A Secret Alpha Mate

(1sla)

“Jackson, I can't” I shook my head, tears starting to openly stream down my face.

I didn’t want to face him again, I wanted this to be over as easily as possible, even though easy could never be a word use to describe this situation.

He pulls me close to him and I breathe in his scent, reluctantly letting it calm me a bit for the last time.

“The baby isn't mine.” What did he say? I pull away and look at his face.

“That's not possible, I saw you today. It's a boy." Jackson looks confused and then realization washes over him.

“/ll have to explain everything. Please let me." I shake my head. I didn't believe him anymore.

“Isla. The baby isn't mine. 1just found out.” He takes my hands in his, “Please be my Luna.’

“I-1 don't understand.’

He gets on his knees, finally down to my level, on his knees.

“Isla, 1 will do anything in my power to earn your trust again. I will explain everything right now if you'll let me. Please cor back. We can be together, the baby isn't mine, we got another test done without Jennifer knowing."

“But today?”

“It was all an act, the doctor was in on it and we scheduled another appointment and had her blood drawn so she would know we were doing another test. It's a long story. Could I explain it to you inside?”

I nod, reluctantly, wanting to believe him. Thunder rolled in the distance, confirming my decision. I wasn't going to spend the night in the rain. He stands up and pulls me into another hug, I had to admit it felt nice, stupid mate bond.

Cameron and Lucas came running, almost bumping into the back of Jackson.

“We lost the scent.” Cameron looks frantic, Jackson rolls his eyes and moved to the side revealing me standing there. “You i***t," Jackson grumble. Lucas puts his arm on Cameron's shoulder and looks relieved.

“We found her!” He says, “she’s right behind your naked a*s." Lucas jokes,

“Mind filling us in?" Cameron says, studying my suitcase.

“There are a lot of people who need filling in. Let's head to my office, f**k, never mind, Jennifer started moving her stuff i I let out an involuntary growl and Jackson pulls me close.

Cameron and Lucas look confused and exchange a look.

“I didn't tell her to do that," Jackson adds.

“I figured that much,” Cameron says. Thick raindrops start to fall around us.

“Lucas, do you mind getting me some of your clothes?” He nods, “I'l link my parents, let's head to the doctor's house. It might be a long night.”

“Can we order pizza?” Lucas asks, Cameron claps him on the back of the head." What? If we're settling in for a long night I just trying to help keep enerey levels up, plus I'm starving after all that excitement.”

jackson looks at me, “Hungry?”

“Pizza sounds great," I say.

“Make sure you order enough.’ Jackson says, “And bring a bottle of whiskey. I think we all need a drink after this past month. I'll link the doctor to make sure it's okay that we go there, even though I'm sure it's fine. I'll have my parents meet us there as s00n as they can.’

jackson takes my suitcase in one hand and my hand in his other. I was curious why he needed everyone there, maybe I wasn't the only one in the dark about this whole situation.

My emotions were still all over the place and I would have to figure them out later, right now I don't think I could process anything else, today has taken a toll on me.

When we get back to the doctor's house, he has a warm fire crackling in his familiar large fireplace, the rain started lashin around us on the way back and I'm soaked.

Abigail rushes up to me, “Ym so glad he caught you, you're soaking wet, come on let's get you into some dry clothes and under some blankets by the fire” I follow her into the master bedroom. She chooses some warm clothes for me and towe dries my hair once I'm changed.

“Did you get to talk to him?” I ask her, she nods.

“It makes sense, but I still don't like that he kept something from me.” She starts brushing my hair now that it's semi-dry, “The important thing is that you're still here and that it isn't his baby." I take a deep breath.

She pauses and looks at me in the mirror, “You're going to get through this, you've made it through the past month, this i just a little bump in the road. Once you hear everything it will make sense, I promise.” She kissed my head.

“Now, let's get back out there and get you warmed up.’

jackson is clothed, so that must mean that Lucas is here. Abigail guides me to a seat right in front of the fire and wraps m in a blanket. The doctor comes over and hands us mugs of hot chocolate, that I gladly take.

“Pizza is ordered.” Cameron bursts in the door, “Do you have any glasses for these?” Cameron drops two bottles of whiske on the table.

“Ice?” The doctor asks. Cameron smiles at him.

william and Gianna come through the door a few minutes later, shaking off an umbrella. Gianna looks frantically around until she sees me and then rushes to my side, taking my hand in hers.

“Oh, sweet girl. William just told me what happened.”

“What is it with our men keeping things from us?” Abigail chimed in.

“Hey, we were out of the lop too.” Lucas comes over and hands all three of us a glass of wine. He sits on the couch and Cameron comes to join him.

The doctor comes and sits behind Abigial, pulling her to him. She rolls her eyes but can't help smile against his chest. william comes over with a large glass of whiskey and sits on one of the chairs, “Well, it looks like we're all here so let's ge to the bottom of this. Well, let's get the explanation out,” William says.

“Do you mind if I borrow my mate?” Jackson looks at his mom and Abigail. Gianna releases my hand and I set down my he chocolate next to my wine.

He comes over and helps me stand up and pulls me into his lap on a chair, still close to the fire. I breathe in his scent anc relax.

(Jackson)

Having Isla back in my arms, knowing that she didn't have to leave, was the best feeling in the world.

I inhaled her warm vanilla and cinnamon scent and let the calm wash over me before starting the story.

“Besides my dad and Dr. Lockheart, no one knew of this plan.’ My mom glares at my dad and I see Abigial turn to the doc to give him a look. I look down at Isla and she is just staring at me curiously. didn’t deserve her.

I asked my dad to explain his theory and what he told me when he came to me. I saw everyone's shocked faces when my dad mentioned the part about seeing the text.

Then, the doctor explained a few theories, and there was a collective gasp when he said that it might have been dark magic.

I finished off telling the part of trying to keep Jennifer in the dark to get her to agree to get her blood drawn.

“So that's why we had to sit through that awful dinner?” My mom interrupts. I nod.

“I thought it would be easier the fewer people that knew!” I turned to look at Isla who was looking at me intently I brushe a piece of hair away from her face. “I didn't want to get your hopes up either as the odds were so small” I was talking to just her now.

She nodded and buried her face into my chest and let out a long sigh, I wish I knew what she was thinking.

There was silence in the room for a few minutes as everyone took that in.

“Well F**k” Lucas says.

“Language.” My mom chides.

“I can't believe dark magic.’ Cam pauses, “We need to identify the man that visited Jenn.” He goes into warrior mode, “Th tinted windows might have made it hard for the cameras to have gotten a good photo. Let me get his description from th guards that were on duty, and then I'll contact all the nearby packs.” He jumps up.

“Cam, it's late. Sit down and we can do it tomorrow.” I look at him sternly.

“Right” He sits back down and twiirls his empty glass. There was a knock at the door and we all jumped.

“Pizzal” Lucas screams and goes to the door. Cam goes over to help him layout 15 large pizzas on the kitchen island. “Let's take a break to eat and then we can discuss the fun part’

“What's the fun part?” My mom asks, “Isla’s Luna ceremony?” Her eyes light up.

“What are we going to do with Jennifer?” Isla gives a small smile. I place her on her feet in front of me and when everyone leaves to get pizza I take her chin in my hands.

“Ym 50 sorry, I just couldn't bear getting your hopes up again. I was hoping to have it all done secretly and then I would you the bad or good news personally. I would have explained everything, I wish you hadn't stumbled on us” She looks away at the last part.

“You have to believe I want no one else but you, even if it was mine I would never choose her as my mate. You're the only thing that matters to me now.” She meets my eyes again and I'm drawn into the depths of her green eyes.

without thinking, I press my lips to her trying to convey the amount of longing and passion I have for her. She returns my kiss hungrily.

“I love you, Isla’ Her eyes go wide. “Not because of the mate bond, because of everything that you are. I don't deserve yo I kiss the tip of her nose.

“I love you, Jackson” She whispers, I felt her warm breath forming those words across my chin.

I wasn't expecting that. It felt like my heart was going to explode.

The amount of love and happiness I felt in this moment was nothing that I've ever felt before.

“Come on, love birds. Get your pizza so we can plan our revenge.” Lucas plops down on the chair I was just sitting in with five large slices of pizza on a plate.

(1sla)

I looked around at the faces of everyone I've grown to love over the past few months. For the first time since I could remember, the feeling of happiness wasn't accompanied by anxiety and worry. This happiness felt permanent, not a fleeting moment I was t00 slow to grasp.

Heavy rain slated the windows, but it was cozy in here by the crackling fire. We finished the pizza in no time at all, 1 forgot how much these boys could eat.

Gianna and Abigail and I were talking close to the fireplace. Well, they were talking about my Luna ceremony that Gianna was excited to get back to planning, I was just sitting there listening completely content.

Jackson was sitting on a chair behind me and I was leaning on his leg. He was playing with my hair while joking with Luca as Cameron refilled their whiskey glasses.

“Some more for the good doctor?” Cameron says, and he held up his empty glass.

Lucas stands up, “A toast, to the doctor, the drawer of the blood, and the guard of the samples. The previous Alpha who had enough wits to figure out this trickery, and the current Alpha who is an actor worthy of Shakespeare with his performance of pretending not to hate Jenn.” Cameron fake gags at her name.

“Here, here,” Cameron adds, everyone raises their glasses, and applause and cheers erupt.

Abigail and Gianna look at their mates with such adoration in their eyes. Jackson squeezes my shoulder and I look back a him and grab his hand.

“Do you mind if we stay here tonight?” Jackson asks the doctor, “My floor is a bit occupied.”

“tay as long as you want, we have a guestroom that is all yours.”

Abigail grabs my other hand and squeezes it, “Sleepover.” She whispers in my ear and I laugh.

“So, how do we break the news to Jenn?” Lucas says, “And more importantly, can I be there to watch?” An evil grin spread: over his face.

“Isla, do you have any ideas?” Jackson looks down at me.

Honestly, I didn't. I didn't feel an ounce of pity for her any longer. She knew what she was doing and she tried to tear us apart, all for what? Jackson? To be Luna? She should have waited for her own mate instead of trying to steal mine. vindictive bh

The absolute worst. If you have any ideas on how you want her dealt with, 'm all ears.

How about we rip her to shreds - I had to admit the thought was appealing at the moment.

Maybe after she has the baby

“Ym not sure, I'm open to suggestions.” I look towards the group.

“Let's just throw her in the dungeon.” Cameron shrugs.

“Banish her?” Lucas adds, “No wait, banish her in front of the pack.”

“The punishment should fit the crime” My dad says, “She not only lied to the Alpha but tried to sabotage his bond with h mate, and probably used magic to do so."

“How about we invite her to the Luna ceremony?” My mother quietly says, we all look at her. “Of course, it will be Islas ceremony, but she wouldn't know that”

“Gianna, you are positively wicked. I love this side of you,” Lucas says with awe.

“Of course, we could make it a fake ceremony. I wouldn't want Isla's real ceremony to be tainted with Jennifer there.” “When would we do this? I don't want to have this dragged out.” Jackson interjects.

“I could pull something together in a few days, with Abigial and Islas help, of course’ She looks to both of us.

“Why don't we make it the real ceremony?” I whisper.

I feel everyone's eyes on me but I can't meet them just yet.

“Baby, we don't have to rush this, we have all the time in the world," Jackson says from behind me pulling me up onto his lap.

“I've already felt like I was losing this pack, losing all of you. I don't want to wait any longer to make it official.” I explain. “You're not going to lose us, any of this no matter if we don't have your ceremony until you're one hundred.” he lifts my hand up to his lips and places a kiss on the back of it.

“I know that, but I want to make it official. 'm ready.” I turn to face Jackson so he can read the sincerity in my face.

He beams at me, “There is nothing I want more than for you to be my Luna, officially. And we can just throw jennifer in th dungeon right now, no need for all of that. I want your ceremony to be special and just about you.”

“No, I think it's a great idea honestly. Jennifer has put me through enough, She has put us all through enough, I think they all deserve a bit of sweet revenge as much as I do." Lucas and Cameron smile widely at that idea, “I just want her to taste her own medicine for once. It will only be a small part of the ceremony anyways." I shrug.

“Mom, can you pull off a real Luna ceremony in a few days?”

Gianna looks at Abigail and she nods, “I can do it. We can do it.” She says confidently.

jackson pulls me close to him, “We can figure out schematics tomorrow. Let's celebrate tonight getting my Luna back." Everyone raises their glass again.

I fall asleep on Jackson's chest listening to the low rumble of his voice talking to the others. Warm, content, and perfectly happy surrounded by everyone I loved.