CH5 - Kyla's POV

I can’t look at my beta or any of my scouts as I surrender to the alpha before me, nor when he forces me to lead him and his warriors to my home. The rest of the pack will need to be collected, as we have no choice but to go back to his land.

I imagine he wants me there with him, to ensure the rest of my pack doesn’t fight his pack. They’ll need to know he is their alpha now, too. I hate this. I hate it so much, but I can’t win against this alpha. He is just too strong.

I can hear the panic in my pack’s voices as soon as they see me and the larger alpha next to me. They probably already know what is going on, with or without me telling them.

I order them to gather everyone in the yard and it isn’t long before everyone is standing in the yard. Even with everyone here now, we would still be no match against this alpha and his warriors. It is scary to think that someone would be that powerful.

Looking at all of my pack, the alpha holds his head high as he claims, in a loud and clear voice, “your luna has lost and submitted herself and this pack to me. You have a few hours to gather some personal items and then we will head back to my pack lands.”

Whispers ring out between my pack as they wonder nervously what will happen to them. I wish I knew, but I don’t even know what’ll happen to me yet.

“I’ll have my pack make a few trips back here with a few of you, to collect anything else, but after that, this land is no longer your home… not that there is much of it,” he adds, shaking his head slowly.

I grit my teeth within my maw. It might not be an enormous home, but it is our home and we are proud of it. How can he mock us like this and then assume this place isn’t worth anyone staying here?

As soon as the pack has gathered everything they want to bring with them, the alpha has us moving off. I still haven’t transformed back yet as I don’t know what this alpha has planned, but he hasn’t changed yet either. He is probably keeping himself in this form just to be prepared should I try anything foolish.

He has me walk beside him, though I really wish he would just let me trail behind with his warriors or something so that I do not have to be the centre of attention when his pack sees me. This is humiliating enough as it is.

As we arrive further into his lands, I realise just how big this pack is. Were there always this many werewolves in this pack before? And what happened to the last leaders? Were they killed by this alpha when he took over? Or did he replace them for another reason?

Dereck had told me he was new, but even he knew nothing about him. Wherever he had come from, he was surely a warrior without a rival.

Had this been under different circumstances, I would have been impressed at how modern this place looked compared to my pack lands. The packhouse itself is more like a mansion than my little cottage.

Walls and steel bars surround the mansion with tall gates that are guarded by muscular warriors. How did his pack become so strong? That’s what I want to know. Are they eating special foods or were they born this buff?

I glance back behind me, worried about the lives of my pack. If we’re trapped in this mansion, then none of them will get the chance to escape.

“Don’t worry, my little luna,” the alpha tells me with a hint of amusement. “They’ll be safe in my pack. Safer than staying where you were. The other packs would have eaten you all alive.”

I return my gaze to the ground in front of me and nod slowly. I don’t know if that is the truth, but I am aware we have been struggling lately. If we would have been slaughtered by the other packs or not, I couldn’t say.

I can feel the alpha staring down at me, which makes me feel so conscious. I glance up at him, but I can’t get a reading of his emotions or feelings.

“My little luna, you look scared,” he points out as we stop at the gates and wait for them to open.

I shoot him a glance. Of course, I am! Why wouldn’t I be scared? I have submitted myself to him and I don’t know what my future will hold if I even have a future.

He chuckled softly at me and then led us inside the gates. He looked around and then barked his orders, “take the rest of the pack to the guest wing until we get their new accommodations seen to.”

Did he want me to go with them, or was I to remain with him? I couldn’t figure out what I needed to do.

“You’re to stay with me, my little luna,” he soon explained to me. The look on my face must have hinted at my thoughts.

Glancing back to my pack as they were led away, I spotted Dereck. We shared a worried look between us, but no words could be given.

This alpha soon leads me off with a low, “this way, my little luna.” The way he walks is full of pride. His walk almost looked preppy while his head was held high and his maw held in a wolfish grin. As soon as we got into the packhouse, he paused in the kitchen, which is twice the size of the one in my packhouse.

“Alpha Cedric! You’re back? Hungry?” An omega asks with a cheerful smile. That she is so happy speaks well of how he treats his lowest pack members. That gives me hope my pack will be treated fairly.

“Yes. Bring me snacks to my room, and drinks,” he tells them, then pauses to look at me. “Are you allergic to anything?” I shake my head slowly. “Good,” he nods and then turns and continues his walk with me.

At first, I assumed he was leading me to the dungeons, but that’s not the case? I frown. I want to question him, but that isn’t something I have permission to do now that I have submitted myself to him.

As soon as we reach his room, he transforms back into his human form. I quickly lower my gaze away from him. Though it is only his back and arse that I can see, it is enough to make me feel strange.

“You can change as well,” Cedric then tells me. “I want to see your true form,” he adds with a smile. “I need to see if I have anything you can wear.”

I can feel my cheeks burn a little under my fur. Do I really have to transform in front of him? I glance up at him. His muscular form, brown hair and green eyes all draw my attention. There’s no explaining it, but I can’t look away.

I want to look away, but if I look down, I’ll see more than I want to see. “I, uh, I…” I mumble and look up. “O-okay…” I breathe and transform while he gets himself some clothes.

I cover myself up as modestly as I can, but I feel so exposed here in front of him. I wish he would just send me to the dungeons and beat me, if that is what he plans to do with me.