Chapter 34
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“Here’s an updated budget for the Luna Ceremony,” Luke said as he handed him a folder.
Jason sighed, opening it, “Seriously? How much does my mother expect to spend on this?”
Luke chuckled, knowing Jason would sign off on it. No expense was too much for his Luna, even if she thought they were already spending too much. Norah was taking full advantage and Lucille and Mona were helping. The pack had gone a long time without a proper Luna, so everyone wanted to pull out all the stops.
The ceremony was still a week away and preparations were humming along. It wasn’t the first event Blue Moon hosted, but it certainly was the one they most looked forward to. They all wanted to make it the best event possible.
The invitations had been sent to various packs and almost all RSVP’d their intentions to attend. All
were just as eager to meet the pack’s long–awaited Luna and witness her ascension to her
position. Many had also included congratulations, knowing how long Jason searched for his mate.
Jason was content to see his pack so enthusiastic. He really didn’t mind the constantly changing budget. What was more, they were already feeling Phoebe’s influence. The pack was much calmer.
There were fewer arguments and almost zero fights. Harassment of the lower ranks, particularly omega she–wolves, had always been low, but now it was nonexistent. Mealtimes were boisterous,
but everyone kept it to acceptable levels, even the unmated males.
Not only was the pack calmer, but they were more focused. The warriors were more serious about
their training, patrols of the border were more thorough and rogues were handled more efficiently.
In Jason’s mind, even the meals had improved in flavor and scope, but he did miss Phoebe’s home
cooking.
“Garrison dropped off his selections,” Luke added, handing Jason another file.
He took this one with intense interest. The warrior included eight names. Luke added the profiles
of each of the wolves with a description of their strengths, experience, training and achievements.
Jason was pleased to note all were highly decorated warriors with ample experience.
“He included eight in case there were any you objected to,” Luke said.
Jason nodded. He originally intended it to be a six–man team, but eight warriors allowed for
alternates, making the team more flexible when it came to traveling. Jason trusted Garrison to
organize his team appropriately.
“Approved,” Jason said. “Tell Garrison he can start training his team. The Luna ceremony will be their first assignment, so they need to be ready.”
Luke nodded. He expected as much. Even after a week, Jason’s protectiveness over Phoebe had
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not diminished. If anything, it had increased. What was more, Jason’s alpha aura was more potent. He exuded it without trying and commanded attention wherever he stepped into a room. Luke had known Jason’s influence would grow once he found his Luna, but even he was surprised by just
how much.
The phone suddenly rang on the Beta’s desk. He glanced at the caller ID before answering, “Elder,
this is Beta Luke.”
Jason perked up at Luke’s practiced greeting.
“Of course. He is right here,” Luke brought the phone to Jason. “Elder Ansel, Alpha.”
Jason grunted, as if he didn’t already know. Taking the phone, he said, “Elder Ansel.”
“Ah, Alpha Jason, I’m calling in regard to the balm you submitted to us for a patent.”
“You have analyzed it I trust.”
“We have completed the first set of trails, but I’d rather not discuss this over the phone.”
“Of course. When should we expect you?”
“I have time in a few days and I was planning to attend your pack’s Luna Ceremony.”
“We look forward to your visit,” Jason agreed.
The line disconnected. Jason handed it back to Luke with a thoughtful look. Luke eyed his alpha,
asking, “What do you think?”
“You know how long wolves have searched for a means to heal silver wounds.”
“Practically since we started roaming the earth,” Luke nodded.
“I figured they’d want to keep the information secure until it’s confirmed,” Jason said.
“Which is why he didn’t want to talk about it over the phone.”
Jason nodded. He had absolute faith in Phoebe. He was confident in the balm Bridget developed.
The Council didn’t have the luxury of his confidence. His only worry was that the balm had
originally been invented in another pack. Rimrock could claim propriety.
In any case, they wouldn’t know the Council’s thoughts until the Elder arrived. Jason was prepared to defend Bridget’s rights to her creation, regardless of whether Blue Moon was awarded the
patent rights. He was already researching the next step.
His first choice in partnership was with Harvest Moon. They were also an ancient pack and specialized in medicine. With such a broad infrastructure in place, they would be able to mass
produce and distribute the balm easily. His only concern was with Harvest Moon’s alpha, who was
notoriously difficult to deal with. He was stubborn and astute.
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There actually was no guarantee he would even listen to Jason’s proposal. It was probably advantageous that Elder Ansel was going to attend. Even if the Alpha Reed wasn’t willing to hear Jason out, he would respect the elder’s opinion. If that wasn’t enough, Jason hoped offering his pack’s data security packages would secure an agreeable partnership.
“Elder Ansel, welcome,” Luke greeted him as the aged wolf exited the armored SUV.
Almost seventy, Ansel looked closer to fifty–five. His once black hair was salt–n–peppered now, but his blue eyes were still clear and keen. He smiled amicably at the Beta.
“There seems to be quite a lot of activity,” Ansel noted, watching pack members string lanterns and icicle lights.
“The Luna Ceremony is in three days,” Luke smiled. “We’re expecting the alphas we’ve invited to arrive later today.”
“Ah yes,” Ansel nodded, though he was already well aware and planned to stay to witness it
himself.
It was tradition for an elder to preside over such ceremonies. Since the Elder Council was actually rather small, they had organized themselves so that each elder presided over particular regions and over the packs that resided in those regions. Blue Moon was by far the most influential pack in Ansel’s jurisdiction and he had attended every milestone ceremony the pack hosted.
“We’ve prepared a room for you. Would you like to settle in first?”
“No. I think it would be best to see Alpha Jason first.”
“Of course, follow me.” Luke expected as much and led the Elder up to the office while others
carried his bags to the prepared room.
Luke knocked on the door before opening it and announced their guest. Jason immediately stood,
coming around his desk to shake hands with the Elder, having already been informed of his arrival
through the link. Ben was also in attendance,
“Would you like a drink?” Jason asked, gesturing for Ansel to sit.
“Yes please, my usual.”
Ben retrieved brandy from the cabinet and poured it for their guest. For Jason, he poured whiskey before joining Luke at the door to ensure they were not interrupted. Ansel sniffed the brandy,
savoring it. It was human made so it wouldn’t affect him, but the flavor was much better than a
werewolf blend as aconite added a bitter aftertaste.
“Very fine,” Ansel sighed. “First, I believe congratulations are in order. I know you’ve been looking for your mate for a long time.”
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Jason nodded, “I have and she was worth the wait.”
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Ansel chuckled. Jason sounded like a wolf in love and the devotion was certainly genuine. When
Ansel originally received the invitation he was worried, knowing how long Jason had waited for a
mate and thought perhaps he had taken a chosen mate. But even without meeting Phoebe, it was
clear to him Jason had found his fated mate. He was relieved.
Blue Moon had suffered considerably from the disharmony of their previous Alpha and Luna. After
taking over, Jason instilled a sense of stability, but without a Luna it was incomplete. A fated mate
was always an alpha’s first choice and, in the past, they found them with relative ease. Now;
however, it was becoming more difficult for higher–ranked wolves to find their fated mates and the
Council was at a loss to explain why.
Knowing how important mates were, the Moon Goddess generally ensured they would find each other. It had taken Jason over a decade and his mate had been found in a pack a considerable
distance away. Ansel expected great things from Jason’s Luna.
“I look forward to meeting her,” Ansel said, taking out a file, “as to the other business that brought
me here.”
Jason accepted the thin folder and looked over the graphs, illustrating the test results.
“As I explained over the phone, we completed the first round of tests and they were….unbelievable. The healing rate of wounds was almost three times faster with the balm and scarring was dramatically reduced,” Ansel said.
Jason was surprised to see the numbers, but not by the result after Bridget and Phoebe explained
- it. He had full faith and trust in their balm’s remarkable ability.
“I must ask…how did you do it?”
“I didn’t,” Jason shook his head. “The honor goes to someone else.”
He looked at his Beta and Gamma, giving them a nod. Ben bowed before departing. Ansel watched the silent exchange with a note of curiosity. He didn’t sense them link, which meant this was preplanned, or the Gamma knew his Alpha’s intention without the need for instruction. They waited several minutes before a knock announced the Gamma’s return. With him, a pair of
she–wolves arrived.
Jason stood, immediately claiming the polite, silver–eyed one kissing her temple. The gesture seemed familiar to them both. Even so, she blushed at his attention.
“Elder Ansel,” Jason finally turned to his guest, “I’d like to introduce my mate and Luna, Phoebe, as well as our new pack member, Bridget.”
“Luna, hello,” Ansel hurriedly stood, bowing to the dark–haired beauty.
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“Phoebe, this is Elder Ansel from the Council,” Jason explained.
“Hello,” she sweetly smiled. “Please sit.”
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Bridget sat on a chair while Jason pulled Phoebe into his lap, refusing to allow her to sit anywhere else. Ansel watched as unobtrusively as he could, noting the Alpha and Luna’s body language and was satisfied, though it was still unclear why the Moon Goddess made it so difficult for them to
find each other. There had to be a reason.
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