: Selecting a Luna

Jaxon POV

It’s been one week since Crane came here and told me that the elders are deciding my future. Bastards. I have been reviewing information on the she-wolves in the pack. None of them have the ability to be a Luna. I was considering picking a woman that was unattractive, so I wouldn’t be tempted to catch feelings for her, but then I would have to be seen with her at special events and I don’t feel like being ridiculed later on being a powerful Alpha with an ugly Luna.

With unattractive out of the question, I went for plain. Neither attractive or unattractive. Someone that could clean up well enough to be presentable for special events but unattractive enough to not tempt me. I had the omegas set up a room at the other end of the Alpha floor so the chosen Luna wouldn’t be near me. A weak connection is best.

The problem is, I don’t like any of the candidates. None of them inspire even the slightest trust. Trust that they can do the job, hold themselves to the standards of a Luna, trust that they will not expect more than being a Luna in title only. I am doing this out of necessity. I’m quite literally being forced into being mated.

“Alpha?” Matt knocks before he enters my office.

“Yes, Matt?”

“Still looking for a mail-order Luna?” He says.

I cut him a look that clearly says, ‘don’t start.’

“None of these women will do, Matt.” I say in exasperation, “Crane and the elders really screwed me here.”

“You know Alpha, not all women are the same. Perhaps, you should think about trying to make something work. It’s been five years after all.” Matt suggests.

“Matt, not even Drax wants a mate. Do you understand? We do not trust women. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Not only will this be bad for me, but it’s also bad for whoever signs up for this shit detail.” I sigh.

“Well, perhaps you can find someone who isn’t interested in being in a relationship with you but is only looking to gain some kind of status.” He says trying to come up with a solution.

“Yeah, but that isn’t exactly a question on the application, is it?” I say.

“No, but perhaps if you take the time to meet some of them, you could have these discussions. Just pick the top three and start with them.” He says trying to help me make sense of this insanity.

“Fine, I’ll go through everyone again and see which ones I think would be suitable. Let’s make a decision next week. Then I can meet with them and make a decision. I am going to drag this out to the last minute and keep my freedom for as long as possible.” I said.

Matt laughed, “I’m sorry to laugh, but as powerful as you have become, you still act like an errant child. I’m sure whoever you choose will not have cooties.”

Just then, his eyes glaze over and I hear him snarl. “What is it?” I said alerted to his reaction.

“Dark Flame scout. I know you said that you wanted them killed on the spot, but before we do, we should question the first one to see what exactly Alpha Darius is looking for from Winter Moon.” Matt says. His logic is sound.

“Have him taken to the cells and we will go down and start questioning him.” I said. I’m glad to get a break from looking at women’s pictures and applications.

We make our way to the cells. I see a young kid. Not more than nineteen. How is he a scout? Most scouts are trained for years before they get that kind of position. This doesn’t seem right?

“How old are you?” I ask.

He is shaking. Shit. “I am eighteen. Nineteen next week, Alpha.”

“How are you a scout? Most scouts are in their mid-twenties and train for years.” I tell him.

His eyes widen, “Alpha Darius said he wanted to test my scouting abilities and see if I would be ready for scout training.”

What the actual fuck? Test him in a role he hasn’t trained for and you are testing him on the most powerful pack in the south. This alpha is a bigger dick than I originally thought.

“Well, you failed.” I started, “Why did he want you scouting Winter Moon? What is he looking to find out?”

“Alpha, I didn’t want to be a scout. I don’t even want to be part of Dark Flame. I was brought in against my will. I will tell you what I know, but in exchange, will you please help me get back to my family?” The scout says.

His pleading surprises me. What surprises me even more is that he is asking for help. “What do you mean you were brought to Dark Flame against your will?”

“My pack was a small pack. Alpha Darius has been going to small packs and taking the young men and women. He forces us to come to his pack and accept him as our Alpha. This usually happens during our full moon runs. He grabs whoever he can. We never see the women again, but the men are forced to join his pack and become warriors. I’m trying to survive, but I didn’t ask for this, nor do I want it.” He says, with his lips trembling and tears glazing over his eyes.

FUCK. ME. He is kidnapping young men and women. What is happening to the women? Where are they going?

“Why did he send you to scout my pack?”

“He wanted me to report back to him the path you take for the full moon run.” The scout said.

“What’s your name scout?” I asked

“Jake Woods, Alpha. Will you help me? Please?” He’s practically begging.

“Jake, I will help you, but you need to help me. For now, I want you to go back to Dark Flame. Provide Alpha Darius with the route I provide you. When he gets here, we will take care of him and then I will help you and everyone else that was forced against their will, get back to your packs.” I said.

I see his lip trembling and relief in his eyes. “Thank you Alpha. I will do exactly as you say.”

“Release him” I say to the guards before looking back at Jake. As soon as they release him I tell him to follow me to my office.

Matt is following behind him, in case he is putting on a show. When we get to my office, I go over the plan I have been formulating in my head. “Jake, tell me, to the rest of the men being brought in want to stay in Dark Flame or do they want to return home?”

“Some want to stay, Alpha. It’s not because they like it at Dark Flame though. It’s because their original packs were more poor than Dark Flame. With barely enough to eat, they thought being in a wealthier pack would help them survive.” He says sadly.

“Was your pack poor?”

“Moon Ring is not wealthy but it isn’t desolate either. Everyone contributes and we don’t start trouble with anyone. We live peacefully.”

“Tell me about Alpha Darius.” I say.

“Well, once you accept him as your Alpha, he treats you with respect. But if you flat out refused, you are either killed or you are taking with the women. I don’t know where he takes them. There is a special group of warriors that know and they are tight lipped about the location.”

“Do those warriors come during the full moon run too?”

“I don’t know, Alpha. I’ve only been in the pack for a couple of weeks. This is my first time leaving the pack to scout.” He says as if he has disappointed me.

So this bastard sent a new member with no training or warrior skills into my pack. Something seems very off about this situation. ‘Does this seem weird to you, Matt?”

‘Why did they send this kid? Unless there is another scout on the pack lands we haven’t located yet. Fuck.’

“Did anyone else come with you?” I ask Jake.

“No. I was told I was to come alone. I asked for another scout to come with me, but Alpha Darius said no. He said this is a test and I am not to fail him or I would die. Either by your hands or his.”

‘Have the patrol search for another scout. Leave no stone unturned.’

‘I already gave the order. They are currently searching.’

‘Good.’

“We are looking to see if another scout or warrior followed you after you left Dark Flame.” I tell Jake.

His eyes widen and he looks visibly shaken, “Were they using me as the fall guy?”

“I think if we find another scout, then it’s highly likely.”

“Alpha.” Matt interrupts, “They found him.”

“Good. Kill him.” I said without another thought. “Now then, your threat is eliminated Jake. You can deliver a route to Alpha Darius and since you didn’t know about someone following you, you have nothing to worry about, agreed?”

Jake is staring at me with his mouth open and then starts stuttering, “Uh, um, yeah, I mean, yes, Alpha.”

“Good, take this pen and pad and start jotting notes. When the full moon gets here, Dark Flame should follow the path I’m going to give you. We will be waiting for him.”

: Sparring for a date

Darius POV

I’ve been trying to get Sable in my bed for over two years. I am a respectful Alpha to my pack members, so I never would try to force her, but damn it, I want to conquer her. She is beautiful. She is a natural beauty. All the warriors in the pack and even those who aren’t, notice her.

Her dark brown hair comes down in soft waves, even though it’s rarely seen because she has it in a damn bun when training. Everything she wears accentuates her curves. She has an athletic build and you can see the definition in her arms and legs. One time I saw her lift the hem of her shirt to wipe sweat from her neck and she exposed her abs and my cock got rock hard at the sight. Since then, I have wondered what she looks like naked. I bet she looks like a sculpted goddess. Her eyes are a hazel green and she has the most natural full, kissable lips I’ve even seen on a woman. I would love to see those lips wrapped around my dick.

Do I love her? Yes. Do I want her? Yes. I just need to wear her down. She is one hell of a fighter and is capable of taking down any of the warriors. However, she has never sparred with me. I figure I can make it interesting for her and still get what I want.

I’m seeing her stretch and her cleavage is peeking through her shirt. Fuck her breasts look perfectly round and full. Because she works out so much and trains so hard, her ass looks like two full globes. Her thighs and hamstrings are muscular and damn it if I don’t want to have my head between them.

‘I like her wolf, Nia too. Under her classy exterior is a fire waiting for me. I want to claim her.’ Brock, my wolf says.

‘Me too, Brock. We want to taste her. She and her wolf like playing hard to get.’

After everyone is done warming up, I gather the warriors around. “Today, we are rotating our sparring partners. Sable, you’re with me. Everyone else, Beta Anton will be let you know who your sparring partner is,” I look over at Sable, she is just standing there but her eyes tell me she is annoyed. I am going to enjoy sparring with her, especially with what I have in mind, “Sable let’s go into the first ring.”

She raises an eyebrow and follows me to the first ring. I turn to her, “Why don’t we make this interesting?”

She sighs, “Interesting, how?”

“Let’s make a bet. If I beat you in sparring, you agree to go to dinner with me tonight.”

She ponders for a moment, “Okay. If I win, you stop asking me out altogether.”

“Confident in your ability to beat an Alpha, Sable?”

“Yes. Do you agree with my reward Alpha Darius?”

I smirk. I have no intention of letting her win. “Agreed. If you can either kick me in the chest or get me to tap out, then you win. Same for me.”

“I agree to those terms.” She says. She looks bored. I’m almost offended, but I will soon get this woman in her place.

Well then, I suggest we get into place,” I say to her, “Anton, call our match for us please.”

“Terms?” He asks as he jogs over.

“Tap out or kick to the chest.” I say.

“Understood.”

I get in position and so does Sable. Once I take her down, she will go to dinner with me and I will seduce her and get my fix of her. I want to mark and claim her as mine, but I can’t force my mark on her. If I do, she could go to the Elders and I lose my position as Alpha. I need her to willingly submit to me. This is just step one.

“Spar!” Anton calls out.

Sable starts walking around me lazily. I’ve seen her do this before. She is sizing me up. I decide to tease her. “Like what you see?”

“Nope. You’re not my type Alpha Darius.”

I stop what I’m doing, “Really?”

She lunges at me and swipes my leg. FUCK! I let my guard down and she capitalized on it to get me on my back. She is moving to kick me in the chest while I’m down, so I roll out from under her and get back on my feet before she could stomp on my chest and I lose the bet.

She pulls back again and continues sizing me up. “You know, even if you did win this bet, dinner would be all you ever get. You know I have no interest in pursuing anything with any man who isn’t my fated mate. So why are you so persistent, Alpha?”

“I find you to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, inside and out.” I said honestly.

“You only say that because you haven’t met your fated mate, Alpha.” She says smirking, “I will be nothing compared to her or him.”

The fuck did she just say? Did she try to say I swing both ways? “If I were paired with a ‘him’, the rejection would be swift, Sable.”

“Then you should wait for ‘her’ and stop pursuing me.” She said.

I lunge for her but she side steps me and then with a force I didn’t realize she possessed, she pins me the floor, face down. “I’m not the one for your Alpha Darius. I just want to be left alone until I find my fated mate. Why can you not respect that for me?” She says gripping my wrists behind my back harder.

“Because you are the one I want, Sable. Many women would love the attention of an Alpha. You seem to be the only one that doesn’t. It drives me insane. You drive me insane.” I say, trying and failing to break her grip. Why can’t I break out of her grip?

“I’m holding you here until you tap out, Alpha.” She said after a long pause.

“You’ll be waiting a long time then, little wolf. I’m not one to give in.” I said.

“Suit yourself.” She said and she leaned her body weight on me twisting my arm tighter. Fuck, she is going to break my fucking arm. Where the hell did she get this strength? No wonder the other warriors can’t beat her.

“How the fuck are you stronger than an Alpha?” I grit. I feel sweat coming down the side of my head. The position she has me in does not feel great.

“I train hard, Alpha.” Is the only response she gives me. I knew I was right to want this woman. I try hard to flip her, but the only way I can do that is by dislocating my shoulder. It's a painful and calculated move, but I'm going to make it to get out of her hold. I do not want to lose this bet.

As my shoulder pops I flip her off my back and get up quickly. I need to get my shoulder back but she is lunging at me again. This time I block and swipe her under her knee. She falls on her back and I move quickly to stomp her chest and end this match, but she grabs my foot and trips me up. If I wasn’t so focused on winning this, I would have a major hard on right now. I really want to bend her over and take her hard. It’s a heady thought.

As I’m lost in my thoughts, I feel a hit to my chest. “Score. Sable wins.” Anton announces.

FUCK ME! I got distracted about fucking her and she got the upper hand.

“Thank you for a good match, Alpha. Since I win, you agreed to my reward. Please don’t ask me out anymore.” She turns away and leaves the training grounds.

‘Idiot! You let her win because you let your dick take over!’ Brock growled in my head.

‘It’s okay. There are more than one way to skin a cat.’ I tell my wolf.

: Secrets

Sable POV

Alpha Darius has a lot of nerve to try to set up a way to force me to accept dinner with him. What no one in this pack knows, well except my parents, but they are gone, and no one else knows, is that I have a telekinetic gift. I can control the muscles and actions of other people. It is handy when you are a warrior and why I ended up becoming lead warrior.

I made sure to use it this time with Darius. I was taking a gamble but I really don’t want him bothering me about dinner or any other kind of date. I would rather spend the rest of my life alone than to choose a chosen mate.

I’m not trying to be a bitch, but I hate having to repeat myself over and over again to Alpha Darius and other warriors in the pack. I get back to my cottage and start working on my little garden of herbs. I find it therapeutic and calming. Especially, when I’m upset like right now.

I continue working on the garden quietly. All of sudden I hear soft footsteps approaching. I look up and for the first time in a few days, I see Jake. He’s back from scouting. “Hey Jake!” I say, standing up and wiping my hands on my pants. “You’re back! That’s great!”

He smiles at me, “Hey Sable. Yeah, I’m back. I even got what Alpha Darius was asking for, and you can see I’m back safe and sound.”

“That’s awesome! Well, of course, I won’t hold you up, but how was your first experience as a scout?”

“I won’t lie, I was very scared. But it was easier than I thought.”

I was surprised when Alpha Darius sent Jake to the Winter Moon pack. I heard the alpha there has a reputation for killing intruders on the spot. Scouts tend to go on their first mission after they have trained for a couple years, at least. Then the first mission is always something easy, not something as intense and dangerous as scouting the most notorious pack in the region.

It didn’t set right with me when Alpha Darius sent Jake on this mission. But I am impressed with Jake and proud of him for accomplishing his mission. “Well, I’m glad you are back. Alpha Darius was in the training facility when I left a little while ago. Why don’t you go and see if he is still there.” I say smiling.

“Thanks Sable. See you around.”

I return to gardening and let myself get lost in thought until it starts to dark.

***

Darius POV

I didn’t expect Jake to come back. I sent him as a decoy so Marcus, the other scout I sent behind him, could look at the Winter Moon defenses. They are the biggest threat to my operations, and I want to eliminate the Alpha. He has no Luna or heir. If I can eliminate him, then I can take over Winter Moon and I can expand my trafficking circle with the resources from his pack. He has grown Winter Moon substantially in the last five years and if I can infiltrate the pack in the most vulnerable spot, then I can conquer the pack.

I sent Jake because he is expendable. He is of no use to me. He comes from a weak pack and has no fighting ability. If he dies, it means nothing to me. Sure, he accepted me as his Alpha and I respected him, but he complains like a little bitch all the time. I need men for warriors. There are others that have come from different packs, and they don’t cry about missing home. They adapt to Dark Flame and to me as their new Alpha. He didn’t want to fall in line with that mentality, but he also never defied me. So, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don’t want other pack members to think I’m unjust. I need them to see me as a kind and respectful Alpha. It’s part of my cover. If the Elders were to catch on to what I am doing outside of agriculture, they could have me arrested, stripped of my title or killed. The pack members being happy with me and the pack is part of my cover. It would be nice to make Sable my Luna to complete the circle, but I’m still working her down.

“Jake, well done on completing your mission. What did you find?” I asked him.

“Well, Alpha Darius, I overheard patrol talking about securing the full moon route for next week. I followed behind in the shadows and mapped out the points of the route as you ordered." Jake said.

“Why were they interested in securing the full moon route, Jake?”

“Apparently, they are hearing news about pack members missing after full moon runs. They don’t know why pack members are going missing or if there is someone involved. Nor do they suspect that you have any involvement. At least, I didn’t hear either of the patrol guards mention it, sir.”

Hmm, this is new. The smaller packs are starting to report the disappearances of their pack members. I will need to be more mindful or find another way to get other pack members for the East Region. Alpha Jasper likes his harem of women, but so do his warriors. Bloodlust pack is an apt name for his pack. He pays me handsomely for the women I supply him with too.

If there are men that don’t want to acknowledge me as their Alpha but look like they could be good slaves for Alpha Jasper, I send them too. He pays me for them so far, and he hasn’t told me to stop sending them, so I will continue with how I am running things. Either way, this is supporting my pack and pack members and helping me gain the resources I need to take down Winter Moon. It’s only a matter of time before Alpha Jaxon falls, and I rise to power.