It was not old news for the Elders that Abner had been finding ways to force his canceled wedding over Alexia’s mate situation. Obviously, his intentions were rather shady in the past, as it was right now. After all, they were present during the dramatically canceled engagement/wedding party of Abner and Alexia three years ago.
What they have personally seen then was proof that Ma’Heron and Alexia are indeed mates.
“Might we ask, why is the Gamma’s mate currently on Crescent Moon premises?” Elder Jenna asked, intently looking at Abner.
“Well, it’s very simple. One day, she had just finished her shift here in the same building and was walking to her apartment when we met. She was so pleased to see me that she decided to come with me to my packhouse. Since then, she didn’t want to leave me anymore,” he said, grinning widely.
“Is there a way that you can prove that?” Siel suddenly asked.
It was a good and fair question. The elders looked at her approvingly and then back at the still-grinning Abner.
“Well, I could show you pictures, but I don’t think your feminine sensitivity would be happy with that.”
“Oh, I assure you, her ‘feminine sensitivity’ is tougher than many of our supposed ‘masculinities’ Abner,” V countered coldly, with an unreadable expression. “Or, you could call Alex right now instead. May we talk to her? If she is there willingly, I’m sure she won’t have a problem answering the phone.”
“I’m afraid she is sleeping, Alpha Vincent. You see, we’ve been very… active since she got back to my packhouse. She was pretty tired when I left OUR room.”
What? Ok, Siel, calm down. It won’t do your mate any good if you lose your cool.
“So, you’re saying that there is no way to contact her now and confirm that what you say is true?” the tall and blonde Stephen inquired with a very deep voice and incredulous tone. His suspicious gaze and query were directed to the smiling Abner.
“I have to apologize for that, but I wouldn’t like to pester my bride-to-be. We’re planning to get married as soon as the challenge is over. Three days from now, to be exact.”
Valentine’s Day… which is M and Alex’s special day… And married? She’s already married to… son of a… at least I’m glad that M is not hearing what this animal is saying right now, Siel thought.
“So, Abner, we see that you have made arrangements to solve the situation. By law, if you win, you get it all: The Silvercrest territory, the Vincent’s Alpha title, and the Gamma’s mate. Is that correct?”
“Yes, Elder…”
“Alpha Vincent Reigel, is this what you’re agreeing to, as well?”
“With a small change, Elder Damien.”
“Which is?”
“That Silvercrest Gamma Ma’Heron Denar will fight in my stead.”
A moment of thick, tense silence reigned in the room.
“Is he anywhere near here?”
“He is, Elder Jenna. Right outside the door.”
“Then can we let him in?”
“Of course, Elder Melo. I will mindlink him so he enters the room immediately.”
It took only a matter of seconds for Ma’Heron to appear. He slightly bowed his head as he spoke, “Good evening, Elders. Alphas. Luna.”
“Please, Gamma, take a seat.”
“Thank you, Elder Jenna.”
Even from the door, Ma’Heron’s wolf was cursing and growling up a storm in his head…
M, damn it, I can smell our mate on him!
Lyon, I beg you… please don’t make it even more difficult for me…. for us…
MA’HERON, HE SMELLS LIKE OUR MATE! AND I KNOW IT WASN’T WILLINGLY!
I know Lyon. I know. Now we focus on the meeting, the fight, and nothing else.
A broken Gamma set aside that small exchange in his head. While his exterior showed no emotions, a skill that he’s infamous for, a part of him was fuming in rage and drowning in grief.
Meanwhile, his human side – who could not stand life without the mate that he once was so close to rejecting – was keeping himself cool and collected with a little help from one of Bren’s special creations. It was the same one he had requested and is now testing.
So far, it’s working…
“You both understand that the fight might be to death, and you’re risking to lose everything, correct, Alpha Vince?”
“Yes, we do. I also understand that my Gamma has the right, more than anyone else, to fight for his mate since he called out Abner with an earlier challenge for Alexia three years ago. Also, I trust him to be fully able to go through with this…” Vince paused to look at Abner in the eye. “And he will surely win.”
M immediately spoke out as soon as V paused, “If you don’t mind me adding, I believe that my wife should be returned to me at the earliest. There is no reason for her to be in their territory against her will.”
“Oh, my dear Ma’He,” Abner said condescendingly, using his old rival’s known pet peeve. “You missed that part of our talk. She went with me to our packhouse willingly. She’s staying in my room willingly, and she gives herself to me. Many. Times. Daily, very, VERY willingly. And all because she wants ME.”
The whole room held their breath as they were sure that the Gamma would now shift right there and then to kill his wife’s abductor.
“I would like to hear it from her; if you don’t mind,” was the lawyer’s smooth and toneless reply, now causing his listeners to almost gasp audibly at his amazing self-control. This feat would eventually be told to many in the future, increasing his reputation for emotional restraint a hundredfold.
“We see it just fair, Abner. Make the call,” Melo commanded.
“Very well. But I can assure you, she was so pleased and tired when I left her that I don’t think she is fully awake, yet.”
Abner brought out his phone and showed the screen to confirm that it was indeed Alexia’s number that he was calling. M nodded to everyone to confirm that it was his mate’s.
Then the Crescent Moon Alpha pressed ‘dial’…