Chapter 48: Chapter 20

DAMON

Geoff is huge, so Natalie sits behind me on the way to no-man’s land. She’s quiet and faces the window the entire drive. I look in my rearview mirror multiple times, but she never meets my gaze.

Kya and Dec greet us at the strip mall. Natalie rushes into Kya’s arms, and the two hug so hard they almost fall over in a laughing fit. I reach out and shake Dec’s hand, then introduce him to Geoff. “This is Geoff, my enforcer. Did you bring an enforcer, or is Kya coming to the meeting?”

“No, she’s here for Natalie. Freya is in the store getting more training clothes.” I nod, understanding how that woman fights—she kicks major ass. Kya and Natalie disappear into a store, and I’m shocked and hurt that she didn’t say goodbye.

“Mate!” Geoff says beside me.

Dec grunts in annoyance. “Damn it. She’s one of my best fighters.”

Freya is stock still at the doorway to the shop. She looks around like she has no clue what to do. Kya comes out behind her and gives her a little shove forward with a few words of encouragement.

Freya wakes up from her stupor and takes a few steps. Geoff approaches her slowly and offers his hand. Once she takes it, he places a kiss to the back, then guides her away to chat.

“Damon, you really need to stop taking my pack from me. If Bruno leaves me, I’m kicking your ass.”

I chuckle at his frustration. “It’s not my doing. You can thank the Goddess for that one. My pack could use fighters of their caliber though.” I’m not about to tell him that I plan on taking one more from him, and a powerful one at that.

Natalie comes out of the store with a new cell phone. She walks up to me. “Would it be okay to get your number? ~“You know, in case I have questions about my gifts?”~

~“I think your mother would have more answers than me, but you can call or text me anytime.”~ I take her phone and call mine, then we both save each other’s number.

“Can you give my number to Kenna, please?”

I give her a nod. “Of course.” I link Kenna right away.

She reaches up to give me a hug. Dec growls, and I ignore him long enough to give her a proper hug, then step back, but I can’t quite drop my hands from her.

“I should go. Kya is waiting for me.”

I kiss her forehead one last time, and she steps out of my grasp. My hands clench into tight fists as I struggle to watch my mate walk away from me.

“You want to fill me in on something?” Dec’s arms are crossed in a menacing fashion.

“Not really, but Natalie is mine.” The words slip out, and I don’t care about his opinion for once.

I don’t even bother looking at him; instead, my eyes are fixed on Natalie as she hops up onto Dec’s truck. She looks back one more time and gives me a wave and a sad smile before settling inside and closing the door. I let out a breath as pain hits me in the gut.

“Why is it you assume that a sixteen-year-old is your mate?”

I finally look at him once they’ve driven away. “Would you believe me if I said the Moon Goddess told me? I’m not assuming. She is my mate.”

Dec nods. “I would.” I look at him again, and I quickly realize that the Goddess has spoken to him too. I nod, and we go look for our enforcers.

The Alpha Summit is for the alphas east of the Mississippi. There are twenty-three in total. Dec introduces me to several, including Ryan Weston and Deke Blackburn. Our four packs surround no-man’s land, and our pups all attend the same schools.

It’s considered a private school to keep it purely Were, with three buildings on one location. The principal is from the Weston pack, and the teachers are from all four of our packs. Our packs are harmonious, and we take the time to work out alliances between the four of us. My pack was never included in the alliance prior to today because the other alphas never trusted Roberts.

All of the alphas meet at a round table to keep us equal, no one is in a higher position, with one exception; an oracle. She runs the meeting to keep everyone in order. The woman looks like a California raisin with how wrinkled she is. Her voice sounds like she gargled tacks. She cocks a brow at me. ~“I am an ancient, young Alpha.”~

~“My apologies, ma’am. I meant no offense.”~I bow my head to her.

~“Not necessary. No offense is taken. You’re not the first to describe me as such.”~

“My dear alphas. Alpha Redd has had an eventful year. Not only has he found his mate, but he has made an important discovery regarding family links. Alpha Redd, please stand and explain.” She nods to Dec sitting beside me. Our enforcers are along the walls behind us.

Dec stands and explains how to reconnect the family bond. The other alphas are astonished as he explains that he has linked those that have been adopted to their new families, leaving out that he had to bring his own mate back into her family bond. Once he’s finished, he returns to his seat.

The oracle has anyone with new information stand and deliver the info. I’m taking everything in when the oracle disrupts my thoughts. ~“You have made an interesting find. I don’t think it wise to inform them of her.”~

At first, I’m shocked that she knows about Natalie, but then, she’s an oracle, blessed by the Moon Goddess. ~“No, ma’am. I don’t trust anyone with her secret. Also, it is not my secret to share.”~

~“But you are her mate.”~

~“All the more reason to keep her secret.”~

The oracle’s eyes brighten as she gives me a lopsided smile. “Alpha Redd, Alpha Weston, and Alpha Ramirez have information to share. Alpha Weston, please tell us about your nieces.”

At first, I have no clue what the oracle is talking about, but when Alpha Weston mentions that his nieces were living in the rogue camp, I quickly catch up. Dec begins talking about how it’s only women and pups, and the room gets upset by the news. After the oracle gets control of the room, Dec continues to explain how he gives them supplies as he’s able.

“I’ve tried to get them to go to the surrounding packs, but they refuse.”

~“Tell them why they refuse.”~ The oracle gives me a nudge, and I recall the story that Natalie shared in the woods.

I get to my feet. “One of the strays, that’s their nickname for their group, told me a story about the first Alpha Rogue. He had a daughter, but the packs refused to follow her and split into packs of their own, choosing the strongest to be the leader. The rogues at the camp await the return of the true alpha heir.”

I take my seat and look around to all of the alphas. Dec looks deep in thought. He looks to the oracle and shakes his head no. I look to her; she gives him a half-smirk, but it’s gone just as fast as it showed up.

The summit continues with dinner and socializing. I follow Dec like a damned puppy, but he doesn’t seem to mind since this is my first summit, and it shows the other alphas that I’m worthy to be among them.

I’m introduced to a few more alphas. Some are glad that Roberts is gone, others try to size me up, but I don’t back down, and I don’t release my power. One in particular watches me longer than I care for.

The oracle assures me that I am more powerful, but he is more ruthless. Alpha Gray is older and resides in South Carolina, so it’s unlikely our paths will cross except for during the summits. I give her a nod, then find Geoff and Freya.

“Alpha, I need to meet Freya’s family before I bring her back to our pack. I’ll be going with her to her pack for the night.” To which Dec grunts, but he understands. He just doesn’t want to lose Freya, meanwhile I’m already planning on making her a trainer and a guard. If Bruno comes, my pack will be set.

I nod. “Of course, Geoff. I’ll have your patrol covered for the weekend so the two of you can get settled in.”

The summit is officially brought to a close, and we part ways. Natalie’s scent lingers in my jeep, and I inhale a deep whiff. She’s gone. My mate is no longer in my care. I feel for her link and I’m comforted enough to trudge up the stairs and lay down in her bed. Her scent engulfs me, and my gut twists at the loss of my mate.