Chapter 23: The Alpha's Jealousy

The compound was in an uproar. News of Michael's betrayal spread quickly, leaving the pack reeling. Jessica sat in the main hall, surrounded by her remaining mates as they discussed their next move.

"We need to increase security," James said, his jaw clenched in anger. "Michael knows all our weak points."

"Agreed," Andrew nodded. "But we also need to find out more about this sister of his. If we can rescue her, maybe we can bring Michael back to our side."

As the discussion continued, Jessica found her attention drawn to David. The usually gentle alpha was uncharacteristically tense, his eyes darting between her and James.

"David?" she called softly. "What do you think?"

He started, as if pulled from deep thought. "I... I think we need to be cautious. Michael's betrayal proves we can't trust anyone completely."

There was an edge to his voice that Jessica had never heard before. She frowned, concerned. "What do you mean?"

David's eyes flashed. "I mean that perhaps we've been too trusting. Too willing to hand over control to..." he trailed off, but his gaze lingered on Jessica.

James growled, low in his throat. "Watch your tone, David. Jessica is our Luna. She's proven herself time and time again."

"Has she?" David shot back, surprising everyone with his vehemence. "Or have we just been too blinded by the prophecy to see the truth?"

Jessica felt as if she'd been slapped. "David, what's gotten into you?"

He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "What's gotten into me? I'll tell you what. I'm tired of watching James make all the decisions, of seeing you defer to him at every turn. We're supposed to be equals in this, aren't we?"

The room fell silent, tension thick in the air. Jessica's mind raced. She'd had no idea David felt this way. Had she really been favoring James over the others?

"David," she said carefully, "I never meant to make you feel less valued. You're all equally important to me."

"Are we?" David laughed bitterly. "Then why is it always James you turn to first? Why does he get to sleep in your bed while the rest of us are kept at arm's length?"

James stood, his eyes flashing dangerously. "That's enough, David. You're out of line."

"Am I?" David challenged, squaring up to the larger alpha. "Or are you just afraid of losing your position as top dog?"

Jessica watched in horror as her two mates faced off, years of friendship crumbling under the weight of jealousy and resentment. She had to do something, fast.

"Stop it!" she cried, letting a hint of the Luna's power seep into her voice. Both men flinched, turning to look at her.

Jessica took a deep breath, centering herself. "This is exactly what the cult wants – to divide us, to make us turn on each other. We can't let that happen."

She stood, walking to stand between James and David. "You're both right, in your own ways. We do need to be more cautious going forward. And I haven't been fair in how I've distributed my time and attention."

Turning to David, she took his hand. "I'm sorry if I've made you feel less valued. It was never my intention. You bring so much to this pack, David. Your gentleness, your healing touch – we'd be lost without you."

David's anger seemed to deflate, replaced by a look of shame. "I... I'm sorry, Jessica. I don't know what came over me."

"I do," she said softly. "It's the strain we're all under. The cult, Michael's betrayal – it's taking a toll on all of us. But we can't let it break us apart."

She turned to James next. "And you, my strong, protective alpha. I love your passion, your drive to keep us all safe. But David's right – we need to make decisions as a team. All of us, together."

James nodded, his expression softening. "You're right. I'm sorry, David. I never meant to make you feel sidelined."

As the tension in the room dissipated, Jessica felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. It had been a long, emotionally draining day.

"I think we all need some rest," she said. "Tomorrow, we'll start fresh. We'll work on a plan to rescue Michael's sister and strengthen our defenses. Together."

As the others filed out, murmuring their goodnights, Jessica caught David's arm. "Stay a moment?"

When they were alone, she looked up at him, seeing the lingering hurt in his eyes. "I meant what I said, David. You're incredibly important to me, to all of us. I'm sorry if I haven't shown that enough."

David's shoulders slumped. "I'm the one who should be apologizing. I let my jealousy get the better of me. It won't happen again."

Jessica reached up, cupping his face gently. "It's okay to have feelings, David. To be hurt or angry. What matters is how we deal with those feelings. Promise me that next time, you'll talk to me before it gets to this point?"

He nodded, leaning into her touch. "I promise."

As Jessica pulled him into a hug, she couldn't help but wonder – was this just the beginning? Would the pressures of leadership, of balancing seven strong personalities, eventually tear them apart?

She pushed the thought away, focusing on the warmth of David in her arms. They would face whatever challenges came their way. Together, as a pack, as mates.

But as she drifted off to sleep that night, Jessica couldn't shake the feeling that greater trials lay ahead. The cult was still out there, growing stronger. Michael was in their clutches. And within her own pack, cracks were beginning to show.

The Luna's power thrummed within her, responding to her unease. Whatever came next, Jessica knew one thing for certain – she would need every ounce of that power to keep her pack, her mates, and herself safe in the storms to come.