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Book Nineteen: The Rival Alpha

Mercedes couldn't describe the feeling of relief she got from stepping foot out of her brother's territory, being there she felt like she was suffocating, and hiding a part of herself.

But did you see Bree's face when you stood our ground?

Her inner wolf asked and she smiled to herself, having stood up for herself, even that little bit was cut off by her need to see Alpha Sam.

Zeke and his Beta Anthony had walked her to the border of their land, and there she had noticed two wolves waiting, one, she recognized from the dinner, he was standing next to Sam, and the other had eyes that mirrored Sam's.

Zeke stood looking at the two. "Here's my sister, as requested, though I will tell you that I don't take kindly to demands."

Jake nodded. "Understood Alpha Zeke, and Alpha Sam apologizes for the short notice, with the Elder's wanting to expand our lands, and wanting us to fight together against the rogues, we felt it prudent get the wheels moving as fast as possible, and well with your sister's clear disrespect, Alpha Sam felt the need to handle the situation…in house."

Zeke smiled at the sound of that, it was true the law did state an Alpha could reserve his right to exact his own punishment as he saw fit. "Well, we do have to follow the law don't we? And please let Alpha Sam know that she will be on her best behavior, but should she not be, he would be well within his rights to punish her with as much harshness as he sees fit."

Anthony laughed as his hand ran up Mercedes back. "Let him know, this one can take a beating."

Mercedes cut her eyes at him moving away from him, even with the threat of violence, she felt safer away from Zeke and Anthony and everyone else in the Pack.

As she moved forward, Zeke pulled her back, he pulled her into a hug, pretending to show care but using it as a last opportunity to warn her. "Find out all you, if you come back here without any information, I will let Bree banish you, after we lock you away for a few months."

Mercedes froze, wishing she could react but knowing that she couldn't. Moving back once he was done, she looked toward the two people in front of her.

"I am ready to go." She said, gripping her bag, and following the two.

Jake looked over to her, offering her a small smile. "I am Jake, Alpha Sam's Beta, and this is Stacey, my Mate and Alpha Sam's sister. She will also be your advisor while you are with our pack."

Mercedes nodded, bowing her head slightly. "Nice to meet you."

I hate that we can't speak our mind, but its for the best.

Her inner wolf said as she continued to walk in silence. Stacey eyed her and smiled. "You don't have to bow your head, you're among friends."

Mercedes looked at them confused before taking a step back. "I… is this a trap?"

Jake chuckled, shaking his head. "If it were, I would hope we'd be smart enough not to tell you where we're taking you."

She took a breath, laughing softly. "Right… so shall we?"

Jake nodded, walking closer and grabbing her bag. "We have a long ride, it'll be best if you rested before we arrive. Stacey will run over everything once we get there and then you will have brunch with Sam."

Stacey smiled, nodding her over to SUV. "We do have a lot to discuss but like Jake said, rest and then we can iron everything out." She said, opening the door for her.

This was foreign to Mercedes, she'd never been treated nicely by anyone in her pack. She was so used to being overlooked and berated by Zeke and Bree which made everyone else comfortable to also treat her that way. She offered a watery smile as she got into the truck, taking several deep breaths to keep the tears that were burning at bay.

"Thank you." She said before Stacey closed the door.

Jake winked at Stacey. "I think she's gonna ruin Sam." He joked playfully.

Stacey smirked. "There's a powerful wolf inside of her, I think she's gonna be a great Luna. Much like my mother and hers."

"Let's hope they don't clash." He replied, placing Mercedes' bag in the trunk before walking over and opening the door for Stacey.

Jake's phone went off and he shook his head knowing it was from Sam.

SE: update

JP: We have her. We're headed that way.

SE: Her suite is ready.

JP: see you then.

"Alright ladies, buckle up!" He said, smiling at them both before pulling out of the drive up.

Zeke and Bree watched the large SUV drive away before sharing knowing glances. "Did you do as I said?" He asked.

Bree smirked. "Of course. Everything they talk about we'll be able to hear it."

He pulled her close, kissing her. "Good, now we can really start our plan to take down the Shadowmoon Pack."

…

Mercedes stirred awake, blinking before remembering where she was, she looked around, her eyes landing on Stacey. "Hey sleepyhead, did you get a good nap?"

She nodded, sitting up straighter. It was a weird feeling, sleeping so soundly somewhere. She couldn't remember a time when she felt so safe that she let her guard down and fell to sleep. In the pack house she was always scared something bad was going to happen, always worried that if she let her guard down, something bad would happen.

Looking around she took in her surroundings. "I don't think I have ever been this far away from the pack house."

"Really?" Jake asked. "How far did you roam? Have you've your taken your wolf on a run yet?"

She shook her head no. "Zeke never let me leave the pack house, let alone run with them."

Stacey frowned. "So you haven't stretched your wolf out yet?"

"No…she actually didn't show up until I was twenty-two …I know that's not typical but something happened I guess to block it or whatever. I have heard it's a wonderfully freeing feeling though…running."

Jake looked at Stacey before turning his attention back to the road. "We'll need to add that into her schedule… she can't-" He stopped before looking at Mercedes through the review. "It's important that you stretch your wolf and often. It makes you stronger."

"It also helps to have your wolf well exercised before mating, it can be painful if you haven't." Stacey added, making note to have her run before Sam takes her running.

Mercedes shifted. "I don't understand what this has to do with me disrespecting your Alpha…"

Our Alpha

Stacey smiled. "He's going to be training you so he's going to want you at your best. We don't train anyone that isn't properly exercised first.

Mercedes took in what she was saying, still confused. "Why? There's been bad blood between our packs for years now, what could my training actually do to mend that?"

Does it matter? We need to see him.

Stacey shifted so that she was facing her completely. "What made you assume we were trying to mend anything?" She questioned.

"I just figured that would be the only reason to have me there… is there another reason?"

"I can't answer that." Stacey replied sadly. "I can only tell you that we are all happy that you are coming."

Mercedes shook her head. "So this is a trap… unbelievable."

Jake frowned. "No, it's not a trap. Just like when your Alpha makes orders we also have to follow ours. We've both been instructed to only tell you the bare minimum."

"Except when my Alpha makes orders concerning me, I end up chained to a bedpost and without food for days." She said without thinking.

Shit! Filter, Merce.

"I just mean…"

Stacey turned to her. "Surely you are exaggerating?"

We can't let Sam know this…

Either we tell him or he finds out but the minute he does…

War.

Mercedes shook her head. "It wasn't bad, I have thick skin, and my Alpha only does what is best for our pack." She said, her line rehearsed, voice as steady as it could be.

Stacey looked at her before nodding. "Well, Shadowmoon doesn't… discipline that way. The worst that happens is Sam makes you clean the kitchen after the pups eat." She said jokingly.

Jake cringed. "It's the worst. The kids are just… crazy."

Mercedes couldn't help laughing. "I love the kids at my pack, they're a fun bunch."

"So I take you want some? Kids?" Stacey asked beaming.

"The idea sounds amazing but I haven't found my mate…"

You have! Tell them!

I can't…we can't know for sure!

"Well, when it happens, you'll know! It's the best feeling too." Stacey gushed, smiling at Jake.

"What's it like?"

"Best way I can describe it is…" Stacey smiled looking from Jake to Mercedes. "Waking up. It's like everything in the world was better because he was in it. At first it was just a cool wind pulling me to him, and an inner voice, not quite like my wolf, telling me that he was the one."

Mercedes smiled at her. "That does sound amazing, hopefully I will experience it soon."

Jake smirked. "I'm sure it'll happen when you least expect it."

Mercedes looked out the window, gasping when she saw the large expanse of homes before seeing a large gate with giant Sequoias and hyperions surround a massive home.

"Welcome to Shadowmoon." Stacey said beaming. "Of course the homes you saw are for members of the pack. The only people that stay in the pack house are Sam, Jake and I and the members of our council." Stacey explained.

"So you're all separated?"

"Mhm, we believe in privacy. Our pack meets every morning for breakfast and a pack meeting. We serve lunch and dinner everyday but it's optional." She answered before pointing to another large building. "That is where we have pack gatherings and any formal council meetings. You'll be staying in the pack house along with us, we have your suite set up and hopefully you like how I decorated it."

"I… I get my own suite?" Mercedes asked, stunned.

Jake parked. "Trust me, we want everyone to have their own space. We have daily events so you're gonna get tired of all of us."

Stacey nodded. "Just wait until Stevie figures out you're staying at PH… listen to me, lock your door!" She chimed in laughing.

Jake dropped his head, sighing. "I thought we weren't telling him?"

"Is he like… dangerous?" Mercedes asked.

"No, just annoying and talkative." Jake answered before getting out of the truck and stretching. He opened Stacey's door before doing the same for Mercedes.

They all stretched before Jake let them know he'd drop her things off to her room. He had to report in with Sam and Stacey needed to give Mercedes the tour and to get her ready for brunch.

"Okay shall we?" Stacey asked and Mercedes nodded, following her through the massive gates.

Sam stared out the window, taking note of Jake pulling in and watching as Stacey and Mercedes walked inside. He moved to his desk.

It's her, I can feel it from here.

Magnum we have to be sure. We though we were before remember? Then she mated with Mike

This is different. And you know it. She's the one.

And if she isn't?

We don't have to worry about that.

The door opened and Sam looked up to see Jake walking in. "One she wolf as requested, Alpha." Jake said, smirking.

Sam rolled his eyes. "How was the drive?"

"Interesting. She seems… kind and that's odd considering Zeke is a complete asshole."

"Will she be ready?" Sam asked and Jake smirked.

"Dude, she's been here for like twenty seconds. Stop thinking with little Sam. To answer your question, no… she's never stretched her wolf. She needs to get used to shifting… it would break her if you immediately started."

Sam let out a deep breath. "What do you mean she has never stretched out her wolf?"

Jake cleared his throat, debating on what exactly to tell Sam. "She said that she hasn't left the pack house to run with the pack, since she got her wolf…at twenty-two. She played it off, but my gut tells me that Zeke hurts her."

He dare lay a finger on our mate? I will kill him!

Sam ignored Magnum and looked at Jake. "That's the feeling you got? That she was abused by him?"

Jake nodded. "Him and his Luna. I never liked her but Zeke can't be everywhere all the time so she probably helped keep her line."

Why are you not moving we need to fix this. NOW

"Is everything prepared for brunch?" He asked, needing to change the topic.

"Yes, Stacey is giving her the tour as we speak and Marley made sure to purchase the flowers you requested."

"Good, see that she shifts and runs before our meeting."

"Can I speak freely?" Jake asked and Sam nodded. "You can't rush this. She's not like Zeke but she's also not delicate. Just because you're aware doesn't mean she is and everything about her screams virginal. Treat her like you want the future pack's Luna to be treated."

Sam nodded, rubbing his goatee. "I hear you."

"Sam, don't hurt her. I know I'm out of line but when you finally talk to her you'll understand the sudden level of protectiveness I have towards her. She's our Luna."

Our Luna. That sounds perfect.

Sam stood, holding his hand out. "I hear ya brother." He said again shaking Jake's hand.

"Good to hear it. Let me go find your brother… gotta make sure your alone time isn't interrupted." He quipped before leaving Sam's office.

Sam laughed as Jake left his office.

If she has been hurt, we can not let her go back there.

I know Magnum. I know.

"... and this is your suite." Stacey said, opening the double wooden doors. "We can add or remove anything you don't like or want."

Mercedes stepped inside, taking in everything. "It's beautiful. Purple is actually my favorite color." She said, swallowing the growing lump in her throat.

"Oh really? Great! Now, you do have your own en-suite bathroom and your walk-in closet is over here." Stacey said, walking over and opening the door to the closet. "I think the sizes are correct."

"Sizes?" Mercedes questioned before walking inside the closet and seeing wall to wall shelves filled with shoes and clothes. "Wait… who- are these… mine?"

"Mhm. Sam actually picked them all out." Stacey answered, looking at her trying to see if Mercedes reacted in any way.

"Wow." She said softly as she walked throughout the closet seeing all the bright clothes and shoes. "That was so kind of him."

He did this for us…because he knows…

Stacey smiled. "Speaking of, we need to get you dressed for brunch. See anything you like or do you want to get some clothes from your bag?"

"Umm, I can see what's in there but I feel like it would be more appropriate to pick something he got… right?"

"Only if you feel comfortable enough to wear it." Stacey assured her.

We have too. And look, that purple sundress is perfect for brunch!

Lilka! You really should calm down.

We need to show him that we appreciate his gesture.

Mercedes stepped closer to the dress, running her hand down the purple dress. "Do you think-"

"That you would be gorgeous in that? Yes. I am going to shower and dress, I will meet you back here in twenty?"

Mercedes nodded. "Thank you Stacey, for your kindness, its greatly appreciated."

"You and me, I see us being great friends." Stacey said before she walked out.

Mercedes turned back to the closet, moving to the drawers and gasping as lingerie and two piece bra and panty sets were gently folded into the drawer.

He really did think of everything. He will make a great Alpha for us.

I don't want to get my hopes up Lilka.

We aren't. His wolf is as sure as I am. I know it.

Mercedes had a new resolve as she grabbed the dress and undergarments and headed to the huge bathroom. Even that was full of toiletries and extras like bath bombs and body butta. Picking the cherry blossom body wash, she showered and had never felt so clean in her life.

Twenty minutes later as Stacey knocked on her door, Mercedes stared at herself finishing with her hair. "Come in."

Stacey walked in and smiled. "Wow, Mercedes, that dress…"

Mercedes looked at herself in the mirror, the dress fit her perfectly and accentuated curves she didn't notice she had. "Your Alpha has a good eye. Once I French braid my hair I will be done."

"You should leave it out, it's pretty down and flowing."

"Oh…Zeke prefers it braided. Simple. Out of the way while I am doing chores." She said then kicked herself.

Stacey stepped closer, offering her a soft smile. "Well Zeke isn't here, so if you want it down do it."

Mercedes hesitated for a moment, though Stacey was very kind and assuring.

Wear our hair down, he will love it.

Mercedes ran her hand through her hair, and turned to her. "Okay, I am ready."

Let the games begin