Jason nodded. Unlike her old pack, here the young ones were minded by a collective of mothers and some unmated she wolves each taking turns watching and entertaining them for the day. Naturally it had been a topic of discussion throughout the course of last night’s party and he wasn’t surprised when Phoebe showed interest in it. As an education professional she would have several ideas of how to improve and organize it.
“Have Ben find her and stick close.”
“Expecting trouble?”
“Maybe.”
There were consequences for assaulting an alpha’s offspring. Phoebe may be his mate but she wasn’t marked yet. Until then her position as Luna was unofficial. As far as he was concerned those were just formalities. Phoebe was his mate and his pack’s Luna and she would not be harmed. Thomas was usually a reasonable wolf but very defensive when it came to his daughter. However, if he insisted on retribution he would find Jason was equally protective of his mate.
“What do you think?” Jason asked.
“This pack will defend its Luna to the death.”
Jason nodded satisfied. If Thomas or Katrina intended a fight it would be one they couldn’t win though he hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Their packs had been allies since Jason’s great-grandfather’s time. He hoped they could maintain amicable relations.
After several minutes of waiting there was a knock on his door. Luke went to answer it bowing to the alpha and announcing him, “Alpha Thomas and Katrina.”
Jason nodded closing his laptop and stood. Ignoring Katrina he greeted Thomas with a handshake, “Welcome.
Can I offer you a drink?”
“No that’s quite all right,” Thomas answered surprised by Jason’s cordial greeting and relaxed demeanor.
Jason gestured to one of the couches for them to sit while he sat across from them in a chair. Katrina hesitated expecting him to ask her to join him but Jason continued to ignore her. Luke and Thomas’s escort remained at the door waiting for their respective Alphas command.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Jason asked feigning ignorance.
Thomas cleared his throat glancing at his daughter to Jason and back again. Jason merely maintained an enigmatic smile and waited
“As you know my daughter was visiting your pack and she suddenly returned yesterday very upset. It seems one of your pack member’s assaulted her.”
“Did she also tell you that the alleged assault was in retaliation for her assaulting one of my pack members?”
Thomas glanced at his daughter, brows furrowed. Jason knew it was unlikely she explained the entire situation.
Katrina always cast herself as the victim.
“It wasn’t my fault!” Katrina whined. “I was only defending myself.”
“My Beta, Gamma, my sister and myself witnessed the entire incident. Would you like to hear our testimonies?” Jason asked eyeing her with a frown.
Katrina fell silent.
“Then there are witnesses to what your pack member did to my daughter,” Thomas said satisfied. “What do you intend for their punishment?”
Jason shifted his gaze back to the other alpha. It seemed nothing changed. When it came to his daughter Thomas was blind and deaf to her misdeeds. Ever since he lost his mate Thomas doted on his daughter. Jason had no issue with that but spoiling her did her no favors.
“Nothing,” Jason simply said. “I don’t punish my pack members for defending themselves or each other.”
“This is unacceptable!” Thomas stood. “I demand satisfaction!”
“You would do well to remember whose office you are in,” Jason said growling but remained seated. His gaze swirled waiting for the other alpha to calm down or else complete the challenge.
Thomas hesitated before clearing his throat and sat. It wasn’t like him to lose his temper or make needless demonstrations. Yet Jason’s outward calm unnerved him.
Thomas had known the young alpha since Jason was a pup. Ever since Jason’s father passed Thomas thought himself as an advisor and Jason usually acquiesced to him as an elder. But now there was a new dominating aura surrounding the young alpha and he showed no sign of standing down.
“Jason, I respectfully request you hand over the pack member who assaulted my daughter for proper punishment.”
“If she wishes to go with you I won’t stop her,” Jason said glancing at Luke. “But I will be by her side at all times.”
With a nod Luke stepped out. Thomas looked from one to the other still unnerved by Jason’s piercing gaze. Though he had not yet summoned his alpha aura there was something dangerous in Jason’s eyes. It was as if Jason’s wolf was pacing around sizing Thomas’s wolf like he was a meal. Try as he might Thomas couldn’t shake the intimidation he felt as Jason’s calm gaze bore into him.
A knock at the door mercifully broke the standoff. Luke stepped in holding the door for a petite, pretty she wolf. He bowed to her as she entered. Jason was on his feet in an instant beckoning her to his side.
Phoebe gave both curious looks but went to Jason. Luke managed a brief explanation so she was not surprised to see Katrina or the other alpha. Taking her hand Jason kissed it before pulling her close and kissing her temple.
Both were familiar gestures so she only blushed slightly in front of their guests.
“Phoebe, you remember Katrina. Let me introduce her father, Alpha Thomas of the Blood Moon Pack,” Jason said. “Thomas this is my mate and Luna, Phoebe.”
Jason watched as Thomas and Katrina’s mouths dropped.
He wasn’t surprised. Many knew he had been searching for his mate for a long time but few outside of his pack knew she had been found. Phoebe didn’t seem the least bit perturbed.
Inclining her head she calmly greeted, “It’s nice to meet you Alpha Thomas. I understand our packs are close allies so you are always welcome.”
“Shall we sit?” Jason asked when neither of their guests replied
Sitting down Jason gently pulled Phoebe into his lap. One hand remained at her back while the other naturally rested on her thigh. Phoebe raised a brow at this position but thinking it rude to mindlink in front of their guests refrained from questions.
She leaned into him her near arm resting on his shoulder and allowing her hand to rest along his neck. Her fingers curled through the hair on the back of his head and sent tingles through him like electric shocks. Bewildered Thomas and Katrina slowly returned to their seats.
“To what do we owe the honor of this visit?” Phoebe asked as a conversation starter.
“Alpha Thomas is here because of yesterday…the incident at breakfast,” Jason said as delicately as possible.
“Of course,” Phoebe nodded ignoring Katrina and looking at Thomas. “Is this going to a formal apology to us and the pack or do you prefer to make a personal one to the she-wolf that was attacked. Either is acceptable.”
Jason fought a smile at Phoebes matter-of-fact tone.
Returning to his position at the door Luke bit his lip to keep from laughing. Neither expected that response.
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