Page 9 of A Luna's Revenge (Stone Mountain Shifters)

Alpha Jenson Black

The Day Tracy Arrives

Early Morning

Devastation Day 1

"Alpha, the enforcers just informed me there is a pregnant she-wolf at the gate seeking asylum." My Beta Ben links me, rousing me from sleep. Dragging myself out of bed before the crack of dawn is ridiculous. This can't be good.

"Bring her to my office. I'm on my way."

Charlie stirs beside me. "What's wrong, Jenson?"

I sit back down on the bed and pull her into my arms. Goddess, I am a lucky man to have her. She is my person. "Go back to sleep, love. Just someone at the gateis seeking asylum."

She looks at the clock. "At 4:00 a.m.?"

I sigh, "I know." I drag my finger along her cheekbone and pull her tight to me. Sleepily, she stretches and rubs her soft curves against me. Tracing my thumb across her pouty bottom lip, her mouth opens. She runs her fingers through the hair at my neck and pulls me closer. I capture her mouth against mine, licking her bottom lip; she makes the most delicious sound that ignites a fire in my stomach. My mouth makes love to hers slowly. I don't want to stop. I groan. "I have to go, love." Reluctantly pulling away from her, I dress and head to my office, promising to return to Charlie's loving arms soon.

I enter my office and realize how wrong that assumption is and that nothing will ever be the same againas I see a pregnant Tracy Vincent sitting in one of the office chairs next to a tired Beta Ben. I know I am in trouble.

I place Tracy in an empty room and gather everyone in my office. I dread talking to Charlie, but as soon as this is over, I plan to take her for a walk and explain things as best I can. That statement is laughable! I don't even know what happened.

I barely remember that night at the Alpha conference three months ago. And how in the world did I even get so intoxicated? A wolf's metabolism is so high it burns alcohol right off. I don't even have my wolf to help me right now. Ever since the Alpha's conference, he's been missing in action. I am useless as a shifter, let alone as an Alpha. Shame creeps up my spine.

Around the room sit my parents, my Beta Ben Rodgers, Elder Tom Roberts, Elder Frank Brooks, and his wife, Elder Tina Brooks, Dr. Shannon, and Dr. Bridgit.

Elder Frank Brooks, ever the straightforward one, speaks first. "What's the meaning of this Alpha? Why are we in your office at 5:00 am? Who is dying, or who has declared war?"

"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."

A collective gasp shoots through the room.

"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?" Elder Tina Brooks asks.

"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 desk.

Elder Frank Brooks, ever the pragmatic one, speaks 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.”

What?" Elder Tina Brooks shrieks. "I don't think that is a good idea. 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 don't want to hurt her more than she already will be." Jenson sighs. "That's why I called this early meeting. I want to get things hashed out and then talk to her myself."

"I see." Elder Tina taps her jaw absently. "I'm not sure that is the best idea, but it’snot 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 FULL 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. Sure! 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 agree." I say, "But I want Charlie to have to deal with none of this and do everything possible to lessen her pain. I want to shield her from it as much as possible. On the other hand, I have to admit, the prospect of an heir is wonderful. However, Charlie comes before anyone or anything."

Dr. Bridgit speaks up. "I agree. Luna needs to be in this conversation. I 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 drink that had you so intoxicated?"

"I am not even sure. Everything is hazy." I admit. "Tracy was one of the admins who provided us with meals, drinks, whatever we needed while there. She was very kind but overly friendly. I couldn't gether to leave me alone, always hovering, listening to conversations, and giving unsolicited advice.

“She even inserted herself in a conversation I had with a fellow Alpha about our inability to conceive. She gave me an herbal tea that her sister's mate had taken to assist with infertility. It’s supposed to help the male sperm implant more securely in the womb. While I appreciated her kindness, her overstepping was very embarrassing."

"There are a few supplements that can boost sperm quality and count. I tried to talk to you about them, but you discounted them.” Dr. Bridgit all but snarls, drawing her brows together. “I am not sure why you would trust a stranger with your reproductive health instead. Do you still have the tea?

"Yeah," I reply, embarrassed. Of course, she is right. Why did I trust a stranger? I reach into my desk drawer and pull out the unlabeled container. "I make a drink out of it each morning." I hand the nearly empty jar to her.

She immediately opens the lid to sniff and jerks it back, coughing. "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. Shannon, who agrees with her assessment.

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

"I haven't heard from my wolf since the Alpha conference." I quietly admit.

Shocked gasps echo around the room once again.

"Alpha, you should have talked to me immediately." Dr. Bridgit reprimands. "We don't know what damage this is doing to you."

"I'm taking this to the lab to run tests. Meet us there as soon as possible, and one of us will give you an examination and run some tests. This is very fishy to me. I don't think this Tracy can be trusted. We need to proceed with caution." Dr. Shannon leaves and closes the door behind her.

"Ok. We need to set something else in motion this morning." I pick up my phone and call my private detective. "Rhoades, I need you to do a thorough background check on a she-wolf, Tracy Vincent. She recently came from the Lazy Moon Pack, but search within all packs and records discreetly! I need information about her yesterday. I want to know everything about her, even a parking ticket.”

“You got it, boss.”

“Thanks!" I hang up the call and turn to face the room.

"So, we need to set up an action list." Elder Roberts pulls out a notebook and pen. "Top of the list is to keep Ms. Vincent appeased but monitored. Under no circumstances do we allow her into the pack considering these questionable facts. Meanwhile, we are testing the tea Ms. Vincent gave the Alpha. The doctors will conduct a thorough examination of the Alpha. We have a private detective getting info on Ms. Vincent.”

“I agree with Elder Frank that we need to look at the possibility of the pup being Alpha's,” he continues, “but we also need to classify this as a non-consensual sexual assault as Alpha was intoxicated and could not give his consent. Did you file a report with anyone at the 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 told 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 there and report what happened.

“Additionally, someone needs to contact the Alpha of the Lazy Moon Pack to find out what drinks were offered at the conference that could have intoxicated an Alpha.

“You should then make a report to Alpha Rich Simpkins about the assault, just to put our ducks in a row. An unconscious person isn't able to consent to sex.

“Additionally, it would be beneficial to speak with the Alpha about Ms. Vincent and why she allegedly came here ‘seeking asylum’ in the middle of the night. She had only to tell the situation to her Alpha and arrange a transfer through him unless, for some reason, she couldn't do that." Elder Roberts finally takes a breath.

"Looks like you will be busy for the next couple of days. When are you going to tell Luna?" Elder Tina asks. "And I recommend you personally tell her as soon as possible."

"I vote we bring her and Tracy in now and get this started." Elder Frank held up his hands. "Hear me out before anyone starts on me. Alpha, you will be busy making all these calls andbeing examined, and you have to keep Ms. Vincent appeased. If she takes off while carrying your heir, this could come back to bite us in the future. 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 cried out, horrified.

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

"Frank! That is so unfeeling and sexist." Tina is outraged. "He just said he spent most of the time vomiting because of the thought that he might have slept with her."

"Alpha, you look as though you may vomit right now." Dr. Bridgit observes.

"I feel as though I might." I swallow hard.

"I can give you a mild sedative to help you through the next couple of days while we investigate this further." Dr. Bridgit offers gently. "I'll try to prescribe one that won't affect your motor skills or thought processes much but just help you deal with the trauma. And only on a short-term basis. Also, I recommend you begin counseling as soon as possible."

"I can get undercover she-wolf Enforcers to befriend Tracy and assist you while you deal with her." Beta Ben offers. Hopefully, it will be easier while we build a case against her. If you say she overheard you discussing yours and Luna's inability to conceive, she knew you were mated. If she knowingly tried to interfere in a mate bond, that is a crime punishable by banishment."

"I don't want to throw Charlie into a snake pit by bringing her in blind this morning." I begin. Just then, there’s a knock on the door, and it’s Tracy.

"I am so sorry for interrupting, Jenson," she says sweetly, "I am just feeling a little faint." With that, she falls to the floor, moaning. We all rush to her.

Elder Frank gives me a knowing look at Tracey’s theatrics. "You don't have a choice, Alpha!" He hisses. "We have to get on top of this now! You don't have the time to chit-chat with Luna!"

"I'll just speak to her tonight when we go to bed," I say, defeated.

While Dr. Bridgit is assessing Tracy, Elder Tina glares at 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. Tell her everything first, or you will regret it."

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

"If that is what you thought I meant, you both are fools!" She swiftly exits the room and slams the door in her wake.

We put Tracy on the couch while Beta Ben leaves to get Luna Charlie.

"Goddess! Asher!" I shout to my wolf in my head. " Where are you ? I need you right now. " This will devastate Charlie. I look over to Tracy and her round belly. I absolutely loathe her, but I have an act to portray for a few days. I will explain everything to Charlie tonight. We will get to the bottom of this together. And, if the baby turns out to be mine, I would have an heir. I am torn, but if she is carrying my pup, even from a non-consensual act, it isn't the pup's fault, and it will be my responsibility as my heir.

Unfortunately, I have an act to play, but I was never good at acting.