Valerie woke up startled when she heard the chaotic voices of her pack members. She was up in a minute. She threw off her covers and got up from bed to exit her bedroom. The next moment she was running towards the voices. When she reached downstairs she saw Jason was pacing frantically in the hall.

When he saw her he started rambling. "I don't know Alpha how it happened. Someone must have heard few things from us. I don't know. Maybe they heard me and Dominic talking. It's all chaotic out there."

"Relax Jason" Valerie put her hands on his shoulders. "Calm down and try to breathe."
"What is happening here?"

Valerie looked behind to find a sleepy Cayden and his beta coming downstairs. She ignored them and coaxed Jason to explain. Jason took a deep breath and started speaking. "Alpha some of the pack members had came to know that you and Alpha Cayden are mates. They are getting panicked that he is here to take over our pack and everyone is anxious."

Valerie looked towards Cayden but he shook his head. "Don't look at me like that. I haven't addressed my pack yet, so there is no chance that the thing leaked from my side."

Valerie ran a frustrated hand in her hair. With a determined look she moved and opened the door of pack house to exit. She saw few angry males outside shouting and yelling at Dominic who was trying hard to get situation under control. When they saw Valerie she heard frantic voices addressing her, asking about her being mates with Alpha Cayden.

She took a deep breath and with strong vigor she spoke. "There will be a pack meeting in half an hour. Each and every pack member should assemble in the pack ground."

There was a pin drop silence after her declaration, few of them nodded and left satisfied. Rest who still didn't budge from their position looked suspiciously towards her. But she ignored them and told Dominic to shut the door and have breakfast. When she returned inside, she heaved a sigh. Without saying anything she ascended stairs. Suddenly she stopped and looked back towards Cayden and said in a no nonsense firm tone. "I would like you to be present there, only you." And off she left.

Half an hour later Valerie saw that each and every member of her pack was present on the ground. When she approached the crowd everyone was looking intently towards her but when they saw Cayden approaching, whispers and murmures started amongst them.

Valerie raised her hand to stop the chatter. When everyone settled down Valerie looked towards the group of people that included her officers and warriors who were loyal to her and she felt a sense of satisfaction and proud. She looked towards another side and saw a small group that was standing aside from the rest that included her family members, the pack witch and the oracle. She was surveying the crowd for any possible violent outbreak. When her beast was satisfied with the situation not finding any imminent danger or challenge she exhaled and took the demeanor of a ruler.

"Speak your concerns." She ordered.

A middle aged man moved forward and stood in front of Valerie and bowed.

"Wallace Pearson." Valerie said acknowledging him and the man nodded. "What was the reason of outburst today?" she asked.

He cleared his throat and said. "Alpha we heard that Alpha Cayden is your mate and that an alliance is in order. We were just anxious about the future of our pack or who will rule us and what will be the status of our pack."

Valerie nodded in understanding and preceded saying. "Before that I would like to know how did you all came to know about this whole thing"

Wallace pointed towards her wife and said. "My wife told me this morning."

His wife gasped and she replied meekly. "I heard few women talking."

Valerie rolled her eyes and huffed irritated. It turned out that those women had heard it from some girl named Victoria. When Valerie called for the girl, she recognized her and realized that she helped Martha, her house keeper in cooking.

"Aren't you the one who helps Martha in cooking and if I am not wrong you started working recently after you finished your high school."

Victoria looked towards her and nodded her head in confirmation. Without an ounce of guilt she said. "I heard you and Jason talking."

There were gasps heard in the crowd. In a way she has insulted Valerie and Jason by taking their names instead of their titles. Monarchy was taken seriously amongst werewolves. Valerie narrowed her eyes annoyingly towards her but did not react in anger. She took a deep breath to tame her beast.

"Aren't you the daughter of the new family that we took in last summer? You were banished from your previous pack and were forced to live a life of rouge. Isn't it?"

Victoria grinded her teeth in anger on being reminded the incidence and nodded her head. Valerie gesticulated her to step aside and addressed her pack.

"To clear the air, yes, Alpha Cayden of Mystic Moon is my mate. His pack had to move from the Canadian borders to Alaska due to security reasons. The government there is corrupted by Hunters. So the government officials there with the help of government here in Alaska gave them land 6 miles away from our pack land. And some amongst you, who are helping in building their infrastructure, knows this very well."

She looked towards all who was listening to her intently, so she continued.

"We are not merging packs. My people are important to me and I know the reason for your anxiety is a possible change in administration. Be clear on this that I am and will be your Alpha, I haven't accepted him as my mate but that does not mean I will reject him. Cayden and I will find a solution for ourselves without compromising our packs."

She looked towards Cayden intently and continued saying. "I know he is not power hungry alpha, but if he will want to take my place or conquer my land he will have to do so on my dead body. I will die protecting you all till my last breath." She moved her gaze and looked towards her pack members. "Mark my words. I will not abandon you."

The pack members started cheering, applauding and rooting for her. Valerie raised her hand to stop the applause and continued speaking. "Eavesdropping while your alpha is talking and then spreading the rumors is not appreciated in this pack. And I can't ignore it. Victoria did not only spread the rumors but she lied too. I never said that I will merge the packs yesterday night when I was talking with Jason. Such atrocity won't be tolerated in this pack."

She looked towards the girl who was seething in anger. "You are terminated from all the official duties of the pack house. You are banned from every public gathering or festivity until I say so. Any oppose to my decision?"

Valerie gazed towards her pack members and then towards the family members of Victoria. When no one spoke she told everyone to leave and continue with their living routine.

**********

Valerie and her family were back in the pack house and were having breakfast when Cayden, Ryder his beta and Scarlet his head warrior joined them. Valerie noticed that Scarlet sat beside Cayden and smiled towards him affectionately.

Jason too noticed that and looked towards his alpha for a reaction but was surprised to see nonchalance. Valerie was about to instruct Dominic when Cayden called for everyone's attention.

"Alpha Valerie I have talked to my pack about us. After you and your pack left I called my pack members and told them everything. Many of them have also met your pack members in hope of finding a potential mate. They are now well acquainted. Umm.. I would like to tell you something more."

He fidgeted with his collar and looked anxiously towards Kevin and then towards Jennifer. He cleared his throat to speak but no sound came out.

"Whatever is it you want to say you can speak without any hesitation" Valerie encouraged.

"Right. So, I have decided to accept Scarlet as my Luna." Cayden said.

For a moment there wasn't any sound heard. Everyone was looking dumb struck towards Cayden and then suddenly everyone was looking towards Valerie.

Jason placed a hand on her shoulder and nudged her. Valerie exhaled a breath that she was not aware of holding. Her throat went dry and parched. She grasped the glass of water lying on the table and drank it. She placed the glass back and looked intently towards Cayden.

"Are you sure of your decision?" She asked Cayden.

He looked towards Ryder and then towards Scarlet who was fidgeting in her seat trying to avoid making eye contact with everyone. He knew if he said yes, he will be putting Scarlet's life in danger. Valerie's beast will react without thinking and being an alpha can tear Scarlet to death. But he wanted to make Valerie jealous so that she agrees to get marked by him.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. He thought. So he nodded. "Yes I am pretty sure."

Valerie felt like someone has punched her in the gut with so much force that every breath is knocked out. Her wolf sensing the challenge by a female that too strong one, wanted an out but Valerie took deep breaths and tried to control her shift.

Everyone was looking towards her intently without making any noise or moving a limb.

"Dominic." Valerie roared because she knew she was losing the battle with her beast. Dominic was up in an instant. He pulled Scarlet from chair and moved her behind him.

Cayden was trying to control his smirk. He knew whatever he is doing is wrong and unethical but still he did it. Changing color of Valerie's iris showed the battle that she was fighting with her wolf. She closed her eyes and tried to control her shivering.

Few moments later Valerie opened her eyes and everything went back to calm. The normal color of her iris was back. "It's okay now, Dominic."

Dominic assessed her alpha and when he was satisfied with the situation, he gestured Scarlet to sit and took his own seat.

"I am sorry for the whole ordeal." Valerie spoke. "My wolf wanted an out. Scarlet in a way challenged me. It took time to tame her. If, Alpha Cayden, you are sure of your decision then I will not say anything. You have my consent to move forward with this decision but as I said before, I won't reject you. If you want all the ties swerved then you will have to reject me. I can understand your position and need to have a Luna so I won't object. That being said please refrain showing affection to Scarlet in front of me. I can't say how my wolf will react. Rest I am okay with this."

She stood up from her chair and  said. "If you will all excuse me, I would like to continue my work. Jason and Dominic I would like you both in my office. Summon the witch also. I want to have a word with her and I think our tracker is due back today."

Valerie left the dining table to go into her office. Jason looked towards Cayden unimpressed and then he too left along with Dominic.

Cayden was left flabbergasted along with Ryder and Scarlet. Genesis and Kevin stood up leaving their breakfast half eaten.

"I didn't expect this from you son." Jennifer said and then she too left disappointed.

Cayden shook his head in embarrassment and shame. His beta's plan failed but he was proud on his mate. Today's incident showed that she is very tough and strong emotionally and had got level headed brain.

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