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 Tanya’s welcome back party to focus on hunting and bringing in this deer.
My mind wanders to the reason why Warriors are having a hard time hunting. It is because the wolves that usually hunt are now gone or planning to leave soon. The second batch of wolves who left for Crescent Phoenix should be arriving there soon either late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Caspian promised that he would let me know when Beta Lilac has received them safely so I am not too worried about them being harmed. Heck, the first batch arrived safely two weeks ago and some even emailed me to thank me for helping them leave Pine Moon.
I smirk inwardly thinking about them as I pad through the forest floor careful not to step on any twigs that might alert my prey. From what I was told, they were happier in Crescent Phoenix and some were promoted in the pack to a higher rank. It makes me think about Brynlee and how she would have changed Pine Moon if I had mated her that day. 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. I was an idiot for thinking my father would take my side and allow me to be with Brynlee. Unfortunately for me, 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 Pine Moon when they are not on patrol and I have a feeling it has something to do with Tanya. Somehow she managed to set her claws in my men without me noticing and it irritates me. If it weren’t for the fact I still have the picture of her mother held hostage, she would have probably rebelled against me by now.
[Where are you?] Caspian asks as I lower my body. The dear 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 dear 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 Brynlee 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. If she was still here, the would have created Hunters. Would have made hunting parties. But my father finds that to be a waste of our men.
[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 Caspian’s words and maneuver the dear onto my back, making sure it is secured before I trot towards the direction of the pack house.
[Give me a good twenty minutes to get this dear 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 Tanya are there.]
[Got it. By the way, Lilac called. The wolves got there safely but the pack is being visited by the new Alpha of Onix Moon tomorrow so she will keep us updated on if we can continue as schedule or push back sending the next fifteen wolves.] Great, another problem to deal with. I tell Caspian we can deal with this tomorrow. Right now, we need to focus on making sure my father stays unaware of everything going on until we can leave Pine Moon.
In no time I am at the outside back door that leads to the kitchen. Luckily for me, the Omegas left the back door open to allow the fresh air into the stuffy Kitchen. Padding inside, I find the Omegas hard at work making food for the party and guilt creeps in. They are pack mates too and 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 Rune.” The she-wolf calls out, her shocked face blooming into a smile as she notices the deer on my back.
“Fresh game! Did you just catch this?” She asks with a smile as two more Omegas come to carefully lift the deer off of me.
[I scented it on my run and figured the pack could use it.] I link this she-wolf, watching as another look of surprise flash across her face. I realize I have never linked the Omegas before and its not wonder she is shocked by my kindness. My father ingrained into me that they are beneath us as they are the weakest of the pack and only good for menial labor.
However, Brynlee taught me all wolves no matter their strength are equals in a pack. Without the Omegas, the menial tasks would not be done and us stronger wolves would not be able to focus on our jobs of protecting the pack from Rogues and invaders.
“Well, thank you Alpha. We could use a few more but I understand that the Warriors are busy.” The she-wolf states before returning to her work. I try to search my mind for this she-wolf’s name but come up empty. It seems I do not know my pack like I thought I did. Feeling guilty, I open my link to all the Omegas and thank them for their hard work and that I appreciate them before leaving the kitchen.
Padding towards the front foyer, I climb the steps towards my room to find Jett waiting for me outside. He silently opens the door and tells me that he will look for my father while I shower before he closes the door behind me. Left alone, I shift back to my human form, take a deep breath and scent the air. I knew I smelt honey the moment I entered my room and sure enough Tanya’s scent lingers. It is only her scent thankfully and with a bit of investigation, I find a few hidden cameras with voice recording features scattered about. It seems she is trying to find some information on me.
Chuckling to myself, I link Jett and Caspian the news, both men furious on my behalf. After reassuring them that I will deal with the cameras later, I shut the link down and head for a shower. Something inside me is screaming that tonight will be a long one and I need to mentally prepare myself before I face the pack, my father and especially that whore Tanya.