‘Delta, Alpha Damon is heading this way, and he looks pissed,’ Tony mind-links me. ‘Doc, I need you to run interference with the Alpha for a minute,’ I mind-link the Doc as I stand from where I was sitting on the bed. I take a washcloth from the supply cart in the room, go into the bathroom and run it under cold water. I turn back to Luna Cassia, who gives me a confused look as I give her the washcloth. “Alpha Damon is on the way. Clean your face so he hopefully won’t notice you’ve been crying,” I tell her, and she quickly wipes the cloth over her face, her hands shaking as she does it. I squeeze her shoulder reassuringly, and she takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “Move out of my way, Doctor! NOW!” I hear Alpha Damon yell, and I dash to the corner of the room and stand at attention, my eyes finding a spot on the wall to focus on. The door slams open, and Alpha Damon enters, his gaze fixed on his Luna. “You weak, pathetic…” He stops speaking when I growl unintentionall
The Following Week “How long until they get here?” Ryna asks. “Uncle Alex said they were about ten minutes away,” I say, eager to see Jason and Jess. ‘Have you spoken to Noah recently?’ I ask through mind-link. ‘Yeah, I spoke to him yesterday. They thought they were being followed just outside Minot, but he said that Rich managed to lose them. They’ve been changing cars every two days and taking as many back roads as possible. They’re flying out of St. Paul’s today.’ ‘Great. Make sure you call him later to make sure they got to John’s grandmother’s house safely.’ ‘Will do.’ I stand up from behind my desk and walk towards the door. “Come on, let’s wait for them outside,” I say, and Ryna and I go outside to wait on the porch for Uncle Alex, Jason, and Jess. ‘Who has eyes on Damon?’ I mind-link the Crescent Warriors. ‘He’s in town. We have two warriors following him. He’s meeting with Alpha Costas again,’ Leah lets me know. ‘And the Luna?’ ‘In her office, I’m standing guard with
Cassia stares at me with her mouth open. Kneeling next to her, Jess asks, “Cass? Are you okay?” “I… I don’t believe you,” she says as she breaks down. “That would mean I’m mated to a monster!” “Look at her aura, Cass. She’s not lying,” Jess says softly, rubbing Cassias’ back. Cassia’s eyes meet mine, and she studies me for a moment. “Oh Goddess,” she sobs. “What if you’re wrong? What if he didn’t tell anyone about the warehouse? What if it’s all a coincidence?” “No one else knew, Cass. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that Damon is involved in my mate’s death. That he’s responsible for a lot of what’s happened to this pack,” I say sadly. “Do you know anything that could prove any of it, Cass?” Jess asks. Cassia shakes her head. “No. He never tells me anything. I’m surprised he even let me help organize the mate’s ball. He thinks Lunas should be seen and not heard…” she hiccups as she tries to hold back more tears. “What about his visits with other packs?” I ask. “What can you
Harry places my clothes on a desk in the small guard office and then exits so that we can shift. When I’m dressed, I walk into the bunker’s main area, where everyone is waiting, and everyone falls silent. I stand there awkwardly, shifting my weight from foot to foot while everyone stares at me. ‘Remember that dream you used to have about showing up to pack school naked? This kinda feels like that,’ Enyo laughs, and my cheeks go red. “How did you command me like that, Delta?” Harry asks, breaking the silence. “I… I don’t know. It shouldn’t be possible,” I say as I run my fingers through my hair. The door swings open behind me, and Ryna, Uncle Alex, and Jason enter but stop when they sense the tension in the room. “What’s going on?” Jason asks. “Athena can Alpha command,” Tony blurts out with excitement. “What?” Uncle Alex gasps. I pinch the bridge of my nose. “It wasn’t an Alpha command,” I say with an exasperated sigh. “Then how do you explain your command being stronger than
Day of the Mate Ball “This is outrageous! I want to see my mate, NOW!” Damon screams in my face. I smile at him as I wipe droplets of spit off my face. “I’m sorry, Alpha. She doesn’t want to see you before the ball. She wants her dress to be a surprise,” I lie. “I haven’t seen my mate since Laura died, and I want to speak with her! Two weeks is too long!” He yells. “She’s been very busy with the final preparations for the ball, Alpha. Don’t you like what we did with the pack hall and the beautiful canopies? I think the fairy lights will make everything look magical when night falls,” I say with an innocent smile. “Yes, everything looks very nice,” Damon says, his teeth clenched. “However, very important people are attending this event, and I want to ensure that everything runs smoothly.” “I can assure you, Alpha, that Luna Cassia has meticulously gone over every detail. To be honest, she’s been running us ragged,” I chuckle. Before he can respond, I hear a window upstairs slide
‘Is everyone in position?’ I mind-link the Luna Guard and Crescent Warriors as we walk through the back door of the pack hall. ‘Yes, Delta.’ ‘Gamma Alex, are the rest of the warriors in position to support Nick’s men?’ ‘Yes, Delta. Everyone is in position. Now stop worrying and try to have some fun tonight,’ Uncle Alex tells me. I take a deep breath to try to calm my nerves as Cassia passes me a glass of champagne. “Here, Athena. We might not be able to get drunk, but this will help take the edge off,” she smiles, clinking her glass with mine and then Jess’s. “Cheers,” I say with a smile, downing the glass in one gulp. Tony puts his hand on the small of my back and asks, “Are you okay?” “I’m fine. I’ve just never had to give a speech in front of so many people before,” I explain. I pull the stage curtain back slightly to peer out at the people who have arrived already. “You’re going to be great, Athena,” Tony chuckles lightly. “If it helps, just picture them all naked,” he say
As we walk through the side door and into the main hall, Jess and Jason walk in front of Cassia, while Tony and I walk behind her. Cassia begins greeting and mingling with people while the four of us keep an eye on her. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Harry talking to an older man, and when he notices me, he leads the man over to us. “Delta Athena, I’d like to introduce you to Felix Denning from the Shadow Rock pack,” Harry says. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Delta,” Felix extends his hand for me to shake. “You too, Felix,” I say as I shake his hand. ‘Where’s Damon?’ Harry asks over the mind-link, and after a moment, Leah responds. ‘He’s drinking at the bar with Alpha Costas,’ she says. “It’s safe to talk, Felix,” Harry tells him. “I’m sorry, Delta,” he says. “But as I told Harry, I wasn’t able to find out what Alpha Costas and Alpha Damon are up to. But I can tell you it isn’t good, whatever it is.” “Why do you think that?” I ask him. “Alpha Costas has been leaving the
Content Warning: Mention of r@pe “Fuck you, Damon. You’re a worthless piece of shit,” I snarl at him. Damon charges at me and backhands me across the face, splitting my lip. “YOU WILL ADDRESS ME AS ALPHA!” His Alpha aura radiates from his body as he screams in my face. I laugh in his face, and he slaps me again, making me laugh harder. “You’re no Alpha. You’re nothing but scum.” He raises his hand to strike me again, but Nick catches his arm. “How are you fighting his Alpha command?” Nick asks, eyeing me curiously. “I don’t take commands from filthy mutts.” Nick drops Damon’s arm and points to me. “Command her again,” he tells Damon. Damon lowers himself to my eye level. “SUBMIT TO ME!” He roars in my face, unleashing his full Alpha aura and shaking the vases in the room. When he’s finished, I look at him blankly and then laugh again. “Wow, that was a good one, Damon. It felt like you blew your entire load on it.” Damon steps back in surprise as he realizes he really can’t comm