Alpha Conference
913 Words
(Mari POV)
“Mari, don’t you DARE chew on your nails. My mate would never let me hear the end of it. She spent hours making you perfect; please don’t mess it up before we even get there.” Simon chastised me. I rolled my eyes. My Beta and Gamma were my parents’ age, but we got along marvelously and their mates had accepted me almost instantly. Simon’s wife had spent hours making we look as perfect as possible without me coming off too girly. My blond hair fell in large loose curls all the way down to my back. My light touches of make-up definitely gave me a feminine touch, but I had been dressed in comfortable jeans, a white t-shirt, and a dark brown leather jacket with matching boots. Even I had to admit I looked good.
“I’m just nervous, Si.” I admitted.
“And you have every right to be, but I will remind you that Jax’s pack will not be in attendance this year. You can worry about that awkward mess next year. Just focus on creating alliances. That’s all we need.” Simon reassured me. I sighed. He was right.
“We’re here, Alpha.” Anthony announced.
A man and woman that I remembered vaguely as the Alpha and Luna of EastEnd were waiting on the porch of the pack-house. I waited as Simon exited the car and came to my side to let me out. As I stepped out, I took a deep breath. EastEnd was beautiful. There was a lovely apple smell hanging in the air. Maybe this place wouldn’t be so bad.
“Alpha Marigold! Welcome to EastEnd! We are honored to have the first female Alpha in over two hundred years at our meeting! I am Chis and this is my lovely mate, Kate.” Chris grinned genuinely at me. I smiled back. I bowed my head.
“Thank you, Alpha Chris. I welcome your hospitality and I’m honored to be in attendance.” I carefully arranged my words.
“You look just like your mother, Alpha.” Kate beamed at me. I smiled at the compliment.
“She does for sure, Luna.” Simon agreed wholeheartedly, making me blush.
“Are you mated yet, Alpha?” Kate grabbed my arm and led me into the building. I blushed even deeper.
“Not yet, I’m afraid. I am definitely curious as to what the Moon Goddess has planned for Lunar Pack.” I admitted. Kate nodded seriously. She let me go as we reached a carefully decorated sitting room. I sat down across from Kate while Simon and Anthony stood behind me. Again, I took a deep breath and the smell of fall apples penetrated the air.
“Your home is beautiful, Luna.” I told her as I sat across from her. She grinned.
“My new head of house is absolutely amazing. The best a Luna could ask for. Anyways, I’m sure the Moon Goddess has someone special in mind. After all, you yourself are unique.”
“You flatter me too much,” I brushed off the complement. Kate rolled her eyes.
“Well, you are. Now, let us move on to business. Welcome to EastEnd! Tonight, there will be an opening meeting led by the Council. Then there is a social gathering while we prepare for drinks and dinner. You and your leadership teams will all have your own rooms. All the Alphas and their mates are going to be on the third floor. Your rooms will be ready after dinner. Our team is making last minute additions based off of each of your preferences. Have a good day, Alpha Marigold. Lunch is served just through there and the meeting will start in about two hours.” Luna Kate bowed her head and stood up. I stood with her and then went through the doorway she indicated.
The room I entered was very large. It reminded me of a cafeteria from a school, but more home-like. At least fifteen different round tables were spaced out through the room, centered toward a speaking patio and a large screen. A line of buffet tables sat at the back of the room. I could see Omegas bustling in and out getting everything set up. I made my way to the table labeled Lunar Pack and sat down. Simon sat to my right and Anthony to my left. Even though they had to be here, I was grateful for their support. I felt so exposed.
There were four other leadership teams present. I was definitely being talked about. I tried my best to ignore the stares and obvious whispers, but it was hard. I focused on the paperwork in front of me. There was a binder with the contents of today’s and tomorrow’s meetings, a water bottle, pens, and a bag of nuts. I thumbed through the binder. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Simon and Anthony doing the same.
Time crawled, but I survived. I took note of everyone’s reaction to me as they entered and seated themselves. I wrote down the ones that I might want to approach about an alliance. My parents had had alliances with 4 of the packs, but I knew that I shouldn’t assume things would be the same. I was not my father, I was female, and I was young. I needed to approach this as if I was starting from scratch just in case I was.
“Welcome, Alphas!” I took a deep breath and sighed in relief as things finally started. This was going to be a long day.
- Writer
