Auctioned Mates Revenge
Chapter 99

Glenda's POV

Matt was different. His eyes were clear and his jaw was set, but he hadn't said much of anything to me other than I needed to dress nicely.

I got in the car in a nice dress and heels. He was in a three-piece suit. His hair was styled, and he looked as though he needed some space, yet he didn't release my hand. "I'm giving a press conference," he said. "About... everything."

He turned to look at me, "Do you want to speak about Fluorite?"

I looked away and shook my head. I didn't think I'd ever be ready to speak in such a public way about what happened.

"Do you want me to talk about it?"

I nodded.

He squeezed my hand, "Will you stand with me?"

I looked at him and squeezed his hand back, "Yes."

Some of the tension bled out of him and he pulled me close, "I have to tell you the basics before we get there so you aren't surprised. I'm sorry I couldn't talk about it. I just..."

"It's okay," I said, turning into his arms. "I know it's... been a lot. He's dead."

"Mordecai was my real father." I looked up at him. "He and my mother were mates. She played at being Ben's mate to save the people of Warhammer. I'm about to announce the full truth on international television. Uriel is going to be working on cleaning up everything with me."

"What... do you need from me?"

His lips twitched and he pressed his forehead to mine, "To stand with me."

I lifted my chin, just enough to press a kiss to his lips, "Of course."

He nodded, "After the press conference, we're... going to the gravesite in Warhammer."

I frowned, "Warhammer?"

He nodded and the car stopped. I didn't ask anything more and exited the car with him. Cameras flashed as we walked toward the stage. The number of reporters who had gathered was dizzying. I held onto Matt's hand, but I wasn't sure who was more nervous, him

or me.

He got the podium and he didn't release my hand.

"Thank you all for coming to this press conference. There... are a lot of half-truths and blatant lies to clarify. I want to start from the beginning."

I couldn't tell if the silence that fell was of shock or respect as he told them about Mordecai and Sharon, then about Ben and every terrible thing he'd done from his youth until now.

"I have released the proof to the International Inter-Pack Authorities. It should be available to journalists at will here and abroad. In response to everything that has come to light, I am taking the following actions. My and my brother, Joel's last names have been formally changed to Hammer-Asra to honor the death and sacrifices of our parents and to cut the last ties with the man who orchestrated their deaths.

"Midnight and Warhammer will be unified under my leadership and give full support to Black Wind's efforts to put an end to human trafficking orchestrated across the Americas in conjunction with the Inter-Pack Authorities. Any displaced persons of the packs that were destroyed by Ben Wallber's actions will be restored, rebuilt, and considered allies of the Warhammer-Midnight pack, the first of these packs being the restoration of Frost Pelt under the leadership of Gordon Zima as alpha and his daughter, Emoni, as acting luna.

"The restoration of Gulf Waves under the leadership of Toussaint Devereaux as alpha and Tzipporah Matlock as luna."

I listened as he continued down the list of his first actions as alpha of the Warhammer-Midnight pack.

Finally, he took questions and a man stood up, "You didn't mention Fluorite. Every one eager to hear what will happen. Has there been anyone found from Fluorite?"

"Fluorite is an exception," Matt said, squeezing my hand. "It has been fully annexed into Warhammer-Midnight as Glenda Fluorite, the eldest daughter of the alpha and luna, has agreed to the arrangement."

"That seems very suspicious. It almost sounds like you're simply exploiting the deeds of your predecessor."

"He's not," I said. Matt looked at me and stepped aside, letting step to the microphone.

I didn't plan to say anything, but I couldn't stand by and let him talk about Matt and I like that.

"My name is Glenda Fluorite, and what Matt has said is true."

"Why is that?"

I glared at him, "Are you asking me why I am making a decision in place of my deceased parents?"

The man looked uncomfortable, "Given... the importance of Fluorite and the advantages of simply... taking over and rebuilding the pack the way he proclaims will happen with the other-"

"I don't like your insinuation." I glared at him, "Matt is a man of his word. The packs that can be returned to the displaced people will be. The others will be re-established as fully as possible. Fluorite is an exception because Matt is my mate and I don't want to be parted from him."

The cameras flashed a murmur of interest went around and Matt squeezed my hand. He leaned towards the microphone.

"That should suffice to answer your questions. Thank you for coming."

My cheeks burned as he ushered me towards the stairs and past all the people screaming for more information and further comment.

As we got into the car, he started laughing.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have-"

"You were perfect," he said, tenderly and pressing a kiss to my hand. "Fearless. Quite the luna. I hadn't planned to announce it just yet since we hadn't talked about it, but..."

"But?"

He smiled, "How do you feel about a spring wedding?"

I stared at him and smiled at him, "I... I think that would be nice."

He nodded and we headed to the airport. The flight to Warhammer felt so quick. Maybe I was just getting used to flying. When we landed, we were taken to a cemetery. Toussaint, Tzipporah, Emoni, Grayson, and Gordon were there. Armand was there and so were a few other people that were familiar. Uriel and a young man I recognized from Warhammer were there.

We walked towards the new grave. My heart clenched as we passed Joel's tombstone. His new name had been etched there.

They lowered Mordecai's casket into the ground, revealing the double headstone for him and Sharon Hammer.

Sacrificed love.

Parted for injustice.

Apart no longer.

"Together at last," Matt said softly. I leaned into his side.

"How are you?" I asked.

His lips twitched, "Slowly."

I nodded. I understood that maybe more than most.

We stayed by the graveside for what felt like hours before Matt decided that we could leave. The cemetery staff filled the grave. We lay flowers on the three graves and headed back to the airport.

I thought we'd be staying at the estate for the night, but Matt clearly had another plan.

"Get some sleep," Matt said, "It's a pretty long flight."

I nodded. I wanted to ask where we were going, but I couldn't get the words out. I took a shower and called Angelia's caretaker. Nothing had changed. She still wasn't speaking, but she was eating when prompted with food. There wasn't much hope that she would recover, but at least, she would be safe.

It was more than I realistically ever believed possible.

Matt showered after me and climbed into bed beside me. It seemed that we couldn't bear to sleep apart, but I wasn't sure if that was Alyssa and I's desperation or Matt and Lucas' need.

Either way, I snuggled into his arms and drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, we were landing and Matt was already dressed. He was wearing shorts and a loose shirt. He smiled at me and stroked my hair.

"Morning. You ready to get out of bed?"

I nodded and sat up, "Where are we?"

"In good time," he stood and grinned at me, "Come join me outside. We'll get breakfast out."

I got dressed, curious about what Matt was planning. As I walked up the concourse, I tried to figure out where I was, but nothing was familiar. We left the airport and stepped out into the sunshine. In the distance, I saw mountains that pricked at the back of my mind. I got into the car and watched the scenery go by. Nothing stood out to me. We came to a stop and Matt took my hand.

"Ready?"

"Where are we?"

"Fluorite."

My heart stopped and my ears were ringing. I turned and shoved the door open, climbing out of the car.

The scent was faint, but I knew it. My heart clenched tight and Alyssa howled as the scent filled my nose.

Lilies, roses, the scent of the mines-I could smell the grass and the river nearby.

Energy surged through me. I felt my skin tingling. It was such a foreign and uncanny feeling. I wasn't afraid, but I didn't know what I was feeling.

"Glenda!"