12. MATEO

12

MATEO

The tension thickens the longer I sit here listening to Calista's plans for the pack. Kylan and the elders are nodding and humming their agreement for every change she wants to implement, my mother truly believing she has the power to do anything more than sit back and watch as the pack bows to my word, not hers. I expected as much with the seating arrangement even if I'm placed at the head with Nepheline beside me. With the two vacant positions on the council, it's just my mother speaking to Kylan and the four elders, none of which I trust anymore. Not even Taras, my father's friend.

My wolf bristles beneath the surface as she seeks to change how laws are rolled out, who can be accepted into the pack, and who is in charge of security. According to her plans, my guards are no longer the ones that will secure the premises as Calista says ‘it's too dangerous' now that our Luna requires their ‘services'. Every word that falls from the woman's mouth demeans my position, disrespects my guards, and makes my Luna out to be a damsel in distress.

However, I wait for the opportune time to speak, willing for Nepheline to hold on a little longer. She's been growing increasingly more agitated, aggressively sniffing the air as she searches for the Beta we found in the woods. This room is full of his scent, the cell just next door but without the right tactic, we will find ourselves with our hands tied behind our backs. At the end of this meeting, they will all be removed from their positions if I can get a word in.

Calista finally smiles as she punctuates her last sentence and then turns to me as if she did me a favor. "Anything to say, Mateo?"

Obviously, she learned nothing from the conversation we had outside. "A few things, yes. First, I think we spoke and I told you that my name is Alpha, to you. Mother or not, you owe me the respect of my position." She balks at my words as I sit forward, River placing a firm hand on my shoulder. His fingers digging in calm my wolf enough that I don't lunge across the table at her. Kylan is sitting on my right, Nepheline on my left, both of them now sharing a fierce stare-off that I know my Omega will win.

One of the elders, Hart, clears his throat. "You shouldn't speak to your mother like that, son. She has done so much for this pack before you were given your position."

"Then she shouldn't have killed my father and my mate's family. I do know that she has done a lot of good for this pack but Calista is no longer the pack Alpha. I am. And the last thirty minutes spent droning on about changes she wants to see are not her choice. They are mine. My guards will not be removed from their duties because my Omega is not a needy child. Does she need her mates? Yes. But she is more than capable of carrying her position without being smothered."

Kylan snorts, drawing my attention. He's squaring up against my Omega but Nepheline isn't perturbed. In fact, she seems unbothered by his threatening aura even though he's larger than I am at this point. "Let our Luna speak. I haven't heard a word from her other than watching her savagely pull apart her Beta. As entertaining as that is, I'm not sure I can get behind a woman who needs five Alphas to sort her out."

This time it's Nepheline laughing, her eyes widening when she realizes what she's done. She slaps a hand across her mouth and then glances at me for my approval. I've been waiting to see her take over, knowing that her spirit has always been fierce. After all, disregarding the rules, Nepheline would cross the crystal forest between our pack lands and crawl into my window. There may no longer be serum running through my Omega's veins but that isn't what gave her her confidence.

Nepheline pops out of her chair, smoothing down her shirt as she turns to address the council. Everyone sits forward to hear her speak, Calista grumbling about being pushed aside. "Since I have arrived, I have not been given a warm welcome. The problem is, I don't know why. My pack was always supposed to be joined with this one. Nothing changed on that front. The pack I've gained has been cordial but following the council's distaste, they stay away. I have met a few here and there but there is no respect as the pack's Luna." Kylan goes to speak but she merely holds up her hand. I have no idea if she realizes the power she holds right now. As per pack law, Kylan must listen to that gesture. "I know. I must earn the respect that comes with the position."

She holds her head high and puffs out her chest as she walks behind me, dragging her hand along my arm and then across Remi and River's back. I only know by the way they straighten up behind me before she appears on my other side. My wolf begs to be set free as Nepheline is now standing between me and Kylan, a hair too close to a wolf I don't trust.

"Wise words from a little girl."

Nepheline ignores the jab. "I don't understand everything about the council, especially the criteria to become a member. I would assume trying to attack an unmated Omega or any wolf would be enough to dismiss them but that's not my place. I'll leave that decision to the pack Alpha. As for your other changes, Calista, I know that you were trying to help." My mother beams, thinking she has pulled one over on Nepheline but my Omega has seen through that. "However, your brand of helping tends to include slipping your hands into pots you have no business touching. And Kylan, your lust for power will get you killed. Following those who don't have the rights to the pack lands will leave you lonely and desperate. Is that what you want?"

"What the fuck would you know about it?"

A sinister smile spreads across Nepheline's lips. "You want to rule over this pack but there is already a pack Alpha and Calista is no longer the one that holds the power." She licks her lips as she leans a hair closer, daring him to react. Striking the Luna of the pack would be punishable by death and Kylan did try to rush into Asani's house at one point to get a taste of my woman. Kylan is smart enough not to move, his shocked expression telling me he didn't expect Nepheline to have any real fight.

When he says nothing, she merely pats his shoulder and then turns her attention to Calista. The elders are torn between shock and confusion, many of Nepheline's words new to them. No doubt Calista only showed them what she wanted them to hear, including where my father currently is.

"Calista, there are two things I need from you. The first order of business is Gael. He was the previous Luno and therefore I need to speak with him about my duties regarding my new pack." Nepheline places her hands in front of her, clasping them together, her shoulders pulled back. Her aura is powerful, tingling with what I now know to be magic.

Calista swallows, her hands gripping the edge of the table as she glares at my Omega. "I can teach you whatever you need to know, Nepheline."

"And with all due respect, that is not your place nor your expertise. I will come with you to speak to Gael regarding my training as is my right." A bout of anxiety trickles through the bond and instead of looking at Nepheline, I merely reach out to place a hand on the small of her back. The bond thrums with energy as she shivers beneath my touch before continuing. "The second order of business is the Beta wolf you so graciously dragged in here for questioning. Have you found out anything?"

My mother's eyes glow with excitement as she stands. "He is from the pack of the Forbidden and should be regarded carefully. He won't tell us why he's here but I assume he is a trap and shouldn't be anywhere near the pack Alpha or his family."

I hadn't been able to inspect the wolf long enough for a seal like Asani's but it makes sense. Somehow, even though Silas left us the Beta, I don't see the wolf being my brother's. He can't be. Nepheline scoots toward me, drawing strength from my presence. "I would like to see him."

The room falls silent.

Kylan grunts as he gives in, moving toward the entrance of the room. Nepheline eagerly follows him as we trail behind her. Her entire body demeanor changes, her hands twisting in front of her as she leans into the doorway that Kylan opens a few feet away from the room we were just in. I can feel her chaotic emotions rumbling through the bond as she steps inside, Remi right behind her. I stay propped against the archway, my gaze adjusting to the darkness of the room.

What awaits me is not what I expected.

The wolf is shifted, chained to the floor, and in a much worse medical condition than when we left him this morning. A growl sits at the back of my throat as Calista pushes inside and points to the Beta. "As you can see, he's worthless until he gives us any information." His long brown hair is plastered to the sides of his head, a sliver of silver hair hanging in the front. Blood covers his chest and arms, his legs heavily bruised and when he lifts his head, the audible gasp that falls from Nepheline's lips cuts me to my core.

Both of his eyes are swollen shut, his lip split a small trail of blood running down the side of his face. He looks awful.

There's no doubt about who the Beta belongs to. The recognition on Nepheline's face tells me everything as she steps closer, Calista reaching forward to stop her. "Touch my Omega and I will rip your hand off of you, Calista," I growl. She whips around to glare at me but I've had enough of her power maneuvering. "I left this Beta with you for questioning. Unlike the other feral wolves we've come across, ones that I've torn apart with my own hands, this one was left for dead on our lands. We need to find out why and that won't happen with beating him senseless."

Kylan laughs. "A double standard? Because it looks like your Omega, the Luna we're supposed to be following has a vested interest in the little wolf."

"Or maybe she has a heart," I force out, fighting my wolf for dominance. If I shift here, everyone will know how little control I have over my animal. My position will be contested. The darkness hides my partial shift, claws extending from my hands and my teeth growing just enough that a bite to the flesh would do severe damage. "He will receive medical attention and then he will be questioned again."

Nepheline has taken several more steps toward the Beta, desperately trying to hold in her need to touch him. Remi is right behind her, ensuring that no one leaps toward our Omega. I can feel the elders crowding around the door, one of which is firmly staring at Remi. Pierson never thought his son was much of an Alpha and only thinks less of him since Nepheline mated two others.

Pierson steps inside and clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention to him. "As much as I appreciate the gesture, releasing this unknown wolf could have dire consequences for the entire pack. Set your emotions aside. This is a dangerous wolf with a seal from our enemies."

I can't help the laugh that tears from my throat as I stand taller but it's Nepheline who confronts him. She moves away from the Beta, hands fisted at her side as she glares up at Remi's father. "Setting my emotions aside, I don't think you or anyone else here has room to talk about what is dangerous. I am currently sharing a pack with several people who are responsible for my family's death and have yet to truly own up to their mistakes. By pack law, I should have them torn apart in the heart of the packlands and watch over every death with glee as justice is served." Pierson snarls at her but she merely stands up taller, Remi taking a step forward to press against her back. "I am not so heartless as to rip any more people from my mates. They don't deserve it. However, I will be taking this Beta with me and if he decides that he is not with us, I will cut that seal out of him myself before dragging him into the heart for you to deal with."

River rushes around me and gestures to the chains, Calista begrudgingly throwing him a key. No one else moves as the chains are quickly undone, River gathering the Beta up in his arms. Nepheline watches as they leave the room, her shoulders visibly relaxing. I nod to Remi, the Alpha gently tugging on our Omega until she gives in and follows after River.

The council is none too happy with my decision but I am the pack Alpha and the decisions come from me unless otherwise stated. Calista will have to learn her place and Kylan will have to fight for his. Physically. In the clearing so that everyone can see he is not the ruthless Alpha he claims to be. The serum is only so powerful and does not make up for instinct and tenacity where true Alpha biology would.

Calista stalks over to me, stabbing a finger into my chest. "You would allow your Omega to speak like that to your mother?"

"No. To my mother, Nepheline would have only spoken soft words. If you mean yourself, then yes. You are not my mother as I mentioned before. You have taken more from me than you can ever repay or make up for. Now, excuse me as I see to the Beta and his reason for being on our pack lands." I plan for that to be it. We'll see each other again at dinner where Nepheline will officially take up her position.

I'm not lucky enough to make it to the front door before Taras catches me. "Rein in your wolf, son. You may think you are in control but if we can see your animal, it is already too late."

The truth is a terrifying one.

I don't respond to her statement. Instead, I face Calista and the others, saying the few words I've been running through all morning. "Nepheline mentioned that it isn't her place to determine who has a seat on the council but I beg to differ. Her position as Luna is nearly identical to mine and holds all the same power that I do. My word might be law but so is hers. You would all do well to remember that. As for who is eligible for a seat on the council, none of you are. You may have earned this spot at some point but you have lost it with your actions in the last several months. In the next several days, I will appoint new members to the vacant seats."

The elders start chuckling, unsure if I'm serious but when I merely raise an eyebrow, Santiago steps forward. "Alpha Mateo, your decision to dismantle this council is unwise. It could start unrest within the pack. There hasn't ever been a pack without elders." Santiago is full of bullshit. The Redstone pack didn't have elders like we do. They had advisors and were doing just fine from what I could recall.

"Then you should have thought of that before each one of you became complicit in slaughtering my Omega's pack. Whatever your reasons were, they're not good enough for me. Casimir had his debts to pay, I'm aware, but taking everything from Nepheline wasn't a fair trade. That blood is on your hands. My father's death is on your hands. And Gael's suffering is as well. You can not make me believe that you did not know where Gael is or his current health status. The trust I had in the elders of this pack has been shattered and can not be rebuilt."

Calista follows me out of the meeting house but not before berating me one last time. "You have absolutely no idea what you're doing. Your actions will cause this pack to fall apart, Mateo."

"Then the consequences will be on you since you trained me. I won't remind you again of my name, Calista. Disrespect doesn't look good on you."