Chapter 41: Chapter 41

NOAH

I was in no mood to deal with this jerk today, or any day for that matter. Greyson and Sawyer were there with me in the meeting, at my request. Their presence was the only thing keeping me sane.

This aging nuisance had been rambling for about forty-five minutes about the responsibilities of an alpha and the importance of a strong pack. As if I hadn’t been leading a formidable pack since I was sixteen. I knew all this was just a preamble to the real reason he was here—my human luna.

“Recently, I had to handle a similar situation in Rhode Island,” Elder Jacob said, finally grabbing my attention. “The Crescent Moon Pack had a clash with a group of revenge-seeking witches. If it weren’t for Alpha August’s ~human~ mate, things might have been resolved more peacefully.”

I looked at the elder, intrigued.

This was news to me, a pack having a conflict with witches. It was incredibly rare for other species to attack wolf packs. The Council was eerily efficient at keeping the species apart, even in conflict.

I had a hard time believing that the alpha’s human mate had anything to do with it.

“Alpha August is mated to a human?” I asked. My curiosity clearly irked the elder.

I was familiar with Alpha August’s pack. They were on the rise after recovering from a massive slaughter generations ago and the recent death of their alpha and luna.

Alpha August was impressively resilient, and I admired his work in Rhode Island. I had even visited once a few years back to see if I could help.

“~Technically,~ she’s wolfless. Her father was the previous alpha and her mother a wolfless luna,” Elder Jacob explained, his tone dripping with disdain.

I chose to ignore his tone.

“Good for Alpha August in finding his mate. His pack has had a tough time; they deserve a compassionate luna.”

The elder shot me a glare.

“They needed a strong luna, just as this pack needs a strong luna.”

“I can’t speak for the Crescent Moon’s luna, but I’m sure Alpha August would accept nothing less than strength and kindness from his luna, just as I have from my own luna.”

Greyson and Sawyer exchanged glances with me, smirking at my clever sidestepping of Elder Jacob’s digs at my mate.

“You have done an excellent job here, Alpha Noah. Your pack is feared and respected more than any other pack in the country. As a species, we depend on your pack to maintain peace,” the elder said.

I cut him off. “I appreciate your support, Elder.”

Elder Jacob frowned, clearly not done with his monologue. “It is crucial that your strength continues,” he added.

“And it will. I have a strong beta and gamma, an effective patrol, dedicated pack members, and a devoted and inspiring luna. What more could you ask for?” I retorted.

“A luna who is a werewolf,” the elder stated bluntly.

“Ah, well, it seems that’s not what the Moon Goddess had planned for me.” I shrugged nonchalantly.

“The Moon Goddess has been known to make mistakes.”

I clenched the armrest of my chair, my casual demeanor starting to falter. “I hope you’re not implying that my luna, ~my~ ~mate~, is a mistake?” I said, my voice laced with a threat.

The elder either didn’t notice my tone or chose to ignore it. His mistake. “A mistake you can surely correct as I see you have not been marked,” Elder Jacob said dismissively.

“Elder Jacob, I have tried my best to be patient and respectful. I’m done with that now,” I growled, rising from my chair.

Sawyer and Greyson stood up on either side of me. The elder shakily rose from his seat, leaning on his wooden cane as he glared at me.

“I know the elders of my pack and my father sent you here today. I know they disapprove of a human luna. But they don’t run this pack anymore; they don’t matter. The opinions of my pack matter. If you spent five minutes with them, you’d see how much they love, respect, and admire my mate. She’s strong, kind, compassionate, and the best person I know.”

“Just today she asked me to include her in our training sessions so she can better protect the pack. She doesn’t care that she’s a human and we’re wolves, and neither do I. You’d do well to adopt the same attitude and stay out of my pack’s business and the affairs of this alpha and luna.”

I flung open the door to my office.

~“Sawyer, I need you to find Evie. Make sure she’s safe from this guy,”~ I instructed Sawyer.

I had a feeling Evie was downstairs, not tucked away in our room like I’d suggested. Sawyer gave a quick nod and darted out of the room.

“You’re free to leave,” I announced.

“You young alphas, you don’t know how good you’ve got it. The elders’ laws have kept you from war for generations. You’re all heading for disaster if you keep this up,” Elder Jacob grumbled.

“Change is the face of progress, Elder Jacob. It’s a new generation’s turn,” I replied, motioning toward the door.

With a huff, Elder Jacob left my office. I turned to Greyson, my frustration evident.

“That guy was a real treat,” Greyson muttered.

“I saw it coming. The pack elders were livid after I announced a human luna at the last meeting. And my father’s outburst… I knew something was going to happen,” I confessed, pacing the office as I tried to regain my composure.

“What was that about the Crescent Moon Pack?” Greyson asked.

“I’m not sure. I think I’ll give Alpha August a call,” I said, pulling out my phone.

“I’ll go check on the pack. Make sure Elder Jacob didn’t stir up any trouble on his way out,” Greyson offered.

I nodded in his direction as he left my office, closing the door behind him.

“Hello?” Alpha August answered on the first ring.

“Alpha August, it’s Alpha Noah of the Blood Moon Pack in New Orleans,” I responded.

“Hey, Alpha Noah, how are you?” Alpha August’s voice brightened as he recognized me.

“I’m okay. Can we skip the formalities? I have something personal to discuss,” I suggested.

“What’s up, Noah?” August dropped the formalities, and I knew we were on the same page.

“Elder Jacob just paid me a visit. He had some things to say about your pack,” I said.

I heard August sigh on the other end of the line.

“I bet he did.”

“How did your pack fare with the witch conflict?” I asked.

“We came out okay, very few casualties,” August replied. “And I’m sure the elder made it sound much worse than it was.”

His words confirmed my suspicions about Elder Jacob’s exaggerations.

“He seemed more interested in your new luna,” I admitted.

“Figures. Elder Jacob visited me after our conflict with the witches, same topic in mind. My mate, Josie, is an alpha’s daughter, but she’s wolfless,” August explained.

I could hear the defensiveness creeping into his voice, so I quickly reassured him. “My mate is completely human,” I shared.

There was a pause before August responded. “Damn. The elders must be thrilled with you,” he said, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

I groaned. “They’re giving me the same patronizing threats you probably got. I’m tired of these power-hungry old men thinking they can control us,” I vented.

“My pack feels the same. My beta found out his mate is a witch during our battle. He’s planning to go find her. My luna insists he should be free to be with his mate, law be damned,” August shared.

“Our mates would probably get along.” I chuckled. “If you need help, you know where to find me. I’m ready to take on the Council.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I might need to take you up on that offer soon,” August sighed. “My mate is pregnant, so I’m focusing on her and our pup’s health right now. All the best to you and your mate, Noah.”

“Congratulations, August. I hope we can find a peaceful resolution, but if not, we’ll protect our families at all costs. Keep me updated on your situation and I’ll do the same,” I said.

“Will do,” August agreed, and we ended the call.

I was astounded at the Council’s audacity—trying to keep mates apart. I felt a strong pull to be with my own mate.

I quickly left my office, following her scent down the hall.