Donna #2
His mother sticks her nose in the air. “I just wanted something better for my son! And Alpha Jordan is a commendable, respectful Alpha and—"
“How large is your debt?” I interrupt her.
She stumbles backward a little at my sudden, brusque question. “What?”
“You heard me the first time,” I say. “You gambled with him, didn’t you?
” I nod to Martin, who steps forward to hand me a folder.
“Thank you.” I tilt my head. “You know, Donna, as Jordan’s former luna, I know more about him than anyone else.
I know all his dirty little tricks and the type of man he is.
He is an intelligent man with no soul in him.
Everyone who’s talked to him more than once knows that. ” I look at Martin. “Beta?”
“He is known to be ruthless and beds a new woman every week. I have heard of at least two alphas who sell their lunas to him just because they have debts. I verified it only yesterday.”
I stare at him, shocked at his revelations. No way! So, it is true?!
“So, how large is yours? Your debt?” I push. “You regularly visited a bookmaker.”
I open the folder, skimming it, until I find the correct page and hand it to Forest. What I spotted there is much worse than I expected, and my heart breaks a little for Forest.
Forest frowns when he looks at it, before his eyes widen. “By the goddess, Mother!” he growls. “You sold out half of our pack lands?! Are you insane? What are these numbers?”
“I did not—” she says, her voice high-pitched now. “It’s fake.”
“It’s not fake. I saw some of the transactions as well,” Forest says. “The ones from the account for the pack to your private one.”
I notice that Harry has stood up, now, but instead of coming to Donna’s help, he takes a few steps back. He is definitely not going to save her ass. I’ll bet he will pretend he didn’t know. While it’s a pity I can’t get him now, I am sure he has his own misdeeds we can reveal.
“But we weren’t talking about me,” Donna blurts out. “We were talking about your luna. She is damaged goods!”
Forest’s eyes darken. “You did not just say that.”
Before Donna can say anything, someone clears their throat.
Some of the pack members step to the side to let Dr. Francis pass through.
“That’s enough, Donna,” he says. “Alpha Forest is right with what he’s said.
There is nothing to say against the alliance between Luna Rose and him,” he adds.
“What that criminal, Jordan, did to her is not her fault. She came here as Forest’s mate and has been nothing but helpful and useful to the pack. ”
“Yes,” Nina exclaims before clasping her hands against her mouth. “I am sorry,” she mutters. Some of the omegas have gathered around her and seem to be ready to throw themselves into battle for me.
“Don’t be,” Dr. Francis says kindly.
“I owe her so much,” Elli whispers.
“I have heard from my mate that the situation in the orphanage is already better,” one of the warriors chimes in.
Chatter arises. Most of them seeming to agree.
Dr. Francis turns to Donna. “How Forest and Rose met is none of our concern. It’s their private matter.
All that needs to concern us is that we have a capable luna here.
One who has already enhanced the future alpha’s strengths as they should have been.
What is more reason to worry is what was revealed about your gambling.
I would like to see what Beta Martin uncovered. ”
Forest hands him the folder.
“It was not just me,” Martin says. “I couldn’t have done it without Gamma Griffin.”
Dr. Francis nods. “It’s good that the luna and alpha have such a reliable team around them.
” He skims through the folder, his eyes darkening.
“Forest is right. This is insane! Did Harry know about this? I will have it investigated properly,” he says, turning towards us and smiling, but there are worried lines appearing around his eyes.
“Seeing this, I honestly can’t even tell what it means for the pack. ”
“I have some funds,” I tell him. “I’ll need to check the exact numbers, but tell me in advance if the pack is in any immediate danger.”
“We cannot take your money from you,” Dr. Francis exclaims.
“Of course you can,” I say. “This is my pack now. I have no intention of leaving.”
Dr. Francis lets out a breath of relief. “Your words make me a little more optimistic about this, Luna. Thank you.”
The pack members whisper loudly. I don’t really like buying favors with money, but this time, I’ll make an exception. Mainly because I meant what I said. I want to use what I have to build something up together with Forest.
Dr. Francis smiles at us both. “You have worked plenty. Please take a rest and let me handle this issue.”
I return his smile, relief filling me all of a sudden. “Thank you.”
I can see Forest’s eyes glossing over briefly, and he nods at Dr. Francis. I wonder what the elder asked of him, but I am sure he will tell me soon enough.
“Needless to say,”—Dr. Francis turns to Donna once more—“you and Harry cannot continue to be the official leaders of this pack. I will have a brief talk with Rose and Forest later, to see when they can officially take over. For now, I will have you and Harry removed from the packhouse and your offices. Is that alright with you, Forest?”
Donna has paled, the shock clear on her face, but Forest doesn’t spare her a look. “Of course,” he says. “It aligns with what Rose and I want.”
“They will stay in a cottage away from the pack center for now. Can you spare some warriors to keep an eye on them?”
Again, Forest nods.
“Then, it’s set. Forest and Rose are the interim leaders of this pack, with all the authority that entails, until they take over the rank officially next month.”
Next to me, I feel Forest freeze in surprise before his face lights up. I know he thought it would be much more of a battle to take over the pack. But this time the elders truly prove to be valuable. I need to remind myself that not all of them are as trashy as the ones from my old pack.
“I will not disappoint you,” Forest says seriously, turning towards the huge number of pack members.
“And I mean, all of you. I know I wasn’t the best I could be for many years.
I let my parents push me around. But I don’t want to blame them fully.
I should have been stronger. I promise you I will do all I can to make this pack flourish again and to be the best alpha for you that I can be.
” He nudges me. “Besides, I have a luna who will kick my ass if I break my promise.”
His words make me smile. “Forest is right,” I say, turning to the group as well. “I know I came here to the pack, hiding a lot about myself, but from now on I want to be open with all of you.”
When Forest and I finally make it to the breakfast table, there is loud chatter around us; the whole atmosphere has gone from tense to excited. I am sure it will take some time for them to truly trust Forest and me, but with this, we just won a huge battle.