** Donovan POV **
Donovan sat behind his desk, holding the phone to his ear, his voice a low rumble. "Drew, can you confirm the transfer? Account number 743-B. We need those funds settled before the funds from the King get transferred to the fraudulent account."
He tapped a pen against his desk, his gaze sweeping over the forest view from the office window.
A soft knock at the open door drew Donovan's attention to the door as Marcus walked in. Donovan met his Beta's eye, offering a brief nod, and gestured towards the empty chair. Marcus walked over, took a seat, and waited patiently.
"Excellent, Drew. I appreciate your help. We'll speak tomorrow." Donovan clicked off his phone, placing it back on the desk.
Donovan leaned back, his gaze now fully on Marcus. "Everything alright, Marcus? You look like you have something on your mind."
Marcus offered a small smile. "Always, Alpha. Just a thought that I think we need to discuss. It concerns Keira."
Donovan raised an eyebrow. Keira, his mate, his Luna, one that Donovan never intended to have. "What about her?"
"Nothing serious." Marcus paused, choosing his words carefully. "It occurred to me, given the sheer volume of her soon-to-be duties, perhaps an assistant might be helpful. When Victoria was managing things, she made it seem as though a Luna's role was a difficult position to handle.
"If that is the case, I believe we should get Keira the help she may need."
Donovan frowned. An assistant for Keira was not something that he had thought about before. Given her role as the Captain of the Task Force, he figured she could handle whatever responsibilities he let her have. Donovan was still hesitant to hand over duties to a person who may leave.
"It's not something I've considered before," Donovan carefully answered. "Keira and I have a few things we need to figure out. She made it clear she wasn't planning on staying."
Marcus nodded. "You mentioned something about finding her cousin's murderer. Wasn't Avalynn looking into it?"
Donovan nodded. "I'll ask her if she's found anything."
"Donovan," Marcus said in a low voice. "I'm your beta. Your best friend. If there is anything you need to say to me, please just tell me."
Donovan leaned back in his chair.
"I feel as though I've been played," he admitted. "I refused to believe that Victoria was mated. Keira told me that Victoria's parents had been dead for more than 10 years. I - I just feel like my decisions haven't been my own."
"I was there," Marcus muttered. "Those two people claimed to be Victoria's parents. They died."
"I don't even know if that was real," Donovan continued. "If Victoria was mated all along, why did she approach me? Why did she claim that she had been attacked by a rogue?"
"Her story doesn't add up," Marcus concluded. "The Luna's version of the story makes more sense. They grew up together. Why didn't Victoria say she knew Keira?"
Donovan stayed silent for a few more minutes before he continued.
"I was always made to believe that once you found your mate, there would be a magical pull between the two of you. I felt a pull, but it was Nolan and Sabelina who marked each other. It wasn't Keira and me.
"There seems to be some kind of disconnect between us. Our bond is fragile. I just don't know how to fix it. Keira clearly has her own plan. She made it clear she only planned on staying here for a month."
"Donovan," Marcus began. "I'm going to be honest with you. You haven't been accepting of Keira since the time you ran out of the meeting with your father on the night she arrived at the castle. The King and Queen advised you to move Victoria, and you didn't.
"When you spoke to Keira at the castle, you made it clear to her that all you wanted from her was her help to stabilize the pack. I may not have a mate, but that's not how one should treat their mate.
"Donovan, the Moon Goddess has chosen Keira to be your mate for a reason. I think she is the best person for you. I don't know what you have to do to fix whatever it is that's going on between you two, but whatever it is, I would fix it as soon as possible."
Marcus continued, his voice dropping slightly, "Assuming you're comfortable with it, it might also be a good opportunity to solidify her title within the pack. To officially refer to her as the Luna."
Donovan's eyes narrowed.
"Luna," he murmured.
'I agree with Marcus,' Nolan interjected. 'I have chosen Sabelina and Keira as my mate. I think you need to as well.'
"Thanks, Marcus," Donovan said, his voice filled with gratefulness. "Was there anything else you wanted to speak to me about?"
"I was informed that the Queen personally approved two Task Force members to be transferred to the pack," Marcus said. "These two members will be here in a few days."
Donovan couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Who transferred?"
"Antoine and Montego," Marcus replied. "I sent the new member files over to your computer."
"I'll take a look at the files," Donovan sighed. "I'm sure their expertise will come in handy."
Marcus excused himself and left the office. Donovan quickly opened the member files and frowned. He didn't recall meeting Montego, but he did remember Antoine. He was the wolf who stayed by Keira's side during the Alpha meeting.
'I'm glad you're jealous,' Nolan teased. 'That tells me you actually care about Keira.'
Donovan scoffed but didn't argue. 'Yeah, well. Someone has to.'
'Shall we speak to Avalynn?' Nolan asked. 'I want to know if we can find a way to help our mate stay here with us.'
"Avalynn," Donovan said through the pack link he had with his pack members. "When you have a moment, come to my office."
"I'll be there in a few minutes," Avalynn replied.
Donovan didn't have to wait long; Avalynn was already knocking on the door.
"Alpha," she greeted, walking in and taking a seat. "You summoned me?"
"Have you found anything regarding Keira's cousin's death?" Donovan asked.
"I've consulted with the Moon Spirits, and they can't find him," Avalynn replied, examining her nails.
"They can't find his spirit?" Donovan questioned.
"Keira's cousin is not dead," Avalynn clarified. "The Moon Spirits assured me that no bloodline for the Luna's family died on the date stated on the obituary."
Donovan was speechless; he couldn't form words. Avalynn was one of the best priests who had graduated from Luna Academy. Her power to communicate with the Moon Goddess and Spirits was unrivaled. If Avalynn said that Keira's cousin was still alive, then that must be the truth.
"Would you like me to speak to Keira?" Avalynn asked.
Donovan shook his head. "I'll inform the Luna myself."
Avalynn raised an eyebrow at the title but otherwise didn't comment.
"You may go."
Avalynn gave him a small bow and hurried away. Donovan stood and went to seek his Luna. There was a lot to discuss.