Chapter 59: 59: The Summit

MELANIE

I find myself back in my room after a long night of mingling with the lunas, the beta’s mates, and their families. I’m exhausted.

I’m not the social butterfly that these lunas are. That’s why I don’t aspire to be a luna, but rather a pack doctor.

Selene, however, is a social butterfly, despite her desire to be a pack warrior. She captivates all the women with her stories and her honesty.

She’s the life of the party, with the young pups instantly drawn to her. I think she inspires all the female pups to want to be warriors too.

I kick off my heels and collapse onto my bed. I need to get out of this dress, take a shower, and go to bed.

Tomorrow is another long day. Even though I’m not participating in much of the Summit tomorrow, I still have to help with preparations.

As I get up to head to my shower, the phone rings. Seeing Ginger’s name on the caller I.D., I’m taken aback.

“Hi Ginger, how are you?”

“Melanie, I’m so glad I caught you. I know it’s late and I am so sorry for bothering you,” Ginger responds.

“You’re not bothering me. I just got back from dinner. We’re hosting the Summit this year.”

“Yes, I heard that from my luna. That must be very exciting,” Ginger chuckles on the other end of the phone.

She knows I’m not a big fan of social events like this. “Not really. What’s got you calling me?” I ask her.

“Actually, I need a favor if you don’t mind,” Ginger pleads.

“Of course. I’ll try to help if I can. What do you need?”

“You can’t tell Max.” Now she really has my attention.

“Okay. Now I’m worried, Ginger.”

Ginger laughs. “Don’t be worried. I just need you to pick me up but keep it quiet.”

“What? Seriously? I am in. Tell me more.” I can’t hide the excitement in my voice.

I know Max will be overjoyed to see her, but she said I couldn’t tell him so that adds another layer to the situation. I can’t wait to hear when this is going to happen.

MAX

The first night of the Summit goes well. The families of the alphas and betas enjoy an early dinner at the pack house formal dining room.

The alphas and betas have a late-night dinner at the banquet hall at the hotel in Billings. We manage to get through the night without any of the Packs arguing, despite some of them not being on friendly terms.

My father has made it clear that the king is coming and that everyone should be on their best behavior. I’m waiting for the arrival of the king’s guards, so I can show them to their sleeping arrangements.

While the king and queen are staying in the Penthouse Suite at the hotel, we have arranged for their guards to have rooms at the pack house on the beta floor. All the single betas choose to stay in the bunkhouse, which we have updated to make it more comfortable for them.

The families are all at the hotel. We have decided that the Royal Army, specifically the king’s personal guards, will be given rooms at the pack house.

They can rest since they have long shifts, and they can have privacy. There are eight in total. Two at all times are with the king, and the others rotate shifts.

Sometimes they are all present, depending on what is happening. I’m secretly hoping that Gamma Dirk will be coming.

He had been asked to join the king’s Army as a personal guard when I was still in Italy. The king was very impressed with his skills, after finding out how proficient he was in his water survival skills.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Viking from the Norway Pack. The guards arrive late last night with the king.

They spend the night ensuring everything is secure, reviewing the manifest of attendees. The guards look over all our security measures, as well as procure some weapons with the help of our Delta, Connor.

They travel minimally armed, even though they fly on the king’s plane. They still have to get through our American security at the airports and the king does not want to draw too much attention to them, considering they are werewolves.

My driver alerts me via mind-link that he has just entered the main gate with the six guards that were sent here for some rest. Two are left at the hotel outside of the king’s room.

I give them about five minutes to make it from the gate to the pack house driveway, then go out front to meet them. As the black van pulls up in front of the building and six huge men get out, I’m thrilled to see Gamma Dirk among them.

“Alpha Max, good to see you,” he hollers out as he makes his way toward me. He stops in front of me, bearing his neck as a sign of respect and submission.

Even though I’m not his alpha, he is always respectful to those of rank. “Dirk, none of that man! I’m so happy you could make it here for the Summit. Did the king find the accommodations to his liking?” I ask him as I shake his hand.

“Yes, he did. Honestly, I think he thought it was a bit much, but the queen was thrilled so he wasn’t going to say anything about it. If she’s happy, then he’s happy.”

Gamma Dirk chuckles, then turns to introduce me to the other five guards that are with him. “We’d like to crash for a few hours before we have to get back to the king. The other two will want to sleep as well, so we can’t leave them on duty for too long. Do you have us in the barracks?”

“Of course not. We are putting you up on the beta floor in the pack house. It’s only right that we give you the respect that the king’s guards deserve. It will also be quieter so you can rest, since you will all be on odd hours and rotations. Am I right?”

“We certainly won’t be keeping the same hours as the rest of you. We are also severely jet lagged,” Dirk laughs.

“Well then let me get you to your rooms. Every room has a private bathroom, and I will have the cook send you guys some food up to your rooms so you can eat before you go to sleep. They have mini fridges in your rooms that are stocked with water and some light snacks. If there is anything else you would like, just let the omega assigned to your floor know and she will get it for you. She works basically from ten in the morning till about six in the evening. She will be cleaning your rooms and handling your laundry. Her name is June. If she isn’t around, just leave her a note on the desk in the room and she will take care of whatever you need.”

I tell them all as I lead them to the second floor, where the beta family resides.

“Beta Jackson and Amanda, his mate, are in the big room at the end of the hall. Beck and his mate are behind the blue door. The rest of the rooms are for guests, except for Macy’s. She’s the beta’s daughter and can be a bit prickly, so just ignore her. Her room is next to the beta’s, with a small table and a basket outside. Don’t ask about it, it’s some strange thing she has with the maid. I think she’s trying to drive June nuts.”

I chuckle as I point out the rooms, then let the guards pick from the empty ones. Each door has a small slot for name placards.

I show them how to use it so June knows who’s in each room. “I’m going to leave now and get you guys some food. When you’re ready to go back to town, just tell the driver. He’s yours for the duration of your stay. His number is on a pad next to the phone in all your rooms. He’s at your service.”

I leave the guards and head to the alpha’s office. “Dad, do you know where Melanie is?” I ask, walking in and sitting down in front of the alpha’s desk.

Alpha Sebastian looks up from the papers he’s reviewing. “Keeping an eye on your sister now?” He smirks as he asks this.

“No, it’s just that she promised to help me with something, and she’s not answering her phone. She’s also blocked me from mind linking her, which is weird. She never does that.”

Alpha Sebastian chuckles. “She’s in Billings helping your mom with something. What did she promise to do?”

“She was supposed to pick up my tux for the formal dinner. I had to get the shoulders of my jacket altered, they were too tight.” I explain.

“All that training has bulked you up, son. You should have just bought a new one.”

“I’ve only worn that tux once. It’s fine. Do you know where she is? Can you get her to call me?” I ask.

“I’ll tell her to pick it up for you, Max. Anything else?” Sebastian asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, the king’s guards are here and settled in their rooms. Should I check in with Jackson about security for today and tomorrow?”

“No, Connor’s handling it. But I need you to make sure the king has everything for his speech tonight. Can you check on him?”

I nod in agreement. “Great. Once you’re done, you’re free until we head back to the hotel at noon. We’ll have a light lunch at one, then start our meetings. Make sure the alphas know we’re discussing treaties and alliances today.”

“Understood, Alpha.” I stand, ready to carry out my father’s orders.

I’m still puzzled about Melanie blocking me, especially since she’s just helping Mom. I decide to confront her about it tonight, if she stops avoiding me. Her behavior is strange.

MELANIE

I told Dad I was going to Billings and had a lot to do. He insisted on knowing my plans but promised to keep it a secret.

As I was on my way to the airport, he called me. “Melanie, your brother said you’re supposed to pick up his tux from the tailor. Also, he’s suspicious because you blocked him from mind linking.”

“Shoot. Can’t you just tell him I didn’t want any distractions?” I ask my father, nervously biting my lip.

Normally, I’m not allowed to go anywhere without a guard, ever since the incident with Alpha Jason. Today, he made an exception, but I have to answer his calls, no exceptions.

“I did, but just know he’ll be looking for you later. You need to do whatever you’re doing so he doesn’t get too suspicious. I can only cover for you so much, Melanie.”

“I understand, Dad. I’ll be back at the pack house shortly after you leave for the hotel. I’ll stop blocking Max, if you think it’ll help. I just didn’t want to accidentally let the cat out of the bag.” I confess.

I’m terrible at keeping secrets from my brother. “Okay, just pick up his tux. Can you handle that?”

“Definitely. I’ll grab it on my way to the airport. Once I pick up Ginger, we’ll head straight back to the house.” I assure him.

“Good. Let me know if you run into any problems,” my father instructs before hanging up.

I rush to the tailor to pick up Max’s tuxedo, then race to the airport. I have to time this perfectly so Max doesn’t see me.

I’ll have to take the main road to the pack lands around the same time he’s heading down to Billings. I silently thank the Goddess for the dark tint and for Dad letting me use Grandpa’s car, which is parked in the garage while he’s on vacation with his mate.

Max won’t recognize the car, so he won’t think twice about passing me on the road. Grandpa’s car, a common BMW X5, is a model half the pack drives. I’m safe.