Nia POV
After waking up the next morning, I got ready for work so I could finish these last 2 days before Christmas which was this Thursday. My mind kept drifting back to Travis and wondering how he was doing, considering how savage his wolf went last night. Right now any sane person would be wanting to distance themself away from anything like that but for me, it felt different since he is my mate and we must help each other through difficult times, and if this was going to be my first challenge in matehood than I was willing to accept it.
Later on that day
There were a few minutes left before it was time for me to clock out as I was stocking some items on the shelves when suddenly Stacy walked into the market with a worried concerned look on her face that didn't seem to change as she got closer to me.
"Nia, are you ok? I know you're probably still trying to process everything that happened last night but .."
"Stacy I'm ok, I understand that sometimes animals have wild moments and werewolves are no different, but I think I'm taking things pretty well considering my mate went wild and almost killed me along with a few other wolves now that I think of it", I said hoping to calm her down but I could see that it wasn't working.
"I'm glad that you're taking in all this new information and experiences well, as a Luna should but there's something else that's come up and I don't know if you're ready to handle it".
"I know I haven't started my Luna training yet but if it will help me become more accustom to the pack and their traditions, then I'm willing to do it", I said a bit nervous about what I just agreed to.
"It's Garrett, he's called a pack meeting that's starting in an hour so he can talk to the pack about what happened with Travis last night. I talked to Travis this morning through the mind link and he seemed to be doing ok but a little disoriented. He asked how you were doing and I told him how you tried to stop the guards from shooting him, at which he seemed very amazed by your actions but he still felt bad that you were placed in a dangerous situation like that with him being the main source of danger".
"Where is he now, is he going to be at the meeting?"
"That's the trouble Nia, he's not back yet and I've tried to reach him through the mind link but he's been keeping me blocked. Jesse and a couple of others tried linking him but with no luck. Some of the hunters even tried tracking him but his scent just led out deeper into the territory which probably means until he's certain that he won't have another reaction, he's going to let his wolf run around out in the wilderness for a day or two.
That means that temporary power has now passed down to Garrett since he's the Beta and he's the last wolf that needs that kind of authority. Power would have transferred over to you but since you haven't gone through the official Luna ceremony yet, you're still only Travis's mate. That's why I need you to come to the meeting tonight and speak on Travis's behalf since last night when the pack recited that oath to you, they were verbally declaring their loyalty to you and this will be a great way to show them that you are capable of stepping up when the pack needs a good leader in place of their Alpha who they can trust".
Stacy was right, sooner or later I was going to have to start fulfilling my Luna duties one way or the other and I was more than willing to stand in place of my mate if it meant that the pack would be led in the right direction.
Garret POV
It was now sundown and everyone had started piling into the meeting hall to hear my announcement. I needed to do this as soon as possible to get the pack on my side before Travis comes back and regains control, making this whole plan useless. I expected him not to be back for at least a day or two since he had a strong reaction to the drug, which probably made him think that there was something wrong with his wolf and is most likely going deeper into the territory to isolate himself to keep from being a danger to anyone right now.
"Garrett, I'm starting to have doubts about this whole thing. I know you said that the both of us leading the pack would be a better fit than Travis and Nia but now that I'm seeing how it has affected your brother, the pack, and also Nia, I don't know if I can keep going along with this."
"Anna why are you speaking like this, I am your mate and Beta of the pack which means you must follow my orders and support me in my decisions. Besides Travis not killing Nia, everything has gone according to plan so far, so just trust that I know what's best for us and the pack", I said trying to reassure her but still confused that she would second-guess my actions.
After she took a seat at the side of the stage, I got everyone to focus their attention on me, hoping they also wouldn't question my leadership.
"Attention Hagen Pack, based on the recent events last night, it has become clear that the role of leadership has passed down to me your Beta since Alpha Travis is not around and hasn't made any effort to contact us."
"Beta do you have any idea as to why he went on a rampage last night and that the pack will be kept safe if he should come back in the same wild mental state", one of the pack mothers called out.
"Don't worry, we have guards doing patrols around the outskirts of the village and some in the woods that will alert me if he comes back this way but as for what caused his reaction, all I can tell you is that he was most likely poisoned".
Everyone gasped while looking at each other and starting to chatter among themselves. Many had worried looks on their face while others started looking around the room as if trying to guess who would be responsible for such a horrible act of treason.
"After going through a process of elimination, it is sad to say that I have concluded that the one who has poisoned our Alpha was most likely our new Luna", I said as I looked towards the back of the hall to see Nia entering with Stacy. Now I would see how loyal my pack was, would they trust a wolf or a human?