Death of an Alpha

I, Aurora Samson, have been the luna of the White Peak pack since my arranged marriage to the Alpha, Mason Samson, at the age of 18. That was 7 years ago. When we got married we both agreed that we would not mark each other. Those were things we believed to be sacred between fated mates. So we left them open even if we will have to reject our fated mates if they ever appear. Duty demands it. Mason isn't a bad man or anything and over the years we've developed a bond similar to being in love. Mason is the only heir left in his Alpha line and for that we are expected to produce an heir soon. Our marriage was arranged to try to strengthen the bond between our packs and produce a strong heir. I am the daughter of Alpha Jensen of Grey Lake pack so our child would have pure alpha blood. Our packs share a border and with our marriage created a very strong alliance and border. Which was critical given that our other border is with the Red Cliff Pack. Their Alpha has a god mentality. He believes his pack to be the only true pack which has resulted in his pack being at war with every other pack in the western US. With our strengthened border we have managed to keep his pack from expanding or invading, if you will, further. Over the last year though he has become brazen. We went from an attack once a year to 4 in 6 months. His bloodlust becoming worse after his luna died during childbirth. Losing your mate and child does things to a wolfs head. Never good things. "Rory?" I'm suddenly startled out of my thoughts by Mason walking into my office where I'm seated at my desk staring out the window. Rory is the nickname Mason gave me. He's the only one who calls me it. "Oh hi. I'm sorry" I turn in my chair to see him standing in the doorway. Mason is an average sized man. He doesn't have the dominating aura that most Alphas have. He is smart though. One of the smartest men I've met and his military strategies are one of the best. He has blonde hair, blue eyes and a strong chin. Handsome but not really my type. "I've been calling you. What were you thinking about?" He asks walking into the room. "Just the attacks. He's getting scary." I turn back to the window and Mason walks up behind me and puts his hands on my shoulders. I look up at him and smile and he smiles back. "I actually came to talk to you about that. I did something." He walks away and plops himself on my couch. "You did something? What does that mean? And why didn't you ask my opinion before you did? You normally do. It's like our one rule." I spin to glare at him. "I know and I'm telling you now cause I felt guilty." We may not be fated but we are friends. He's probably my best friend but theirs no spark like with a fated mate. " I invited the Lycan king to help us with our fight or at least to see if he can help." "Mason! That's a big something. How could you not talk to me about this?" Normally we are so in sync with these things but these new attacks have got in our heads. "I know I'm sorry. I should have. But one of the Elders mentioned he was in the US doing business and his assistant is the Elders cousin so I had an in. And I took it." I stare at him for a long while and I can tell my silence is unsettling him. "You made the right choice." "That's it? No but?" He smirks at me. "That's it. Is he coming?" I ask turning back to my desk. "Ya that's another something." He gets up from the couch heading to the door. "He'll be here in the morning." He quickly darts out of the room with a cheeky grin. I chase him to the open doorway but he's already halfway down the hallway. "Mason Samson!!" He shoots me a grin and turns the corner out of sight. "You coward!!" I yell after him unsure if he actually heard me. I head back in my office and plop on the couch in defeat and also contemplation. How do I get ready for a Lycan King coming? What do I do? Where do I start? You've been keeping to yourself. I say to my wolf, Katya. You know I don't like interrupting you guys. He's a good guy but he's not our mate which still makes me sad. She replies. Katya is a beautiful wolf, with almost pure white fur except for grey tips on her tail and ears. She objected to the arranged marriage but agreed that at the time it was for the best. The one unfortunate thing is that she can't stand Mason's wolf, Zeke. I know I know. But it's too late now and it was the right thing. I feel bad about my wolf being unhappy but we've come to an agreement over the years. She still thinks we'll find our fated mate but I know if we do it won't matter. I don't know about that. Something feels different lately. Katya says before closing our contact and retreating to her den in the back of my mind. Why are wolves so cryptic. I get up and head out to the kitchen to talk to Margery about lunch and dinner tomorrow night since the King will be there and then I need to talk to the omega staff about getting the guest quarters ready for a king. Margery was an older woman of 65. She had salt and pepper long hair that she kept in a tight bun at all times. She was the closest thing to a mother here. My mother died during the attack before we got married. Her death was the last straw that lead to our arranged marriage. When Mason and I agreed it was for the best. Mason's mother and father moved out of the pack as soon as Mason took over. He never told me why and I didn't pry. As I walk into the kitchen I hear some swear words coming from Margery. "Hello?!" I call out hoping not to startle her as I come in. "Ugh there you are sweetheart. Why didn't I have more warning about a king coming?" She turns to me with her hands on her hips tapping her foot at me. "I found out 5 minutes ago. Mason just told me. How'd you find out?" "Then he must have told Derek before you because that's who told me." Derek is Masons beta. And Margery's son. He is a chosen beta and not one of lineage. They've been best friends since babies and Mason wouldn't have chosen anyone else. Derek is a nice guy and we have a good relationship. He treated me with respect and kindness as soon as I showed up. He almost feels like the brother I never had. "How am I supposed to organize food for a king?" Margery glares at me for a second before turning back to what she was doing. "I don't think he needs anything different. Your food is amazing. You could feed us anything and we'd love it." I walk up and give her a side hug. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing." "Just make sure the rooms are set up for him and his guards. And look pretty. That's probably what he expects." She looks at me cheekily. "So I'm just supposed to be Mason's arm candy while he's here?" I reply with a snarky question. "The Lycan Royal Family are old school. Ancient. Women are to be seen not heard." "But that's not how we are. Mason and I make decisions together." "I know sweetheart. And that's the way it should be but I think for the time the King is here maybe you let Mason take the lead." She pushes my hair from out of my face and rubs my cheek. "You're probably right. I should go explain everything to the staff and then head to bed." I hadn't realized it was as late as it is. I can see the Sun setting out the kitchen window. "Goodnight dear." With that, I kiss her on the cheek and head to staff quarters. Our pack house was actually built in an old human Military Fort. It had many different buildings all surrounded by a large stone wall with an Iron gate. It could hold our entire pack if needed in an attack but normally it's just the Alpha's, Betas and Gamma's families, and staff. Sometimes the occasional guest. The staff quarters are in the old fort barracks. Our staff didn't live there all the time they did shift work. They were also paid workers not slaves. The barracks were across the courtyard from the main building. I grab a sweater from the coat rack by the front door and head across the gravel courtyard. There was a large fountain masons parents had put in for their claiming ceremony. Instead of a huge wedding like party they decided to put that money into a fountain to pretty up the courtyard. *crunch* I hear the crunch of gravel behind me. I turn and see nothing. It's dusk now so just light enough I should see someone if they were there. What's that? I ask Katya. Her ears perking up at the sound. I don't know but I don't think we should stay and find out. I keep heading across the courtyard to the staff quarters front step. Just as I hit the front step I hear it. The sound of branches rustling in the bushes surrounding the stone wall. I quickly open the front door and slam it behind me. I don't know why I'm so jumpy. There's no way anything dangerous could've gotten through without raising alarms. "Are you ok, Luna?" I'm startled by one of the housemaids, Isla. She's a sweet girl just turned 19. Her parents and brother are warriors in our pack. They asked us to hire her so she could live here in the safety of the fort. Their house is on the outskirts of the pack so they are closest to attacks if they were to happen. She is one of the only staff that stays 24/7. Kind of an on call type thing. She comes and goes as she pleases. "Ya just on edge I guess. You are actually the person I needed. The Lycan King and his guards are gunna be coming to stay a while. They'll be here tomorrow." I smile sheepishly at her. "I'll grab a couple of people and we can get they're rooms all set up. That's no problem, Luna." "Call me Aurora, you know I hate the formality." "Of course, lun....Aurora." "Thank you. I appreciate it Isla." I head back to my room and the walk there is uneventful. Walking into my room I see Mason sitting on the bed in his boxers giving me a devilish grin. "Do you wanna come here and let me apologize properly?"