The Heartless Alpha

JASPERS POV

I made a pack-wide announcement the next day. Along with clearing up Violets non-Hybrid status, I was glad to tell my pack that Jennine was gone. The relief was nearly tangible in the air. However, that relief didn’t last long- It popped like a bubble when I explained about Phoebus, his past with Celeste, and the incoming threat he posed. I could see the same question on every face I looked at; How were we supposed to defeat a God?

I didn’t have an answer for that.

For the rest of the week, I focused on my children and my mate. In our downtime, usually when the kids were napping, Vie and I would brainstorm together. Sometimes King and Ashwell would join, and Gideon, who said he rather liked Silver Moon. He was thinking of moving here, being as it was close to his daughter, but more ‘open’, as he put it. As of right now, he was using his skills to fix up the rest of the houses for the pack. I didn’t mind, and he was making good use of the materials Dimitri had purchased for us.

I had to admit, although my pack was frightened, there was a semblance of peace right now. After all, we had no idea when Phoebus planned to attack, or how outright that attack would be. There wasn’t much we could do in the way of preparing ourselves, so most, if not all, of us were focusing on our families. I’d come to know each of the triplets as individuals, learn their growing personalities. I loved spending the days with them, playing with different toys and watching them play with each other too. Camellia was extremely bold, usually taking it upon herself to lead the three of them in whatever activity.

She was definitely a Daddys girl too. Whenever I was near, she would find me, clenching and unclenching her tiny fists with a whine until I picked her up. Carson was more than happy to spend the majority of his time with Violet, while Drew preferred Tracy. As werewolves, they developed faster than human babies; Camellia was already rolling over, attempting to crawl, while the boys watched and giggled. Things were going to be interesting when the three of them learned to walk.

Right now, we were in my office. Camellia was on my lap, her stunning eyes searching everything in the room while she played with the pull string on my sweater. Vie was feeding Carson and Drew on the sofa, murmuring to them quietly. It was a tad difficult to type, write or answer the phone with one hand, but I was managing. Besides, if I put Camellia down, no doubt she would start to cry.

“So, I was wondering…” Violet spoke.

“About?”

“Do you think he knows? That Jennine is dead?”

I laid down my pen, stretching my fingers. “I think so. She was his go-to pawn in this scheme of his. If he hasn’t figured it out by now…”

“He will soon.” She finished for me. Her face turned thoughtful. “Maybe we’ve been thinking about this the wrong way.”

“How do you mean?”

“We’ve been expecting Phoebus to attack outright now. But what if he doesn’t? What if he just chooses another person to manipulate to do his will?”

I clicked my tongue, seeing her point. “Then we get rid of them too.”

Violet sighed heavily. “He’s a wimp, using others to do his dirty work.” She made a face. “What kind of God hides behind a mortal?”

“Can’t say I disagree with you there. Maybe theres a reason- Maybe he didn’t have any choice but to do it this way.”

“Maybe… Can you take them? Tracy is on her way up, and I have to meet Grandpa for a lesson.”

“Sure.”

I set Camellia down, and as predicted, she immediately started wailing. I smiled at her, taking the boys from Vie. They both burped simultaneously, making us laugh. Setting them down next to their pouting sister, I gave my mate a deep k**s before she left. Tracy chose that moment to make herself known.

“Do you have to do that in front of the babies?” She smirked.

“It’s not like we’re doing it on the sofa.” Vie was blushing bright red and I chuckled. “Carson and Drew just finished eating, but Cam will need to eat in about half an hour. There’s a bottle thawing out in our room.”

“Okie dokie. Come here big boy!” She crouched down, holding her arms out to Drew, who instantly grinned his toothless grin.

“I think my son loves you more than he loves me.” Violet frowned.

“Nonsense!”

“He is very attached to you.” I mused aloud as I watched Drew flop onto his stomach, flailing his arms in a weak attempt to crawl. Tracy straightened, going to pick him up. As soon as he was in her arms though, he let out a deafening shriek. All three adults stared at him in shock.

“My Goddess, what’s wrong Drew?! It’s me, Aunt Tracy.” She rocked him, but he continued his meltdown.

Violet narrowed her eyes, stepping closer to her. “Tracy, what is that smell?”

Now it was her turn to blush. “Oh, uhm. That’s uh, probably… my mates.” She finished in a whisper.

“You met your mate?! When?!” Vie exclaimed.

“Yesterday.” Tracy sighed happily. “His name is Andrew. He’s really sweet, and super hot!”

“Where did you meet him?” I asked. It was great she’d finally met her mate. Of everyone I knew, Tracy deserved that happiness.

“Actually, in the kitchen. He was getting a case of water for the warriors and I went in to make a sandwich.”

“So, he’s warrior?” Vie asked excitedly. Clearly, she’d already forgotten her lesson with Gideon, too wrapped up in the news.

“Yeah! But not one of ours.” She looked at me. “He’s one of the temporary ones from B***d Moon. I can’t believe we only crossed paths yesterday!”

I searched my mind, eventually putting a face to the name. There was only one Andrew here for B***d Moon.

“Andrew Ruric?” I asked.

“You know him?”

“A little. We sparred a few times when I was training. He’s a good warrior.”

“I know him too. He was on his way to becoming head warrior in the next few years.” Violet nodded.

“Oh, wow.” Tracy blinked.

“I’m so happy for you!” The girls hugged. “Maybe that’s why Drew is off today. Clearly, he doesn’t want to share you.” She giggled, and I joined in. Tracy looked at Drew, who was still pouting, and kissed his cheeks.

“I’ll take you to meet Andrew.” She told him. “You’ll see how great he is. But you’re still my number one guy.”

Drews cheeks plumped as he smiled adorably at her. Camellia grabbed my pant leg suddenly; I bent down to scoop her up.

“Alright, I’m out of here. But you should invite Andrew over for dinner. We can do a double date.” Vie said as she opened the door. “See you guys later.”

We called our good-byes, and then it was just us and the kids. Camellia yawned in my arms, fussing a bit. Deciding she could probably use her bottle a little early, I walked Tracy out. She headed for the kids’ room while I opened the door to ours. Locating the bottle on the counter, I checked the milk’s temperature before settling down in the armchair. She drank greedily, her eyes starting to close before she was halfway done.

A knock sounded at the door, pulling my attention away from my girl.

“It’s open.” I called.

I heard the door open and close. And then my nose wrinkled as a too-sweet scent invaded the room. It was distantly memorable, as if I’d scented this particular smell before. But I couldn’t place it.

“Hello Alpha.”

My head turned to see Stacy standing behind me. She was smiling widely at me, her blonde hair done in loose waves. The blue dress she was wearing was way too revealing, and way too short. Ehno growled in my head, uncomfortable having another female other than or mate or Tracy in here.

“Uh, hi. What can I do for you?” I asked politely.

“I have a problem. Do you mind if I sit?”

“Sure.”

I wasn’t thrilled to have her here, and Violet was definitely going to freak. But if she really had a problem, I owed to her as Alpha to listen. She moved slowly, getting close to the chair as she made her way to the sofa. The scent of her perfume overwhelmed me, and I had to clench my jaw from gagging. Plopping on the sofa across from me, I looked away as I accidentally caught sight of her black lace thong. Though, she was taking her time to cross her legs, so perhaps that wasn’t an accident at all.

“Get her out of here. I don’t want her around my pup!” Ehno barked.

“I’ll make it quick, and then she’ll be gone.” I promised him.

I waited for her to speak. She didn’t. I cleared my throat, adjusting the bottle in my hand.

“So, you have a problem?” I asked.

“Yes.” She sat back, her leg sliding down. I kept my eyes looking forward, knowing her panties were on display again. “You see, I haven’t found my mate yet.”

I wondered how that was my problem. Ehno grumbled the same question as she continued.

“I’ve looked everywhere in this pack. Obviously he’s not here.” She pouted, her bottom l*p sticking out. “I was hoping to look at other packs.”

“You’re asking my permission to leave?”

“Kind of.”

Camellia sucked at air. I removed the bottle, bringing her up to my shoulder to burp. “What exactly are you asking Stacy?”

“Well, everyone has noticed how close you and Alpha Varlos are. I was hoping you could escort me to the B***d Moon pack, so I can try and find my mate.”

I felt warmth on my shoulder, indicating Camellia had spit up a bit. I sat her on my lap, her chin covered in drool and milk. Stacy glanced at her, an emotion playing across her face too quickly for me to identify. Then she was smiling again.

“Uhm, why do you feel you need an escort?” I avoided her eyes by using my sleeve to wipe up Cam. Goddess, I really wished she would move her leg.

“That should be obvious. There’s a God out to destroy us! I wouldn’t feel safe leaving the pack without an escort.”

“I guess that’s fair. I can send King or Ashwell with you.”

“No offense Alpha, it’s not that I don’t trust them… I would just feel a lot more comfortable if you came. You know the pack, you know the Alpha there. And you grew up there, you could show me around, help me meet people. Hopefully one of them turns out to be my mate.” She leaned forward, her breasts almost spilling out of the dress.

I knew I only had one card to play, and I played it.

“You make a good point Stacy. If you’re able, we can leave on Monday. I’m sure the kids would love to see their Grandmother, and I know Vie has been wanting to visit our old pack too.”

Just as I thought, her whole demeanor changed at the mention of Vie coming with us. She sat back, finally covering her exposed underwear.

“Is Monday not good for you?” I asked innocently.

“It is. I just don’t think we should bother the Luna with this. I’m sure she’s still recovering from birth…”

“Actually, she’s recovered amazingly well. Totally able to make the trip with us.”

“She must have things to take care of here. I’d hate to pull her away from her work.” She tried a different angle.

“What’s a few days? The work isn’t going anywhere.” I shrugged. “And, Vie was quite popular at school. I know she could introduce you to more people than I could. I was honestly kind of a loner.”

“I bet she was.” She clipped out. She looked at Camellia again. “I didn’t the chance to tell you congratulations. You’re son is adorable Alpha.”

“This is actually my daughter.” I corrected her.

“Oh. Sorry, babies all look the same to me.” She laughed.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I almost pointed out that Cam was wearing a pink dress, but I held my tongue. Ehno was growing more and more agitated, and I was trying to figure out a way to get Stacy to leave.

“Well, why don’t you take a few days to think about wether or not you want to go with us. If so, I’ll arrange it with Alpha Varlos.”

“I’ll do that.”

I stood, making sure not to disturb the sleeping girl in my arms. Stacy came to stand in front of me, batting her lashes and sticking out her chest.

“Walk me to the door?” She trilled.

“Uh, sure…” The door that was fifteen feet away? But, whatever got her to leave.

I led her out, waiting impatiently. Of course, she couldn’t just go right to elevator. Instead, she stepped into the hallway, turning back to me. It was then that it clicked. The scent. Her scent. I had a moment of deja-vu, standing by our door, reading one of the hateful notes left for my mate. It had been Stacys scent out here! With the realization came anger. I interrupted whatever she was ranting on about.

“Say, have you heard of anyone leaving notes in the packhouse? I’ve been getting complaints of nasty messages taped to doors.” I gave her a knowing look.

Surprise flashed in her eyes quickly, but I caught it. “No Alpha. But I’ll let you know if I see anyone doing that.”

“I hope you will.” I stepped closer to her, lowering my voice. “Because someone left one for my mate. Maybe you can spread the word- If I or my Luna find another note on our door, I will personally hunt down the culprit. And they won’t like the punishment. I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior in this pack. Am I clear?”

My Alpha voice slipped in at the end, essentially freezing the girl in place.

“Am I clear?” I repeated harshly.

“Y-yes Alpha! ” She squeaked.

“Good.” I stepped back, closing the door in her face.