Jaden Montgomery, The Alpha King, was having a bad day. His parents had invited him to lunch, and spent the entire time badgering him about finding a Luna and producing an heir.
"I would hate to see the title go to Alexander," his mother sneered, "he doesn't even use the Montgomery name." She gave him a pointed look. "If you don't find a Luna they will replace you. Time is running out."
"I know, I see your point, but why do you think I throw these galas? I'm trying to find my fated mate," he had told them, irritation prickling his skin, he had been through this with them before.
They didn't know that he had met his fated mate years ago. She had been a waitress at a diner he'd stopped at while visiting Moon Dance, a pack a day's drive away. A waitress.
He'd caught her scent when she approached the table with their food. "Mate?" Her voice had been full of hope.
She had almost gotten him hooked with those pretty green eyes, but he had caught himself in time, laughing at her, saying "please, honey, I'm the Alpha King. I can't have a mate like you." He had rejected her, she'd accepted his rejection, and dumped his food in his lap. He had been furious, and then to top it off, he had been told politely but firmly to leave by the manager.
He left, largely because the manager reminded him of his Grandmother, the one who would lock him in a closet when he misbehaved as a pup.
He couldn't tell his parents that. They might have been somewhat understanding, as she had been from a much lower rank and might not have been able to produce a strong Alpha heir. He couldn't tell them because if he did, they would make him choose a Luna. Or choose one for him. They wouldn't understand that he would accept no other than the one he had chosen, Della Draven.
After lunch, he had visited the pack healer, and gotten some shocking news. After leaving the healer, he found that someone had sideswiped his prized sports car, leaving an ugly dent in the side. Nobody had seen anything, which he found hard to believe, as he had been parked across from the pack high school. Surely there had been someone daydreaming during class, looking out a window, but no one was speaking out.
Then, he got back to the mansion and found out that the Werewolf Council had sent representatives for their annual pack visit. Just when he thought his day couldn't get any worse!
The Werewolf Council was made up of retired Alphas, and their job was to investigate cases of misconduct by high ranking werewolves.Most issues were resolved within a pack. If the pack was unhappy with what their Alpha was doing, they would call a meeting and discuss it with the Alpha himself, with no fear of repercussions. This system worked well, providing the Alpha was a reasonable werewolf.
All good Alphas had the genuine respect of their pack members, and acted in their best interest. Their pack members were loyal out of respect, and because they were happy and well treated.
The Alphas that ruled using fear to keep their packs loyal more often than not would eventually find themselves facing the Werewolf Council. It was not a perfect system, since threatening the Alpha could be viewed as treason. This meant the true number of bad Alphas was likely underreported.
The council usually sent a couple representatives to every pack once a year, where they would spend a week visiting, and assessing the overall condition of the pack.
He had nearly panicked when he was informed of their arrival, thinking somehow they had found out about what he had done to Della. The one good thing that had come out of the day was the relief he'd felt when he realized it was a routine visit.
His pack was reasonably happy, the only complaint he had heard was that he only invited the wealthy, high ranked werewolves to his legendary galas. He had compromised, by allowing them to use the mansion to throw their own party once a year, where they could invite whoever they wanted. He made himself scarce during those events, although he had indulged himself with any exceptionally attractive she-wolf he noticed.
Before today, he was actually surprised he hadn't fathered an heir by accident. He always had breakfast served to his conquests, and the breakfast would be laced with a drug that would prevent any unwanted pregnancies. Still, such methods were not foolproof. He supposed now he wouldn't have to bother anymore, after what he had learned from the healer.
She had found something in his urine sample that caused her concern, and run a few more tests. He had apparently gotten some kind of STI that had rendered his sperm useless. She had treated him for the infection, a simple shot cured it.
The healer had been surprised his body hadn't immediately cleared it, as most werewolves would. This had led to more tests, showing that he lacked a specific type of cell present in 99.9 percent of the werewolf population, one that targeted the STI and eliminated it before it could do any damage. In his case, she told him he was lucky they had caught it early, before it had made more than just his sperm stop functioning.
He would never be able to produce an heir. His parents would be furious. Now they had to pin their hopes on his sister having a son, but his sister was now a member of Snow Moon, mated to their new Alpha. Della's brother. His half brother Alexander lived among humans, and would not be a suitable candidate.
So he would be the last Montgomery Alpha, and the next Alpha King would likely be crowned in Snow Moon. He was glad his Grandmother, the mean one who had locked him in the closet, and on more than one occasion, dragged him out only to beat him with a wooden paddle and throw him back in, had passed away several years ago. If she had learned of this, who knows what she would have done? Had him flogged in the public square, and thrown in the dungeon, no doubt. Of course, she would never have been able to do that, now that he was Alpha King. Not without permission from the Werewolf Council.
He shuddered at the thought that she probably could have gotten it. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his tousled hair, trying to push away his troubled thoughts. He had an idea that would help lift his spirits and impress the representatives. He drafted an invitation, deciding it was time for another grand party, and he added something he had never done before. Attendance was mandatory. That meant Della, according to werewolf law, would have to attend or risk arrest.
The door to his office creaked open, pulling him from his thoughts. His Beta, Lucas, walked in, a concerned expression painted across his rugged face. "Jaden, you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Just a rough day," he muttered, his voice low. "The council is here, and I have family pressure to deal with. It's all just a bit much." He handed him the draft of the invitation. Lucas raised his eyebrow at the mandatory attendance, more curious than anything. It was well within the Alpha King's authority. He just wondered why he felt it necessary. He decided not to ask, given Jaden's current bad mood.
"Can you have these sent out to all of the usual pack leaders? Quickly? I want to impress the Council with my alliances, so it has to happen before they leave." He sighed. "I suppose they want to meet with me, is that why you are here?"
Lucas leaned against the door frame, crossing his arms. "You know they're just doing their job. Best not to keep them waiting."
"Yeah, I know," Jaden sighed, pushing himself up from his desk. "Let's get this over with."
As he exited his office, he felt the weight of his title pressing down on him. The council representatives would scrutinize his every move, his every decision. He had to maintain the facade of the perfect Alpha.
The meeting room was large, an impressive space full of old oak furniture and painted portraits of the previous Montgomery Alphas hanging on the walls. They seemed to glare at him, he could practically feel their disappointment crushing his ego like a cockroach.
The representatives were already seated, exchanging hushed whispers as he entered. He took a deep breath, straightening his back and forcing a smile onto his lips.
"Welcome," he greeted them, projecting confidence. "I hope you find your stay comfortable, and that you enjoy your interactions with the pack. I would also like to invite you to the gala I am throwing at the mansion, I believe it will fall on the last evening of your visit."
Jaden took a seat at the head of the table, feeling the scrutinizing gazes on him. As the discussions unfolded, he tried to focus on the questions and concerns being raised, but his mind kept drifting back to Della.
When the meeting was finally over, he could barely remember what was discussed, but he must have done well, Lucas was smiling and giving him a thumbs up.
Now all he had to do was wait until the gala, where he would make sure Della understood her place. By his side, as his Luna. He wouldn't take no for an answer.