Page 24 of A Luna's Revenge (Stone Mountain Shifters)

Alpha Jenson Black

The Day Tracy Vincent Arrives

Early Morning

Devastation Day 1

After I placed Tracy in an empty office, I took a moment to gather my thoughts. If this is going to work, I need to first accuse her of tricking and drugging me. Then, I became the benevolent benefactor by forgiving her for the sake of the son that Charlie couldn't give me. If I play this very carefully, this could be good—very good!

Charlie is so blissfully in love with methat she hasn't noticed a thing. Funny, I never thought I would be a cheater. I love Charlie; she has been everything to me since we were kids. But I am disappointed in her, and I find cheating strokes my ego and makes me feel better.

The only thing in my way is Asher, my wolf. He doesn't enjoy the physical pleasures like I do. He fights me at every opportunity. I’ve had to dilute his presence with a tea that Tracy introduced me to.

It works like a charm by putting him to sleep for a while. Unfortunately, I must use it sparingly because I need my wolf to be active as an Alpha. He stays asleep if I use too much, and I am not as strong. Therefore, I don't get to have as many liaisons as I would like. A couple of the she-wolves here are disappointed by that. I laugh to myself.

Once Tracy is safely tucked away, I gather everyone in my office. After this meeting, I will take Charlie for a walk and feed her the lies I’ve concocted. Spinning it to where I am the victim will make her see things my way, I am sure of it. If I can suffer it for the pup's sake, so can she. She can be very na?ve and trusting sometimes.

My parents, my Beta, Ben Rodgers, Elder Tom Roberts, Elder Frank Brooks, and his wife, Elder Tina Brooks, Dr. Shannon, and Dr. Bridgit are seated around the room.

With Elder Frank Brooks complaining about being up so early, I think of how to spin this to get my way. “What's the meaning of this Alpha? Why are we in your office at 5:00 a.m.? Who is dying, or who has declared war?"

I figured I should just jump right in and preempt the bickering that was bound to happen. "Everyone," I begin, "A she-wolf has shown up here this morning. She claims we had a one-night stand during the alpha conference three months ago and that she is pregnant with my pup."

While everyone else seems to panic, my mother simply gasps, "A pup!" I ignore her.

"I—I don't recall much from the last night of the conference," I explain. "I don't remember any intimate acts with any females. But what I do remember are flashes of me pushing her away and telling her no, then ultimately waking up kissing her with us both naked on the floor." I sigh. "I also remember telling her to leave more than once.

"Do you believe it was non-consensual?" asked Elder Tina Brooks.

"Yes. I was intoxicated; I don’t know how, but I was. I told her no and to leave multiple times. I don't even know how she got in my room!" I shout, pounding my fist on the deskfor dramatic effect.

Elder Frank Brooks spoke up. "Let me point out one thing to consider before we begin this discussion. Alpha, if she is pregnant with your pup, this would resolve Luna's inability to conceive; you would have an heir.”

I laugh to myself; this couldn't be working out more perfectly if I tried. The fact that an Elder is suggesting this plays right into my plans.

"What? I don't think that is a good idea.” Elder Tina shrieks, “Not only does the Alpha view this as non-consensual, but it will destroy Luna.”

“Oh, don’t act so shocked, Tina. In times past, packs would locate a breeder, a surrogate if you will, to carry a child heir for an Alpha and his Luna under similar circumstances. So, it’s not unheard of."

“Ridiculous, Frank! That practice is barbaric and has no place in modern society. This isn't something to take lightly.” She glances around the room. “Where is Charlie, and why isn't she here?"

"I want to be able to talk to her alone," Jenson sighs. "That's why I called this early meeting. I want to get things hashed out."

"I see." Elder Tina taps her jaw absently. "I'm not sure that is the best idea, but it’s not my call. I think she is the first person who should have known. My biggest concern is how this will hurt Luna, and accepting the child as the heir should be carefully contemplated with Luna's prior knowledge and approval."

"Noted." Elder Frank snapped at his wife. "Let's press on. I must insist that we have to consider the heir first..."

"I disagree, Frank!" Elder Tina interrupts. "Surrogacy. Maybe! Under medical insemination with, again, Luna’s full knowledge and agreement. You can't discount her feelings. What you are doing right now by excluding her will undermine our pack!"

I sit and watch the argument between the mates. The prospect of a child is the only thing that binds Tracy Vincent to me; that and probably sex. However, Charlie comes before anyone or anything. Again, I just need to approach this situation very carefully.

Dr. Bridgit gives Dr. Shannon an odd look andthen speaks up. "I agree. Luna needs to be in this conversation. ButI also want to address Alpha's statement that he thinks if he had sex with the she-wolf, it was non-consensual. Alpha, what did you consume that made you so vulnerable?"

"I am not even sure. Everything is hazy." I lie. "Tracy was one of the admins who provided us with meals, drinks, whatever we needed while there. She was very kind and overly friendly. I couldn't get her to leave me alone. She was always hanging around, inserting herself into conversations and giving advice.

She even interrupted a discussion between a fellow Alpha and me about Charlie's inability to conceive." Let's drive that point home. "She gave me an herbal tea that her sister's mate had taken to assist with infertility.” It’s to subdue Asher when I have a liaison. “ It’s supposed to help the male sperm to implant better in the womb. I appreciated her kindness then, but her overstepping wasembarrassing."

"I know of no herbs that would help the male sperm to implant better in the womb, only a few supplements that can boost sperm quality and count. I tried to discuss this with you, but you dismissed me.” She snaps. “Do you have any of it left?" Dr. Shannon stiffens, drawing her brows together.

"Yeah." I reach into my desk drawer and pull out the unlabeled container Tracy gave me to help keep Asher sedated. "I make tea out of it occasionally."

I go to put it back in the drawer, but Dr. Shannon immediately grabs it and opens the lid to smell it. Coughing, she jerks it back away from her face. "Alpha, you drink this?" I nod. "I don't know what is in this, but I smell magic. Possibly, black magic." She hands the container to Dr. Bridgit, who agrees with her assessment.

"How is your wolf feeling right now?" Dr. Bridgit inquires.

"My wolf is fine. I only use that occasionally. When I want to be intimate." I smirk at the half-lie . I use it when I want to sedate Asher so I can be intimate with other females.

"I'm taking this to the lab to run tests. Meet me there for an examination as soon as you can this morning. This is very suspicious to me." Dr. Shannon leaves and closes the door behind her. I didn't expect her to take my suppression compound. I will have to be slightly restrained until I getmore from Tracy.

"So, we need to set up an action list." Elder Roberts pulls out his hologram device to take notes. "Top of the list is to keep this Ms. Vincent appeased and watched. Under no circumstances do we allow her into the pack due to her questionable behavior."

I mentally roll my eyes.

"Meanwhile, we are testing the herbs Ms. Vincent gave the Alpha. The doctors will do a thorough exam on the Alpha after the meeting.

“I agree with Elder Frank that we need to look at the possibility of the baby being Alpha's, but we also need to classify this as a non-consensual sexual attack as Alpha was obviously under some kind of influence, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, or black magic. Did you file any report with anyone at the Alpha conference, Alpha?"

"No. I was too busy throwing my guts up at what she said happened. I was also embarrassed and devastated," I say. "I just asked her to leave my room for the last time, and she finally did. I left there as soon as I got packed."

"I don't know if it would do much good, but maybe if we had you meet with the lead enforcer here and record what happened. Someone needs to contact the Alpha of the Lazy Moon Pack and find out what drinks they offered at the conference that would have the ability to get an Alpha intoxicated.

“You should talk to the Alpha, as well, about the assault just to put our ducks in a row. An unconscious person isn't able to consent. Also, talking to the Alpha about Ms. Vincent and why she came here allegedly "seeking asylum" in the middle of the night would be beneficial. She had only to tell the situation to her Alpha and arrange things through himunless, for some reason, she couldn't do that."

"Wait," I interrupt. "This has been very embarrassing for me. I don't want to pursue any charges against her. I am an Alpha, for goddess's sake! How do you think this is going to make me look!" I rage.

This is not part of the plan. These idiots need to rein it in, or my plans will be ruined.

Silence envelops the room. At least I got my point across.

"Alpha," Elder Tina soothes, "You should at least reportthe attack to our enforcer here. There needs to be a record. If not for your sake, for Luna's sake. That way, she’ll know it was non-consensual."

She has a point. To keep up the ruse, I need to do this. Tracy will just have to deal with the consequences for a little while. "You are right, Tina. Make it so." She nods.

"Well–I think we need to bring Luna and Tracy in now and get this started." Elder Frank held up his hands. "Hear me out. Alpha, you are going to be busy going to these examsand making that report, and at the same time, you have to keep Ms. Vincent appeased. If she takes off with your heir, this could come back to bite us. I insist that we have no time to spare on this."

"I don't see why he has to appease the person who possibly assaulted him." Elder Tina cries, horrified.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic, Tina." Elder Frank replied. "He's a male."

"Frank! That is so unfeeling and sexist." Elder Tina is outraged. "Male or female, assault is an assault."

"I just want this to drop!" I roar. Everyone exposes their necks in submission and nods.

After she recovers, Elder Tina stares at both Elder Frank and me. She gets up in our faces and hisses, "I will have no part of this. I will not be aparty to the destruction of Luna. You will regret it."

"Are you threatening the Alpha, Tina?" Frank huffs incredulously.

"If that is what you think I mean, you both are fools!" She exits the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Uh...I can get undercover she-wolf Enforcers to befriend Tracy and assist you while you deal with her." Beta Ben offers, looking hesitantly after Elder Tina.

"Do that!" I snap. She needs to get acquainted with pack members anyway. This is an excellent first step. "Ben, go ahead and get Tracy, and I will get Lou to retrieve Luna Charlie."