Chapter 38 Stay for Tea
997words
RED.
That was the last thing I had seen before my wolf had gone rogue. After that flash of red, I was ready to rip apart the entire auditorium along with all the wolves in it. I fought my wolf back from surfacing—I had never experienced such aggression from him. I tried to stay level-headed as my hands balled into fists and my teeth clenched. I muttered under my breath, "Watch it, Christian," as one last warning to Alpha Christian. He was a decent fighter, but I knew I had the edge, and in 30 seconds flat, I would have had my hand wrapped around his neck as the life was drained from his body.
I was tired of this love triangle I was in with Beverly and Adeline. I was going to have Adeline as my mate, and it didn't matter what it would cost. I had noticed Alpha Christian periodically throwing glances her way as if he were hunting for fresh meat—without a doubt, he wanted my mate. My one true mate whom I had spent what felt like an eternity looking for. Alpha Christian had assumed that Adeline was just another she-wolf anyone could take a turn with, and the only way that would happen would be over my dead body.
Seconds before my fur was about to grow over my human skin and my bones were about to contort into my wolf's shape, I was knocked back by a wave of tranquility. Awareness took over my wolf as it recognized those Arctic blue eyes that could make my heart explode and kill me with a single glance. When she placed her small hands on my biceps, it was as if time had stopped around us. It was only her and me, connected by a pulsing electricity between our bodies. I slowly regained control over my wolf when the words "I'm yours" slipped from my mate's tantalizing lips. Those words felt incredible as they escaped my body; I had been dying to hear them, dreaming to hear my mate say them.
I had heard stories about only mates being able to calm each other down like she had just done, but I never imagined it would work on an Alpha—particularly an Alpha with pure Alpha blood. A sparkle danced in her eyes as if she were proud of her accomplishment, and she nodded as she excused herself to the washroom. I had gotten to know Adeline's behavior by now—I knew she had hit her limit and was searching for an escape from the chaos surrounding her. I didn't mind; I was grateful she was far away from Alpha Christian.
Beta Don rushed to my side with widened eyes, amazed at the events that had just unfolded in front of him. It was clear he had stepped in to intimidate Alpha Christian's Beta and Delta, who had edged closer in protection of their Alpha. Under no circumstances did I want bloodshed today during my coronation—I even struggled with the fact that I had almost gone rogue on my old friend.
He put his hand out in an effort to make amends like true Alpha males. I accepted his hand but kept my face flat, avoiding showing any further emotions. This was completely uncharted territory for me—I was a master at concealing any sort of feeling. As an Alpha, lowering your poker face could give your enemy the advantage and, in an instant, the tables could be turned against you.
"She's that special, huh, Jax?" Alpha Christian said with a smirk.
I wasn't interested in prolonging the inevitable any longer. If anyone asked me if she was my mate, I wouldn't confirm or deny it anymore. I sized him up and down with my stare, pausing for a brief moment before nodding my head.
"Seems like we have a lot more to discuss than renegotiating pack treaties and upcoming mating ceremonies," he said. His words reminded me of my old friend. I debated telling him what was really going on with Adeline and me, along with my intentions to take her as my Luna. I could have really used advice from another Alpha—a fresh perspective, if you will.
I felt my tongue run over my teeth, leaving me with a look of contemplation. I struggled with the idea for a moment until I finally said, "That we do, old friend. How about a drink first?"
As if I hadn't just tried to murder him in cold blood, the corner of his mouth began to rise as a grin adorned his face. He took a deep breath and nodded, the action causing his second in command and Delta to back off from the two of us. I raised my arm in front of him as a bid for him to lead us to the bar and felt my Beta Don step back. Adeline had been right to step in when she did, although I wasn't thrilled that she had. It was quite dangerous to throw yourself into a battle between two Alphas like she had.
Suddenly, panic wrung through the pack. "ALPHA JAXON, ROGUES AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER!" a guard reported through the mind link. Nearly all the wolves had been in attendance for the coronation, but I would never leave my pack borders completely defenseless for this exact reason. I was far from a naïve Alpha. There was no chance these rogues would leave Midnight Moon alive. It was one thing to attack Midnight Moon Pack, but it was a completely different matter to do it during a coronation.
"We've just been attacked by rogues. My apologies, Alpha Christian, that drink will have to wait. I have to get to the front lines with my warriors," I explained, my mouth watering at the thought of blood. I tossed off my suit jacket onto a nearby table. Women and children were already seeking refuge in the pack house, while others were shredding their clothes to fight.
