Chapter 03

There was a sense of excitement in the air and a real celebratory vibe all around The Commons for the newly proclaimed Foundation Day.

Everything had gone according to the plan Cara and Dane had plotted and got Lucas to buy into. Not only did they both stage brutal coups to remove their problematic Alphas, but they agreed to unite and merge the two packs.

There were benefits for both packs. The nomads of Cape Point would have more room to roam, and Green Plains would gain access to the Cape's superior warrior army to defend itself from the attacks and invasions that were becoming more frequent. Green Plains had a lot of land, and all of the surrounding packs wanted a share of it.

Once the merger had been approved by the leadership teams of both packs, it was embraced by the greater pack members wholeheartedly. They had all looked forward to this day for weeks, and there was going to be one hell of a party that would probably last for days.

Colourful bunting lined the fences, and a band was playing on a side stage as members of both packs mingled, danced and laughed together for the first time in history.

“Beta Dane!” shouted a heavily pregnant Sarah Morgan as she approached with a wide smile. “Or I suppose it’s Alpha now?”

“It’s fine, Sarah. I’m only Alpha for another fifteen minutes anyway. I’ll be a Beta again when the new pack is made official,” he replied with a smile. It was good to see Sarah relaxed and happy for the first time in months.

“I just wanted to thank you again for everything you’ve done. You saved my life, my baby’s life, and I’m sure my mate would have lived through hell if Alpha Patrick had gotten his way,” she said as tears of gratitude welled in her eyes. “If the baby is a boy, we’re naming him Dane.”

“I’d be honoured, Sarah, thank you.”

Cara stood by his side, her arm linked with his, bursting with pride at her soon-to-be chosen mate. She really was the luckiest she-wolf in the pack.

As the band finished up their set, attention turned to the main stage, adorned with large flags bearing the name and insignia of the new pack, Green Cape.

Cara gave Dane a kiss backstage and wished him good luck as she made her way around to the front to join the crowd forming near the main stage to watch proceedings.

The five people that were about to form the leadership team of the newly merged pack were mingling backstage, but the makeup of the positions were only known by Lucas. Dane and Lucas had decided as part of their initial plan that by having the bigger pack, Lucas should reign as Alpha. 

Dane was the only former Cape Point member included, which didn't surprise him, but he was struggling to work out which order everyone else would slot in below him. He went through it in his mind as his eyes darted around.

Lucas had to play quite the political game just to get the removal of Marcus and the merger agreed to. Promises were made, assurances given, and deals made. Those that helped persuade others to give their blessings expected to be rewarded in this shake up, with Lucas wanting to sweep a broom through Marcus' leadership structure.

Lucas took to the stage and addressed the crowd. Cheers and applause were dotted through his speech as he spoke of a new beginning for both packs, and a prosperous future. A small minority of people who were loyal to Marcus and Patrick had made their presence known, but the overwhelming feeling in the air was that of positivity.

He then introduced his new leadership team and invited them onto stage, one-by-one.

As Lucas began to introduce his Beta, Dane started to take a few steps forward.

“Beta Thomas Pearce,” Lucas announced.

Dane froze in his tracks as a tall, curly haired man pushed past him. He tried to keep his face neutral, but internally his mind was swimming. He couldn't believe what just happened, this wasn’t part of the plan. When the idea of the merger was put to Lucas, the agreement had always been that Dane would be Beta.

He watched on incredulously as Lucas continued to overlook him as he announced the Gamma and Delta positions. His rage was growing fiercer by the minute, and it was getting harder to maintain a cool façade. With no one else left backstage, Lucas introduced Dane to the crowd.

“And finally, one of the most important jobs in this new pack – Head Warrior. Dane Larssen will lead and develop our warrior army, and make them the biggest and most feared in the nation.”

What the fuck? Head Warrior? thought Dane. I’m supposed to be Beta. This is a massive demotion.

At this point, Dane’s wolf, Stig, wanted to shift and rip Lucas' throat out, and Dane was quite happy to let him. Instead, he pushed Stig back and calmly walked off stage as the crowd applauded him. To the audience everything appeared fine, but the parting look he shot Lucas told a different story.

He stormed off into the crowd and found Cara, needing to be as far away from Lucas as possible. As he approached her, he saw the look on her face mirrored his own. She was furious. If he wasn’t so mad himself, it would be hot.

“What the hell was that?” she demanded.

“That wasn’t the plan. He completely screwed me over.”

“We need to fix this, Dane. It can’t happen like this.”

“Babe, I know it’s not ideal and I’m mad about it too, but at least we’ll still be together. Patrick can’t stop me from choosing you now.”

Cara felt a pang in her chest. It shouldn’t matter to her that Dane was no longer a Beta…but it did. For years now, she’d been the Beta’s girlfriend. Even though she was an Omega, being with Dane meant people looked at her in a different light. Even her family fell under the Beta’s protection. 

The thought of sliding back down the ranks again was utterly devastating. Her heart was racing, her hands were shaking, and all the anger that was now churning in her gut was focused on one person.

“Who the fuck does he think he is?” she raged.

“Your mate!” interrupted Lucas from behind as he breathed in her scent.