Forsaken by the Moon Goddess novel Chapter 14

Sloane

Once Aisling put it into my head, I couldn’t get the idea that maybe this was the Moon Goddess’ compromise for us not getting a white wolf out of my head. I’d be the first ever, that I know of, female Alpha. Yeah, it would be an uphill climb, but what hasn’t been? I’m used to fighting my way through just about every situation. What’s one more fight?

And maybe that’s why I’ve had to fight so much in my life.

Maybe the Moon Goddess was preparing me for this moment in my life.

So, when Slade, Scarlet, and I arrived in Grandpa Waylon’s pack Friday evening, it was with the idea to assess this pack as if it were going to be mine.

The first thing I realized is that I have no intention of keeping the current Beta and Gamma. Not only were they part of the problem in my high school before they graduated two years ago, but the Beta and Gamma families have become complaisant over time, basically hanging out and not doing any work from what I could see. Because my grandfather isn’t strong enough to run a powerful pack any longer, the other ranked members have gotten lazy. Honestly, I understand why my grandfather is so invested in having me take over. This pack is ripe for the taking. Any strong Alpha could come in and overthrow them easily. I’m pretty sure the only thingprotecting my grandfather is my Uncle Roman’s alliance with him.

The Beta, Gabriel, basically ignored me, choosing to flirt with Scarlet. My best friend, being the amazing woman she is, flirted back and used Gabriel’s stupidity to get inside information for me.

Saturday morning, Slade, Scarlet and I sat in on warrior training.

You have your work cut out for you, Sloane, Slade said in our mind link. That is the understatement of the year.

Even Scarlet gave me a look like she couldn’t believe how weak the warriors in this pack have become. But, if you have an old Alpha and Betas and Gammas who arent doing their jobs, the pack will become weak. If I do decide to take over this pack, they will have a rude awakening in front of them.

‘Good. They need one, Aisling says, watching Slade take down Beta Gabriel. Again.

I did find a warrior, Daniel, who I liked quite a bit. He is older than I am, in his mid-twenties, but he didn’t seem to care who I was or why I was there, like everyone else did.

He showed us around the pack lands, pointing out different areas of interest and letting me know that my grandfather’s pack lands border Benedict’s.

“These pack lands border the Winslow pack lands?” I ask, Looking at my brother and best friend. Am I the only one who didn’t know this? Based on the looks on their faces, Iam.

“Yes, Alpha, We’ve had quite a good relationship with the Winslows throughout Alpha’s tenure and even before,” Daniel says.

“Is your relationship good enough that Alpha Waylon received an invitation to Alpha Benedict’s birthday party next weekend?” I ask.

Daniel grins at me. “Are you kidding? That’s all our young she-wolves are talking about. The invitation included all eligible she-wolves and all wolves ages fourteen to twenty. The she-wolves are hoping to be mated to the Alpha King, as they’re calling him.”

I roll my eyes. I’m sure Benedict will love that. Of course, the invitation we received only included Uncle Roman and Aunt Samara. Of course, Benedict gave Slade and I individual invitations. I still don’t know what that’s about.

“He’s not a king,” I growl.

Daniel shrugs. “He isn’t, but his family as close to royalty as yours is, Alpha.”

“I don’t know about us being royalty.”

He stops and looks at me. “Alpha, your aunt is the last white wolf. Only pure Alpha females can be white wolves.

Luna Beatrice isn’t a white wolf. So, no matter how far back their line goes, it’s not as pure as your family’s line.”

While I think his words were supposed to make me feelbetter, they only made me feel worse. I should have been part of that legacy and I’m not.

Since Scarlet’s birthday is also this weekend, she had to Leave on Saturday evening for her party on Sunday. Since Will wasn’t able to come to her party, she’d graciously agreed to move her party from Saturday to Sunday so we could go to my grandfather’s pack.

I used her birthday as my excuse to leave early on Sunday.

However, I promised my grandfather that I would return next weekend. Since Benedict’s party is at his packhouse, I can come see my grandparents in their pack Friday night, go to Benedict’s party on Saturday, and still spend time in my grandparent’s pack on Sunday before going home.

When I got home on Sunday, my mind was swirling with everything I’d seen and learned at Grandpa Waylon’s pack.

“Are you okay, Sloane?” Uncle Roman asks.

I look at him in the rearview mirror. We’re driving to my family’s old pack, where Scarlet and her parents live, in an SUV with my aunt and uncle’s three pups, along with Slade, Aria, and I.

“Grandpa Waylon’s pack needs a lot of work. Honestly, I think if it wasn’t for your alliance, he’d have been overthrown by now,” I say.

“You’d be right about that,” he says. “First in line would be his son, Kaelin, but there are other Alphas who I’ve heard rumors about wanting to try and overthrow your grandfather. Honestly, this is a very dangerous time for him. The rumors of him announcing his successor are out there. I haven’t heard anyone mention you, Sloane, but any Alpha who wanted to try and take that pack would want to do it before a new Alpha took over. He’s at great risk right now.”

“Is there nothing we can do to help him?” l ask.

“He hasn’t asked for my assistance, Sloane. However, if the incoming Alpha were to ask for my assistance, I would gladly give it,” he says, holding my gaze in the mirror until he had to look back at the road.

“What are your thoughts, Sloane? I’m not pressuring you.

Honestly, I’ve struggled with this from the beginning. I didn’t want you to ever feel pressured into taking over your father’s pack. But from the moment Alpha Waylon knew you were his granddaughter, I think he’s watched and wanted you to be his heir,” Aunt Samara asks.

“That pack is a mess,” Slade says. He’s been looking out the window, but he’s obviously paying attention.

“I agree. So what needs to be done?” Uncle Roman asks.

I look at Slade and smile. “A complete overhaul,” I say.

“Definitely,” he agrees.

I watch the anger in her deflate. “Don’t thank me, sweetheart. Not for believing in a wonderful woman like you. Just be the amazing woman and Alpha you were meant to be. I hope you decide to take over your grandfather’s pack. But if you don’t, we will support youno matter what. You need to know that.”

I nod and look out the window as we approach my family’s old packhouse. This hasn’t felt like home since I left here nearly ten years ago.

I was glad Scarlet and her family moved here. I was glad that she took over my old room and made it into something completely different than the room Thad when I lived here. But I can’t go to the Alpha floor anymore.

There are too many awful memories for me. Thankfully, when we come, we stay on the other side of the packhouse, far away from the memories that make my heart ache.

When we get out of the SUV, I help get the pups out, so I’m last to get out of the vehicle. When I do, Uncle Roman is waiting for me.

He pulls me into a hug, holding me close.

“I haven’t always been the best father to you, Sloane. I didn’t realize when I wasn’t being told the truth about what was going on in your school. But I KNOW, without a doubt, that you would make an incredible Alpha. And I also know, that the person you are thinking of as Beta, would always be true to you. You should ask her.”

I jerk back and look at him. He smiles and winks at me.

“But…”

“I don’t think she’s going to be mated to Will. I could bewrong but give her an alternative. She’ll know for sure once she sees him.”

“Thanks, Uncle Roman. And it’s not your fault you didn’t know about school. I never told you.”

He cups my cheek in his hand. “Sweetheart, if you decide to take on your grandfather’s pack, you’ll realize that | should have known. Alphas don’t have the luxury of grace.

It’s our job to know everything. I hope, when the day comes and you realize that, that you will forgive me for being blind.”

I wrap my arms around my uncle. “There’s nothing to forgive, Uncle Roman.”

He wraps his arms around me. “And this is exactly why you would make an amazing Alpha, Sloane.”

“SLOANE!”

I pull out of my uncle’s arms to look over at my best friend, who is gesturing frantically for me to join her.

“Go. Have fun with your friend and future Beta,” he says, smiling at me.

I smile back, then race up to take Scarlet’s hand letting her drag me into her party.