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I hold my journal tight against my legs, staring down at the cover of it while sitting in the back of Alpha Rakkon's car. In the front seat, he drives with Ilyas seated next to him and Narkis sitting one seat over from me. The car isn't as packed as the rest of the vehicles, driving away and leaving behind the Death Stalkers Pack, the only home I've ever known.

I'm apprehensive though, due to the reasoning of my departure is to fulfill the needs of Alpha Rakkon's pack. I'm traded one spot for another, but now I'm not sure how long I'll last...

...if he's going to reject me in front of his pack to cause me more pain. That I will be trapped there, wasting my days away as I'll feel the pain of rejection while still having to see him.

My grip intensifies on the journal, my knuckles turning white as we gain distance away from Alpha Zenon's territory. It's very quiet though, able to hear a pin if it were dropped.

I wasn't allowed to pack any clothes, the only belonging I could take with me was the journal. Alpha Rakkon breaks the silence as we've been driving for hours on end, "When we arrive, Narkis will show you to my room where you will wait to be called for."

I nod my response, but he's quick to say, "I can't hear you."

"Yes, Alpha Rakkon," I reply back, my voice quivering in the process as I attempt to keep my breathing even.

It's not long after he tells me what will happen, then we arrive in his territory. The land is different, the climate warmer as the cars drive up the dirt pathway to what I see is an even larger lodge than Alpha Zenon's. I can see already the sheer force of numbers Alpha Rakkon has within the ranks of his pack, going about their lives and duties within the pack.

I didn't realize my heart was beating so fast until the car stops, my gaze flickering upward. For a split second, I catch Alpha Rakkon's gaze in the rearview mirror, the air constricting in my chest as I can't discern his features. A few moments later, he exits the car, along with Narkis and Ilyas.

I'm a little thrown off though, when Ilyas opens my door and allows for me to exit the vehicle. A woman's voice calls after a group of pups, "You wanna pull a prank, I'll show you a prank!" She's shaking her fist at the giggling group, her eyes catching sight of the returning Nightshade Prowlers Pack members...and then her eyes settle on me.

I notice very quickly though, even from those who'd once appeared completely stoic and wondering if they'd kill without remorse...all of their features shift slightly. They aren't as callus, not statues. Those who are mated, are quick to embrace their mates, their pups, reuniting with their families. Those who are unmated, they meet up with buddies and spin tales about the visit to the Death Stalkers Pack.

I'm taken aback when I hear Alpha Rakkon chuckle and ask, "What did they do this time, Zeta?"

"Snakes in place of the spaghetti," she shakes her head and they...laugh.

"Well, I'm sure you'll think of something," Alpha Rakkon nods and I see a smirk cross her features.

Zeta replies with a wicked grin, "Don't eat the dessert tonight, Alpha Rakkon."

"Oh my," he chuckles and that's the last I hear from the two of them before I am being led up the porch steps and through the front door to the lodge. There are many who are whispering when they see me, holding the journal close to my chest with my arms crossed over it. I avoid any eye contact at all costs.

Narkis leads me toward the stairs, following him as I keep my gaze down and away from everyone. So many looks, feeling their eyes etching into my flesh as I can't tell what they are judging me for...after all, there are so many things...

It's different when I'd already grown and established myself with the Death Stalkers Pack...they didn't judge or ask questions, but I can just feel the bubble of questions around those who stare. I don't like the way they stare, curling into my shell as Narkis leads me up to a third level of the lodge.

It's quieter on this level, only a few rooms unlike the second level for families and unmated. I'm hesitant when Narkis comes to a halt at a very large door at the end of the long hallway. He opens it before stepping aside and ushering me inside. I feel so small and insignificant in a room as large as Alpha Rakkon's, turning to acknowledge Narkis...

...but he's gone a second later while the door closes behind him.

I hesitate as I walk toward a couch at the far side of the room, curling up on it while setting my journal down on the small table next to it. My eyes wander over everything, taking in the wealth this pack has as its claimed its status over the years. I'd expected the pack members to be different, the way they represented themselves at the Death Stalkers Pack...but that's not the case.

Is their hardened exterior all but an act to remain and perceived as the most vicious and deadly pack?

Am I getting a far cry of a glimpse to their real personalities?

It's not more than about thirty or so minutes when there's a knock on the door, a pause of silence before the door opens. A young boy, more than likely about the age of fourteen walks into the bedroom with a plate in his hand and a glass of water in the other.

His voice is cheery as he smiles, "Hi!"

Am I dreaming?

Seriously, I feel like I'm in some kind of twilight zone moment because he closes the door behind him and walks closer to me. He sets the plate down and the glass next to my journal on the small table, his voice calmer as he says, "Sooooo...Alpha Rakkon thought it would be best for me to come and be your first encounter with the pack."

I'm confused.

"Why is that?" I speak softly, looking over the boy as he continues to keep his energy level under control.

He outstretches his hand and introduces himself, "I'm William Roc, the Nightshade Prowlers Pack omega," my eyes grow wide slightly as I'm starting to have everything click into place. He takes my stunned silence and states, "You can call me Will. My mom is the den mother, Zeta, she said she saw you when you first arrived."

Slowly, I outstretch my arm and take his hand before saying, "Ashling."

"That's pretty and unique," Will offers me a bright smile before glancing around the room and saying, "sooooo...yeah, now that you're with the Nightshade Prowlers Pack and not a prisoner or trespasser or anything like that, you'll see that we don't necessarily live up to what other packs believe we do."

I nod my head, understanding already what I've seen. Perhaps that's why Alpha Rakkon sent Will here...to show me without going based off his word alone, how he treats his omega. Will appears just like any other happy juvenile here and that allows for some of the apprehension I have to shift slightly.

"Don't get me wrong," Will nods and replies, "if we ever have visiting packs, which is far and few, I play my part as how other packs perceive omegas, but, Alpha Rakkon truly is kind...he just has a front to uphold to secure our safety and never cause another pack to question our position. There are those within the pack who still have their own prejudices toward omegas, but is usually hushed."

I get that...

"Thank you," I nod at him, appreciating how Will was so helpful in helping me understand a greater depth and meaning to the Nightshade Prowlers Pack and that of Alpha Rakkon as well.

Will smiles once more before he turns to leave and says, "I hope you like us!"

He's sweet, charming and caring. His mother has raised him well and through the guidance of his alpha, he's truly a contributing member to their pack.

After Will leaves, I turn to my side and look at the plate he brought me. There are two waffles with a smidge of syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage links. My stomach is already churning, my glands salivating before I pick up the plate and begin to eat the meal. It's generous, an extension of what a guest receives as the scent of the meal lingers in the air long after I've finished the last remnants. After drinking the glass of water, I release a very satisfying sigh while stretching slightly.

I hadn't realized how tired I was from the drive or how my muscles are stiff. Rising from the couch. I stand and stretch while glancing out the window to see that the trees are taller here and block out some of the sun's rays.

Alpha Rakkon told Alpha Zenon that the only reason he wants me is for his warriors...

...this thought alone saddens me though, because I've never had this type of hospitality...only to be reminded of my role regardless of the pack I belong to.

I wonder where I will stay?

Perhaps I'll be treated better here though than with the Death Stalkers Pack...Will is walking and living proof of this pack.

It's a few hours before I'm greeted with a knock from the other side of the bedroom door. My heart skips a beat before the door opens, and it drops into the pit of my stomach when Alpha Rakkon's presence is what follows that knock.

The door shuts behind him, the lock sliding into place. I swallow the knot that's formed at the edge of my throat, standing slowly from the couch after I'd been reading entries from my journal. I set it down on the side table as the alpha approaches me, my eyes falling and settling on the floorboards.

A silence follows when he comes to halt a few feet away from me, waiting to hear how my fate will be sealed here...

That silence is broken when Alpha Rakkon states, "I'm disappointed in you, for breaking your word to my command."

My heart beats faster as I feel my ears burning with embarrassment, knowing exactly what he is referring to. I can feel my muscles tense when he takes one step forward, the blood rushing in my ears.

"Don't take me for a fool though, because I understand why you broke your word," Alpha Rakkon's voice remains even, the tone never faltering for a second. I'm quivering in fear, unsure of how he sees me, but I'm even more startled when he commands, "Look me in the eyes when I'm talking to you."

I'm not an equal. I've never been and it's always been shown as great disrespect to hold an alpha's gaze for longer than required. It's been safer for me to never meet it...unless asked.

My chin lifts from my chest, staring up into Alpha Rakkon's eyes while my heart continues to beat unevenly. He then tells me, "I did what I had to do in order to get you away from Alpha Zenon and the control he had over you," he pauses while searching my eyes with a shifting softness, "you can't comprehend the battle within me, wanting to claim for all to hear that you're are my mate the second I laid eyes on you."

I keep my silence, unsure of if I say something, it might be offensive.

Alpha Rakkon continues with, "If I had staked a claim on an omega mate in front of the Death Stalkers Pack, Alpha Zenon very well might have deduced a fault. He could easily have used this weakness to his advantage, either by killing you or attacking my pack on his grounds and us without an advantage."

"I...I understand you don't want a weak omega as a mate...and I'll never be able to repay you for sparing my life, though I'll accept rejection without a fight," my voice is quiet, and I subconsciously lower my gaze from his. My eyes remain on the floorboards as I await his judgement after what he's told me.

An alpha needs strength...

...I would be his greatest weakness.

The likelihood of him ever passing down alpha genes would be slim to none, so I don't see my use to him at all as a suitable mate.

I feel a firm, but gentle touch, his fingers taking hold of my chin before he lifts my gaze. Alpha Rakkon's eyes search mine, before he commands with power, "The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. You are my mate, Ashling and I, Rakkon Wood, Alpha of the Nightshade Prowlers Pack, stake my claim on you as my mate."

My eyes widen, my heart nearly beating out of my chest at his bold claim. There's nothing hidden in his eyes, nothing but the sheer...admiration...he has for me.

Everything he did back at the Death Stalkers Pack...it was all an act. He didn't want to jeopardize my life and that of his pack members', even if it meant isolating his call to our unseen bond until he was ready to make his move.

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