Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 64 – The support of my warriors

Bernice's POV

"You?" Cora scoffed. "You don't know the first thing about running a kingdom."

"To be fair, Cora. Neither do you," Jessie says, glancing at her. "I think Landry would want Denise to run things while he's out of commission."

"You've got to be kidding me," Cora huffed, glaring at me.

"I'll do it," I say again, looking over at Jessie.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" She asks, raising her brows.

"It would make me feel better to do something other than sitting around here and waiting for him to wake up," I answer.

Jessie broke out into a grin and threw her arms around me, wrapping me in a tight hug.

"This makes me so happy," she cries. "I'll mindlink the beta and him know!"

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat; I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

...

It's been 2 days since Landry was put in the hospital and I agreed to take over in his place. He still hasn't woken. Though his vitals seem to be getting stronger; his wolf was working overtime at healing him.

"He should be awake by now..." Julia whined. "We should go see him..." She's been complaining about not seeing him enough at the hospital.

"We have too much work to do here," I remind her. "Remember, we are only doing this for Landry. Besides, Jessie is there."

Jessie hasn't left his side; however, unfortunately, neither has Cora.

"Mam?" I heard a knock on the door and one of Landry's assistants popped her head in. "The Alphas are in the conference room as you requested. Also, a news reporter called and wants to do a story on you. She's waiting for your callback. Her name is Rachel."

"Thank you," I say to her in return. "I'll be right down."

I stood from Landry's desk; I wore the Alpha uniform. But I knew I couldn't keep my identity from the other Alphas for much longer. They saw me in the battle and they know Landry is out of commission. It wouldn't be long before they figured out my secret.

This is why I called a meeting. I needed to tell them the truth.

This was also my brother, Caleb's, first Alpha meeting. He was recently sworn into the Alpha seat and he can officially take on the duties of an Alpha.

"What is the meaning of this, Bernice?" One of the Alphas asked as soon as I entered the conference room.

"You were said to be on a mission in the northern region, and yet you appear to return out of nowhere." Another one growled.

"You smell like an Omega!" Yet another shouted. "Have the rumors been true? Have you been hiding here as an Omega this whole time?"

I stared amongst the warriors I have come to know and respect. I hated that I kept this part of me from them. They trusted me and I couldn't even give them trust in return.

I cleared my throat before speaking.

"I know you guys are confused and I don't blame you for being upset with me..." I say to them. I was pleased that my voice was more confident than I thought it'd be. "The rumors are true... I am an omega. I apologize for keeping this from you gentlemen. But I won't apologize for why I lied."

"And for what reason would that be?" One of the Alphas sneered.

I glanced at my brother before addressing the rest of them; he gave me a small smile. That was all the confidence and reassurance I needed.

"To help my pack..." I answer. "The Sunset Pack would have been without an Alpha if I hadn't stepped up. My brother would have gone without training. I did what I could to help my people... and my family."

"How did you do it? How did you deceive us all into thinking you were an Alpha?"

"I took a medication that turned me into an Alpha," I answered truthfully. "This medication only made you see me as an Alpha and not an Omega. Everything else about me is the truth. I can still fight regardless of the form I'm in and I'm just as brave as I've always. Please, don't mistake me as weak."

"We are just confused..." another voice said from the table. "All these years... and you were never an Alpha..."

"Did Alpha King Landry know?"

They all stared at me with wide eyes, waiting for me to answer this question.

"He had only found out because I had fallen ill," I explained. "He was taking care of me as nothing more than a comrade. I asked him not to say anything because if I were to die, I would want to die with the dignity of being an Alpha. It was selfish on my part..."

"And the rumors about you being the Alpha's Omega lover?"

"They were just rumors," I clarified. "There is nothing between Landry and me. We are nothing more than comrades. As the Alpha King, he made it his duty to care for me. I owe him my entire life. He saved me more times than I can count." Everyone, including myself, fell silent as we said our prayers to Landry. They allowed my words to rest before them, staring at each other and daring one another to speak.

"As my comrades... I ask that you continue to trust me and keep my secret. I have come forward and told you the truth because I can't do this on my own anymore..." I tell them, staring at their confused faces. "I'm sorry I lied to you, and I know I have no right to ask you to lie for me. But I ask that you keep my secret to the grave. If the rest of the kingdom found out..." my voice trailed off.

If the kingdom found out, it would make me more vulnerable to attacks. It would make them not trust Landry. I couldn't let that happen.

"How can we trust you? You already lied to us..."

"I know..." I breathe, staring down at the table. "I understand that it will take some time to earn your trust back. I hope that my being honest with you now, is a step in the right direction. I hope you can swallow your pride and dignity, and help me as I would help you. If not for me, then for the Alpha King."

They stared at one another once again before turning back to me.

"It will take time..." one of them said, warily. "But we won't spill your secret. At least not yet."

That was good enough; that was all I needed.

...

Caleb's POV

Staring up at his sister as she spoke the truth to the Alpha, Caleb couldn't help but notice that something was wrong. Bernice was once so full of life and energetic. She had so much color on her face and appeared so strong, even when she was in her Omega form. He recalled from their time living together in the Sunset pack.

He knew their father and his mother treated her cruelly. But she didn't let that falter her smile and she fought with all her strength. Caleb always admired that about his sister.

But seeing her right then and there, he realized something was seriously wrong. She looked worn out and exhausted; her bones weren't as fierce and strong looking. The color in her face was gone. She was thinning. Her hair was a bit lighter and seemed to be thinning as well. Her eyes hardly had life in them. Even as they met his eyes, they still showed sadness.

Something was wrong. His sister was sick, and she was trying to hide it.