Zions' P.O.V.
As Rain and Jessica look around her new office, I link Ms.Blanch, asking her to get someone to bring their planning folders and any more papers they may need to her office. She says she will get one of the new assistants that Jessica and Rain hired to bring everything over for me. I close the link after thanking her and then turn my attention to my mate and her sister.
"Ms.Blanch will have one of the new assistants bring the planning folders and everything needed to finalize the plans. They should be here soon." I tell her.
"That's great. Thank you." She says with a smile, walking around her desk and sitting down in her new chair.
"You look comfortable," I say with a laugh.
"Well, what did you expect? You did an amazing job with everything." She replies with a giggle.
"Thank you for the high praise, my Queen," I say. "We'll let y'all get settled in while Orian and I get some work done in my office. We'll come to get y'all before the meeting starts."
"Both of us are going to the council meeting?" Jessica asks.
"As the Queens Beta, you are expected to be there too." Orian answers her while kissing her on the cheek.
"Oh, I hadn't even thought about that." She says with a laugh.
"Y'all will have a few hours before the meeting. If you need anything, link one of us." I say before kissing my mate and walking out of her office.
We got to my office and began working on the piles of paperwork. After about an hour, I received a link from one of the warriors at the front gate stating that the Beta and Gamma from the Blue River Pack had arrived. I tell him to escort them to my office but to be very observant and cautious since we don't know how close they are with Max and Ian and if they have knowledge of their Alphas' actions with the Rogue King. I ask Orian to place a guard at Rains' office since we don't know how the Beta and Gamma will react toward them.
A few minutes later, the warrior announces their arrival with a knock on the door. I tell them to enter, and the warrior walks in, followed by the Beta and Gamma of the Blue River Pack. I motion for them to sit as Orian stands on my right. I thank the warrior and tell him he can return to the front gate.
"Good morning, King Zion. I am Christian, Beta of the Blue River Pack, and this is Nick, our Gamma." He says.
"Thank you both for coming. I'm sure you are wondering what's going on and why we summoned you here when your Alpha, Luna and their son are supposed to be here." I say, and they nod.
"We know the Luna was stripped of her title. We felt the link between her and our pack break. Though the Alpha never linked us to explain why. And we also know he and Ian aren't in the Kingdom since we can't scent them, and neither of them are responding to our links, but we know they haven't died." Beta Christian says.
"What do you know of Max and Ians' interactions with a man named Douglas?" I ask, and they look at each other in confusion.
"Alpha Max brought a man named Alpha Douglas to a pack meeting once. We were uncomfortable with him being there since he wasn't part of our pack, but when we voiced our opinion, he told us that it was not our place to dictate anything in our pack, and our job is to follow orders." Gamma Nick answers, looking quite angry.
"You seem to be angry about that. What is Max like as an Alpha?" I ask, trying to get a bit more of an insight into the pack.
"He was a kind and reasonable Alpha at first, but as he became more comfortable in his position, he has grown cold-hearted and hateful toward everyone." Christian answers, and Nick hangs his head in silence.
"Will you bring in our mates, please?" I ask Orian. He looks at me for a brief moment before leaving the room after realizing we need Rain to gauge their honesty. After a minute, he returns with Rain and Jessica. Walking them around the desk, I pull Rain onto my lap as Orian holds Jessica close to him. "These ladies may look familiar to both of you since they both grew up in your packs' orphanage."
"We were never allowed to go near the orphanage. But I do recognize Ms.Tompson. Though we were not aware that she had left the pack. We were told she chose to stay at the orphanage to work with Ms.Launa." Christian says, making Rain tense at the mention of that old hag's name.
"They ran from the pack after Jessica discovered Maxs' plan to execute Rain," I say, feeling my anger rising. "Are you aware of your so-called Alpha keeping slaves in the pack house basement?"
"Yes, unfortunately. Alpha Max was adamant that if he couldn't execute the females, he would make them work in the pack house." Nick answers.
"They are telling the truth. They share the shame of having to deal with their Alphas' orders." Rain links me, and I nod.
"To fill you in on recent events, I striped Misty of her title as Luna of your pack, and when I get my hands on Max and Ian, I plan to kill them both for treason against The Royal Family. Not only did they threaten to kill my mate, the Queen, but they also helped Douglas attack us on the night of our mating ceremony, and have been working with him for a while now. Needless to say, your pack will require a new Alpha." I say, and they look shocked but not upset.
"Who is Douglas, if you don't mind us asking?" Christian asks.
"He is known as the Rogue King. He is trying to take over the Kingdom in hopes of gaining control of all supernatural species." I say. "He has been the mastermind behind many attacks on different communities who refuse to follow him."
"Our Alpha wanted our pack to follow this Douglas person into a war?" Nick asks, and I nod my head. He lets out a low growl of frustration as he hangs his head.
"We will do anything you ask, my King," Christian says with determination. "His actions do not reflect the packs' feelings on these kinds of situations."
"That's good to hear. We will review a list of Alpha blood descendants and have you two meet with them to see how they will fit in. Until then, Beta Christian will stand in as Alpha. I will send my Gamma and a few warriors to assess the situation and work with you to get everything up to par according to our laws." I tell them
"Thank you, my King," They say with a bow.
"I want to go too," Jessica says. Orian turns to look at her with panic written all over his face.
"What?" Rain blurts out.
"I want to go check on the kids in the orphanage. I want them to know that we didn't abandon them for our own selfish needs. Plus, I know the pack well." Jessica tells us. I understand how she feels in the situation, but I'm not sure how Orian will handle it.
"I'll go in Sams' place and take our new Beta with me if you permit it, my King," Orian says.
"If you are sure that is what you both want to do, I'll allow it," I say, and they both nod. I turn to look at Christian and Nick. "Since both Betas have volunteered, they will be accompanying you back to your pack, along with some of our warriors. Y'all can leave shortly after our council meeting."
"Yes, sir." They all say.
"How are you feeling about this?" I link Rain.
"I don't like Jess going back there without me, but I know I can't go while pregnant. I'll only get in the way." She replies. "But I would like to see the kids."
"We will figure something out, my love," I reassure her, and she nods.
"You two are welcome to join our meeting or stay in one of the sitting rooms," I say.
"I would like to attend the meeting," Christian says, and Nick nods in agreement.
"Very well, the meeting starts in about thirty minutes. Would either of you like anything to eat or drink while we wait?" I ask.
"Tea, please," Nick says. I link Mia and ask her to bring up tea for six people. She says she will be there soon, and I thank her before closing the link.
"Have you finished the plans for the orphanage remodel?" I ask Rain and Jessica.
"Almost. We have a few small things to finish up before they leave." Rain says, looking slightly sad, and I nod while rubbing circles on her back. After a few minutes, there is a knock on the door, and Nick suddenly looks tense.
"Things are about to get interesting." Rain links me as Orian opens the door for Mia.
"MATE!" Mia and Nick say in unison.