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AMIA

The best parties always ended with blood.

I knew people were watching me, so I kept my eyes on the floor while the leader of the Mooncrest Pack got ripped apart.

I was not just any low-ranking wolf. I belonged to the most powerful wolf here, so I had to act sweet and quiet. Omegas were not supposed to like violence. A sight like this was supposed to scare me.

I had played this innocent role for so long that it was easy to slip back into it.

It took a little effort tonight, though.

Talon, the dead leader bleeding out in the ring, had beaten his omega for months and then tried to kill her. He deserved to die. I was glad I got to see it happen.

Valor, the leader of the Shadow Oak Pack, stood in the center of the ring. He won the fight.

The surrounding wolves cheered for him.

The young omegas from the local school had been sent away earlier so they would not see the blood. That meant beside Luna, the beaten omega, I was the only omega left in the room.

I did not cheer.

I looked down at the ground instead.

A heavy hand touched my shoulder to comfort me.

"Are you doing fine?" King Orion asked.

I nodded.

I tried hard not to look back at the bloody mess in the ring. I looked across the room at the other shifters instead. Most of them were still shouting and enjoying the fight.

Then my eyes met another man's eyes.

I looked away fast.

I did not want anyone to think I was anything less than a gentle omega.

King Orion saved my life years ago. I would do almost anything to keep my leader and king happy.

Orion brought me into his pack when I had nowhere to go. I was the only omega he had accepted in decades, and he gave me everything I needed.

The old wolf gave me safety, but he never gave me love or touch.

I did not even realize how much I wanted closeness until I saw Luna's new leaders gather around her. They touched her arms and led her away to celebrate their win against her abuser.

"Let this be a warning," Orion's loud voice echoed through the room. "If you do not take care of your omegas, death will come for you."

The crowd cheered again.

People started moving toward the food, drinks, and music. These parties went on until morning, so there were still hours left to celebrate.

We were here for a few reasons.

Luna was joining the Shadow Oak Pack.

The local inn was opening its doors again.

The pack was also welcoming new lieutenants.

These events gave packs a chance to show off, allowed schools to display their young omegas, and helped leaders make new deals.

It was also a night for people to drink too much and make mistakes.

I felt tired and drained.

Usually, I liked these events. They gave me a break from Orion's aggressive, male-dominated pack. I got to talk to other women, dress up, travel to new places, and see how other omegas lived.

I liked the gossip and the fun.

I had a safe life.

I had everything I could ask for.

Yet my chest hurt as I watched Luna walk away with men who cared about her.

"Pathetic," I mumbled under my breath.

I picked up my glass and took a big drink of champagne.

"What did you say, dear?" Orion asked me.

"I said perfect," I lied quickly. "Everything is working out so well for Luna. She deserves good things."

That last part was true.

Luna was brave, but she was also kind.

"I like her too," Orion said. "I think she will help the Shadow Oak Pack grow strong. I am just sorry you had to watch all that blood."

I almost rolled my eyes.

Shifter life was always violent. Orion's pack was one of the meanest packs around, and fighting happened every single day.

"I only saw a bad man get what he deserved," I said, tapping his arm. "If you do not mind, I am going to ask Hawk to dance."

"You never stop trying with him, do you?"

"Where is the fun in giving up?"

Hawk was Orion's newest fighter, and he was hard to deal with.

Like most wolves in our pack, he was quick to anger.

Because he was new, someone had to watch him constantly, which was why he came to the party tonight.

I liked picking on him.

Friendly teasing was good for him, and pushing boundaries helped me deal with my boring daily routine.

When I walked back into the main room, Hawk was gone.

None of Orion's men were around.

Orion had not followed me either, which meant I was standing by myself.

Male wolves were coming back inside, and local omegas ran up to talk and dance with them.

My heart sank a bit.

When Orion stood next to me, I could dance with anyone I wanted because no one would dare cross him.

Without him beside me, no man would touch me.

Then someone touched my elbow.

I turned around, thinking someone had bumped into me by accident.

But his fingers wrapped around my arm and pulled tighter.

I looked up into cold blue eyes.

I had never spoken to this man before, but I recognized his face.

He was the man who had been staring at me from across the room earlier.

He was handsome.

Dark hair fell to his shoulders, matching his long, dark eyelashes.

He had sharp cheekbones, a strong square jaw, and a small smirk on his lips as he looked down at me.

"Hello, Omega," he said in a low, deep voice.

His voice hit me like a physical force.

It felt surprisingly comforting, but it also made my skin burn with heat.

A heavy rush of energy crashed into me.

My legs went soft, and I would have fallen if he was not holding my arm so tight.

A bond was forming.

For a second, I thought it was just a regular pack connection.

But it felt different.

It did not ask for my permission, but it did not feel violent either.

It fit into place naturally, like a piece of me that had been missing for years.

It was a mate bond.

My eyes went wide.

His eyes went wide too.

He pulled me closer to his chest.

"No," he growled, staring down at my face. "No, it cannot be you. It fucking cannot be you."

That was rude.

I wanted to hit him, but my body would not move.

He bent his head down toward me, and my heart started beating fast against my ribs.

He was going to kiss me right here in the middle of the room.

A sharp spark of excitement ran down my spine.

I could not remember the last time someone had kissed me just because they wanted to.

"Mine," he growled.

His lips touched mine for a split second.

Then he was dragged away.

Shouts broke out around us as someone yanked him back.

Rex, an alpha from the Shadow Oak Pack who worked for Valor, stepped between us.

He pulled his lips back and showed his teeth.

This was bad.

Shadow Oak was hosting the party, which meant Rex was supposed to keep everyone safe.

I was the one person no one was allowed to touch.

My mate growled and took a step forward.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

"Are you crazy?" Rex yelled back. "Do you have any idea who she is?"

Rex turned his head and lightly touched my arm.

"Amia? Are you hurt?"

My mate slammed his fist straight into Rex's face.

Rex stumbled backward.

He wiped blood off his lip and looked up, his eyes full of anger.

"Alpha Zander! Control yourself. She is...."

"I know who she is," Zander snarled, his teeth bare. "And you put your hands on her."

"I challenge you, Rex."

"To the death."