The Alpha's Bride

Thank you, SilaMelei, for the Magic Castle gifted on May 6th, 2022!     

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Thank you for reading my story on the WebNovel platform (w e b n o v e l . c o m), where this novel is published!     

Now back to the novel... :)     

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James was not surprised to hear that George had an Alpha bloodline. People spoke about George's rise through the ranks as a result of hard work and talent, but James knew there was more to it. However, without George using his Aura, James was only guessing that there was something special about the youngest Commander in the history of the Red Moon pack.     

"I assume that my father doesn't know about this.", James said.     

George scoffed. "Of course, not. If Alpha Edward knew about my background, he would eliminate me before I hit my teens. I was brought to the Red Moon pack as an orphan from the Frostcrest pack."     

James nodded knowingly. "My grandfather killed your father. I assume your intentions are not peaceful."     

George shook his head. "Only when I avenge my parents and free my people, will I be able to relax."     

"Do you plan to kill my family?", James asked in monotone, like that didn't apply to him.     

"That was my plan.", George admitted. "But then I became your trainer and I realized that not all Redmaynes are bad."     

James cocked an eyebrow. "Did you forget that I'm not a Redmayne?"     

George shook his head. "I don't care what blood runs in your veins. Over the years, I saw that you are different. I can spare females, but your father is enjoying a lifestyle that was built on the blood of my ancestors."     

"Will you challenge Alpha Edward for an Alpha duel?", Damon asked. "Or are you planning a sneak attack?"     

"I didn't dismiss any of those options. I don't care about honor, as long as I get to tell him why he died." George tightened his hold on Dawn. "But now I have Dawn and I don't want her to suffer because of something that Howard Redmayne did."     

Damon didn't care about those details. "Assuming you challenge him to a duel and lose, or your sneak attack fails, what will happen to Dawn?"     

"I wouldn't make a move while Dawn is vulnerable.", George said confidently. "I have my people there. They will keep her safe. But there is no way I will lose in a one-on-one fight."     

Damon snorted. "You speak like Edward Redmayne plays by the rules."     

"I know he doesn't.", George responded. "That's why I didn't issue the challenge the moment I became a Commander. I'm waiting for the right time to corner him, so he doesn't have a choice."     

"And what will you do after you win? Will you take over the Red Moon pack?"     

George firmly rejected the idea. "The whole pack is corrupted with twisted values. I only care about my people. You can take over that territory and people."     

Damon was quick to raise his hands. "I have no interest in that. Why not give it to James?"     

James rolled his eyes. "I don't have Alpha aura. Even if people want to follow me, it will be only a matter of time before an Alpha challenges me and takes over. I'm not going to put myself through that."     

Talia stifled a laugh. "Everyone is telling me that Alphas are power-hungry, yet neither of you wants to take over the Red Moon pack."     

"Why don't you take it?", James asked Talia, and Talia's face fell.     

"Me? I'm already Alpha of two packs. I can't add more."     

"Why not?", Cornelia asked. "With two, it's easy to add the third one. It seems you have a talent for making people follow you."     

Talia's expression was scrunched into a grimace. Everything about the Red Moon pack was tainted with bad memories and she didn't want to step a foot in there if possible.     

"Is it so difficult to take over the pack where you grew up?", James asked smugly.     

Talia froze. Her instinct was to deny it, but she knew that her action of staring at him already told him that he hit a bullseye.     

"How do you know?", Talia asked.     

James puffed his chest proudly. This was one more occasion for him to show off in front of Cornelia.     

"The way you spoke about the secret passages in my packhouse told me you spent a lot of time in there, and we don't have many guests, so I assumed you were probably one of those invisible Omegas who get the job done without being noticed. Next…" James touched his nose. "I can barely pick up your scent which probably played a role in no one from the Red Moon pack recognizing you."     

James turned to look at Damon while continuing to talk to Talia, "I believe that you met Damon when he came to visit about two months ago. That explains why he left abruptly, and the mysterious girl who was appearing by his side since then. And if I'm not mistaken, you were staying in the attic because I remember my sister asking about an Omega who used to live there but no one knew your name or where you went."     

James burst into a laugh. "If my father knew that an Alpha female was under his roof, living like a no-name Omega, he would kick himself in the ass."     

"I am surprised that you still call him your father.", Dawn said dryly. She didn't think it was funny.     

James got serious like someone flipped a switch. "It's a habit."     

Talia was desperate to change the topic. "Alpha Edward is after the Dark Howlers pack, he is possibly involved in mistreating witches, he will turn against James in two years, and George has a score to settle with him. It seems to me it's in everyone's interest that we dethrone Alpha Edward one way or another. Can we focus on that?"     

"What are you hoping to achieve?", George asked.     

Damon responded, "As Talia said, we share a common enemy. Let's discuss how far we are ready to go to protect what's dear to us and see if we can assist each other. Regardless of how this talk ends, it will stay between us. In the worst case, we won't come to an agreement, and we will pretend that we never spoke about it."     

"If we agree to collaborate, I can guarantee assistance from the Midnight Guardians pack.", Talia added. "This goes beyond just the Red Moon pack. The whole older generation of Alphas is corrupted. We managed to handle the situation this morning, but the next time we won't be so lucky. Depending on how our talk goes, I believe that there are other packs that will be glad to join our alliance. If you agree, we can get Alpha Anthony, Alpha Cristian, and Alpha Maddox to join us via video conference later."     

Damon didn't want to meddle with the business of the Red Moon pack or any other, but George and James could be useful allies. Both of them had close access to Alpha Edward who was usually behind every nasty scheme and if James and George could notify Damon and Talia about any suspicious activity, that would be fantastic.     

Talia on the other hand had a vision of uniting packs to form a big happy family where werewolves, witches, and even humans could move about freely without fearing for their safety. Damon thought how that was a long shot, but he didn't want to burst Talia's bubble.