The Alpha and the Exile
Chapter 17

The next couple of days passed in a blur. I did my own little investigating and what I found left me chilled. Many of the elders suspected a challenge and supported Mario. There were even hints that Mario may be the one responsible for the rogue attacks on the borders, but it was just rumors for now. "Do you understand the plan," I told Koreyon as I prepared to leave.

"Luna," Koreyon spoke, his voice rough with emotion.

I turned to face him, giving him a small, sad smile. "It's okay, Koreyon. Perhaps this is for the best. Mario could be a good alpha," I told him.

"No, no he can't," Koreyon said, determined. "A good alpha doesn't attack his own." He thought Mario was responsible not only for setting Flinn up, but for the attack on Evans.

"It'll be okay," I told him, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue, but what else could I say. "Just follow the plan. Release Flinn now, tell him to get his family over to Steven. Steven will protect them. When you're done, take Michael to the borders, give him the packet I prepared for him. Make sure he leaves."

"Why not let Mike fight him?"

"One of the things Evans told me about my mate, Koreyon, was that the life of an alpha was too violent for him. Michael could lose himself in it. I won't let him become his father to save me. I've been selfish enough. I can't let this destroy all the progress he's made. No, Michael has to leave and never come back. It's the only way he may actually replace some semblance of happiness. Please, do this for me. Do this last thing for your Luna." Koreyon's jaw clenched as he stared at me unhappily. "Okay, I'll see that they both leave here, safe."

Relief let my shoulders drop into a more relaxed position. "Thank you, Koreyon. You're a good, loyal man," I told him. If this all went sideways, perhaps I'd get to tell my father that when I met him on the other side. I left Koreyon to his job and went to prepare for mine.

The hour drive to the meeting site did nothing for my nerves. My heart pounded in my chest and my throat was tight. I saw Mario waiting for me outside. Lifting my chin I walked over to him. "I know what you've done," I told him. "What do you mean, Luna?"

I held up my hand. "Don't. I know you don't really seem me as your luna, as your leader, Mario. I know you set up Flinn and I know you're planning on challenging me." Mario stared at me for a long second then nodded. "I am. You're not the leader the pack needs, Alice."

My throat tightened with unshed tears. "I think you might be right," I admitted. "My brother had been trained to lead since he was little. How could I learn in a few months? That's why I'm willing to step down here and now." Shock replaced his hard expression. "How generous, Alice, but it has to be public. It has to be a challenge." "Why?" Did he want to hurt me?

"Because besides the council of elders, the pack loves you. They'd never accept me without a formal challenge," Mario snapped back bitterly. "Now come on the meeting is about to start. Don't embarrass yourself by being late." Part of me was elated to learn the pack supported me and the other furious and hurt at Mario's blatant disgust for me. How could I not see it earlier? We walked inside where the other alphas waited. Steven gave me a worried look, but as I saw Flinn at his side I gave him a tight smile. Koreyon had done his part.

"So we've all come here to speak of the rogue attacks on our borders," Alpha Paul from the Death Valley pack said as soon as I sat down.

"Attacks that started as soon as the girl here took up her position as Luna," Alpha Bryan said, the contempt easy to hear in his voice and see on his face.

"Surely you're not blaming her for them," Steven jumped in.

"Of course I am," the alpha snapped. "It's her ineptitude that's causing all this!"

"Is it?" Steven asked with a shrug.

"Gentlemen," Alpha Paul said stopping them. "It's not Luna Alice's fault the rogues are attack her borders, but I agree with Bryan that she should be the one to stop them. It's been nearly seven months and she has nothing to show for it." "I'm doing what I can," Alice shot back at him. "They are not like any other rogues we've seen before."

"Of course," Alpha Bryan snapped. "I say we need an alpha in her pack, not a luna. She's a threat to us all."

Paul sighed and gave her a sympathetic grimace. "I'm afraid I agree with Bryan. Your weakness threatens us all and-"

Mario stepped forward, cutting them off. "Alphas if I may have a word," he said with a humble penitent look. "I mean no disrespect but before you decide on what is the best course of action. I would like to inform you that the elder council has heard your complaints and agrees with you. However they would suggest that you consider me as a challenger to the position before placing someone from the outside. The pack knows me and it would cause less tension which I believe you all would like to avoid."

I watched amazed as the alphas considered his words. It was if the whole thing had been practiced and staged.

"I replace this acceptable," Alpha Paul said with a nod.

"As do I," Alpha Bryan said with a sneer.

Steven sighed and gave me a disappointed look. I knew then that he knew about Mario and hadn't told me. While he'd been my father's friend, Steven had wanted me to give him the pack. Perhaps he thought the pressure Mario was putting on me would make me give in. "I agree," he said, his tone devoid of emotion.

"The fight takes place now," Alpha Bryan said. "Surrender should be unacceptable. We can't have room for contention so the victor should be the only one left alive."

"Come now, Bryan. We are not barbarians," Steven argued.

"It's not about barbaric. It's what needs to be done. She needs to die."

"Bryan, I think you're letting the bad blood with her father cloud your judgement," Paul said, giving him a hard look. "Death is not necessary, but there must be a fight and there must be a clear victor. The pack is weak and needs a solid leader to follow. When you two are ready."

I stood up from my chair, knowing I was a dead woman. I'd like to say I was surprised, but I wasn't. Mario would need me dead to make his claim to the alphaship clear since he had already refused my resignation as leader. "I hope you know what you're doing Mario," I told him as I prepared to defend myself.

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