In The Beginning, Chapter 18
The meal remained untouched until Charlie and I took our seats, another tradition, and another show of acceptance. During meals shared with the Alpha, no one eats before him, and the Luna, I picked up the carving knife and cut a slice of meat, placing it on Charlie’s plate, then one on my own. Once everyone had a slice, in order of their rank, everyone started handing out the dishes to add their sides, while I continued to cut the meat. I placed another slice on Charlie’s plate before I added a few more slices to my own. But my plate was full of the vegetables that had been shared around, I looked at my plate, confused, when I saw Charlie’s cheeks blush. I looked at her but her eyes wouldn’t meet mine. I looked around the table, but my family were are looking at Charlie with soft smiles.
“The book Hyacinth lent me... talked about how wolves...” She trailed off, and I could feel her uncertainty and embarrassment, I realised she was worried she had erred in some way; I grabbed her hand.
“Thank you, my Queen.” I said through the link, as I kissed her cheek, she blushed deeper. I took a bite, indicating everyone else could start, but I kept Charlie’s hand in mine a little longer.
“Have you remembered anything?” My father asked, over the clatter of cutlery.
“Not much.” I replied honestly, I had already told him what I remembered, the woman with hair like the moon, and a feeling of safety and calm. I hadn’t told anyone but Charlie about the transformation my wolf had made, the truth was, I was afraid of trying again. If it worked, and we could hold our new form what would that mean? Thankfully, my thoughts were interrupted by Charlie.
“What does a meeting with the elders usually look like?” She asked the table with a squeeze to my hand, she was trying to distract me, I placed a kiss on the hand I was still holding in mine.
“It should be an informal gathering, there will be drinks, and you will be expected to mingle of course, but it will be nothing like the tribunal.” My father replied, his attention split between Charlie, and his food.
“Also, news has spread of Owen and Pratt’s arrest, plus the fact that you have marked each other, that they haven’t demanded the tribunal continue is a good sign.” Ben added.
“So, you think this is a sign the elders are accepting me?” Charlie asked, her hand involuntarily gripped mine tighter.
“I think the elders have realised there are bigger battles to fight, and forcing the Alpha to leave his pack or weakening him by keeping his mate away, would only hurt the pack, which no one wants.” My mother replied with a click of her tongue, she wasn’t as optimistic as the rest of us.
“Oh.” Was all Charlie said, but I could feel her disappointment, she tried to smile, and reassure everyone she was fine, but I could feel the anxiety and hurt.
“You will make every one of those miserable old farts rue the day they doubted you.” I said via the link, she smiled, genuinely, and rolled her eyes at me.
“In truth, Owen rather overplayed their hand.” My mother added as she placed more meat on her plate, next to the vegetables, a lack of carbohydrates made me chuckle to myself, but I carried on regardless.
“How so?” I asked, curious.
“Well, anyone who objects to Charlie now, would seem like they are on Owen’s side. If the man had any sense at all, he would’ve waited to attack until after you were weakened, or while Ben was taking over. It seems he was far too focused on preventing you from claiming your mate, rather than the best way to assume power.” She replied with a shrug, but it did raise questions I hadn’t considered.
“Do you think he knew something about Charlie?” I asked the first question that occurred to me.
“No, if he had any idea of her power, he would have tried to claim her for himself, after you were dead, but she was among those who were meant to die.” My father insisted, and I felt Charlie’s body tense.
“Still, I will interrogate him tomorrow, have you set the date for his execution?” Ben asked, changing the subject, but not to one I enjoyed.
“I was thinking Sunday.” I replied, focusing on my meal.
“I will get everything prepared.” He stated simply, and I was relieved. Owen’s death would be the first I ordered as Alpha. The warriors had killed the odd rogue, but his would be the first Lycan blood on my hands, figuratively and literally. As Alpha, it is my duty to be the one who releases those who have broken the pack law, back to the moon goddess, for their judgement.
“Have you two discussed the Luna ceremony and wedding yet?” My mother pointedly asked, earning herself a soft warning growl from my wolf.
“There hasn’t been a chance, and with my aunt turning up any day to teach me, I think we may have to postpone for a little while. But we did hope you would throw us an engagement party, for the pack, and maybe a few friends?” Charlie answered diplomatically, but I hadn’t told anyone about Hera’s promise to visit yet, all cutlery halted.
“Your aunt, is coming here?” Ben asked finally.
“Yes, she appeared in a dream, after the vampire attack.” Charlie responded confused, looking to me.
“When?” My father asked, a strange look on his face.
“Any day now? She said I needed a few days to rest first.” Charlie answered, still looking at me confused.
“Which aunt is this?” Maria asked, unperturbed by the news.
“Umm, Hera, we think, but she hasn’t really introduced herself.” Charlie added with a chuckle, that was not shared by anyone else.
“A goddess is coming here?” My mother asked again, and I found myself dumbstruck, I had forgotten all about the promise to come teach Charlie.
“We don’t know she’s a goddess.” Charlie again chuckled, but took a large gulp of her previously untouched wine.
“And you’re only telling me now!” My mother shrieked. “How could you? I have so much to do before she arrives!” My mother began panicking.
“You’re not the Luna anymore dear.” My father reminded her gently.
“You think anyone else here is going to concern themselves about the pack’s appearance?” She asked him, angrily.
“Why would she care about how the pack looks?” Ben asked, saving me the trouble.
“She’s a goddess! Whose niece will be living here. We have to make sure the pack looks its best!” My mother argued.
“I think she will be glad my mate cares about me, everything else can be dealt with.” Charlie answered honestly.
“Yeah, she didn’t seem upset with us being together, she just wants Charlie to be safe.” I added.
“And when did you speak to a goddess?” My mother hissed.
“Well, she kinda spoke to me, through Charlie.” I replied with an awkward chortle.
“When was this?” My father asked, his tone serious.
“Before we left to see Hyacinth.” I replied, with a sigh. “She told me not to trust anything Pratt says, and our state is the first to be taken by the vampires. Now with Eric gone and Kasa and Landers prepared to fight with us, we have to convince the other packs. Before their Alphas are overthrown by the vampires trying to infiltrate their packs. Which is what I wanted to talk to you all about. Charlie and I think Ben and Maria should be the ones to visit the packs.” I explained, letting the news sink in.
“You will need us here brother, shouldn’t mom and dad go instead? They know most of the Alphas, and mom has family connections everywhere.” Ben suggested.
“We think, your status as Beta would press how serious the situation is, without it appearing as a challenge. Dad, being the former Alpha, could ruffle some feathers, make the Alphas less willing to listen.” I replied. “You will start with our allies; I will arrange everything so you can leave Monday.”
“Why wait? Surely the sooner the better?” My mother asked hastily, probably still sore I wasn’t sending her.
“Because I will need his help choosing which warriors we send to Kasa and Landers, also where their warriors will be staying here.” I forced myself not to snap, we may be in private, but their continuous questioning of my decisions was starting to grate me.
“I would be happy to help with that too.” My father offered, and without an Epsilon I was grateful. In most Lycan packs, the Epsilon is not just the general, but also the leader of the Etas. The Delta, or top warrior, leads the Zetas, as they are the elite, our spies, trainers, trackers, and warriors with specialised skills. I needed to appoint the role to someone soon, I thought before an idea struck me.
“What does everyone think about making Robert Holt our new Epsilon?” I asked, causing everyone to pause their eating again.
*Hi everyone, I'm still working out some issues, but I hope the extra chapters have kept you all interested, I'm looking forward to your comments, and thoughts. As always, much love, and profound thanks for reading my story
Constance
xoxo*
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