Chapter 13

Lani's POV

As soon as Ezra and Nohea were out of sight, the front door opened. True to his statement the house began to flood with the teenagers that had been at school. I internally groan, after having delt with my brother's drama I don't really want to deal with more. But as the new Luna I can't just hide out.

I turn to let my parents know they can go back upstairs, but they're already gone. Looks like they were ahead of me.

A squeal has me turning back towards all the teens now in the house. Kayden wraps his arms securely around my waist. Looking ahead of me I see a girl who looks like my mate running towards us.

"You found her!" she shouts excitedly at Kayden.

"Yes, Aria this is my mate, Lani. Lani this is my little sister Aria."

"Very nice to meet you."

I watch her jump up and down before hugging me.

"I have a sister! Finally, I've been waiting for this day since I was like 3!"

I laugh at that, and Kayden rolls his eyes.

"Where's Ezra?" A voice asks from behind Aria.

I look around her and immediately recognize her as Ezra's now ex-girlfriend. Before I have a chance to comment to her Kayden answers.

"That's not your concern Julia and leave your Beta alone."

"That's boyfriend. And he skipped out on school."

I hear Kayden scoff at her, "He dumped you the day he found his mate. So, leave your BETA alone!"

She bows her neck in submission to the Alpha command he just gave her.

"Come on, I want you to meet your Delta and his mate. Then we need to formally introduce you to the pack."

I nod and follow him through the crowd. As we are walking through, I start to hear the little murmurs and whispers, wondering who I am.

"Noah, Rylee, meet me in my office now."

We continue walking down a hall on the main floor to the last door on the right. He opens the door, and we file in. Before Kayden can close the door Aria darts into the room. Kayden rolls his eyes before closing the door the rest of the way.

"Noah, Rylee I'd like you to meet my mate and your new Luna, Lani." They both bow their necks in respect to me and my position.

"Lani this is our Delta Noah and his mate Rylee." Kayden continues.

"It's nice to meet both of you." I state.

"So, is this why you left school so suddenly?" Noah asks.

"Of course, it is." Rylee comments, "We did the same thing."

A smile spreads across my face watching them banter back and forth.

"Enough!" Kayden says with his Alpha tone.

I look at him, he doesn't look as entertained. Must happen a lot.

"I wanted both of you to meet her personally before I introduce her to the pack."

"Thank you, Alpha." They both respond.

"When is she being introduced?" Aria asks.

"Now."

Kayden gets up and walks to the door holding it open. No one moves, and I realize they're waiting on me. I quickly walk over, and everyone follows. With Kayden leading the way we head outside to the back yard.

There's a small, raised platform, that Kayden and I stand on. His eyes glaze over as he links the entire pack about on emergency announcement. With in 2 minutes every pack member is present, well almost every member.

"I'm here to put your rumors to rest. It is true, I found my mate today."

He pauses as a huge uproar of cheers erupt from the crowd. Once they quiet down Kayden continues.

"This is my mate and your Luna, Lani. Now, as tradition and law if there is anyone who wishes to challenge my mate for her position now is the time to speak."

There are a few moments of silence as no one speaks up. "Very well – "

A guard rushes forward, "Alpha Lucas has made it past our boarders, and he's not alone." The guard announces.

Before Kayden can give and order we see Alpha Lucas coming straight towards us. I watch as Kayden's pack gets into formations. The men and some of the women who are trained all take position, the children and elderly all move to the other side of the platform.

Are they really expecting a fight to break out right now?

"Alpha Kayden of the Crescent pack, I Alpha Lucas of the Silver Thorn pack challenge you for your position and mate!"

We hear a collective gasp from everyone around us. Apparently, he didn't tell his own pack members why they were coming here. I watch closely as I see his Beta Caleb pull Lucas to the side and whisper something to him. But Lucas shakes him off.

Because of the challenge a circle has been made, if Kayden declines the challenge, it would be the same as a forfeit.

I turn towards my mate, "I know you can beat him; I have no doubts in you." I give him a kiss, and we hear a growl.

I pull away and let Kayden walk to the center of the circle.

Please moon goddess don't let anything happen to my mate.

Lucas's POV

After leaving school I was furious. How could Lani have picked Kayden over me? I told her how I felt and what I would do to her mate once they found each other. Did I not make it clear enough that I was trying to claim her as mine? She would be perfect for me and the pack.

My Beta followed me home along with the rest of my higher ups and their mates.

"What do you want to do?" Ethan asks once we are all in the pack house.

"I don't know, but I do want Lani. I'm not going to let Alpha Kayden have her." I answer.

"Are you talking about trying to take Lani from her mate?" Chloe, my female Beta asks.

"That would be a really low thing to do." Grace, our Delta female responds.

I roll my eyes. "Both of you can leave. We don't need the input of emotional females." I state and get two warning growls from Caleb and Ethan.

Of for the love of the moon goddess! Why is everyone so emotional over this?

"They're right. You can't break up mates. There are laws to prevent it. If Lani wants to be with Alpha Kayden and he wants her, that is their choice. You are not to interfere." Caleb tells me.

As if I don't already know the laws.

"Fine give me some time to think everything over."

….

It's been about 5 hours since I came to my office to find a solution. And I've only come up with one. To fight Kayden for Lani, but I would also have to take his Alpha title and pack. I'm up for the challenge but the pack wouldn't support me.

I need everyone with me when I challenge them, but they won't come if they know that's what I plan to do. So, I've decided to tell them I'm going over to tell them I have accepted they are mates and will not cause issues.

I leave my office and find my Beta and Delta to let them know what I've "decided". Both agree and think having the pack witness this is a good job.

Once they get their mates, we all head back to the school. The final bell is about to go off, and I just mind linked my pack telling them to meet me on the football field. After about 15 minutes, everyone has gathered.

I make the announcement, and everyone seems pleased with my decision.

I roll my eyes but begin leading the way to the Crescent pack territory. I see some guards, and smirk knowing how this must look to them. It takes a few minutes, but we finally get through.

As we approach their pack house I notice a large gathering in the back, I change direction and go towards the crowd. I just finished hearing a guard try to warn them, a little late there.

"Alpha Kayden of the Crescent pack, I Alpha Lucas of the Silver Thorn pack challenge you for your position and mate!"

I hear the gasps from my pack members and feel their anger through our bond. But I don't really care, this was the only way to get them here.

Caleb pulls me aside to try and talk me out of this, but I shake him off and move towards the center of the circle. I wait for Kayden to join me, before he does, he gets a kiss from Lani. I growl that should be me.

Kayden finally comes down and stops across from me.