A Secret Alpha Mate
Chapter 64

(Isla)

Waking up everything felt right. I felt safe and secure, I hated to admit it, even to myself but I was still on edge the past few days, worried that something would happen to take Jackson away from me. Now that I was part of this pack, Luna of this pack, and we marked each other, I felt that I could relax for the first time in a while.

I heard the water running in the bathroom and I followed the sound, looking for my mate.

"Goodmorning, Luna." Jackson smiled widely at me, "How are you feeling?"

"Incredible, besides being bit sore." Getting out of bed was actually a bit of a struggle.

"I thought you might say that." He motioned to the full bathtub behind him, "Care to join me?"

He helped me into the bath and I leaned against his broad chest. The water felt amazing on my sore muscles and I could feel the last bit of tension release from my body. Jackson lathered a sponge with lavender soap and massaged my back. This must be what heaven was like.

I leaned back again and he kissed my hair.

"Let's get your hair washed, unfortunately, I still have to share you with some others today." He sighs, I almost forgot about the brunch.

"What time is it? How long did I sleep?"

"Don't worry, love. We still have an hour before we have to be downstairs, everything is taken care of, we just need to show up and mingle." I nod, I could do that.

"Elder John is staying an extra night or two to preside over the blood test so we can officially put it behind us and no one can question it again. You'll really like him." "When is the blood test scheduled?"

"Already done." I turn to face him, "Lisa and Greg practically banged down the doors of the packhouse this morning. They brought their own doctor and insisted another test be done immediately. Actually, it worked well in our favor." He shrugged. "I'm glad that's over with then."

We reluctantly got out of the bath and I got ready. The closet was easier to navigate now and it didn't take me long to replace a knee-length- deep blue, fitted, dress that looked like something Gianna would approve of.

I finished it with a pair of black flats and a chunky gold bracelet that matched the gold in my necklace. I haven't taken it off since Abigail gave it to me, I knew it was stupid but it made me feel closer to my family, having something that might be a symbol of who they

were.

Jackson comes up to me and slinks his arms around me, "I missed you." He murmurs into my marking spot and shivers run down my body.

"How does this look? Will your mom approve?"

"You look every part the Luna my mom was, you know if you don't like her style we can get you a new wardrobe. My mom has been dying to take you shopping since she first heard about you."

I shake my head, "Most of the things she picked for me are perfect. I'm still trying to figure out my own style but I love hers, she kept things pretty simple." I look around, "Well, besides those ball gowns, I'm scared to even go near them." Jackson chuckles and pulls me close.

Movie afternoon after this brunch is over? I hear Luca's voice in my head. I would have to get used to being able to link everyone now.

I already invited Abigail - Lucas adds before I can say anything

Sounds perfect

"Let's go get this brunch over with so that I can spend more time alone with you."

"Sorry, I made plans with Lucas, we're having a movie afternoon." He looks at me in mock hurt.

"And I wasn't invited?"

I laughed, "Relax he just told me about it. I'm sure I can swing an invite for you," I trail off, "I might have to pull some strings though." I try to walk away but he pulls me back, kissing down my neck.

"I wish you weren't so damn charming, then people wouldn't want to steal you away from me so often." He complains.

"You're right, I should try to be more like Jennifer." I tease.

"You wouldn't dare."

Gianna, of course, had everything set up well before we got down there and we were one of the first to arrive.

She kept with the colors and theme from the night before and everything looked gorgeous.

It was a sit-down brunch with a set menu for our guests to choose from. There was a mimosa bar in the corner with a champagne tower, on one side of the room was a dessert table with mini cheesecakes, fruit pastries, and a white chocolate fountain with assorted fruit. "Isla, don't you look lovely." Gianna comes up and kisses my cheek, "Jackson, your tie is crooked."

"You have outdone yourself, Mother," Jackson says as she straightens his tie.

"It really is incredible." I say, in complete awe of her, "I don't think I could ever pull something off like this."

"Isla, this is all your style, I just helped execute it. I'll teach you that part of it, it's easy. You already have an amazing sense of decor." She smiles at me.

"Now let's get you a mimosa before the chaos ensues." She guides me towards the bar, "What flavor?"

"I honestly don't know what a mimosa is," I say.

"How about a classic, with orange juice?" I nod, sounds decent enough. Abigail comes in and scans the room and rushes towards us.

"Gianna, this is better than anything I imagined. I'm not sure how you did all this."

"I couldn't have done it without you, I can tell you that much," Gianna replies and orders her a mimosa.

"Where's Jim?" Gianna looks past Abigail.

"He's coming, he's showing Elder John the previous tests for the case." Gianna sighs.

"I do almost feel bad for Lisa and Greg, almost. More than anything, I'm relieved that I don't have to share a grandchild with them." Gianna takes a long sip of her mimosa.

"Oh yes, the afternoon is free for us once brunch is over but were hosting a formal dinner since we have an Elder joining us. Six o'clock sharp for both you ladies." "I'm invited?" Abigail looks at Gianna with wide eyes.

"Of course, you are family now." Abigail's eyes well up for not the first time this weekend.

Movie afternoon after this brunch is over? I hear Luca's voice in my head. I would have to get used to being able to link everyone now.

Jackson comes up and puts his arm around me, "Do you mind if I borrow my Luna? I want her to meet a few people that we didn't have the chance to last night."

"Of course, darling. Don't tire her out too much, make sure she's having fun."

"Don't worry, mom, she can handle it." He kisses the back of my hand and I'm introduced to a new Alpha and his family.

After a while, the slight tinkling of glass gets everyone's attention.

"Thank you all for joining us this morning," Gianna's voice can carry by itself. I wonder if I could figure out how she did that. "We are honored to have you join us to celebrate our new Luna." Cheers erupt from the audience, Gianna smiles at them all. "If you would be so kind to take your seat, brunch will begin momentarily." Jackson escorts me to the head table, and we take a seat. Lucas, Cameron, his parents, Abigial, Jim, and Elder John are seated with us at the table.

Plates full of small scones, pastries, are placed on the tables in front of us. Omegas walk around with champagne bottles and different juices to top up the guests. This was more thought out than anything we've ever hosted at Silver Moon before. Elder John sits to my right, "Isla, I have to say you are already making an incredible Luna."

"Thank you, Elder John."

"Please, you can call me John, you're like family being Jackson's mate, he was like a son to me growing up, William and I were always so close." I smile at him.

"Thank you, John. But I haven't done any of this, this was all Gianna." I motion to the room around us.

"I'm not talking about the ceremony. Although it was lovely, I know what you've been through the past few months and the sacrifices you were willing to make sure that this pack kept their Alpha. I have to say I'm impressed, not many people would give up their mate for the benefit of a pack they hardly knew." He looks me in the eyes.

I get nervous, not nervous but uncomfortable. This level of praise from an Elder was something I never experienced before. I grab my necklace and run it through my hands subconsciously, something I recently started doing absentmindedly or when I needed comfort.

"That, my dear, is what makes a good Lun-." He looks down at my fingers, "What is that?" He asks curiously.

I show it to him, "The only thing I have from my childhood. Abigail took it off me when I arrived at Silver Moon when I was a child. She kept it safe all this time and just returned it to me after my birthday." I shrug, moving the pendant through my fingers, the diamond sparkling in the light, "Jackson thinks it might have belonged to the pack my parents were from, they were rogues when I was found though."

His brows crease together, "Interesting." He doesn't look away, "I want to talk to you about it later if you don't mind, I think I have a few theories on that." He picks up the menu, the confused look never leaves his face.

"Now, should I try the steak and eggs or the eggs benedict? He smiles at me.