The Prophesied Mate

3-Gareth

3-Gareth POV

The council room was abuzz with activity as everyone bustled around, preparing for the meeting. I stood at the back of the room, my arms crossed over my chest as I watched.

"Silence! Silence everyone please!" Slamming my hand down on the table, everyone finally quietened down to a small whisper as opposed to the loud roar of angry indignation.

Alexander had been in our pack hospital for over a week and he was finally well enough to join us in calling for a council meeting. Everyone important was here. Including our newest member, Alpha Mikhail of the New Moon Pack.

"Thank you," I said quietly, looking around the room to make sure that everyone was paying attention. "Now, as most of you know, King Alexander of the South was found by my sister, injured off the coast. He is joining us today to discuss the circumstances surrounding his injury and why he was journeying to our lands."

Gasps and murmurs erupted throughout the room and I had to wait for them to die down before continuing.

"King Alexander, if you would like to share with us what happened?"

Alexander stood up, his large frame towering over the rest of us. He shifted uneasily before beginning to speak. "I was on a mission for my pack when I was injured. I was journeying to your lands because I had heard that your pack was powerful and could help me."

A ripple of surprise went through the room and I exchanged a look with my father, Thorne. It appeared that he too was surprised by Alexander's words.

"Why did you need our help?" Thorne finally asked, his voice deep and commanding.

Alexander hesitated before answering. "We have been experiencing surges in witch sightings...warlocks too. Although they haven't directly attacked us yet, I had heard from Regan that your pack had been at odds with witches and thought that with your allyship, we could work together to ensure the safety of all packs. I was attacked by a witch...Minerve on the journey here. I barely escaped with my life. Her darkness is overwhelming."

There was a long silence after Alexander's words and I could feel the tension in the room ratcheting up. Finally, my father stood up, his face thoughtful.

"I believe that we can offer you our allyship, King Alexander. But on one condition."

Alexander nodded his head, his eyes bright with hope. "What is your condition?"

"We need to know more details about you, your leadership and the way you run your pack. Each pack here is a part of our council, each has been vetted to ensure the safety of the others, your werewolf kingdoms will be no different." I watched as my father navigated negotiations. It was brilliant the way he held himself and the ability he has to command respect while also giving it.

Alexander hesitated before finally nodding his head. "Once the council adjourns we can work towards those conditions. My main concern is creating safety for the shifters from a potential war with the witches."

There was a round of applause, relief flooding through me as the council adjourned. We had managed to form a tentative alliance with the South and it would only serve to strengthen us in this time of need. I just hoped that it wouldn't be too late to formulate a plan to protect us all.

This was it. We were finally going to get some answers about what had been happening with the witches and warlocks in this time of tense peace. Especially now that King Alexander of the South was here.

As the council filtered out of the conference room, Regan, Alexander, my father and myself stayed behind. The long standing bond Thorne and Regan had proved to be helpful in uniting the members under a common goal, but having the South on board would solidify our peace treaties and trade agreements.

"Alexander, good to see you in good health again." Regan said as he clapped Alexander on the back.

"Thank you, Regan. I'm glad to be here." Alexander said, his voice gruff.

"Now, let's get down to business." My father interjected, his voice the epitome of authority.

Alexander nodded his head and began recounting the events that had led to him being injured and journeying to our lands. He spoke about the witches and warlocks sightings and how his pack was struggling to keep up with the increasing darkness.

It all sounded so familiar, like we were experiencing the same thing but on a smaller scale. I shared a look with Regan, worry etched in my features. We might have finally found allies in the South but if we didn't stop whatever was happening soon, it would only be a matter of time before the witches and warlocks attacked us all.

"I've been keeping the truth from Hope for some time now. We have doubled our border securities and tried limiting the time spent away from our lands, but the presence of rogues and witches has increased in the last few months as opposed to a year ago." I spoke, my father looking to me in surprise.

"You didn't tell me of this, son. Why not?"

I shifted uneasily under his gaze, guilt intensifying the worry I was already feeling. "I wanted to protect her...and prove to you and mom that I am capable. We've been safe so far and I didn't want her to worry."

"You are a grown man now, Hope is capable of handling herself. And as your mentor and senior advisor, it is my responsibility to ensure that you are both safe and well informed." My father said sternly before softening slightly. "But I understand your reasons. Now, tell me what you know about these rogues and witches."

Regan and I shared another look before I began recounting everything that we had learned over the last few months in our respective kingdoms. We told him about the increase in dark magic, the way it felt like it was choking the life out of everything good.

"If what you are saying is true, then it would appear that the witches and warlocks are escalating their attacks. It could be a sign that they are getting desperate." My father said, his face thoughtful.

"Desperate for what?" Regan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Power." My father responded gravely, his eyes darkening. "They want power and they will stop at nothing to get it. They are vengeful for past mistakes the shifters have done against them. The shift in power your mom and I underwent must have sent them into a frenzy, knowing we were gaining control and were more likely to defend ourselves and succeed."

We were all quiet for a moment, contemplating my father's words. If he was right, then that meant things were going to get worse before they got better. We needed to find a way to stop the witches and warlocks before they destroyed everything we had fought for.

"We should increase our patrols, be on the lookout for any signs of them." Regan said after a moment, his voice resolute.

"I agree." My father said, his face tightening in determination. "We will not let them win. We will find a way to stop them."

We all nodded our heads in agreement, determination giving us strength as we faced an unknown future.

"I am all for this plan, however, I need to get back to my people." Alexanders deep voice interrupted our planning. "Once we have a solid plan in place, I will need to return home, I hope you can understand that."

My father nodded his head, understanding in his eyes. "Of course, we are grateful for your help. We will send someone with you when the time is right to return home. The escort will serve as a pack link between your kingdom and ours until we have the proper encrypted communications systems in place that we do in Regan's kingdom."

"Thank you." Alexander said gruffly before turning and walking away. "I'm getting hungry...should we break for some lunch before we discuss the intricacies of our new alliance?"

My stomach growled in agreement and everyone laughed. It felt good to laugh, to have a plan and know that we were going to fight and win. An uneasy feeling had made its way into my core, but I had to remain strong for appearances. New alliances were hard to tie down and any sign of weakness could break it apart at any moment.

"Right this way." Regan took the lead, the rest of us following him to the dining room where the omega's had laid out a delicious looking buffet. The other alpha's had already dug in, taking their plates to various parts of the dining room as well as the adjacent outdoor patio that lead to the vast greenspace outside.

I piled my plate high with food, not really paying attention to what I was putting on my plate. My mind was too busy trying to come up with a plan. We couldn't let the witches and warlocks win, we needed to find a way to stop them. But how?

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear Regan sit down next to me until he spoke. "You okay?"

I looked up at him, guilt washing over me. I had been so caught up in my own thoughts that I hadn't even noticed that he had sat down next to me. "Yeah, I'm just worried about everything."

Regan nodded his head, understanding in his eyes. He reached over and took my hand, squeezing it comfortingly. "We will find a way to stop them. I promise."

I nodded my head, trying to believe him. Before I had a moment to respond, Hope entered, laughing and smiling at the alpha's in cordial politeness as both Regan and Alexander practically broke their necks craning to stare at her.

Elbowing Regan with a scowl, he looked at me apologetically, his face contorting as he watched Alexander approach her. "Brah, that's my sister, can you please stop! You were practically our uncle growing up!"

"Sorry man...she's just so beautiful..." He trailed off.

Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention back to Hope as she sat down next to me, her face flushed from the alpha's attention. "Hey sis."

"Hey." She smiled at me, her blue eyes twinkling. "I saw your fight this morning...you were amazing!"

Beaming with pride, I nodded my head. "Thanks, I was just doing what I had to do." We had been up at 5am on the training grounds trying advanced ju jitsu.

"That's the spirit." She grinned before piling food on her plate. "So what's the plan?"

Hope always had a way of knowing something was going on without being directly told. There was no point in hiding anything more from her, particularly when the arrival of the council was enough to alert her that something was afoot.

I filled her in on what we had planned so far, watching as she listened intently. When I finished, she nodded her head in agreement. "That sounds like a good start. We need to hit them where it hurts, take away their magic."

Nodding my head in agreement, I took a bite of my food, thinking about her words. We did need to take away their magic, but how were we going to do that?