Kissed by the Moon Goddess

Chapter 4

(Song: “Numb” by Linkin Park)

Jaxon’s POV

I slowly button up my blue dress shirt and tuck it into my black slacks. Tonight, Alpha Damon is announcing that I am the next Alpha, with the formal ceremony in just four days. I can’t believe that this is finally happening.

Excitement buzzes through my veins. I’ve waited years for this moment, ever since Alpha took me under his wing after my dad died in a rogue attack when I was just twelve. Back then, Ava was just a baby, and now she’s growing up in a pack where I’m about to become Alpha.

“Jaxon!” Mom calls from downstairs. “Alpha Damon is here!”

I check myself out in the mirror one last time before heading down. Alpha Damon is sitting on the couch, his massive arms crossed over his chest. He is wearing a black suit that is tight against his muscular build.

“Alpha,” I greet, baring my neck before sitting down on the forest-green love seat across from him.

He nods, his expression impossible to read. “I am very proud of you, Son.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” I reply, sensing there’s more to this visit than his personal congratulations. Alpha Damon isn’t the type to drop in and exchange pleasantries. My stomach tightens with anticipation as I wait for him to continue.

“I need you to do me a favor once you become Alpha.”

“Anything for you, my Alpha,” I say, sitting up straighter. I’ve always done everything he has asked of me, no matter what. That’s why he trusts me.

He leans forward, his voice dropping low. “Get rid of Melanie.”

I can’t stop my mouth from falling open. “W-What?”

Did I hear that correctly? He does know he’s talking about his own daughter, right?

My reaction causes him to scowl. “Yes. She poses a threat, Jaxon. You don’t think she will retaliate once you become Alpha?”

I open my mouth to speak but hold my tongue. I mean, he’s right. I know Melanie well enough to know that she will throw some type of tantrum about it. Defiance is her middle name, but I’m pretty sure I can keep her in line without ‘getting rid of her’.

I swallow hard. “Alpha, you want me to kill your daughter?”

Saying those words causes the pit in my stomach to deepen.

Is this really happening right now?

He chuckles darkly. “That’s a last resort. I was thinking more like send her into exile.”

“On what charges?”

His eyes are cold as steel. “Planning a coup, attempted assassination…something along those lines. Find a way to gather some fake evidence against her.”

Fuck. He’s serious. How long has he been thinking about this?

“Alpha, is this really what you want?” I ask in a tight voice.

“She leaves me no choice. She’s too defiant…too stuck in her ways. If you want to be a successful Alpha, you need to be decisive. Get rid of her, Jaxon. It’s the only way to maintain order.”

“W-What about when she meets her mate? Surely, the Alpha she ends up mated to can handle her.”

Alpha scoffs. “Have you met that child? She’s too far gone. No Alpha would want a mate that can’t be tamed.”

He isn’t going to even give her a chance. I know Melanie’s a pain in the ass, but she’s still his flesh and blood. Yet, here is he, casually discussing her exile and murder as if he’s ordering a burger in a drive-through.

There’s a dangerous glint in his eyes — the look I’m positive serial killers give their next victims. “Of course, if you can’t do it, I can find another way to get rid of her. I just don’t want to get my hands dirty if I don’t have to, that’s all.”

What in the actual f**k? Did he just suggest that he’ll murder her himself? I can feel the blood drain from my face. Sweat clings to the back of my neck, dampening my hair as I try to maintain my composure.

“I will be expecting an answer by your ceremony on Friday,” he continues. His voice is smooth, but the threat is unmistakable. He’ll kill her if I can’t get her exiled in time.

“Y-Yes Alpha.” I bare my neck and watch as he gets up and walks out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him. I sit there in a daze, trying to process what the hell just happened.

Mom walks into the room, concern clouding her features. “Goddess, Jaxon. You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Is everything okay? What did Alpha want?”

I quickly force a smile, despite the nausea churning in my stomach. “Oh nothing, he just wanted to congratulate me again.”

“Oh, that’s kind of him,” she replies proudly. “He seems to be so excited for you!”

Yeah, excited for someone to finally get rid of his daughter.

Mom looks at me with tear-filled eyes, her voice cracking as she speaks. “You look so much like your father right now. He would’ve been so proud of you!”

I pull her into a tight embrace, my arms around her shoulders. “Please don’t cry, Mom,” I whisper. I can feel the pressure rising in my own throat, but I won’t cry. Alphas don’t do that.

She pulls away, wiping her eyes quickly. “You’re right, sorry. Let’s get going.”

After she calls Ava from her room, we get into my car and head to the dining hall. All I can think about is what to do about Melanie. Although she is a potential threat, I don’t want any harm to come to her. I want to…protect her? No, that can’t be it. I just don’t want her death to be forever on my conscious. Yes, I’ve always had a little crush on her, but she can never be mine. I’ll eventually find my Luna, and If I’m successful at getting her safely away from the pack in time, she’ll meet her Alpha and live happily ever after.

We arrive at the dining hall, and I make a beeline for Kaylee. She’s surrounded by a group of her friends, her tight, red dress drawing everyone’s attention. Her cleavage bounces with every movement, and it’s so short, I can nearly see her ass cheeks.

My jaw clenches. It isn’t a dress she should be wearing for this kind of occasion. It makes me look bad as her boyfriend, but I’ll address that later. Her eyes light up when she spots me. “Oh, my Goddess, babe, you look so handsome!” she gushes, pecking me on the lips.

“Thanks babe,” I mumble, feeling my face flush. “Let’s go find our seats.”

The dining hall is glorious. The ceiling must be at least twenty feet high. The walls are made of mosaic stones with more high arched windows than I can count. Four wooden tables stretch from one end of the room to the other, with the Alpha’s table on a platform at least two feet above the rest. The orchestra pit is right below the platform next to a wide dance floor. Omega servants, dressed in white, walk around with trays of food and champagne in flute glasses. The aroma of different meats, side dishes, and desserts fill the air, making my mouth water.

The packhouse, which is only a football field away from the dining hall, is even more magnificent. It’s practically the size of a castle. When I become Alpha, my family will move to the top floor and Alpha Damon’s family could still live there on a different floor; however, I believe he is planning on moving to a cabin near the edge of the border.

After Melanie is gone, of course.

As the clock strikes 9pm, the Nightshade Shadows pack begins filling their seats, according to the place cards. I can hardly hear myself think because of all the loud chatter, but it’s good to see my pack enjoying themselves for once.

I grip Kaylee’s hand as we maneuver through the crowd of wolves to our seats at the Alpha’s table. My place card is right across from Melanie’s. f*****g Great.

Kaylee sits on my right side, while Ava and Mom are on my left. Ava tugs on my sleeve, looking up at me with bright, green eyes. “What’s wrong, Ava?” I ask, leaning down so she can hear me.

“Can I go look for Moon?” she asks, excitement in her voice. Moon is Melanie’s little sister, who is ironically the same age as mine. I guess they’re best friends now or something.

Alpha Damon and Luna Sienna are already seated, but there’s no sign of their daughters. That’s unlike Melanie. She’s early to everything, even when it’s something she doesn’t want to do.

“I don’t think Moon is here yet. Why don’t we give them a few more minutes to show up?” I suggest softly to my sister, hoping not to draw attention to their absence. Ava frowns, but nods in agreement.

I notice Alpha Damon’s eyes getting darker by the minute. If Melanie doesn’t show up soon, this could make things worse for her. I can’t save her when she’s giving him more reasons to put a target on her back.

“Where is Melanie and Moon?” he growls at Luna Sienna.

“I’m sure she will be here soon,” she answers in a low whisper, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Please don’t make a scene in front of our guests.”

He snarls in response. It’s a good thing that the rest of the pack is too busy talking to notice their absence. I’m sure they would be talking s**t about her if they did.

“Oh, there she is,” Alpha Damon grumbles, his eyes instantly shifting back to their normal, brown hue. I don’t turn my head to look, but her sweet aroma hits my nose, strong and intoxicating. Shadow purrs in my mind. What the f**k is wrong with him? He never acts this way towards Kaylee.

Ava squirms in her seat, struggling to contain her excitement. If I can keep her seated through this dinner, it will be a miracle. Melanie and Moon hurry and sit down beside their father. “Sorry Dad,” I hear her mutter.

Melanie is dressed in a satin, royal-blue gown with a v-neckline and wide straps. Her brown hair is straightened out and lays effortlessly against her shoulders. She’s f*****g breathtaking!

Alpha grunts and rises from his seat, clearing his throat loudly. His Alpha tone carries through the room, causing the pack members to fall silent. Everyone but Melanie bares their neck. She rolls her eyes, the irritation etched across her face.

“Tonight, I have called you all here to announce that Jaxon Miller will lead our pack as the new Alpha,” he proclaims, and the crowd erupts into applause.

Fuck. Melanie is about to throw a tantrum.

I look across at Melanie, surprised to see her oddly calm. She’s chewing on her bottom lip, gazing out one of the windows on the wall in front of her. It’s like her mind is elsewhere. What could she be planning? Maybe Alpha is right, should I prepare for a coup?

As the applause subsides, I stand up and give a somewhat awkward nod to my future pack members, even though I’ve known them all my life. Heat travels from my neck up to my ears, my cheeks turning redder by the second. I’m pretty sure everyone can see how much I’m blushing and sweating like a moron.

“You can sit down now,” Alpha chuckles, noticing my discomfort. I quickly retake my seat, trying to mask my embarrassment. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Melanie smirking to herself. I choose to ignore it, pretending to listen to Alpha’s speech.

“His Alpha ceremony will be on Friday. Attendance is mandatory,” Alpha announces. “That is all. Enjoy your dinner!” His voice booms through the dining hall, and the pack resumes conversing with one another. Servers bring out mini beef tourtieres as appetizers. The smell of the freshly baked pastries fills the room, mingling with the aroma of other dishes.

Alpha Damon turns his attention to me. “We will need to work on your confidence before the Alpha ceremony, but I am most definitely looking forward to it.”

I nod, trying to appear more composed. “Yes Alpha.”

Mom chimes in. “I was just telling Jaxon how proud we are. I am so grateful to you for being a father figure to him after Michael died.”

Alpha smiles, but there’s a mysterious glint in his eyes that sends a chill down my spine. “Of course. I have always seen the potential in him,” he replies smoothly.

Once the appetizers are cleared, the servers bring out the main course: lamb chops with mushroom risotto and broccolini with honey mustard vinaigrette. The plates look amazing, each dish arranged with precision. However, despite the fine food, it feels like I’m going to be sick. I pick at my food, trying to keep my expression neutral as I think of ways I can ensure Melanie’s safety.

“Jaxon, you will be attending the Mating ball, correct?” Alpha asks, his eyebrow raising with curiosity.

Kaylee squeezes my hand under the table, and I can sense her tension. “Actually, I think Kaylee will be my chosen mate,” I reply, trying to sound confident.

Alpha’s face immediately twists with displeasure. “Chosen mate? That won’t do. Alpha only reaches his peak physical strength with his true mate,” he says in an abrasive tone.

Beside me, Kaylee stiffens. As for me, I figured this is what he would say. It is rare for Alphas to take chosen mates. Alpha continues, speaking through bites of lamb chops, “You might as well rip the band-aid off now before she gets hurt when you find your true mate.”

“What?” Kaylee bursts out. Her face is red, her eyes flaring with fury.

“Kaylee silence,” I demand, giving her a stern look. She pouts and lowers her gaze to her hands in her lap. Yeah, what he was said was f****d up, but I don’t need her embarrassing me like this.

Alpha nods his approval. “See, Melanie. That’s how a she-wolf should act. She needs to know how to submit and keep her mouth shut.”

“Yes Alpha,” she replies softly, giving her father a strained smile.

I eye her suspiciously. No retorts? No snarky remarks? Who is this imposter? I don’t like her. I wonder if she knows about his plan and she’s kissing up to him. The thought makes me uneasy.

After the servers collect our plates, the orchestra begins to play a classical version of “Hallelujah”. Alpha Damon claps his hands once. “Ahh, finally we have some music!” he exclaims.

“Mommy, can Ava and I go dance?” I hear Moon whisper.

Luna Sienna nods. “As long as Ava’s mom is okay with it.”

“Of course!” Mom replies. “I will make sure to keep them out of trouble as well, Luna Sienna.” She leads the girls to the dance floor.

I notice Melanie flashing a nervous glance at her sister. It’s only for half a second, but I catch it. I wonder what that’s about. She hasn’t shown any visible signs of defiance or resistance, and that’s suspicious as f**k.

“Melanie, why don’t you go dance with our future Alpha? After all, you need to practice for the Mating ball. Your dancing is mediocre, at best.” By the menacing tone in Alpha’s voice, this is not a suggestion.

What is his plan? Is this his way of helping me “gather evidence” against her, or maybe he’s just putting on a show. I never know what he’s thinking.

Melanie’s eyes flash gold, but she plasters the fake barbie smile back on her face. She doesn’t even glance in my direction. “Of course, Alpha.”

“Jaxon-” Kaylee starts to protest.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper, planting a kiss on her cheek before she can say more. As Melanie stands up, I take her by the arm and lead her to the dance floor.