Chapter 48

Luka’s POV

Three weeks have passed since I began locking my door to keep Caleb out. We hadn’t really spoken since the day we fought in the training building.

I had been told about the vacation system being implemented to help facilitate better hunting for the pack. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but it was a start. If that could work and help the omegas, I was happy. I was grateful Caleb went before the elders again on my behalf. I could tell he was trying to make up.

I missed him and wanted to talk. Tonight I would leave the door unlocked.

Hesitantly, I walked into his study, catching him in between meetings and doing paperwork.

Cold blue eyes pinned me to the spot, and I was afraid to enter. My gaze found the floor. My heart was pounding. He looked so handsome behind his desk and yet so distant I didn’t think I could reach him. I sent a wave of heat through the mate bond, and he raised a brow at me. I smiled sheepishly. A wave of heat didn’t come in return from him as he often did.

“Excellent, Luka, I needed to see you. The Alpha Conference, which is held every five years, is about to be held. I would like you to organize and manage it.”

I walked into the room. “Really.” That was a surprise. My hard work toward being a luna must have been paying off.

He cleared his throat and glanced to his desk, not looking back up at me. My nerves were vibrating and misfiring. Something was off.

“The Elders disagreed with my decision. They believe you are not qualified. They have asked Emma to also become an organizer. They see this as an opportunity for the two of you to compete.”

Oh, I was going to be sick. How could I compete with Emma? She had probably been doing stuff like that since she was a teen. But why would I be competing with her?

“Whoever can come up with a perfect location will win.”

I had a terrible feeling in my gut.

“Why are we competing?”

Again, he didn’t look up at me. He continued to shuffle through papers. “The Elders believe Emma is a better choice to become Luna.”

“But we’re mates.”

“Are we? It hasn’t felt like that the past few weeks.”

A knot formed in my throat. “We are going to fight. We are going to challenge each other. That is how we grow? Isn’t it?”

He didn’t say a word. Only went back to work. I walked out of the study in a fog of fear, mixing with heartbreak. Was Caleb going to reject the mate bond? My chin quivered.

No, no, no. I wasn’t going to think like that. I was going to show that stupid council that it didn’t matter what your status was. You could do anything if you put your mind to it—just a bunch of old men with too much power.

Over the next few days, I did a ton of research trying to find the perfect venue for the conference. There were a lot of great spots, but I wanted something with history, so I chose a neutral city where historical peace treaties had been signed in the past.

Emma chose Pack City as the venue. Pack City is where all the Alphas came to fight the challengers of their packs. The Elders went with my venue, not wanting an aggressive atmosphere. I was chosen to be the event organizer. That night I went to Caleb’s room. His door was locked now. Everything felt off, and I wasn’t sure how to get things back on track.

On the day of the conference, I attended the opening ceremony. I was excited to see so many Alphas attending. I sat off to the side in the back of the room. Caleb didn’t ask me to open the ceremony with him, which I had learned was tradition for the Alpha King to have his mate beside him.

I wasn’t surprised not to be asked since he wasn’t talking to me. I was beginning to think I should move back to my apartment in town. Tears filled my eyes, but they didn’t fall. I was stronger now. Physically and mentally. I understood the pressure Caleb had on him to be a good king. I…I was an omega. It was a nice idea that I could become a Luna, but I had to be real.

With Emma up there beside Caleb, I didn’t think that was going to happen. I deeply cared for Caleb, maybe even loved him. Sometimes that wasn’t enough. That was why wolves could reject the mate bond. Sometimes it wasn’t a good match. Look at Declan.

When I was in the back of the room, watching Caleb, I noticed a handsome young man staring at me. His hair was black, with the sides shaved to the skin. He had amber golden eyes that glowed. He was tall and lean, though I could see the cut of muscle under his fitted dress shirt.

He marched toward me without fear. A huge grin split his sharp features.

A hand shot out to me. “I’m Noah,” he said in a deep, rough voice that made the hair on my body stand. There was something different about him; his aura shimmered around him. I blinked several times to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. When our hands linked, my wrist burned, causing me to pull back with a hiss. I rubbed it. It was a darker pink color. Before, it was a slight pink, barely noticeable to the eye.

“Sorry. I’m Luka.”

His smile was easy and relaxed. “I know,” he said, winking at me.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I glanced up at Caleb. His gaze found me, and I quickly looked away.

“What pack are you here with?” I asked.

“I’m an out liar.”

My gaze narrowed, intrigued. I had read that there were packs that called themselves Out Liars. Not a pack big enough to be a threat, nor small enough to be considered rogue.

“It was nice to meet you, Noah. I must see to the Alpha conference.”

He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I will be here waiting.”

Again, heat colored my cheeks. What an odd thing to say. Was he really going to wait… for me?

I rushed off to the first conference room to check the coffee, tea, water, and paperwork. I waited at the doors to greet Alpha Dunn and Alpha Chapmen. They were working on the board lands to share the harvests.

Emma strolled past slowly as if waiting. I didn’t get a good feeling. Smiled coldly at me. I ignored her.

When Alpha Watson and Alpha Thorn walked in to sit down, I blinked. What were they doing here? They were to meet with several others before this meeting to help bring tensions down.

When I went to close the doors, Emma smiled, blew me a kiss, and waved. Anger flared, and my wolf sprang up. It’s okay, Nela. She is just made. I won the conference organization job.

Within ten minutes, the two sides were quarreling because of border friction. They were yelling. Alpha Watson was accusing Alpha Thorn’s pack of stealing.

“Gentlemen, there is no need to yell. You can work it out.”

Caleb entered and sat at the table with the other men. “You have been fighting over this matter for ten years. Do you not tire of it?”

“Tell him to keep his thieves and his own land and off mine,” said Alph Watson.

“You will stop quarreling and agree today before you leave this room.”

“No,” said Alpha Thorn.

Caleb folded his hands. “You ever ask your pack why they are stealing from Alpha’s Watson’s supplies?”

“Yes, I have. I know why?”

“Enlighten me,” said Caleb. I enjoyed seeing how Caleb worked with both men and how he got them to talk to each other.

“He will not trade with us. My pack can’t get his supplies, and we can’t get them from anyone else, so they take them,” said Alpha Waston.

Caleb frowned at Alpha Thorn. “Is this true?”

The Alpha didn’t make a sound.

“Well, it sounds like a trade agreement needs to be made.”

When Caleb rose to leave. I took his hand and kissed it. “Thank you.” His perfect blue eyes soften and look sad for a moment. My chest cracked open for him. I missed his touch. He held on to my hand leading me to the door and out into the hall. The men began to talk.

When the door closed, he pulled me to him. The length of his body inviting me to lean in. “I miss you,” he whispered. Then brushed his lips over mine and stepped away moving down the hall.

I was stunned, but my heart soared.