The Alphas Hidden Mate

Chapter 16

CRACE'S POV

"Crace, why have you called a meeting? There isn't supposed to be one for another couple of weeks" Archer's father asked of me. Archer was also here, sitting on the lounge chair. He remained calm and patient, and that is why I chose him as a Beta. Well, one of the reasons. He remained calm in situations and had absolute faith and trust in me. He knew there was a reason I called this meeting, and I would voice it once I was ready.

Gabriella sat in the chair that was beside mine. The chair that was reserved always for the Luna. That chair always remained empty, no matter the circumstance. It remained unoccupied until a Luna was announced. It has been and always will be the Luna's designated seat in office. Though, I may need to sanitise it when Serena takes her place there. 

"Also, why is Gabriella here? She has no business being here" Jared said, glaring at her again. Gabriella remained unfazed, studying her nails, bored. Why was she here, if she was just gonna sit there? 

"She's here, Jared, because she will soon be my Luna. Though unmarked, a she-wolf can assume the place of Luna if the Alpha has not found his mate. The ceremony will be in just under a month and from now on, she will be attending all the meetings that are held, official and unofficial and will be apart of any decision that is made. Like my father, she has a vote but hers hold a significant more weight to it. Speaking of my father, he is to remain out of any meetings and decisions from now on. It seems he still learning to find his footing as just a wolf now and needs to learn how to be an Elder respectfully. Are we clear?" I informed them, looking at Jared at the end. Robert was his friend, but I was the Alpha and he needed to respect that too, and keep my father out of the loop.

"Yes, of course." He replied with nodding his head. Gabriella was now sitting upright in her chair, intrigued.

"What's going on with your father?" She asked me, those mysterious wheels turning within her eyes. I frowned at her. What was she up to? Seiko was also concerned too, his fur bristled a little and he was snarling. 

"Oh, nothing serious. Just a usual father-son disagreement is all" I told her, waving dismissively. Those wheels still turned and I swear I saw a spark of something in those eyes...something wasn't right... "Now, let's get on with this meeting. To answer your first question Jared, I have called this urgent meeting as there has been some safety and security concerns regarding our pack. I wish to increase the patrols and guards by two and have them covering more area. This pack is quite large so I think it's best we do this soon." I said, sitting in my chair. Everyone looked at me, surprised.

"Who has expressed these concerns?" Archer said, leaning forward. Everyone nodded in agreement with the question. Jared took a seat next to his son, and leant forward too. They were all intrigued as to why, how and who these concerns were from. 

"Just pack members. They fear that security isn't strong enough for such a large pack. I agree. We have many young families within our territory, and we promise all members a safe place for them."

"Yes but we haven't had any trouble or anything in decades. In fact, we are one of the safest territories in the country. That is why we have such a large pack. It is safer here than anywhere else." Jared reasoned, gesturing. I nodded, listening actively.

"I know but that doesn't mean we throw caution to the wind nor ignore the concerns of others. Also where is the harm in expanding security?" I explained. 

"If you don't mind me putting my opinion in..." Gabriella said, slowly raising a hand. I looked to her and gave her yet another forced smile. 

"Of course, Gabriella. You will be Luna so your opinion here is valued" I told her.

"Well, I think we shouldn't increase security. We don't have enough resources or personnel to cover the area. Like you said, we are a pretty big territory. I highly doubt there is enough personnel to secure the whole pack." She said, raising an eyebrow. 

"If that's the case, then we will simple train more wolves. We already have several members in line to be guards for the territory. I say, we test their skills, train them if and when its necessary and then put them out in the field." I said, sighing. I was not expected to be met with such resistance on this topic. 

"Those wolves are still young, Alpha. You would be putting them at risk if anything were to happen and I fear they wouldn't be prepared if something were to come along and threaten the pack and territory." Jared said, running a hand through his hair. We all seemed to be frustrated and tense about this subject. They all voiced perfectly reasonable excuses not to increase security but if Serena said that something wasn't right, then something wasn't right.

"Okay, look, I agree with what you are all saying. However, in the end, this is about the security and safety of the pack and territory. If we wish to continue to be the safest pack in this part of the country, we need to ensure that any threat is met with resistance. In its simplest terms, we either vote for or against the safety of the pack. Raise of hands for the safety" I said, raising my own hand. Archer rose his too, and after a moment of hesitation, Jared put his hand up as well. Gabriella scowled. "Those who are against?" I said, looking at Gabriella. She looked at me and rolled her eyes.

"Obviously we know my opinion and it's only me. Do I really need to raise my hand?" She asked. I just looked at her pointedly and she sighed in defeat before raising her own hand.

"Looks like we need to alert some people. That will be all for today. Is there any other matters that need to be discussed?"

"Miss Hasting's seems to be improving in her training lessons with the new class. I'd say in a few months, she'll be able to move to the advanced class." Archer said, looking at his notes. I nodded, feigning indifference, though pride filled me. "Uhm...we have had a couple of rogues pass through on their travels. They only needed a place to stay for a night or two. No problems arose from them and went smoothly. There is talk that the Lycan King of the South might be passing through on his travels too. Though, we have not had any communication from him or his court announcing such news, so nothing to worry about yet. Lastly, the new residential houses and business to accommodate our growing numbers have started being built yesterday. So it seems that everything is well, Alpha." Archer said, finally looking up from his notes.

"Excellent. Besides, talk of the Southern Lycan King coming by, it sure seems that things are running smoothly." I said, smiling. Take that and shove it where the sun don't shine, Father I thought, smugly. "With that, I now think that the meeting is officially concluded. Thank you for all coming on such short notice." I said, standing to stretch my limbs. God, these chairs were so uncomfortable. I should really invest in some comfier ones...

Everyone left the room, nodding at me with respect. Well, everyone except for Gabriella. She winked at me, suggestively. I just ignored her and then closed the door behind her. I sat on the chaise lounge this time and stretched out.

How did the meeting go? I heard Serenas voice in my head and the biggest smiles formed on my face. I must look like an idiot...an i***t in love though. Her voice was warm like honey, it enveloped me and soothed me.

Well, there was some concerns regarding the added security measures. Though once I simplified it for them; the packs safety or risk any threat breaching our territory, they eventually agreed. Well almost everyone agreed... I trailed off. She sighed.

I don't need to guess who that one person might be She said I felt the weight of her exhaustion in me too, it overwhelmed me. 

Yeah I sighed. I'll be over soon. I just gotta finish up some things here at the office. I need my father to see that I am taking my role as an Alpha seriously. I told her.

Oh Crace, I am so sorry you are going through this She said, saddened. I felt her sadness now, it washed over me. 

It is what it is I said, getting up from the lounge. He will never respect me as an Alpha, and will never get used to it. He has some perverse idea that he will always be an Alpha despite handing me the title years ago. It's disrespectful to me and the council of Elders. I feel he thinks I will not be a true Alpha until I find a Luna. In his mind, a pack can't be run smoothly unless he has his Luna.

Oh Crace...I felt guilt overwhelm me, it drowned me. 

I'll see you when I get home, princess. I'm missing you so much already I told her. I felt her smile before we cut off the connection between us. I went to my desk and got straight to work

GABRIELLA'S POV

This can not be happening. Panic...panic...straight up panic. The moment I left the office and went a seperate way than the others, I felt panic crash over me. I was freaking out! I paced my room, endlessly. I couldn't sit or stand in one place for more than, like, 10 seconds. Hello, anxiety. I called him once I reached my room and was sure no one could hear me. I was stressing. I told him that there was a problem, an actual problem and he said he would text the location of our meeting place when he was there. 

Thankfully, that juicy tidbit about Crace and his dad could help us. It could work in our advantage. I had to tell him that too. My mind was reeling from the meeting and time was moving so slowly. 

Minutes ticked by and I went from my bed, to my desk, to my ensuite, to my bed. I just was so anxious and stressed. Finally, my phone dinged signalling a message. He had sent me the meeting location and I grabbed my purse and phone before heading to the location. 

Thank god...