The Arrangement

“Maddy! Maddy!”

The shrill voice of Madeline’s four-year-old nephew caused her to jolt awake. A child’s voice was an excellent alarm clock, only problem, it’s always unexpected. Madeline groggily rubbed her eyes and smiled at Jacob.

“Hey there Jakey.” She grabbed him and pulled him into bed, tickling his sides. She grinned and laughed as she heard his shrieks and giggles. Her hands came to a stop and she looked down on her panting nephew, who was still giggling. “Are your mom and dad still sleeping?”

His little head bobbed yes and his unruly hair spilled out on the bed. She felt a pang in her heart but forced a smile onto her face. She knew she shouldn’t feel this way but she was jealous of her brother, of what he had. Sebastian had a mate, a son and a daughter on the way. He was loving and carefree and happy. How she longed to have what he had, but her mate was dead along with the dreams of having a family.

A grumbled forced Madeline out of her thoughts and she looked down at her little nephew who was blushing rosy pink. “Looks like someone is a little hungry too.” She teased.

She slid out of bed and bundled him up in her arms. She had to juggle him slightly to be able to open her bedroom and shut it behind her. Her footsteps made little noise as she walked down the hallways and stairs and into to the kitchen.

Their cook, Lizzy, was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for those who lived in the Pack House. Madeline set Jacob in a chair just as a plate of eggs, bacon, and a biscuit was set right in front of him. She smiled as she watched him dig in, as if he hadn’t eaten in years. She giggled and took a seat beside him.

A plate of her breakfast was plopped in front of her and she grinned. “Thank you, Lizzy,” she mumbled with a mouth full of food. The woman gave her a tender smile before returning to her cooking.

Just as Madeline was finishing up her breakfast, Pack members began to file into the dining room. She sent a smile her brother’s way as she saw him enter. She took her plate to the kitchen and washed it. Then she helped Lizzy serve the food, despite her protests.

That was one of the things she disliked about being the daughter of a former Alpha and this sister of the current Alpha. No one let her do anything, because she was of “higher status” and whatnot. She thought it was silly but that didn’t change anything. As she wasn’t the first born and heir to the Alpha title, you’d expect that she’d have more freedom to do as she wished, but really, she was just bored. She didn’t have her mate to spend time with and create a future. She just had herself.

After having the difficult task of putting him into clothes, Madeline took Jacob’s had and led him outside, to where all the other pups were. As they neared the playground, he slipped his hand out of hers and ran as fast as he could on his little legs. She smiled as she saw him be engulfed by his group of friends. Knowing that her nephew was safe, she let her eyes wonder across the territory.

The Mystic Peak Pack was a large territory, covering over several hundred acers. In the middle of the Pack was the Pack House. Unmated wolves between the ages of sixteen to twenty-five occupied most of the rooms. The Alpha of the Pack and his Luna and children had their own wing in the House so not to be disturbed but still close to the vast majority of the Pack . Those who have mated have their own houses scattered throughout the territory, though most stuck close to the House.

The training grounds was an open field near the Pack House, so it’s available to everyone. From the time that a wolf shifts for the first time to until their eighteenth birthday, they are required to undergo training so that they can defend themselves and others if needed. From there, a wolf can decide to continue training and be a part of the Epsilon (the warriors) or find another profession.

The schoolhouse lies west of the Pack House. Pups attend school until they shift. At school, they don’t learn the things that humans do. They are taught the history of the wolves, soulmates, the different professions a wolf can take to help benefit the Pack .

The marketplace is due south of the Pack House. That’s where those who decided not to join the Epsilon go. They apprentice for the profession for a maximum of six months before they are left on their own.

The rest of the territory is left undisturbed. The wolves run patrol along the border, keeping any Rogues and unwanted visitors out. The Mystic Peak Pack had its annual run through the woods, where the Pack ran as a Pack. Aside from that, the Pack is free to roam throughout the territory as they pleased.

Madeline found her feet moving through the woods, leaving Jacob in the care of the Pack ’s caretakers. She found herself on a familiar path away from the House and into the woods. She knew the path so well that she could walk it in her sleep. Her shoulders began to sag with sorrow as she reached her destination.

There was a simple headstone in front of her that marked the grave of her mate. There was nothing extravagant about it, as he was never that kind of person. Just sweet and simple. She placed her hand on the headstone and bowed her head, muttering a prayer to the Moon Goddess to protect his soul. And then she pulled her hand away. She went there when she needed to get away. When she needed that peaceful silence that she never got at the Pack House.

She wasn’t sure how long she sat on the ground, next to the grave of her dead lover. The times flew by, the sun now setting overhead. She knew she had missed both lunch and dinner bust she couldn’t bring herself to care. She just ached, all over. She ached for love, for comfort, for her mate that had been so cruelly taken away from her.

She had to convince herself to get up, to go home. That this wasn’t what Lucas would have wanted for her. He wouldn’t want her to waste away just because he’s gone. He’d want her to live. It was just so hard sometimes.

‘No. Stop it. Just get up and walk on home. It’s getting dark. Sebastian and papa will get worried if you’re not home yet.’ She scolded herself.

Madeline slowly but surely stood up. She stretched and looked down at the grave. “I love you.” She said quietly before turning on her heal and walking back in the direction she had come from.

When she finally stepped out of the woods, the place was in an uproar. Children were hiding behind their mothers. Orders were being barked out. Epsilon covered the grounds, some as wolves, others in their human form.

Madeline maneuvered through the crowd, making her way to the front where her brother and father stood. Her father’s eyes met hers and his widened. He rushed forward and enveloped her in a tight hug. Her arms wrapped around him on instinct.

“I was so worried.” He said in a gruff voice. “There was an attack. Rogues got passed the border and killed three wolves on patrol before back-up arrived. I couldn’t find you. I thought that maybe somehow they had found you and took you.”

“I’m okay papa. I was just visiting his grave. I didn’t realize so much time had passed.” She softly, trying to soothe the tension in her father’s shoulders. She sighed as she felt him relax slightly. She pulled out of his embrace. “Where’s mom and Natalie?”

The question was intended for her father but it was Sebastian who answered. “They’re fine. Safe in their rooms with guards posted at their doors.”

“Expect to do a lot of groveling for locking them up.” Madeline had a small smirk plastered on her lips. It widened as she saw them both grimace.

Sebastian put on his Alpha mask and walked over to his Beta. He whispered something in his ear that Madeline couldn’t hear. Then her brother sauntered back over, his face looking grim. “I want both of you in my office for a meeting.”

Madeline blinked in surprise. She had never been invited to a meeting, as it was only for the Alpha and his ranking officers, and occasionally an Alpha from another Pack discussing terms or alliances with Mystic Peak. There was no reason for her to be present during the meeting.

She looked to her father, hoping to find answers but found none. There was only a dark look in his eyes. He knew something. He knew what this was about. But if it involved her, why hadn’t she been informed?

Questions raced through her head as her father guided her to the Alpha’s office, the one he had used many times before stepping down. she walked hesitantly into the room, afraid of what is to happen. Her eyes did a quick scan of the room. There was a bookshelf in the corner, filled what look to be century old books in their leather bindings. There was a black, leather couch next to a small bar stocked with wine, brandy, and whiskey. A rug was place in the center of the room, covering something no doubt. At the front of the room, a mahogany desk took up most of space. An office chair was on one side of the desk, where the Alpha sat, and there were two chairs on the other side, meant for anyone that he was having a meeting with.

Four people total. Sebastian’s meeting usually consisted of ten or more wolves. She knew because she would watch as they all piled into his office.

Beta Ezra stood by his Alpha, his face neutral. Sebastian sat, running a hand through his hair. He looked haunted. And her father, he sat in a chair, his head in his hands. Madeline had never seen either one look so sorrowfully. She tentatively took a seat next to her father, who had looked up and taken her hand.

She gave him a reassuring squeeze then turned her head towards her solemn brother. Sebastian took a deep breath before speaking. “I didn’t want it to come to this. I was hoping that I would be able to deny this offer. But with the rising activity of Rogues and what with the attack today, I think it’s time that I tell you the proposal.

“The Night Walkers Pack Former Alpha has proposed an arrangement with his son and you Madeline.” He looked pointedly at her. “The arrangement is that they will provide us wolves to help strengthen our border and push back the Rogues. In return however, they ask of mating between you and the Alpha.”

It was dead quiet in the room, so quiet that Madeline could hear the blood rushing through her own veins. Her heart was beating so loud she was sure that everyone in the Pack could hear. “W-what?”