Winning Over the Alpha

Chapter 21

~Dainin~

The ballroom boomed with conversation as everyone settled in. Dainin and his pack leaders sat at their designated table in the front of the ballroom. Alan tried to lighten the mood, but Dainin couldn't help but still feel sour about the encounter with Alpha Davis.

"We shouldn't be surprised that our mate had potential suitors," his wolf said as he tried, but failed, to find the bright side of things. He was strangely calm about this whole situation.

"I was just beginning to accept Elijah and now there's Alpha Davis," Dainin grumbled with his fists clenched on the table, glaring at Ronan from across the dance floor. "He's lucky he's been placed at a distance," he growled to his wolf, but the sweet voice of his mate entered his mind, calming his anger.

"Dainin, please stop shooting daggers across my ballroom. You, and only you, are my mate. There was never a chance it would have been any one of these Alphas. I swear," Tessa declared, and Dainin turned his gaze to the head table, meeting Tessa's eyes, which were filled with emotion.

"One, none of these Alphas are good enough for you. Two, I warned you I was the jealous type. Maybe I should mark you again in front of everyone to be safe," he chuckled to himself as he watched Tessa's cheeks turn red. "You are just so beautiful," he sighed and smiled when she quickly broke their eye contact.

Despite her silence, Dainin was satisfied knowing he was the only male who could genuinely make her feel these emotions, but he sent a smug look to Ronan anyway, just to be sure he knew it too.

When everyone was settled, Tessa stood and started the meeting. At first, they covered the usual pack business. The Elders announced when the Royal visit would happen, and Ronan explained how every pack's finances were secure and will be increasing even more in the next year. Dainin already made smart investments in this area before his pack arrived because he needed to ensure his pack's wealth would match the others, so he wasn't worried.

Unfortunately, with the good news out of the way, it was time for the bad. Tessa stood with a hard expression as she looked over the crowd.

"Man, that woman can demand attention," his wolf shivered in delight with the pleasant reminder of how strong an Alpha their mate was. The silence was deafening as everyone sensed a shift in the atmosphere.

"As much as I want to celebrate this wonderful news, I'm afraid it hasn't been all rainbows and sunshine here," Tessa spoke coldly, moving to the center of the dance floor. "Blue Ridge has been betrayed by a strong member in my pack and I'm afraid it may threaten the safety of yours," she paused as the Alphas and Elders began muttering amongst themselves, each one trying to guess what the threat could be.

Raising a hand, Tessa silenced the room. "I won't leave you guessing," she stated and Dainin noticed she took a deep breath.

"You can do this, Tess," he assured her through their link.

"When my family passed away, it was not a car accident like we led you to believe. We originally thought they were ambushed and gruesomely murdered by Rogues," she paused, letting the truth sink in.

"John was the first to discover the scene and later convinced my grandmother to tell everyone my parents were killed in an accident to prevent widespread panic," she paused as more murmurs filled the room, but Tessa spoke louder.

"This morning we discovered the truth. John has betrayed and fooled us all. He confessed to murdering my family in cold blood with his loyal army of Rogues. By the will of the Moon Goddess, I was spared that day. If it wasn't for her will, I would have been murdered alongside my family," she finished.

Dainin sat quietly and scanned the room. Some Alphas were silent, while others stood outraged by her admission. An elder, whom Dainin recognized, moved to stand in front of Tessa. "Where is he now," he simply asked, but Dainin could feel Tessa's frustration through their bond.

"He got away," she admitted, causing another uproar in the ballroom.

"How could you let him escape," one Alpha accused.

Cadence and Zander were quick to join Tessa's side. "That's not what happened! John ambushed Alpha Hayes when she was alone, this morning. He tried to kill her with his Rogues. We were about to capture him after we wiped out the first group, but more appeared out of thin air. There was no scent and no sound, just their sudden appearance," Cadence explained, defending her Alpha.

The Elder spoke, breaking the silence of the room. "Alpha Hayes," he paused trying to process his thoughts. "Is this true?"

Tessa stood tall hardening her gaze. "Yes, everything Beta Turner said is true," she said and the three of them took their seats once more. Dainin saw everyone was frozen in disbelief. If he didn't see the fight for himself, he may not have believed it either.

"John is not happy with the peace we have achieved together over the years. He has been planning to take over Blue Ridge, even while my late father was Alpha, and we believe he's not working alone. He may have connections across the states that were involved in the attack on White Sand," Tessa yelled in outrage, slamming her fist on the table. Dainin saw many warriors jump in response.

An Alpha rose in the back. "What do you need from us," he asked plainly.

Tessa stood, taking a steady breath. "I hope you can help me gather intel on what we are up against. Then, when the time comes, I would like you all to stand with us and fight. I need to know who I can count on," she stated and Dainin felt chills run through his body as Tessa scanned the room once more.

Dainin stood first. "Of course, you have my pack's support," he called out, declaring his allegiance, but his moment was short-lived as Ronan stood too.

"We will fight with you too, Alpha Hayes," Ronan promised and soon everyone declared their allegiance to Tessa's cause.

Dainin was surprised by how quickly they agreed. Normally, Alphas took forever to make a decision, but with the severity of John's crimes and the involvement of Rogues, each of their pack's future was being threatened and they knew it.

"I'm proud of you, love," Dainin said, knowing she needed his support, even with her strength. With their bond growing stronger each day, Tessa was starting to let him in more and more.

"I'm guessing there's going to be a lot more training," Alan asked quietly when Dainin sat back down.

"Oh, I'm sure of it." Dainin chuckled, slapping his brother's back as Alan placed his head on the table in defeat.

Unlike Alan, Dainin was filled with anticipation for the days to come. The faster time went by, the sooner his wolf could sink his fangs into John.

"Bring it on," his wolf growled out, sharing in his excitement.