Unrelenting Destiny

22. To Aid Destiny

Jasper Orion Deveraux

His days as Alpha had been a whirlwind. So much had happened but it seemed like they were finally reaching a point of routine. With the exception of Orianna's banishment, his Alpha duties were relatively normal. Luciana's best friend had showed up that morning and the two were off catching up. It really did delight Jasper to see his mate so happy. She made for an amazing Luna.

Orianna's banishment was to take place that night, when the moon was the highest. He was not looking forward to her branding and was tempted to ask Beta Embry to oversee it. After all, he had spent the last four years of his life with this woman and he truly did not wish her any pain. Even after all she had done.

"Alpha?" Maverick questioned, drawing him from his thoughts.

"Yes, sorry. We need to focus on promoting a new Fighter to take your place." Jasper continued, "We should host a tournament among the apprentices this weekend."

"Yes, Alpha." The Gamma nodded, "I'll speak to Embry about it after dinner."

The two turned to walk towards the dining room. With all the new royalty established and Bianca visiting, Luciana thought it was a good idea to have a dinner with all of the pack house residents for the first time. Entering the dining room, everyone was already there. Luciana and Bianca, Embry and his mate and pup, and Maverick's mate and his sister Maeve were all seated around the big table, Omegas skirting the perimeter of the room filling glasses and serving salads and appetizers.

Jasper sat himself next to his mate, kissing her softly in greeting, "Hello, my love."

Luciana flashed him a smile that made his heart thud in his chest. She still had an amazing, bewitching effect on him. She turned back to Embry's mate, Thalia, gushing about her baby, "Aren't you the cutest little thing? I can't wait to have more pups in the house."

"Oh really now?" Jasper teased, his hand resting on her clothed thigh, "Should we get on with that?"

"Jasper!" Luci's eyes went wide as she blushed, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment.

He laughed good-naturedly, giving her thigh a squeeze before turning to Bianca, "And how about you, hm? I've never asked if you've found your mate."

"Ah, no unfortunately-" Bianca started. But just before she could continue, the doors burst open, a frantic looking Orianna appeared with Fighter Oscar just at her heels.

"You!" She screeched, launching herself towards the head of the table. The male royalty got to their feet, Jasper's wolf practically lunging with jaws wide at the mere idea of his mate being attacked. Ryzen was salivating, Let me at her! The thin woman was brought to her belly, straining to glare at Luciana as she spat obscenities.

Oscar apologized profusely, "I'm sorry, Alpha. She had loosened a bar in the cell and slipped out. Took me by surprise and slammed the doorknob into my back."

Wrangling Orianna to her feet, Jasper had her hands clamped behind her back, dragging her towards the door, "What in Goddess's name do you think you're doing? Your fate is sealed, why do you insist on making it worse?"

Orianna spat at him, a glob of saliva spraying his chest as her wolf snarled, "This is not my fate! This is all a lie! A heinous, murderous plot by that sneaky, selfish bitch!"

Ryzen roared from deep within Jasper's chest, his Alpha voice booming to ear-shattering volumes at the disrespect for his love, "You will hold your tongue when you speak of my mate!"

"Not your precious mate, Jasper." Orianna spat again, her glare's intended target finally becoming clear, "That bitch. Bianca Camden."

Luciana Faith Moore