“We are here to get the approval of other leaders in this territory.” Caspien explained, “Since Alpha Jasper borders us but is out of our territory, I need your help.” His voice was more humane now, “We spoke to The Elders, and they suggested that we get your approval before moving ahead. We don’t want to do anything that could have negative repercussions.”
“And you think this won’t?” Nolan snorted. He seemed so childish. I was almost embarrassed that I was ever attracted to him.
“I’m not going to guarantee any outcomes as I do not control that.” Caspien said, barely looking at Nolan, “I want this dealt with swiftly before anything else can come from it. Alpha Jasper took over and basically ran his pack into the ground. I’m usually a live and let live guy, but when you cross me, or my family,” His voice turned hard, and his eyes bore into Nolan, “That is something that I will not let go unpunished.”
I stroked the back of his hand, willing him to calm down a bit. We had to play this right. He turned to me and gave me a whisper of a smile before turning back to the others.
“I will not have my pack or this territory look weak.” Caspien’s voice was hard, his aura slipped through the cracks, “I will not have a threat go undealt with. This territory is strong and has a reputation for that. I intend on keeping it that way.”
I saw some of the other Alphas nod.
“Do you have any questions?” I added, trying to sound polite, but this was all too real; it was hard to keep my voice from catching. A few of the Luna’s looked at me with pity or something like that. Maybe that would work in our favor. “What will happen to the pack after?” An Alpha asked me, and I let Caspien lead, explaining the backstory with Alpha Jaspers’s grudge against his father.
“Depending on how many want to stay, I’m okay with appointing a new Alpha. If they want to disband, I will welcome any members to Crescent Moon. If that is the case, I want to divide the lands, give them to surrounding packs as a gesture of goodwill, and show them that we do not intend to take any more land. Maybe keep a small piece adjacent to my borders to help strengthen patrols and deal with recent rogue sightings.” Caspien ran his hand through his beard; it was such an ordinary motion, he wasn’t acting anymore. He went into a short description of what was happening with the borders and the contract with Alpha Jasper that he wasn’t even upholding.
“He’s not fit to lead anyways,” I closed my eyes and shook my head.
“That sounds good, though. Not the rogue problem of course, but offering most of the land back to other packs,” The Alpha that asked nodded once to Caspien, “A peace offering would be needed.”
“And if you lose?” Another Alpha asked; I tensed slightly; I hadn’t thought about that, not yet, at least.
Caspien gave them a cool smile, “I won’t.” That shut them up.
“You’re coming from a place of paranoia,” Nolan spoke up. He was clutching at straws now.
“And you’re coming from a place of ignorant complacency.” I cut in, holding his stare.
He seemed confused by my display. I had almost forgotten who I was with him, the timid complacent person who would take anything because of my desire for him.
But that wasn’t me anymore, and I don’t think it ever was truly me.
He looked away first, and I fought a satisfied smirk.
“Are there any questions? Would you like me to walk through anything else?” Caspien said, his voice calmer than I had heard it in these public settings.
The other Alphas and Lunas looked at each other, but no one spoke up. I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. I wanted them to ask more questions, but then again, maybe I didn’t.
“Alpha Nolan, do you want us to wait until the end of the conference to call a vote?” Caspien asked, almost sounding polite.
My stomach dropped. It was too soon; what if they said no?
“Get it over with so we can focus on real problems,” Nolan said, and my blood curdled.
This was my child’s safety.
I stood up, placing my hand on the table, taking a deep breath, but it did little to calm my anger, “I don’t care why you vote in our favor.” I looked at them all, making them meet my eyes, even Nolan, before I went on.
“Do it because you want to show anyone what happens when they fuck with our territory; do it because you feel pity because you too have children; do it to take down an unfit leader; do it because you’re bored and want to witness a challenge. I don’t care what reason you have. I just ask that you find a reason to vote in our favor.” I almost pleaded.
I took a deep breath.
“He is our son,” My voice cracked, “And everyone deserves to feel safe in the pack they call home.”
I sat down, and Caspien placed a hand on my lower back, slipping it under my jacket and rubbing circles. I felt like I wanted to cry. We were in a business meeting discussing my son’s safety. It felt so incredibly wrong. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough.
I finally met Caspien’s stare after I don’t know how long. His eyes held promise and hope, or maybe it was what I felt through the bond.
I didn’t care about the act anymore. I succumbed to my emotions.
I leaned forward and put my head on his chest. His hand intertwined in my hair and rested at the base of my neck as I let out a long shuddering breath. His lips came to my head, and he placed a kiss on my hair.
“It will be okay, baby. Nothing is going to happen to him. I promise,” He whispered, and I wanted to believe him.
I did believe him.
I leaned back, and Caspien gave me a partial smile, kissing the back of my hand. He nodded once at me, and I tried to smile. I don’t know what I would have done without him by my side.
“If you’re ready, I would like to get this past us,” Caspien said, his voice soft, tearing his gaze away from mine, “If we are in agreeance, those of you that are, I need you to sign something showing your support. I’ll handle it from there.”
My throat constricted, and I clutched onto Caspien’s hand for dear life. It was my only anchor to this world. I knew Caspien would end him anyways, but I needed this. I needed the first thing I did as his public mate to be legitimate. I needed these votes. We had to do this right to ensure no one would come after Emmett or Caspien. Even he wasn’t immune to The Elders, and I didn’t know what it would mean if he publicly went against them.
“I vote no,” Nolan said.
It was expected, but it still dug at me.
“I’ll call out the names of the Alphas to vote,” Nolane went on.
“No,” Caspien said, and I looked at him confused, “Caall out the packs’ names. We didn’t come here just to get the Alpha’s opinions. I want it to be a mutual decision from the pack leaders, that includes the Lunas.”
“Do you want Camilla to come back in?” I asked Nolan sweetly. I plastered an innocent look on my face.
“I speak for her and this pack. Our answer is a no.” He said. I could tell I got to him, anger contorted his features, and his lip twitched.
“Shadow Pack?” Caspien asked.
“We vote in favor.” I gave them a slight nod of gratitude.
“Red River?”
“No, we, uh, can’t risk it,” The Alpha looked down. I made note of his face.
“Silver Forest?”
“Yes, in favor.”
In the end, there were three against it and six for it. We didn’t get a vote on this because it was our problem be brought forward.
This last vote would decide our fate.
We needed seven yesses.
I tried to eye the last Alpha and Luna. I briefly remembered speaking to them last night. She was one of the Lunas that seemed moved by Caspien’s anger after Nolan commented on my outfit.
I felt close to passing out from not breathing.
“We vote in favor,” Luna said, and I met her eyes silently, thanking her. She nodded deeply to me, and my eyes filled with tears I tried to wipe away.
I could feel Caspien’s relief.
We both looked at each other, exchanging smiles and clasping hands.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.