Mated but not Tamed

Chapter 28 - The Plot Thickens

Seths POV

The lodge reeked of damp wood, stale dominance, and too many egos in one room. I'd barely sat down before the tension started crawling up the walls.

This meeting was more of a formality then necessary. These old fucks didn't deserve my respect let alone my time, but one should play nice when war is brewing.

Six alphas surrounded the long table, all of them older, territorial, and too damn comfortable pretending not to be threatened.

Good. Let them feel threatened.

I lean back in my chair, arms crossed, gaze cold as I scanned the room. Daniel had warned me this meeting wouldn't be smooth, but I hadn't expected this much open disdain. Not necessarily directed at me, but not escaping my notice.

"We've all seen the reports," Rowan said, voice clipped. "Rogue attacks are rising. There are more and more of them despite the numbers we extinguish." He's breathing heavy, his shoulder hunched under the weight of his age.

"They aren't moving on. There not even hesitating nowadays." Donaven brings his fist down on the wood, rattling the water glasses.

I give them my attention. There issues with the rouges are shared and becoming a real headache. I bridge my fingers over my nose, pinching the ache away.

It does nothing to dull the ache behind my eyes, or the pulse in my chest. Urging me back. To her.

Magnolia.

"Our borders are thinning. But instead of shoring up defenses, you three are planning some sort of mating celebration?" Rowan barks out a breathy scoff. "For a human girl?"

I didn't move. Not yet.

"She's not human," I said, evenly. "And she's not just some girl. She's, our Luna."

Rowan chuckled, clearly pleased with his own stupidity. "She was raised by humans. That doesn't mean she's ready to lead. You think she can stand beside three of the most powerful alphas in Canada, in the world and not crumble? You really think she's fit to merge three packs?"

My fingers curled into fists beneath the table. My wolf snarled, pacing beneath my skin. I forced a breath through my nose.

How they even know about the merge is concerning, but their words about my mate take all the focus. I make a note to investigate later.

"You don't know her," I said, low and sharp. "But you're welcome to keep talking. I'd love an excuse to educate you."

Rowan's sneer faltered. A flash of fear runs through his eyes, and I can sense the change in his scent as he starts to sweat under my scrutiny.

That should've been the end of it. But Decker—cocky, freshly blooded, and looking to prove something—decided to open his mouth.

"Or maybe you've gone soft," he says, sitting forward. "Mating does that. Twists your instincts. Makes you weak."

I stood.

The air shifted, immediately thickened.

Decker froze as I walked around the table, each step slow and steady. I didn't bare my teeth. I didn't raise my voice.

Had I not thought the same. Mere weeks ago, I would have been saying the same thing.

Only I could have not been more wrong. Magnolia doesn't make me week. She brings me strength, gives me a reason to fight, love, live. And I'll be damned if this "boy", this Alpha doesn't start showing some respect.