Betrayed by the one she loved

A very unexpected request.

Across town, Alpha prince Jax was busy training, as he did most days. His tanned smooth skin was rippling over his muscles, it was sparkling in sweat from the exertion of the workout in the late afternoon sun, he looked far too alluring to all the she wolves who could see him. He was very dedicated to his pack and took his place as future Alpha very seriously. He pushed his hand through his dark raven hair to get it out of his piercing emerald green eyes. Over the last few days his wolf had begun to get more and more restless, he could feel Forest (his wolf) pacing in his mind. He was counting down the seconds to Brooke's birthday, he knew what the scared mate bond would be instant and he would be able to claim her as his own. The meer thought was enough to make Forest howl inside Jax's head, it drove him crazy with desire, this was something that had not stirred inside Jax or Forest before. Jax, however, had developed a curious wondering eye over the last few weeks towards the she wolves, unwanted thoughts of him buried deep inside them crossed his mind, Jax simply couldn't help himself, the countdown to Brooke's birthday was torture. Forest had put this down to warewolf weakness of the flesh and nothing more. After all, Jax was 19 and had never pursued anyone. Across the training grounds a she wolf was trying her best to catch Jax's attention, she was a contrast to Brooke. Tina was a decent warrior, she was also tall and slender, as she had already met her wolf. But she had deep brown eyes and chocolate brown hair that fell just past her shoulders, she also had a slight tan to her skin that made her look asif she was glowing. (Jax had also had forbidden thoughts of what he could do to her) She knew Jax was watching her, she turned to face him and did her best to give him an alluring smile in greeting. Jax waved from across the training grounds but turned his back and planted his feet, his friends mocked him instantly 'oh get off your high horse Jax, she clearly wants you!' his friend Adam teased 'why not go give it ago? you still have a few days of freedom!' another friend Jared chimed in, 'you never know, you may enjoy it'agreeded Adam, before Jax could open his mouth his best friend, Nico came to his defence 'lay off you two, you know its not as simple as that, besides, imagine how Brooke would feel?!' Jax allowed his face to fall, he was so caught up in his own thoughts and primal desires, he had forgotten that in just a few short days Brooke would be, officially, announced as his fated mate. He thought how she would feel, if she smelt another she wolfs scent on him in such a way. She would have access to his thoughts and memories, this fact alone made him uncomfortable. How would she react in 4 short days time, when she knew he was thinking of another so close to their official naming ceremony . . . would she think of him weak? unworthy? would she question his loyalty to her and essentially the pack? he was so lost in thought that he never looked back in Tina's direction, he left the training grounds with his friends, they however, where oblivious to his internal conversation with his wolf. 'Brooke would be deverstated Jax' Forest wasn't too happy with Jax's roaming mind 'once you are bonded you cannot have these thoughts, Alpha or not. Our Luna deserves the world, its our job to give it her' Jax agreed and another word wasnt said about his weakness.

Meanwhile, back at the pack house, a thick envelope had arrived from a neighbouring pack just to the North of Blood Moon, the Eclipse pack.

Eclipse wasn't as wealthy or large as Blood Moon, but it was a peaceful pack with a large mountain territory. Its Alpha, Alpha Louis was old and his Luna had passed many years ago due to old age, they had finally found eachother later in life and had only one child, a daughter, Tia. Not much was known about her, as Eclipse hardly held banquets or balls and all its trade deals had been agreed years before she was born so there wasn't really much reason for outsiders to visit the pack unless summoned or to simply visit the scenery. This made the letter even more intriguing, what did the old Alpha need from Blood Moon?

Alpha Theo recieved the letter from his Beta, as they where guessing its contents, they made themselves comfortable in the pack house main office, 'there's more space in this office, don't you agree Cole?' the Alpha asked as he sat heavily on a winged leather chair by an open bay window, 'i dont think it is Theo, but I'm sure its got nothing to do with the fact you can hide from your Luna in here?' Alpha Theo gave his Beta a stern look, he opened his mouth to answer when the door to the office banged open, the Alpha was out of the window like a flash before an omega entered the room holding a tea tray. Cole roared with laughter, tears streaming down his face as he was almost doubled over, the omega placed the tray on the oak coffee table and retreated from the room. 'expecting someone Alpha?' Cole asked innocently towards the direction of the window, he clutched his side, as it was hurting from the laughter. Alpha Theo clambered back through the window gingerly, face still slightly red from his embarrassment. The two old friends settled in their seats and turned their attention back to the letter, they wondered if Alpha Louis was in need of assistance in some way, maybe he was ill and needed a healer that was more skilled in someway, than the ones who resided in the Eclipse territory? maybe they where under attack or threat? maybe their crops had failed? with one swift movement, Alpha Theo opened the heavy embossed envelope. He began to read the letter to himself, he quickly sat up and was staring at it, with a blank expression on his face as he processed its contents, he then quickly read it once more and raised his head with a look of deep anguish on his face, the rose tint that had been visible on his cheeks vanished and his face looked ashen. Beta Cole looked instantly concerned for his Alpha and the sudden change in his demeanour, 'Alpha? what's wrong?' he asked, 'here' Theo said horsly, his voice barely audible as he handed the letter over, Cole scanned it, he immediately understood why the Alpha has reacted as he did. The two men sat in silence for a long time, the sky was growing darker outside, stars where starting to appear in the dusk sky. Neither one sure what to do about Alpha Louis request, after what felt like an eternity, Theo turned to Cole voice dry but full of emotion, 'what do i do Cole? im asking as a friend, not as your Alpha' Cole still looked lost in deep thought, 'I dont know Theo, i simply dont know'. They sat there in a heavy silence, that seemed to stretch on for eternity, threatening to suffocate and drain any glimmer of hope for Blood Moons future, the heavy letter lay on the coffee table between them. Coles eyes kept falling on the same passage within it;

'My dear friend, I am torn, but desperate and left with little choice to ensure the safety of my pack and secure its future. As you will remember, years ago, i came to your aid in a time of need and saved your life, you swore a sacred oath in the way of thanks, that if ever i called for assistance you would be there, without hesitation, I now need to ask you old friends, to fulfil your side of the bargain we struck in our youth . . . .

Cole sighed heavily, if Alpha Theo agreed to Alpha Louis request, what of Blood Moon? what would it become? The Alpha sensed his Beta's concern, he placed his hand on Cole's shoulder but Cole shrugged it off, he was torn between his duty and pack tradition but also the implications of Alpha Louis request.