Betrayed by the one she loved

The Letter

In the pack house office, the morning sun had begun to creep across the floor. The Alpha cleared his throat, he was still searching for the right words. Beta Cole shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the Luna and Ann exchanged a puzzled sideways glance. Brookes ears pricked up, she heard the front door softly close and the sound of someone padding up the main staircase in a hurry. Her heart started hammering in her chest, the footsteps sounded like it could possibly be Jax returning from morning patrol? before she could stop herself, Brooke had half raised herself from her seat, clearly with the intention of seeking out Jax. She hadn't seen him in weeks and deeply missed his company, he had been so busy lately helping his father with pack business; attending meetings, reviewing accounts, running extra patrol. All this extra responsibility had resulted in him working late most nights, but she knew it was for the good of the pack and its future so she didn't complain or question him. He had even cancelled their date last night, he said his father needed him to take care of some patrol schedules. Brooke admired his commitment, but was worried he was taking on too much too soon, especially as Alpha Theo showed no signs of wishing to hand the title and responsibility of Alpha to Jax just yet. Luna Ashley brought Brooke back to the present 'Brooke are you ok my dear?' 'yes yes, my apologies Luna, i thought i heard Jax return?' She settled back into her seat 'is he joining us? i miss him' Brooke quickly looked down, but continued 'i haven't seen him in weeks, all the extra pack responsibility is keeping him away from me, not that i am complaining' her cheeks slightly flushed but she pressed on 'i know there is a monumental amount of work to be done to keep the pack running smoothly, but i wish he didnt need to cancel our arrangements and plans'. The Luna looked confused 'what extra responsibility and what plans my dear?' Brooke's cheeks flushed again 'we had planned to watch a movie last night and maybe get a bite to eat afterwards, like a date' the Luna and Alpha looked into eachothers eyes knowingly. 'Brooke, dear, theres something i need to ask you' Brooke sat up and gave the Luna

100% of her attention 'have you ever . . . kissed another?' Brooke blushed and shyly shook her head 'so, i can safely assume that you have never been with another . . . . intimately?' Ashley pressed further 'no my Luna' Brooke answered honestly 'it is forbidden, it would destroy the sanctity of the sacred mate bond, why would i or anyone be foolish enough to do that to themselves or to their mate, even if they haven't met them yet?' Luna Ashley mused her answer 'why indeed. Has no-one ever caught your eye my dear?' Brooke blushed again, dropped her gaze from the Luna and gentle shook her head 'only one Luna' Luna Ashley turned slightly to Ann and had a look of pity on her face. 'then unfortunately, this conversation is going to be more difficult than i imagined. i knew you where dedicated to our pack Brooke, i never doubted you nor doubted the Luna your have to potential to become' Luna Ashley stood, walked to the door and called her son 'Jackson come here'. Now, she could've mind linked her request to him, but she was still to disgusted in him and his previous nights antics to enter his mind. A few moments later Jax entered the room, Luna Ashley watched Brooke closely, she watched how Brooke instinctively lit up the moment she heard and recognised his approaching footsteps, she watched, as Brooke nervously ran the tip of her tongue over her lips and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Brooke looked every bit a young she wolf deeply in love, devoted to her future mate. Luna Ashley then had to observe the scene, as Brooke's face changed from giggly anticipation of Jax's arrival, to him entering the room and her nose wrinkling from an unwelcome smell hitting her full in the face, Jax still had the other multiple she wolves scents on him. Brookes eyes immediately shined with tears and pain, her mouth fell open and brow furrowed. She didn't need to say a word, she took a step back from him, closer to the Luna. A single sob tore through her body and she thought she would be swallowed by the feeling of betrayal. Jax took a step towards her, hand reaching in the air, apology after apology left his mouth but it was too late. Brooke turned to him and said one word, you could hear the raw heartbreak in her voice, 'why?' Jax couldn't answer, he didn't understand himself why he had done what he did, he couldn't explain why he was so weak. He turned to his mum, she had a look of utter disgust and contempt on her face as she looked down at her son. Jax turned to his Alpha, 'Dad . . . . ' thats all he could get out before the Alpha turned his furious glare to his son, 'enough Jackson, the damage is done.' The Alpha's voice was leaving no room for misinterpretation, it was as cold as ice as he used his Alpha tone. 'We have much to discuss in this meeting'

Luna Ashley took the seat next to Ann, Brooke settled in the chair next to her parents, her father reached a hand out, gently rubbed his daughters shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze, she knew this was for reassurance about what had just happened. Brooke placed her hand over her fathers, she gave it a slight squeeze back and let out a short sharp breath. Jax retreated to a seat in the corner of the room.

'I received a letter from Alpha Louis of the Eclipse pack, they are a smaller pack to the North of us in the mountain region, he is getting on in years now, his Luna passed some years back, all he has now is his only daughter Tia, she is next in line to take over Eclipse Pack' Luna Ashley shifted uncomfortably in her seat, Ann glanced at her husband who was still glaring at Jax with a murderous glint in his eye, they where still too preoccupied with their daughters anguish to process what the Alpha had just said.

Brooke was the first to speak 'So, based on this meeting between our families, Alpha Louis wants an arrangement between Jackson and his daughter?' Jax's head snapped up, he knew this would be the end of any chance he had with making things right with Brooke if his dad had already agreed. His voice was small he was still in the submission his dad had put him in 'but dad, Brooke's birthday is in 3 days . . . the ceremony . . .' he trailed off, the Alpha shot a warning look at his son, cleared his throat and continued, 'i haven't yet replied to Alpha Louis, i need to find a balance, a balance of whats best for the future of our pack, afterall, the Moon Goddess blessed our pack with the sacred mate bond between the Alpha's first born son and the Beta's first born daughter. However, after recent events this bond is not longer guaranteed, regardless of how close Brooke's birthday is, the bond is no longer guaranteed' he turned and smiled a small smile at Brooke 'besides, i doubt anyone would have anything to say on the matter if you decided you didn't want my son as a chosen insteat of fated mate, given the circumstances' Jax's head fell low again, the weight of his father anger through his Alpha aura was crushing him. The Luna found her voice 'Theo, what would happen if you refused him?' Alpha Theo rubbed his chin with his hand, 'well, i assume it would mean war between our packs, it would also mean i have broken my oath from my youth and not kept my word. An Alpha's word is his bond, breaking the oath would bring disgrace to my name, however, he is well aware of the blessing we have as a pack from the Moon Goddess, he is asking me to go against it' Theo mused more to himself than the others. Beta Cole spoke first, 'whatever you decide Alpha, you need to put our pack and its safety first, as you always have'.