Consort (Noble Reckoning #1)

Chapter 5

Rue

When Cirro and I reach the gathering area, most of the pack is still out laughing and enjoying themselves. He pulls me by the hand toward the Prime as I scan the group, searching for my mother. When our eyes finally meet, hers are filled with fear. I give her a reassuring smile, silently urging her to stay quiet. If they find out I was hiding my designation, I’ll never be trusted. They’ll watch me closely, making it difficult to escape.

And I have to escape.

We need to approach this like anyone else would. Once we’re back to our tent, I’ll tell her my intention to flee and ask her to help me prepare. We’ll plan in secret. I’ll slip away before Bock can get his hands on me. I shudder, imagining him touching me with his filthy Alpha fingers. But I brace myself for the coming revelation to the pack and suppress any emotion from showing on my face.

Drops of wine in the Prime’s beard catch the moonlight as he lounges on a large log. Lessa, a mixed fae shifter in our pack, uses her magic to speed up the fermentation process, ensuring everyone can enjoy as much wine as they’d like. It’s clear Bock’s had his share tonight, judging by the way it sloshes over the rim of his cup as he gestures with his hands.

Some shifters are wary of mixed fae since they’re such a big target. But not our pack. We have four of them which, from what I understand, is a lot. Bock welcomes them and protects them like any other shifter. If only he would extend the same protection to his Luna. How can he not realize how wrong he is?

Cirro approaches him, stopping a few steps away, and bares his throat in submission. Bock is deep into a drunken boast about today’s hunt and shows no sign of cutting his story short. While Cirro waits to be acknowledged, I silently curse—and thank—the wine for prolonging this encounter.

Bock finally wraps up his story and turns to Cirro with a nod. “Cirro, good evening,” he booms. “Have you had your fill? There’s plenty more food and drink to enjoy.”

“I’m quite satisfied. Thank you, Prime,” Cirro says, puffing out his chest proudly. He turns to me with a smile and pulls me gently by the hand like a youngling. “I have wonderful news for you.”

Bock looks me over, then raises his eyes back to Cirro. “Are you and Rue to be mated?” he asks, looking pleased but somewhat bored with the news.

“Oh, no, Prime. I’d love nothing more, but this Omega belongs to you,” Cirro says, placing his hand on my lower back and pushing me closer to him.

The forest falls quiet, except for the trees, which seem to gasp as their leaves rustle with no breeze. If they could speak, I wonder if they’d stand up for me. I’d like to think I’ve been respectful enough of the dryads to at least earn their sympathy.

Bock leans in and scents the air around me. I have to turn my eyes away from his flaring nostrils. My stomach turns as my secret is exposed to him. He abandons his cup and stands over me, blocking out the silver moonlight and casting me into his shadow.

His own scent washes over me as he takes mine in. It’s surprisingly pleasant, like spicy meat and musk. A flicker of arousal stirs inside my belly, making my whole body tense. I want to be appalled by my reaction, but my brain and nose disagree. This unwanted attraction must be nature’s way of forcing an Omega’s submission. Or perhaps it’s to help an Omega cope with her lack of choice. I’m not sure which it is, but I am certain of one thing–I do not want this Alpha.

“Rue, an Omega?” he murmurs, tracing my jaw with his fingers. “How special you are. We have been waiting eagerly for our new Luna.”

The way he says we makes me want to rip his fangs out of his face, then saw off his cock and bake it into bread for him and his Alphas to eat.

All traces of arousal vanish. Sure, he could mean the pack has desired a new Luna. But all I can think of is the worn look on the old Luna’s face. The deep sadness she couldn’t quite hide, even though she tried to.

I keep my eyes averted and don’t respond. Omegas are meek, and Alphas are to be respected, especially the Prime. So, I say nothing. I hold my fury inside, staring at the ground and waiting for some kind of conclusion to all this.

Low growls ripple through the air, and I can barely keep my body from acting out and wetting me with slick. Some manages to break through, and Bock’s pupils dilate immediately. I panic, worried he’ll drag me to his tent or, worse, mount me here out of desperation after his dry spell.

Thankfully, he holds it together and quiets everyone down.

“The Omega will have the traditional three moons to come into her designation. She is not to be touched while she readies herself for me.”

I glance over at my father, who stands proudly with his arms folded over his broad Alpha chest. Mother was right. This is a huge honor for him. And, in any other pack, it might also be an honor for me. But not in this one. Not when I’ll be passed around to squeeze knots as the Prime sees fit. How could any father be happy about this life for his daughter?

He nods at Bock in approval, and I hate him even more than I did before.

I must acknowledge the Prime if I want to get out of here, so I turn to him and bare my throat. He purrs slightly at my act of submission, making me feel lightheaded. Looks like I’ll have to run sooner than I thought. His Alpha dominance is too intense for my Omega nature. Who knows what I’ll turn into if I remain surrounded by strong Alphas and my designation overpowers my will.

“May I escort her to her tent to rest?” Cirro asks, reminding the Prime that he’s still here.

He’s hoping for some kind of reward for bringing me forward. But I’m grateful for the escape, and I know that no one will touch me. Not until the Prime has had me first. Cirro is safe, for now.

I retch inside at the thought of anyone being first with me. It’s sick. It’s just not how things are supposed to be. And it’s not how they’ll be for me. As soon as I’m able, I’ll be gone.

Bock is just cruel as the fae, but I’d much rather take my chances with them. Dying at the hand of a fae is better than a lifetime of being passed around by the pack like a jug of wine.

Mother will help me prepare, and then I’ll be gone for good. Bock can take it as a lesson. His first Luna chose death over being his mate, even if no one is acknowledging it. Now, his second Luna will also leave him, willing to meet a similar fate. Maybe, after losing two Lunas, he’ll finally have to face reality.

He’ll have no choice but to find better ways to appease his Alphas when there are no Omegas left for them to share.