THE PLOT AGAINST BELL

20 FEBRUARY, SATURDAY, PAST BEDTIME

By the time it was all over, I was in no state of mind to meet River. It wasn't that I didn't want to help him, but now that I've watched Henry's amazing video about him, and heard his presentation, now that I've walked beside Bell and noticed how he was so natural at all the things I felt so unnatural doing, I felt like a total idiot for even thinking I was anywhere close to being a real alpha.

Maybe all the things everyone had been praising me for were just their way of encouraging me because I was so pathetic at this entire alpha thing. I mean, even if Bell was three whole years older than I was, Henry was my age right?

I even worked hard at preparing for today, but now I felt like I've flunked in every way. Well not EVERY WAY, but every way THAT WAS IMPORTANT to being an alpha that the world would admire and respect. I was this close to throwing in the towel and soaking off my failure in the tub. This close.

I looked around for River after the even and was quite relieved that he had disappeared without a trace. Alpha Gunter was known to be rather reclusive, so it wasn't a surprise that they didn't stay to mingle. Maybe I should be reclusive too and spend my days in my own little ice tower too.

"What is it?" Bell asked me. He had walked me back to the alpha suite I shared with my parents. Now he tenderly touched a lock of my hair and moved it away from my face.

"Hn? What is what?" I blinked and looked around.

"You're probably just tired." Bell decided. He dropped a kiss on my forehead quite suddenly before passing me back to my betas, "I have to go. My dad's kicking up a fuss."

I tried to imagine Alpha James losing his cool.

"Its only natural. You did keep him totally in the dark." Ki smiled.

"You'd think it'll kill him to say, 'Good job. You secured not one, but two JVAs with Silver Mountain. Our pack isn't going to bankrupt after all.' But no, he cares only about being in control." Mate groused.

"You'd think it'll kill you to drop him a memo before he heard it being announced to the media." Ki answered, "But no, you only care about doing as you please."

"Who's side are you on?" Bell glared.

"I'm on the goddess' side." Ki beamed.

"Don't bring my princess into it." Bell snapped. He ran his hand roughly through his hair, making it unruly at his touch, "I've got to go. Don't let my princess stay up too late."

And then he was gone. I watched him storm away.

"There goes one storm cloud charging right into another." Beta Lucas observed aloud, "Hoo man, its going to rain tonight."

Dad and Mum had also returned to the suite with Beta Lucas and Beta Gerald in tow.

"Since we're all here. Let's have our debrief now." Dad decided. He kissed Mum and let her go. She smiled, "Goodnight, gentlemen. Sam, don't stay up too late. You're always so moody when you're tired."

"I'm not moody." I sulked.

Did they not see Bell storm out just a few seconds ago? Now that was moody.

Mum glided over and gave me a quick half hug, "Oh, Sam. Get some rest. Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll feel better about it tomorrow."

And then Mum excused herself and retired to the master bedroom for the night.

I plopped down on the sofa and kicked off my heels to sit criss-cross applesauce on the sofa. My big dress fanned out. I probably looked like an overtired five year old after a princess birthday party.

Dad looked mildly amuse, "Let's keep this short. It's been a long day."

"Yes, Alpha." Beta Lucas began the meeting.

And to my surprise, it was a real meeting, with real updates. I mean, everyone got right down to business. Maybe Silver Mountain was rubbing off on us.

Dad and his betas had been busy. There were name cards, project proposals, and several details for our consideration. Dad and Alpha Lorent had also managed to iron out a few key issues regarding Bell's investiture and our future merger.

It wasn't ideal, but Dad said it would have to do.

Beta Gerald frowned and shook his head, "It's complicated."

Dad nodded his agreement, "Even though the situation at the Lorent's seems to be currently well under wraps, you can't wrap fire with paper. "

"Yeah, man. Luna Bell's investiture is like returning a tiger to the mountain." Beta Lucas shook his head.

"Although I understand Alpha Lorent's reservations, Bell is moving in the right direction." Dad continued.

As in MY BELL, right? As in the guy who plans to become the rogue king and return with a vengeance? In what way was that the right direction?

"The whole thing is going to blow up sky high." Beta Lucas shook his head, "It's going to blow up right into our faces too."

"That may be, but if Alpha Lorent hands over to Bell quickly enough, the explosion might just propel the pack through this storm without anyone being the wiser." Dad was speaking with his thinking frown, "The Joint Venture Agreements Silver Mountain announced tonight, those were two aces, but I'm quite sure those aren't the only cards in my son's hands."

Now the three elders looked to Ki as if for confirmation. Ki smiled gently, "Nothing is hidden from you, Alpha."

Dad nodded, and rubbed his chin, "What should I do?"

There was silence as Dad looked at everyone in turn. I'm not sure why he was asking us. He was the Alpha.

"What's there to do?" Beta Lucas asked, "Just sit on the mountain and watch the two tigers fight it out."

"Might I?" Beta Gerald raised his hand, "Might I just make a suggestion? Perhaps if we could create an investment portfolio and tag it to Luna Bell's activities. Just in case."

Just in case of what?

"Hm." Dad nodded, "Alright, open a portfolio for me Lucas. Have it tagged to all my son's major investments."

"You're going to keep tabs on his financial activities, Alpha?" Ki asked.

"I just think it would easily be very profitable." Dad answered simply.

"When did Alpha ever cared for easy profits?" Ki asked again.

"Who's side are you on, dog?" Ben growled at him.

"The goddess'" Ki answered again, smiling like a flower to the sun at me.

"Then you would understand, Ki." Beta Lucas said, "Heck, we will all open portfolios! Gerald, you too, pool in your money for this. If Luna Bell plays his cards right, the three of us would retire rich."

I wondered if Beta Lucas remembered that he was talking to the owner of not one but TWO Langstons. Beta Gerald was already going to retire rich.

"And if Luna Bell makes one false move, our combined weight would crush him till he is financially crippled." Beta Lucas declared.

"Hey! That's my luna you are talking about right?" I protested, "How can you talk about crippling him?"

"Only financjally." Beta Lucas assured me, "Lunas don't need any money."

Had he seen my mum shop?

"You know, its not enough to financially cripple him." Ben pointed out then, "Sam would just sign a cheque for him. She signs off ALL his purchases for the underground so far."

"Cos it's MY underground." I argued.

"Not at the rate things are going." Ben smirked.

"MY luna, MY underground. MINE." I insisted.

"Anyway, tagging yourselves to his investing activities would just make him more careful. It's not going to stop a guy like Bell." Ben said.

"And I'm sure you have a better idea." Beta Lucas said in an accusing tone, "Let's hear it, then. How can we keep that rebel luna of ours in check?" Beta Lucas took a quick glance in my direction and quickly added, "Just in case, you know, as a precaution."

Why did we even have to keep Bell in check?

Because he was a master villian waiting to happen? Yeah, there was that. Maybe Ben's plan would be better than keeping Bell in a hamster cage.

"I've been working on a little Trojan." Ben took out a tiny blue thumbdrive, "Simply install it into Luna Bell's devices and we would be able to access all his folders remotely. We would also be able shut down all his online accounts and communications within seconds."

Was that even legal?

"Let's start with his new phone." Harvey suggested, "It's still with us, right?"

"Yes." Ki beamed, "I can install it on all his computers at the Lorent too. Unfortunately, I have no direct access to his devices at the underground."

"Fluffy or Stephan." Ben's genius mind had it all figured out, "They are Sam's dogs. They will do it."

Ki nodded, "It shouldn't be a problem."

Wth. It was a problem! A big problem!

"Stop!" I said, "Stop right there! Why are all of you plotting against Bell?"

"You misunderstand, goddess. We are merely plotting for our Luna Bell." Ki smiled.

They must think I'm stupid.

"Look Sam, it's a failsafe." Ben said. I personally didn't think Ben had the right to talk about failsafes, "In case things get out of hand."

"You guys are all out of hand! Even you Dad!" I flared now, "I can't believe you are all plotting like Lorents against your future Luna."

"Sam, it's because he's our future Luna that we need to do this." Ben said, "It's for your own good. This way, there is an three-way internal balance of power. Your Luna, your betas, and your elders."

Harvey nodded, "An effective check and balance among every major power holder will keep your leadership stable during your reign."

"I'm the alpha. I can keep my leadership stable!" I argued.

"Apologies Alpha, I did not in anyway doubt your leadership." Harvey clarified, "I only meant that a three way counter balance seemed effective in protecting your interest."

Really? Cos I had every doubt in my leadership right now.