Meeting With The Elders

✨✨✨✨Two weeks before going to meet the allied packs.✨✨✨✨

Blake

I woke up earlier than usual today. I need to meet with the pack elders today. I needed their opinion on something that has been bothering me lately. As alpha of my pack, it's my duty to maintain everything and everyone safe. I have been going through our archives lately, and there is something I just find so fascinating about learning about our own pack history... Who they were, and what they did, everything just seems so surreal and tantalizing to know about our own history. But..... The more I read, the more I realize that something isn't adding up.

According to the archives, five years ago we had dozens of our women named warriors, but as I began counting the members we have lost and the ones still alive, we still have two women missing. They were never recorded, no name, no description.... nothing but a number count, and their gift bestowed upon them by our goddess, or, at least part of their gift... I have a feeling there's more than these puzzles missing here.

Every time one of our pack members receives their calling, it gets recorded, whether it's to work for the pack as a warrior, a guard, a nurse, or a simple life of an omega. We even record when a person undergoes their first shifting, or when a new Luna is named, ....Everything must be recorded...

I know a lot of packs treat their omega's like shit because they are the least important. But not in my pack, they are the most essential workers, because they are the ones that keep our living environment going. They do the essential jobs, like running the restaurants to cleaning, waitressing, etc. They deserve the same respect as the professionals in my eyes.

I said goodbye to my wife this morning before I had to leave. Of course, I never bother telling her where I am going, because honestly, I don't like to bother her with my countless duties. I just don't think she'd be interested in the things I do.

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I arrived about ten minutes before the time of the meeting, all fifty of our elders were already present when I got there.

I made my declarations and showed them the archives. Each one looked and questioned as they narrowed their gaze on the endless piles of documents before them. They seemed to be questioning everything among themselves, which was making me become nervous, thinking about what could be happening within my pack.

My dad and father-in-law are now part of the elder council. I was not expecting what they were about to tell us when my dad took a stand. It seemed that no one in the council of our elders knew about the declarations he was confessing to us, and none had any idea what they had just declared.

After they reviewed everything, and they heard my arguments, demanding answers for the two women missing; my mind went to complete shock, I was right about my suspicion all along. Why would they keep something so delicate from me? I was completely outraged.

My dad and Chansey had never seen the darker side of me. I have always looked at them with full respect, regardless of me now being their alpha, but they were unprepared for my outburst.

" Why didn't I know about this? As the present alpha of this pack, I had the right to know about these matters. Why would you keep this from me?" I yelled at them, I was so pissed off that they would keep matters so delicate from my knowledge.

"Blake son, try to understand. This was a drastic decision that had to be taken at the last minute. We never meant any harm. If we had known that she was your mate we would have tried to figure a way for her to stay. We would have figured out a way to have sent someone else in her place." father said.

"And why didn't you? Did you not see how hard it was for me to not have her here with me? She could have been killed." Dad took a step forward, trying to console me, "But she didn't get killed, son. She is back home safe...and-"

"And that makes things better? It just makes things worse, if you ask me... Did you know she hasn't told me anything about this? She has kept it a secret all this time. Do...You...Have any idea how I feel about this? She's keeping secrets from me. She was in danger all along....gone for five years!" I paced around, angry. "I could have protected her!"

"Alpha, please.... it is not her fault. She was ordered by us to do so. She loves you, my dear son. You have to understand that this is just as difficult for you as it is for her." My mind was a complete whirl of frustration and misunderstanding. My wife, the lead warrior of my pack? And I did not get acknowledge for this. How could I have not seen this coming? She is much braver than I'd seen, much braver... I have taken her for granted.

"Alpha, we apologize for keeping this from you. We did not just keep this secret from you, but up to now from the day of her return, she has been kept away from her rightful duties. It is fair to say that we should speak with her and reevaluate her status with our goddess. We must find, if she is to stay as our lead warrior, or find someone to take over, her main priority now is to stand by your side. Until then, we ask that you please try and remain calm. We must not worry her more than she already is, we are aware she might be struggling to tell you the truth about her calling to our pack in terms of not hurting you. She must be devastated in her own mind of what she must do, please.....give us time to figure this out, we beg of you alpha?" I furrowed my eyebrows. This was too much for me to bear. My dear wife, a warrior? I can not allow it. I can not bear the thought of her getting hurt.

But I know that she is strong. I sense it in her. I am at loss here either way. I just got her back after so many years away from her, to think she will be a warrior and may get hurt makes my heartache at an inexplicable rate inside, all the way inside my soul.

"Very well.... even if I do not like the idea of our Luna being our lead warrior, I know I must not go against what our goddess has chosen for her. I will give you until the day of my return from my meeting with our allied packs in a few weeks. Until then, she is to stay out of training and continue to live ONLY as our Luna. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Alpha," They all reply in unison.

I fixed the hem of my suit jacket, running my fingers through my hair as I exhaled a deep sight filled with turmoil. My heart felt heavy and filled with uncontrollable sadness. What am I to do if something was to happen to her? I have waited all my life for her... I would not be able to withstand ever losing her, I'd rather die than see her gone.

"Alpha, I am as deeply surprised and shocked as you are about all this, hell, here we are...both thinking my sis is off at college and she's in the middle of combat training... fuck, who knew, huh? My little sister Selene kicking ass somewhere..." Ty, my beta smirks nervously.

"Do you hear yourself? You sound just as bad as they do!! I can't believe all this. Do you know how worried I've been for my mate? Just to hear where she's really made matters worse." I paused myself, I needed to calm myself before I started the car and took off at full speed like I tend to when I'm angry.

"Tyler, you have no idea how many thoughts are going through my fucking mind right now... I could have been protecting her all this time. The worst thing is, I have a feeling there is more to this story than meets the eye. And I am bound to find the truth one way or another." We sat in my car, I kept running my hand through my hair and face, frustrated and annoyed.

"So what exactly are you planning on doing?" Ty turned, looking at me with a serious face.

"I don't know, I guess we'll just have to wait and see," I said as I turned the ignition on. I placed it in drive and sped off back to the house. There is no way in hell I was going to keep her out of my sight now.

"So, who was the other woman you found in the archives, Blake? You never mentioned her name. What happened to her? Is she still alive? Do you know of her whereabouts?" Ty asked.

I wasn't sure if he was ready to hear who the other girl was.... he had already lost his first mate. I still remember how he hurt for a long time when she died. He was weak for weeks-long from the separation of his mate. His whole being was crushed. He was weak to a point I thought he was going to die as well. Learning about my suspicions would just anger him more.

I stayed silent, trying to put into words what to say to him. I don't think there is an easy way for him to know the truth without him being mad...first, to lose your mate; then find out your twin was never in college but rather training somewhere..... and the fact they were gone so long makes no sense at all.

Five years is far past the extension of training. I have never sent anyone out for training, out of our facilities for more than six months during my five years as alpha. The whole year thing for me was far too much. They were better trained here under my care anyway.

"Blake.... hey man.... you still there?" Ty snapped his fingers in front of my eyes bringing me back from my trance. I took a big sigh, my left hand on top of the steering wheel, gripping it tightly, my other grasped tightly around the gear shift. So tight I thought the whole damn thing was gonna break off. I closed my eyes and hoped for better days.

"Who is the other girl, Blake?" He asked, deep down inside I can see he already knew the answer. But just like me, he'd hope I was going to say differently.

"Ty, I don't think you need me to mention her name.... you already know who it is. I'm sorry Ty... I really am." I gravelly sighed, closing my eyes but for a moment. I knew he was devastated in his heart, something felt far too sketchy about all this.

"Fucking answer me, Blake!! Who is the other girl?" He yelled in frustration.

"Ty! I mean it, I'm sorry...I-"

"Don't you pull the pity shit card with me. Blake, answer the fucking question.... who is the other warrior that left with my sister." He heaved, his eyes filled with rage and sadness all in one. Tears ran down his eyes, his fists so tight they'd become white around the knuckles. We were worried about Selene, something bigger was happening here, and we needed to get to the bottom of this.

I took a long sigh, if we are righ, and things are being kept hidden from us, we both knew there was more trouble coming our way. I guess we both just hoped..... maybe we were wrong, that it all would be a nice swift ride from this point on, though we knew otherwise.

"It was Jazmin, Ty." I blurted out. Deaf silence went between us the rest of the ride. An uncomfortable and awkward silence between us men. How could we have not seen there was something off on that woman? Being gone for too damn long, and no word of her departure? Something... Was just not right.

We talked after we both calmed down and worked out a plan for the rest of our drive before we got home back to the packhouse, where our 'wives' were waiting for us.

*******

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Selene

"So, Jazzy!!!?" I said, with a big bright grin on my face. I know something is up, I can sense it. She looks completely beautiful and gorgeous. She looked radiant and glowing. She sat in our outdoor covered patio in the backyard. I love this place.

Blake had this place set up with permission from his dad while he was still in high school, a few years back. It was like a hidden secret garden back here. Beautiful ponds, trees, plants, and flowers were planted everywhere. It's even better at night because of the beautiful lighting he had placed everywhere.

There are spotlights in the ground, trees and shrubs are covered in fairy lights. It's absolutely breathtaking. A perfect view of the moon can be seen from where the patio was set. There are a few birdbaths hidden, a kiosk that is being overtaken by the ivy's growing around it. It's just.... beautiful. Somehow, I found out that I was the only one besides his mom who was allowed to come out here back in high school, I thank him for that. It was my little getaway when I didn't run off to the forest.

I had a tea brunch set up for Jazzy and myself for today. But she had not been feeling well, so I waited for her until she came by.

Blake and my brother have been gone all day. I won't lie, I hate when he's gone for too long. It's worse when I know he'll be away for days. But I know it comes with his job description, so I try and not question him or give him a hard time about it.

I was setting up the table with all kinds of fancy finger foods for Jazmin and me. I had Mrs. Tally help me out finding a good tea for both of us, we settled for two different ones; lavender-chamomile, and mint-ginger with lemon. They were so good. I set the table with sandwiches, teas, scones, tea cakes, and so much more.

"Perfect..... what do you think?" I asked her as she stuffed her mouth with a big piece of chocolate cake... Blake's favorite by the way.

"Hmmm, this is good." She said with a mouth full, making me giggle.

"Why, Mrs. Landon, if I didn't know any better, I think the big bad alpha leader of our warrior pack back in Sanborn camp was going soft on us! Why with all this fancy-schmancy stuff....." she said with an eyebrow raised.

"Shut up, I am not. I am still the same girl who can kick your ass if you didn't have a bun in the oven." I said without thinking. She was in shock. Her mouth gawked open and her fork lifted in mid-air. "Selene how..... how did you know I was pregnant?... I haven't told anyone."

"Oh, please... Jazzy, you are hormonal, you're giddier than usual, you look beautiful and you're glowing...gees, how can I not tell?" She smiled widely, her eyes teared up a bit. "Oh hon, it's ok, don't cry! I'm serious, pregnancy looks so good on you!" I said with my eyes tearing up completely as well.

"Selene, Ty doesn't know yet... I just found out two days ago, I don't know how to tell him."

"Well, we have to go with them on that long trip to meet with the other packs, why don't we plan something special to let him know then? he'll get a big surprise out of it." I smiled, taking a sip of my tea."That's a great idea, Selene. Yeah, I like that idea. I'm in." Jazzy smiled, clicking her teacup against mine with a big smile.