The Exiled Alpha

Chapter thirty-six

I sit down at the other end of the table, while Elliot sits by my side. His hand grips mine under the table, but he looks completely confident in himself while watching and waiting for my father to start the conversation. Before he smelled of anxiety, but now that scent is completely masked. He looks like a true born Alpha that is ready to lead an army into a war. Looks like growing up in a hellhole with an asshole for a father paid off in a way.

"The kid's got courage." Loki says before the conversation even starts. His lips are tugged up in a playful smirk, like he'd be enjoying the pressure my father is putting on my mate.

I was once leading this pack from the shadows, I had to have this much courage and I had to have a clear mind. The teasing Loki is doing is just poking at Elliot's unraveling nerves that are hidden behind a mask. It makes me sit up more in the chair, a cold look plastered on my face. Loki notices the challenge I set on him, which makes the smirk grow into a smile.

"You are my daughter's mate." Father speaks up and I feel how Elliot squeezes my hand a little. But there is not a single pheromone of fear lingering in his form. "Yes, sir." He answers with an unwavering voice. It makes a smile try to fight it's way on my lips, but I keep it hidden. It's like I wanted to tell Loki: "Ha! You can't shake him up."

David Moore sits up more in his seat, his strong arms folded atop the wooden conference table.

"And you've known this ever since the Midnight pack came back to Beacon Hills?" Father continues to question my mate. I feel how Knox's eyes dig holes in us, which makes me look over to my uncle figure, my nose scrunching in warning. Elliot might be fighting a battle with my father right now, but at least I can do is be his shield from the rest of the Betas and Gammas in this room.

"Yes, sir." Elliot answers again, the arm that is in the plaster resting against the wooden conference table. Father looks over at me and there's this look in his eyes, like he'd be upset to find out I kept Elliot a secret from him for so long. I force myself to keep my expression neutral.

"Sir, if I may speak..." Elliot's hand disappears from mine and he waits for my dad to nod at him. "...but I'd put my life on the line for your daughter." His hazel eyes dance over to me for just a second, before he looks back at my father.

David rests back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. I see how one of his eyebrows lifts up a little, questioning my mate's goal with his statement. Loki seems more than just a little amused, resting against the table with one of his arms.

"I risked... everything for Mackenzie. I risked getting killed by my own parents on the battlefield in order to keep her safe." Elliot makes some hand gestures while he speaks, the shattered arm in the cast still resting against the table. "I can never return to my home ever again. And I wouldn't change my decisions to jump into battle for your daughter if you'd give me another chance. I'd jump again, just to keep her safe." He makes a fist with his good hand, a look of determination flaming up in his eyes.

"The Moon goddess decided we should be mates and I'll do anything to keep her safe and happy. That's my duty as her mate."

The silence that overtakes after Elliot stops speaking, makes the determined look in his eyes falter. The fist he made opens up, unsure of the neutral expression my father has mastered ever since he was announced as the Alpha of the Polaris pack. I press my lips together, looking at the two leaders. Loki nods a little, resting back against his seat and smiling a little to himself. He's enjoying this way too much. While my father just watches Elliot like he'd be his prey.

"Don't kill him with the silence, Dave." Loki chuckles, still looking down at his hand on the table, while he says that. My father glances over to Loki before focusing his eyes back on my mate. The corners of his lips lift up faintly, just for a second, but I catch the expression. By now I have mastered to notice the small things, little details that a normal werewolf wouldn't even consider looking for. But to be a successful Alpha, you have to see every single muscle movement that your enemy makes in order to read them like an open book.