Emerson had always been a man of few words. But ever since his mate died, he had become a man of punches and growls. The only reason that he hadn't killed himself to be with his dead mate was because he had a pack to run and he had no heir. Sure, his Beta could have taken over. But he had Beta blood, not Alpha blood.

So that is why, years after her death, he was training in his personal gym. Training helped take his mind off of her. That, and issues dealing with the pack and others but mostly his dead mate.

So, he lost himself in the workout, his eyes closed and thinking about nothing but the burning of his muscles. He kept pushing himself and pushing himself, going beyond his limits. As he was just finally beginning to relax, his music shut off.

A growl escaped passed his lips and he opened his eyes to find his father towering above him, arms crossed. From the look on his face, he could his father wasn't happy with him, but then again, when was he ever?

Emerson sat up, running a hand through his hair. He grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat off of his chest and neck. He knew that whatever talk was about to happen, wasn't going to be short. "What have I done now to have disappointed you?"

"This time, nothing. I've been discussing things with the pack, and we have all agreed that this has gone on too long." He gestured to his son, "It's obvious you won't hand the pack over someone else, and everyone is struggling with only you to rule." His father took a seat. "So, I've arranged a mating ceremony with you and Mystic Peak's Alpha's sister."

His father waited for the yelling, the growling, the wolf, but nothing came. All there was was a burning, hot rage in Emerson's eyes. So, he continued, as if it was nothing. "She lost her mate a few years ago. I have intel that she is caring and kind. That she fits the quota a Luna should have. And this pack has gone on too long without a Luna. I will not let you destroy what I have worked hard to create."

Emerson's entire body shook. He wanted to replace her. They all wanted to replace her. How could they? How could they betray her, betray him like that? He could take care of the pack, he didn't need anyone's help. And so, he told his father just that.

"Have I not carried this pack to victory? Have I not protected this pack just fine on my own? Have I not cared for them?" His voice continued to get louder and louder until he was yelling. "I don't need another Luna! I can do this on my own!"

But his father, always a placid man, remained unaffected by this. "Yes, you do. Your pack is falling apart on you. They are losing hope more and more each day. You are not enough for this pack anymore. Your time for grieving is over. You can either accept this arrangement or I will convince the Council to give me back the pack as you are unable to care for them." And then he was gone, leaving a shaking Emerson, who was trying to control his wolf from killing his own father.

The wolf in him wanted to be released and kill. Kill those who have lost faith in him. Kill those who have conspired against him. Kill them all.

He slammed his fist against the wall, the pain helped him keep control of himself. That was why his father had come to him. That was why his had made that agreement. And that was why the council would give the pack to his father if it came to it.

He refused lose his pack. He had worked so hard to be a good Alpha. To protect and cherish them. He would not lose them, today, tomorrow, or ever. But the only other option was to become mated someone who wasn't his mate. For the good of the pack. He told himself. For the good of the pack.

So, Emerson went his father and bit out a harsh fine. His father beamed. "Good, because she'll be here in two days. I'll announce it to the pack tomorrow. Now you should go and clean up you Wing. Who knows what you've done in there." His father said, walking towards his office. "Don't worry about plans. I have it covered. You better be on your best behavior. If you scare her off I'll contact the Council."

Emerson was barely able to get a nod in before his father disappeared into his office. He opened his fisted hands and realized that his claws had punctured his hands, causing them to bleed. He simply walked to the sink and washed off the blood. His hands would be healed in a few minutes so there was no point seeking medical assistance.

He just bounded up the steps and walked through halls until he finally made it the Alpha's Wing. He had only moved in there after his mate died. Because the two of them had lived in a small little cottage just a few minutes' walk from the Pack House. They wanted it small at first, because it would just be the two of them. But as their family grew, they had planned to expand their cottage.

That was all he ever wanted in life. His mate by his side, watching all their children run around, and laugh and play. But that image was dead along with his mate. And this girl whom he was now to mate with, would never, ever be a part of that image. It would be only his mate, him, and their children. Not this girl whom he was to mate and become his Luna.

The Alpha Wing consisted of all that the others had. A master bedroom, rooms meant for their children, a small office that only had a desk, and a chair, a small kitchen, and a living room in the center of it all. Though the difference between his Wing others, was that it was completely barren. There was nothing along the wall, no partings, no pictures, only a coat of white paint. The rooms were furnished with beds, and dressers, and couches, but none were luxurious as those other Alpha's. They were plain and simple. His bedroom was the same as all the other, except for the fact that his master bathroom was grand. Marble counters, a bathtub that seated two was equipped with jets, the shower had lots of space.

A woman's touch was desperately needed, but he didn't want one. There was no woman for him to want but that of one in a grave.

He took to the bathroom first, showering in that extravagant shower. He dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. Simple but brutal. He combed his wet, black hair, sweeping it to the side. He would let it air dry, for he found hairdryers idiotic. He tied his shoes then walked back down to his office, his official one, for his officers to report back to him.

However, it was hard to concentrate. All he could focus on was his anger at his father for what he had done. Mate or lose the pack. and he refused to lose his pack meant he had to mate with someone who wasn't his mate.

He knew if Abigail was there, she'd be telling him to stop moping and do his duty. She'd want him to move on be happy. He could almost hear her, "If you don't get off your ass and do your duty, I will kick you all the way into the next pack."

What a spitfire she was. She always had a smart remark for everything. She also managed to make almost dirty, causing Emerson to either start choking or burst out laughing until his stomach hurt. She was crazy. Challenging his Beta, his officers. And then after she finished explaining how "stupid" they were, she proceeded to explain a different solution, one much reasonable and logical. And she would all but throw it in their faces when her plan worked out just the way she had predicted.

He fought hard to swallow the tears that began to well in his eyes. He had to stop thinking about her. He had to get her out of his mind. He would not, could not, cry in front of the men and women before him. He could do that later, in his bed, all alone, and let the tears flow. But not here, not now. So, he blinked them away and focused on his Beta, as he read off the reports of the pack, his Gamma chiming in every so often.

The report was not good, but all of it was necessarily bad. There had been a couples in the past week. The first because of which a man looked too long at another's mate. Having been newly mated, the male was already on edge. The second because of an argument out of hand.

Though it may seem petty and childish, the fights, this was a better than the others before. The others had been filled with dread and sorrow. The pack's sufferings, the amount of attacks, lives lost, alliances severed. This report was better. This report meant not all hope was lost. His officers in the room noticed too, as they seemed to brighten at the news. Good. This was good. Life was beginning to improve.

Border patrol was next. His commanding officer spoke firmly as she said, "There has been little disturbance. It seems as if all troubling rogues have moved on. Either realizing they would not get through our defenses, or they found weaker victims to prey on."

His spymaster stepped forward. "They have moved onto Mystic Peak. They have now realized that they are not as powerful and as strong as they had been."

The fact was troublesome. They all seemed to shift on their feet. Mystic Peak was their strongest ally, though even with them their alliance was strained. Now seemed a better time than ever fir Emerson to tell of the arrangement.

Emerson cleared his throat, gaining their attention, all their eyes falling upon him. "We are going to provide them wolves, to help strengthen their borders, until they can get back on their feet. In return, they are providing a girl, the Alpha's sister to be precise, to the pack's Luna."

They all picked up on the fact he said, "pack's Luna' and not his Luna, or his mate. But they did not comment on it, as they knew better than to let their mouths fly. The last time someone had they were put in the infirmary.

"And if they are a lost cause? Then what?" She asked.

"We are the cause of depleting their defenses. We will aid them for as long as they need. And we will aid them again if crisis arises." Emerson said calmly but firmly. He would not sway on this, not that he had much of a choice.

"And what of the girl?" His Gamma beside him asked.

Emerson turned to him, then focused on his spymaster. "Lawrence will find everything we need on the girl. And she will be watched carefully while she is here. I don't want her left alone." He faced his commander of the Epsilon. "I want two wolves at her side at all times. There are to be more wolves following her, tailing her, as you see fit. No less than three." At the nod, he leaned back to face them all. "We don't know what this girl is capable of. Until we do, be on your guard."

A dismissal, one they all caught on and made their way out of the room. All but his Beta. Brandon ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Are you ready for her?" He asked hesitantly.

Emerson nodded abruptly and waved him off. "Of course. I wouldn't have made this arrangement if I thought otherwise." He didn't mention how it was his father who made it, and threatened him. Doing so would make him look weak.

Brandon gave him a look that said he didn't believe him, but he said nothing more, and walked out of the office.

Emerson huffed out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. He stared at the wall for a few moments, minutes, hours; trying to get a hold on his thoughts. One after another swarmed him and it was all he could to do to keep from drowning in them. It took everything in him to get up out of his chair and leave his office.

Time to go tell the Pack House maids that the House needs to be cleaned to perfection.

***