The Alpha & Beta's Regret
The Alpha & Beta’s Regret – Chapter 66

Rafe POV

He was reading the invitation that had arrived at the pack this morning, just after sunup, dropped off by a wolf, who’d stated it was from the Wandering Moon Pack. Hadn’t needed to sign for it. They just handed it to the guard at the gate and then had moseyed on away once more.

Rafe smiled at seeing that young Conner Greystone was finally taking over from his father. It was an invitation to his ascension ceremony. Thoughtful of him, considering they weren’t allied. They had chatted on and off over the past four years, relayed how the gypsies were doing and just said hello. He’d found his Mate, had to chase her halfway around the world.

He knew why the witches liked him, had seen him grow from the boy he was to the man he now was. They had told Rafe and Jack that once he caught his Mate, he’d change and stand up for the pack, be a good Alpha, would be someone that could be relied upon.

Though that was not what had made them laugh, Allen had told him Conner was in for a real treat and would have something like 20 children before he was 32. That was what had amused his mates to no end. They wanted to see it for themselves. He’d not said how at all, at the time.

Rafe had not believed it, it wasn’t possible, he thought. The man had already been 22, but then had heard that Eliza was not Wolfen but Kitsune. They liked to have litters, and this was how it was possible, multiple pups or kits with each birth. Conner was now 26 and still had none, though Rafe knew Conner was about to become a father for the first time. Allen just chuckled when he relayed the news about Eliza, Conner’s Mate and Luna having their first pup. Stated “Let the show begin.” They were all interested in the sight, it seemed.

He would love to attend that ceremony, but unfortunately had pressing matters here with Luci and the boys. He had West, Terence, Brad and Cooper all coming tomorrow. There was no way he could make it.

Though he definitely did want to sit Conner and Eliza down and sort out that new alliance they’d been talking about for years. They’d come across him a few times at other Allied pack’s mating balls. Alpha meetings, and they conversed about the Gypsies all the time, who though were now all split up and members of many other packs.

Conner made sure that twice a year the ones in his pack got to come here to visit their Luna and Princess. Those Gyspies didn’t want their Princess leaving the pack to visit them, they had no idea if it was safe for her to travel. So, twice a year, all her gypsies visit the Black Forest Pack to be with their Luna and Princess. It was nice that they did that. Still felt attached to their original pack, even though it was long destroyed.

He never said no, when Conner called and requested them to visit, he escorted them himself with his unit, had been here many times now, got to see how he and Jack ruled, though had commented just once on the fact that Melissa and Maria didn’t seem to like him and Jack being so close.

Melissa had glared right at him “It is none of your business,” she’d snapped right at him and stalked off. Conner had apologised, apparently done some research and had expected not only he and Jack to be close but that his Luna and Beta’s Mate would also be the same. It was not the case, clearly it had been noticeable to the man.

He put a call in to the Wandering Moon Pack. It was early but he knew that pack would be awake and working on things for the ceremony. Conner would be up already. Smiled when Conner answered the Alpha’s phone himself, “Already in your father’s seat I see, Conner.” He chuckled.

“Yes, he’s given it up, Rafe. Told me and I quote. ‘Take the damned chair, it’s yours.’ Hates the Elders constantly hovering over him every minute of the day while he’s in this office.” Conner chuckled.

“Well, congratulations young man. Now about your ascension…” he sighed “Jack and I would love to come, but we’re in the middle of prepping for war. I’ve got allied packs coming tomorrow.”

“War, is it so bad there?”

“Not right this minute, a few weeks ago we were attacked by Victor Sampson.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” He could hear the frown in Conners’ voice now.

“Unfortunately not. He tried to take one of our pack members just two days ago, as well.”

“The Princess? Is she safe?”

“Not the Gypsy Princess. A wolf named Luci, she was once my and Jack’s lover, has actually been missing for six and a half years. I thought she was dead. Not so much.”

“Is she alright?”

“Yes, safe here in the pack with her children. Her mother is here now as well.”

“Children?”

“Mm, mine and Jack’s a bit of a shock. With all that is going on, Conner, I can’t leave the pack. I’m sorry.”

“Understandable. Do you need help? I’m happy to come, Rafe.”

“No, your mate is with pup. When is she due, by the way? Got to be soon?”

“Any day now.” He heard the smile back in the man’s voice. “But Victor. He’s a savage…” there was silence for a moment. “You know Rafe, I could swing by his pack, when he’s up there attacking yours, take it out from underneath him. I’m damned certain those Gypsys would be okay with it.”

“I understand. Thank you Conner, but not at this time. He lost his Beta to Luci.” He wasn’t going to go, advertising that his children had killed a fully grown wolf. “But after your ascension, we’ll have you and your Luna come for that alliance meeting, when things settle down here.”

“I’ll start working on the deal then. You can amend it with me when I attend.”

“Sounds good, Conner. You having a boy or a girl?”

“My Mate is so very stubborn her beast as well, neither will let it slip, not to me not to my wolf.” He chuckled, “Apparently it’s a surprise.”

Rafe chuckled to himself. “She’s good for you, Conner.”

“That she is, cheeky but a force to be reckoned with once she wants something, even father can’t handle her. I love that.”

“Good, we’d love to hear how the ascension goes and please do let us know about the birth of your pup.”

“Will do. Let me know if I can help at all, in any way, with The Bloodless Moon Pack.”

He ended the call and made a note to send flowers for the up-coming birth of Conner and Eliza’s Heir. Also, made a note to organise a gift for the Wandering Moon Pack’s new Alpha and Luna. It would be late but he thought that would be acceptable considering the short notice.

Though their pack and Conner’s pack were yet to be allied, they both knew it was coming once he was the actual Heir, which according to the invitation he’d received, would be the day after tomorrow, Sunday.

Pushed it aside, he had a house to show Luci and the twins. He didn’t really like that it was so far from the packhouse, but if that was what she wanted. It was what she would have, he would deny her nothing at all. Things around this pack were going to change, especially when he found out just what the hell had happened to them.

He no longer doubted Jack’s thoughts that their so-called Mates had done something to them. He knew it to be true. Jack was right. They wouldn’t just forget Luci completely, not when they had finally decided to tell her they loved her and wanted her to be their Mate.

He also knew she would have said yes, there was no doubt in his mind at all. Now everything was so wrong and screwed up. Nothing was how it should have been.

He had to replace the truth, dig up everything and out those two who dared to call themselves his Mate, Jack’s Mate. Play their stupid game and replace out what was really going on. So, he could get to the bottom of it and reject that woman who claimed she was his Goddess Gifted Mate. Thought about Melissa and the first time he’d scented her out. The outfit she’d been wearing, the way she had been standing with her sister.

It was clear to him now, that they had known what was going to happen, had even dressed up and looked nice, worn make-up and were standing together in the middle of the room, with their father not that far away, just off to the side. In fact, they had all been waiting for him and Jack to scent them out.

Rubbed a hand over his face, he didn’t understand why they would do something like that, what would it gain them, other than a direct line of money for that pack. He was going to stop that right this minute, no more would he or Jack aid that pack. Sat at his desk and wondered what would happen if he cut her and Maria off from pack funds.

Saw Jack stroll into the office and sighed, “What is it?” Jack asked right away.

“Nothing we don’t already know.” He answered and got up and walked over to him, just hugged him, leaned in to him and really hugged him. “I’m sorry Jack, that I doubted you where Melissa and Maria were concerned.”

“It’s alright, it’s a hard thing to accept after all these years.” He sighed and hugged him right back.

“We will not be aiding the Wolf Valley Pack anymore. No more money goes to that pack.” Rafe stated as he finally let go and stepped back.

“Good, I hate how much they take every year. Happy to take our money but not happy to come visit, would feel as though they were imposing.” Jack shook his head.

“Is that what Maria told you?”

“Yes.” Jack nodded.

“I get much the same from Melissa. What do you think would happen if we cut the two of them off?”

“I don’t know, I don’t think they actually spend money on useless stuff. They might not even know until they need something.”

“Hmm, that could be interesting.” He thought aloud.

“Don’t raise their suspicions, let them think nothing is wrong. Watch them for a few days. As much as I want this s**t over with. It has to be dealt with the right way or we’ll never get Luci. Rejecting our Mates for her might seem like a good idea, but we’ll seem fickle and selfish only doing it to have our heirs. That is not what we want.”

Rafe nodded, he was in agreement with that, they needed to figure out how it was done, as well as why it had been done. Those two were liked by the pack. Perhaps Jack was once again right. If something happened to them, Melissa would inherit the pack, or would have done until they’d found out about little Rafe and little Jack.

That was going to put a spanner in their works. “But perhaps we should call them home, demand it of them.” Jack commented.

“No need, Titan text stated they are packing this morning, likely to be home today or tomorrow, I guess. He didn’t say when. I asked him to text me if he could about signs of them coming home.”

“When’d you do that?”

“Last night.” He nodded.

“Oh, you never said.” Jack frowned at him.

“Sorry, guess I thought you might have done that as well.” Saw the man nod his head, but say nothing “Conner will be the Actual Alpha. The day after tomorrow, I just got off the phone with him, got an invite and had to decline it.”

Jack nodded “Luci is more important. I’m sure he understood.”

“He did. Now how about we go and take Luci and the boys to the Forest Creek House, show her just how much we listened, and want to give her what she wants. Regardless, it’s away from us.”

He saw Jack smile now, that was all he was trying to do, to get his Beta to smile this morning, and he knew just being near Luci or even the mere mention of her name would do that, and he’d not been wrong either. The smile lit up his face and Rafe sighed softly to himself, he had missed that smile on him.

Got a raised eyebrow from the man and shook it off, only to have Jack chuckle softly, knowingly.