Chapter Six

Selene’s POV

ONE YEAR LATER

Time flies when you’re having fun is the saying. And for the Rogue Moon Pack, a year felt like a dream.

With the money the witch gave me, I took the pack to a human city where we created Rogue Corp and invested in many human endeavors.

We gave small businesses or startups the capital to grow and create where the opportunity was otherwise slammed shut. I never took unnecessary risks, though. Our clients were deeply vetted before we approved their proposals.

And the payoff was immense.

What was once a one-floor corporation turned into a multi-story building.

I even found an abandoned castle in acres of forest near the city. With the investment returns pouring in, I slowly revitalized and upgraded the castle, making it livable for the pack.

Many rogues who pledged loyalty to me were exiled for minor offenses and had many hidden talents. I never had to call a human contractor to have things fixed or upgraded, and my wolves were content because I paid them more than a fair wage for their work.

I also led my soldier wolves into the wilderness of other packs to find rogue bands. If I saw signs of abuse of the weakest wolves, I would challenge and kill their leadership. Otherwise, I would peacefully request that their band join our pack.

This was how I discovered Beta Skylar. She was born a Beta, but her parents were murdered, and she was forced to flee. She was able to band a few rogues together for survival purposes and lead them.

When she saw me coming into her camp, she immediately kneeled and bared her throat in submission. “The Scarred Rogue Alpha honors us,” she said.

“I guess my reputation preceded me,” I quipped. “Please rise,” I gently commanded. I asked if her group of rogues would like to join the Rogue Pack.

Her band instantly agreed, and she has been my right-hand man ever since. Finding my Gammas was more or less the same.

Now I’m sitting in the highest office, in the tallest building in one of the human’s biggest cities. My pack has grown to about a thousand wolves, large enough to rival Crescent and Full Moons’ Packs.

Time to make ourselves known to the other packs.

“The Full Lunar Eclipse Gala is happening this weekend,” I informed my trusted officers standing in my office. It looks like we didn’t receive an invite,” I fake-sigh disappointedly. I guess we’ll have to crash the party,” I state with glee.

“Alpha,” my Beta interjects, her voice reflecting worry. “You’re accused of murder. Is that wise?”

“It’s a masked ball,” I tell her. “And Gamma Jaxon will act as Alpha.” There were a few surprised inhales at my news.

“Alpha,” Jaxon says, looking extremely uncomfortable. “Why me?”

“Two reasons,” I begin. “Nobody outside the pack knows there’s a female Alpha and you’re heavily scarred, Jaxon,” indicating to the wounds on his face and body.

“How can I pass as an Alpha?” He argued.

“We recovered a witch in last night’s raid,” I told him, since he didn’t go on the mission. “She’s agreed to be our pack witch and will concoct potions to conceal my power and to fake an Alpha presence.”

My information seemed to mollify Jaxon’s anxiety.

“Where will you be, Alpha?” Skylar asked.

“I’ll be a second Beta to gather information.”

Selene’s POV

The Gala takes place on Damon’s territory, the Full Moon Pack. Our convoy of expensive cars was stopped at the border, and the guards politely demanded who we were and what our business was.

As a disguised Beta, I informed them and waited for the guards to mind-link those in charge of security. Everyone was in either formal evening attire or suits to act as security.

We waited for about five minutes before receiving the “Go-ahead,” and were waved on through.

Damen must be curious about the growing influential pack.

We haven’t started encroaching on the werewolves’ business territory yet, but I had something set up to begin messing with all the packs’ money.

Time is on my side!

I glanced at Jaxon, trying to maintain a calm, Alpha-like demeanor. The potion worked perfectly, and my Alpha power radiated off him like a beacon.

” I never realized I was such an Alpha-hole!”I teased him and everyone in the vehicle. A few chuckles broke the anxious silence, and they all began to relax.

” You’ll be fine, Jaxon,”I reassured. ” I’ll be right here to mind-link when you’re in need.”

” Thank you, Alpha,”he replied, and the Alpha aura dimmed a few notches.

A few minutes later, we drove up to the Alpha’s residence. The mansion was lit with festive lights, a red carpet rolled out, and valets to greet and help guests.

When it was our turn, I stepped out of the car first, smoothing my black gown covered in sequins, representing the stars. Half of my face was covered by a mask depicting a dark moon.

I waited for Jaxon and Skylar, listening to Jaxon’s mind-link commands to the security detail that followed behind us. Once they adjusted their clothes, Skylar and I wrapped an arm around each of Jaxon’s arms, and he led us to the open front door.

Jaxon’s tuxedo was half black-half silver with another moon mask depicting the phases of the lunar eclipse. Skylar’s gown was silver with a mask to depict a full moon.

When we entered the ballroom, the maître d ’ announced, “THE ALPHA OF THE ROGUE MOON PACK!”

All chatter and even the music from the orchestra suddenly died. All eyes swiveled to stare with shocked disbelief, curiosity, or hostility.

“Welcome! Welcome!” Damen shouted as he walked through the crowd to greet us. He was wearing a white tuxedo with a white wolf mask. Something burned in my chest, not anger per se, but perhaps sorrow?

I lost my friend when I ran.

“I’m Alpha Damen of the Full Moon Pack,” he politely greeted.

“Alpha Jaxon of the newly formed Rogue Moon Pack,” Jaxon responded with a tiny nod to show respect to our host.

Damen gazed over Jaxon’s features, understanding the nickname “The Scarred Rogue Alpha.”

“Who might these two beautiful she-wolves be?” Damen is always the gracious host and flirt.

“They are my Betas. Beta Skylar,” he indicated to his left. “And Beta Sophia.” I used the false ID as my alias.

I nodded respectfully towards Damen and stared a little off to the side to demonstrate that I was the weaker wolf. Damen didn’t look away from me, frowning slightly before shaking his head as if he was dismissing a far-fetched idea.

“I apologize for crashing your party,” Jaxon continued. “But I wanted to risk requesting Rogue Moon’s recognition with all the packs in one place. I hope I didn’t overstep.” I had Jaxon rehearse the lines to sound like a confident Alpha.

“Not at all!” Damen waved his hands to dismiss Jaxon’s concern. “Better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission, right?”

“Agreed,” Jaxon calmly acknowledged.

“You and your entourage are welcome here!” He said loud enough for the entire ballroom to understand that disrespect will not be tolerated. “Enjoy yourselves tonight! Hopefully, we can have a chance later to discuss business.”

“Thank you, Alpha Damen,” Jaxon demurred, leading us deeper into the party. The conversation began to pick up, and the orchestra started playing.

” You were perfect!”I complimented. As we walked through the crowd, I caught the hint of lavender. Diana perked up inside my chest, knowing our mate was near.

” Calm, girl,”I soothed. ” Remember what he did to us and why we are here!” Diana doesn’t respond and settles down.

I had our new pack witch, Sara, who made me a masking potion. I needed to stay hidden from Hunter and my enemies.

A few Alphas from the smaller and weaker packs approached us, gauging us for potential allies. Jaxon played the perfect politician, with me feeding him the lines when he needed support. He stashed many business cards into his pockets throughout the night.

The party wound down after midnight, and almost everyone left. Alpha Damen requested that we stay a little longer with the larger, more influential pack of Alphas. One of them was Crescent Moon.

I froze when I saw the unmistakable masked figures of Hunter and Sandy standing together, talking as we were ushered into the billiard room. Sandy’s arm held onto his as they entered the space like a perfect couple. Rage pierced through the careful armor I built around my emotions, seeing them together.

As if I were nothing!

Hunter suddenly stopped and stared toward our group entering, frowning as his green eyes landed on me. Hunter suddenly began to approach us, dragging Sandy with him. I avoided eye contact as I fought to keep my heartbeat down.

“Well, well, well. The Scarred Rogue Alpha in the flesh,” Hunter chuckles softly with amusement. His mask was dark with little silver crescent moons.

“Yes,” Jaxon dryly said. “And you are?” Jaxon knew exactly who Hunter was. But he also wanted to make a dig at Hunter’s expense.

” Nice to blow to the Alpha-hole’s ego!”I praised.

Hunter’s grin fell slightly, but he let the jab go. For now. “Alpha Hunter of the Crescent Moon Pack. This is my Beta, Sandy.”

Sandy gave a slight nod but failed miserably at keeping the disgust from her lips. She thought we were beneath her and was offended at Hunter’s insistence on introductions.

“Alpha Jaxon. My Betas’ Skylar and Sophia.”

“Two beautiful Betas,” Hunter murmured while staring at me. “Your pack must be thriving to allow two Betas.”

“Yes. We are,” Jaxon clipped.

“Crescent Moon Industries is looking for new investment opportunities, and we also want to expand into the human world,” Hunter indicated, his eyes never leaving my face.

” Tell him you wish him luck in his future endeavors,”I tell Jaxon, who immediately repeats it. Hunter’s face darkens at the polite dismissal and our refusal to do business, but he still focuses on me.

“Do you have a problem with my Beta?” Jaxon inquired with a hint of a threat in his voice. As my Gamma, Jaxon would take Hunter’s interest in me as a threat. He released some Alpha aura to let Hunter know I was under his protection.

“No, Alpha Jaxon,” Hunter replied, finally releasing his gaze on me. “Beta Sophia reminds me of someone.”

Hunter’s response brought Sandy’s attention to me because she studied me up and down, her lips curling in disgust from jealousy. “Alpha,” she pouted. “You promised me a walk in the gardens.”

I kept my features neutral as Hunter politely refused her demand. Sandy was unhappy with the refusal and was even more clingy to Hunter’s arm. Hunter noticed and gently extracted his arm from Sandy’s and offered it to me.

“Beta Sophia,” he said. “Would you please join me for a walk through the gardens?”

What the fuck is happening!?

“WHAT?!” Sandy shrieked, and the noise in the room went silent.

My heart fluttered, and discomfort from the stares began to seep through my emotional armor. “No, thank you, Alpha Hunter,” I politely responded with no emotion while keeping my gaze down.

“Why?” Hunter questioned, obviously not used to being rejected.

“Unlike your Beta, Alpha Hunter, I’m not a whore trying to become a Luna.”

A few snorts surrounded the room, and Alpha Damen promptly appeared next to our group. Hunter’s expression was priceless, a mix of shock and fury at the brash statement.

“What’s going on here?” Damen ordered, although he probably heard everything.

“Alpha Hunter is harassing my Beta,” Jaxon informed him. “Everyone in the werewolf community knows about Beta Sandy being Alpha Hunter’s bed warmer until he finds a Luna.”

Nobody knows that I am his Luna and a rejected fated mate. Not even my own pack. How can I explain to them that I cannot accept the rejection! I’m not yet strong enough!

Sandy made a furious gasp. “Alpha Hunter WILL mate, mark, and recognize me as his Luna SOON!”

“If it hasn’t happened by now, he’ll never put a ring on it,” I flatly explained to her, taking satisfaction at Sandy’s angry expression before she exploded in a huff and stomped out of the room.

“Better hurry and catch your mistress!” Jaxon said with a wry grin.

Hunter left without another word, but I saw the humiliation in his eyes and couldn’t have been happier.

The after party went more smoothly after Crescent Moon’s departure, where we began making alliances. All in all, it was a very successful night.