Page 54 of A Luna's Revenge

"Let's get loaded up." I trot up the stairs and out to the waiting SUVs. "Put Ms. Vincent in the second vehicle, and let's roll." She is hastily placed in the second SUV, and we are again on our way.

This time, we are headed south to Stone Mountain Kingdom. And if what I’ve heard from the prisoners is true, the Alpha Commander and I have something in common: our fated mates are criminals who didn't want us but someone else enough to try to destroy their mate bond.

My mind and heart are in tatters. Two selfish females destroyed four broken-hearted alphas.

Jenson

Sitting in the conference room with Enforcer Orson and Beta Ben, I contemplate how I will navigate this conference. Charlie forced my hand, and I had to charge Tracy for mate bond tampering, among other things, or admit to having an affair. With how things have turned out, I should have just shown courage, admitted my failings, and beggedforgiveness.“You didn’t want forgiveness. You wanted to be selfish and have easy access to your mistress here under your mate’s nose,”Asher yells in my head.

“Asher, shut up! I need to think!”

As it stands, Charlie has disappeared into the wind. We tracked her cell phone up to Northern Canada, where it was found smashed in a dumpster. Nothing could be found on it; she had wiped it clean except for the tracker. The fact she left the tracker on it tells me she did it on purpose to throw us off, and it worked.

She also served me with divorce papers that will be finalized in two weeks without my raising a finger. I have to contact someone to answer the petition and stall the divorce proceedings until I can talk to Charlie. I hope we can work this out.

On top of everything else, Dr. Bridgit advises me that miscarriages and health crises are up at alarming rates within the pack.

Additionally, I have people leaving. Just over a week ago, Reggie Marks, my top Elite Enforcer under Orson, suddenlyrequested a transfer. He went with Alpha Blake's contingency this morning. Alpha Blake accepted him after the discussion he and I had. Alpha Blake plans to make him his Lead Enforcer. I highly recommended him, even though I hate to see him go. Despite his request to relocate last week, I wish him the best.

“Reggie, I really hate losing you.” I reach to shake his hand at the end of the interview. “You are my top guy under Orson. We even have it in the works to move you up as Orson’s second.”

His countenance was steely, and he didn’t pull any punches. He looked me dead in my eyes and said, “I’m leaving because of Charlie. Any male who would hurt such a wonderful person is not honorable.”

I drop my hand in shock. “What are you insinuating, Marks?”

“There are probably only a few in this pack that don’t know how you hurt and humiliated Charlie.” He spat. “Did you think that no one would know why she left? You weren’t exactly discreet, Alpha! Everyone saw you leaving the bars with females and going next door to the motel. Then you had the nerve to move your pregnant mistress across the hall from her bedroom!

If you treat your most treasured soulmatethat way, what hope do the rest of us have? What confidence would that inspire in your leadership?” He was trembling with anger by the end of his speech. I felt his Alpha aura wash over me as he held back, wanting to say and do more. It was so intense I nearly showed my neck. I can see his potential as an iron-willed leader.

I simply nod, as there is no arguing with his logic. What he says is fair. I’ve well and truly messed my life up.

This chain of events has sobered me. I can feel the unrest around me now that my eyes have been opened. My link to thepack now feels tenuous and weak. Especially since the fractured bond with Charlie dissipated.

Charlie has always been the love of my life; even when there were other females, I never loved themor kissed another. It was just physical gratification. My heart has always been reserved for Charlie.“You should have held yourentire heart, body, and soulin reserve for Charlie. How would you feel to discover that Charlie had been doing what you were doing?”Asher snarled.

“What the heck! Asher, was Charlie sleeping around?”Despite the audience, I nearly began frothing at the mouth at the thought.

“No, Alphahole, but think about that and tell me how Charlie felt when she found out what you were doing?”Asher accused.“I don’t know where your head has been these last few months, but you are the one that destroyed our mate and our mate bond. Charlie just physically removed the cankerous scab of a mate mark you left over her heart.”

“I don’t want to hear this anymore. Go somewhere and shut up!”

Bringing my attention back to the present, I realize the giant TV has flickered on, with the various territory alphas beginning to join the call onscreen. Alpha Rich, Alpha Blake, Alpha Devon, Alpha Wright, Alpha Reems, and Alpha Jon appear with their various teams. The lead enforcers are also in attendance. Loud, confident voices fill the room with greetings.

"Gentlemen, thank you for joining us in this information-gathering call." I begin as everyone settles down. "We are gathered here to investigate criminal activity regarding mate bond tampering, and we appreciate everyone's willingness to attend. As always, please be aware that our meetings are video recorded. Also, every one of you will be sworn to secrecy.

The things we will discuss are ongoing litigation. Also, we know shifters love to gossip, but these criminals have done irreparable damage to multiple parties.

We will go around the room to every alpha's team onscreen. Each person will introduce themselves, swear secrecy upon punishment of law, and agree to or state their unwillingness to be recorded.

Anyone not agreeing to these terms will be invited to leave the call." He watches the video screen carefully to ensure compliance. When everyone has assented, he nods. "Let the record show that everyone attending has agreed to secrecy under penalty of punishment and consented to be video recorded."

"As per our custom," I continue, "I will ask Lead Enforcer Orson to conduct this investigation. Enforcer Orson?"

"Thank you, Alpha." Enforcer Orson begins as he shuffles through the file in front of him. "To save time, we sent our complete investigative file to each of your lead enforcers for them to review before this meeting.

To summarize our accusations, Tracy Vincent administered drugsand magical potions and potentially used spells upon our Alpha Jenson, with the intent to interfere in his mate bond to replace herself as our Luna. She is further accused of attempted sexual assault, allegedly insinuating consensual sex as she came here claiming the pup she is carrying belongs to our Alpha. Further charges may come, and additional individuals may be implicated post-investigation."

A heavy hush fell over the room, and then a collective gasp echoed as the shocking news was processed, but there were nods of acknowledgment from others. "Unfortunately, in the brief time we were investigating Ms. Vincent's claims, our Luna disappeared. We don't think foul play was involved, but Ms. Vincent's actions are more serious because she has successfully disrupted the bond between the Alpha and Luna."

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