Chapter 59

Gideon

"Please welcome Alpha Gideon Alois and Luna Amelie Ashwood." Everyone turns toward the door. I stand as tall as my 6-foot 5-inch frame will allow and pushing my Alpha aura out. My aura is different. Since I am the Alpha of the Druit Guard, I hold more authority. Only Alpha John has more.

Tyson takes a deep breath before announcing. "Also welcome the Alpha and Lunas of the Ashwood Pack, Black Hills Pack, and the Hill Country Pack along with their heirs." We all enter the ballroom. I look over at Amelie, and her eyes are still glowing silver. I wonder if this will subside, It doesn't bother me, but it might scare some. I can feel her tension as she holds my arm. I'm glad we have her family behind us. It might make my plan for information gathering slightly more challenging but not impossible.

I wanted to pretend we were a family divided or at least at odds, but after the display, the goddess put on that idea went out the window, and we would need to get creative. I really didn't want to come here after what happened, but I knew we had to. Werewolf etiquette was nothing to ignore with other Alphas. I was dependent on my relationships to gather information on investigations, so insulting Alphas, who are my guest, was out of the question.

We walk to the front table together. The crowd parted as we walked. What I wasn't expecting was the bows from the other Alphas and Lunas. I didn't know if it was because we were all walking in as a powerful group or the fact the moon goddess had just possessed my mate. I also noticed all the lustful eyes on her. Alphas want power, and a strong Luna with an Alpha bloodline like Amile was already desirable. Now add in the fact that the goddess openly used her; they wanted what was mine. They just saw her as a way to gain more power. They had no idea what she had been through or anything about her. I wanted to rip their heads off for even glancing at her.

"Calm yourself and Ulv." Amelie mate-linked me.

"I don't like the way some are eyeing you," I growled.

"They are eyes, not hands, and we still don't know for sure who is trying to harm our sons. You need to be calm and investigate. Inari and I are not weak." She squeezed my arm as we reached our table.

"I know. It's just hard not to be overprotective." I sighed.

"I know you have a plan. What can I do to help?" She was smiling at everyone while we both tried to play off we were not talking through our mate-link.

"Our plan is still in play. We will need to take a different approach. Just keep your guard up and make sure Inari is on high alert." I nod, and Amelie nodded back.

I look down the table at John and Logan, and they both grinned back at me. We all knew the plan. Without missing a beat, I see James and Riley get up and head over to meet Harlow with a few other teenagers. Both Harlow and Riley are 18. So many of the girls are crowding around trying to see if they were mates with the next Alpha. James wasn't left alone just because he wasn't 18 yet. There was a group of girls hoping James would choose them over his destined mate. Poor girls had no idea how much their efforts are in vain. I watched as the three teens worked the crowd of eager she-wolves. I looked around the room and saw a group of other teens, primarily males, glaring at the three heirs getting all the attention. This was what I was waiting for.

"Tyson." I mind-linked.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Look to your 3 o'clock. There is a group of teens find out which packs they belong to."

"Got it. On it now." I cut the link.

The teens glaring would typically not catch my attention, but I knew they had a false sense of superiority if they were not trying to gain favor from the three hairs. They would have that if they felt they had the upper hand. I continue to look around the room, and I spot him. Alpha Nox Jericho.

Nox is staring at Amelie with a discusting look of desire and lust. A low growl rolled up from my chest. Ulv wanted out, and I wanted nothing more than to let him and rip Nox apart. I knew I couldn't, the Elder, and Alpha Council wouldn't let any sanctioned killing of another Alpha go. I had to stay calm. He noticed me staring back at him. He raised his glass in the air with a sickening grin on his face and winked. He was trying to provoke me. I knew it, and I couldn't let myself lose control.

"Ulv, stay calm."

"He's dead. I will tare his head off like a paper doll." Ulv snarles.

"When that day comes, I will not protest."

I felt tingles on my cheek, and Ulv and I both started to calm. "Gideon, I'm right next to you. I'm safe. It's OK." Amelie whispered in my ear.

I took her hand from my cheek and kissed the back of it. "You are mine. I won't let anyone harm you."

"Gideon, you're grip is a little tight on my hand, and your eyes are flashing red." She sighed. "Let's dance."

I look up at her as she stands, holding out her hand. I let out a breath and stood up. I took her hand and walked her out to the dance floor. As we walked out to the floor, everyone parted as we went to the center of the floor. It was a formal event, so the music and dancing are ballroom style. As odd and old-fashioned as it seems, all Alphas learn to dance. It was no surprise to me the few times that Amelie and I danced that she also knew. Tonight was going to be different. I was going to swing her around that dance floor in a way that everyone knew she was mine forever.

The music started, and I puller her close to me. We moved around the dance floor like we were in a competition. I was watching every corner of the room to see who was watching back. Snarls and growls are leaving my chest when I felt eyes lingering too long.

"Why don't you just get it over with and pee on me," Amelie says, dripping with sarcasm.

"I don't need to. I already marked you." I smile down at her.

She rolls her eyes at me. "Then why are you acting like you haven't? I know better than anyone the danger I am facing, we are facing. I get it. After what just happened and the failed attempt yesterday, do you really think anyone would be dumb enough to try something tonight?"

I looked down at my mate. I saw for the first time tonight how gorgeous she looked. I had been so focused on all the threats and the crazy possession of the goddess I didn't truly look at her. She was stunning. The crown weaved into her hair and the flow of her dress; she looked like she could be the goddess herself. I could feel my mood lessen as I looked at her, and Ulv looks at our mate with adoration. "You're the most beautiful thing I had ever seen."

"There is my mate, my Alpha." She whispers in a low, seductive tone.

We continue to dance, but now my focus is on her, my love, and my whole life, my blessing, my mate. "You know, I always thought it odd that the Alpha female was called Luna while the other ranked females were called the same as their mate."

"I guess I never put much thought to it. There has always been an Alpha and a Luna." Amelie smiled at me.

"I think I understand why the Alpha female is called Luna." I say as I smile down at her.

"Oh, what is your theory mister investigator?" He teased, and I twirled her.

I pulled her back into me and held her tight to my chest. "Luna is Latin, and it means moon. We pray to the goddess Selene, and she is the embodiment of the moon. So to the Alpha, his mate is like the embodiment of the goddess in his life. She is his moon. The Alpha doesn't submit to anyone but the goddess. His mate is the only one his equal, the only one he will worship." I lean down to steal a kiss.

"Oh, so is my mate and Alpha saying that he worships me." Amelie giggles. My heart can't take it. I steal another kiss. I linger in that kiss a little longer this time.

"I've been at your feet before either of us even truly knew we were mates." I let my hand on her back drop a little lower.

"Gideon, if you are trying to get some, I have a little secret for you." She stands on her tiptoes and whispers in my ear. "You already knocked me up with twins."

I laugh loud and hard. It felt good to just be, even with everyone else around; I didn't care. This is how I wanted our life to be. Lively filled with laughter and love. "You are my Luna, my mate, my goddess." I lean down to take her lips. I didn't care who saw; let them look. There was nothing between us. We were one, and I wanted everyone to know. The moment was short-lived.