Pure Slander!

“Alpha Remus”, I greet my colleague on the phone. “Are we now deviating from usual procedures? I have a list here of twenty of your pack members who just this morning asked for permission to attend a fashion show in my pack. No problem of course, but we used to do this differently," I remind him.
"Twenty?" my friend sounds surprised. “I understand from my Beta that there are five of us traveling. And everyone in my cologne is under my authority and we have agreed that no permission is needed. My wife and I, my son and his mate and my Beta. No one else. You're telling me something I know nothing about, Alpha King. Please, take a picture of the list of names of the twenty and send it to me via WhatsApp. I'm investigating this to the bottom." It is clear from his voice that heads will roll, Alpha Remus is not known as someone who tolerates malpractice. "I'll send you a message from those who do get permission and that's final".
I call the two Alphas and they are also surprised that there is so much interest from their pack and agree to investigate. There is clearly something fishy going on here. When I put the phone down, I look at Clark. “We need to investigate this more deeply. We have about six hours left before the event starts. Try to figure out why they are suddenly interested in the show. Ask questions. Maybe someone will spill some information.” Clark nods and heads for the door. When he has the doorknob in his hand, he half turns towards me, as if he wants to say something to me. I wait but he seems to change his mind and leaves.
I sigh resignedly. This is a new development that should not escape our attention.
Alcina enters my pack, Erina attached to Jace, my mate who is now gone too long. What else can I handle? 'Jace, get here!' I order my Beta in the mind link. 'What's up, man? You don't sound good. I'm on my way, but you can already brief me,' he responds immediately. 'I'm considering stopping the show. Too much unwanted interest. I'm afraid it's going to be risky,' I reply.
It's quiet on the other side and a few minutes later, Jace bursts into my office.
“Enrick, the whole pack is looking forward to the show. Mrs. Lackson has attracted the market with this new angle to children's clothing. People are coming from other packs, until yesterday Alphas from distant packs had already registered their people. We are already at more than five hundred guests, the warriors are helping to furnish the hall professionally”, he rattles on. “This event will have a huge spin-off to other things such as restaurants, lodgings, and clubs that are also preparing for the guests. What makes you think about closing the event now? It's going to be a big disappointment if you do that," he points out.
His words remind me of the great responsibility that rests on me as the Alpha King.
Because not only my pack but also others have linked their business activities to this occasion. Mrs. Lackson has received several offers for co-sponsorship and expansion into other packs next year.
“Jace, there have been some suspicious requests recently from individuals without support from their Alpha. I just spoke with Alpha Remus, and even from his pack, some solos dare to come out. Isn't that striking? We don't have enough time left to screen each of them."
Jace goes all quiet now, I can almost hear his brain rattle.
His eyeballs darken, indicating that his wolf is about to take over. “What are the Gamma and Head Warrior saying to this? I just saw Clark leave. And where is Cleo?” he growls. “Did Clark give you the list of last-minute requests? Show me it." I put the list before him, knowing that nothing will be left of any person who threatens the pack's safety. But the aggression I now see in Jace is stronger than I have ever seen. Honestly, he's always protective when it comes to Midnight Moon, but there's something more to his level of commitment. Maybe it's because Erina is on the show and he will do anything to protect her life.
His eyes scan the names. “I will stand at the gates myself to welcome all of them, let them come, Alpha, please let them come. I have something waiting for them.” His undertone drives me to look up, this is becoming a personal issue for him.
I shake my head.
“Nope. I put the responsibility on the Alphas. If their Alpha agrees, the consequences of mischief will be theirs,” I explain to Jace. “Whoever appears at the gate here is supported by his Alpha. An attack on my pack means war. There are too many lives at stake today.”
“Diplomatic and logistically well arranged”, Jace still growls with his wolf on the surface. “I'm going to Cleo to properly organize the inspection at the gate and escort to the venue. Every mistake is fatal".
He has hardly finished speaking when he shoots out the door.
Technically I can't stop him, he fills in his duties. He is my first replacement, my duties in the pack are also his. I sigh deeply, waiting now is for Alpha Remus. In this whole matter, I trust him the most. Alpha Remus never does half work.
A notification on my laptop announces that a new message has arrived.
First, I take a deep breath, lean forward and click on my email inbox. Then I see two messages from the Alphas with some members requesting individual access to Midnight Moon. The Alphas validate the requests, they are now responsible for the presence of their members in my pack.
I sigh, I'm so sure these guys haven't researched their people's sudden reason for coming to my pack. They just assume that I will punish people if they transgress. They don't realize that the nature of their people's actions can cause a war between the packs. Advance management skills are clearly lacking here.
And then my phone rings.
Alpha Remus.
I eagerly accept the call. “Alpha! What have you found? Are your people clean?”
And what I hear from the Alpha makes my hair stand on end. I sit in my chair, frozen to the bone.
This is pure slander!
“We'll talk about it when I get there, Alpha King. Set aside time after the show for us to have a confidential conversation on this matter.”...