Meadow’s p.o.v. Everything stays pretty calm until after dinner, when many high-ranking Shifters get up to stretch their legs. Our tables are placed near one of the patio doors and I lean back in my seat to look around the room, while our leadership is walking around the ballroom to talk to some of the guests. Many of our guests are talking amongst themselves, keeping to their own Pack and not paying much attention to other Shifters. It is the Sons and Daughters of the high-ranking guests who are trying to get the attention of other high-ranking Shifters. I doubt the boys notice the looks some of those girls are throwing their way, but Marley and Milcah do. None of us reacts to it because they are making fools of themselves. “They aren’t paying attention to our Daughter. Why would anyone choose an Omega over an Alpha’s Daughter?” I hear a woman say from the patio. Magnus turns his head toward the patio and we hear Gilliam growl through the mind-link. I get out of my seat before Magnus can and place a hand on his shoulder to stop him from causing a scene. “Why is it so difficult for some Shifters to accept that a Shifter chooses his fated Mate? Don’t they realize that a chosen Mate will weaken a Pack?” Calista asks. “I bet it is because of the image. They care more about a title and the privileges that come with it. None of them understands the duties that come with a Luna title. Organizing parties, solving issues between Pack-members, looking in on Pack-members in the infirmary. There are dozens and dozens of duties for a Luna, but I doubt any of them have any idea how much time that takes out of a day.” Brooklyn answers. Calista stares at Brooklyn for a second, “Damn, that sounds exhausting.” I see Leona and the Luna she is talking with crack a smile at Calista’s remark. The other Lunas don’t look too pleased with the remark, but they don’t respond to it. “Young Lady, you have no idea what the duties of a Luna are. However, I can guarantee you that none of the Lunas here work long hours. We have our Mate and children to think about.” The woman from the patio says. “Luna Margret, I know that you don’t do any of the Luna duties. You always delegate your duties to the Beta and Gamma females. You also lack the ability to be a good Luna, because you were never meant to be one and lack the training.” I say as I turn toward her. She turns a bit pale, because we have had a run in before and she knows what I am capable of. “I wasn’t expecting a Renegade Warrior to attend and especially not you, Meadow.” Her Mate says with a smile. “Alpha Howard, it is good to see you again. Didn’t you make her Luna in name only?” I ask, knowing how embarrassing this will be for her. Alpha Howard had called in my team to investigate a theft in his territory. We didn’t know what was taken, but after being introduced to Margret, I had a feeling where to look. “Yes, and she wasn’t supposed to be here. She drove here with our Daughter and I didn’t find out until we arrived. I made it clear that I wouldn’t allow either one of them to stir up trouble, but I believe a tree would have understood me better.” Alpha Howard responds. Margret tries to object, but one look from her Mate shuts her up and two of his Warriors guide her and her Daughter out of the ballroom. “They can wait in the car or go home. The choice is up to them, but if they choose to go home, make sure they actually leave the territory.” Alpha Howard calls out after them. Alpha Lincoln asks how we met and Alpha Howard doesn’t try to hide the crimes of his Mate. “I made her Luna in name only, because of our children. She never did many of her duties and when Meadow discovered the extent of her crimes, I asked the King for a favor. She can’t reject me or turn the children against me. Once our youngest is twelve, I will reject her myself and move her to the edge of my territory. She can live there for the rest of her life and be a part of the children’s lives, but that is it.” Alpha Howard says. Margret had been stealing Pack funds because she wanted a life different from the one her Mate was willing to provide. Margret desired expensive clothes and jewelry, while Howard believed it was a waste of money.Howard wouldn’t deny her a new dress for a ball or a ceremony, but wearing her daily outfits only once or twice went too far for his taste. I agree with him on that; you don’t need hundreds of outfits that you only wear once or twice. “She admitted that she planned on rejecting me when she had taken most of the Pack funds and taken our children to find a more suitable Mate. In other words, one who was willing to go bankrupt for her.” Alpha Howard says before returning to his table. We discuss the case that brought me to Alpha Howard’s Pack through the mind-link, not willing to have all the details brought to light. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we will start the Alpha Ceremony in half an hour. I want to ask all of you to return to your seats. Thank you.” Luna Leona says from the stage. I notice that the future leadership of Black Valley Pack is no longer sitting at the table and I look toward the side of the stage to see them gathered there. River is leaning into Misha’s side and both of them are relaxed. I can’t say the same for Madden and Matheus, but that is probably due to the Full Moon. Both of them will have a title within the next two hours and that usually unleashes a more persistent attention from power hungry Shifters. I don’t envy them at the moment; tonight might turn into a bit of hell for them. “Does everyone remember our plan?” I ask through the mind-link and everyone confirms their role.There will be twenty one Shifters with one agenda, keeping Madden and Matheus out of the hands of power hungry women. We will also keep an eye on Mylah, Makayla and Marisol for the same reason. My team and my chosen family will help me to protect the family I have gained within the last year. A family I will defend at all costs.