Page 25 of Rejected By the Alpha

“Me? Why me?” I ask. I am just the beta. I provide additional support when Amelia and David are busy handling more important pack matters.

“Because at eighteen, you are the youngest beta in the country, and he wants to see if you are his mate.” Marco scoffs this time at Amelia’s explanation, swiping a piece of bacon from my plate and earning himself a glare from me.

“We all know who my mate, is so there is no need for me to meet this alpha,” I shrug, picking my fork back up and taking a bite of my food. Amelia lets out another sigh and rubs her temple, and I take this as a sign that she is trying to come up with the right words for what she is going to say next.

“There is a reason why we can’t say no to this alpha coming, and this is why Marco and Royce are here.” The boys grow rigid at this, their eyes narrowing into slits as they take in the apologetic gaze Amelia sends their way.

“By now you know that three weeks ago, the son of the previous alpha of Shadow Moon challenged and killed his father for attacking Silver Paw.” We all nod, unease settling in the room as Marco reaches out and takes my hand. I can feel him shaking, sensing the same rage inside him that I feel whenever someone mentions Oak Fur around me.

“Well, he was just made alpha last week, and wishes to come here to compensate us for—”

“No!” Marco stands from his chair so fast it falls back, his body shaking as rage builds inside him. I set my plate down and move closer to my friend, wrapping my free arm around him and trying my best to calm him down.

“Marco, we can’t not accept this peace offer,” Amelia tries to reason, allowing her calming tone to wash over us.

“His father killed our packmates. Killed innocent wolves, all because of a land dispute,” he shouts back. Royce has fallen to his knees, wrapping his arms around himself as he tries to stop a panic attack, and I look to Amelia helplessly. Having yourenemies come to your pack after destroying it is something no wolf would accept.

“Marco, take a deep breath,” I command calmly, gently taking my hand from his and pulling his face towards me. I breathe in deeply, and Marco copies me. Once his focus is on calming down, I back away and help Royce, the head hunter following along until both men have calmed down from the shock of the news.

“Look. I know this is hard to take in, but this alpha wants to make a peace treaty, and has offered us a good fifty acres of land, plus an additional three million dollars we can use to expand the pack.” Once everyone has returned to their seats, Amelia continues to explain the situation and this time Royce and Marco are able to accept this. Their pack was destroyed over a land dispute. With Shadow Moon willingly giving us land, they are admitting to their own guilt and misdeeds.

“It is a good deal,” I muse, this time reaching for Marco’s hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. He closes his eyes, and we give him a moment to think. The late wolves of Silver Paw were part of his family. He felt each and every one of their losses personally.

“Have you accepted their deal yet?” Royce asks breaking the silence.

“No. We have until the last day of their stay to decide if they truly feel remorseful,” Amelia answers with a sigh.

“When will they be here?” Marco chimes in, making me smile as I see a sort of understanding in his gaze.

“Tomorrow. The alpha and ten of his wolves will be here tomorrow.”

26

Lucas

Running through the forest in wolf form, I catch the scent of a deer and pause. The warriors have had a hard time finding game meat lately, and the omegas in charge of cooking for the pack have had to spend more money in town on meat. I decide to put off returning to the pack house for Marilyn’s welcome back party, to focus on hunting and bringing in this deer. Tonight will be the night that the wolves who left for Ivory Fangs arrive there, and Simon promised that he would let me know when Beta Lilac has received them safely. To think, four days ago we sent a group of fifteen wolves this time, and my father had no clue.

I smirk inwardly as I pad across the forest floor, careful not to step on any twigs that might alert my prey. It has been two weeks since our first batch left the pack. From what I was told, they were happier in Ivory Fangs, and some were even promoted in the pack to a higher rank. It makes me think about Kaylee, and how she would have changed Oak Fur if I had mated her thatday. I would do anything to turn back time, to mark and claim her as mine after making love to her before her exhausted body drifted off to sleep, but I was stupid. I can’t turn back time, but I can beg for forgiveness when I find her.

I shake my head to clear the thoughts of my mate when I notice that the scent of the deer begins to fade. I need to focus on the here and now if I am to bring meat to the pack. It is clear that the warriors aren’t doing much to provide for Oak Fur when not on patrol, and I have a feeling it has something to do with Marilyn. Somehow, she managed to set her claws in my men without me noticing, and it irritates me. If it weren’t for the fact that I still have the picture of her mother held hostage, she would have probably rebelled against me by now.

[Where are you?] Simon asks as I lower my body. The deer is just a few feet away from me now, and in one fell swoop I should be able to get it with a clean kill.

[Hunting,] I reply quickly, springing into action and pushing my body off the ground. My jaw attaches to the jugular of the deer, and we fall to the ground. In minutes, it is dead, and I howl in excitement. This is the first time I have successfully killed something since Kaylee has been gone. She was always faster than me, able to take down prey without any effort, and just as fast at skinning and prepping them to be used for pack meals.

[Well hurry up. The party is about to start, and I can’t find your dad or that whore anywhere. We need an alpha present, and that leaves you.] I groan at Simon’s words, and maneuver the deer onto my back, making sure it is secured before I trot off in the direction of the pack house.

[Give me a good twenty minutes to get this deer to the omegas in the kitchen and have a shower. Hopefully by the time I am dressed and in the common area, my father and Marilyn will be there.]

[Got it. By the way, Lilac called. The wolves got there safely, but the pack is being visited by the new alpha of Shadow Moon tomorrow. She will keep us updated on if we can continue as scheduled, or have to push back sending the next fifteen wolves.] Great, another problem to deal with. I tell Simon we can deal with this tomorrow, but right now we need to focus on making sure my father stays unaware of everything going on until we can leave Oak Fur. We have a total of twenty-five wolves ready to leave. Once they are in Ivory Fangs, I am next to leave.

Since my father is clearly too obsessed with the threat of Blood Oath attacking, there is no need to keep Oak Fur as a pack, if it means everyone can gain their freedom in a pack that allows growth. Even it if means I lose my alpha status. The safety of those I call my family is more important than being an alpha.

In no time, I am at the outside back door that leads to the kitchen. I got lucky with the door being open, and I pad inside. Omegas are hard at work making food for the party, and guilt creeps in. They are packmates too. They should be enjoying the party, and not hidden away like something we should be ashamed of.

Letting out a yip to announce my presence, I watch a she-wolf jump in fright before turning around.

“Oh, Alpha Lucas,” the she-wolf calls out, her shocked face blooming into a smile as she notices the deer on my back.

---