Three

Mykel’s POV

“Benjamin to what do we owe the displeasure” the moment we entered the dining hall his eyes became fixated on Lilith. Her grip on my hand became tighter only proving how uncomfortable she felt around him.

“Good morning Mykel, Lilith always such a pleasure” I growled at his informal introduction. He was visiting us; he didn’t know us personally so for him to not use our titles was a massive sign of disrespect. “Oh, aren’t you moody this morning. I just thought I would arrive early and… enjoy the scenery before the meeting” His eyes trailed over Lilith a snarl leaving my lips had him smiling at my reaction.

“Fine but I’m warning you. You keep your fucking hands to yourself. After last year your lucky you still have them” Elijah snarled from behind me. He hated this man as much as I did. Not only had he tried to rape Lilith, but he also spiked Elijah’s sister’s drink. What he hadn’t known was that she was pregnant and as a result lost her pup. A feeling both myself and Lilith were all too familiar with.

Benjamin went to protest but I wasn’t going to give him the chance. Standing behind Lilith I walked blocking his view knowing all too well he would be staring at her ass. Entering my office I sat at my desk with Lilith on my lap, Elijah took a seat opposite us. My office was massive, after becoming alpha I’d had an extension built onto the side of the pack house. It honestly didn’t need it, but I was struggling with my grief and wanted to keep myself busy. So as a result, I increased the size of my pack house along with building a bigger hospital. Had the hospital been the size it is now when my father was Alpha we wouldn’t have lost as many wolves as we had on that one fatal afternoon.

“Elijah, I need you to stay with Lilith today. I’ve got a video conference with the council in an hour, and I don’t want that bastard anywhere near her”

“Mykel I will be ok. After the humiliation he suffered last year, I doubt he would be stupid to try again” The way she looked at me melted my insides. She was so god damn beautiful both inside and out. I trusted her with my life, more than I trusted Elijah who happened to be both my beta and best friend. It was Benjamin I didn’t trust. There was no way he planned on letting what Lilith did slide, which I personally think is the real reason he arrived early. Only little did he know he wouldn’t remotely get the chance to enact any revenge.

“You know I’ll protect her you don’t even need to ask. What kind of Beta would I be if I didn’t watch out for my Luna” Elijah placed his hand over his heart feigning hurt. Lilith just chuckled at his actions. A small part of me was jealous that she was relaxed when around him, that she would laugh and joke with him in ways that she wouldn’t me. But I understood why. I hadn’t been entirely there for her lately. My drinking had become worse, and I knew she hated it, hated how I would act but what she didn’t understand was it helped dull the pain.

Once they let my office, I got the attendance list from my draw. I had heard of most Alphas however I hadn’t met them all. I wanted to keep my pack isolated, to protect it with everything I had. What happened three years ago would not happen again. When it hit 10am the tablet lit up. I was going to be formally introduced to the entire wolf council. Something that was a necessity as I was holding the this year’s alpha meeting.

“Good morning Alpha Mykel, how are you on this fine morning?” Elder Bruce was the only member I knew, he and my father had been close. Before Bruce became an elder, he was the Alpha to an allied pack of ours. His son Dante took over the pack when he turned twenty-one and would be arriving later.

“It was ok until we had an unwanted guest, however it’s being dealt with” I didn’t need him to know of the issues I had with Alpha Benjamin. He would lose his shit for me not having reported the attempted rape of my Luna. But with the beating the bastard received I felt it had been dealt with.

“I see, well try not to let it sour your day. Now before I introduce you to these other gentlemen and this lovely lady, I am to ask if there are any issues you wish to report. Now is the time to do so. Should I remind you that grudges are to be left at the door when the meeting begins” by the cold stern look on his face he knew something was going on. He had been like a second father to me growing up and didn’t want me getting into shit.

“No sir, nothing to report. A couple of Alphas have arrived early and are being shown and settled to their rooms as we speak”

“Perfect. Now Alpha Mykel allow me to introduce you to Elder Kate, Elder Owen and our newest member Elder Shaun.” I had heard most of their names before, they were brilliant well-respected Alphas. Elder Kate however was the first female to be welcomed, an invitation that would have been sent to my mother had she not been murdered.

After greeting each Elder individually, we got down to business. They informed me of my role as host to this year’s annual alpha meeting. The one role that did pique my interest was how to handle a challenge. Should one Alpha challenge another they are not to back out. They are to take it straight outside and fight. It could be in either wolf or human form. It really was dealers’ choice. Should the challenged Alpha refuse to participate I had the power to dissolve their pack. It gave me an idea, one that would hurt a certain alpha in attendance while giving my mate the confidence and freedom she craved. A freedom I had been denying her though it hadn’t been out of control but out of love. I wanted to keep her safe and if her resenting me was the price I had to pay, it was one I would pay in a heartbeat. I’d rather have her hate me and have her remain at my side then the alternative.

The video conference lasted three hours and now I had a headache. All I wanted to do was have a lay down but I had to find Lilith and together we would greet the arriving Alphas.

*****

“Afternoon I’m Alpha Mykel and this is my mate, Luna Lilith”

“Such a stunning young woman, sorry I tend to blab I’m Luna Ruth and this is my husband, Alpha Raymond. Love this is Alpha Mykel and Luna Lilith” I couldn’t help but chuckle as she waved her husband over.

“Sorry I got stuck talking to Benjamin. I had hoped he wouldn’t attend this year but never mind” it was strange for a Luna to introduce herself and the alpha. Though they seemed like nice down to earth people. Our packs had been neutral for the last ten years, so I planned on making them allies.

“Tell you what Luna Lilith once the meeting becomes adjourned later, how about we grab a drink and have a chat. It’s been a long time since I’ve met another Luna and to be honest I could do with blowing off some steam”

“Oh, please call me Lilith. As long as Mykel doesn’t mind, I’d love to. Thank you” I could see the hope in my mate’s eye’s. She hadn’t had a girl’s night since taking the title of Luna.

“As long as Elijah is present then it’s fine”

“Elijah?” It was impossible to miss the confusion on both Ruth and Raymond’s faces.

“He’s our Beta. He is to stay by Lilith’s side while we have certain visitors” my eyes glanced in Benjamin’s direction.

“I see. Well not to matter a girls evening it is. I shall let you greet the last few and see you later” once we said our goodbyes and had greeted the remaining guests we headed inside. The meeting was due to begin, and I was nervous as hell.