A Secret Alpha Mate
Chapter 91

(Benjamin)

"Dad, what the f**k?" He slams the phone down.

"What, Son?" I look down at him from where I'm standing behind my chair, well, his chair. Temporarily.

"He wants to challenge us. One of us." He looks angry and confused.

That wasn't part of the plan, I thought he would challenge Seth.

"Which one of us?" I ask, trying to sound calm.

"He said it was up to us. But if he beats me he gets the pack, right? So if he beats you, then he gets nothing?" He asks.

"I'm not sure how it works." I say, this definitely wasn't going to plan, "Do you think we could both take him? You start him and wear him down and then I'll finish him." I kneel next to my desk and open up a compartment on the inside, "With this?"

I stand up to lay down the box and Seth opens it. A short silver dagger, the handle covered in leather. Even the touch of silver stings.

"Dad, do you really think that would work? There will be Elders there. We have to fight."

"You are much stronger than me, you start him and I can come in on some pretense of stepping in, or protecting you and then sneak this into him. I'll pass it off to you and you change back to human form and I'll shift and finish him." The plan forms rapidly, Seth looks at me as if he doesn't fully believe this plan will work. Honestly, this was a shot in the dark. I've exhausted all possibilities. If we didn't show up we conceded the pack.

"Son," I place my hand on his shoulder, "You can do this, you're Alpha now and it's up to you to defend your pack."

(Isla)

I step behind a tree and take off my clothes, making a mental note of where they are. The cold winter air swirled around me and I took a deep breath, knowing as soon as I shifted I wouldn't feel the cold like this. Alright, its your time to shine

Literally shine, get it? because I'm like a f*****g disco ball

Just shift please, it still hurts

It hurts me too, sweet cheeks.

I internally roll my eyes and crouch down, focusing on my breathing, on Adrastea and letting her take full control. T

he shift only last a few seconds now, and a dull pain still radiates through my body, although nothing like the first few times we shifted.

I step out behind the tree, knowing that it wasn't covering me completely anymore anyways and walk up to them. They're all in human form. I would have felt a bit conscious but Adrastea loves the show.

Elder John's mouth hangs open, "Wow, you really are silver." He reaches out his hand, "May I?" Andraste bows her head.

"Incredible. I haven't seen anything like it, since." He breaks off, "Since I was young, I had the honor of watching some visiting Alpha's go on a run during one of my parents get togethers. He was more white than silver, but I will never forget the stark contrast between all the other wolves." He shakes his head.

"Who was it?" Cameron asks him,

"I don't remember, it must have been the Alpha of Silver Moon at the time, if that story is true." He shakes his head, "I was too young, I can't be sure."

"Thank you for showing me." Elder John looks back to us and Andraste bows her head in acknowledgement.

"If you don't mind, I'm going to join my mate." Jackson says, his eyes cloud over.

"Alright then, I guess thats our cue." Lucas says, "Did someone mention hot chocolate?" He looks towards Abigial who smiles at him.

"Come on, guys." She heads to her cottage and Lucas and Cameron follow.

"Coming, Elder?" Cameron calls over his shoulder.

"I hope you like puzzles." Lucas adds,

"I do, actually." Elder John follows them.

As soon as they're out of sight Jackson takes off his clothes where he stands and shifts immediately into his large black wolf that was flint..

Adrastea lets out a low growl in appreciation of her mate and nuzzles him. They waste no time and head to the woods running as soon as they pass the tree line.

I wouldn't ever get over this feeling, cold wind rushes past us and through her fur. My sight is heightened as Adrastea expertly moves between trees, racing our mate. She stops in a clearing and circles around it, waiting for Flint to replace her. They rub against each other, I try to give them a moment of privacy, even though I already feel like a visitor in her mind.

They finally mate and I felt my bond fully completed with Jackson.

After letting them have a few hours of time together we head back towards the packhouse. It was getting late, and we wanted to attempt to get some sleep even though I knew it would evade me. There was no way I could get the challenge out of my mind. I'm worried too, but we need to trust him.

Its easier said than done

Our mate is strong

I know, but Alpha Benjamin.

Don't worry about him, he's weak and we have his witch.

You're right.

I don't remember a time I was wrong

I replace the tree that has my clothes and shift back, getting dressed quickly as the winter wind picks up.

"Looks like a storm is coming." Jackson comes up and circles his arms around me from behind, "Do you want to go to our room or join the others for some hot chocolate?"

"I think we should join them." I say, I needed a distraction anyway.

"Perfect." He kisses my neck sending distracting tingles to shoot through me, "Now we have completed every aspect of the mating process." He nibbles on my ear, "How do you feel?"

"Fantastic." I really did feel more attuned to him now, "I feel complete."

"Me too." He whispers into my ear.

The night was everything that I needed, William and Gianna joined us and Elder John seemed like a totally different person. None of the formal facade was there tonight, just him enjoying everyone's company, doing puzzles and drinking warm drinks. It was nice to see him like that, this is how he must have been as an Alpha and I could see why William was so close with him.

I cuddled up in Jackson's arms on the couch and watched everyone interact.

Everyone I loved, my family, was all in this room. Jackson lightly rubbed my back and I laid my head in his lap.

(Isla)

I wake up in Jacksons arms, light coming through the window, the last embers of the fire crackling in the cottage's fireplace. I sit up and wipe the sleep from my eyes.

"Good morning, Luna." Jackson's deep voice says.

"What time is it? Why didn't you move me? You must have been so uncomfortable."

"It's a little after six, we have time to get ready, the bags you packed are already in the car." He pulls me back toward him, "You were sleeping so peacefully, I knew if I moved you you wouldn't get back to sleep."

"Did you sleep at all?" I pull back to study his face, worried.

"I actually slept quite comfortably." I couldn't tell if he was serious but he sounded like he was, "I just need a quick stretch and a warm shower and I'll be as good as new."

Abigail sneaks into the front room, "Oh good, you're awake." She says relieved, "Coffee?" I nod.

"Please," We sit and enjoy a coffee, us all sharing in this facade of normalicy.

"Thank you so much for this, it was exactly what I needed." Jackson takes my cup and his and rinses them in the sink, "We're going to get ready, can you meet us in front of the packhouse at 7:30?" He asks her. "I'll see you soon." Abigail gives us a shaky smile.

Jackson takes my hand and we head to our room. I had to let Jackson shower first, I knew if I joined him we would be late. I couldn't stop touching him today, I wasn't sure if it was our completed mate bond, or the fact that I was worried about him, but every time he was near me I had to go to him, touch him, be close with him.

I threw something on, not even noticing what it was. Jackson was waiting for my outside, wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, leaning against the back of our couch.

I wouldn't ever get over this feeling, cold wind rushes past us and through her fur. My sight is heightened as Adrastea expertly moves between trees, racing our mate. She stops in a clearing and circles around it, waiting for Flint to replace her. They rub against each other, I try to give them a moment of privacy, even though I already feel like a visitor in her mind.

"Are you not nervous at all?" I ask.

He shurgs, "Not for the challenge, no. I'm just looking forward to get it over with. The next few months will be a lot of work but I know we can do it." He smiles and walks towards me taking me in his arms, his scent immediately calms me, but doesn't fully take away my anxiety.

"Lets get you some food before we leave, its going to be a long day." He kisses my head and takes my hand. I didn't think I could eat but I knew he was right, I would feel it later if I didn't fuel up now.

We didn't have time for a full sit down breakfast in the dining room so we ate in the kitchen.

Dawn set aside some scrambled eggs and bacon for me, I forced it down standing at the counter in the kitchen.

"The man of the hour." Lucas comes down and sits next to Jackson. Dawn places an omelette in front of him and he digs into it, not a care in the world.

"Alpha, Luna." Cameron comes behind him and thanks Dawn for his plate.

"You didn't congratulate me," Lucas says to Jackson.

"On what?"

"I'm about to become Beta of two packs, not even a card, man. I'm offended." Jackson rolls his eyes,

"Congratulations on your promotion of becoming the Beta of an even larger pack in the next few hours."

Cameron fake coughs, Jackson turns to him, "And you, Cam, on becoming Gamma of an even larger pack." Cameron goes back to his food satisfied.

"We have a lot of work to do." Jackson says.

"My men are prepped and out front." Cameron replies, "They've packed to come to Silver Moon with us, and I have more on standby if we need additional support." Jackson nods once.

"I'm ready here, and your dad has expressed that he would stop by to make sure everything's okay, we got this. You just focus on the challenge. Everything else covered."

"I know, I know." Jackson checks his watch, "Okay, wrap it up, we need to head out."

They all stand and thank Dawn for the meal.

"See you boys soon." She smiles at them.

The entire ride there I couldn't stop fidgeting. I had Jackson's hand in my lap and kept nervously playing with it. Jackson leaned forward and told one of the warriors who was driving the exact address.

"Ten minutes away, Alpha." Jackson sits back and puts his arm around me, I watch the scenery pass abentmindedly, not really noticing it.

"We're here, Alpha." Jackson stretches his arms.

"You good, baby?" He asks me and I nod, worried my voice would give me away, "Lets go."

I follow Jackson towards the edge of a forest. A group of Elders are already standing there.

"Welcome, Alpha Jackson."

"Thank you, Elder. I am honored to have you preceding at this challenge." He shakes their hands.

"And who have you brought with you?" Jackson introduces us all.

"Warriors? You think there will be a need?" One of the Elders raises an eyebrow,

"We can never be too cautious. They're not for me anyways, I want them here to protect my family." The Elder nods, seemingly satisfied by his answer.

"You may head into the clearing while we wait for Alpha Benjamin's arrival."

"Yes, Elder. Thank you."

We all follow Jackson into the forest, there was a large path and within minutes we arrive at a large clearing. A wide open space with short grass, surrounded by tall trees. It might have been beautiful, but I couldn't see it, not now. This place could be a spot where my mate, my Alpha, my Jackson, got hurt.

"Lots of space to work with, very nice." Lucas says approvingly.

"Do you want to do a few stretches?" Cameron asks and Jackson nods. They start stretching while Abigial comes to stand by me, putting her arm around me.

There is a rustling in the woods behind us, I don't dare look but Abigail steals a quick glance,

"Alpha Benjamin is here."