The Last Alpha

Chapter Three - The Beginning of the End

Dinner was uneventful. Edward sat next to our father, Jackson and Jeremy had joined us, and the discussion flowed naturally between all the men. I was left thinking about everything that was going on. I decided I needed to know more. Jeremy was my best option right now to get answers that my father couldn't provide. But how can I reach him without my father knowing? Maybe I should show Jeremy the book I found that could help me find out more. Currently, I am burning with curiosity. Edward's ceremony had been pushed back a year. It was custom that the next Alpha would take over after their 18th birthday, but not this time. Perhaps father just wanted to ensure we both had our wolves and elements before he took over so that we were both at our best. I would be next in line for Alpha until Edward found his mate and had children. And with everything going on, I doubt I would become Alpha ahead of him.

Mates. That's something I hadn't really thought about much at all. What would I do when I found mine? A small part of me wished Jackson would be my fated mate. But that's not how it works. The Moon Goddess has picked the best person for me. That much I believed.

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Before I knew it, the day of Jackson's ceremony was here and preparations were complete. Tables were set for the meal before the shift. This always takes place last; my guess is that it can be dangerous.

I wandered through the dining hall, checking that every place mat had been set correctly and everyone was seated where they should be. Due to our pack being the only pack in the world to have additional abilities, a member of the elder council will be attending tonight. These ceremonies were only really held for Gammas and above.

Today has been hectic; training has been cancelled so that everyone can help prepare for tonight's event, all hands on deck. Which was rather annoying. I was hoping to read more and learn more about our pack. I hadn't given it too much thought as I was growing up, it was just something that was always around. Then, about 6 months ago, I went on a diplomatic trip to some packs nearby, which was so different.

I had now finished checking the seating arrangement, next to the kitchen to check if the food was going as planned. We were going to need a lot of food. We had almost 200 visitors this time. I dread to think what attention my brother would bring to his ceremony.

I spent the rest of my time working on just about everything else. I checked on food, schedules, and entertainment as well as making sure things were fully booked for my brother's ceremony, as this was also just around the corner.

My next task took me outside. I walked past our main living area and out the large doors that lead to a lot of grassland out front of the packhouse, I took a walk along the path to the west of our land and walked for about 10 minutes before I reached the clearing I was looking for. This was our main event clearing. There was a large stage in the middle of the clearing, connected to four torches that would be ignited by the Alpha at the start of the ceremony. It starts with the Alpha or Council member giving life to the flames, usually with their blood. Tonight, as Jackson is the future Beta, father will be using his Alpha blood to light these torches. The whole area was set with stone and ancient carvings that told the story of our pack. It was a language lost to us sadly, so none of us could read it.

I ensured that the ceremonial knife was ready there, as were some cloth and plenty of robes to fit all those in attendance for Jackson's first shift. Tonight was going to be an event nobody would want to miss. I heard many Alpha's from neighbouring packs had sent their Beta and Deltas to attend this tonight. It was an honour to outsiders to witness this event; something only recently introduced to the pack, we were rather private up until 50 years ago.

Everything was officially ready for tonight, except me. I may very well lose Jackson tonight, not that he was mine to lose anyway. I must keep telling myself that, if I don't, I'm not sure if I will be able to handle the heartbreak of losing him when he finds his mate.

I took my time returning to the pack house. I needed time for myself anyway. On my walk, I noticed some people I didn't recognize. I told myself they were probably Betas from neighbouring packs, they looked middle-aged and very official. One of the men I walked passed looked somewhat familiar, I couldn't put my finger on why though.

My phone buzzed once I was in earshot of the pack house. Father needed to speak with my brother and I rather urgently. I hurried to his office.

I ran into the house and found my way to his office in no time. Edward was already there sitting in front of father.

I walked in and bowed my head in respect to our father. From the number of officials I spotted in the room, this was an official meeting.

"Hello Thalia, please take a seat. Thank you all for joining me so quickly. We have gotten some news. A royal will be in attendance tonight and at my son's ceremony. The royals keep to themselves. So to have this honour is a rarity and an opportunity. For all involved. Nobody has so much as set eyes on the royal bloodline of wolves in 15 years. Yet time hasn't changed anything, they still seek our blood to join them. We have managed to avoid this fate for a long time. Let's hope that continues so we keep our freedom. The royals would turn all of our people into their own warriors as well as use and abuse our powers. I will do everything I can to protect you all." My father's words left me speechless, much like everyone else in the room. That is too much information.

It is widely known that the Royal Family would want nothing more than to have our power for themselves. The only thing that could top their demands and their Alpha demands would be a born Alpha in our pack. Even then, it would be a close call.

My brother was the first to find his tongue. He asked what everyone was thinking:

"Why now? Why, after all these years have they decided to come out of the woodwork?"

"It seems that the heir to the throne has come of age. He is now 19 and due to succeed his father in the next few years. Rumour is that he is already more powerful than his father, his Alpha presence even exceeds my own. Let us hope he is not the royal that will be attending here for the next week. I have set aside a room below the Alpha floor for our royal guest. We should expect them shortly. Nobody is to disturb them during their stay. I will see to all the arrangements myself. Some royal guard members are already here surveying the area. They have the royal crest on them, so you shouldn't miss them. Please all of you, do not do anything to anger the royals. We don't need any more reasons to fear them. You are dismissed, any questions and Jeremy can answer them."Father stated in his Alpha tone, we all knew that meant he was very serious. I looked at my brother, then at Jeremy. I needed to meet with him. His office was in the official pack building, where most meetings were held. Father had an office there also, but this one was much larger and nicer in my opinion. His office walls were lined with books, his desk took up the width of the room.

The next hour I spent my time pacing outside the office building, waiting for everyone else to finish speaking with Beta Jeremy. It seemed everyone had questions, and for what I needed it was best if I went last, and finally, the last person left his office.

I saw Jeremy wave me inside as the she-wolf walked out.

I walked in and closed the door behind me. His office was much smaller than father's was in the pack house, with space for a desk, a drink bar, a few chairs and a sofa, probably where he slept when there was too much work, which seemed to be often from the bags under his eyes.

"Thalia, what can I do for you?" he asked as he sat back down in his chair after drinking some of his now cold coffee. Nobody had come by to help him with a new one and he had been so busy talking to about half of the pack.

"Well, I guess you will be happy to know I am the last person to come to you. I need to know a lot. I know you are exhausted. Hopefully, you can get a nap or something before Jackson's ceremony. But I need to show you something." I looked at Jeremy and saw the confusion all over his face. He was too tired to ask any questions but I knew what he was waiting for.

I pulled the book from my bag, and gently placed it on the desk between us. Jeremy stared at it for a moment.

"That can't be what I think it is, right? Thalia, how did you end up with this? We all thought this was lost when your mother died." He reached for the book in wonder, his voice trailing off.

He had clearly seen the book before. I was going to let him take a look for longer but I had many questions burning in my mind, needing answers.

"I was in the library, where I usually am. And I was going over the shelves and it was just there. I wasn't sure what it was until I started reading it really. Is there really another element that we haven't accessed in a long time? Does father know about this? Does the book have anything to do with us not having a born Alpha for so long? Does any of this have to do with why my father is pushing Edwards' Alpha ceremony back a year?" I had more questions but I knew this was already a lot for Jeremy.

He was family, and I know how tiring all this must be, especially when a 17-year-old comes along and won't shut up. I felt bad for him, yet at the same time, I was curious. I wanted to ask more about my mother, I just couldn't find it in myself to open that particular wound at that moment.

"You don't do anything slowly, do you? Your mother spent her life studying this book and its information, comparing it to old records we had. We are unsure if it's connected to anything." Jeremy studied my reaction as he was talking before he continued:

"The location of this book was lost to us upon your mother's passing. I remember a few nights before her death she came running into your father's office with this book in her hand and told us she had found something. She was so sure that something big was coming. I'm ashamed to say I don't remember much more. Your father and I had been drinking after a long day. She mentioned making notes, but once she died, nothing could be found. Until now." Jeremy stared at the book for a while before looking back at me.

He then walked to his printer and started making a copy of the book. That was probably for the best.

"I will add a copy to our archives, and I'll email a copy to you. In the meantime, please keep this book safe. Guard it with your life. It was your mother's work after all." He added as he finished copying the book, he walked slowly back to me, walking around his desk to look at me. He took a deep breath before handing the book back to me.

"This book is her legacy. Now it is your responsibility. I feel your father knows more about this book than I do. It was your grandfather that gave this to your mother, all information relating to the book would be restricted to the Alpha bloodline alone." I looked up at Jeremy, this was the most I had heard him say in a long time.

"I will leave it there then. You are exhausted. I'll let you get some rest before the ceremony. I'll send someone to wake you in an hour before the event starts," I said as I stood up. I had so many more questions but I could tell now was not the time for them.

"Thank you, Thalia."

And with that, I left his office and closed the door behind me, glad to see the hall empty. I walked past a maid on my way to the front door and instructed her to wake him in an hour or so. He needed to rest, and badly. She nodded and said she would get some coffee ready for him. He was clearly under a lot of pressure, everything was happening this week. First his own son, then my brothers' ceremonies just a short time apart. Due to his role, he was in charge of security. And if today was terrible, then next week would be way worse.

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I was now in my room and I had just finished getting ready; I had picked out a red dress for the evening; it hugged my curves but gave me enough room to move freely everywhere else. It went down to my knees and flared out. I didn't expect to look nice today, but this was a beautiful dress. My dark hair flowed freely down my back, and I wore little makeup. I wore flats for the night as well. I was already uncomfortable enough in the dress. Why make it worse for myself? Thankfully, it was the middle of the year, so I didn't need to worry about feeling cold at any point.

I grabbed my bag and my phone and started heading outside. I saw Edward on my way out, so we walked to the main hall together.

"You ready, big brother? Your best friend is about to get really powerful. This is the start of some really big changes." I asked; I hope he's ready for this.

"No, I am not ready. But we knew this was coming. Father has asked me to be there tonight for Jackson's shift as well. Something about the future Alpha witnessing his Beta's transformation." Edward looked worried. I guess he was worried about how this is going to change our lives. The next year was going to be messy. Especially with our father not making my brother the Alpha right away when he turns 18.

We walked in silence up to the large doors leading to the main hall where we would all eat and toast to the future and all that.

Two guards opened the door, and even after all the time I spent preparing this room, I was not ready for the beauty of it right now in its completed form. It was stunning. Our pact Crest was painted onto the wall in black and gold, and everyone was either wearing a suit or a dress, very formal.

We were greeted by those in attendance, a lot of high-ranking members were there, and a council member in the back talking to a man I had never seen before. He looked like he ranked just as highly as the council member, possibly another member. Edward followed my gaze.

"Oh. Looks like the crown prince is in attendance. Jeremy got me a picture of him a few years ago for my Alpha studies. He's changed a lot but that's him alright." I couldn't quite believe my ears, but Edward had a very serious look on his face. I felt his alpha aura pouring from him, he was not happy about a royal being here, and it seemed like nobody else was all that much either.

Suddenly, the prince looked up as if sensing my gaze. And our eyes locked. I felt like he was looking into my soul. He smiled at me but never broke eye contact, even though there was a lot of space between us. Most bowed their heads to him as he walked. I don't know why but my body was telling me not to back down, he was here to challenge us as we are of an Alpha bloodline. This was our pack. I will not back down, but it seems as though Edward may. I looked at him quickly, he was fighting the prince and fighting hard. The prince's aura was strong, yet it didn't seem to phase me.

Then he was in front of us, Edward bowed to the prince, and I followed as a courtesy because of who he was. But I never once felt the need to back down.

The prince smirked at my brother before turning his attention to me.

"Hello there. I'm prince Leon. You must be Edward and Thalia. A pleasure to meet you both." Prince Leon looked right at me, something about him didn't seem right; this was going to be a long night indeed with the prince.