Fate’s Design

Allegiance

Seth POV

As soon as it was decided, I shifted and headed for the border. It was faster to run than to drive. I could cut through the forest instead of winding around the road. Between our treaty with Crystal Run and the new reality of one of their Beta family being our Luna, I had expected a fairly easy entry. I was sorely mistaken. Their security wasn’t as intense today as it had been for the festival, but it was definitely tighter than ours ever was. I guess they were all as wary as Kelsey. And from what she’d described, I honestly couldn’t blame them.

“I’m Seth Dart.” I told the guards. “Son of Beta Adrian Dart of Harvest Moon. I’m here on official business. I need to speak with Alpha Durian on behalf of my Alpha and Luna.”

“We weren’t expecting you.” The other man said gruffly.

“Yeah, I know, but this is urgent. Life and death stuff, for Alpha Durian’s ears only. We couldn’t risk calling ahead.”

He gave me a suspicious look. This pack was cynical, that was for sure. “Can you please tell Alpha Durian I’m here? I need to speak with him right away.” I repeated.

His eyes glazed over for a moment. I hoped he was linking Alpha Durian, but at this point, I wasn’t holding my breath. After a moment, he said, “Wait here. Someone is coming for you.”

Finally. I thought impatiently.

Alex POV

When Carter linked me about a visitor claiming to be from Harvest Moon, it certainly got my attention. I came to the entry point, expecting to find Kelsey there, rejected and ready to come home. I’d be more than happy to welcome her back. I was ready for things to go back to the way they were. When I got there, I was surprised to see the Beta’s son there instead. Alone.

“Well, well, well. I have to say, you’re not who I expected. How’s Kelsey?” I asked, nodding to Carter, who relaxed his stance and stepped aside to let Seth pass.

“Like I told your watchman, I need to talk to your Alpha, urgently.” Seth said. I grinned.

“What’s the matter, man? You seem a little tense there.” I said with a smirk. “Come on, no update on my girl?”

“‘Tense’ doesn’t begin to describe what everyone here will be feeling if I don’t get to Durian in time, and don’t you dare call her your girl. She’s Mason’s mate.” he growled. I stiffened at that.

“Is that a threat, Beta?” I asked, matching his low tone. “Oh, wait. No, you’re not even that yet.” I knew I was playing with fire, but I’d never been much good at staying out of trouble.

“It’s a warning, Thompson. Get me to Alpha Durian before everyone in both our packs pays the price.” He insisted.

I raised my hands in a placating gesture. Even I knew when to stop poking the bear. “Alright, alright, baby Beta. No need to get your knickers in a knot. I’ll let Dad know you need to talk about Mason and Kelsey. he’s in a meeting with Aloha Durian. That’s why I’m your gate-check today instead of him.” I couldn’t resist a smirk at his narrowed eyes. I had to hand it to him, though, a less secure wolf would have reacted more to the name. He just kind of bristled a bit until I stated the obvious. . “Come on. Of course that’s what you’re here to discuss. What else could it be? You want a way out for Mason. There isn’t one. He’s screwed. He can reject her like a sane person or he can be an i***t and—"

“Not another word about it.” Seth growled. “If you disrespect my Alpha or my Luna again I don’t care whose territory we’re on, I’l handle it. You keep their names out of your mouth until you learn some manners, baby Gamma..” he retorted.

“Woah, woah, woah, hold up. Your Luna? They actually went through with it?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I hadn’t taken Mason for such a sucker. “Fine, I’ll let them know it’s urgent.” I relented. If they had gone through with making Kelsey Luna, that meant they were serious about staying together… which meant trouble that I did not want coming back on this pack, and definitely not on me. So I linked my dad. I knew it’d be pointless to try to get through to Durian directly right now. Whatever this meeting was, it was a big deal. Probably something to do with the increased rogue sightings along the northern border.

‘Alex, someone better be dying.’ I could sense my dad’s annoyance at the interruption.

‘Something like that. The Beta’s son from Harvest Moon is here. Says he has urgent business to discuss with Durian. Oh, and they’ve made Kelsey Luna.’

‘Sh*t. Ok. Bring him up, Durian’ll want to see him right away. We’ll figure out damage control..’

I closed the link and turned back towards Seth, a little more serious now that the reality of it all was starting to sink in. “Come on. They’re wrapping up. Alpha Durian wants to see you right away.” I told him, leading the way to the packhouse, then through to Durian’s office. I knocked on the door.

“Come in.” I heard Durian’s voice call out, firm and serious as always. Under normal circumstances, I’d say he needed to lighten up… right now, I couldn’t quite bring myself to. I opened the door and let Seth inside. As much as I wanted to stick around and find out exactly what was happening, I knew I wouldn’t be welcome in this conversation. I

Seth POV

I stepped into Alpha Durian’s office. The Alpha, along with Beta Jordan and Gamma Theo, sat around the desk with grim expressions. I could see the corner of a map sticking out from under some papers. I suspected it was covered because I was there. Cynical and paranoid, I thought again.

“Mr. Dart, welcome back.” Durian said.

“No time for pleasantries, Alpha.” I said. “We need your help. Mason and Kelsey are marked mates now. Mason is in a coma.”

The three men exchanged uneasy glances. “And Kelsey?” Beta Jordan asked. My expression softened slightly. Of course his primary concern was for his sister.

“Kelsey is alright. Sort of. She passed out, but came to pretty quickly. But her wolf didn’t. That’s actually why I’m here. We need to wake her wolf back up, and we need your help figuring out how.”