It was still early, but The Omegas were awake, and I had been itching to leave my room since I had gotten there. The packhouse felt different, but I knew it was just me. The place wasn’t intimidating or scary anymore. When I first arrived, it was a blur. I didn’t feel anything. Then came the anger. But now… I was someone that I wouldn’t have expected. That even if I had been capable of thinking of the future in those first blurry months, I would never have been able to fathom this. That I could feel not just like a fraction of my former self but something more powerful, more sure. It was a heady feeling and a discovery that made me stand taller as I walked the too-familiar halls. I followed my routine, edging toward the dining room and pausing outside the kitchen. There was a bustle, but it was more languid than it had been the past few days. I was correct in thinking this would be a slow morning. It put me at ease only a little. I was anxious to get this day going, and the longer i
After breakfast, I went to the library, but I wasn’t sure if Ezra had enough time. The packhouse was dark and quiet, and I moved through the shadows like a wraith. A fire was lit in the library, blazing, and I smiled. Ezra had done that. In the book was a small pouch alongside a note Ingested. Takes an hour. Everything is set three hours from now. I strolled to the hall where the older offices were and carefully parceled what I needed, hoping they didn’t expire. Either way, I would be back to finish the job.I wandered into the kitchen; it was bright and loud compared to the sleepiness of the rest of the packhouse. I stayed in a corner, picking at an apple. Even though there was a lot of activity, no one seemed to be talking. They looked exhausted. “Luna is awake; she wants breakfast in bed,” Amelia finally stated. “Hangover cure?” Another Omega asked, rolling her eyes. Amelia nodded. “Is the Alpha awake?” I asked Amelia, not looking up from my apple. “Am I expected to join for
By the time I was done, the packhouse had awoken. No one noticed me slip out of her room. I blended in with the visiting Alphas and Lunas walking to the front; their confused chatter swelled around me. The air in the packhouse was cold, confused, and anticipatory.I ran into an Omega I didn’t know the name of and stopped in front of her. “Keep all the Omegas out of the new wing for the next few hours,” I said in as much of a command as I could muster; it still rang through me, and she bowed her head. “And any others,” I added. “Close this place.” “Y-yes,” she agreed.I hoped that would be enough, just in case, and I continued on. Someone grabbed my elbow gently, and I turned to find Sam. He kept looking ahead, walking next to me, his hand not dropping my arm. It was steadying. “There’s a new development,” he said. “I know,” I replied. “It’s part of the plan. He finally looked at me with wide eyes. “I'm ready,” I stated.He nodded, but I could tell he was trying to process this. A
I watched as Alpha Raymond’s face flickered from rage to confusion and finally settled on a sort of twisted amusement. “You can’t. You have no pack,” he sneered. Some of the crowd gasped at his public display of wickedness.“I can as an heir.” I held my ground, my voice unwavering. Alpha Raymond took a step towards me, towering over me or attempting to. “You are the heir of nothing.”“I am the heir to The Blood Moon Pack.” I fixed my eyes on Miles, actually looking at him for the first time since I thought he died alongside my parents. There was nothing in his eyes I remembered, no warmth, no familiarity. Nevertheless, he looked away first. “That pack wasn’t taken legally. There was no challenge; my right still remains.” I jutted my chin up and looked back at Alpha Raymond.“You would need backing.” A voice came from the crowd. “Yes,” I agreed, raising my voice. “By more than fifty percent. There are ten packs in this territory, nine if we remove mine. Our territory laws state tha
“Alpha John of The White Forest Pack.”“We, uh, I back your challenge.” I nodded deeply to him, keeping my face passive. I caught Ezra’s eye briefly, and his gaze was so intent on me I had to look away, afraid my body would give me away.“Alpha Issac of The Blue Mountain Pack?”Alpha Issac stepped forward. “We support your claim, me and my heir both do.” He bowed his head, and I returned the gesture.Then I moved to the ones I wasn’t sure of. I was saving the one who started it all, the one who put the idea in Sam’s head for last, hoping I could count on him to sway the crowd.“Alpha Owen of The Starry Ravine Pack?” I willed the nerves down, tucking them away with the anger I kept so carefully leashed.Another Alpha stepped forward; he looked at Raymond and not me. “I do not back this silly game.” Raymond smiled at him with a deep nod and turned to me triumphant.I ignored him and addressed Alpha Owen instead. “That is your prerogative. Thank you for voting,” I said calmly. “Alpha Ti
Even with years of careful composure, I couldn’t hide my shock. This might have very well been the most surprising thing I had ever heard. Aksala started to say something multiple times but stopped. I could feel shock ripple through her, too.Alpha Raymond's face mirrored my own, but his was mixed with a sadistic sort of rage as he turned clench-fisted to his son. His shoulders lifted as he heaved mighty breaths, but no words came out, nothing but a guttural, choked sound.“Is that, is that even sanctioned?” an Alpha asked, stepping forward. I didn’t see him before so he must be Alpha Timothy who told me no in hiding. I crossed my arms gently and fixed him with a stare he eventually couldn’t look away from. It was apparent he was a small man, not in stature, but one that was given too much power, and that was the only thing he could wield over others. Elder John’s brows tugged together; he tilted his head and finally said, “I do think it is.” The crowd gasped, but I wasn’t sure i
I tilted my head as I danced toward Raymond. “Like my dress?” I asked, grabbing handfuls of the fabric and twisting this way and that. “It’s my funeral dress,” I stated demurely. “Thought it would be fitting.” I pinned him with a beatific smile. “I figured I would wear it tonight to forebode your little family reunion. I’m sentimental like that.” His face fell briefly, but it quickly hardened with anger. “How dare you, little bitch,” he spat, closing the space between us. I held my ground, unwavering, only tilting my head so I could assess his face hovering too close to me. “Who are you to speak of an heir's death?” he spat.I retrieved my dagger without breaking his gaze, got on my tip toes and leaned forward, pressing the tip of it against his throat. I recoiled at the proximity, but I reveled in the breath stolen from him. I whispered as close to his ear as I could. “I was responsible for their deaths, so I may speak on it.” I slipped something wrapped tightly into his pocket.
Earlier The Luna was tied up, her arms behind her in as tight of a knot as I could create from a bathrobe. She did manage to get a kick in as I tied her feet before I dragged her to the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out to the ground floor of the new gardens.She was spitting a string of profanities and threats, but it was easy to ignore her.Well done - Aksala praised me as I stood to admire my work. She only needed to be held down for a few minutes, though.“Someone will come; someone will hear me!” her voice was panicked now, and I reveled in it. Finally, the fear that came with knowing what would happen to her. I was worried I wouldn’t get the satisfaction.“They won’t, though,” I responded. “Soundproof walls.” I glanced around for show. “The building plans are in your office,” I explained. “Also, your pervy sons would go on about how no one would hear me scream.” I tugged my lips into a brilliant smile. “Isn’t this just poetic?” I asked her.I think it is - Aksala agree