Blood Moon

Chapter Nine- Autumn's POV

I flung myself into him over the moon at his words. But my happiness was short lived as I remembered he was an Alpha. He had to go back to his pack, otherwise his absence would cause others to come and take his position. Alex noticed my change in moods and he pulled back slightly to look at me. Confusion written on his face.

"What's wrong?"

"Alex you must leave too." I responded sadly.

"What? Why would I leave my mate?" he almost roared, anger in his tone.

I smiled up at him caressing the side of his face as he leaned into my touch.

"Alex, you're an Alpha. If you're away from your pack too long your position will be stolen from you. You must be with your pack, as a sign of courage, strength and unity. You have to go back and lead and protect your pack. No, I don't want you to go but you must. Your pack needs you." 

I saw as the anger left him replaced by understanding and sadness.

"Come with me?" 

It took every ounce of self control not to break down into sobs right now as I shook my head.

"I can't Alex just as your people need you mine need me. I am Alpha right now, Queen and King, I have to clean this mess, address my pack about what happened and bring my pack back from this. I wish I could go with you, I want nothing more than to be by your side. But my love, there is a silver lining. You and the members of your pack that joined can stay here and rest for the night, and we can finish the mating ritual. As you return home you will bear my mark and I will address my people bearing yours. Both packs would know. Yours would know they had a Luna and mine would know they had a Prince. When all is settled here Lucas can take over for a few days to allow me time to visit your pack so you could introduce them to their Luna. Then you return with me so I can introduce you as my Prince and future King. How does that sound?" 

His brows furrowed as my words washed over him. I knew it was not an ideal situation and neither one of us liked the idea of leaving the other, but what else could we do? 

"NO" Alexander stated flatly.

I sighed "Alex, what other option do we have? Both our packs need their leaders."

"Exactly, LEADERS! plural Autumn. Yours needs their prince, mine need their Luna. I will bring my pack here, we can merge our packs now, under your rule before your father returns."

I stood there frozen as I arched my brow at him.

"Would you really be willing to lose your title as Alpha until my father retires, lose it to me until he returns?" I asked

"I would lose the title of Alpha and gain the title of Prince of Alphas. I'd still have some say in what happened to our people. I would still hold power, just under the king."

"That's true. You would still need to go back and announce your plans. Make preparations and give your people a choice. It is not a process that can be done overnight Alex, It takes time."

"Yes, but not nearly the time it would take to go back and forth. We will complete the mating process tonight and I will go to my pack and bring them here and remain by your side until our dying breath." He whispered the last part into the crook of my neck and kissed my shoulder softly. 

Someone cleared their throat bringing Alex and I back to the people still  in the room.

"I'm sorry. You all may leave, go check on your families."  I told them

"Thank you Alpha '' they said quickly running from the room. Alpha? it sounded so strange to me it's a title I never intended to acquire. 

I sighed as I ran my hand over my blood matted hair "Well I better go get cleaned up and see how things are progressing. Care to join me?" 

I asked looking at his bare chest and paper hospital pants he wore. My clothes were no better, the torn dress covered in blood. Since I shifted my ball gown and was furious when I shifted it was ripped and torn. Alex nodded at me smiling. 

Grabbing his hand I led him to my room. Once there I went straight to the bathroom turning on the water and stripping, baring myself to Alex. I watched as his eyes scanned every part of my body memorizing it.

"Beautiful" he breathed

I smiled at him beaming, my wolf prancing in circles wagging her tail at his complement. Amara was so excited to finally be alone with our mate.