Chapter 13

Ava POV

Unfortunately, I was silent for so long that Chris seemed to take it as my answer. He shot up from his chair with a delighted smile and said, "Well, we have a busy day ahead of us!"

Well, I agreed with that and said so.

"First, we have to go to the Elders and tell them to expedite the election of the new Alpha."

I noticed he said "tell," not "ask," but I still smiled and walked back with him to the Square while he summoned the Elders on his phone. We ended up meeting in the conference room Chris seemed to prefer, the seven of us taking up all but one of the chairs around the dark table.

I nodded to each of them in kind as they acknowledged me as Acting Luna: Elders Degas, Elise, Claire, Fatima, and Bradley. Chris waited with quietly restrained impatience as we all inquired after each other's welfare before announcing his intentions to hold the new Alpha election as soon as possible.

"Such things can be expedited," Elder Degas said. "But they cannot be rushed."

"Of course, I understand," Chris said, and it struck me that, unlike when Ethan said that phrase, he seemed to mean it.

"We need to prepare a process that will offer transparency to all who participate," Degas continued, and the other Elders nodded. "This first will mean researching what was done before in such cases, though such a thing has not be done in many years."

"I agree, but I would appreciate that expediting attitude that you mentioned."

"Of course, Alpha Chris," Degas said.

Then Claire spoke up, though her voice, was as gentle and soft as always. "We would like to speak to the Acting Luna, if that is acceptable."

"Of course," I said.

Chris frowned, but then smiled and left.

Degas only waited a half-second after the door closed to turn to me. "We are all aware of the deceased Alpha Adam's desire for Chris to become our Alpha, and we cannot but agree with this."

"I'm curious," I said. "Many would think that his years away from the Pack would disqualify, or at least ameliorate his qualifications, for being our Alpha."

Degas nodded at my implicit question. "Chris is the best choice for Alpha, being the old Alpha's son and even more with his extensive experience in the Human World, to say nothing of having so easily defeated Ethan."

"I wouldn't call that 'easy.'"

"We have been aware of Chris's interest in you since he was a child," Elise said. "It is our hope you can connect with him well enough through your friendship to explain why it is best he stay and become the official Alpha."

I admit I felt a little stung. "I have no intention of manipulating-"

"Of course not," Elder Bradley said, running both hands through his short, bright red hair to leave it standing on end. He looked every day of his 163 years but still exuded power that pushed against me like an ocean wave. I had always admired him. I admired all the Elders, in fact, but he had a nonsensical way about him that made me feel I could speak plainly around him.

"We are simply hoping that as Acting Luna you will be able to persuade him that staying will be to everyone's benefit," Elder Fatima said.

I frowned. Was she suggesting I reveal more of our ways to Chris? I knew our young Alpha put on a good "I like Humans" front, but he had learned of Moonstone Pack in lessons even more extensive than mine. What did they think I could reveal that would change his mind?

"I suggest we take on a more direct approach," Elder Bradley said, turning slightly away from me to look at the others. "He's at a prime age to be seeking a mate. I suggest we find a suitable partner for him and present her as favorably as possible."

I opened and closed my mouth.

Fatima was nodding. "Yes. The Pack has many unmated females who could show him the benefits of his life here. Or if he prefers, there are many daughters of the pack Alphas of New Moon, Crescent Moon, and Moon Rise."

I shifted slightly in my seat. The idea of targeting Chris in this manner disturbed me deeply. I'd already said I would not be putting pressure on him to leave or stay. However, I was well aware that Chris was about as stubborn as a young man could be. If he were to fall in love with a more suitable girl than I, how could I possibly object? I was ten years older and had already mated and been found wanting by my mate. I could not be his Luna.

"I will encourage him to understand his choices as much as possible," I finally said. The Elders all nodded in approval.

We left City Hall together, but while I was looking for Chris, three women, Hallie, Ercelia, and Daphne, approached me. For years now, they had been leading a protest for omega slave rights. As older women, they had all served well enough as slaves to be granted near-citizenship by their masters upon their passing, and they had used their status to raise awareness for the plight of all the omega slaves.

I nodded to them, expecting them to tell me about their latest sit-in or website, but instead Ercelia bowed and said, "We request your attendance at the Full Moon Omega ceremony this month."

Oh, of course, I realized. This was something they would ask the Luna, acting or otherwise. I bowed back and said I would be there.

Soon, I was able to join Chris in the Square. He was on his phone, speaking with an level of animation that made me smile. He hung up with a wink at me that made me laugh.

"What is your good news?" I asked.

"News of my current pack status has already spread to some of my colleagues. The two of us have been invited to an executive party tonight at Monocal."

I didn't bother hiding my surprise. Monocal was one of Moonstone Pack's most important clients. They bought up almost all of our high-end blooming feldspar, a fruit that grew high in our mountains and that could only be harvested every two years.

"I take it they want to make sure they stay in your good graces," I said with a grin at Chris's use of the phrase "the two of us." Ethan had been on many such visits, but he'd never brought me, even though I explained how helpful I could have been. "Sounds like a lovely time will be had by all."

"Then you'll come?" he asked with a sudden and touching uncertainty. We both knew he could order me. The fact that he asked made it all that much more surreal and inviting.

"Of course," I said. I knew I should have added that it was my duty as his Acting Luna, but I didn't.

In short order, we returned to my house so I could pack an overnight bag. Then we headed down the path to the dock.

But to my surprise, it wasn't the ferry that awaited us, but a helicopter.