Chapter 16
Kaeleen's POV
I found Rebecca and Alex standing just outside the grand hall, the very place where my life had irrevocably changed the moment my eyes landed on Astrid. They were deep in conversation, their faces serious. The air around them crackled with a tension that had nothing to do with the upcoming Alpha Summit.
As I approached, I could hear snippets of their discussion. Something about "urgent matters" and "Leon's disappearance." A knot of unease tightened in my stomach.
"What's going on?" I asked, my voice cutting through their hushed tones.
Rebecca sighed, running a hand through her hair. "The meeting's been pushed forward," she said, her voice laced with annoyance. "Apparently, our gracious host, Alpha Leon, had some urgent matters to attend to."
"Urgent matters?" I raised an eyebrow, skepticism lacing my tone. "What kind of urgent matters could possibly be more important than a meeting involving every major pack in America?"
Alex shrugged, his broad shoulders lifting in a gesture of uncertainty. "No one seems to know," he said, his voice low. "Just that he had to leave unexpectedly. At least that's what they said. They said he wasn't on pack grounds but I and Rebecca saw him on our way here."
I frowned. "What do you mean? Where did you see him?" I asked him.
"Not too far from where we met with you and Astrid." He said to me,
I had no idea why but this wasn't good news. Could it be that Leon had been watching us? Was that why he had pushed the meeting forward?
Rebecca sighed, snapping out of my thoughts. "Oh and there's also the fact that not everybody is present yet. The one time Kaeelen decides to show up early, people decide to show up late."
I gave her the middle finger in reply. This was a bit of an inconvenience. I had thought this meeting would be done within about two days but from the looks of it, I may be wrong.
Just then, a booming voice called out my name, cutting through my frustration. I turned to see a familiar figure striding towards us, a wide grin splitting his face.
"Kaeleen, you old dog!" the man roared, his voice filled with boisterous cheer.
It was Marcus, heir of the Redwood Ridge pack, a close friend to both Alex and me. His father was still the alpha but we all knew it wouldn't be long until he gave it to Marcus. At this point, he was still alpha just to spite his own son. Marcus's pack was located in the heart of Montana, a rugged and fiercely independent territory, much like the man himself.
I grinned, a genuine smile replacing my earlier annoyance. "Marcus, you haven't changed a bit," I said, clapping him on the back. "Still as loud as ever."
Alex stepped forward, extending his hand to Marcus. "Good to see you, buddy," he said, his voice warm. "Ready for this circus?"
Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "Circus is right," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'll tell ya, the idiot who spearheaded this meeting is nothing less of an idiot. Does he really think an alliance with the humans would protect us? He is putting a target on our backs."
"Marcus." A gruff voice called out in warning.
Marcus rolled his eyes before turning to Jonathan, his father. He looked as healthy as ever even though he was already seventy.
"How many times do I have to tell you to control yourself?" He asked Marcus.
"But it's the truth." Marcus said with a sheepish look.
I agreed with him also which was why I was here for this meeting but it seemed Leon had matters to attend to.
Jonathan greeted both Alex and I before leaning in for a hug with Rebecca. He had always had a soft spot for her and was gutted when he found out Marcus wasn't her mate. But he still supported them.
"You are bigger than the last time I saw you." He said to her, his gaze on her stomach, a soft smile on his face.
Rebecca laughed. "The last time you saw me, I wasn't pregnant." She told him.
He pretended to think about it. "Hmm, maybe I'm getting too old to remember some things now." He said, making us laugh.
We exchanged a few more pleasantries. We joked because it's been a while since we all had seen each other. Jonathan 's family and mine had been friends for generations. And it was only natural that the children become friends also.
"So," Marcus said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What's the deal with this Moonshade pack anyway? I still don't understand how they managed to get the title of being the most powerful and influential pack ever. Redwood Ridge is far more influential, and we actually know what we're doing."
The feelings are mutual.
He paused, a hint of disdain lacing his tone. "Honestly, I don't get it," he continued, shaking his head. "They're so stuck in the past, so obsessed with tradition. It's like they're living in a different century. How can a pack like that possibly lead us into the future?"
His words struck a chord. I had been thinking the same thing myself. Moonshade pack was one u couldn't quite grasp. It is a pack clinging to outdated customs and beliefs. It was like they were resistant to change, and completely out of touch with the modern world.
And yet, they held a position of power and influence, a position that they clearly didn't deserve. But truthfully, from what I've seen, the Moonshade was none of those things.
"You're right, Marcus," I said, my voice low and serious. "They're stuck in the past. And frankly, I'm not sure they even realize it."
"It could be the fault of the leaders." Rebecca said.
"True." Jonathan added. "I just want to get this meeting done so I can go back to my life."
"And women." Marcus added.
"What do you think I meant when I said life?" Jonathan asked him, making us laugh.
At the end of the day, we all went back to our rooms. I did so a bit excitedly because someone precious would be coming to my room.