The Strong Alpha

12. That Would Be Traditional

         'Why is it so hot in here?' I think to myself. I open my eyes with a small yawn and look around, seeing my room around me. I look down to where the heat is coming from and see it's an arm over my waist. I start to remember last night and turn my head around to see James' muscular chest that's no longer covered by a shirt. His body presses against my chest and his face remains buried in my hair. I smile at the sight of him sleeping so peaceful and struggle to turn my head a bit more and kiss his forehead. I try to get out of his grip but only get about halfway because he uses his speed to flip us over and pin me to the bed. Once he senses that it's only me and there's no threat to him he sighs out and relaxes. "Good morning, Love," he whispers near my ear, sending shivers up my spine. "Good morning, James," I whisper with a smile and kiss his cheek. "I would love to lay here with you but I need to get ready for the meeting," I whisper. He immediately pouts and lets out a soft whimper. He whispers "please don't leave," and holds me tighter. "James, I need a shower," I say with a chuckle and catch him off guard and flip us over so I'm on top of him. "I won't take very long, I promise," I mumble and peck him on the lips. I hop up and disappear into the bathroom after grabbing some clothes from my closet.

After about 20 minutes, I walk out of the shower with a towel wrapped around my body. I slide into a sleek gray sheath dress with a thin black belt around the waist. After putting in a pair of classy black earrings, I walk out of the bathroom towel drying my hair. As soon as I take a step out into my room, I'm engulfed in a warm hug. "You took so long," James whines into my ear and kisses my neck and walks into the bathroom, starting the shower. I chuckle and walk over to my vanity and blow-dry my hair while he showers. By the time I finish blow-drying and curling my hair, James is walking out of the bathroom. He has a towel wrapped around his hips. I glance up at him through my mirror and let out a soft growl, causing a smirk to appear on his gorgeous face. I look back at my own reflection to see what else I need to do and then reach down to grab my foundation. Right as I go to put some on my cheeks, James appears beside me and rips the bottle from my hands. "What the heck?!" I say loud and stand up, facing him. "Give it back James, we don't have time for this," I utter frustrated. "No, you don't need this. Besides, we're the alphas, the meeting won't start without us," He adds. "I don't care what you think I need, I'm a big girl and I can wear makeup if I want," I say. I reach for the bottle as he moves it from my reach. "James, give it back" I say with a warning growl following it. He raises an eyebrow at me and sets the bottle down, then spins and pins me down on my bed. "Do not threaten me with your growls, Juniper. Have you forgotten who's in charge?" He whispers the last part close to my ear. I push his shoulder over and switch positions so I'm on top of him and lean down to his ear. "Have you forgotten who I am, honey? Or should I remind you?" I ask and stay there to wait for his reaction. His breathing picks up a little and I sense his heart rate quicken. "That's what I thought," I whisper and get up, going back to my vanity. "Let's make a deal, mascara and eyeliner only," I offer and turn to look at him, putting my hand on my hip. "No, mascara only," He says. I pout and look down. "Fine," I mumble and sit in my chair, grabbing my thickest mascara and apply it. When I'm done I grab a light lipstick and apply it, run my fingers through my hair.

I turn around and walk to my closet and slip on a pair of black and gray peep-toe heels. I then grab a black coat and tie it around my waist. I grab a watch off of my dresser and grab my black purse, going down stairs. "James, let's go," I shout as I descend the stairs to the front door. I grab my travel coffee mug of warm coffee that Father made for me. "James, meet me in my car in 20 seconds or you're getting left here," I shout and grab my keys from my purse. I walk out the front door to my car, unlock it and get in, starting it up to heat my body from the recently fallen snow. He finally comes walking out the front door and turns back towards the car after he shuts the door. When he catches a glimpse of my car, he freezes dead in his tracks. He stands there and stares for a minute and then comes over and takes his time to walk to the car. I groan and lay my head on the headrest while he looks at my car. I roll down his window as he passes his door and look at him. "Is there a problem or can you get in so we can go?" I ask and raise my eyebrow at him. He opens the door and I roll the window back up as he gets in and buckles his seat belt. "This car is almost as sexy as you," He mumbles under his breath. I reach over and smack his arm before I take a drink of my coffee and pull out of the driveway. I don't get on the main road though. I go down a small, almost impossible to see, path that leads to the conference house in the woods. It's only about a five minute drive but James reaches over and rests his hand on my thigh while I drive. After a few minutes, I come to a stop in front of where I transformed for the first time and let out a small smile. I shut off the car and lean over, grabbing James' chin and turning his face to me, then lean in and give him a tender kiss. "You ready?" I ask and look into his beautiful eye. He smiles and gives me a soft nod, pecks my lips, then grabs his stuff and gets out. I shut my door behind me and don't bother to lock the car.

"Alpha Benedict, you have to be kidding me right now. There is no way you got lucky enough to get mated to her!" The Imperial Fire Beta mutters moments after James and I explain the situation. "Why do you say that?" I ask with curiosity in my tone and tilt my head, awaiting his answer. I hear his pulse increase and raise my brow as he turns his eyes to me. It's only for a small amount of time, then he looks back at his alpha. "With all due respect Alpha, you're all over the rumor mill. Everyone talks about your exemplary strength and power. Plus, that's not to mention what everyone says about your beauty." He says everything with confidence, up until the last part, which he says hardly above a whisper. James lets out a deep, possessive growl while he looks at his hands. Those which he's squeezing so tight his knuckles have turned white. I move my hand under the table and rest it on his leg, which is burning up. He lets out a agitated sigh and turns his head up. "Rodney, you are on very dangerous grounds right now. I would suggest you think very hard about what you say next," James whispers. It's very obvious that he's angry. "Anyway, on behalf of Howling Storm, I set up this conference to create an alliance. Though it's clear that's not necessary anymore. But I would like to discuss how our recent discovery will be affecting both packs. James?" I say as professional as possible and turn my attention to James who's distracted by the men in the room ogling me. I clear my throat right as his body twitches and gets ready to pounce. He turns his attention towards me and furrows his brow. "I assumed that we would merge, as all alphas do in this position," he says, confusion evident in his voice. "That would be traditional. Though I'm not very fond of the idea of losing my position for a merge," I state and tap my fingers on the table. "I wasn't aware this would be an issue, Juniper," James says relaxed and raises his eyebrow at me. "Alpha, you will soon learn how stubborn and persistent I am. I worked hard to earn my position. I was under scrutiny through everything I did and I am not the kind of person to give up without a fight. Now, again, I have no intention or desire to merge until I am no longer fit to rule, or until our kin have come of age. So I took it upon myself while I was getting ready this morning to come up with something to propose to you all with. I hope we can come to an agreement," I say with a smirk and open my notebook up to the page where I jotted an idea down. You're so sexy when you talk all professional like this. If my men weren't here right now I'd want to take you right here on this table. James mindlinks me causing me to glance at the table and close my eyes, biting my lip as the image comes to mind. I clear my throat and look up. "Sorry Gentlemen. As I was saying," I start and glance at James mid sentence. "I was thinking that we could still create an alliance as planned, but James and I could act as each others "Luna" in a sense. That sounds silly the way it's worded but hear me out. James would still be Alpha of Imperial Fire and I would remain Alpha of Howling Storm. We would work together as a team, to maintain two powerful packs. In the next year or two, become the most powerful packs in the world. Imagine, the most powerful male alpha known to our kind, and the most powerful female alpha of our kind. We would work together to set a strong foundation. Not only for our children, but also the children of everyone in our packs. Once our son, or first born child becomes 18, we will do the ritual to merge the two of our packs. We'd be the strongest, largest, most unstoppable pack in the world," I ramble on. Once I'm done, I look around to see everyone shocked, including James whose mouth is ajar. "I understand if you need some time to decide and that is more than ok. But it does need to happen soon so if you guys could get your decision to me by the end of the week that-" I rant nervously to be cut off by James. "Juniper stop," James says and starts laughing. "You're so cute when you're worried. We agree that would be best for both packs and your sanity. Now please stop freaking out so we can discuss this." James says and squeezes my hand and looks at me with a real smile that reaches his eyes. I feel my face heat up and nod, embarrassed by my sudden outburst.