It was morning, and Treyton had never felt so refreshed. He had researched the Christmas Market in Huntington Beach, and many things would be on sale, and he was looking forward to it. However, he had other important things to attend to. He called Garret and said he wanted him and his wife to meet him in his study by 9 a.m. Treyton also informed his son that he wanted to meet him after dressing.

Moments later, there was a knock on the door. "Enter."

"Hey, Pops, you wanted to see me?"

"I did. Sit." The young man did as he was instructed. "You wanted to speak more about what happened yesterday?"

"I want you to be part of the meeting I will have with Garret and Trinidad. I have the blame for letting Trinidad get her way, but she is getting out of hand. However, you all need to be punished, son."

Aidoneus decided not to argue, knowing his father was still disappointed and upset. Father and son sat quietly until a minute before 9 a.m. when there was a knock on the door, and Treyton permitted whoever it was to enter.

Garret and Trinidad finally arrived. Aidoneus noticed Garret looked concerned, while Trinidad looked like it wasn't a big deal. "She's in for a big surprise," Aidoneus thought. When the couple entered, Treyton eyed them with no emotion. Everyone felt his Alpha aura, and that was when everyone knew that he meant business.

Trinidad looked as if she was about to speak, but Garret held her hand and squeezed it as if telling her not to mutter a word. "Aidoneus, please stand." The young man did what he was told and prepared himself for punishment. Treyton looked at the trio and sighed. "I think you all know why you are here in my presence. I understand you all were curious and worried, but I still can't ignore that my privacy has been invaded." He then looked at Garret. "I'm highly disappointed in you, Garret. I understand that you love your wife but you can't forget that you're the Beta of my pack and you also hold authority."

"I understand, Alpha. Forgive me for disappointing you. I should have been stricter with my wife."

Trinidad knew she was a blabbermouth, but sometimes, she forgot her limitations. "Treyton..." When he glared at her, she cleared her throat. "Alpha. Please don't blame my husband and Aidoneus. You know how stubborn I can be. I was the one who insisted they follow me, so if anyone needs to be punished, it is me."

It was silent momentarily until Treyton continued. "I appreciate you taking responsibility, Trinidad, but they are also adults. They knew they could've refused, but they didn't. With that in mind, I have thought of your punishments." He looked at his son first. "Aidoneus, you will not have any authority of the pack until the end of Christmas. You are to think of what you have done. Do you understand?"

Aidoneus didn't express anything but was upset about his father's decision. Since he was to be the future Alpha, he wanted to participate in the meetings with his father. However, Aidoneus knew that his father wouldn't change his mind. "I accept my punishment, sir."

"Garret, since you're my Beta, you will take responsibility for your wife's actions and decisions. With that, you are stripped of your responsibilities and rank until Christmas."

Trinidad gasped. "T-Treyton! That's just too cruel! Garret has been your Beta ever since you became Alpha! Please, my husband is innocent!"

"Silence!" Everyone flinched; Treyton's glowed in a golden color. "Garret knew better than to follow your word. If he can't say no to you, how can I trust him in such a position? A Beta cannot let anyone of a lower rank control him and his decision-making." Deep down, it hurt Treyon to speak as he did toward Garret; they had been best friends for years. However, he was still Alpha and had to show his pack that no one could sway him. "Garret, I am not entirely stripping you of your rank; it's only temporary. Think of it as a break and for you to show me if you still have what it takes to be Beta still. Do you understand?"

Garret didn't look at Treyton; he felt embarrassed. He knew Treyton didn't want to make a harsh decision, but his word was law. "Yes, Alpha. I understand and swear I will not disappoint you again."

Then, Treyton and Trinidad looked at one another. "As for you. I hope you finally understand when your opinions are needed. Again, I appreciate that you care about my well-being, and I will not deny that it has comforted me. However, I cannot have you involved too much in my personal life. As for your punishment, you will not participate in planning and preparing for this year's Christmas Party."

Trinidad bit her lower lip but decided not to say anything; she didn't want to worsen her husband's situation. "I understand, Alpha."

"Both of you may leave. Aidoneus, you stay."

Husband and wife walked out of the building while Aidoneus stayed behind. Father and son ensured that they were entirely alone. When they heard the echo of the door closing, the young man looked at his father. "Pops, an Alpha must do everything possible to show authority and protect the pack. Still, that was extreme."

"I know, son. I hate myself for taking drastic measures. However, Trinidad is stubborn and hard-headed and thinks everything is a game. She finally realized that I wasn't playing since Garret was affected. It will make her finally think of her actions." Treyton's look softened as he looked at his son; he stood from his seat and went to his son. The Alpha patted his son on the head. "As for you, think of your punishment as an opportunity to get to know your mate. You and I are in a similar situation since our mates are human. We eventually have to tell them about our true identities."

Aidoneus's eyes widened. "S-So, you planned this so you could allow me to be more with my mate?"

"Not only that, it will give you space away from Trinidad. I don't want her to interfere in your private life. You may ask if you still need her advice, but let her know you have limitations. Understand?"

"Yes, Pops."

"Good, now go along. We'll go out to eat and you can tell me more of your mate."

The young man nodded as he left his father's study. Treyton sat back in his chair and opened his laptop to continue working. Then, his phone vibrated. He grabbed it and looked at the Caller ID; he stilled. Treyton took a deep breath and answered. "Hello, Calista."

It was silent on the other end, but there was a response. "Hello, Treyton."

It had been a while since Treyton heard his ex-wife's voice. After their divorce, he was bitter and hurt. Whenever Calista tried to call and speak to him, he would refuse. Now that he had found his mate, all his negative feelings were gone. "Calista, what a surprise. I didn't think you would call."

"I guess you can say that I'm full of surprises. Aidoneus told me about your decision to have Nicolas and me for the pack's Christmas Party. I wanted to thank you." Calista was silent momentarily but then continued. "How have you been? I-I know what I did was so sudden. I couldn't think straight. I-I didn't put your feelings into consideration."

"Calista, what happened between us is over. I'll admit that I was angry and hurt, but you found your mate. I was selfish to keep you away from the man you truly belonged with." Treyton sighed as he laid back on his chair. "I didn't want Aidoneus to tell you this. I thought it was more of my place, but I...finally found my mate."

It was silent on the other end. The clock ticked and tocked, making Treyton nervous; his right leg moved up and down rapidly. He was about to say something, but he heard Calista squeal. She was so loud that he felt that his eardrum was going to explode. "You found your mate!? Oh, Treyton, I'm so happy for you!" From afar, Calista called out to her mate, Nicolas, and told him the news. Treyton shook his head and let out an annoyed groan; it was his bad habit. Calista eventually calmed down. "S-Sorry, I just couldn't help but be happy for you! Tell me more about her! Is she a werewolf from another pack?"

The Alpha contemplated whether to tell Calista the truth about Maeve. He wanted to tell her in person, but the Christmas Party would be soon, and he didn't want Calista to take the time to comprehend who his mate was. "Calista, my mate is a human woman. She doesn't know who I am yet, but she knows I have Aidoneus and a divorcee."

"Oh, well, it's common for werewolves to get human mates. So when are you planning on telling her?"

"Before Christmas, I am trying to give her clues about my identity, but I'm failing horribly."

Calista giggled at the other end. "Well, just be upfront with her. Tell her the truth. Nowadays, movies and books about our kind are popular among humans. Who knows, she might accept you immediately."

"Well, there is a difference between fantasy and reality. I'm scared my mate may not be so open to what I am." Treyton hesitated momentarily. "There's another thing that you need to know. My mate is eighteen years younger than me." His ex was silent again. People, even werewolves, did have issues if one's partner had specific age gaps. "Calista? Are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm still here. Sorry, I was surprised. I'm not going to lie, but there's quite an age gap between you two."

"I know. I was just as shocked as you and everyone else. Sometimes, I wonder why the Moon Goddess does things, but I trust her judgment. Maeve and I are not so different either."

"So her name is Maeve, eh." Calista sighed at the other end. She and Treyton were the same age, but when finding out that his mate was eighteen years younger than she was, Calista couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. However, the former Luna knew that she had no right to feel anger since she found her mate. Calista knew she couldn't be selfish since she caused Treyton pain."Well, she is still young, but like I said, you need to be upfront with her. It could take time for her to accept it."

Treyton couldn't help but notice a hint of jealousy in his ex's tone. He expected as much since Maeve was younger than her. "I will, Calista. Thank you for your advice. When would you be okay arriving to help with the Christmas Party preparations?"

"Oh, maybe Nicolas and I could arrive by next week on Friday, if that is okay."

"That sounds good. If you send me the link to the flight you are interested in by Tuesday, I will purchase the tickets for you."

"There's no need for that, Treyton. Nicolas and I will pay for our own."

"Well, would you be interested in staying in one of the cabins I own in Big Bear for the holidays?"

Calista giggled. "That sounds delightful. I miss staying on a cabin and being away from the city. We appreciate it, Treyton. I will text you about our flight information. Also, good luck."

The two hung up, and Treyon sighed in relief as he put his phone on his desk. He thought it would be an awkward phone call, and Calista would've had a fit about Maeve's age, but everything went smoothly. Yet, Calista's words echoed in his mind: "Be upfront with her." He believed it was subtle, but yet again, it was the 21st century, and people now aren't as closed-minded as they were back then.

"Hmm, maybe I should bring the topic up for tonight."