Regretted Rejection : Wrath of the Moon

When Xander regained consciousness, he was in the medical facility of the pack. His shoulder was bandaged heavily to help set the bones but being were, his healing abilities had already kicked in and were able to repair most of the damage. He looked around the room.

A few of his pack warriors along with his parents were in the room with him. His parents wore a worried expression, their posture screamed exhaustion.

"Maya?" Xander questioned with a single word. That word was enough to convey his meaning.

"She is handling the pack matters with the Council.” his mother replied.

"Want to meet.” Xander groaned.

"Sweetheart, I don't think she wants to meet you or any of us.” she replied.

Marina came in just as she finished talking. "Excuse me guys, Councilman Dylan wants to meet with the Lockhart family. He is waiting for you in the conference room.” The Lockhart parents nodded to Marina and left the room.

"Marina..." Xander called out to the leaving Marina, "I... I want to meet Maya."

"She is busy with the back up and medic team. I think you should meet with Councilman Dylan first and foremost. We may have a way to stop the natural dissolution of the pack.” she replied tersely. Xander nodded and pushed himself off the bed. He stood up with help of a pack warrior and slowly made his way to the conference room. The warriors left after ensuring he could walk to the conference room.

In the conference room, the Forrester family was already present with Dylan in the presiding chair and the Lockhart family joined them. Marina entered and closed the door, after which she spelled the room against eavesdroppers.

"I believe we may have a solution to prevent natural dissolution of the pack.” Dylan began without exchanging any pleasantries.

"Please tell us. We are ready to do anything to help.” Ken Forrester replied.

"Please understand, the Moon Goddess Luna wants to dissolve the pack and that will happen. We cannot avoid it or stop it. However, we may be able to keep the remaining pack members together under another Alpha. We don't want them to turn out like the Desmond pack moving from one place to another because no one will accept them." Dylan explained.

"What do you suggest?" Justin asked.

"Revival of Lockhart pack.” Dylan stated calmly. Everyone in the room was shocked by his words and Xander, whose attention was wandering, suddenly looked at Dylan in surprise.

"What are you talking about?" Xander asked him.

"Well basically once the connection of the pack completely breaks with Alpha Ken, you can take over as the new Alpha. The pack might be smaller in size but you would be able to lead them legitimately. Other Alphas’ would have to accept your power and acknowledge your aura but we can easily arrange that." Dylan continued calmly.

"I thought that in a natural dissolution, everyone in the pack loses their power, aura and their strength diminishes. Wouldn't Xander be affected by the same?" Marcus Lockhart questioned "Actually, Xander is an Alpha blood and would have been a true Alpha of the pack, if the attack hadn't happened. Technically he is not directly linked with Forrester pack and his Alpha powers never diminished. He is just so used to keeping them leashed that no one would have expected him to be a true Alpha. Also, we have his records on strength and speed. When we compared them with his previous records, we found that he was spared from the natural dissolution.” Dylan continued to allay their doubts calmly.

"We can stay together. I will be the Alpha's sister and you guys will be the Alpha's parents. We don't have to separate.” Claire exclaimed.

"Actually Luna Forrester, you and Alpha Forrester will be taken in custody to face a trial for staging a coup, kidnapping, misleading the pack and non-human trafficking.” Dylan's harsh words cut in Claire's daydream

"But... But why... I mean... Maya never placed an official complaint with the Council. She didn't want to hurt her brother and her family. Was that just a lie?" Claire spoke her voice trembling at the thought of harsh punishment.

"I placed the official complaint. I have surrendered to the Council and I am ready for any punishment the Council metes out.” Ken replied, conviction ringing in his voice.

"Have you lost your mind Ken? Why did you do that?" Claire screamed at him.

"It is the right thing to do. It is what I should have done the moment Maya was rescued. Instead we just spread salt on her wounds. I have made my decision and this is my final act as the Alpha of Forrester pack.” Ken said calmly, ignoring Claire's glare.

"What about Sam? What will people say once they find out that his parents are in jail?" Claire yelled as a final resort to change Ken's mind.

"You should have thought about that before you decided to commit the crime.” Ken replied levelling his gaze on Claire. His words deflated Claire and she sat in a corner quietly.

"She is right. What about Sam? You have to think about him." Mary Ann Lockhart chimed in.

"My parents will take care of him.” Ken replied his words neither courteous nor discourteous. Ken had never spoken to his in laws in such a manner. He had always been perfectly polite to them and his manners impeccable.

For him to be so distressed, that he forgets their relationship was a first. The elder Lockhart couple was aggrieved but couldn't say anything. Claire looked at him in shock.

"Will you take the responsibility of an Alpha, Xander? Will you lead the pack?" Dylan asked him interrupting others before a fight broke out.

"Will she... Will Maya stand by me to rule the pack?" Xander asked Dylan.

"No. She is returning to the Council headquarters to take charge of the new position. It was her suggestion to make you the Alpha so that innocent pack members do not suffer through the dissolution process." Dylan replied him.

"Then my answer is “No. I don't want to rule the pack. You can make different arrangements for them.” Xander replied losing his interest.

"Xander, what are you saying? Think of the pack, what will they do?" Marcus chided his son.

"I have always thought of others; of my sister, of my parents, of the pack. I gave up my mate, my happiness for their sake. But what did I get in return? My mate was sold off, she was hurt, she was... raped. I had to constantly subdue my powers and my aura. This time and every other time henceforth, I choose her. I chose to stand by her side Come What May." Xander replied indignant. "What makes you think she wants you? She is a Team Leader in the Council. She might even reject you as her mate.” Mary Ann tried to make her son understand.

"When she offered me her love and her trust, I broke it. Now even if I have to give her my life to earn her love back, I would give it happily.” Xander stated his voice unwavering.

"Xander... As you said, you have lived for your sister and your parents till now. You should live the remainder of your life for yourself. Why do you want to throw that away for your mate? What's the guarantee that ten years down the line you wouldn't regret it?" Dylan questioned Xander perplexed. "I am not throwing away my life for her. She is my life. The last four years, I have been dying without her, barely going through the motions. I have heard a man once say - I would give up the world to spend a day with my beloved. Dylan, I would give up my life to spend a moment in her presence.” he replied.

"What if she chooses to be with another man? What would you do then?" Dylan continued to probe.

"I would stay besides her as a friend, as a supporting character, whatever she needs.” Xander said. "Are you sure about your decision?" Marina asked, speaking for the first time since she sealed the room.

"Yes." Xander replied turning his head. Marina could see his conviction reflected in his eyes.

"I am not the one who needs to hear these words. Go, you can do whatever you want. Don't worry about the pack. I had a contingency plan drawn up already.” she said

As if waiting for those words, Xander got up and left the conference room without saying a word to anyone. He went in search of Maya. He wanted to bare his heart in front of her and grovel for forgiveness. He was uncertain of her reply but certain of his actions.