The MATE He Threw Away

Tanya

My calves throbbed with a persistent ache. I shifted my weight from my foot to my right gripping the tray of champagne glasses. We had been standing against the wall of the pack hall for over three hours blending into the background like pieces of furniture.

"My legs are going to snap off " Kayla whispered next to me.

"Keep your voice down " I whispered back my eyes fixed firmly on the floor.

"If Elder Araric hears you we are cleaning the kennels for a month."

I was the packs dumpster. I was the girl with no past. Three years ago Gibeons warriors found me bleeding out near the border after a rogue attack wiped out whoever I used to be. I woke up with zero memories of my childhood my family or my original pack. The Silver Ridge pack paid for my shelter and my basic education but in return I was an omega. I was a maid expected to serve without complaint.

The doors at the end of the hall suddenly swung open. The temperature in the room plummeted.

Gibeon stalked into the hall. Gibeon was the Alpha of our pack. Elder Almante and Elder Araric hurried behind Gibeon like shadows.

"Your Highness " Elder Almante started, Elder Almantes voice trembling as Elder Almante tried to keep up with Gibeons strides.

"The council has made a decision."

Gibeon spun around Gibeons coat flaring around his knees.

"I do not care about the councils decision, Almante. My word is the law in this territory."

"You have to listen, Gibeon " Elder Araric pleaded, Elder Araric stepping forward with his hands raised in surrender.

"The Supreme Alpha is asking questions. Your uncle in the pack is losing patience. If Gibeon does not produce an heir the title goes to Fedrick by the full moon."

Fedrick. Gibeons stepbrother. Just hearing the name made my stomach twist. Fedrick was a snake and everyone in the quarters knew Fedrick was secretly aligned with the Northern Pack.

Gibeon let out a hollow laugh that made my chest tight. Gibeon took a step toward the elders. "You want Gibeon to take a breeder? You want Gibeon to disrespect Gibeons wife while she lies fighting for her life?"

"Thea is dying, Alpha!" Almante yelled.

The entire grand hall went dead silent. Kayla grabbed my arm Kaylas nails digging painfully into my skin. We were not supposed to hear this. Thea, our Luna went out to settle a border dispute, with the North six months ago. It was a trap. Theas guard was. Thea was left bleeding on the snow just to send a message to Gibeon. Since that night Thea had been trapped in a comatose state infected with the Shadow-Blight, a rare wolf illness that slowly ate away the soul.

"Watch your mouth, Almante " Gibeon growled.

Almante cowered in respect Almante dropping his gaze to Gibeons shoes. "Forgive me Your Highness. I overstepped."

"What would you rather do then?" Araric asked softly Araric ignoring the pressure filling the room.

"Are you finally giving the throne to your brother? You know what Fedrick will do to this pack if Fedrick takes the seat. We will be plunged into a war we cannot win."

Gibeon paced the floor. Gibeon ran a hand through his dark hair.

He looked exhausted, yet incredibly terrifying. He looked like a king cornered by his laws.

"It has been the tradition of our ancestors " Almante pressed on Almantes confidence returning slightly. "It will not start from Gibeons reign to break it. We are not asking Gibeon to replace Thea. We love our Luna. We are simply asking Gibeon to choose a breeder. Someone to give Gibeon a heir until the Lunas sickness is finally cured."

Gibeon stopped pacing. Gibeon looked up at the windows his broad shoulders rising and falling with breaths. The silence stretched for long my legs started to go completely numb.

"Fine " Gibeon finally spat.

The elders let out a collective shaking breath.

". On one condition " Gibeon added. Gibeons voice was completely devoid of emotion now.

"The moment the pup is born she leaves. I will not have a female lingering around my pack house pretending that she matters to me. She serves her purpose she receives her payment. She leaves."

"Agreed " Araric said quickly bowing his head. "We can bring in females from the territories by tomorrow morning. Ranking wolves with good bloodlines."

"No " Gibeon snapped, adjusting his cuffs. "I do not have time for a courtship charade or political games with alphas. I want this done quietly. Get the omegas ready."

"My blood ran cold."

"The omegas?" Almante gasped, taking a step back in shock. "Your Highness they are servants. People of no hierarchy. They are practically owned by the pack."

"They have working wombs do they not?" Gibeon retorted, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "Line them up. Now."

"Panic erupted among the servants. Kayla hauled me up to my feet her hands shaking violently."

"What do you think is going to happen?" Kayla whispered, her eyes wide with terror.

"I do not know, Kayla " I lied. I knew exactly what was going to happen. One of us was going to be forced into a bed treated like nothing more than a biological incubator and then thrown out into the wilderness the moment a child was born.

"Form a line!" Araric barked, clapping his hands loudly. "All omegas, into the center of the hall! Move quickly!"

"I stumbled forward my legs trembling badly I could barely support my own weight. There were twelve of us working the hall tonight. Twelve terrified girls standing shoulder to shoulder. I squeezed my eyes shut my heart was thumping fast."

"Gibeon turned slowly. He walked toward the line."

"Every step he took echoed in the hall. His scent hit me first. Rain, dark woods and an intoxicating spicy musk that made my inner wolf whimper in fear and undeniable attraction."

"He walked past the three girls without even looking at them."

"He passed Kayla."

"He stopped in front of me."

"I kept my head bowed, staring blankly at his shoes. My breath hitched in my throat. Please keep walking I prayed silently to the Moon Goddess. Please one more step."

"Gibeon reached out. His large warm hand gripped my chin tightly forcing my face up. His dark eyes locked onto mine. There was no warmth, in them. He looked at me. I held my breath terrified that if I exhaled he would snap my neck."

"He studied my face for seconds. He noted the way my bottom lip trembled and the way my eyes pleaded with him to let me go."

"A tiny smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth."

"Gibeon dropped his hand from my chin. Pointed a finger directly at my chest."

"This one " Gibeon said softly.

"Have her. Sent to my chambers immediately.”