We all walk out of the house and head to the venue for the party. The party is at the banquet hall of the pack. It is an enormous ballroom. We have hosted many parties over the years in this hall, both for our pack and for the werewolf kingdom. We are centrally located and large enough to host official events when needed at the request of the king. Our pack is closely aligned with the royal pack. I think it is mainly because of my ancestor that came to help the alpha’s ancestor start this pack. My ancestor came from the royal pack. He was the second son of the royal gamma and the chosen protector. I don’t know why it went with the second born that year. The moon goddess had her reasons. My family is still connected to the royal gamma line. We are cousins.
We arrive at the ballroom and are immediately escorted to our table at the front. We are in a place of honor since the party is celebrating us. Our parents are seated just off to the side of the stage.
I was relieved to see that Trevor and Shana have not arrived yet. I place myself between Mona and Ben and Talia and the Twins. On our side of the table, Ben is on the outside, Mona is next, then Drew, then Talia, then Sam on the other side of Talia, there will be no way Trevor or Shana would be able to sit next to me. Since Ben is on the end, they will have to sit on the other side of Drew. Hopefully, Eli and Nathan will get here before Trevor does. It’s like the moon goddess heard me. Nathan and Eli came in soon after I got in my seat. Now Trevor will be on the opposite end of the table from me. There is only so much of him I can take without letting Tamaska take over.
The alpha opens the party and tells everyone how excited he is that we have all finally become adults. The other parents also share their joy at having us grow up together. After all the parents speak, the alpha opens the floor to dance. He and Luna share the first dance and then everyone else starts dancing. Ben and Mona are the first ones to dance. I made sure Mona left her shawl and bag at the table so no one would try to get in her and Ben’s seats while they were dancing. Mona understood why I asked her to do that.
The twins took turns dancing with Talia. Everyone is having such a good time. I love seeing all of my friends happy. After the first couple of songs, one of the new warriors, who is close to me in age, asked me to dance with him. I was more than happy to oblige. He told me he hoped I would be his mate. He has not found her yet. I told him to keep looking and not give up. He is an excellent warrior. The moon goddess will honor his commitment and sacrifice. He will find her soon. I can feel that it will happen soon. I don’t know how I know, but I can feel it.
“Thank you, protector. I appreciate the dance and the encouragement.”
I looked at him, surprised. “How did you know?”
“Your mark is glowing through the hair.”
“Oh.” I said, “you are welcome.”
He takes me back to his seat and leaves with a smile. I am glad for the encouragement I could give him. He has a pure heart and deserves it. Wow, where is all of this coming from? I am seeing things about people I could never see before. Everyone’s Aura is glowing in different colors around me. I guess that is what the council members were talking about when they said I would come into my powers after I turned 18.
I guess my warrior told his fellow warriors about me. I have not had a shortage of dance partners since the first dance. All of them wanted to first see if I was their mate, they wanted to know if they will meet her soon. For some, I could get a sense that it would happen in the next month or two, but others would have to wait a little longer, but it would happen.
After about the 10th or 11th dance, I took a break and returned to my seat. I saw Trevor walk in while I was dancing. He has been parading Shana around the ballroom. I was worried when he went to our parent’s table, but my dad kept his cool. Now they are at our table. He keeps watching me to see if I am watching him. I looked at him once, but that was because I wanted to see his aura. I guess I wanted to know if he was completely cold or evil. His aura seems muted somewhat. I do not know what that means. The only thing I am getting from him is that he wants to provoke me. He has been going out of his way for me to notice him and Shana together. Sorry to disappoint him, but I just don’t care.
I decided that break time was over. I looked up and made eye contact with one of the unmated warriors, and that’s all it took. The revolving dances started again. At one time, Trevor came to the dance floor with Shana and got very close to where I was dancing. I just kept talking to the warrior I was dancing with. He is a funny male. I think I might recruit him for when I go on my mission soon. I can tell he is strong and very loyal. I want to train him to be on my protector guard. That guard will have warriors from all the packs in the kingdom. That way no one pack will protect the entire kingdom or get weakened when my team is called away to fight. I danced to two songs with him so that I could ask him about training with me.
As he returned me to my seat, he let me know that he would be honored to join the protector guard if the alpha approves. He also let me know his name was Jonathan Peace. That is great. I couldn’t help smiling at that. He bowed his head and walked away. I will talk to Alpha Connor about warrior Peace when my training begins.
I got comfortable in my seat to let my feet rest for a minute. There were still a few warriors waiting to dance with me. I know they are not my mate, but if I can give them hope about meeting their mates, then I have done my part in keeping the morale of the unmated warriors up.
I must have been enjoying myself too much because I let my block down enough for Trevor to link me. He had the nerve to tell me to stop whoring myself around with all the warriors. Hump. He says that’s all the warriors want from me. He is such an, ugh... I can’t even find the words to describe him. Here he is parading someone around who is not his mate, and he is talking about me. I just ignored him and kept enjoying my night. Soon after he linked me, I was back on the dance floor. I had a good time hanging with the warriors.
After a couple of hours of dancing, the alpha announced dinner. We had the option of steak, chicken, or fish. Most of the guys got two types of meat. Me, I got a steak, medium-well. My steak was so good. I didn’t pay attention to what the others were eating.
Soon after we all finished eating, the alpha went to the stage. I see my parents and the Beta couple also walking to the stage. I guess this is the start of the end.
“Tamaska, are you ready? I know when, given the chance, he will try to get his revenge on me.”
“Don’t worry Lettie, we will be ok.”
The alpha grabs the microphone and begins addressing the crowd. He references the councilmembers, then announce the new mates. He finally introduces Shana as Trevor’s mate. What a joke. The crowd goes wild again. Nobody knows that they are a fraud, so they are happy to have what they think is the next alpha and luna.
The alpha goes on to tell the pack about the mating ceremony planned for all the mates that will happen next Saturday on a full moon. The alpha tells all the still unmated wolves to let Beta Vereen know if they find their mates before the ceremony, so they can be included.
The alpha tells us he has one more announcement. Yep, He will be retiring, and Trevor will take over as alpha- There goes the pack. I need to plan my exit as soon as possible. I do not want to be here to watch the pack that I love fall apart because of an incompetent alpha.
The alpha ceremony will happen directly following the mate ceremony. Good thing I will be gone on a mission for the council. Hopefully, the mission will keep me away for several months. Once Trevor marks Shana, hopefully, he will forget all about me and let me live my life. We can be strangers.
Alpha Connor asks all of my friends to approach the stage. We all stand up and approach the stage; Ben, Rose, and Mona are first followed by me, then Sam, Drew, and Talia. Nathan and Eli come up last. The alpha turns the microphone over to Trevor.
Trevor introduces his pretend, I mean chosen mate. Everyone cheers for their pretend Luna. Trevor is looking at me to see if I react, which I don’t. Mona links me to see if I am ok. I can hear our friends murmuring. They noticed Trevor has been focused on me and smirking. Ben links me he really hopes Trevor will not try to take the Gamma position from me. I assure Ben that even if he did, it will still be ok. I’ll just focus on my other duties. Ben is upset with the way things are looking. The others know something is up, but I don’t think they picked up on everything like Ben has. I link Ben to let it go. Let Trevor have his moment. I adjust my hair to the side and let him see my mark. He nods and keeps quiet.
Shana greets the crowd and tells them how happy she is to be their Luna. It takes all of my strength not to react to her talking.
As Shana is talking, I look at her. Surprisingly, her aura is not dark. She is just caught up in this situation.
I look at Trevor. His aura still seems muted. I see Convel peep up at me. Looks like he is trying to reach out to me. Trevor is talking again, but I’m not paying attention to what he is saying. I concentrate on Convel to see if I can receive his message.
“Hi, Seleste. I am so sorry for what Trevor did and what he is doing. I hope you and Tamaska don’t hate me. I tried to stop him.” Convel says.
“We don’t hate you, Convel. We will always care for you. You are the reason we released Trevor from the bond. Tamaska could not bear for you to fade away. We want you to live and maybe one day be happy.”
“I will never love anyone else. You and Tamaska are it for me. I just wanted to tell you that Trevor is not all bad. That night of the rejection, he did not mate with her. When I told him, he was hurting you and Tamaska, he stopped. I know it does not change what he is doing tonight, but I wanted you to know.”
“Thanks, Convel. You are a great wolf. I wish things could have been different. I guess I need to focus back on what Trevor is saying. I know things are about to hit the fan.”
“Give him hell, Seleste. I’m glad I had the chance to talk to you. Remember, I’m on your side.”
Convel fades back into Trevor’s self-consciousness. These Protector powers are awesome. I can communicate with other wolves without their human knowing. I think I will keep this power a secret for now.
Trevor introduces Ben as Beta. Strange that he didn’t introduce Mona with Ben. Trevor's next words clarify everything. Now I know his game plan. He wants to strip me of power and make me look bad in front of the pack. Trevor is adamant that he does not want me to serve in a position of power. I’m just going to sit back for now and let him hang himself. Unfortunately, the entire pack will see that he is not fit to lead. He continues with what he thinks will be his trump card. This will not end well. Trevor looks at his dad and goes in for the kill.
I think everyone here is in complete shock. I froze in my spot. Alpha Connor tried to run interference and stop Trevor before he takes this too far, but of course, Trevor didn’t listen. The council member left after warning Alpha Connor to handle things. Trevor seems confused about why it would matter to the council. I bet his dumb behind thinks he is more powerful than the council. Any other wolf would have been bothered by the threat of the council, but not this fool.
This fool threw a Hail Mary and told the pack that I’m a threat because I secretly love him. He is really reaching. I look at the pack and warriors. No one looks like they believe him. At this point, If Alpha Connor does not take control, the pack may revolt against Trevor. Alpha Connor looks at Shana and asks her if this was true. My dad and my mom growl when Alpha Connor ask Shana that. Why would Alpha Connor even entertain that? He has known me all of my life. He knows that it is my very nature to protect the weak.
Of course, Trevor continues his smear job that no one is buying. I notice my dad is about to lose control. I need to get to him before things go completely left. To defuse the situation and give Trevor what he wants and hopefully stop this drama, I agree that I don’t need the Gamma title. He smirks at me. This fool thinks he has won. He is just sad. Then the fool tries to say that I can’t train the warriors. As if he has the authority to change that. He has really over stepped. He is more delusional than I thought. I can see what his game plan is now. He wants to strip me of all power. Does he really not realize who I am and everything my family has done for this pack? Now I’m even more pissed, but I need to try to stay in control so that my father doesn’t kill this fool, but he is truly testing my patients.
[Chapter 22] — Showdown-Seleste 2
I can’t take his bullshit anymore. I always thought Trevor was pretty intelligent. Now I think there is something wrong with him. He just will not stop digging himself into a hole. Trevor kept going until my dad couldn’t take anymore. Before anyone could do anything, my father was holding Trevor by the throat with his feet off the ground. At first, Trevor still looked arrogant as he tried to power his way out of my father’s hold. He should have known that my father’s strength is legendary. My father is the deadliest warrior in the kingdom. The king has called on my father to handle difficult rogues. You can’t get out of my father’s hold unless he lets you go. My mother, me, and alpha Conner try to calm my daddy down. I plead with my father to let Trevor go. My father is not listening to any of us. In the course of choking Trevor out, my father let it out that Trevor rejected me. I mean my dad held nothing back. Now the whole pack knows my shame. But they are not looking at me with shame. They are looking at Trevor with anger.
Alpha Connor is shocked. He asked Trevor if he rejected me his fated mate. My dad is still holding Trevor, who is trying to get free. This fool then tries to command my dad to let him go, using his alpha voice. If that would work, doesn’t he think Alpha Connor would have already done it? My father reminds Trevor that we are from the bloodline of an Original. His puny alpha command has no effect on us. I can see that Trevor was shocked by that revelation. I don’t know why, everyone in the pack knows that. I beg my dad to let Trevor go. I try to remind my dad of all the reasons he should let Trevor go. For my sake and the sake of long-term friendship with the alpha couple. None of that seems to work. But my mother and I still keep trying to calm him down. My mother and I walk to his side so that we both can touch at the same time. When an alpha wolf takes over like this, only the touch of a mate and his pup can calm him down.
This is getting out of hand quickly, and the crowd is not helping. Some of the older elite wolves are cheering for my dad to kill Trevor. Alpha Connor yells for everyone to leave the ballroom. One ranked wolf did not agree with them being told to leave. This led to others protesting and being asked to leave. Alpha Connor had to command the pack members to leave. With the command of the alpha’s voice, everyone submitted showing Alpha Conner their necks, and then slowly left the building. Alpha Connor let everyone know that there will be a pack meeting tomorrow to update everyone on the plan for moving forward.
My dad was still holding Trevor. Still royally pissed off. No matter how much we begged, my dad was not letting Trevor go. I have to calm my dad down before he kills Trevor. My mother and I both start rubbing my dad’s arms and talking to him. I assured my dad that I was ok. I reminded him that I was his daughter. There is nothing Trevor can do to truly hurt me at this point. My dad finally lets Trevor go and Trevor drops to the floor.
After my father dropped Trevor, the alpha tried to get Trevor to see what he did wrong, and why it was wrong. The alpha explained how, when an alpha wolf is out of control, only his true mate and offspring can calm him down. By rejecting me, Trevor handicapped himself. I could tell that even with Alpha Connor explaining the mate bond, Trevor still didn’t understand the severity of what he did. He still tried to defend his actions by saying that he did what he thought was right for the pack. So Alpha Connor had to break it down for him. Then the Luna had to set him straight about her and other female warriors. After the Luna finished putting Trevor in his place for thinking that she would run and hide from a fight, Alpha continued trying to show Trevor his error in judgment and how he had lost the respect of the pack.
The rest of the night was pretty much Trevor getting his ass handed to him. It’s sad that he is the alpha heir, yet he knows nothing about werewolf history. As an alpha, he should have been trying to build the pack up, but his actions were tearing the pack apart. It seems like the more the alpha and luna talk to Trevor, the dumber he got. He keeps making snide comments, even after hearing where he was wrong. At one point, my dad reached for him again.
My true identity was revealed to Trevor and that fool is still posturing like what he did was right. At this point Alpha Connor is also losing patience with Trevor. The alpha slowly explains the mark to Trevor as if he was talking to a small pup. Sadly, the alpha had to give Trevor a full history lesson about my bloodline. After all of that, all Trevor could do was express surprise. Finally, a light bulb goes off and Trevor realizes that my family are descendant from the original gamma and protector.
The alpha confirmed my position as the descendent of an Original and current Protector. Alpha Connor also explained how the pack had been blessed and protected because of me and my family and any pack that we become connected to will receive the blessings that this pack has received, so by trying to get rid of me, Trevor was getting rid of the blessings of the goddess. My dad also made it known that if I go, my entire family goes. Trevor had a few “duh” moments. Even Tamaska link “Duh” to me a few times while Trevor was talking.
Of course, Trevor tried to push his authority again and implied that my family would not be permitted to leave, but Alpha Connor let him know that my family is not subject to the rule of an alpha. We serve Alpha Connor out of respect, not compulsion.
Trevor is quiet for a moment, then tells Alpha Connor that he didn’t know and thought he was doing the right thing for the pack. We have all had enough of Trevor and his excuses. He says he didn’t know, but I don’t think he cared to know. He decided what he wanted.
Alpha Connor looks at me thoughtfully, then asks me if Trevor and I may reconcile. Reconcile with Trevor? Never, but I don’t say it like that. I explained Trevor rejected me because of a training fight. Trevor was mad because I did not fight him like he was an enemy. Alpha Connor was surprised that Trevor was upset about that fight. Alpha Connor told Trevor that he had been bragging to everyone that Trevor lasted longer against me than any other warrior. Trevor had earned a lot of respect for the warriors that day but was too blinded by his pride to see that.
I can tell that Alpha Connor is worried about the future of the pack. He knows my secret. He knows I can release Trevor from the bond. Alpha Connors Asks me if I can forgive Trevor?
I let Alpha Connor know that his heir and the future of this pack has never apologized or asked for forgiveness. While I don’t see a future with him, he is the only heir for the pack, and since Convel did not do anything wrong, Tamaska and I released him from the bond. I did get a little petty and mention that I would be getting a second chance mate/Trevor asks me what do I mean by second chance mate?
Isn’t it self-explanatory? I think to myself. I just ignore him and keep talking to Alpha Connor. I let Alpha Connor know that I will not be asking my family to leave the pack. My cousin is mated to the future beta and I would not want to cause friction between them.
Alpha Connor asks if I can commit to coming back to our pack every three months to train the warriors. I told him I could agree to that. I do love and respect Alpha Connor. This is my pack. I still want to see this pack grow and become stronger.
Trevor finally speaks up. He apologizes for hurting me and Tamaska. He said that he hopes I will forgive him and that we can be friends again. I let Trevor know how I really feel about things. I can forgive, but I will never forget.
I walk back over to my parents. My dad wraps me up in his arms and we all get ready to leave. As we get to the door, Luna asks Trevor what he is going to do about Shana. I had forgotten she was even still there. I notice our friends were still there as well. They were looking shocked still. They did not know about the rejection, well, other than Mona. I know they all want to talk, but I link them and let them know that tonight will not be a good night to talk. I love them, but I am emotionally drained after that.