Alpha Rising: Her Revenge

6: It's Him

Kendria

I shook my head and retraced my earlier steps down the hall to the stairs to meet Luna Dianne. I could feel my palms growing sweaty and hoped I wouldn't smudge the thick report in my hands. The tantalizing forest rainfall scent surrounded me again, making me feel excited, and apprehensive at the same time.

By the time I got to the first floor, I felt completely at odds with my own self. Part of me wanted to go and make our pack's case to the elders, part of me wanted to run away, and part of me wanted to ignore everything else in my life and track down my mate. That part of me, spearheaded by Daria, was getting more and more insistent.

Luckily, the sight of Luna Dianne by the entryway snapped my focus back to my main goal. "You look wonderful, dear," she said warmly. I was starting to notice she said 'dear' a lot, but I liked it. She was the embodiment of a Luna, warm, inviting, and gracious, but somehow you knew she was also strong and steady.

I looked down at my outfit. Harlie really had put together a great look for me. I was wearing a rich burgundy strapless dress, with a sweetheart neckline and a high low skirt that swished pleasantly around my legs as I walked. On top of this was a cream colored sleeveless lace cardigan that was so long it swept behind me in a small train. The look was topped off by a thick brown leather belt that pulled the cardigan close to my waist to show off my figure, and brown ankle boots to match. As always, I sported my rose gold locket, but also with a pair of earrings that complemented it nicely. Harlie had pulled my hair back from my face with a set of loose french braids and curled the rest so it cascaded down my back.

I never felt more beautiful in my entire life.

I smiled shyly at Luna Dianne. "Thank you, that's very kind of you to say," I told her.

"But it's true!" Luna Dianne beamed at me, then her eyes went out of focus for a few seconds while she presumably mind-linked someone. "They're ready for you, so we better get going," she said, holding the door open for me.

I followed her down the walk to a packed dirt path that led west. In the distance I could see several generous-sized houses with a sprawling white farmhouse-style building in the middle. "Most of the meetings and events this week will happen in that building up ahead," Dianne said, pointing at it. "If we'd known you were coming we would have made sure we had another guest house built, but hopefully you're comfortable enough in our pack house," she finished apologetically.

"It's more than comfortable, and we thank you for your kindness in the face of a group of unknown wolves," I said gratefully. However I felt about Harvest Moon, it was impossible not to like Dianne. Plus, there was no way she had a hand in her pack turning their backs on us in our time of need.

That decision was made by her husband, the Alpha.

I was startled out of my reverie by Dianne wrapping her arm around my shoulders in a quick side hug. "You're not unknown, Kendria. A surprise, but not unknown. I never dreamed there were any survivors, let alone part of the Blue Hills Alpha family." She teared up. "I'm so glad to see you, my dear."

"Um, I'm happy to see you too," I said awkwardly. In truth, I didn't remember much about her from my visits as a child, but I was more than happy to have a friendly face on my side.

"Okay, here we are," Dianne said, arriving at the double doors. "Please escort Ms. Kendria Warner to the Elder Council chambers to present her case for official pack status." I looked at her in alarm. "I have much to do before this evening, dear," she said gently, giving my hand a squeeze. "But I will see you at the banquet after you're finished. Your whole delegation is invited, and I want to make sure the catering staff is aware of the increased numbers."

I felt a little guilty, hearing that. But hey, we did our part to inform them in advance. It wasn't our fault something got lost in translation. "Okay. Thank you so much, Luna Dianne," I said sincerely, meaning it.

"No, thank you for coming here, Kendria," she replied, squeezing my hand again. "It brings me joy." With that, she swept away, leaving me alone with the two guards.

I stepped into the entryway, a high-ceilinged room with a large window set over the front doors and a gorgeous chandelier hanging from above. "This way, miss," one of them said, gesturing for me to follow him down the hall. The heels of my boots clacked on the polished wood floors. Large landscapes were hung on the crisp white walls, and small gold plaques denoted the different meeting rooms and conference halls within the building. At the very end of the hallways was a set of double doors with "Elder Council Chambers" set above them. I gulped as we drew near. The entire walk was intimidating. I briefly wondered if it was on purpose.

"Here we are, miss," the guard said, pulling one of the doors open for me.

"Thank you," I said, squaring my shoulders. I could do this. I was Kendria Warner, daughter of Kendrick Warner, Alpha of Blue Hills pack. I was born to lead.

I took a deep breath and strode into the room to present my case.

---

"And that's our long-term plan for sustainability and growth," I finished. The Elders all looked silently back at me. There were eighteen of them, one from each pack, all sitting on one side of a curved oak table facing the room. I was by myself at a sturdy podium facing them, feeling the eyes of a handful of alphas and ranked members from other packs in the rows of seats behind me boring into my back.

It took all my self control not to fidget at the podium while I waited for someone to speak. From what I could tell, my presentation was met with mixed feelings. Some Elders seemed encouraging and open to the idea, some seemed stern and doubtful, while a few were completely unreadable. If they let us become an official pack, Naomi would join their ranks next year.

Finally, an older Elder near the center spoke. "I'm afraid you present us with a problem, Ms. Warner."

I cleared my throat. "What kind of problem?"

"The problem is your pack of origin," the Elder looked down his nose at me. "You were originally part of the Blue Hills pack, correct?"

"Yes," I said promptly.

I looked more closely at the Elder. He had dull brown hair and steely gray eyes. Before him was his nameplate, which read "Elder Jonathan," on the top line and "Harvest Moon" in slightly smaller letters underneath. "You see, Blue Hills now belongs to Silas," Elder Jonathan said, ignoring my scrutiny.

"Blue Hills will never belong to him," I burst out. "The Blue Hills pack died with my father and brothers."

"Nevertheless," he said flatly, discounting my words, "Silas now resides on those lands and repeatedly seeks official pack status. How do we know you're not secretly here on his behalf?"

I couldn't believe it. Daria was snarling in my mind, and I was struggling to remain calm. "Silas killed most of my family and friends," I bit out through gritted teeth. "I would never do anything on behalf of that evil man."

"There's also the matter of several potential pack members on your list being criminals," Elder Jonathan spoke again. His face remained placid but his eyes glittered. I could tell he was the type of person who wielded his power like a weapon and enjoyed lording over others. Now I had an additional reason to hate this stupid pack. I bet he advised Alpha Rhys not to help us all those years ago.

"What do you mean, criminals? I can personally vouch that none of them have committed any crimes for as long as I've known them," I stated, desperately trying to maintain some sense of professionalism.

"Several of these wolves were banished from other packs and made to become rogues due to crimes committed against their fellow pack members. Surely you should think twice before attempting to create a new pack made up of those types of wolves?" Elder Jonathan inquired innocently.

A few seats down, in the middle of the table, a silver-haired woman held up her hand. Her nameplate read Elder Kara, Howling Rivers Pack. If I remembered correctly from Naomi's overview of the council before we came here, she was the new head Elder and had been on the council the longest, and became an Elder at an unusually young age. I straightened up, knowing whatever she said would hold great weight with the council. "Now, let's not jump to conclusions, Elder Jonathan." She said with a warning glance in his direction. "We're all aware that not all wolf banishments are justified, and that redemption is possible for those that were." She looked at Elder Jonathan sharply, who harrumphed and leaned back in his chair, ceding the floor. I allowed myself an infinitesimal sigh of relief. She at least seemed rational and level-headed. It gave me hope that we would succeed and become an official pack by the time the Gathering was over.

Elder Kara looked down the table at the other council members. "Now then. If the Council agrees, I propose we take the week to review the details of Ms. Warner's report. We should review the cases of her pack members that were cast out of other packs to make sure they're not truly dangerous, as well as conduct a more thorough analysis regarding the sustainability of their businesses." She turned to me. "Is that amenable to you, Ms. Warner?"

I nodded, a little dazed. "Yes. Thank you, Elder Kara."

She smiled at me in return. "You certainly caused quite a shakeup when you arrived. What an exciting Gathering this is shaping up to be!" A few other elders chuckled at her words. "We will also want to see your appointed Elder this week. A Miss...Naomi Spencer?" She said, flipping through the copy of the report I gave the council after arriving.

"Just let us know when you'd like to see her and she'll be there," I promised.

Kara nodded her head and closed the report. "Oh, Ms. Warner?"

"Yes?" I said faintly, not knowing what else they might ask.

"You can relax, now. I'm sure my fellow council members agree that your case presentation was very thorough and professional, and came from a strong, intelligent young woman," she smiled at me.

I looked down the line. By now, it seemed that most of the elders were in agreement with her, but Elder Jonathan and a few others still looked a little sour. I could only hope that I had swayed enough elders to our side that they would approve us and allow us to become an official pack under the full moon at the end of the week.

Toward the end of the line, a grim looking middle-aged man with dark curly hair graying around the ears spoke. "Thorough and professional, yes. But let it be known that we will be watching you and your delegation closely this week, Ms. Warner. The Gathering is a time-honored tradition, and if you expect to join in, then we expect you all to honor the codes of conduct in place that makes the meeting of so many packs at once possible. Utmost decorum and respect is required." He looked down his nose at me as he finished.

"Of course, Elder Gregory. You can count on our best behavior," I said, reading his nameplate. He was Waxing Crescent's Elder, which meant he hailed from Florida. I was glad we weren't close neighbors. Unlike Elder Jonathan and Harvest Moon. But some things couldn't be helped. This week I would have to work hard to show them all that we were serious about becoming an official pack, and worthy of the honor.

"They'll be fine, Greg." Elder Hayes from Silver Moon Pack spoke up.

"I'm not so sure about that," Elder Jonathan said, his face slightly pinched. "If you'll just—"

"What aren't you so sure about?" Elder Hayes interrupted. There was a ripple of mutters along the council table as private whispers between other elders began.

"It has been many years since she and the wolves with her have been part of civilized society. I find it difficult to believe they know how to behave appropriately," Elder Gregory griped. Jonathan nodded smugly in agreement.

"We're not heathens," I retorted hotly over the growing noise. "Just because we've lived in the mountains for years doesn't mean we didn't have role models or were cut off from humanity. In fact, we're—"

The door to the council chambers banged open abruptly behind me, silencing everyone. Startled, I jumped and felt shivers roll over my skin.

Suddenly, it hit me. Fresh spruce and rainfall. I slowly turned to see a tall man with a chiseled face and stunning physique, breathing hard and staring right back at me. My breath hitched. I recognized him from my youth. It was Rowan, son of the alpha of Harvest Moon. The very pack that refused to help mine when we needed it most.

Oh no.

“Mine,” he growled, striding forward and crushing me to his chest. The rich rainy pine scent emanating from him engulfed me along with his strong arms.

Mate! Screamed Daria in my mind.

Oh no.