Chapter 1 The Alpha Meeting
-Eleena POV-
My name is Eleena Belmont, and I am twenty years old. Ever since I was five years old, I’ve been able to shift into my wolf form. Ella and I have been inseparable since our first shift. She has been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today. The Pack Elders in the International Council have never encountered a wolf like Ella in over fifteen thousand years. Due to my wolf, Ella, my family has been forced to relocate from one pack to another. I underwent rigorous training in different academies to enhance my human and wolf fighting techniques. I traveled to Japan, China, Korea, and Thailand to master various forms of martial arts. I excelled and currently hold the title of international champion in Judo, Karate, Aikido, Kendo, Jiu-Jitsu, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Jeet Kun Do, Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. Let’s just say I’m an exceptionally skilled fighter.
I have been in a chosen mate relationship for four years with the Alpha of the Night Wing Pack, Maximillion (Max for short) Strickland. The International Council of Elders convened and determined that I would be the ideal chosen mate to help conceal the type of wolf that Ella is from those who seek to harm or exploit me. My older brother, Beau, is the Beta of the Night Wing Pack. Regrettably, our parents passed away in a Rogue attack seven years ago, and since then, we have not experienced any further attacks or suspicious activity.
Max and I have a relationship that is purely business-oriented. We maintain a mutual tolerance, respect, and support for each other. We agreed that if we were to find our fated mates, we would gracefully step aside to allow the mate bond to flourish. In doing so, we would dissolve the chosen mate tie between us and part ways. Additionally, I have offered to provide training for the next Luna, who will take my place. I am grateful for the wonderful pack that appreciates my contributions. My role in the pack is not just about the financial aspects of the business. I also make it a point to check on the Omegas working in the kitchens and around the pack house to offer any necessary support. I regularly visit the elderly, newborn pups, the nursery, the pack school, and the hospital, ensuring the pack’s well-being in every aspect. My only time for personal pursuits is in the morning when I wake up for a quick workout at the gym and a morning run with Ella.
Today, the Alphas from Crescent Moon, Desert Sun, and Midnight Rain are coming for a meeting. I woke up early to ensure the guest rooms were ready.
“Everything seems to be ready, Eleena. Let’s go for a run!”
“Okay, Ella. Let me change into my workout clothes, and we can go for a run.”
I could feel the anticipation as I sensed her wagging her tail and prancing happily inside my mind. With a fond smile, I shook my head and returned to my room. Upon reaching it, I carefully opened the door, walked inside, and closed it behind me, ready to prepare for my day.
Stepping into my expansive walk-in closet, I opened the drawer designated for my workout outfits. Among the selection, I chose a light purple sports bra with a matching skort. I then reached for my pristine white Nike running shoes adorned with a light purple check.
Exiting the closet, I proceeded to the bathroom, eager to change into my chosen attire for the day. As I did so, I carefully gathered my long, wavy, dark brown hair and tied it into a ponytail, ready for my early morning run.
“Gorgeous!”
“Thanks, Ella.”
“Come on, let’s go! I’m ready to run!”
With a smile and a gentle shake of my head, I turned and left the room. As I made my way down the hall, the echo of my footsteps reverberated off the walls. I descended the stairs, taking two steps at a time, feeling the rush of air on my face with every stride. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I turned the corner and almost collided with my brother, who had appeared out of nowhere.
“Hey, sis.”
“Good morning, Bubba. You and Blaze just got back from a run?”
“Yes, he was so happy to stretch his legs and take off.”
“Ella is killing me right now. If I don’t let her out soon, she will make me shift right here.”
“Ha ha! I won’t keep you. The other Alphas will be arriving soon. I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Okay.”
I headed towards the forest edge, just five feet away from the pack house. My footsteps quickened as I approached my usual tree, a sturdy oak, where I carefully removed my clothes and neatly folded them before making myself comfortable. With a deep breath, I gave Ella control, and she swiftly shifted. Ella stood proudly at a towering eight feet, her magnificent fur a striking and immaculate white, except for a mesmerizing iridescent Waning Crescent Moon marking on the underside of her front right paw. After a luxurious stretch and a good shake of her fur, she bounded into the heart of the forest, leading us to a serene oasis where a magnificent fifteen-foot waterfall tumbled down a rugged rock face. This was our favorite spot for finding peace and tranquility before important meetings. As we gazed at the mesmerizing waterfall, we let out contented sighs, allowing the beauty of the surroundings to envelop us.
“Do you sense any threat, Ella?”
She perked up her ears, raising her head to catch a whiff of the surrounding air. After thoroughly scanning the entire area with her keen senses, she visibly relaxed, assured of her surroundings.
“It’s just squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, and birds doing their normal thing. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Good. I love this waterfall.”
“Me too, it’s so relaxing and peaceful. It calms the mind.”
“Mmmm…What do you think will be discussed at the meeting today?”
“Blaze told me there have been Rogue sightings at the Desert Sun and Midnight Rain packs. Eleena, I am afraid of what will come at this meeting.”
“Let’s not worry about it right now. We will stay calm and help bring peace if it gets too heated. You know how Alphas are.”
“Pfft! Don’t I know it! They have swollen egos and always want to be the dominant one. Oh! Beau wants us to return. The Alphas are arriving.”
“Let’s go.”
As Ella rose to her feet, she swiftly turned around and darted back to the forest’s edge, making her way to the tree where we had transformed. In a seamless exchange, she handed me control, and the shift occurred rapidly. Hastily, I dressed and sprinted toward the pack house, realizing that Beau’s warning had been accurate. The imposing vehicles carrying the Alphas came into view, propelling me to dash inside immediately.
“Hurry, sis, they are about to pull up!” Beau said as I ran past him.
I sprinted upstairs, down the hall, and into the last room on the right, which was mine. With a swift motion, I closed the door behind me, then hurried into my closet to neatly stow away my shoes in their designated spot. I carefully selected my short-sleeved, purple color block dress that stopped three inches above the knee, paired it with white cork wedges, and chose my undergarments. Afterwards, I entered the bathroom and indulged in a refreshing shower. When I emerged, I blow-dried my hair and dressed in my carefully chosen attire. I then applied my make-up precisely, selecting a rich wine color lipstick that I knew would last all day. Finally, I sprayed on my favorite perfume and was ready to go.
“Sexy!” As I rolled my eyes at Ella, I couldn’t help but admire my reflection before departing the room. I couldn’t deny it - I exuded confidence and allure. My luscious, layered dark brown hair cascaded elegantly, reaching four inches below my shoulders. The eye makeup emphasized the depth of my chocolate-colored eyes, while the dress elegantly accentuated my petite hourglass figure, showcasing my toned legs. With a satisfying smile, I gracefully exited the room.
As I descended the stairs, the room was suddenly engulfed in a delightful aroma. The air was filled with the sweet scent of lavender and tangy, freshly squeezed lemonade.
“Eleena! Stop!”
I halted at the foot of the staircase, where Max greeted a strikingly handsome man. He towered over Max, standing about four inches taller than his already impressive height of six foot two inches. His neatly combed, short, reddish-brown hair perfectly complemented his smoky gray suit, emphasizing his impressive muscles and defined six-pack abs. Beau then approached me and gallantly assisted me down the final step.
“Eleena? Hello?”
I shook my head and said, “Huh? Beau, I’m sorry. Ella told me to stop, and I don’t know what for.”
He followed my eyes and chuckled, “That’s Derrick Davison, the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. Would you like to go meet him?”
Feeling my heart begin to race, I gave a nod of affirmation. He then took my arm, and we strolled over to where Max and Derrick were engrossed in conversation. A warm smile greeted Beau and me as we joined them.
“Beau,” Derrick reached out, and their hands met for a shake. “Nice to see you again.”
“Good to see you again. I want you to meet my Luna and little sister, Eleena.”
Derrick’s mesmerizing ocean-blue eyes locked with mine, and a warm smile spread across his face as he gently took my hand and tenderly kissed it. At that moment, I felt a surge of electricity course through my body, and by the look on his face, it was clear that he had experienced the same intense connection.
“Nice to meet you, Luna Eleena.”
I smiled and said, “Nice to meet you, Alpha Derrick. I’m so happy you could make it.”
“Mate.” “Mate.”
I observed as Max stood hand in hand with a stunning red-headed woman with an enviable hourglass figure. They leaned in close to each other, their foreheads touching tenderly. Her figure-hugging attire made her appear to have smaller breasts than mine. Her resemblance to the human Ariel from The Little Mermaid was uncanny, although she had striking green eyes instead of the familiar blue. Even with flat shoes, she stood two inches taller than me. Beau glanced at me, likely trying to gauge my reaction. I had anticipated this day but never expected it to happen quite soon.
“Eleena? Sis?”
I politely excused myself and approached Max. He looked my way and flashed a smile.
“Eleena, this is my fated mate, Gina Minelli.”
I smiled and extended my hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Gina.”
“You’re just as wonderful as Max said you are. I’m sorry if this causes any…”
“No,” I waved off and continued, “You and Max spend some time together. I can lead the meeting. Max, you and I can discuss what we agreed upon after the meeting.”
He was so engrossed in Gina that he brushed me off with, “Okay, sounds good. Thank you.”
I turned around, smiled, and addressed the Alphas. “Gentlemen and woman, if you would follow me to the conference room, we could start the meeting.”
I confidently led the way down the long, dimly lit hall, and as we reached the end, we turned right. Positioned strategically by the grand oak doors were two of our most trusted team members, Gamma Alex and Gamma Christy, looking sharp in their uniforms. Their presence provided a sense of security, ensuring our meeting would proceed undisturbed. With a warm smile, I acknowledged them before ushering everyone into the elegantly appointed meeting room. Turning to address the group, I felt a surge of anticipation for the important discussions ahead.
“Make sure this meeting is uninterrupted. The only person you let in is Max or Annie if I need her.”
“Yes, Luna.”
I mustered a weak smile, feeling a sense of melancholy, knowing that it would likely be the last time I would hear those endearing words spoken to me. As I made my way over to the table, sitting in the familiar spot at the head where Max usually sat, I couldn’t help but notice the sympathetic gazes directing my way. Despite my internal turmoil, I smiled bravely and began addressing the group.
“Greetings, Alpha Derrick of Crescent Moon, Alpha Matao of Desert Sun, and Alpha Zara of Midnight Rain, and welcome to Night Wing. As you all witnessed, Alpha Maximillion found his fated mate, and I graciously let them spend some time together to nurture the mate bond. In his absence, I will conduct this meeting if there are any disagreements?”
The Alphas shook their heads, and I continued, “Wonderful, let us begin. This meeting was called to discuss recent Rogue sightings at Desert Sun and Midnight Rain. Alpha Matao, would you begin with when these sightings originated?”
“Yes, thank you, Luna Eleena. It started Friday night two weeks ago. My Gammas were on patrol and spotted three Rogues on our southeastern border. They didn’t attack, but it looked like they were tracking something. They stayed for two hours and left. Three days later, six Rogues were spotted on our southwestern border. Again, they didn’t attack, but it looked like they were tracking something. They left two hours later, and we have never spotted any more since.”
The sensation of heat and discomfort gradually intensified on the right side of my neck, drawing my attention away from the meeting. The area felt feverish, prompting me to reach for it instinctively. Despite the distraction, I consciously decided to set aside the discomfort and remain focused on the ongoing meeting.
“That sounds odd for Rogues.” I said, and Alpha Derrick asked, “Do they look like they were working together?”
“According to my Gammas, it looked like they were.”
The searing sensation from the mark on my neck persisted as if flames were licking at my skin. I couldn’t stifle a hiss of pain, and the Alphas regarded me with evident concern in their expressions.
“Luna, are you alright?” Derrick asked, his voice filled with genuine concern for me. I tried to shrug it off, maintaining a facade of composure as I lifted my head slightly, mustering a weak smile, and replied, “Thank you, Alpha, but I will be fine. Alpha Zara, could you...AH!”
The intense sensation of heat and pain engulfed my neck and chest, making it feel as if flames were licking at my skin and someone was relentlessly stabbing my heart. In utter distress, I reached out to my best friend through our mind-link.
“Annie!”
“Eleena? What’s wrong?”
“Go get me a glass of water and some painkillers. Hurry!”
“Yes, my Luna.”
As I straightened myself up, I focused on deep breathing exercises to calm myself. The thought of Max and Gina possibly being intimate made me feel uneasy. I couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that something was going on between them, affecting me deeply. When I finally opened my eyes, I was met by the gaze of the three Alphas, their eyes fixed on my every move.
“Thank you for being concerned. I am alright.”
As the door creaked open, Annie stepped inside. Her hand extended towards me, and she offered the painkillers and a glass of water.
“Thank you, Annie.” I took the pills and a large sip of water to wash it down. Annie left the room, and I turned to Zara. “Alpha Zara, I apologize. Could you explain the Rogue activity around your pack?”
She nodded and began, “Thank you, Luna Eleena. Like Alpha Matao, my Gammas were on patrol one week ago and spotted three Rogues on our southwestern border. They were there for two hours and then left. The next day, six more Rogues were on the southeastern border. They didn’t find what they sought and left within the hour.”
Derrick turned to Zara and Matao, asking, “Do you know what they are looking for?”
Zara shook her head, and Matao said, “Gamma Mikai heard one of the Rogues speaking about the Rogue King looking for a solid white wolf with a crescent moon mark on one of its paws. They were searching for footprints.”
“Why are they searching for a white wolf with a crescent moon mark on its paw? What’s so special about that?” Zara questioned, and Matao answered, “There is a wolf of legend that is solid white and is said to be the Moon Goddess’s right hand. Its strength is more powerful than any Alpha, Alpha King, Rogue, Rogue King, Lycan, and Lycan King combined. This wolf is superior to all wolf shifters in existence. They are looking for the Ultima Wolf.”
Alpha Zara snorted, “An Ultima Wolf, seriously? There hasn’t been an Ultima Wolf in…what…thousands and thousands of years ago. Who knows if an Ultima Wolf is truly around?”
Alpha Matao was displeased with Zara’s response and was becoming agitated. “What if there is an Ultima Wolf around? Do they want to be found? If this wolf is found, it could be used as a weapon if they get captured by the wrong people.”
“Again, if this wolf exists.”
“Are you doubting our culture? The last Ultima Wolf was seen over fifteen thousand years ago. If you recall, this wolf was around during the Lycan and Werewolf War. It took the Ultima to bring the war to an end.”
“So you’re saying these Rogues are trying to find a legend.”
“I’m getting rather annoyed, Alpha Zara, that you are questioning our culture!”
Derrick said, “Matao, Zara, please! We need to calm our Alpha tempers…”
“Alpha tempers?” They confronted Derrick, raising their voices, and a fierce argument broke out.
“Ugh, Alphas!”
“I know, Ella. I have enough of this.”
“Let’s show them a snippet of what we can do.”
I stood up from my seat, resting my hands on the table to steady myself. Ella’s golden eyes gleamed brightly in the room. Drawing on my wolf’s aura, I spoke in a commanding tone, “That is enough! Settle down, Alphas!”
The Alphas appeared taken aback and sat down without speaking. Meanwhile, Ella, a rush of enthusiasm, seemed to be bubbling inside my mind, her energy infectious. I also took a seat, trying to gather my thoughts amid the surprising turn of events.
Matao was the first one to speak. “I don’t know what just happened, Luna Eleena, but my wolf, Maximus, told me to submit immediately. I don’t know what kind of wolf you have, but she is very special in getting these three hot-headed Alphas to calm down.”
“I agree,” Zara said, “Zeena is a hot-headed rash wolf. She told me that I’d better listen and sit down.”
“Dorado agrees.” Derrick continued, “Luna Eleena, your wolf emits power. I’ve never felt that unless I am around Alpha King Demetri or Lycan King Luca.”
Ella was wagging her tail in my mind, and I laughed and confidently exclaimed, “Ella is unique. She is not your typical wolf. I want to leave it at that. Ella’s identity can’t be shared now because I am not ready to disclose that information.”
As I glanced around the room, I couldn’t help but express my surprise, “Huh, I’m quite surprised Max isn’t here yet. Let’s take a break for lunch and regroup at three this afternoon... AGH!”
I doubled over, clinching my chest and my neck. My mark was searing hot, and it felt like someone had stabbed me in the heart and was twisting the knife while plunging it deeper. Alpha Derrick was the first one to get to me.
“Luna Eleena! Gammas!”
Gammas Christy and Alex stormed in, and their mouths dropped.
Derrick ordered, “Get the pack doctor, now!”
Annie ran into the room and knelt to speak to me. “My Luna! Speak to me!”
It wasn’t long until it was lights out.
