CHAPTER 15
Tracy came into the study. Camilla smiled and waved her into a chair facing the room. Alpha John sat next to Camilla on the love seat. On the opposite love seat sat another couple. Alpha John introduced them as Council Solomon Grey and his wife Maria. Jonathan sat, expressionless, in an armchair on the far side of the room.
"The Alpha informs us that there is some trouble between you and your mate."
Tracy met the Council's gaze, "With all due respect sir, if we were having troubles then that is a private matter."
Council Grey immediately frowned but Maria spoke up, "My dear, the thing is, it's not as simple as an incompatibility issue or a lover's quarrel. Jonathan," She said waving towards the stoic figure, "must take over for his father within the next couple of days or Alpha Mason can be challenged for position. This challenge takes place every 25 years."
Tracy didn't know about this and looked over at John. He smiled slightly and nodded.
"If he wins," Maria continued, "he has the right to continue to be Alpha but if he loses then he and all his family can be declared rogues by the new Alpha and be forced to leave. Or worse executed."
"So why doesn't he just hand the title of Alpha over?"
"No Alpha can take position without a Luna." Council Grey replied.
"Ah," Tracy said shortly with understanding, "If He and I...." A frown marred her brow, "What exactly are we supposed to be doing?"
"First, Jonathan would have to mark you as his and then a mating ceremony, of which a council official, namely myself, would bare witness." Council Grey explained.
Tracy swallowed hard, her heart rate skyrocketing when the man said, "mating ceremony." What the hey? She thought.
"Sounds... awkward." Tracy said as images of a bunch of people standing outside under a full moon around an altar while chanting and expecting her and Mr. Manwhore to "do it" on top of said altar. The mental image alone was giving her heart palpitations.
"Oh dear. You look flushed." Maria said concerned.
"I'll get you some water." Camilla said.
Why is she always giving me water? Tracy thought taking a sip from the proffered glass. Embarrassing situations require a stiff drink and alien tech neutralizer... and she never got back to me on that lobotomy thing. Tracy thought glumly.
Feeling somewhat calmer, Tracy asked, "So um..." Tracy loudly clears her throat before rushing out with, "So you're expecting me to 'mate' with Mr. Man-ho...er... Jonathan in front of everybody?!" Completely mortified she burst out, "Oh hell to the no!"
"No...OH! No! No, no no!" Camilla said horrified, "A 'Mating Ceremony' is where a mated couple declare their allegiance to each other before the pack. Like a traditional human wedding."
"Oh well, when you put it like that... it really doesn't sound much better. I'm not marrying the hoe."
"My son is not-" Camilla tried to defend before Tracy interrupted.
"First time I saw him was when he was banging some chicken in his room.... And it really hasn't improved from there. Other night, he was having a fivesome sooo..." Tracy said with sarcasm and a dramatic wave of her hands.
Jonathan's unreadable gaze met hers for a moment, "How did you know about that?"
"JONATHAN!" Camilla half shrieks in shock.
"Between the rounds of pity, I get a front seat to the sordid tales recounted directly from your conquests." Tracy shot back refusing to let her voice crack from the humiliation she felt.
John and Camilla glared at their son who merely looked bored with everything. Council Grey was uncomfortable. Situations such as this were unheard of, he looked at his stunned wife before clearing his throat, "Well I'm sorry but either the ceremony takes place or the New Moon Challenge will proceed."
"I'll do it." Tracy said quietly. Looking down at her fingers that were laced together. If she refused then John's life would be on the line and he had been nothing but kind to her.
The room was silent. Tracy felt everyone's eyes on her especially Jonathan's but she refused to meet them.
"Is marking required for the ceremony?" Tracy asked.
"Um," Council Grey looked confused, "Well usually it's not a problem. Mates, especially Alphas, mark their mates almost immediately upon discovery."
"Can the ceremony and the handing down of the title take place without the marking?" Tracy interrupted.
"I suppose." Council Grey said hesitantly.
"Fine." Tracy said standing up, "When is the soonest it can be done."
"W-well we would have to shop for a dress," Camilla began.
"No." Tracy said firmly, "No dress. No party. How soon?"
"Tonight." Council Grey replied.
Tracy nodded numbly. She had never really thought about getting married, even though it wouldn't be a human wedding, she never thought something so important would be like this. Of course she never thought that when she was ready to marry that her father wouldn't be there to walk her down the aisle but messed up crap happens.
"You don't have to do this." John said sadly knowing that she was simply doing this to protect him.
Tracy smiled gently, "You know that's not true."
Tracy left the room. Camilla and Maria immediately stood and rushed out to begin planning the evening's event. Council Grey dismissed himself and followed his wife at a more sedate pace leaving John and Jonathan alone.
"How could you do this?!" John demanded ashamed of his son.
Jonathan ignored the question, instead walked to the sideboard to pour himself a drink from the brandy decanter.
John sighed, "I wish you would stop and be a proper mate. Tracy is a nice girl. She doesn't deserve this."
Jonathan tossed the drink and poured another, "She volunteered." he replied coldly.
"I have never been so disappointed in you Jonathan." John said before leaving the room.
It would have been better if he could have just marked someone else. She would have been free to find someone who could love her the way she deserved. The thought of another faceless man touching her made him see red. Jonathan threw the glass against the wall watching it shatter. He was beyond pissed at the image and at his father's disappointment but in the back of his mind he heard his wolf's happy howls at finally having some claim on his mate.
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