A Secret Alpha Mate
Chapter 116

(Isla)

"It's really over? We can relax now?" I ask Jackson two days after the ceremony.

Everyone had a wonderful time, at least seven people found their mates here. Cameron has a theory about why Benjamin didn't let pack members leave, he thinks it has to do with him being paranoid about the spell working at a distance. Jackson pulls me into his chest, "Yes." He smiles into my neck and shivers run down my spine. I asked the question that I already knew the answer to.

"Any word on Benjamin?" Jackson's face gets hard.

"Nothing." He sighs, "Cam is so frustrated, I can tell it's really getting to him." He buries his head in my hair, "You, my Luna, have nothing to worry about, patrols are doubled here and Silver Moon, er the Northern part of Silver Moon Stone." We were still figuring out the names, "They have enough warriors now and they're almost fully trained. Nothing will get to you."

He pulls back his blue eyes serious, "I promise you."

"I know that, Jackson. But, he's a danger to everyone while he's out there, I just don't want him to hurt anyone else." I hated the thought of it.

"I know, baby. All the packs are on the lookout, I bet he's laying low and when he shows himself we will be ready. Until then, all we have to worry about is the day-to-day of our pack. Finally."

"I like the sound of that." Some quiet to really get into my role as Luna and enjoy my family without something looming over us, something to pull our attention in a million different directions.

Jackson pulls me into a deep, unexpected, kiss that sends butterflies to my stomach. His soft lips probe my open and he slips his tongue in, dancing with mine. I lose myself for a second but reluctantly pull away.

"I am on bridal duty, I'm already late to be at Abigial's." I sigh trying to tear myself from his arms.

"She won't notice if you're a few minutes late," His eyes filled with l**t as he sucks on my marking spot.

"J-J-Jackson." I sigh, trying to sound serious, "It's never a few minutes."

He raises an eyebrow and chuckles lowly, "You've never complained about that before."

I playfully smack his chest and escape out of bed and into a cold shower chasing thoughts of Jackson away before I gave in and spent all day in bed with him.

Abigial never dreamed about being a bride, and I was determined to make her wedding the most perfect day ever. Nothing would be too much and Jackson already promised to pay for it even though Jim insisted he would. William, Cameron and Lucas all offered to

chip in if it was necessary, even though I had more than enough money now to go toward Silver Moon's revival and Abigial's wedding, it was nice to know that she was so loved here and no expense would be spared for her perfect day.

I knock on the door to Jackson's office and walk in, he looks flustered as he pushes away three thick black books, I look curiously at him, he's never hidden anything from me before, well besides the plan for Jennifer's second paternity test, I thought with a little animosity.

"What's up?" I ask him and sit across from him with a sly smile.

"Eh, just something I have for you but I was waiting for the right time." I look at him curiously, what could he be hiding in a book, in a journal.

He sighs, "Fine. Meet me in your library in half an hour." He says with a sly smile, piling the books in his arms and rushing out of his office. I went to my office to pass the time. We had a few pack members that wanted to move between our areas after they found their mates and I had to approve the new housing assignments and make note of the changes. Cameron has really increased security since the packs became one.

All pack members were allowed at either of the pack grounds at any times, and there was now facial recognition at both pack borders to enforce this.

The approvals only took a few minutes so I checked in on payroll and made sure that everything was right and the omegas that worked our ceremony were getting triple their pay for missing out on the fun. Jackson already used to give them twice their pay for events, but I wanted it to be a voluntary thing now. Any omega that wanted to work for the extra cash could but I didn't want to force anyone to miss a pack event. I was surprised how many people elected to work that night, we almost had too many people working and I had to make sure that their pay was changed for the hours they worked.

I'm ready - Jacksons deep voice penetrates my mind, I smile and put my papers away, marking the place I left off in the payroll.

Coming

I walk up the winding stairs into my tower library, the sky was darkening and snow was falling out the wall of windows. Jackson had the fire cracking, candles lit, and my favorite blanket laid out for me. He smiled and opened his arms to me to cuddle up next to him. "Hot chocolate is on the table, and dinner will be sent up here." He pulls me close, I enjoy this comfortable moment in his arms before curiosity got the best of me.

I wiggle away and look at him, "So, what is it?" I ask, excitedly.

"Okay." He rubs his face with one of his hands, "So, I was waiting for the right time."

"You said that."

"Yes, and uh, I guess there never will be a perfect time I just wanted to make sure you were, uh, well, in the right head space to receive this." Now I was confused, was it something bad? "Please tell me what it is, Jackson. You're making me nervous now." He takes my hand in mine and rubs circles on the back of it.

"So you remember your parents memorial?" He asks and I nod my head slowly, "Sorry, that was a stupid question." He looks down guilty, I've never seen him this flustered.

"Well, I had a book go around, an empty book, so that people could write memories of your parents in it after we went to bed. I wanted you to have it but I knew it would be really emotion." I was at a loss for words, that was such a thoughtful thing for him to do. "There were so many people that wanted to write their memories that it filled up three books." He pulls the thick books from behind him and places them on my lap, I feel the smooth surface of them trying to distract myself from the tears I could feel forming. I wasn't sad, well not completely sad. I was filled with longing again, anticipation, mixed with a swell of love for Jackson.

"I'm sorry if I overstepped." Jackson rubs his thumb across my cheek, I shake my head.

"Not at all." I whisper, "Thank you."

"If you want to do this in private I'll wait outside." I didn't know what I wanted.

"Could you stay maybe, you could read too. I just, I think that I want you here." His eyes light up and he grabs a book from the table. I take a deep breath and open the first book.

Some people told stories that took up ten pages, others shared a short memory within a paragraph. I was surprised to replace myself smiling and laughing more than I cried. With any emotion from me I could see Jackson eyeing my from his side of the couch making sure I wasn't going to spiral again.

"The perfect Luna, strong, caring, took no s**t from anyone, and witty as hell. Your dad struggled to keep up."

"I've visited many packs in my lifetime, and lived in three. I have never once seen an Alpha and Luna lead with so much grace and passion. They were part of the pack instead of just running it. Never did I see two people more cut out for the role, never did I see two lead with such passion and ferocity."

"Your dad was crazy, a live wire, until he met your mom. The instant that he made eye contact with her his world shifted. His values, what he cared about, everything. He was a better man because of her."

"I remember they would bring you on walks every Saturday to the market that we would hold. They made sure to buy fresh flowers from me and your dad would call me every single Friday and order a bouquet of flowers for your mom and a little one for you. He was specific about the flowers and colors each week and put a lot of thought into his bouquets for 'his girls"."

"Your mom couldn't cook for s**t. I'm sorry Luna, but you couldn't. One time when your parents were just mated she tried to make him spaghetti. Nothing crazy, not from scratch. I offered her my help but she wanted to do it alone. Insisted she could, so we let her. She burnt spaghetti, BURNT IT. But what was worse is that she didn't really notice, she served it to your dad and his face was priceless but he pulled it together. Ate the entire thing and asked for seconds. All of us in the kitchen were laughing, but we knew that was what we wanted from our mates. What your parents had, Goddess rest them."

"A strong man, a great ally, and an ever better friend. I always admired your dad and how his leadership skills came naturally. I can finally admit, that no matter how well I thought I was running my pack that whenever I visited Silver Moon I doubted myself. He was a born leader, fit for the role since infacy. I learned so much from him. I will never forget our long talks after our mates went to bed, that sometimes went until the morning. Words cannot adequately describe how imposing he was as a man, nor how great he was as a friend." William

"Luna Lila was everything that a Luna should be. She was effortless. Stunning, charming, and had everone she talked to immediately wrapped around her finger. I have to say I was a little envious of how easy it seemed for her. Alpha Anthony and Luna Lily were the perfect match, even for mates, they shared something incredibly special. I am blessed to have known them." - Gianna

I finished reading them all in one sitting, I closed the last book and let out a deep breath, noticing that the sky was black outside.

"Thank you." I say to Jackson, he pats my foot thats next to him.

"My parents said that they would be willing to talk to you about your parents more if, and when, you were ready. Let's get you some food and we can put those somewhere safe," I clutch them to my chest, suddenly worried something would happen to them, "Don't worry, I made copies. Multiple copies, in safe places." He reassures me and I relax a bit.

He pulls me up and into a tight hug and I settle into his chest, feeling a bit better to have the memories of my parents immortalized.

Knowing that others knew what I knew myself, that my parents were incredible.