TWISTED FATE

Chapter 4 - An eye opener

Joseph's POV

I was in my office with my mate. I called my Beta and Gamma to the office as well. I was informed by Mrs. Jaxson about the whereabouts of all three uninvited guests. My head is throbbing with pure anger looking at the boy walking into my territory. We all knew nothing good was coming out of it. As soon as the Beta came in, he asked, "Alpha, where is Elena?" My wife Anna replied, "She is at the orphanage, I think."

"Good! I don't want her here at the packhouse till we figure out how to get them out of our territory." my Gamma replied.

"It will be hard, she will come back and she will know. Her wolf will inform her." I replied.

"I hate this!" My wife replied with agitation.

Beta's wife, Lily Didi Flinch, and Gamma's wife, Daisy Wood Valor also entered the room. Both had question mark looks as they entered. "What's wrong?" Lily asked. "We could feel agitation and anger through the bond, so we came," Daisy added.

"The Thunder Moon Alpha, his son, and brother are here." Replied Edward. "Unannounced, uninvited," Nathan added.

They all looked worried. Probably they were all reflecting on my expression. "What do we do now?" asked Edward, my Beta.

"Let me get the warriors ready. I suggest double patrol around the borders. One extra patrol around the living areas and the resource areas. Double patrols around the packhouse. Alert the omegas of the packhouse..." Added by Gamma, Nathan. We were interrupted as Mrs. Jaxson entered the office as well. I quirked up an eyebrow.

"My apologies, Alpha, but as the head of the omega of the packhouse, I would like to attend this meeting. My husband is down the corridor as well. "Mmph. Alfred comes inside." Alfred is the head omega of the whole pack. Our pack has warriors headed by Gamma, and then, in case of emergencies, we have omegas who fight with us as well. Yes! Our omegas are our special surprise for any enemies. They keep the pack together. I looked at both of them, "Have a seat. Do you both have anything to add?"

"Sir, if I may, we have already been informed about the omegas in the packhouse. We are in Code Yellow inside the packhouse." Mrs.Jaxson replied. "We are still in Code Green, Alpha, outside the packhouse, we don't want to put everyone on the edge. However, a few selected omegas are up to date. We have put all three guests under surveillance as per protocol," Alfred added.

"Thank you, Mrs. and Mr. Jaxson." I nodded thoughtfully. "I haven't got into battle mode yet. We have no idea why they have come. However, I don't feel exactly good about this."

"How do you want to approach it, honey?" Anna asked. "You know we can't keep Elena away from it. No matter how much we want to safeguard her."

"I would suggest having Elena at the conference before dinner," Lily suggested. "She has grown up to be a strong lady and I think it's time she faced nightmares and we followed her lead," Daisy suggested as well.

I looked at my wife with concern. Edward voiced, "You know we will be in the room beside."

"I will get the wrong room wired so that we can record it all for the council," Gamma added. I nodded as his eyes glazed over giving orders.

"I also suggest getting the council informed," Edward added. "What do you want me to say?" I asked. "I can't tell anything without any proof and it has been so many years. Nonetheless, justice has to be served by that d**k head."

As soon as I mentioned him, everyone was seething in anger. Anna, Lily, Daisy, and Mrs.Jaxson each touched their mates to cool us up soon.

"I guess what we are going to capture at the conference this evening can be used as proof to call the council," Nathan said. I nodded. Yes, that was indeed a good idea. "Meanwhile, let's get Elder Nicholas in on the situation as well. He is, anyway, aware of the whole situation with our packs," Edward added.

"Yes, and he is also family and head of the council," I said.

"I will call uncle Nicholas in discord," Anna suggested. I nodded and by the time she finished the sentence, the call was picked up. Elder Nicholas's wife was on the screen.

"Aunt Jenni, I want to talk with Uncle Nick, is he around?" Anna went straight to the point.

An old voice coughed from behind Aunt Jenni's screen, "What? Is that Lil Anna?"

Anna eased up a bit and giggled, "Uncle, you know I am the Luna of a pack."

"What's up little one? We were just talking this morning. You missed me already that you didn't greet me and went straight for your uncle?" Aunt Jenn's voice boomed in the room through the screen.

"I, umm, Aunt Jenni, this is a bit urgent," Anna replied with urgency.

I think Elder Nicholas heard that in her voice, as he came to the screen, "What's up Lil one?"

Anna elbowed me, as I went in front of the webcam." Greetings Elder Nicholas! I am sorry, but am going to cut short the formalities." Uncle Nick simply nodded when I took his formal name, so I continued. "This afternoon, The Alpha, his son, and his brother came by to our pack unannounced."

For a few minutes no one spoke, then Uncle Nick simply said, "Jen, pack the go-to luggage, we are leaving for Storm Moon Pack with a few guards." Then he looked at the screen. "Lil Anna, we are coming." By the end of the call, my dearest Anna was almost in tears.

"Let's go ahead and make all the preps and take a rest." Everyone nodded and left the room. We will just have to finish the other office work later. I need to be there with my mate. We moved to the Alpha suite.

Nicholas's POV

I have been heading the council for almost three decades now. We are a supernatural council. Every century, the head is reelected. It's as good as keeping it all democratic like humans. Anna is my only sister's little girl. I have always been so proud of her and her mate. That pack is a wonder and the way it functions. Given that they are in the place where the Royals used to reside. Given the place has a lot of history. Still, only a man as good as Joseph can make use of those resources as he does. I have seen that pack under Joseph evolve to become the strongest pack in all of America. And, yes, it also attracted a lot of enemies. That's why, when I got the call, I had to be with him representing the council. Although I can't act alone, my presence alone can leave no stone unturned if need be. I also know what happened eight years back to our Elena and how she got her wolf. I think that isn't a wolf though. But, I am not going to say anything to anyone. I doubt that Elena already knows. Well, let's see how the story unfolds for the young one. I am also aware of that boy, Alexander. I have my eyes everywhere, so for the last eight years, I have been keeping tabs on both of the packs. I must say, Alexander took after his dad Matthew when he was young. Only this version is far worse.

Thinking of this, if we get an unusually good beast, that means we must be on the lookout for a bad beast as well. Hmph. We will play an important role not only as the head of the council. Yes, that's true, Reggie.

Joseph's POV

A knock came on our door 15 minutes before the meeting time. Our nerves were already on the edge. I opened my eyes and kissed Anna on her forehead. "Baby, it's time." She just snuggled in my embrace. I could feel a teardrop touch my skin, "Look at me." I put a finger under her chin to make her look at me. "You are strong. You have to hold up for our kids."

"It's a good thing, our son isn't here, but still at school. At least he is safe," Anna said.

I said, "We will all be safe. We are taking all the precautions. Have faith, my love."

My eyes glazed over my mind linking my Beta, "Edward, can you put Stefan's school under surveillance? Also, send a few warriors just in case." Edward replied, "Already done Alpha. Also, we have put all the wolves who are not in the pack under surveillance." "Have a few ready for extraction and be ready for collaboration with friendly packs." Edward replied, "On it, Alpha." With that, we closed our mind links.

"What were you talking about?" Anna asked as she pulled herself together for the rest of the evening. "Just last-minute things, babe." I didn't want her to worry. I think she knew not to ask. The bond we have is strong and we don't really need to explain it to each other.

Matthew's POV

Dot on time. An hour before dinner, an omega knocked on my door. I think her name is Mrs. Jaxson, supposedly the head omega of the house. Well, as I was leaving my room after a short nap, I saw my son leaving the room in a very formal suit. I smirked at him with a quirked eyebrow. To which he replied, "Dad! We must look the part." I answered him back, "When did you grow up?" Dark was also feeling proud of our son. The other door that was occupied by my brother was locked. So, I asked the omega, "Mrs.Jaxson, right?" She stopped in her tracks, turned, and nodded. "Yes?"

"Has my brother left the suit or is he still inside?"

"I am afraid he left as soon as he was assigned the room. I believe he went for a run." She turned and walked ahead, "This way sirs."

My brother is carefree in nature. If he had taken the role of an Alpha of the Thunder Moon Pack, he would have been the best Alpha there is. No, I was not the first one on the line. In fact, I am the second son of our dad. I wanted to be the Alpha of this pack, not the alpha of the other pack that is now controlled by my Beta. In the early days, I loved power. Had my brother not left it for me? I would have called for a one-on-one battle with him. It was a scandal when he gave up his title to his fated mate, the now Luna of our pack. Well, I guess either he wanted to be a free spirit without responsibilities or he is just a loser and does not even fight back. I don't know which. We never really had any pact in place for his absence. He just exists with us. Over the years, I have also become humble and subtle. When Alexander proposed an alliance through marriage with the Storm Moon Pack, I was surprised and proud. Only my son could think of such an amazing game of chess. So far, I have loved to see how this pack functions. It's only the second-largest pack. And if we can have its resources, no other pack on all of the American Continent will be able to beat us for future decades. Dark was puffing with pride as we reached the second floor to one of the conference rooms.

Mrs. Jaxson pulled the chairs for both of us, while other kitchen omegas, I believe, came by putting snacks, drinks, and juices on the table, and left. As soon as they were gone, Alpha Joseph Xander Storm entered the conference along with his wife Anna Morgan Storm.

Joseph's POV

As decided, my Beta and Gamma went to the adjacent rooms. While their mates went to do their Beta Female and Gamma Female duties. All the warriors were to be ready if need be. My Gamma had already wired this room with mics and hidden cameras. Gamma Female was to get all the kids to safety in case of an emergency. Beta females were to get all the residential areas to a safety zone. Head Omegas, Mrs. and Mr. Jaxson were on call. To my understanding, we were still in code yellow in the packhouse, which means the pantry was full. The packhouse would have a minimum number of omegas working and everyone else at their quarters. The pantry was fully stocked. The safehouses were also fully stocked just in case. The air was vibrating with the readiness of a battle. However, our guests were unaware that we knew Alpha Matthew's Beta was just outside our border territory. We were ready. I took a few deep breaths and went into the conference room, as Mrs. Jaxson was exiting with a slight nod. I gave her a forced smile. My mate and I went in. I took a seat at the head of the table. Anna preferred to stand behind my chair.

I said, "Good evening, Alpha Matthew. How has your stay been so far?"

"Very comfortable, thank you." he smiled.

Oh! How I wish to break his teeth right now. Xander tapped on me with his paws. I understand I need to keep my cool. My pack will feel my feelings through the pack bond. So, here I am trying to keep my cool.

"Please have some snacks. I'm sure it will take some time to get the dinner ready. " Anna pushed.

"Yes, thank you." Alexander and Matthew took a few snacks.

I wanted to get this meeting over with. " So, Alpha Matthew, am I sorry for being so curious about this sudden visit.?"

"Yes," he munches the snacks, then dusts his hands with a napkin, takes a sip of orange juice, "Yes, about that. Let me just come to the point." He takes another sip, "My son will soon take over the Thunder Moon Pack as an Alpha."

I cut him in between, I just couldn't take his slow speech anymore, "Congratulations! Are in order. However, I don't see the need to come to our pack. An invitation would have sufficed."

"Well, that would have. But I wanted to formally invite you to the Alpha Ceremony. As you know, we are the strongest and the largest pack in the whole of America." He states as a matter of factly. I huff, the father is really a dickhead like a son as well.

I just let him continue and loathe his fake fame, "These days we are growing old so fast. Our children have grown up so fast." He munches another nacho, "Well, my son proposed an alliance with Storm Moon Pack so that we become your strong allies and you be on par with us."

By this time, I was fuming at him. I looked at his son who was smirking. There is something more. I feel it in my gut. Yeah, I agree. So, I just let him speak. Anna's grip on my shoulder became tighter. Matthew continued, "Well, you also know our kids studied at the same school. So, you know our kids have been long friends. And I was thinking, what better way to get a steady alliance than to ask for her hand in marriage."

Matthew's POV

I was looking proudly at my son for proposing such an awesome opportunity for a strong alliance. As soon as I pitched in my idea, the environment in the room suddenly changed. I looked at Alpha Joseph, he was literally fuming. I think had his mate not touched him, I think he would have been in his wolf form. I looked at both of them. Confused, "I understand if you don't agree to this arrangement. Perhaps, just alliance is fine. But, seeing as your daughter hasn't found her fated mate, it's only right that we choose a mate for her. Also, my son hasn't found his fated mate either. It only seems legible to have two alphas get together and lead the strongest pack, the Thunder Moon Pack." I beamed.

I looked at my son smiling and jumped up as soon as I heard the fist slamming on the palm. I looked at Alpha Joseph, his wolf was at the surface and it bewildered me.

"Alpha Matthew! How dare you come to my territory, my home, and put this preposterous idea?" His voice boomed and shook the wall.

By this time, my wolf and I had become one as well. "I don't understand what we did so badly that you have been so hostile to us." I paused, fuming, "And why does all the anger seem to be directed toward my son?"

"Why don't you ask your son, the one you are so proud of?" Asked Joseph, fuming as well. At this point, I noticed Luna Anna's wolf was on the surface as well. I looked at my son.

"What did my son do to you?" We asked, my wolf and I were one at that point.

"You! You.. ur son almost r***d my daughter on her 16th Birthday eight years BACK!" screamed Luna Anna.

I looked at both and then at my son, my jaw unhinged. When the realization hit me, my body slumped on the floor. "Do you have any proof?" My wolf whimpered.

"You need PROOF! For all the inappropriate behavior your son did to all the women at their school. Are you so BLIND, Alpha Matthew?" Alpha Joseph asked.

I just slumped further in my chair. Was I overlooking my son's actions over the years? I knew of all his endeavors. What kind of father would I be if I didn't? But I knew the she-wolves were also interested.

"What about human women?" Alpha Joseph added. I looked at my son, wide-eyed. "Humans? Son? You know they can't bear us. Why?" Alexander was so expressionless, that I didn't understand when he became a villain from being a hero in my eyes. Right at that moment, the doorknob twists.