Chapter Nine
Negotiations On Fire
[ Braxton ]

"Shall we get down to why we're truly hear Mister Ocklan?"

I nodded in response to one of the three older men. They sat in my office, behind my desk and I was the one being put on the spot.

"Yes sir."    

"Very well then, I think the biggest discrepancy we are having is the fact that up until this past week you have yet to mention this Mate to us, now of course we are beyond pleased that you have in fact found a mate but this dishonor you've brought to your noble family name by waiting to bring her up, and might I mention have still failed to present her to us properly."

"For that I do apologize sirs, Harper is a human and very delicate in certain situations, of course she is all new to this life so it can be more than a bit overwhelming for her, I had every intention of introducing her to the three of you as we had actually discussed setting up her marking, and we were needing your blessings on her beginning formal Luna training with my mother."

"There is an order in which you did keep to Alpha Ocklan." One of the others spoke up now, clearly upset. "Inform us of your Mate, Present your Mate to us, Mark your Mate, Begin Luna Training, Present your Luna to your Pack, Marry if you fell the need and product offspring."

My wolf was growing defensive but we both knew better than to act on it.

"You honor us by seeking our blessing in having your mate properly become a Luna worthy of a Pack such as yours, but the fact remains that your mate is rather behind, isn't she?" The third Council member sounded calmly.

I knew of the three he was the one most recognize as the leader.

"You're correct sir, Harper is a bit behind in the traditions to no fault of hers though, that falls solely on me as I suppose I was trying to keep her to myself a little longer than necessary." It was partially true. "I do want you to know that we have begun to take the steps toward our traditions though, she has been presented to the pack, she is marked, and once again my mother has happily agreed to help Harper with her Luna training."

"She has taken you're official mark for those to recognize her as the true Luna of your Pack?"

I swallowed hard, "Not her official Luna Marking, no...but a simple mark to help wither heat."

The main council member grimaced, "My boy, you do know that any mark other than the Luna's true marking is only going to act as a temporary fix when a Luna is in Heat.?

I didn't have to respond for him to understand that I didn't in fact know that.

"...As an Alpha everything is much more extreme for you and your Mate...where the Heat for ordinary Mates helps the male find and mark their mate...the Luna to be's heat is much more...yes it's to get the Alpha to mark her from every other female...but also to inform other females to step down as a new Luna is beginning to take her ascension into her rightful role...it's a powerful thing that she-wolves can't ignore nor can you Alpha Ocklan...I'd say Mark her as quick as you can, or she will experience sheer torment."

I nodded my understanding as I was now filled with worry.

Harper had said she was fine, but she'd kept herself busy all day...but now that she'd be finishing up her activities for the day her heat would come crashing down on her with a delayed vengeance.

"That being said," One of the other said now, "When can we expect the Luna to Be marked...officially?"

I looked at the three old men and answered "before this month comes to an end I can assure you that I will have my mate marked."

They talked amongst themselves through mind link and the room was filled with heavy silence.

Finally they spoke aloud.

"It is decided," The main council member said. "Once your mate has been properly marked you will present her to us, in the meantime...however...since your mate has so much to catch up on we want to assure that she begins her training immediately and with that said, we must ensure that she is taught everything precisely and without fail, that is why we have decided that the best mentor for your Luna to be would be the Luna Grand of your pack."

"The Luna Grand?" I asked a little concerned now.

"Yes Mr Ocklan, who better than your own grandmother to teach your future Luna."

"Not to be disrespectful or undermine your authority but, with all due respect sirs...my grandmother trained my mother so shouldn't she be just as efficient and knowledgeable?"

"Please don't mistake our decision as a slight toward your mother in any way, The Luna Dowager has been and remains to be an excellent Luna... we have every confidence that she would train your mate nicely, but she is just that...nice."

He went on to explain, "needless to say we all know some of the training can be tedious, and your grandmother seems the most suitable candidate to broach those topics and lessons with a firmer hand, as we all know she can be very straightforward and that's just what you need to get your future Luna trained in a timely manner."

"A timely manner?" I asked. "Again council members, I speak with respect but I have to ask...why the rush?"

"Because these are things that should have been done already...don't mistake our absence for ignorance Braxton Ocklan," Another of the three sounded. "Despite your failure to present her to us...we have known of your mate for almost a year now and in that time you have done nothing to further her stance as your Luna, and we will have you know that there very well is a time line as there has NEVER been and will NEVER be a girl take longer than a year to become the Luna of a pack."

I swallowed but my mouth was dry.

"As you said before, this falls on you and your insolence on keeping your mate to yourself...so now you will have your mate marked, presented to us, trained fully and running the pack alongside you in less than two months time."

I was worried the Harper would get overwhelmed and decide she didn't want to be a part of this world after all.

"We understand that this is the shortest time span we have ever issued for a future Luna, but if you do not fill our time frame, know that there will be consequences... you do not have siblings or children, therefore, if you fail to meet our time frame your Alpha title will be stripped and handed down to your Uncle Richard Ocklan and then move on to your Cousin Elise Ocklan." The main council member said.

Another of the three spoke up in addition "I mean, we simply can not have an Alpha incapable of properly preparing his own Luna...it makes you wonder if he is running a pack just as absentmindedly and carefree."

Everything in me was telling me to shift and defend our mate and our pack and not let someone talk down about them...but however I felt about this particular asshole, he's still a council member and there could be serious repercussions for attacking a council member.

"We'll stay the evening if that is fine by you." The main council member said.

It wasn't really a question...who turned down any request made by a council member, especially the main council member.

"It'd be my personal honor to have you all stay with us however long you'd please." I said as cordially as I could.

"We shall only impart on your kindness for the evening Alpha Ocklan."

A hollow pit in my stomach began to form.

While I was glad to hear they'd be gone by tomorrow, I just wanted to be back with Harper.

But now I had something else to think about...having my title stripped.

All I've ever known is being an Alpha.

Without that, what am I?

"We do not wish to threaten you, but we do wish you to heed our words..." one of the council member said as they all stepped forward now. "So take our advice and get that girl marked as soon as possible so that you can present her sooner rather than later, because the sooner you get her to meet with us, the sooner we can allow leave you and your pack alone...until then both your mate and your pack will be under our ever watchful eye."

I nodded uncomfortably, "yes, and thank you."

All I wanted to do was shift and destroy everything in my path, but I had to fight back the urge and remain cordial and polite.

The men took their time to dismiss me from my own office and soon I made my way up to my bedroom.

I paced the length of the room, I didn't know what I was going to do, the only thing that was a slight saving grace was that Harper had finally agreed to my mark...too bad it would have to wait until next weekend...worse, before all of that I had to do something I've been putting off...introducing Harper to my Grandma Ocklan.

I sighed heavily and let my body fall onto the bed.

I closed my eyes but as I closed them they were being ripped open as I suddenly felt a dull pain begin to build inside of me, sadly I knew it would be Harper, we don't have to be marked for me to feel a small percentage of her pain.

My body had aching throb and my wolf whined...we needed to be with our mate and unfortunately we were stuck here.