A Secret Alpha Mate

(Benjamin)

Finally, they're here. This moment was something that I was anxiously awaiting, worried it wouldn't actually happen.

The gravel settles around their SUV's and my nerves settle with it, knowing that this is finally it.

The previous Alpha William steps out of the car first with his Luna. 1 shake his hand briskly, “Welcome back, William” He smiles at me.

“Thank you so much for extending the invitation to me and Gianna”

“Of course, of course, you are always welcome here. We have lunch set up for you with my Luna, Julianna and of course m daughter, Hailey."

“Actually, I was hoping to sit in on the meeting, if you don't mind” He says, “You know, just to keep my brain sharp, I've been out of the game for so long”

“Of course, we would love to have your insight’ This wasn't a serious meeting, just a ruse to get to Hailey I didn't understand why he wanted to be there, but I would play the part, it's what I was good at.

Alpha Jackson's Beta and Gamma come up and shake my hand and someone stands next to them that I don't recognize. “This is one of our omega,” The Beta motions to the older man, that was a nice touch, bringing someone to help with Haley's things.

“Very well, have him head down to the omega quarters, he can wait there until you need him." I summoned an omega ove to come to show him to the kitchen. I look around for Alpha Jackson and finally see him emerge from the car last he stan up and pulls his jacket down a bit, situating himself.

He turns around to close the door behind him but instead, I see a small hand reach out and take his. Out of the car emerges a beautiful girl, that seemed familiar, like someone I've seen in a memory. She smiles up at him and he squeeze her hand. I hear Julianna gasp next to me and look over to Hailey to see that she hasn't noticed yet.

why would he bring someone else when he came back to claim my daughter? They were clearly together, they come close and I get a good look at her, large green eyes, natural beauty.

She almost looked like —

What. The. f**k.

Is that the missing omega dressed up? If only I would have gotten a chance to take care of her at the party, I should have done it sooner. No one would have noticed a missing omega. I wonder if I could still find a way to get rid of her, I push th: thought away for the moment, as I try to compose myself, realizing I haven't said anything in a while.

“ would like to formally introduce you to my mate, and Moonstone’s future Luna” Jackson comes to the front. I can't find anything to say.

“You might recognize her she’s from this pack actually, we finally found her, my missing mate, Isla.’ He beams down at he “Ym sorry we should have informed you of an extra member coming, it was a bit of a last-minute decision, I hope you dor mind."

“No-no, uh, not at all” 1 find my voice, “Let's get to it gentleman.’ I manage to get out, as I usher them all inside, Julianna gives me a look as she drags Hailey past me.

What is happening? - She mindlinks me

I shake my head at her, I have no idea either and need to figure out how to solve this obvious mistake.

An omega couldn't be Luna of Moonstone, he did know she was an omega, or did he mishear me?

She wasn't marked yet so there was still time.

“We have everything set up for you in the meeting room if you would like to join me there at your leisure." I say fighting t stay calm, “Everyone that isn't attending the meeting, we have a light lunch prepared for you in the dining hall, someone will show you there shortly." I turn to the meeting room hoping to get a few minutes to collect my thoughts. I mindlink my Beta, Jerry to meet us there in a few minutes.

I slam the door behind me and take a few deep breaths. What the f**k am I going to do? I could try to get rid of her, but would that be obvious if it were today. I could stage an accident sometime in the near future before she officially became Luna.

Maybe Alpha Jackson didn't realize that she wasn't just an omega but a rogue.

If I tell him that then he should reject her, he should have rejected her finding out she was an omega. I bet she lied to hir that’s it. She lied about her past somehow and made it seem that I was lying. I would have to set him straight.

Hopefully, he would reject her himself, if not I would have to get rid of her without anyone knowing, I was too close, this would be the last piece to solidify my line and I wasn't going down this easily.

There is a knock on the door.

“Come in” I say as Alpha Jackson, his Beta, Gamma, and Alpha William come in shortly followed by my Beta, “Let's get this over with, shall we?"

(Jackson)

“So there are a few options as we see it. Eradicate them or get them to move on. Either option would have us, and a few the other neighboring packs, work together. After we can all agree on a course of action so that we don’t miss any of ther I want to have this done thoroughly or not at all”

“Have you talked to the other packs yet?” Alpha Benjamin directs his question at me. I shake my head.

“You are the closest pack so we thought we would start here. We have been in contact with the others since the increase rogue sightings but haven't had a formal meeting yet.”

“Working together we think that we can move them away, there's no need to kill them all. Anyone that fights back or seen to be dangerous, sure, but there are some innocent rogues out there, people choose that lifestyle for different reasons.” Cam continues where I left off, Alpha Benjamin scoffs.

“The only thing worse than omegas, are rogues. I say we just get rid of all of them.” My father stiffens in his seat beside m “Is that the plan of action you want to go with then?” Cam questions him.

“Alpha Jackson,” Alpha Benjamin turns to me, “You came here to discuss a solution with me so why is your Gamma the on that is conducting this meeting?”

“Alpha Benjamin, he is not only my Gamma, but my lead warrior, and the best fighter I have ever seen. I take his word on this subject as law, I am not afraid to admit that he is better versed on this subject than I am. I am committed to finding solution that works best for our packs with minimal to no injuries or loss. My Gamma is the man to help us to see that go realized.” I say curtly, not liking how he was subtly putting down Cam. Cam gives me a quick smile before getting back to business.

After a few hours, I felt like we were getting nowhere. I wanted to come out with a clear plan of action but Alpha Benjami didn't seem to want to commit to anything, let alone send his warriors further than his pack lands.

This is definitely interesting - my father links me

I don't understand, this shouldn't be a hard job if we work together, maybe he actually is worried about his pack

That doesn't seem like it, he seems indifferent, like he hopes we would do all the work.

“It's getting late." I finally say, “Now that you know all the facts and the courses of action we can take, how about you talk your Beta about it I honestly didn't catch his Beta’s name and he just sat there looking bored not once contributing, “If you can commit to at least increasing patrol around your borders and alerting us of any rogue sightings, we can contact t other nearby packs and see if they would join us in this pursuit to protect all of our packs.’

Alpha Benjamin gives a short nod and stands up signaling this pointless meeting was over.

“You're staying for dinner?” He asks us, quickly changing the subject.

“If that is still okay with you, we were planning on it.” He nods, “Cocktails will be served out back in half an hour, I trust y can find something to occupy your time until then.” He brushes past us and leaves the room with his Beta following. Lucas, Cam, and my Father all look at me confused.

“sit back down, we aren't done here.”

“What the f**k was that?" Cam says falling back into his chair, “This really isn't that complicated. We can do it easily if we comb through the woods from all sides.”

“He seemed mad and they both seemed bored, I don't know. This is serious, something that can affect his pack if we don stop it now” Lucas chimes in, “And his Beta? That dude didn’t say one word."

“He might have his own motives behind his actions, maybe to protect his pack or maybe his warriors aren't as well traine as ours.” My dad adds, always trying to be the peace-making Alpha.

I sigh and put my head in my hands, “This was honestly pointless. They arent going to help and it seems that the rogues are closer to our borders than theirs so I don't think they are taking this threat seriously."

“I say We g0 to the other packs, set up a video conference first to make sure we aren't wasting our time,” Cam says, I agree that makes the most sense.

“Alright then, I could use a drink after that bullshit, let's go find those cocktails, and my mate.” 1 hope she’s doing okay, I couldn't help getting distracted thinking about her but I knew my mom would take care of her. I wanted to steal her for a moment to check in before the next event.

(1sla)

Hearing that a lunch was scheduled for just Gianna, me, Julianna, and Hailey sent my stomach into a tight knot that won’ come undone. This was definitely not what I was expecting, I thought I could have just hang back in a crowd without such an intimate gathering.

Adrastea was on edge since we arrived, I could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing up and it didn't’ help my anxiety or the knot in my stomach. I would be happy when this day was over and we were heading back with Abigail after dinner. That thought was the only thing keeping me going.

We sit down at the large dining table, Julianna and Hailey across from Gianna and 1. Gianna takes my hand under the tabl and gives it a squeeze.

“This is such a lovely packhouse, I haven't been here in ages, you had some work done here yourself haven't you?” Giann starts an effortless conversation with Julianna.

“Oh, um hm? Sorry, uh yes, not much but a few bits recently.” I see that Julianna was probably mindlinking with Hailey, no doubt talking about me if they recognized me at all.

Some omegas started bringing out the luncheon, starting with a lite salad. I saw a few that I recognized, one stopped in their tracks almost dropping the tray she was holding, the other let out a visible gasp that Julianna noticed, no doubt confirming her suspicions.

“We don't have all day, is there a reason for the delay? Nothing to look at here” Julianna snaps, “Impossible to get them t do anything, you know how it is.” She directs that comment to Gianna, who laughs nervously.

We eat the salad in mostly silence, Gianna trying to make pleasant conversation that Julianna doesn't take her up on. The main course comes, some kind of fish I didn't even notice what. I was focusing so much on trying to take small bites even though my stomach was rejecting them. I knew that everyone in the kitchen must be talking about me. This was a mistak coming here.

“How is it being Luna?" It takes me a second to realize that Hailey is directing her question at me, “Weren't you an omega here? I'm sure that is a huge adjustment.” Gianna squeezes my hand again and I set down my fork and give Hailey a smile “Yes, I will admit it is a bit of an adjustment, a big adjustment, I won't lie. 'm lucky to have Gianna here to help me navig: through everything.’ Gianna gives me a wide smile, “There will be a lot to learn but I'm confident that I can do it with her help." I realized that I was telling the truth, I was confident that I could be a good Luna with her guidance and Jackson by my side. I could do this, I can do this,

Hell yeah, baby girl

“How was your ballz" I ask her with more confidence, “I'm sorry to have missed the ending of it” Julianna looks shocked that I directed a question at her daughter, Hailey takes a minute to respond,

“It was amazing, everything was to be expected. All the visiting Alpha's were all over me." I suppress a growl, “I couldn't decide which one to go for. Obviously, I'll be Luna of a pack it's up to me to choose which one now.”

“Yes my dear,” Julianna pats her arm, “Lots of decisions to be made, the daughter of an Alpha from such a strong bloodlir isn't to be ignored” She raises an eyebrow, not really sure what she meant by that.

“Yes, of course, I heard amazing things about your ball, darling” Gianna says, “I wish I had a daughter myself, but as fate would have it I have Isla now to fill that role, and I couldn't be happier” She gives me a warm smile that I return. Julianna huffs and Hailey rolls her eyes going back to their lunch.

“Now that we're done here, there's a cocktail hour out back soon, we will meet you there, Julianna drags Hailey up and ou of the dining room.

“Well, that was awkward” Gianna states and we both giggle, “You did very well, 1 am so proud of you and I know how muc it must be taxing you for you to be here” She pats my arm.

“Do you mind if I excuse myself for a few minutes?” I ask, “I want to go say goodbye to everyone before I leave and I'm no sure if I'll get a chance after dinner” I knew how busy dinner could be and I didn't want to interrupt anything for the othe omegas.

“Of course, love. I'l stay here 50 you know where to find me and we can go to cocktail hour together. Hopefully, a drink or five will make this night go faster” She adds under her breathe and I can't help but feel relieved that she’s not enjoying t either.

I head out of the dining room, not sure if I was allowed to take the omega stairs anymore. I hesitate outside the door fror the main entrance when it bursts open.

Great, just the person I wanted to see, Meghan.

She reels back looking surprised, I guess she must have missed the chatter in the kitchen, it wouldn't surprise me as she rarely down there working anyways. She looks me up and down and sneers, a look of pure hatred crossing her face.

“Glad to see you made it back, you f****g filthy mutt” She spits grabbing my arm and yanking me, “You think that just because you were found by some other pack and you have new clothes that you are somebody.” She laughs a hysterical laugh. Okay, she’s losing it.

“Get back in the f****g kitchen, get out of these clothes that you have not for one second deserved. I'm not sure what yc told them to let you borrow these, but that is insubordination and 1 will not stand for it. Rest assured you will be punishe thoroughly, you f****g piece of shit.”

'm frozen in fear, flashbacks of her mistreating me and having absolute power over me overcome me for a second. I take deep breath, remembering who I am now. I yank my arm from her hand.

“Meghan I state calmly, she doesn't stop glaring, “As much as I respect your authority over the omegas at this pack, I am no longer part of this pack.”

“You can't just leave because someone else f*****g finds your filthy a*s in the woods, you don't just promise them loyalty for your pointless life” She's not listening and I'm getting upset now.

“Let me finish." I state maybe a bit too harshly, Meghan looks taken aback, “I have found my mate at Moonstone, and we have accepted each other. I will officially join Moonstone and am no longer under your care or authority.”

“ am above you you will always be under my authority you rogue mutt.” She's shouting now.

“How dare you." I hear a voice reverberating the entire room, suddenly Jackson is by my side angrier than I've seen him h veins popping out the side of his neck, “you will never talk to my Luna like that again” Meghan's eyes bulge out.

“It's fine, Jackson, I can handle this.” 1 put my hand on his chest and he looks at me starting to relax a bit but still looks pissed.

“Ym sorry, my mate can get a little possessive over me." I smile at Meghan innocently, normally I wouldn't be one for rubbing this in but it was too perfect a moment.

She is speechless, “As I was saying, I am no longer under your authority. I am the future Luna of Moonstone. I say confidently, taking Jackson's hand in mine.