Chapter 150 Revelations
946words
It had taken six hours to secure the borders. My wolf was pissed. I was barely holding on by a thread. I couldn't prove it, but I agreed with Beta Don—our borders had been compromised. Whoever was bold enough to stage this coup knew exactly what they were doing. It was the day of my sister's eighteenth birthday. If a strike were going to happen, today would be the perfect day, with Alphas from all over coming to celebrate with our pack. What's the saying? Kill two birds with one stone? Beta Don and I entered my office, and I felt my body melt into my leather chair.
"We have to keep them tight. I'm not risking a rogue attack on my sister's birthday," I explained to my second-in-command.
Beta Don didn't respond at once; instead, he moved to the bar cart and poured us both a much-needed drink.
"And if they aren't rogues?" he questioned as he placed the glass in front of me and tossed back his own. The single swig he took of the amber-colored contents told me he was as riled up as I was.
"The rest of the Alphas should be here already," I replied, rubbing my temples with my fingers.
"Look, Alpha, I think one of us should stand guard with the patrol during today's events. Considering it's your sister, we both know it should be me," Beta Don admitted.
I continued rubbing my temples more vigorously. "Don, you've been close to Sophia since she was a child. There's no doubt she'd be devastated if you weren't there. Do you really think the patrol can handle it? We just spent six hours ensuring there hasn't been a leak," I questioned.
"Think about it, Alpha—if anyone were to strike, why would they not wait and strike mid-ceremony? Our pack has been down this road already," he responded. I could feel the weight in his words. My mind took me back to all those years ago when my father was murdered in cold blood. It was the day not only my life but all of our lives changed. Even though a lot had changed since then, it didn't lessen the pain. Some days, it still felt like a fresh wound. I wouldn't make the same mistake this time.
I pulled out a pad of paper and began scribbling, then passed it to Beta Don, who nodded in agreement.
"The first 60 minutes, I want you leading the team. The following 60 minutes, I want our two deltas on the borders. You will return for the third hour, and I'll personally take the fourth," I repeated. "If anyone comes near a five-mile radius, I don't want them questioned. I don't want them imprisoned. Kill them. Send a message to anyone who could have the same fucking idea."
Beta Don froze before responding, but the moment his eyebrows knit together, I knew something had come up.
"Yes, sir," he replied promptly.
"Alpha, the Luna was sick today when she went to check on Sophia. She's claimed to everyone that it must be the flu, but the maids have just informed me..."
Have you ever felt like nothing was going right? Like you were a damn hamster on a wheel that never stopped spinning? I slammed my fists against my desk, opening the mind link with Adeline.
"Where are you?" I demanded.
"Well, hello to you too, Alpha. I'm just finishing up my run. My wolf was antsy—must be the nerves. I'll be back at the packhouse shortly to start getting ready," she explained.
I felt the room begin to spin, my emotions quickly blending together.
"Do you have a death wish? Don't you see that the pack is not safe right now? Fuck, Adeline, you know better than this," I argued hastily.
Adeline didn't bother to respond. That's when I knew my mate must be furious with me. Instead, she simply disconnected the mind link and blocked me out. She must be infuriated. Even as Alpha, I couldn't break down the wall she built.
"Any luck with a pack doctor?" I said to Beta Don. "You know how vital this is to Midnight Moon."
He shook his head, but I could see the regret playing on his face.
"I've called. I've left messages. No one is responding. I'm sure one of them must have received the request before traveling to Midnight Moon. We'll send a car to retrieve the doctor tonight after the celebration," he said.
I heaved a sigh. I needed my mate checked out. I needed to know what caused Doctor Raymond to flee the way he did.
"Go get ready for Sophia's big day," I told Beta Don, who gave me a small yet suspicious smile. I couldn't place why he seemed excited.
"Yes, Alpha," he responded without skipping a beat.
It wasn't long before I was staring blankly at the four walls of my office. It was funny how the past seemed to blend with the present, and the present seemed to blend with the future. Memories of my dad came to mind, meshed with random images of my mother. The devotion between the two of them. The recollection of the struggles I'd faced becoming Alpha followed by the joy I felt finding my mate. I thought of Sophia. I would give the world for her to find her mate.
I kept trying to open the connection with Adeline, but it was clear she was still irritated with me. So, I did the most logical thing I could and decided to go for one last border run before Sophia's birthday party in a desperate attempt to soothe my nerves.
