The Wisteria Alpha

CHAPTER 17~Visitor~

Devlin

       I carried Lotus into my office, settling her onto the sofa, while I took my seat at my desk. All of my ranked members walked in with Elder Regan following behind. He shut the door and turned to us. His face looked grim.

     “Alpha, I’m sorry to call this meeting so hastily. But I have information that is time sensitive,” he said. I inclined my head, telling him to continue. “The Assembly refuses to launch an investigation until the Wisteria Alpha is fully marked, mated and has had her Alpha ceremony.”

“WHAT?!” everyone shouted at once. Everyone was trying to talk over each other while Elder Regan tried to explain, his words barely audible over the ruckus. “QUIET!” I boomed with my Alpha tone. They all shut their mouths, I motioned for the elder to continue.  

    “The Assembly is only requesting this for the Luna’s safety and for legitimate reasons to pursue the Council. If she is claimed by a pack, the Council will see that she has backing and protection, therefore giving the Assembly a reason to intervene. We want to move quickly so the ceremony will have to be on the next full moon.”

     “But the next full moon is in four days.” Lotus mentioned quietly. “It is Luna, that is why we must prepare soon.” “What happens after the ceremony?” Lily asked. “The Assembly will be able to fully support the pack, investigate the m******e of Wisteria, and provide additional protection to the Alpha family.” Elder Regan explained.

     “That’s great and all, but the ceremony is my main concern.” Lila said. “Why?” I questioned, looking at Lotus. Lila answered, “Two reasons. First, a female Alpha ceremony is different from a Luna ceremony. A Luna is sworn in as a Luna. She swears to serve, honor and protect the pack and to answer to her Alpha.” “So?” Donnie asked. “So, a female Alpha answers to no one.” Lily countered. “She has all the rights of a male Alpha. She bows to no one and is second no other Alpha. She cannot swear a Luna’s oath. Her place of rank is not beneath him, but next to him.” Lotus finished.

     “And the second?” I asked with clenched teeth. “The pack will have to accept her, not as a Luna, but as a co-Alpha.” Elder Regan advised. “It is a difficult task because they do not know her. They also won’t understand why she needs to be an Alpha, especially since she will be fulfilling the Luna’s duties.” Lily added.

      I’d be lying if I said that I was ok with this. It was too soon for there to be a ceremony. The pack would reject her. My pride wanted me to tell her that I wanted to be the only Alpha. But I would not deny her of her birthright. I didn’t want to set a bad example for Summer. She was an Alpha by right and she deserved to be treated as one. If I asked her to do this, I would lose her forever. “We will prepare for the ceremony.” I announced. Lotus stared at me with worried eyes. Her sisters stayed quiet. 

      “I will notify the Assembly. I’m positive they will want to attend.” Elder Regan said before I dismissed him. “We also need to notify the pack.” Brantley said. “Yes, send a mass mind-link.” Brantley nodded and got to work. Members of Crescent Woods, your Alpha, Devlin Frost, requests your assistance in welcoming your new Luna to the pack. The ceremony will be held in four days on the full moon. Your attendance is mandatory. “That was perfect.” I told him. 

    I watched the girls who were quietly whispering to each other on the couch. There was a knock on the door and my parents came in. They had the pups who seemed to be having a great time; they were filled with giggles and fists happily swinging. Lotus stood up to grab August and I took Summer and Autumn. 

    “We heard the mind-link. I’m so thrilled to have you officially a part of the pack.” my father told Lotus. My mother gasped when she saw the twins. “Who are you?” she asked. “These are my sisters, Lila and Lily.” Lotus introduce them. “Hi, I’m Lily, Brantley’s mate.” my mom gasped again. “I’m Lila, Cyrus’s mate.” she gasped even louder, I rolled my eyes. So dramatic. She turned to B and Cy, her angry little fists in the air. “YOU TWO BETTER EXPLAIN WHY YOU DIDN’T TELL ME YOU HAD FOUND YOUR MATES!!” she shouted, pounding into them. 

       “Auntie Abbie, wait!” Brantley said, narrowly ducking her fist from connecting with his face. “We can explain!” Cy tried to say, catching a punch to the gut. We were all laughing at the scene when another knock came to the door. Donnie answered it, his face falling. “Come in.” Lotus said, sitting down in my chair with August.

     Marie walked in, her smile falling from her face too. The room got quiet, everyone registering the new visitor. Cyrus spoke first, “What are you doing here Marie?” “I came back last night, my cottage is finally finished.” she said, her voice sounded sweet but I knew of the venom it could hold. “No, don’t play dumb. What are you doing here, in the Alpha’s office?” Brantley said, crossing his arms.

      She flinched at his words, feigning innocence. “I heard the mind-link. I came to speak with Devlin.” she spoke softly, her gaze turning to me. “Speak to me about what? I’m clearly busy.” She looked down and stared at the girls. Her eyes filled with hurt. “I came to ask that you don’t proceed with Luna ceremony.” I stood still, not believing what I just heard. Donnie stood behind her growling. I saw Lotus in the corner of my eye, standing up behind me.

Lotus

     I stood up and stared at the woman. She was tall, possibly as tall as the twins. She had short auburn hair, round brown eyes and pouty pink lips. She looked genuinely hurt by Devlin’s words, unlike her fake response to Brantley’s. She held a pale hand to her chest, waiting for Devlin to respond. I handed August over to his grandmother who was frowning.

      “And who are you to ask such a thing?” my voice came out cold with jealousy. She flicked her gaze over to me, her dislike clear as day. “I am Devlin’s mate.” Lila and Lily shot up to their feet, their growls low in their throat. I raised my hand to stop them. “I believe you are mistaken. I am his mate, mother to his children, and his Luna.”  

     Her eyes flashed with anger. “You already have a mate. He is not me. You’ve made that very clear.” I shivered at Devlin’s cold tone. “I know Devlin, but if we could talk about this alone, I can explain to you.” she pleaded. “I do not think that is a good idea. And it's Alpha Devlin to you.” I remarked. She glared at me, “You’re clearly unmarked and until that time comes, you have no say!” she shouted. 

      I walked around the desk, ignoring the pain in my ankle, and stood in front of her. “In the eyes of the law, I am the Luna of this pack. My word does matter and I will not stand for someone as disrespectful as you. So, when you address me or my mate, you will address us properly. Am I understood?” I used my Alpha tone; I could see some of my aura leaking from the cloaking necklace I still wore. Marie bent her head, “Yes ma’am” she responded, her voice filled with rage. “YES WHAT?!” I roared. “Yes Luna!” she yelped. “Now leave us!” Marie turned around enraged as she stomped out of the office. 

      I spun my head around and scowled at Devlin. “Is she the reason why you didn’t want to accept me in Tokyo?” my voice was dangerously calm. Devlin’s eyes were hard to read, “Umm. Lotus, let me take you up to our room, and we can talk it out.” Wrong answer. 

         Brantley groaned, rubbing his face; his mother closed her eyes in disappointment. “Donavon.” I whispered; he was already behind me. I nodded and he picked me up, “I want to leave.” Donnie turned towards the door. “Donnie don’t you dare leave with her.” Devlin thundered. “I’m sorry Dev, she’s my Alpha too.” Donnie replied, taking me out of the room.

Devlin

    I stood in disbelief, watching Donnie leave with my mate. The room was quiet until Lila spoke, “Alpha, you my good sir, are a f*****g idiot.” She walked over to me and grabbed Autumn. “It was a simple yes or no question,” Lily replied, close behind her sister, she plucked Summer from my arms. My mother had August and glared at me while she followed behind them. “We’ll be in the nursery.” she told dad before exiting.

     “Bro, what the f**k is wrong with you?” Brantley asked. “What did I do wrong?! I told her we could talk about it!” Cyrus groaned, “Yeah but your response was handled poorly. You definitely made it seem like you and Marie still had a thing going on when you met her in Tokyo.” “But I didn’t!” I defended myself. Brantley countered, “But she doesn’t know that! All she knows is that you f****d her and dismissed her for some unknown reason.” Cyrus added, “Now she thinks the unknown reason is Marie!”

    My face paled at their words. It was all a misunderstanding! What if she thinks that I still have feelings for Marie? What if she leaves me for this? “Then you had the balls to order Donnie to stay after she gave him a direct command.” Brantley just added salt to the wound. I looked at my dad for wisdom, “Dad, what do I do?” 

     He shook his head, “Well, son, I think it's time for you to sit down and actually think about keeping this woman in your life. You’ve pushed her away, hid the truth from her, and questioned her authority in front of her own Delta. You need to understand that he answers to her first, not you. You have to be ok with her being your equal. If you still decide to keep her, then my first step is to grovel and beg for forgiveness. I’d let her cool off first.” 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I cowered in my office; it was close to 11 o’clock. I had spent the whole day thinking about what my dad said. I needed to tell Lotus the truth about Marie. I would never let go of Lotus ever again. My heart couldn’t take it. I didn’t care if she was an Alpha, and I understood why she said she couldn’t accept me. If I wasn’t so busy ripping her clothes off, she would’ve explained. 

    I rubbed my face and finally headed back to our room. I quietly closed the door and checked on the pups who were all quietly tucked away. I took off my shirt and stripped down to my boxers. I got on my side of the bed and turned to her. She had her back to me; she was awake and tense.

    “Marie approached me when I was 18 and she was 21. She had told me she felt the mate pull and had wanted to be with me. I gave her my everything but she still wanted more. She wanted me to mark her but I wanted to wait until I turned. I had wanted to do it right.” I told her. Her shoulders started to relax and she leaned back a little.

    “When I turned 21, I ran to her, excited that I could officially be her mate. I found her in the arms of another man. She was furious and broke my heart. I felt like she had soiled me. I was scared to put all of my love into someone again. I didn’t want to give you my tainted heart. I wanted you to have someone better. I’m sorry I didn’t get to explain before you met her.” I finished. 

       She stayed quiet, I thought she was too angry to talk. I turned my back to her, feeling defeated. This was the first night since she’s been back that I haven’t held her. I already knew I wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. 

      After a few minutes passed I closed my eyes. I felt the bed move and her small hand wrapped around my waist. My heart leaped in my chest. “I'm so sorry she did that to you Devy.” she whispered. Devy? She gave me a nickname! My heart burst with joy. I intertwined my fingers with hers, pulling her closer to my back. Her face snuggled into me and I could feel her even breaths. It's not so bad being the little spoon, I thought as I grinned into the night like a fool.