Rise of the Crescent Moon

Chapter 18 August

I felt terrible for bailing on Josie the other day when I had promised to spend the day with her and then I had to leave early yesterday for my meeting. The rogue situation was more involved than I had originally thought. I had no idea why so many rogues were invading our borders all the sudden and why they were choosing to be so close to the Valentine's cabin. I just found my mate, I wasn't about to let some idiot rogues take her away from me.

I decided that I would make it up to her by taking her on our first official date. I had a feeling she was more of a diner girl then a fancy restaurant gal but I wanted a chance to spoil and woo her, which is why I sent Kasey on a mission. I knew she was the perfect girl to take Josie shopping. Hayden said she had a clothing store addiction. I wanted Josie to have friends here and Kasey would be working with her at the hospital. It was a win-win.

I made reservations at a vineyard about an hour outside of town. It was in the closest city to Black Hallows that had the type of restaurant I was looking for. The vineyard had a beautiful winery alongside the restaurant and a little B&B on the property in case we didn't feel like driving home afterwards. I didn't have any expectations for Josie tonight, just getting to spend any time at all with her was a gift. But, the idea of getting to spend an entire night together was enough to get Arlo howling in my head.

I was eager to finish up my meeting and get home to change for our date. When my father took over being Alpha, he also took over the Valentine family business, which was an architecture firm. Josie's great-grandfather founded the firm about the same time he started the Crescent Moon pack. They had deals across the country. Alpha Johnathan left the business to my father who passed it down to me. It did incredibly well and allowed for the pack to have all the financial support it needed.

"Alpha." Ford mindlinked me and I was quick to answer, knowing that he was the one chaperoning Josie and Kasey's trip.

"What's wrong?"

"Savannah made an appearance at the shop the girls were at. She had many, many things to say." I could tell that Ford was extremely unhappy with Savannah.

"I trust that you took care of it, Ford." I replied.

"Yes, Alpha, I got rid of her but I think you should address it."

"I'll handle it." I promised him before ending the link.

There was only one person in the pack who stood above me, and that was the Luna. The pack would do anything for her, including stand against me. Protecting the Luna was their most sacred duty. I couldn't argue with Ford's anger towards Savannah and I certainly couldn't argue with his need for her behavior to be addressed.

I ended the meeting early and rushed back to the packhouse. I had already mindlinked Ethan, Hayden, and anyone else in the house who might cross paths with Savannah, to send her to my office.

"Savannah's in your office, Alpha." Ethan informed me as I entered the house,

"Should I stay?" Ethan asked me skeptically, standing at the door of my office. Honestly, I wouldn't put it past Savannah to try something while we were alone to make me look uncompromising, but I knew that I could handle myself.

"No, thanks, man." I slapped Ethan on the back before entering my office.

"Savannah, we've already had this conversation once and I was really hoping not to have it again." I sighed at her.

"I wanted to give you a chance to speak without that girl in the way." Savannah smiled from where she sat on the sofa. I pinched the bridge of my nose,

"I'm not going to say this again, Savannah. Josephine is my mate and your Luna. I love her and nothing will get in the way of that, do you understand me?" I said with my jaw clenched. Savannah stood from the couch and walked over to me, running her hand across my chest before moving towards the door.