The Last Silver Wolf

Chapter 8: The Breakup

Alexander

"Mr. Tate, we'll be landing shortly. Would you like another drink before we descend?" Olivia, my flight attendant asked.

"Yes, thank you," I replied curtly as she handed me another glass of whiskey. I stared out the window of my private plane and admired the greenery of my pack's land. Under normal circumstances, this was my favorite part of flying, being able to see my sprawling acres from above. But this time I was only reminded of the distance between my beautiful mate and me. I was returning home alone, and every part of me screamed to go back to her.

"Don't worry, we'll see her soon," I reassured my wolf, who had grown restless and irritable since we left New York. I was counting down the minutes until I would get to see her again. But there were too many things I had to do for the pack, and I knew she could use some space to gather her thoughts. I thought of our last encounter, how it had ended with her in tears. The mate bond was so strong already that even though we hadn't fully mated yet, I could feel her pain and her fear. That stupid boy had messed her up badly, causing her to not trust any other man that came into her life. If I ever found Troy, I would make him pay for what he did to Jordan. No wonder she was so hesitant to move forward with me. I also understood her reservations about me being her boss. But that part I could easily set right, and soon I'd be able to pursue her again without anything in our way.

I couldn't believe how unbelievably sexy she was as we kissed. It took every ounce of self-control I had to not mark her right then and there. That woman drove me crazy, and I loved every minute of it.

Drew and Sarah greeted me as my car pulled up in front of the pack house. They were holding hands, and I felt a pang of jealousy seeing them together as happy mates. Sarah looked in the car and frowned when she only saw me stepping out.

"Where is Jordan?" She asked, disappointment evident on her face.

I gave her a half-smile. "She's still in New York, but I'll bring her with me next time." I thought about making a promise, but Jordan could be unpredictable, and I wasn't completely sure she would even want to be my Luna. Of course, I had considered kidnapping her and forcing her here. The thought of tying her up and carrying her over my shoulder was comical... but also turned me on. I inconspicuously adjusted my trousers as I walked up the front stairs.

"The council has been waiting for your arrival. They're all in the larger conference room," Drew explained, following me as we walked to the East side of the house.

I sighed. "Thanks, Drew. Let's get this over with." We made our way to the conference room, but I stopped just as we were outside the door. "Also, can you please have Jeremy come to my office so I can meet with him as soon as this is over?"

Drew eyed me suspiciously. "Jeremy, the lawyer?"

"Yes," I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I need him to draft some urgent contracts. You'll need to be at the meeting as well."

"Of course, Alpha," he replied. He was obviously confused, but I didn't have time to explain. I knew he wouldn't agree with my decision when he found out, but I had no choice.

I took one final calming breath and opened the door, ready to face the wolves.

"We can't have another war! We've had peace in our lands for almost 100 years!"

"Alpha Calister is an angry man, but he wouldn't dare to go against the will of the Moon Goddess!"

"Yes, he would! If he cared about the will of the Moon Goddess, he wouldn't have slaughtered hundreds of werewolves in cold blood. We can't trust him."

I sat there as the elders argued amongst themselves. They all brought up good points, but we were still going around in circles 30 minutes later.

"I think the real problem is that we shouldn't make any rash decisions yet. Yes, the Alpha found his mate, but where is she? She's obviously not here with him. Why should we break the alliance when we don't even know if she will accept him?"

I jumped out of my chair, unable to rein in my temper. My claws suddenly retracted from my hand and dug into the large mahogany table. I glared at the man who spoke, Eli Barnum. He was a bitter old man who was only on the council because my father had appointed him years ago so I couldn't dismiss him... yet. I didn't trust him. He never did anything wrong that I could prove, but I always felt he had ulterior motives.

"Do not question me or the Luna," I shouted at him. "She needs time before she joins me here, but she will be taking her place by my side. I will be ending our arrangement today. I will not risk my mate bond."

I stared at the elders sitting around the table, daring any to challenge me. As expected, they all dropped their heads and showed me their necks as a sign of submission. "It's settled then. I must approach this by being completely truthful with the Calisters. I have to assume that he will respect the will of the Moon Goddess, and if he doesn't, we will prepare for his vengeance. That is the only path that I see forward."

After getting their approval, I dismissed them all and headed towards my office on the 4th floor to meet with Jeremy. Before I reached the stairs, a loud shriek stopped me in my tracks.

"Alexander!" Cece screamed at me, running towards me. "Baby, you're home! You must do something! They canceled the flowers, the decorations, the food, everything!" She threw her arms around me, and I almost gagged on the overwhelming smell of her perfume.

"Cece," I sighed, gently pushing her away and holding her at arm's length. "We need to talk." I led her to the nearest room and sat her down on one of the sofas.

She crossed her arms impatiently as I stood in front of her, not sure how to start the conversation. "What is going on?" she whined, the nasally sound clawing at my ears.

I cleared my throat and looked her in the eye. "Cece, I have something to tell you, and there's no easy way to say it. I found my mate."

Cece gasped and put her hand over her mouth. "But... that's impossible. Your mate is dead."

"I thought she was. I felt the connection snap myself years ago. But when I met her in New York, the mate bond is unmistakable. I'm sorry."

"How could you embarrass me like this?" she cried, tears streaming down her face. "I am going to be a laughingstock!"

I cautiously sat next to her and placed my hand on her back, reassuring her gently. "I didn't mean to do this to you, Cece. I didn't know I would find my mate. Everyone knows that isn't your fault."

She continued to cry, this time burying her face in my chest. I tried to comfort her, but I was starting to feel uneasy with the close proximity. She wasn't my mate, and it felt wrong to have her touching me.

"I'm so sorry, Cece. You're an amazing girl, and I know you will find a chosen mate soon. Any werewolf would be lucky to have you as his mate."

At my words, she stopped crying and stood up. "I'll never forgive you! My father's going to make you pay!" she screamed as she ran out the door.

I thought of running after her but decided against it. I knew nothing I said would make her feel better. I was going to call her father first, but I knew she was already dialing his number.

"Sarah, go find Cece and comfort her. She's on the 3rd floor." I mind-linked Sarah. Hopefully, she would listen to her. But if not... we would be prepared for war. My pack wasn't as large as the Blood Lake Pack, but we were fiercely trained warriors and loyal to the end. They would all protect the Luna, as I would.

Although I felt bad for her, I couldn't hide the relief I felt knowing I wouldn't have to deal with her again. Now that I found Jordan, I couldn't imagine a life with any other woman. I would have spent my life in endless torment with Cece, and I silently thanked the Moon Goddess for sparing me in the final hour.

I looked at the document in my hand one final time. Although I knew it was the right thing to do, it still hurt to sign my name on the dotted line. Jeremy and Drew both tried to stop me, but my mind was made up. There was no turning back now. Drew angrily signed his name on the paper next to mine.

I held my hand up as I saw him opening his mouth to speak again. He had already said every line in the book to get me to reconsider. "You should know better than anyone how stubborn I can be. My mind is made up. Drop it, and go tell Sarah your good news."

He walked away from me, grumbling under his breath. Even with my wolf hearing, I could only pick up bits and pieces. Something about me being a "jackass." Anyone else would have been punished for that disrespect, but it was Drew... his comments always made me laugh.

Suddenly I felt my phone ring in my pocket. Immediately I thought of Jordan calling me and rushed to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hello Alpha," a deep voice answered. No, definitely not Jordan.

I cleared my throat. "Alpha Calister, I was just about to call you."

Brandon Calister laughed, although it held no humor nor amusement. "I should hope so. I just received the most upsetting call from my precious daughter. I do believe you broke her heart."

Damn that Cece. I internally cursed her. "Yes, I am very sorry Alpha. Cece is an amazing girl, and she would have been a great Luna for my pack, but I found my destined mate. I cannot go against the will of the Moon Goddess."

I breathed deliberately as I was met with silence on the other end. It was probably a power move, but I wasn't going to break.

"I see," he eventually responded. "And you didn't feel this mate bond before?"

I fought the urge to tell him to go off. I was usually a private person, and I hated being vulnerable with anyone, especially not someone I considered a threat. "I had felt the mate bond when I was 19, but I had also felt it snap. I assumed she was dead. Yet I met her, and the mate bond is still very strong."

"Hmm... I've never heard of that before. That is very strange..."

"Yes, I am going to have our scholars do some research on the matter," I explained, not wanting him to question it further.

He grunted. "Very well, please let me know what you find. And Alpha Tate..." he stopped again.

This time I broke the silence, not wanting another standoff. "Yes?"

"I will forgive the breach in agreement this one time under one condition. I get to meet your mate."

For some reason, his words made the hairs on the back of my neck and arms stand up, and I felt my fight instincts kick in. Although his request wasn't an unreasonable one, somehow his words seemed more like a threat than an innocent condition. I muted my smartphone as I took a breath, calming my anger and pushing my wolf back below the surface. "Of course, you are invited to our mating ceremony. I insist." I forced the last word through gritted teeth. The thought of him even 1,000 feet away from Jordan made me want to rip out his throat, but if this was the only way to spare my people from war, then I would play nice. Even for a day.