6

Leah’s POV

“Show us around sweetheart.” my father says.

“She’s just a stupid girl, what can she really show us?” Elder Erik sneers, but can't hide the impressed look on his face. “I bet she is going to take credit for the hard work the men in the room did for her.”

Does this dumbass realize that the only men in the room are the Elders and Alphas? And they had no idea what was going on right under their nose. Nyx grumbles.

"Well, he’s smart enough to recognize the sheer scale of our operation." Is all I can reply to her. There is no denying the hungry look in his eyes as they all look around. I actually expected more of a reaction from all of them. To the group I said, "feel free to look around gentlemen. Ask any questions you have, everyone in the room is well versed on our operation."

The whole room could be seen from this platform, the only furniture up here is a 20 foot round, dark polished table in front of us with an aerial map of the Concordat inlaid into the center. This platform overlooks a lower platform. 10 long curved tables are arranged in a crescent shape, one for each pack's territory. Each of the tables is equipped with two large screened computers manned, right now, by a female Omega volunteer, but each screen can easily be seen from our vantage point on the platform; they are currently only showing the limited surveillance views that we want the Elders and Alphas to be aware of. The dark grey concrete walls are covered in enlarged, floor to ceiling, detailed maps of each individual pack territory, marking pack house locations, border patrol checkpoints, points of entry into each pack, and vulnerable spots like blindspots, the gardens and water supplys we are keeping watch over.

“Clearly her and her friends have been working on ways to keep our Concordat packs safe and not leave them defenseless, which is what we should have done years ago” My father snarls towards Erik and I am instantly taken back to when I was 5 and my father brought me to my first Alpha meeting.

[Rewind 15 years ago]

These stupid Luna’s and all their talking about dresses and parties and mates, its so boring and mom just sits there pretending she’s listening. This is the first time I get to attend, because I'm finally old enough and I was really excited to hear about all of the different things going on in the pack and what big plans all of the leaders have. I felt so let down when I found out the Luna's met in a separate room and we, their daughters, aren’t allowed to talk to them or each other at all. I was already scolded once by Luna Michelle for asking to go with my dad, I figured if I was his heir and was going to take over as Alpha oneday I should be with the Alpha's. She had called me stupid and told me the next time I spoke without permission, she was going to put me in chains for the rest of the day. My mom mind-linked me and told me not to worry about it, that she was all talk and no action, but it still bothered me that I wasn't allowed to ask questions or speak up. I sat for about an hour when finally I ask if I can go to the bathroom and my mom quickly agreed, giving me a funny look, like she wishes she could come with me.

I walk out of the frilly room, that looks like a lace bomb went off in it with pink and white everywhere. It was the only room we were allowed in at the compound packhouse, that or the patio out back. I was lucky I was allowed to bring my sketchbook, “for drawing flowers” my mom told the other Lunas. I actually like to write down ideas I want to try and sketch better tools and machines to help make things easier and quicker around the pack. When my dad sees my ideas, he likes my plans to be as complete as possible which includes measurements, how much it will cost and how long it would take to build. Mom says that some of the other Luna’s aren’t good with math and science and it would make them feel bad if they knew that I liked and was good at them. I guessed that made sense, I didn’t want to make anyone feel bad, but I really didn’t like dresses and make-up and stuff.

I walked down the long hallway that had windows on one side that went all the way to the ceiling. This was probably my favorite place in this packhouse, overlooking the training fields and the forest that leads to my pack's territory. I loved looking out the windows and watching the wind blow through the trees. And if they were training, you could see the warriors who protected our Elders out in the training field. They were so strong, I can’t wait until I’m out there one day, learning how to protect my favorite people.

A loud bang makes me jump and breaks me from my thoughts. I turn to look at the end of the hallway to the room where the Alphas are meeting. I creep over and lean against the wall by the opening in the door.

“We cannot combine all of these territories!” Someone with a whiny high pitched voice says. It would make the influence in the Concordat unbalanced.

“We all have an equal say no matter the size of the pack. Besides, what would you have us do, leave these smaller packs defenseless with no Alpha and no warriors?” My father’s voice replied calmly. “We have rogues piling up in the Black Lake Territory, many of them have been displaced because of attacks. Beta Jeff should not be responsible for them, and you refuse to appoint a new Alpha to that territory. So the only logical thing to do would be to divide Black lake up and combine it with the surrounding Rising Sun and Night fang packs. I believe many of the rogues would like to join a new pack, we should give them an opportunity. We are also seeing a rise in groups of hunters near our outer borders in the south; it would be nice to have more members to train in the event of an attack."

“Many of these territories have young Alpha children that could eventually mate and be assigned to the Black Lake territory. We should wait and talk about merging territories once they are a little bit older and we have decided chosen mates for them. The rogues seem to be peaceful, we should leave them be for now.” a silky, snakelike voice says. The sound actually makes my skin crawl. It almost sounds bored of having to tell everyone what to do.

“We cannot wait much longer, or the rogues will outnumber our warriors, but we can and will discuss this another time.” my father’s voice concedes “What about Max’s proposal of mating his son Taylor to Renee?” my father smoothly turns the conversation to another topic. He’s always so good at that, I think, smiling to myself. I have caught him doing that to my mother and I too when we are in an argument. I always laugh at him, but I wonder if she notices.

“I see no problem with the pairing.” The deep, soothing voice of Uncle Caleb. I’m only allowed to call him that at home. It’s Alpha Caleb when we are around everyone else. He’s my best friend, Elyse’s dad and their pack, Night Fang, is neighbors with mine.

“Me either” two other voices I don’t recognize say.

“All in favor?” I hear a rustling of clothes, like arms are being raised to vote. “Then it is decided, Taylor and Renee will be matched.” The silky voice replies.

“What about our request to mate Jessica to Damien?” That is Jessica’s dad, he almost sounds like he's begging. I don't like listening to him though, he always sounds like there is something caught in his nose when he talks. "We would like to give them as much time as possible to get aquainted before they are of age." I miss the reply to his question imagining all of the things that could have been shoved in his nose to make him sound like that. I giggle and then cover my mouth looking around, hoping no one heard me.

“What made you laugh like that?” a voice across the hall asks “And why are you out here sitting on the floor? You know if they catch you, the Elders will punish you.” A boy steps out from behind one of the curtains right across from me.

I scramble up quickly and straighten my navy blue dress and my waist length dark blonde hair. How long had he been there? When I’m done fidgeting I look at him curiously, unable to speak. My heart is beating fast, like I just ran, and my tummy feels funny looking at him. He is one of the prettiest boys I have ever seen with black messy hair that was long on top, but cut really short on the sides and in the back. His black suit matches his hair perfectly and makes him look very strong. He isn’t much older than me, but he gives off a powerful Alpha vibe that keeps me rooted to the spot. His light green, almost grey eyes were gentle but intense, like he was trying to read my mind. His mouth tips up into a half smile as he raises an eyebrow at me and shoves his hands into his pants pockets like he really wants me to answer the question.

“Umm, well, the Lunas are really boring and only talking about the next ball they are going to put on and we aren't allowed to talk anyway. But I’m not allowed to draw in my sketchbook either because it’s rude to not pay attention. So I came out here to take a walk.” I get out all in one breath, feeling my cheeks get warm a bit at my declaration. Why did I just say all of that? Now he was going to tell the Elders and I would be in trouble.

He must have seen the fear in my eyes, because he steps forward, reaches out with one hand and lightly touches my arm. I feel static rush down to my toes and gasp. “Hey, don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I’m out here for the same reasons.” He tips his head to the door beside me. “The Alphas won’t let us join in either, but they want us in the meetings so we can learn.” He shrugs his shoulders and gives me another smile.

“Well I would rather hear about all the rogues coming in and how the warriors are training to fight hunters, and how to get supplies to the packs during the winter months instead of talking about stupid dresses, how many will attend the next mating ball and which person is going to have the next baby.” I say with disgust. “Luna Karen and Luna Michelle won’t even let my mom talk about the progress at the pack hospital, which they are supposed to so my mom can report back to my dad and he can report to the other Alphas and Elders. But Luna Karen is too dumb to understand what my mom, Aunt... I mean, Luna Kat and Luna Reis are talking about, so she only lets them talk about things she can follow.” My eyes go wide and I clap a hand over my mouth at my declaration. Why can't I control my mouth? I really am going to get slapped for talking bad about other Lunas and being nosey in Alpha business.

He smiles and pulls my hand away from my mouth, but doesn’t let go right away, I feel the tingles again and they make me calm down. “Like I said, I won’t tell anybody, but you should get back before they realize how long you’ve been gone, and if anyone asks, I was getting an update from you on the pack hospital discussion.” he says with a wink, still holding my hand. “It was nice talking to you..” He trails off.

“Leah,” I supply, “Alpha Ben’s daughter.” giving him a small smile “You too…” I raise my eyebrows at him and tilt my head.

“Damien” he almost whispers

“It was nice to meet you too, Alpha Damien.” I say with a smile taking my hand from his and walking back down the hallway. I make it almost to the door and look back over my shoulder to see Damien watching me with a funny look on his face.

“Well, that looked cozy” Luna Karen sneers at me from just inside the door, her wolf flashing in her eyes. I jumped at her sudden appearance. "You seem a little too close to young Alpha Damien, you might want to watch your actions so no rumors are started that might get your mother or father into trouble."

“I..I was just stretching my legs and he asked if I had anything to report about the pack hospital and I thought I was going to be in trouble since I didn’t have an answer for him. He was just making me feel better. That’s all” I babble out, hoping she believes my scared kitten routine. This woman is not threatening in any way, but she causes a lot of headaches for others and it makes her feel better and she’s easier for my mom to work with if she believes she is scary. Whatever.

“You need to stay away from him, young Alpha Damien is promised to my Jessica.” she whispers harshly next to my ear as she ushers me back to the Luna’s room with a hand on my shoulder, and I can feel her extending her claws into the back of my shoulder as we walk. She made her threat perfectly clear.

I don't understand why I can't be nice to him or he be nice to me, no matter who he is promised to. He can have Jessica, I just hope my parents don't force me to mate with anybody, I don't want a mate. My parents are fated mates and I see how they look at eachother and act around eachother, but most of the upper ranks have their mates chosen for them and that sounds miserable. Most of the time the Alphas and Lunas don't even talk to each other. I have also heard some of the adults say the at fated mates make you weak and I don't want to be weak. I want to be a warrior, strong enough to help my pack.

I groan slumping back into my chair next to my mom. She nudges me with her elbow, look up at her silently. She tilts her head toward window behind us that has a seat built into it and mostly convered by all the frilly layerd curtains. I have never been so thankful for this frilly stuff than I am now as I curl up in the window seat with my sketch book and hide away from the prissy drama.