself to never find my mate and to reject him immediately if I ever were to find him. But as you can see, I have not. I have left my pack and am here, with your son, my mate. Against every rational cell in my body I am here, giving this mate bond a chance, putting faith in the Moon Goddess that there is a reason behind this. I believe the ritual will be successful, and the odds are stacked against me as I am a female. But more than that I am an Alpha. If Sebastian is unable to respect my birthright, as I respect his, then I will be unable to accept him as my Mate. I will not reject him, but I will return to Blood Moon and rule as Alpha. Alone.”

“But you can’t do that, you found one another. Leaving will weaken you both” Lyanna piped up, slamming her hands on the edge of the couch.

“I will do what I must for Blood Moon. I am their future Alpha. Believe me, I can survive being away from my mate”.

As I said those words, I felt Ember whimper inside, and I wondered how true they were.

“How can you be so heartless? My brother deserves a Luna who will stay by his side, no matter what” Lyanna stood up and stormed out of the room.

It stung to be called heartless when it felt like for years all I had done was break my heart over and over for my pack. They came before anything. I would gladly cut my heart out for Blood Moon if it was best for them. As any good Alpha would.

Luna Victoria sat there with pursed lips, watching the scene unfold. Kason had leaned forward and was watching me intently. He cleared his throat and finally spoke.

“You would do anything for your pack, just like my brother. Wouldn’t you?”

“I’m their future Alpha, just as he is yours” I replied softly.

Kason nodded his head.

“My brother needs someone exactly like you. And if he’s agreed to this ritual, that’s good enough for me. Asking you to give up your birthright would be like asking him to give up his. And I can tell you’re ten times as stubborn as him” he said with a slight smirk playing at his full lips. He looked just like his brother: dark hair, dark eyes, and a playful gleam to his eye. He was leaner, and he had tattoos poking out of the hems of his shirt at his neck and wrists.

“Thank you Kason” I said gently. At least I had someone from Opal Moon that understood.

I looked back to Luna Victoria, who was pouring herself some tea. She took a long sip and closed her eyes. She then set down her teacup and cleared her throat.

“My daughter is wrong. You are not heartless. For it takes a great ability to love to say what you just said. To put the well-being of a pack before one’s own happiness, before the gift from the Goddess that is the Mate Bond, takes a strength only a truly great Alpha possesses. I didn’t see it before, but I felt it as you spoke.” Luna Victoria said quietly.

“I won’t pretend that I like it or approve, but it’s clear to me this is my son’s choice. The Goddess must have a plan for all of this.”

“I believe she does” was all I could say in response.

————

Sebastian’s POV

I followed my father into the adjoining conference room. I could feel tension rolling in waves from the room behind me where I had left James with my mother and siblings.

My father sat down in a plush chair with a side table in front of the window, across the room from the conference table. He waved his hands to motioned for me to sit.

“Tell me son, how did you find her?”

Not expecting that to be his first question, I launched into telling my father about the meeting of the Alpha’s Circle. How I smelled her floral scent, how I thought she was the Luna of Blood Moon at first, and how I was completely enamored by her. I also told him about laying claim to her, and our conversation in the hotel bar that night. Then I went into the details of the ritual again, and how she agreed to come here.

My father sat listening intently the entire time. When I finally caught him up to the present, he took a deep breath.

“Son, I think you’ve handled this the best way you possibly could. You’ve been placed in an impossible situation”

I let out a snort and rolled my eyes “Ya think?? I’ve never met anyone like her Dad.”

“I can tell she’s something already. Although it doesn’t surprise me knowing Alpha Easton and Luna Alina. Luna Alina especially was a pistol. It’s no surprise she would give birth to the first female Alpha in generations, likely ever.”

“Did I make a mistake agreeing to this challenge?” I asked my father, fear and doubt gripping at my stomach. Even though I’ve been Alpha for years now, I still sometimes depend on his counsel.

My father took a deep breath and exhaled. He paused for a moment and I can tell he was talking to his wolf, Atlas.

“I think you are incredibly wise son. Most Alpha’s would demand her to give up her place as Alpha, or they would reject her. You are trusting in the Goddess, and that can never be a foolish choice”

Relief washed over me. I had my Father’s blessing.

“Getting your mother and sister to see it that way is going to be a different story…..but I’ll work on them” he said with a wink.

It was in that moment I heard shouting and someone storming out of the office. My whole body tensed and filled with dread. Was that James who just stormed out??

“Sounds like it’s going as expected with them. Let’s see what this James Laurent can do” my father chuckled as he stood up.

He reached out his arms and pulled me into a hug. “I always knew you were meant for great things son. And I never dreamed you finding your mate would be this, unique” he chuckled again and let me go with a pat on the shoulders.

He opened the conference room door, and I heard the melodic voice of my mate

“I believe she does” James said softly.

Her head snapped to look over at me as my scent hit her. I noticed her eyes began to glow a soft golden color, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Ember definitely reacted to her mate’s presence, and I could only hope James felt similarly.

“We heard someone storm out, it seems that it was Lyanna?” My father asked, looking to Mother and Kason.

“Yes. Lyanna got upset and hurled some accusations. I’ll go speak with her” Mother said, smoothing her skirt before standing.

She walked over to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek

It won’t be easy to love another Alpha, my son. But James is your perfect mate.

I was stunned to hear my mother say that over the mindlink. She turned from me with a small smile and held her hands out to James. James stood and took my Mother’s hands.

“My dear, I hope you forgive Lyanna’s behavior and mine. We are fiercely protective of our boys, and as Luna of this pack I only want what is best. I do believe that is you. As untraditional as you are” my mother said to James.

James smiled gently at my mother and squeezed her hands.

“I understand your feelings Luna Victoria. I think it’s truly admirable how protective you are of your son and this pack. I feel I have a great deal to learn from you. And I look forward to it” James said.

My mother smiled and said goodbye, and left the room. Apparently to calm down a very angry Lyanna.

“What did Lyanna say to you?” I asked James.

James’ eyes flickered with a look of hurt, and I could feel Alaric’s temper flare.

Did Lyanna hurt mate? Alaric fumed.

“We don’t have to talk about that right now” my father interjected, sensing the awkward tension in the room. “I’d rather take this time to get to know James a little more!”

“I definitely want to know how you found my brother and how that first meeting went” Kason snickered.

James smiled and sat down on the couch, my father sitting beside Kason, and me joining James.

“What all would you like to know?” She chirped, reaching for my hand and lacing her fingers through mine.

I looked at our hands intertwined together and smiled. Alaric purred happily in my mind as my mate told my dad and brother the story of how we met.