A Tale of His Spy Mate

Chapter Seven: Burn Them

Justin POV

Eric pissed me off by walking in. Granted, we had that type of relationship, but it's been a while since I've had women around me, and it hasn't been an issue. Still, we're going to go back to waiting before opening doors.

Thankfully, Anna took it gracefully; she seemed surprised but didn't freak out. I'm glad my mate is calm. I couldn't handle a frenzy, jealous, lying mate.

As I helped Anna back into her dress, I enjoyed all the tingles I got as I touched. I had meant to go slow. I had meant to stick to a conversation, but as soon as she had played along with my teasing, I couldn't stop it.

The desire to make the pack wait for me as I finished what we started was going through my mind. However, I don't want to disrespect the pack like that. I'm their leader, not their tyrant.

"We can get some dinner and that chocolate cake you want after the gathering. I'm sorry I lost control again; you're so gorgeous, and it's hard for me not to kiss you."

She laughed, a light-hearted ring that had her throwing her head back and exposing her throat to me.

"You're going to be making quite a few apologies. You better get used to being on your knees and offering yourself to me."

"Oh, I am available for your pleasure any time you command it."

Anna bit her lower lip, giving me a sultry look.

"Be careful what you wish for. You might find yourself exhausted trying to keep up."

"Do you really think you can tire me out? This sounds like an interesting proposition. Please continue with whatever else is in that delicious mind of yours."

Anna raises one of her eyebrows.

"I guess we'll have to test your limits later. However, I believe you said we needed to get to the gathering and we don't want to be a disruption."

I bit back a laugh. Poor Anna didn't know that I was naturally going to be "disruptive" at the gathering. Though I did need to shift focus on how I would broach the topic of Tina's coma with the pack.

I gave Anna a tired smile and led her out of the room.

I was holding the gathering indoors, in our ballroom, as the night was relatively chilly. While the adults wouldn't mind, the younger children would.

I grasped Anna's hand tightly as we walked in. The crowd immediately parted to let us through. Once we reached the small stage, I left Anna off to the side with Eric, Derrick, and Jess, Derrick's mate. Her expression was one of confusion and fear. She looked ready to run out of the ballroom right then and there.

Make sure Anna stays. She doesn't look comfortable but she needs to be here. I mind-linked Eric, who nodded at me. I would have to figure out why she was scared later.

"Good Evening, Crescent Moon Pack." I raised my voice so those in the back could hear. "As some of you might have already heard, there has been an attack on one of our own. Tina Swiftfoot was brutally assaulted after her shift at the Crescent Steak House last night."

"Tina is currently in a coma, and her parents are with her in the hospital. We believe the coma to be magically induced." The pack shifted uncomfortably at those words, and quiet murmurs were heard throughout the room. Werewolves were strong but couldn't fight against magical attacks.

"While there is no indication that the Rising Moon Pack was involved, I ask that everyone be cautious of any encounters with the Rising Moon Pack. I also ask that if you see anything suspicious or resembling magic, please report it immediately."

I glanced over at Anna, who was struggling with Eric. I could tell she wanted to leave, and her face was plastered with horror.

"It was the Rising Moon! They have been the cause of all the pack's deaths over the years!" One voice rang out. I thought it was old man Peter, but I couldn't be sure. Once he finished, over voices were heard agreeing with him.

"Calm down, everyone! What proof do you have that it was the Rising Moon this time?" I shouted in the direction of old man Peter, hoping logic would reign.

I could see that he was struggling to put together a cohesive response.

"What proof doesn't anyone have that it was the Rising Moon? Since when does the Rising Moon have magic?"

The ballroom became quiet again.

"Lad, I might not have proof this minute, but I know it was them. It's always been them. Maybe they've hired a witch or warlock to help them this time. We should burn their pack down to the ground. We should have done that years ago!" Old man Peter said when he finally found his tongue.

"Burn them down! Burn them down! Burn them down!" The chant began slowly and softly, building it until it was a loud roar that refused to be diminished.

I was surprised at the hate that existed in the pack towards the Rising Moon. But then, this hate has been simmering for a century, all over an unknown cause. It was stupid really, why we were at war with them. But saying it was stupid to hate the Rising Moon right now wasn’t going to help my cause.

"Enough!" I yelled, using my Alpha aura on the entire gathering. Immediately, everyone's head was lowered, the chanting stopped, and many were put into a bowing position.

Seeing the pack in a submissive position, quavering under my power, made me feel a bit guilty. I rarely used my Alpha aura, but I couldn't have the pack inciting a war over no proof, even if there were previous attacks by the Rising Moon Pack.

I looked towards Anna to see how she was faring. She was one of the few still standing, her back straight and her face looking directly at me, contorted with anger and disgust. Tears ran down her face.

Oh goddess, what have I done now to deserve that look? And how was she immune to my aura?

More questions that I would have to solve later.

I turned my attention back to the pack, looking at their subservient position, frustration and anger still evident on their faces. Their hate was understandable, but to call for the complete destruction of another pack without proof isn't who we are. It was one of the reasons why the Rising Moon Pack still existed today.

"I can understand everyone's anger. I remember every slight, every death that has been the cause of the Rising Moon. But we are not a mob, nor do we wantonly kill others. We will finish this war with the Rising Moon, but we will do it in a way that honors our traditions."

With that, I released my aura, the relief visible throughout the pack as they slowly got up.

"Once I have a solution, the pack will know, and this war will be done one way or another, even if it includes the complete destruction of the Rising Moon Pack. If anyone seeks revenge and acts without my permission, I will banish you. This will be your one and only warning."

The pack glanced at each other. In my two years as an Alpha, I had never banished anyone or threatened to banish anyone. However, the anger I felt from the pack was at an inflection point, and I couldn't be everywhere at once.

Hopefully, the warning would prevent any unfortunate incidents before I could figure out who was behind the attacks.

I looked again at Anna, who seemed physically ill. I was going to bind and introduce her to the pack. Still, I wanted her first official interaction with the pack to be positive. I'll just have to introduce her at another time.

I looked back at the pack, who was watching me with submissive eyes.

"In the meantime, please be cautious, particularly if you are in town. Now, I wish you all a pleasant evening. If you are a warrior, please stay behind while Beta Eric gives new instructions in light of these events."

The silence was deafening as Eric released Anna and started towards the stage. Anna just stared at me, shook her head, then ran off for the second time in one day.