Chapter 6

After some time, Still waiting on the bench, I calmed down a bit and my stomach began to settle. I had a feeling they wouldn’t even need me, but I knew well enough to just remain in my seat. So I stayed on the small bench just staring at the decorated wooden door across from me. 

I looked up when two guards dressed in green fatigues marched past, their eyes straight ahead and shoulders back, with a small boy following behind them.  He must have been 7 or 8. He was so young but there was a faint aura coming off of him. His black hair and rich dark eyes gave him away. He only looked my way for a second and I gave a small smile. It wasn't returned. 

I realized he was the Alpha’s son. No one saw him much. He didn’t attend the normal pack school and never played with the other pack children. Our pack never had a Luna, so some wondered who his mother was. Rumors were that the Alpha never found his mate and impregnated an omega slave, one of the lowest ranked pack members. Omega females were used as cooks, maids, and sex acts for the higher ranked pack members, some willingly and others not so much. 

No one really knew the truth of the boy’s birth, and to discuss it was considered treason. A crime punishable by banishment or even death. A shudder of fear rushed through me at the thought. 

That poor woman, if it was true. She most likely would have been killed. 

I hated this pack. I often wondered if my mate was from another pack, would I one day be allowed to leave here and join his? But it was just daydreaming. I knew I'd remain alone, hiding this strange ability that I never asked for. My curse. How would I ever find him when I rarely leave my home.

I came back to reality when I thought I heard shouting. I was used to the deep booming voice of my father. The Alpha no doubt had a voice that cut like a knife. But the shouting was definitely a woman.

My stomach jumped as my eyes went wide. 

Mom? What is she doing? Trying to get us killed?

I slowly stood up, checking up and down the hall that there was no one else around before tiptoeing to the office door. I placed my ear gently to the cold door bracing myself with my hands.Their voices were lower now and I could barely make out what they were saying until I heard my mother speak loudly again.

“She has a mate out there somewhere. She’s almost 18 and will be able to find him. And what if you find your mate one day, what happens then? You cast Farah aside?” She yelled. 

My heart rate picked up and I instantly felt dizzy. What is she talking about?

The Alpha’s voice came out in a loud growl, “It's funny you think I was asking. If I want her as mine, then it will be done!” 

My body jolted away from the door at the sound of my Alpha’s growl. I stood back stunned at what I was hearing.

 Are they talking about me? He wants me to be his mate? Arranged mates never happened anymore. It went against the goddess. 

I shook my head trying to clear my mind. 

Dear goddess, Please don't let him take me. He'd find out about my secret. 

My body began to shake. A wave of fear washed through my body. 

I heard another growl and still shaking I slowly lowered myself to look through the keyhole in the door. Through the tiny hole was my dad standing up to our Alpha. He pulled my mother behind him protectively, as him and the Alpha stood face to face. 

“Control your woman!” Alpha Killian thrusted his finger into my father’s chest with every word. 

“You have one more chance to fix this and give me what I want! I will make her mine before she comes of age and finds another. Then you have no worry of her finding her mate. I will mark her tonight!” The Alpha pointed at my father. 

Dear Selene. He can't! My Alpha is talking of committing a crime against the goddess. No one can be claimed underage. Now trembling, I could barely keep my balance crouched next to the door. 

I've never seen my father so angry that his wolf pushed forward. 

My father let out a fierce growl, his claws elongating and canines showing.

“It goes against the goddess to claim someone before they are of age!  And you will not do this to me again!” My father’s growl echoed in the room.

And with that Alpha Killian’s claws extended and in an instant slashed through my father’s throat. 

Dear Goddess NO! My legs gave and I fell backwards to the floor. I clasped my hands over my mouth to muffle the scream that tried to escape. 

Mom! I instantly crawled back to the keyhole. 

My mother winced in pain, no doubt feeling the bond breaking now that my father was dying while clutching his neck. He collapsed to his knees trying to hold back the bleeding, but the crimson pool on the floor around him only grew. 

I was holding my breath. Afraid to cry out or even make a sound. 

My mother lunged towards the Alpha, however he moved back quickly and she only managed to rake her claws down his face. He caught her in mid air by the throat, bringing her tiny body closer to his as she thrashed in his hold.

He placed his other hand on her head and broke her neck with one movement, dropping her limp body on the floor. 

RUN.

It was draining reliving the experience again, but I explained everything that happened up to me finding the packhouse stairs.  My body was trembling uncontrollably now remembering everything.

I pulled my legs up closer, hugging them to my chest. Desperately looking for comfort.  

The alpha’s men had chased me out of the pack territory; What if they came looking for me? They wouldn’t. I’m not that important.

Beta Luca and Dr. Killian didn’t recognize the Night Shade pack by name or Alpha Killian. Luca mentioned knowing all the surrounding pack Alphas, either through meetings or treaties. We realized I had to have fled for 12 hours straight, and had to have covered almost 250 miles between running in wolf form and the rapids pulling me down the river.

“I’m sorry that happened to you. I will not stand for any Alpha who goes against the goddess. I assure you that you are safe here. You can stay as long as you like.” Beta Luca said gently, his warm honey colored eyes showing only honesty. I could see he understood my pain. 

“Thank you, I have nowhere else to go,” I replied between sobs, hanging my head. My mind and body had given up. I had to stay here. I had nothing else. 

“Then, as Beta of the Black Moon Pack, I assure you, you have a new home here.”

A new home?

My mind went to the only person I possibly had left. My ease was suddenly replaced by horror. I hadn't seen him or talked to him in six months. 

My head snapped back up. “My brother… Dylan, I don’t know if he knows what happened. He was sent away for training.” 

“Your brother? Ok, I’ll find out where Alpha Killian sends his trainees. I’ll find him myself if I have to.”  I could hear the conviction in his voice. 

I had no clue why he would do that for me, why he was so accepting. 

I could finally sit back and breathe deep. I felt a little better that I told them everything and they seemed willing to help. Well, not exactly everything. My own secret was mine to keep.

If they found out, I could be right back where I started. I shuddered at the thought. 

Wait, did Alpha Killian know? But how? 

We were so careful. My family gave up every bit of a normal life to hide it. My mother once said it wasn't normal and could be of interest to others. Or was it just that I was coming of age? 

My parents mentioned that things would get more difficult when I turned 18 and went unclaimed. But to always hold out for my mate. 

Would he send someone for me? Barter for me to be given back? I couldn’t let anyone know. They seemed to truly care though, and I wanted to feel like I could be safe here.

I was staring at the bed deep in thought. 

“Ok, I want you to get a little more rest. And stay the night under observation. I will release you from my care in the morning. I also think you should try to eat a little something before I get going,” Dr. William said with a fatherly tone. I found myself giving him a half smile. 

“Take out it is!”  Beta Luca yelled with a much too excited grin. I jumped at his reaction. 

The doc rolled his eyes and gave a quick laugh. 

“Watch out for this one.” He said, gesturing with his thumb towards Luca. “I’ll be back to check on you in the morning.”