Chapter 31

ALEXIS

I couldn't believe it.

What was with everyone finding their mates these days? First Matthew, then Lucy, next thing I knew Boston would find his mate as well.

Lucy slowly walked towards Alpha Breydon, almost in a trance, and stopped right in front of him as if waiting for him to say something. He seemed to be just as stunned as the rest of us.

"I–you–how–you're my mate?" He stuttered incredulously.

Hudson groaned and rubbed his face, "Why now? Why not anyone else?"

I rolled my eyes at his dramatics, "It's not as if they could choose. Besides, this is probably the Moon Goddess's way of telling us that Alpha Breyon is supposed to be here."

"Little Lucy, you're my mate!"

It was clear that Alpha Breydon was still getting over his shock. Lucy didn't seem to know what to think, her face was showing a variety of emotions: adoration, excitement, confusion, etc.

"I hope that zipper of yours had stayed up this past year, Breydon," she said, before clapping her hand to her mouth. I bit my lip to keep from laughing as she clearly had not meant to say that.

Alpha Breydon's stunned face morphed into a smirking one, "I guess my zipper really was supposed to fall for you. I'll have you know that it has been waiting for this moment."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest.

Lucy groaned and banged her head against his chest several times, "What was the Moon Goddess thinking?"

"She was clearly thinking that you fell for my pickup lines and decided to grant your wish," Alpha Breydon said, running a hand through his hair, "I know it's hard to resist me–"

"Or," Lucy interrupted, "She decided to take pity on all the single she-wolves and pair you with the first unmated she-wolf she saw."

Alpha Breydon gasped dramatically and pressed a hand to his heart, "Babe, that hurts. I know I don't deserve you, but don't tear my heart to pieces."

I listened to the two banter amusedly before taking a moment to really look at them. Even though Lucy seemed annoyed with Alpha Breydon, there was no denying that she seemed to like him. And the same went with Alpha Breydon; he didn't seem aware of the fact that he was pulling Lucy closer to him and staring at her with an enamored look on his face.

I walked over to Hudson and whispered, "Don't they look cute together?"

From the look on Hudson's face, it was clear that he didn't agree.

"That's my sister," he snapped at Alpha Breydon, "So keep your hands to yourself. Am I clear?"

Alpha Breydon smiled innocently, "Who me?"

Hudson pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head, "Sometimes I wonder how you became an Alpha."

"Well, you see, a long time ago. The Alpha and Luna of the Granger Pack decided to get into bed and –"

"Breydon!"

The rest of us choked back laughter as the two Alpha stared each other down.

"Guess what, Hudson?" Alpha Breydon grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischievousness.

"What?" Hudson hissed.

"We're brother-in-laws!"

Hudson groaned, "Just what I needed."

Matthew cleared his throat loudly, "As amusing as this is, I think you're all forgetting why we're here. There's a dead wolf laying before us. The griffins want war. And we have a lot to plan."

There was a tense silence after Matthew spoke as everyone suddenly remembered the grave situation we were in.

"Let's go back to my office and discuss our options. Matthew, I want you to inform the Miller family of James' death and see if his mate has anything to say about his interaction with the griffins. After that, just check in on possible suspects that might have been helping James because it is clear that he wouldn't have been able to do this without the help of other wolves."

Matthew nodded and left the area in a rush.

Hudson turned to the border patrol wolves, "I don't know what's going on with the borders, but if any of you have anything to do with this, speak up now or else you'll face my wrath later."

When none of them spoke up, Hudson pursed his lips, "I want everyone on guard. I don't even want a squirrel crossing the border-line. Not even if there's a fucking acorn on a ground that it's trying to grab. Understood?"

They nodded frantically and Hudson eyed each of them darkly, "Dismissed."

Alpha Breydon cleared his throat, "I can put my warriors on border patrol as well. It wouldn't hurt to have more eyes. Plus, they could let us know if any of these border wolves are acting suspiciously."

Hudson thought it over for a second before looking at me for confirmation. I nodded my head, "He's right. It wouldn't hurt."

He sighed and gave Alpha Breydon a nod, "Go for it."

Alpha Breydon smiled at me before his eyes glazed over, indicating that he was mind-linking his warriors.

Hudson gave me a tired smile, "Come on. Let's discuss some battle plans."

***

In a matter of minutes, there were twenty of us gathered around a large table with cups of coffee and muffins in hand.

"To begin this meeting, we will just bounce a few ideas off each other. Who would like to begin?"

"How about we use Luna Alexis as bait? They would come after her and we would be there to protect her," an Elder named Malcolm said, smiling smugly as if his idea was perfect.

Lacey snorted loudly, "The griffins aren't that stupid. They'll know whether Alexis is bait or not the moment we drop her off."

I pursed my lips, "Lacey, who is the leader of the griffins?"

A disgusted look crossed her face as she glared at her muffin, "Xavier Porterson."

"Is he smart?"

"You could say that, but his ego sort of blinds him. All he cares about is power."

"Why don't we just surprise attack?" Another Elder added.

Lacey shook her head again, "They're pretty much prepared for that as well. Before I left, they had all sorts of plans for what would happen if there were to be a surprise attack."

I rubbed my temples, "Do you know anyone who would be willing to be a spy and relay information to us?"

"I do, but I have no way of contacting them. I would have to go back to the mountains."

Matthew stood up angrily, "No fucking way."

Lacey stood up, "Matthew, I know the mountains inside and out. I could go there and come back safely."

"What if someone sees you? They'll ask you where you've been! How are you going to answer that, huh? Especially when you smell like me! A werewolf!"

"It's a risk I'll have to take."

"Wait," I interrupted, "Maybe there is something else we can do. Lacey, I don't think it's a good idea to send you up there. What happens if this person isn't willing to help us? Your trip will be for nothing."

She shook her head, "I know for a fact that there is no way they'll refuse. They hate the idea of being immortal as much as I do."

"I can't lose you, Lacey! It's hardly been three days since we've met! You still have your heat cycle."

"I'll go after my heat cycle. No arguments, Matthew. Please. This is to help us win this stupid war," Lacey pleaded.

I looked at Hudson, who seemed just as conflicted as I was.

I didn't want Lacey to get hurt, but at the same time, this was also our best bet. If we could get some inside information, we had better chances of defeating the griffins.

"Matthew, let me do this. Please. I promise you everything will be fine."

I didn't know who to comfort. Matthew or Lacey.

Before anyone could say another word, Matthew stormed out of the meeting hall. Lacey sighed, "I'm going to go talk to him. You guys continue."

I looked at Hudson and he shook his head, "Meeting adjourned."