Chapter 55 Say Goodbye
1230words
I couldn't tear my gaze away from my gorgeous mate. The red dress she wore made my wolf howl, unable to resist the curves hidden beneath the spandex. I quickly got dressed, dreading leaving my mate for the Alpha meeting I had scheduled, but important alliances needed to be secured, especially after the surprise rogue attack. I knew I held an advantage over the other packs in terms of strength and size, so I expected the talks to go smoothly and quickly. My Beta, Don, had already come by my bedroom to fetch me, but nothing was going to pull my wolf away from showering with his mate, her naked body pressed closely against mine.
My wolf raged with fury that our mate had tried to cover up the mark we left on her tender neck. I tried to calm him down, reasoning that she was still hurt and we would have to break down her walls slowly. I exited the walk-in closet where she was getting ready. She followed me into the bedroom and sat on the bed, looking uncomfortable. In truth, I was struggling too. It felt as if my little mate had just pierced a stake through my heart, the bitter chill of devastation freezing my body. I had told Adeline I loved her last night, and I meant it with all my being—there was no one else in this world for me.
Another knock echoed through the room. I twisted the golden doorknob and opened the door to my lead enforcer, Theo. He nodded, lowering his gaze to the floor, and replied, "Alpha." He rolled a cart loaded with various breakfast options into my bedroom—meals I had ordered from Chef Mark when I woke up this morning. I walked toward Adeline, who sat wide-eyed in shock on my bed. I could hear her stomach growl at the display before her.
"I'm sorry, baby girl. I was hoping to have breakfast with you this morning," I said, meeting her lips in a deep kiss. She beamed, a beautiful smile spreading across her face. "It's okay! I know you have an important meeting today, but if you miss my belated birthday dinner tonight, we might have a problem."
I chuckled at her threat. "If you want anything else, just tell Theo, and he'll grab it for you."
She nodded submissively in agreement. "And Adeline, don't leave the pack house today. Theo will be watching over you, ensuring your safety." She picked up a croissant from her plate, cut it in half, and spread butter on it. I knew she had heard me, even though her focus remained on the breakfast in front of her. She turned to face me, holding the buttered croissant up to my lips in a bid to feed me. I opened my mouth and took a bite; the fresh warm bread had melted the butter.
"Mmm," I told her. "Chef Mark does it again." I kissed my mate softly on her cheek one last time and whispered, "I love you, Adeline." I turned and nodded to Theo to follow me and guard outside the bedroom door, as I had requested. I couldn't tolerate another male's scent in my bedroom so close to my mate.
Theo began to follow me down the hall when a full-mouthed Adeline called out, "Hey! Where do you think you're going? Aren't you supposed to guard me or something?" I could feel Theo's panic rise, worried he had offended my mate.
"He will guard the bedroom door from the hall when you're in the bedroom. Otherwise, he will follow you but still give you room to breathe. You won't even know he's around," I told her firmly.
Adeline shook her head in disagreement. "No way. Sit, Theo. If you're going to be glued to my side today, you'll be having breakfast with me."
I wasn't thrilled with her idea, but her voice was commanding. In that moment, she sounded like a true Luna—firm yet compassionate for the shifters in her pack—which took me by surprise. I couldn't stop the growl that escaped my lips. Adeline sashayed over to my side, pulled the back of my neck, and pressed her lips against mine.
"Calm down, Alpha. You're my mate. He's my guard," she said confidently.
My heart skipped a beat at her words. "You're my mate," I repeated in my head. I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life hearing those words. I gave her a gentle smile and nodded to Theo. "Very well then. I should be back in a few hours." Then I turned to exit the bedroom, making my way into the hallway of the pack house.
The pack house was certainly busy today—bustling with shifters from Midnight Moon and even a few from the visiting packs. Beta Don mind-linked me, "Jax, where are you? We haven't even gone over our proposals yet, and we have to be in the pack house meeting room in twenty minutes."
Just as he finished his rant, I walked into my office and picked up the manila file folders on my desk.
"Well, that was quick. Did our new Luna keep the Alpha busy last night?" Beta Don teased.
I scowled at him. "She's keeping me busy just fine."
He laughed aloud and placed a hand on the back of my shoulder. "I'm really happy for you, man. Let's get these negotiations over with and announce that you've found your fated mate."
He sat down in the leather chair in my office and crossed one leg over the other, relaxing as I scanned through the files. Nothing stood out to me—all terms were standard clauses.
"Well, hello there handsome," Beverly said, bursting into my office unannounced.
I clenched my jaw as she approached, placing a kiss on my cheek. "I've missed you, Jax," she whispered.
My jaw clenched even tighter, and my fists tightened. "Beverly, you shall address me as Alpha Jaxon. I've already told you I will not take you as my mate. I don't think your Luna would appreciate your behavior—unless you're trying to disrespect her?" I replied through gritted teeth.
Beta Don shifted his eyes between us, noticing the tense atmosphere.
Beverly stepped back, complying. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I just hope you've really thought this through."
I growled, anger laced in my voice. "Adeline is my fated mate, and nothing will change my mind about taking her as this pack's Luna. I've already told you how eternally grateful I am for your service through the years to Midnight Moon. The announcement will be made today at the Alpha's meeting."
Her face fell in disappointment. She pulled up the waistband of her black pencil skirt, trying to hide her feelings, then plastered on a fake smile that I was grateful for.
"Very well then, Alpha. Shall we head to the Alpha's meeting?" she asked diplomatically.
It was custom for the Luna of the hosting pack to be present at the Alpha meeting, even though I didn't care for Beverly sitting in. Still, I knew it would help to appear united until after the meeting, when we would announce I would no longer be mating with her.
I extended my arm to Beta Don, holding the manila file folder in my hand. "Come on. Our guests are waiting, and I have plans tonight," I said through clenched teeth.
