The Designated Mate novel Chapter 86

"What are you doing?" I asked no one in particular, confused.

"The previous Alpha would beat anyone who didn't bow to him before he gave a formal speech," a small woman towards the front explained, her eyes never leaving the ground, though I could hear her fear in the way her voice quivered as she spoke.

"That's asinine. You can all stand up. A real Alpha sees his people as his equals," I stated strongly. I could see my dad nodding in agreement in my peripheral vision. A collective look of utter shock swept the crowd as people started rising to their feet with slight hesitation.

"I know this pack, and the numerous packs my uncle's procured within the past year, have been treated like the dirt under his shoe, but that stops now. My father, the rightful Alpha of this pack, will be taking the position from me effective immediately. Under his rule, no one will go without nor will anyone be treated unfairly. If anyone has any objection to this change you may come forward now and challenge me. It will be a challenge to the death, so I would think long and hard about the decision." I waited a few minutes, but nothing other than looks of optimism and hope stared back at me. It seemed my uncle had really done us a favor in watching over his people like a total dickhead.

"Then, as you all bear witness, I declare my father and mother - Jim Knox Carmichael and Angela Rose Carmichael - as the rightful Alpha and Luna from this moment on," I called out, making my way through the crowd towards my father and mother where I kneeled at their feet to show my submission to them both as I passed over the title. My father reached down and squeezed both my shoulders in his hands before I got back up. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take Poppy to the pack doctor to confirm the pregnancy and find out how far along she is," I murmured.

"Go, we will handle things from here," he instructed with a genuine smile.

"Wait!" Poppy called out, coming over to the three of us with a huge smile on her face. "I have a surprise, close your eyes!" she ordered with excitement. I furrowed my brows but followed my parents lead, only to have Poppy pull my hand down. "Not you, silly," she teased with a smile. I looked behind her as she began motioning towards us with her hand. It was then that I saw Kiara emerge from the woods with Zane. How she got here I had no idea, but I loved Poppy infinitely more for thinking of my parents during such a stressful time.

"Angela, Jim, you can open your eyes now," Poppy whispered, fighting to keep the emotion from her voice. They did as instructed, my mom's knees instantly going weak as she fell against my father. Kiara must've felt the immediate connection that I felt with her because she threw herself at our parents, happy sobs wracking her chest.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify