Chapter 2

*Piper's POV*

We returned to the pack house so the exchange could be thoroughly discussed. The fact it was even a discussion was mind blowing. It wasn't even one I could take part in. Matteo and his father made me wait outside the Alpha's office. My fate was in the hands of the three men in that room and I didn't get a say in it.

I tried listening in but their voices were too muffled. I could tell here and there when Matteo got angry as he raised his voice but his father shut him up. There was too much at stake to not talk about Alpha Jaxon's request. It was me or we all die.

The Dark Moon pack, now in their human forms, had gathered the rest of ours here in the pack house. My pack were all practically held hostage as the discussion of my future went on. Jaxon's were stronger than ours, taking them down didn't seem possible. I could tell in their eyes they were prepared to kill if their alpha gave the word.

"What's going on?" I attempted to mind link with Matteo.

"Nothing good." His answer was short.

I felt uneasy as I felt him close our connection. I couldn't help but bite my nails as I was nervous. I was still so confused and things seemed to spiral so quickly. I didn't want to leave my pack. I didn't want to leave Matteo.

The moon goddess must have been bored and needed a laugh to think mating me to an enemy was a good idea. No matter if we were fated or not my heart was with Matteo right now. I may feel drawn to Jaxon but I had to ignore it. I couldn't let myself slip up again. I'm supposed to be the luna of our pack, the Moon Stone pack. The thought of being a luna to the Dark Moon pack made me sick to my stomach.

I had heard the horror stories about the Dark Moon pack from others. They were mean and ruthless. They killed anyone who even stepped foot on their territory, even if it was just accidental. I had heard they had no problems coming onto others, like they had ours, to try to take them over. Pretty hypocritical if you ask me.

I also hadn't heard anything good about Alpha Jaxon. He was a rogue once. He was exiled from his pack, not that anyone knew where he had originally belonged. No one seemed to know the reason as well. There were multiple rumors like he killed his family or that he put his original pack's lives in danger to work with an enemy. He only became an alpha because he challenged the original alpha of the Dark Moon pack and won.

"Piper, I'll be out in a moment for you and I to talk." Matteo's voice entered my head again. Unfortunately he left the connection before I could even respond.

I could feel the uneasiness in my stomach grow. It began to mix with being anxious. I had a gut feeling I didn't like what was going to happen. I could feel myself dread Matteo coming out of the office to talk to me. This couldn't be the only option could it?"

The double doors opened. Matteo stepped out and I could tell on his face that my gut had been right. Of course it had been, we had a bond together so I could sense it. He waited patiently in silence as two of our men brought down two suitcases. My suitcases.

"I'm leaving, aren't I?" My voice shook as I spoke.

"Piper. It's the only way right now. We can't lose our pack. We're weak compared to them." He explained with a sorrowful look.

"No." I shook my head. "This can't be the only option!"

"I'm afraid it is." Alpha Bradley's voice spoke as he and Jaxon exited the office.

I felt Jaxon's eyes on me. The desire within me started again but I tried pushing it away. I hated this urge that I had. The urge to feel his lips on mine to send sparks and heat throughout my body. The urge to leap into his arms and let him take me anywhere to have his way with me.

I had never felt this way with Matteo. I knew I loved him but the overwhelming urges I had towards Jaxon were brand new. But I didn't want them. Someone else as evil as he was should be his mate. Anyone but me.

"Don't be stupid. Save your pack." Alpha Jaxon spoke in a cocky tone.

I was able to get a better look at him now that we weren't in the dark. His hair was such a dark brown it was almost black and his hazel eyes were mesmerizing. His shirt tightly hugged his muscular body. I shook my head to get me out of my trance. Now was not the time to check out this monster.

"I wouldn't have to save them if you knew how to stay on your territory!" I shot back at his remark with a tone full of anger.

He closed the gap between us. He was about a foot taller than me. He spoke in a dark and menacing tone. "Listen blue eyes, you should probably learn to watch your mouth. You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know what I'm talking about! So far all you've confirmed for me is the rumors that you're a total asshole!" I sneered.

"Is that so?" He asked. I expected him to be pissed but instead an amused smirk crossed his lips as he backed up. "I see I've met my match with this one."

"Piper, I'm sorry it has to be this way." Alpha Bradley spoke in a gentle tone.

I looked over to Matteo. "I can't leave you. I can't leave them." I motioned to the meeting hall that had the rest of the pack inside.

"I know." His sorrowful look from earlier remained on his face. He walked closer to me and tucked a piece of my dark brown hair behind my ear. "Do you remember what we promised when we chose to be mates?"

I nodded. "That the pack had to come first in our decisions."

"This is unfortunately one of those decisions. I'm going to be their alpha. I can't let them down. Think of it as your first real duty as their luna." Matteo spoke.

I pulled away and walked to the doorway of the meeting hall of the pack house. The rest of the pack were waiting eagerly to know what was happening. They had been given no other information other than that they needed to be in the meeting hall. They were all surprised when they arrived and were surrounded by Jaxon's men

I looked everyone over. They all had fear in their eyes. They all looked at each other as if someone else in there may have an answer. Then they would occasionally look at the door and wait for either Matteo or Alpha Bradley to show up.

My eyes fell on Emi. She looked terrified as she clutched her doll to her chest. She and the other children had so much life to live. I couldn't let her or the others be hurt. They meant too much to me. Matteo was right. I needed to do this for them. No matter how much I hated the idea I couldn't let my pack down.

I turned back around and walked back to Matteo. "Fine. I'll go. But it doesn't mean I'll like it." I shot daggers with my eyes at Jaxon.

Another smirk crossed his lips, this time it was darker and malicious. "No one said you had to enjoy it. But something tells me you'll change your tune at some point."

"I doubt it." I rolled my eyes.

"Piper." Matteo spoke to focus my attention back on him. "It'll be okay. Jaxon has ensured that you'll be safe."

"We're really going to trust the one who came in threatening to kill all of us?" I raised a brow.

Matteo looked down. "We have to."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "I understand."

I pulled Matteo in a tight hug. I needed to make this last one count. I was not guaranteed to see him again. I was feeling very conflicted. I was sad as I didn't want to leave the one I had chosen to be with. But I also felt a little excitement at the thought of leaving with my true mate. That part made me feel extremely guilty.

Matteo's grip remained on me. I could feel his emotions slightly. He was frustrated and angry. He didn't want this to happen either. I just hoped he couldn't feel my emotions completely right now. I was hiding the excitement the best I could just in case.

Jaxon let out a low growl as the hug went on longer than he liked. Matteo took that as his cue to back off. He removed his arms off of me. I couldn't help but wonder, did Matteo sense Jaxon was my fated mate?

"Nikko!" Jaxon called out.

In came a man as tall as him. He had short brown hair and grey eyes. He was almost as muscular as Jaxon. This must be who his beta is. "What is it?" The man referred to as Nikko asked Jaxon.

"Watch blue eyes here while I instruct the others on what to do next." Jaxon ordered.

Nikko shook his head and Jaxon walked into the meeting hall. By the vibe I got from this guy I felt like he was the wolf I had come face to face with earlier. I could feel his eyes on me, just like the same eyes on the wolf earlier. He was definitely making sure he did his job.

"Dark Moon pack, we have reached an agreement with the Moon Stone Alpha. We will be returning home and the Moon Stone pack are to remain unharmed." Jaxon ordered.

He came back out of the meeting hall followed by the men he had brought. He approached me once again. I tried ignoring the desire within myself for this god given man. I refused to give into this man.

"Are you willing to walk or do I need to carry you?" He cocked his eyebrow.

"I can walk just fine." I responded while making sure my annoyance was clear.

"Good." He smirked as he grabbed my hand and led me out of the pack house.

I had anticipated his grasp to cause me pain. But instead I found him calming. All the stress and nerves quickly left my body. I looked up at him and quickly looked away when his eyes met mine.

"This is only temporary Piper." Matteo's voice spoke into my mind. "I love you."

My head was so confused right now. I let out an inward sigh to myself before answering Matteo. "I love you too."