A Secret Alpha Mate
Chapter 58

(Benjamin)

I'm coming up, I found something about Moonstone's ceremony

Bring Coffee

It was hard to sleep recently. Although the Elder's spiny house dog returned to them, their men stayed to "keep an eye" on the omegas.

I didn't like having them here around the packhouse. Meghan said that they didn't intervene unless she got angry. They wouldn't let her give out any punishments though.

How the f**k was I supposed to get a hold on them if we couldn't punish them? People respect one thing and that is power.

Meghan knocks and comes in bringing a tray of coffee with her. I wait until she pours my coffee how I like and sets in on my desk, "Sit down." I take a long sip of it.

"So, I called the omegas at Moonstone, pretended that Hailey had a dietary restriction. The lead omega there wasn't very talkative and just stuck to it." Get on with it, "But I called back later and got a young omega, I was able to pretend to be innocent and ask about the Luna. She said they were so surprised that he was taking a Luna." Taking a Luna? That had me sit up in my seat.

"Apparently, the Alpha had a mate but then got someone else pregnant, or she found out after. No one is sure. So that is who the Luna is going to be. She said no one has seen his mate in days and her room has been cleared out."

"Well," I smile widely, "It looks like Isla is out and this new Luna is hopefully someone we can respect. And build a stronger alliance with" That solved a huge problem for me.

An omega of this pack would never be allowed to rise up to Luna, it was unheard of and I would not let her shame my pack like that.

Meghan twirls her hair and sits back. "Anything else you need?" I look at her. "I don't want to go back downstairs, I'm bored." She looks at me.

"I'm working and I need to call my family here."

I link Julianna, Hailey, and Seth to come.

"Ugh, fine. You're being such a prude." She flicks her ponytail and leaves.

I wait for Julianna and my kids to get there. I rarely call family meetings and I can see the confusion on their faces, and the boredom on Seth's.

"We got invited to a Luna ceremony." I slide the invitation across my desk. Julianna looks at it and Hailey reads over her shoulder.

"Why isn't there a name?" Julianna looks at me.

"Well," I go into the story of what I heard, I didn't say it was Meghan that found out but I knew Julianna knew.

"So, there's a new Luna and not that omega b***h?" Hailey sits up with a wide smile. I nod.

"Would you like to accompany me to the ceremony? It's tomorrow."

Julianna nods excitedly. Seth shrugs.

"Seth, if you are going to ever become Alpha you need to present yourself at these functions. You need to network with the leaders of our world." I must have said a bit too harshly because Julianna glares at me. "We will leave tomorrow afternoon to have time to get settled in. If you're coming I expect your bags downstairs at 3 PM sharp."

"Shopping?" Julianna whispers to Hailey.

"Didn't you just buy a whole new wardrobe?" I ask Hailey.

"Daddy, this is different. Maybe my mate is there, I have to look my best."

"You have met all the ranked members of the nearby packs, I doubt there will be anyone new there. Wear one of the thousands of dresses you have." Julianna glares at me again. "What about me?" She asks

"You're my mate, the Luna of this pack for almost two decades now, it doesn't matter what you wear, no one is going to be looking at you," I say honestly, going back to my work. "f**k you." she spits and stands up grabbing Hailey's arm, "I have his credit cards, let's go." She slams the door.

"You f****d that one up, pops," Seth says, still sitting down.

"You don't have to come, but if you decide that you are coming with us, you are presenting yourself not as the Alpha's son but as the future Alpha. I expect you to come put together and ready to embrace that role." He nods but doesn't look at me. "When do you think I will be given that position?" He asks his feet.

"Look at me when you're speaking to me. You're of Alpha blood, don't address your feet, address the person you are talking to." He looks up and glares at me.

"Okay, Dad. When do you think I will get the Alpha position?"

"When you stop acting like the Alpha's son and start acting like the future Alpha, as I said. You need to get your act together."

"I'll come tomorrow and show you I can." Good, that's what I wanted to hear, he wouldn't be getting the Alpha position though, not anytime soon.

(Isla)

The next day went by in a blur. Gianna had so many vendors come over to show us things and get our approval, I felt like we didn't have a moment to breathe.

Things were starting to get set up and I stole a peek from the tree line outside the doctor's cabin. A stage wasset up and there were more tables than I could count. It looked like a covered dance floor was going up, as well.

Gianna told me that I probably wouldn't have time to really enjoy the festivities as everyone would want to talk to me and congratulate me. She said she barely had time for a bite of food at hers so she was going to come over early and make sure I was well fed. (Jackson)

I had to run back to my room again to grab a few things I would need for the ceremony. My mom was very specific about the dress shoes and shirt I was to bring, everything else was taken care of.

I finished up work early and I wanted to get back to Isla as soon as I could, even if that meant sitting through hours of my mother's vendor meetings, I needed to be near her. I was craving her more since I thought I would lose her, and I knew she felt the same.

I put the key in my door and realized it was already unlocked. After Jennifer told me she snuck into my room the other night I made sure to lock it every time I left. I turned on the light, Flint was on high alert, someone has been in here.

Clothes were strewn onto the floor, I was about to mindlink Cam to have his men sent up when I heard a sound in the bathroom that distracted me from my thoughts, more of an absence of a sound. The shower turned off.

I was confused, but still on alert until Jennifer walked out wearing Isla's robe. All the worry and confusion I felt turned into anger.

"Babe! You're here." She rushes over.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were staying downstairs?" I ask her. How did she even get in?

"I've been waiting for you and I was sick of it. When I got the invitation, I was very surprised by the way, I figured I didn't need to stay away from you. This will be my room tomorrow night so I started moving in." She looks at the pile of clothes, "I had to move a lot of that bitches s**t though, I hope you help me get rid of it."

I turn to go into my closet trying to mask my anger. I was so close, we were so close.

Thankfully, she hadn't touched my stuff and I found the shoes and shirt that I needed and had time to calm down. By the time I leave, I had a better grip on my emotions.

"Jenn, I have to get going, my mom needs me." I walk out and say hoping she's back in the bathroom so I can sneak out.

To my horror, she's sprawled out on my bed completely naked. My eyes bulge out of pure shock, and she sits up and grins.

"Like what you see?" She rubs her leg up and down the bed, "Mark me, right now, I'm going to be your Luna tomorrow."

"I want to do this traditionally, no marking until after the ceremony, I shouldn't even see you until tomorrow." I look down, avoiding looking at any part of her body. "You're way too traditional, at least just f**k me."

"I want to do this right, I will do this right." I turn and leave. I needed to get my locks changed.

(Jennifer)

Jackson has never turned me down before when I showed up in his room. Was it because I was pregnant? I hated how my stomach looked now, it was so swollen.

I couldn't wait to get back to my flat stomach. A few more months of this baby taking over my life and then I could be hot again.

I sprawled out naked on the bed secure in my position. My room and the Alpha's were now one and the same.

Tomorrow was my Luna ceremony, and thankfully we caught Gianna before she could go too far with her way. I injected personality in the ceremony, bold personality, I would have to wake up early to make sure that everything was perfect.

I fell asleep in my massive bed, thinking about the changes I was going to make to this pack. I would be the best damn Luna this pack ever had.

I could hardly sleep last night, not because of this damn baby but because of the excitement. I wanted to start getting ready. The day has come where I would take my rightful place.

My dress should be delivered this morning and I needed to check on the decorations. I quickly showered and got ready before the sun even rose.

I had a new sense of purpose. Everything that I walked past was mine. The omegas had to obey me and no more of this "I need to ask the Alpha s**t" I couldn't wait to put everyone in their place. The packhouse belonged to me and this was where I would raise the Alpha's kids. This mansion was my home now and the pack lands belonged to me.

I smiled as I burst into the kitchen, happy to see the omegas already working away. The lead omega comes up to be, I never bothered to learn her name.

"Miss Jennifer, what can we do for you?" So now she was nice to me. I smirked at her letting her sweat for a second.

"I trust you got my menus and you are going to be making my meals here on out, or do I have to tell the Alpha that you're refusing to give proper nutrients to his Luna?" I c**k my head and look at her. We were going to start this off the right way, show her who was boss.

I wanted clear boundaries, no sitting in the kitchen eating like I saw Isla and her old omega friend do, I actually didn't want to step inside this kitchen ever again, I would have to set up a meeting with her every week in my new office.

Another thing that needed to be redecorated. Gianna's taste was too, classic, for me. Too simple, I'm glad my mom got to her before she could f**k up my ceremony with her basic taste.

The lead omega nods and looks down, "Yes, of course, everything will be done according to your wishes."

I cross my arms and stare at her, "Good." turning on my heel I go to leave and pause before I get to the door, "One last thing, it's Luna to you."

She nods, "Yes Luna."

I was never going to get over the sound of that.

I don't know why we had to have the ceremony outside, there were too many leaves around and it would ruin my color pallet. I wanted everything black and dark pink and the fall leaves would clash. But Gianna said there was an extensive guest list and she already ordered outdoor furniture so I would let it slide. This time.

I head out back, and motion for a few omegas to open the doors for me which they reluctantly do. I would need to train them better, Jackson had a reputation outside of the pack sure, but he was the softest Alpha and didn't make the omegas act like omegas should, ranks beneath us.

I'm not surprised to see Gianna is already outside dictating where the tables and chairs should go.

Wait, is that an off-white table cloth? What are all these candles doing here, I most certainly didn't want candles. I specifically asked for large silver candelabras with diamonds hanging from them. Not pillar candles, I swear if someone messed this up for me. "Jennifer, dear," Gianna says, looking at me surprised.

"Is there a mistake?" I demand, pointing to the table cloths and candles, if they f****d this up they must have f****d up so much more.

"Ah," She looks to where I was pointing, "Yes there was, it's all sorted and the right things are on the way, the dark pink ones that you wanted."

"Fuschia." I roll my eyes at her and she looks a bit shocked. No need to play the nice girlfriend anymore, I was going to be ranked above any female in this pack in a few hours.

"Fuschia." She says with a tight smile, "Yes, dear."

I needed to make sure that everything else was up to my taste, with two major things messed up already I couldn't trust her. I turned away from her to survey the rest of the deliveries.

"Jennifer, what are you still doing here? You're going to be late." Gianna calls after me.

"Late for what?" I demand, turning around to face her again.

"Jackson has booked you and your mother a spa day today."

"All day? I have to get ready, I have a hair and makeup team coming."

"You'll be back in time to get ready for the ceremony, we don't want you to miss that." She smiles, "Jackson insisted that you spend today outside the pack. Relaxing." Well, even if he was being a bit strange I guess he must just be more into traditions than I thought. A spa day might be nice if I could trust that things were going to go well here.

"You have my list of what I want, the rest of it is going to be followed exactly." It wasn't a question,

"Jackson won't be happy if he replaces out that my Luna ceremony, that I wasn't allowed to plan in advance, is messed up for me." I look her in the eye making sure she understood there were to be no mistakes.

"Yes, Jennifer. Everything will be perfect this evening."

"It's Luna to you." I brush past her not waiting for a response, smiling at the face I imagine her having.

She was Jackson's mother, and this baby's grandmother for all intents and purposes, but I outranked her.

(Isla)

Jackson pulls me close to him and snuggles behind me, "Wake up, Luna."

"I've been away for a while now." I turn to face him,

"Nervous?"

"Very," I say honestly.

"About what?" He rubs the tip of his nose to mine,

"About people judging me, about being the Luna of a pack when all I've known how to be is an omega, about not being able to fit in with all the ranked members that come."

He pulls back and looks into my eyes, "You are my destined mate, everyone in this pack is going to be thrilled that I found my Luna, once they get to know you they will be even happier. Everyone that has met you knows that you are Luna material. Being Luna is something that you can and will learn, and you are a natural already. It's not about rank but about who you are. That will make you an amazing Luna. You have been fitting in with ranked members here, Lucas, Cam, my parents." I laugh. "They don't feel like ranked members," I interject.

"Exactly, the other packs ranked members are usually like that too. We are more formal with each other but everyone has a close relationship within the pack. Once you get to know them and they open up to you, you'll see that they aren't so different from us. And far less formal than you think."

He was making some good points.

"Anything else?" He starts rubbing the tip of his nose down my jawline and my neck until he gets to my marking spot. He moves me hair to the side and kisses it, then gently before lightly sucking it. Sparks erupt from, and my body immediately feels charged. "I said, was there anything else bothering you?" He whispers into my neck.

"N-no, not that I can think of."

"Good." He pulls back from me and laughs at my angry face, "Don't worry, I'll have you all night, finally alone." He jumps out of bed, "Also, my mom is about to be here, you have a long day ahead of you."

He pulls me up on my feet, "I miss you already."

I smile up at him, "You're cheesy."

"You love it." He kisses me deeply and pulls away too soon, his eyes clouding over, "She's outside."

We walk hand in hand to the door and are met with an angry Gianna, I've never seen her anything less than put together, I hope nothing major went wrong.

"What's wrong?" Jackson asks, "The wrong shipment of silverware?" He jokes.

"Jennifer." She spits and walks in. Jackson and I exchange a look.

"She demanded that I call her Luna." Jackson's eyes go wide.

"She did not."

"She did, it's Luna to you," she says in a mocking voice.

"No she didn't," Jackson repeats.

My eyes are wide, how could she be so rude to her? I guess that facade ended when she secured her position or thought that she did.

"She deserves everything that is coming to her," Gianna scowls, "Okay, I'm done thinking about her. She has occupied enough of my headspace for the day." She takes a deep breath and waves her hands around.

"Now," She turns to me smiling, "Are you ready? Everything is coming together perfectly. I just checked with the vendors and the furniture is already set up."

I look outside, it's barely light out.

"Gianna, did you even sleep?" I ask.

She waves me off, "I'll sleep when you are Luna, my work will be done. For the week at least." Jackson chuckles and hugs me from behind.

"I already woke up Lucas and Cameron," Gianna calls over her shoulder, making coffee in the kitchen.

"Mom, you did not."

"I did."

"We just have to put on suits and we're done."

"I'm sure you can make yourself useful." She pushes him out the door or tries to. It's comical watching this thin woman trying to push someone out that is almost a full foot taller than her and at least three times her size. He turns around and pulls her into a tight hug, kissing her cheek. "Thanks, Mom, love you." She smiles widely at him. I can't help smiling either.

He comes up to me and pulls me into his arms for a quick kiss, "I love you, my Luna." I put my hand on his cheek.

"I love you, my Alpha."

Gianna breakfast brought to us. She spends the time going over the visiting Alpha's names. To my chagrin, most confirmed their attendance.

The hair and makeup team arrive. A literal team of five people. Pulling us from the guest list.

Thankfully, they were here to get Gianna and Abigail ready too, so I wasn't the complete center of attention.

This is both the fastest and slowest day of my life. Every minute seems to drag on but the hours go fast.

Before I know it, we are almost ready. Abigail and Gianna meet me in the master bedroom when their hair and makeup is done.

I can't help notice how beautiful Abigail looks, she's always been beautiful but she is radiant now, not just because of her perfectly pinned hair, or makeup. She was happy. Shining from the inside.

They kept my makeup light, highlighting my eyes making them look even larger than normal, and my lips were a light red that I actually loved. They both put a hand on one shoulder and I look in the mirror at my two mother figures. We all looked like we could cry.

Gianna dabs her eyes, "No tears. I insisted on all waterproof makeup, but still. I don't want anyone all puffy before we get started." She fans her eyes and Abigail does the same, copying Gianna's movements.

"I'll go get dressed and give you two a moment." Gianna says, "Abigail, I had your dress brought in, it's in your closet."

“Thanks, Gia.”

I stand up to face Abigail. "I can't believe, well no, I can believe this. This is everything you've deserved. I am just so happy I am here to be able to witness this. Thank you so much for having me be part of your big day."

I pull her into a tight hug, "Thank you for being there. Always." She squeezes me and then pulls away to look me over.

"Isla," She smiles not able to speak for a few moments, "I am so incomparably happy. I don't think anyone has been this happy before."

"I think I understand the feeling." I smile at her, we both look at each other for a moment, nothing more needed to be said. We both had our fairytale and we got to witness each other. We were luckier than anyone else alive. Gianna and Abigial both chose silver gowns, in similar shades. Gianna kept commenting about how they could have had them made in the same fabric but there wasn't enough time.

Abigail's was a simple silver silk dress. It flared at the waist and was floor length. Gianna insisted she got a ribbon belt around the waist that had a gemstone pattern on the front. Abigail loved the belt but apparently turned it down when she saw the price tag, so naturally, Gianna purchased it behind her back and gifted it to her tonight.

Gianna looked stunning in a floor length gown, as well. Hers had a sheer layer of fabric with embroidered silver flowers that clung to a slightly lighter shade of silver.

They looked stunning.

They helped me slip on my dress, it fit perfectly. I didn't even have to wear heels. I would learn them eventually. Gianna said she would teach me, but I had enough to worry about tonight without thinking about where to put my feet. Gianna produced a pair of white flats, "I put in insoles so they're even more comfortable." She winks at me.

I looked in the mirror and I was surprised at what I saw. The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves. The makeup was subtle but accentuated my favorite features. My hair was blown out and slightly curled with one side held back in thick pins. "One last thing." Gianna opened a box and showed me a vintage silver hair comb with diamonds encrusted throughout. It reflected the light in the room. I don't think I could be trusted with something so beautiful. Gianna motioned for me to sit in front of the mirror and put the comb on the side of my hair that was swept back.

"Perfect." She says and kisses my cheek, "An old family heirloom."

I turn to look at her and grab her hands in mine, "Thank you. Thank you for everything. There is no way I can ever repay you for what you've done for me, how you've helped me."

"Nonsense, I'm just helping my daughter." Tears welled up, "Now now dear. No tears until we announce you as Luna." I laugh as she wipes them away before they have a chance to fall. "Are we ready?" She asks, I nod.

When we get to the front room Abigail hands Gianna a box with her name on it and they pull out white faux fur jackets that are similar to mine.

"From Jackson," Abigail says.

"We have such a good boy." Gianna strokes her jacket.

"We do." Abigail and I both say at the same time.

(Benjamin)

I hadn't been to Moonstone in a while, I almost forgot how formidable it looked, the packhouse sitting right at the base of that large mountain. It was hard to believe that we were so close with such different landscapes.

We pull up and an omega shows us to our room, since the ranked members were busy elsewhere getting set up, they didn't meet us our front like they traditionally would have for another kind of event or meeting.

The packhouse was larger than it looked on the outside, stone was everywhere like a medieval castle. Cold.

We get settled in quickly in our rooms. I'm ready to see what I can replace out about this new Luna. I already knew she would be a huge asset to our pack if I could get to her before another Alpha did.

To my chagrin, I couldn't replace her anywhere. I expected that much as she was probably getting ready. It was surprising that the people, or should I say omegas, I talked to didn't speak too highly of her either. They seemed respectful of her position but no respect for her as a person.

I got a decent description and knew what I was looking for, I would pull her immediately aside. Alone. When I got the chance.