Collin's POV
The morning air carries Pierre's voice across the training grounds before I even turn around to acknowledge him. When the future Alpha seeks me out personally, it never signals anything pleasant awaiting me.
"Someone's pulling your strings this morning," I state rather than ask, pivoting to meet his gaze. His expression will reveal whether he understands the true purpose behind his errand.
Pierre shifts his weight, clearly uncomfortable with his role as messenger. "Mother sent me. There's talk about some invitation from Stone Hollow Pack. Dad's likely going to make this your problem."
The honesty in his voice confirms what I suspected. At my age, I've grown weary of these mandatory social expeditions designed to parade me before potential mates. Years of searching for a connection that my Lycan could recognize as genuine has yielded nothing but disappointment and wasted time.
The others still cling to hope that somewhere out there, my true mate awaits discovery. They orchestrate these visits to neighboring packs with relentless optimism. I participated in that charade for years before accepting the futility of it all.
"The Alpha floor dining room. Lunch. Mother's orders," Pierre adds, his apologetic tone genuine. He understands my situation better than most, considering none of our future leadership has located their destined connections either.
The walk to the pack house feels longer than usual, my reluctance growing with each step. Pierre remains silent beside me, wisely avoiding conversation that might worsen my mood.
Voices drift from the dining room as we approach, my mother's distinctive tone rising above the others in animated discussion.
"After this Alpha Ceremony fails to produce results, he'll have no choice but to accept Evangeline as his chosen mate," Mother declares with the confidence of someone who believes her word carries absolute authority.
I know the smirk Evangeline will have on her face.
I pause in the doorway, allowing them to notice my presence before speaking. "The choice of a mate, chosen or otherwise, belongs to me alone. Your opinion on the matter holds no weight whatsoever, Mother."
The formal address stings her more than any raised voice could. She despises when I distance myself through such deliberate formality, and the muscle ticking in her jaw confirms my words hit their mark.
Silence blankets the room as I claim the seat directly across from both women, forcing them to face me during this conversation. Pierre wisely takes the chair originally intended for me, placing himself next to Evangeline.
"This invitation you're so eager to discuss, Luna," I address our pack's true authority figure, "tell me about it."
Our Luna straightens, recognizing the shift in dynamics. "Stone Hollow Pack requires representation at their upcoming Alpha Ceremony. Alpha Frost's son Thane will assume leadership soon. We're expected to bring unmated pack members."
The timeline seems rushed, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding this sudden transition. "Since when has Thane established a mate bond? And why is Alpha Frost so eager to relinquish control?"
My inquiry echoes the concerns likely troubling everyone present. During Thane's last visit some time ago, something had felt distinctly wrong. He'd displayed unusual paranoia, scrutinizing every female pack member with suspicious intensity until satisfied with their identities.
"The announcement caught us off guard as well," our Luna admits. "As for Alpha Frost's motivations, we can only speculate."
The lack of typical fanfare surrounding a future Alpha's mate bond suggests complications. Either Thane has complicated his situation with someone unsuitable, formed an alliance marriage, or severed an established connection for unknown reasons.
Mother seizes what she perceives as an opportunity. "Perhaps Evangeline should accompany Collin to provide appropriate support during the ceremony."
Our Luna's swift intervention saves me from responding harshly. "The delegation has already been finalized. We're bringing pack members who've spent considerable time searching for their connections. Evangeline has time to find hers naturally."
Through the mind link, our Luna's voice reaches me privately. "This was intentional, Collin. I won't let her manipulate this situation."
Gratitude floods through me. Unlike others who tiptoe around my mother's presumed influence, our Luna refuses to be intimidated. Mother may leverage her position as Beta female, but she lacks the authority to override our Luna's decisions.
The displeasure radiating from both Mother and Evangeline is palpable, but neither dares challenge our Luna's pronouncement directly. Even I wouldn't contest her final word on pack matters.
My twin brother Atticus has remained silent throughout this exchange, but the growing smirk on his face signals impending chaos. When he finally speaks, I know he's about to ignite a firestorm.
"You seem remarkably invested in securing Evangeline as family, Mother. Since you're so convinced she'd make an excellent mate choice, perhaps I should consider her for myself."
Yeah, leave it to my twin brother to piss off our Mother.