-Auggie's POV-

I didn't know what the hell was going on, and honestly right now wasn't exactly the best time for games.

I stood up there and shook Alpha Dylan's hand and then did the same with Gracie...I acted alongside them, pretending to be meeting them for the first time.

As Grace now stood next to me I just wanted to lean over and ask her what was going on but I picked up on her body language...poised, unmoving, extreme concentration...whatever was going on she was really trying to sell it.

But as alpha Marshall spoke up she moved away from me once again and rejoined her father like a dutiful daughter.

I noticed her head turn a little towards me and her eyes looked over in my direction now, I smiled and she quickly turned her gaze back toward the crowd, a light blush dusting her cheeks now.

Try as they might to put on whatever charade this was...there was no denying how much she and I affected each other...for example, try as I might; I just couldn't keep my eyes off of her for very long.

I listened on as my sister in law offered hers and Gracie's services to both packs as well.

"Once we hear back from the guards out patrolling Lakeside then we'll get you all back home...until then try and relax some, theres plenty of food and drinks in the kitchen." Alpha Marshall said before dismissing everyone and showing our group back into the office.

And once the door was closed securely behind  us I quickly spoke up. "Anyone mind telling me with in the hell is going on?"

Gracie stepped over to my side and took my hand into hers."We think it's for the best if the pack thinks tonight is the first night we've met..."

"You saw how I reacted at that diner..." Rosie said now, "For Grace's safety and both of your ease of mind...this may be what's for the best, at least for the time being."

I wanted to disagree with her, but my wolf stopped me.

'We have to keep Mate safe.'

I sighed, Rosie made a point, "As mates we're going to want to be around each other...if we're strangers she can't exactly just stroll into our pack lands, I mean no offense or anything, but Lakeside and Harmon aren't exactly allies." I pointed out.

"We also aren't enemies." Dylan put in.

"Plus...as far as anyone is concerned Gracie has offered to assist me in consoling and helping pack members, something that will require her to be in town, maybe even stay at the pack house as a personal pack guest." Rosie added smartly.

I nodded, as much as I didn't want to have to keep my distance from my own mate I knew how  quickly people could turn under extreme duress.

"What if this backfires?" Gracie asked with worry now.

I shook my head and pulled her into a hug... "it may be too soon to let everyone know about us just yet, but I'm sure in the next couple of days or weeks people will begin to see us interacting and yes they may even have their suspicions about us, but by then it would be seen as a guy and a girl finding their mate in one another, brought together by tragedy...but by then most of them will like you as much as I do."

"Which brings up my next concern." Dylan Wylde said.

I could pick up on his uneasiness now.

He sighed, "Look Augustine, We all acknowledge you as the new Alpha and no doubt the council will as well...so with the Alpha title I know you now have the power to call off your engagement."

I hadn't thought about it, but he was right.

Granted I'd probably have to wait to be formally presented as the new Alpha...But knowing my Grandfather, he'd rush down as soon as he finds out about the attacks on the pack.

But it was true...I had the power to now put an end to my contracted betrothal and I could be with Grace fully without her having to put herself on the line in the form of a challenge.

"But..."

I haulted my train of thought as Dylan continued speaking.

"...Look I know this isn't what you want to hear Augustine, but I think it's in the best intrest for you to keep you contract with your betrothed open."

"What!?" I asked baffled. "Look Dylan I know you might not like me...-"

"On the contrary Augustine, I like you fine son..." He said caringly as he shook his head, and apologetic sort of look on his face as he sighed now. "I know it's hard to hear right now, but it's because I like you that I'm tryingt o look out for you...and calling for your contract to be closed, ending the engagement could be very bad for you."

"Dylan is right Augustine..." Alpha Marsall put in. "Calling the end of a contract is just as good as cutting off an alliance...and when you end alliances...well somtimes that comes with repurcussions, for instance War...and with the rogues still lingering, that's the last thing any of us want for you."

"Look I think I can speak for the pack when I say we all want you to be happy and we here In this office all know that Gracie is your mate and she'll always be your mate...just maybe hold off for a little while." Rosie offered.

"It's just too soon to be so rash...you're an Alpha now, and you've got to be level-headed and smart, and some people may not take too lightly to you undoing something the previous Alpha set up, especially so quickly after his passing." Alpha Marshall added.

I could hear the care and concern in his voice and knew he truly meant well.

"And may I add, that while you should keep the contract open so as not to stir any suspicions...ask to review the contract personally." He added.

I nodded my agreement.

"Some may see this as you taking an interest, but truly you absouletly must familiarize yourself with your contracted marriage fully...see what all it intells and find out all the stipulations...then given the circumstances I am almost certain you can ask the council for a greivance period." Dylan said.

"A greivance period?" I asked, as If I'd even have time to grieve.

"They aren't uncommon...especially given the circumstances." He sounded before he sighed. "Look, how you choose to use your time during a grievance period is up to you Augustine... but asking for a grievance period buys you some time from having to perform any big business, such as taking on a Luna..."

I looked over at Gracie now, a small blush touched her bewildered face...I could tell she didn't know how to gage the situation right now.

Then her Father spoke on "And as you're contracted to marry someone, Your pack, as well as the council will expect you to take on your betrothed as your Luna...at the very least she'll be acknowledged as the Luna to Be until you two are married ... but ultimately this means you wouldn't have to actually get married right away...this will give you time to figure out a plan of action such as new alliances should your betrothed's pack choose to take action against you."

"Maybe if you introduce your Mate to your grandfather, he could help you." Rosie suggested.

"You have family then?" Dylan asked as sensitively as possible.

Alpha Marshall and Rosie gave each other questioning looks before looking at Dylan as if they'd misheard him. But I could see Alpha Dylan (much like Gracie) didn't know my families history.

"Yes sir...My grandfather is the Southern Council Delegate; Angelo Andolini."

"Your Grandfather is on the council?" He asked for confirmation.

All of us in the office (Gracie included) nodded our heads.

"My apologies," He said with an almost bashful sort of smile, "I became an Alpha through challenging the previous Alpha of Harmon, so I didn't have quite the same rigorous teachings as your traditional Alphas get."

I understood now, and I now found myself in a similar boat as Grace's Dad. We found ourselves in roles we were never born for.

"I'll have to talk to My grandfather...but I know if he meets her He'll love her j...-"

I was about to say "just like I do" but I caught myself. It may be too soon for her to hear and this setting isn't exactly the best place to first hear something like your mate confessing to loving you in front of other people no less.

"Just gotta be smart about everything." I quickly corrected my slip-up then looked over at Grace.

It was a lot, this whole pretending to be strangers, and also knowing I have the ability to call off the contracted marriage and not calling it off... but I knew Gracie and I would have to be smart like Alpha Marshall and Dylan were suggesting. "Fine...I'll do whatever." I said as I was still holding Gracie selfishly, I knew I'd do anything to keep her safe.

As I held her I couldn't help but still want to take her away from all of this.

I knew I had a lot going on with the uncertainty of the rogues, the safety of my pack members, but at the very top of my list is my mate.

I know as an Alpha I should put the pack first and foremost...but how can I take care of the pack if I can't take care of my own mate first?

I needed to keep her safe, and I knew she'd be safest back in Harmon with her family...and yet, I knew I Couldn't be away from her now...not while a threat still lingered around. I kissed her hair, not caring that anyone else (including her father) was in the room with us.

A knock on the other side of the door pulled us apart before Alpha Marshall granted entry to the knocker.

"Alpha...the Perimeter has been cleared on our lands and we've checked the lakeside pack grounds as well, the Lakeside guards informed us that no unfamiliar scents were traceable." The tall man spoke, "They seemed to have left without so much as a trace of even being there."

Alpha Marshall nodded, "I'll need to contact Alpha Fuller and see how Bay Ridge pack is doing, I knew he'd said the fires were put out but it still can't be easy." He sighed. "I'll also reach out to the council, at least we can get that ball rolling."

I nodded, "and I'll let Lakeside Pack know we can go home then." I said before turning and personally thanking the Man who'd obviously been the lead on patrols.

He bowed his head and walked away, he was clearly their pack General.

'We'll need to find a new General...and a new Beta.'

I sighed, "Let's get this show on the road then." I said as I lead the way out of the office and took notice that Grace fell back to walk with he father instead.

'Mate'

My wolf and I both desperately wanted her right there by our side, but we knew the pretenses we had to keep up now.