The pack explodes

The pack exploded into chaos the moment Derek said those words.

“I claim Austin Gray as mine.”

At first, it was silent. A heavy uncomfortable silence that felt like it was pressing down on me. Then everyone started talking at once.

“This is crazy!” someone shouted.

“You’re bringing shame to the Blood Moon Pack!” another person yelled.

“The Moon Goddess would never agree to this!” someone else said.

People were talking from over the courtyard. The elders were standing with their staffs in hand, and their robes were touching the stone floor. The warriors were getting angry some of them growling low in their throats. The air was filled with the smell of anger and hurt.

I was standing next to Derek. My hands were shaking. I was trying to keep them still. I couldn’t. Derek was calm and strong beside me.

I was not like him.

I could feel everyone staring at me. I could feel their judgment and their hate.

One of the elders, Elder Rowan, pointed his staff at Derek. His face was red with anger. “Alpha take back what you said. This is wrong. You can’t claim him. He already had a mate.”

A lot of people agreed with him.

The word “wrong” hit me hard.

Derek didn’t even flinch. He spoke clearly and firmly. “The bond chose us. I didn’t force it.”

Another elder said, “That’s impossible. The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.”

Derek’s jaw got tight. “Maybe you don’t understand what she wants.”

The crowd gasped.

Nobody talks to the elders like that.

I swallowed hard. My heart was beating fast. I could barely think. I wanted to disappear. I felt like everyone could see through me.

The warriors behind us started talking.

“Our alpha is weak.”

“He’s putting the pack in danger for an omega.”

“After everything that happened?”

That last whisper hurt me.

I knew what they were talking about. I didn’t need them to say it loud.

Adrian.

I made myself not look for him. I could feel him in the crowd. I could always sense him now, even after the bond between us was broken, and I was connected to Derek instead.

Derek stepped in front of me a little.

“You will show respect “ he warned.

His voice was loud and clear like thunder. Some of the warriors looked down. Others didn’t.

Elder Rowan’s lips got thin. “Respect is earned, Alpha. You want us to accept this bond like it’s normal. You’re hurting your brother. You’re dividing the pack.”

Derek’s shoulders got stiff.

I felt like I was going to suffocate.

This was all my fault.

Every angry look, every accusation, every problem in the pack.

I took a step forward before I could stop myself.

“Please “ I said.

My voice was soft. People near the front heard me.

“I didn’t ask for this “ I said.

Someone laughed, a laugh. “Of course you didn’t. Omegas never ask. They just take.”

My hands curled into fists.

I made myself keep talking. “The bond happened. I felt it. I didn’t make it happen. I didn’t plan it. I would never try to hurt the pack.”

Elder Rowan looked at me like I was nothing. “You already hurt us.”

His words felt like a slap.

Derek’s hand touched mine for a moment. It was a reminder that he was there for me.

It didn’t calm the storm.

Then Adrian spoke up.

“That’s enough “ he said.

Everything stopped.

The crowd moved apart as he stepped forward. He still had authority even though Derek was the alpha now.

Adrian looked at Derek first. “You made your decision quickly “ he said. His voice was steady. I could hear something underneath it something angry.

Derek looked back at him. “The bond doesn’t wait for meetings.”

Some warriors shifted uncomfortably.

Adrian’s jaw got tight. “What about loyalty?”

The word hung in the air heavily.

Derek’s voice didn’t waver. “My loyalty is to the Moon Goddess and to the pack. The bond is not a betrayal.”

Adrian finally looked at me.

My stomach dropped.

“Do you feel it?” he asked me.

My throat was dry. “Yes.”

He asked, “Stronger than before?”

I had to tell the truth. “Yes.”

The crowd started talking

Adrian looked away first.

For a moment I saw a crack in his mask. I saw pain before he hid it.

The elder, Rowan said, “This is tearing the pack apart. We can’t stay divided.”

Derek turned to face everyone. “You’re divided because you choose to be. The bond is real whether you like it or not. Austin is under my protection. If you disrespect him you’re disrespecting me.”

The whispers started again meaner this time.

“He protects him much.”

“He’s putting us in danger.”

“Is he thinking like an alpha or like a mate?”

I felt smaller with each word.

Derek looked at the elders. “If someone wants to challenge my claim say it now.”

It was silent.

It wasn’t a peaceful silence.

It was tense like a storm waiting to happen.

Elder Rowan spoke up his voice tight. “This won’t be forgotten.”

Derek nodded a little. “It doesn’t need to be forgotten. It needs to be understood.”

The meeting ended,. Nobody left peacefully. Groups. The Warriors talked in harsh tones. Elders gathered together talking in voices.

I stood there unsure what to do.

Derek turned to me. His eyes were softer. “Come “ he said.

I followed him. Every step felt hard.

As we walked across the courtyard I could feel people staring at me.

“This is my fault “ I said quietly.

Derek stopped.

He turned to face me. “Look at me “ he said.

I did.

“You didn’t make this happen “ he said. “Don’t take blame thats not yours.”

“But they hate me “ I said.

“They’re scared of change “ he said.

I shook my head. “No they’re scared of weakness.. They think I’m weak.”

His face got hard. “You’re not weak.”

I almost laughed.

“I’m an omega who couldn’t even keep his mate “ I said before I could stop myself.

The words tasted bad.

Derek’s eyes flashed. “Don’t talk about yourself like that “ he said firmly.

“It’s the truth “ I said.

“It’s not,” he said. “If anyone says that they’ll answer to me.”

His protectiveness should have made me feel better.

It made me feel worse.

“I don’t want you fighting the pack because of me “ I whispered.

“They’re not fighting because of you “ he said. “They’re fighting because their ideas are being challenged.”

We started walking

My mind wouldn’t quiet down.

I kept thinking about all the looks I got today. The disgust, the disappointment, the anger.

Adrian’s face.

We got to the palace steps. The guards stood up straight as Derek approached. Some bowed,. Some looked away from me.

I felt it clearly then.

I didn’t belong here.

The hallways felt cold. Maybe it was just me.

Derek stopped near a window that looked out at the training grounds. Warriors were already gathered there talking in circles.

“They’ll test you “ he said quietly.

My chest got tight. “How?”

“With words first. With attitude. More “ he said.

I looked down. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

His voice was softer. “You won’t be alone.”

I nodded,. I was still scared.

A guard came up to us bowing his head. “Alpha the elders want a meeting tonight.”

Derek’s lips pressed together. “I expected that.”

The guard’s eyes flicked to me before looking

That small movement hurt more than I wanted to admit.

Derek noticed.

His face got darker, but he didn’t say anything.

After the guard left I stepped back. “You should go get ready.”

“What about you?” he asked.

“I’ll stay out of the way “ I said.

His eyes searched my face as if he were trying to understand something

Finally, he nodded once. “Rest “ he said.

He walked away with confident steps.

I stood alone in the hallway.

The silence felt different now.

It felt heavier.

I walked back to the courtyard without thinking. I needed air.

As I walked outside the sun was starting to set. The sky was filled with deep red colors. It should have been really pretty.

It did not feel that way to me. It felt like something was wrong.

There were warriors still outside. They stopped talking when they saw me.

One of them said, “He always has trouble.”

I acted like I did not hear them.

My feet took me to the side of the courtyard near the big old oak tree. It was more peaceful there.

I let out a breath.

This was not the life I wanted.

Not with a pack divided because of me.

Not with a second bond that felt so strong it scared me.

Footsteps approached behind me.

I stiffened.

For a moment, I thought it might be Derek.

But the dangerous scent hit me first.

I turned and felt chills run down my spine. 

Adrian.