Chapter 136 The Long Game
1039words
I nearly choked on my spit when Beta Don and Jaxon suggested I should sit back like a porcelain doll when it came to pack business. Too fragile. Too delicate. Too dainty. They might not have said it outright, but I knew what they were thinking. I'm the damsel in distress who needs to be locked up in her tower like every damsel before her. The audacity of both these guys.
I am the Luna of this pack, and I intended to lead side by side with my mate. I wished they would see that I don't need to be tucked away safely while my pack stands together on the front lines. I would stand with them at all costs, but never behind them.
"Our pack, Jaxon. Don't forget that," I responded with more attitude than I intended. "Whatever involves you, involves me too."
Jaxon moved to stand beside Beta Don. "And if you're carrying the future heir of this pack, I, as your mate and your Alpha, cannot risk your safety," he retorted. I noticed the golden slivers forming in his eyes, his wolf peeking through. Yet it was clear he found amusement in pushing my buttons.
"Here we go," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Again with this pulling rank bullshit, Jaxon."
I stood up from the plush mattress, my hands balled into fists. This was something I wasn't willing to negotiate on. I was the damn Luna. I began to stomp off as I tried to even my breathing, but before I could cross the threshold of the door frame, thick, corded arms pulled me backwards, and my feet suddenly dangled a foot above the floor.
Before I could string together words into a sentence, I was turned and found myself staring into Jaxon's amber eyes again. "Look, Addie, if it means that much to you—I won't stand in the way of you fulfilling your destiny. But I don't like it. Not in your condition," he explained, and I fought the urge to throat punch my own Moon Goddess-given mate. I knew better than that. I knew I needed to keep myself cool and collected if I was going to beat the two of them at their own game.
There was a certain cast to their faces that made the hair on the back of my neck rise. I knew they were worried, fighting off the worst-case scenarios replaying in their heads.
"If I am carrying the heir of Midnight Moon—which we don't know for certain yet—I still make my own decisions. I would never endanger the heir, our baby, unless completely necessary. Now can you have some damn faith in me?" I belted out, placing my hand on my hip.
Jaxon stared at me wide-eyed, as if the words were still sinking in, while Beta Don smirked and placed a hand on Jaxon's shoulder. "Told you she's always had that fire about her. She might even be more dangerous than you are," he chuckled.
Jaxon shook his head. "Very well, the Luna is to be debriefed on all pack business effective immediately," he explained and laced his hand with mine. I couldn't stop the smile from tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Now—continue," he said to Beta Don in a direct yet commanding tone.
Beta Don ran his hand through his hair and heaved a sigh. The closer I looked, the more I noticed how much he had aged in such a short time. The worry lines on his forehead were etched deeper into his skin, and the bags under his eyes proved he was on the brink of exhaustion. It was no wonder he had been walking on eggshells since we returned to Midnight Moon.
"The trackers..." he began, then paused and pressed his lips together. A low growl sent a shiver down my spine; the coldness and cruelty laced in it made it hard to believe it came from Jaxon.
"Stop dragging it on. You're the Beta of this pack. I expect all news to come from you, so stop making me fucking wait, Don," Jaxon seethed through gritted teeth.
The room fell dangerously quiet. Thanks to my enhanced wolf hearing, I heard Beta Don gulp before he continued.
"Alpha Christian has yet to return to pack territory. The trackers are still picking up the scents of the men that escorted Alpha Blake. Sophia's birthday party is tomorrow night with plenty of high-ranking shifters in attendance. It doesn't look good to have this much uncertainty surrounding the safety of the pack, Jax. Fuck," he admitted, rubbing both hands through his hair. I couldn't help but feel guilty for putting all this pressure and responsibility on our second in command's shoulders. It didn't feel fair.
Jaxon squeezed my hand tightly, looking up at me with such devotion and longing like I was the only important thing in this world.
"Luna?" he questioned and nodded toward me.
Well, I guess I asked for it. More like, fought like hell for it.
"First things first, Alpha Christian will, without a doubt, return to pack territory. Let the borders know to expect him. He knows that he's Sophia's mate. He won't miss the opportunity for her to confirm the bond between them. Now, I want you to go have a few beers like old times' sake and take the night off. Jaxon and I will go take a run of the borders," I explained, flashing a bright smile at Beta Don.
He began to shake his head in disbelief.
"Oh Don? That was an order from your Luna," I said and tugged on Jaxon's hand, leading us both out of our bedroom. I giggled, thinking about how ridiculous Beta Don must look standing in the middle of our bedroom, completely dumbfounded.
"Did... you really just tell the Beta of this pack to take the night off?" Jaxon asked, cocking his head.
We continued making our way down the staircase of the pack house. Just then, I remembered every badass female movie where the heroine always seemed to toss her hair, so I did just that. I flipped my hair over my shoulders and chuckled.
"Red wolf remember?" I said, shooting a devilish wink at my mate.
