Alliances and love

Maia  I was looking out of my window, just pondering about the situation we are in. It was a year ago that the Night Walker pack came unannounced to our territory. Their lycan leader Caleb told my father that he would claim me as his Luna when I became 18 years old. Either we agree to it or he would take me by force.  That day still gives me nightmares. It was since then that my father spend every waking hour to seek out alliances with other packs but none would take the risk to anger the Night Walkers. It won't be the first time they slaughter an entire pack. Today the alpha of the Midnight pack will come in to talk about an alliance. Elias is the only other lycan in the city, but he seems to have his beast under control most of the time. I'm just not sure if it is the best idea to fight a lycan with another but it is our last hope. The sound of two cars took me out of my pondering, that must be the Midnighters. I stood up from the windowsill and looked in the mirror. I took the stubborn little strand of hair out of my face and tucked it in with the rest before I went downstairs. Jackson, my father's beta is standing in the hallway. I can see from his face that he is nervous but he still gives me a sweet smile. 'Could you get some food and drinks to the office soon' he asks me. 'Of course, I'll fix something up' I give him a encouraging smile 'it'll be okay'. Jackson is my fathers closest friend and sometimes acted as a second father to me, which I didn't mind. He was firm but kind, a great listener and my father really trusts him. Jackson gives me another smile and then softly pushes me towards the kitchen before the Midnighters would be at the door. In this case, those talks were man business and I was still to young to be there as the alphas daughter. I put in my earplugs and connect them to my phone so I can listen to some music while I cook some snacks.  Elias I still had no idea why I accepted the invitation from the Moonlight pack but here we are. As soon as I stepped out of the car I catch a scent that makes my inner beast stir. I push him back a little and look around. It's clear to see that they aren't really powerful or wealthy, the atmosphere feels welcoming and calm. Weaklings growls my beast and I can't exactly disagree. As my beta Nathan and I walk to the door we are greeted by beta Jackson. I shake his hand but get distracted by a stronger whiff of that same scent, its sweet but earthly. 'Thank you for meeting with us alpha Elias. If you can follow me to the office, we can talk in private'. As I nod I feel the disapproval from my beast, he wants to hunt after the scent. Easy, we will get to that later I calm him and sit down in one of the chairs after I greet alpha Keith. The man before me looks tired but determined to protect his pack and daughter as he speaks of the situation. 'Is she his fated mate? because if she is then it is the way of the moon goddess'. Keith's eyes turn darker as his muscles tense 'Maia is seventeen so she can't find her mate yet. Caleb never said she was his. He made it clear he doesn't care, he wants to claim her either way'. I look at him calmly and I can feel he is much stronger than I first thought. 'I see. And when is her birthday?' I ask like it is the deadline of a business deal. 'In three months' Keoth answers with a frustrated. 'The Night Walkers are a large pack. If we were to aid you, there will be casualties. What can you offer us in return' I ask in a cold tone. I'm not willing to risk my people for nothing. In an instant the man before me changes from a determined alpha to a desperate father. 'I'd do almost anything to protect my daughter from that mad man'. His submission pleases the alpha in me but once again I get distracted by that scent, that bloody addictive smell is getting closer and the beast is fighting to get out. Nate notices my distraction and tried to mind link me, but once the door opens the scent just hits me so hard I can barely contain myself. I look towards the scent and just one look at her gets me over the edge. A deep growl emerges from my chest. Mate! yells the beast in my head as I feel him taking over a part of me. The colour of my eyes turn to yellow as I stand up growling once again 'Mine'. With just a few steps I'm pushing her with her back against the wall and place my hands against the wall so she can't escape. I take a deep breath taking up as much of the scent I can, pleasing the lycan. She looks up to me with confusion in her blue eyes but I can sense it turning into fear. In the corner of my eye I can see the other people in the room moving. Alpha Keith growls at me but Nate gestures him to hold back. 'Elias' he speaks in a calm demeanor 'calm yourself, you're scaring the girl'. He walks up to me slowly as I try to compose myself again. Nathan is right, i need to get a hold on myself again. But I know exactly what I want from this alliance. My mate will be mine, as the moon goddess decided.  Maia I couldn't really comprehend what was happening. One second I was placing the tray of food on the table and the next I was with my back against the wall while this big muscular body was towering over me. His presence felt powerful, dominant and his growling gave me chills. I look up to the golden yellow eyes of the man before me, the eyes of a lycan. Fear falls over me as I think back of the day Caleb stood before me with the same eyes. I hear the deep growl come from inside him with just one simple word. But it's a word that shakes up my entire being. He claims me as his fated mate?! My heart pounds in my chest as I hear my fathers protective growl and then a smooth soft voice that seems to be talking to the alpha, that must be his beta. As soon as the words kick in Elias starts to ease up and his eyes turn dark grey. For a moment I'm just to confused to even move but then I realise he isn't moving at all and still very close to me. My confusion turns to frustration when I realise he is the second lycan trying to claim me against my will and my wolf isn't happy with it either. A soft growl leaves my lips as I put my hands to his chest to push him away. I can feel his muscles tense up underneath my touch and his expression tells me he does not like this move. With all the power in the world I couldn't push him away but he let me, taking a step back without breaking the eye contact. 'I'll help you alpha Keith'. His deep slightly husky voice gives me a shiver, but a pleasant one. 'On one condition'. His eyes captivate me while his aura is scary but intriguing at the same time. 'Maia will stay with my pack'. I gasp and break our gaze to look at my father who is seemingly as confused but also angry. 'I will not let my daughter just go with you!' He exclaims. Elias growls and turns to my father 'that is my one condition. Remember that my pack is the only one who can help you from death.' His deep voice now sounds colder and more animalistic than before which does give me a chill of fear. 'I will go with you'. I say the words before thinking and look at my father to mind link him. Dad this is the only way. We need his help and he claims to be my mate so he won't hurt me I tell him. 'But I will be free to visit my pack whenever I want to, I will not be your prisoner' I tell Elias with my most fierce voice I can get. His wolf was already pleased to hear I would go with him, I could tell from the look on his face. Maia please, you dont know what you're getting yourself into my father pleas to me. I look at him with a apologizing look before I turn my gaze towards Elias again. 'Do we have a deal? I'll go with you under these conditions and you will help my pack against the threat of the Night Walkers?' I keep my spine as straight as I can trying to hide my insecurity and fear of what will happen and extend my hand to him. Elias grins while looking at me content and perhaps a little impressed of this move as he takes my hand. 'Deal'.