“That’s only because you carry your Alpha’s last name. As yourself, you are worth nothing.”
“And yet, I’ll have more influence over the pack and over your son than you do.”
The words just spilled from my lips, even if I knew they couldn’t have been further from the truth. Alice didn’t take my comment well. “You little bitch,” she snarled. “I should have never let Rufus agree to this mating.”
Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. “You didn’t have much say, did you? If you had, I wouldn’t be here. You’ve already made that clear.”
“True.” Alice’s lips twisted into an unpleasant smile. “But that doesn’t mean I’m as helpless as you’d like to think.”
She walked up to me and leaned into my space, so close I could feel her breath on my cheek. “There’s a legend in the Firewolf Pack about Bloodmoon Lake. Do you know it, Luna Clayton?”
She wasn’t waiting for an answer, but I shook my head, anyway. Shooting me a disgusted look, she continued, “They say the water is red because it carries the blood of the weak. Every single member of the Firewolf Pack we’ve deemed inferior jumps into the lake and drowns himself, to protect the honor of the rest of us.”
I swallowed around the knot in my throat. I didn’t think the legend was true, but the mindset behind it certainly was. “It’s far more honorable to keep everyone safe, including those who can’t really defend themselves.”
Alice laughed and took a step back. “Charming idea, but we’re not humans. In case you’ve forgotten, Luna, we’re wolves, wolves of Chaos Valley. And every pack is only as strong as each individual member.
“Everyone here knows that. They know you don’t belong. So I wouldn’t worry too much about your pups’ future. You won’t survive to see them grow up, anyway.”
I wanted to answer, to argue with her, to tell her she was underestimating me. But she lost interest in our conversation. With one last sneer, she pushed past me and left the tent.
Now alone, I was more shaken and upset than ever. I’d come here to fulfill my duty to my pack and nothing had changed. I still believed in that. But I’d have a duty to my pups too, and I couldn’t allow my father and Rufus Savage to just use them.
For now, I’d go through with the plan Ivy had suggested. It was my best option. If Rufus was on my side, Alice wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
Decision made, I looked around the tent. The females hadn’t given me any explanations when they’d left me here, but I presumed I was supposed to prepare for the mating ceremony.
My guess was confirmed when I spotted a white, sheer dress on a nearby shelf. I went to pick it up, marveling at the feel of the soft cloth. It was just like the mating clothes we used in the Wolfsbane Pack, though ours weren’t see-through.
Mating ceremonies varied a lot from pack to pack, especially arranged ones like mine. But it didn’t take a genius to figure out what I was supposed to do here. I pulled on the dress, and the material clung to my every curve, making me hyper-aware of my body. It was a little more transparent over my breasts and pussy, as if it was meant to point out the exact areas my mate would claim today. I shivered, doubt settling over me again. Ivy had told me to seduce Rufus, and this dress was a reminder. But could I really do it?
I didn’t have the time to worry about it for much longer. Less than a minute after I got dressed, another female Firewolf walked into the tent. “The Alpha is ready for you, Omega.”
“Thank you,” I answered, my stomach swirling with nervousness. “Please, lead the way.”
The second female arched a brow at me, as if she was asking, “Are you serious?” Still, unlike Alice, she didn’t overtly state her poor opinion of me. Instead, she nodded and jerked her head.
I realized the reason for her behavior the moment we walked out of the tent. During my conversation with Alice, everyone had gathered underneath the Great Tree. Alpha Savage was standing only fifteen feet away from me, give or take. Dressed in a simple pair of red breeches, barefooted and bare-chested, he intimidated me so much I temporarily froze in my tracks. I was suddenly having trouble breathing. My brain was screaming in panic.I can’t do this. I can’t do this.
My father was also there, but that didn’t help either. After what Alice had told me, his earlier encouraging words seemed like an insult, not a reassurance.
Everyone was staring at me. The crowd was vibrating with a secret anger and an undisguised hostility.
“Stupid Omega,” I heard someone say. “She doesn’t deserve to be one of us.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. She’s quite pretty. I hope the Alpha will let us fuck her once he tires of her.”
The prospect should have terrified me. I didn’t want to be tossed around to every single male in the pack. But ironically, that was exactly what gave me strength—the knowledge that I was desirable to these people.
I started walking again, keeping my gaze fixed on Rufus Savage and studiously ignoring everyone else. They could look at me as much as they wanted. They could throw insults at me and deem me inferior. But the Alpha’s opinion was the only one that mattered, and if I won his heart, he wouldn’t allow them to hurt me. He might even go against his original agreement with my father and allow me to keep my pups.
As I walked up to him, his eyes flashed with visible lust and carnal appreciation. He offered me his hand, and I took it. When we touched, I almost pulled away. I held back at the last moment.
He squeezed my hand so tightly my bones almost snapped. “Luna. Welcome to the Firewolf Pack. You honor us with your presence.”
The words were polite, if dishonest. If that had been true, he’d have said it earlier. But I didn’t let it bother me. “Alpha Savage. Thank you for your kindness. I am the one who is honored at being here and being given the chance to form part of your great pack.”
As I spoke, Alice walked up to us, carrying two sets of ribbons, each matching the colors of our individual clothes. She took position in front of us, and one of the Betas followed closely behind her.
