26. Lucas
26
Lucas
Running through the forest in wolf form, I catch the scent of a deer and pause. The warriors have had a hard time finding game meat lately, and the omegas in charge of cooking for the pack have had to spend more money in town on meat. I decide to put off returning to the pack house for Marilyn’s welcome back party, to focus on hunting and bringing in this deer. Tonight will be the night that the wolves who left for Ivory Fangs arrive there, and Simon promised that he would let me know when Beta Lilac has received them safely. To think, four days ago we sent a group of fifteen wolves this time, and my father had no clue.
I smirk inwardly as I pad across the forest floor, careful not to step on any twigs that might alert my prey. It has been two weeks since our first batch left the pack. From what I was told, they were happier in Ivory Fangs, and some were even promoted in the pack to a higher rank. It makes me think about Kaylee, and how she would have changed Oak Fur if I had mated her that day. I would do anything to turn back time, to mark and claim her as mine after making love to her before her exhausted body drifted off to sleep, but I was stupid. I can’t turn back time, but I can beg for forgiveness when I find her.
I shake my head to clear the thoughts of my mate when I notice that the scent of the deer begins to fade. I need to focus on the here and now if I am to bring meat to the pack. It is clear that the warriors aren’t doing much to provide for Oak Fur when not on patrol, and I have a feeling it has something to do with Marilyn. Somehow, she managed to set her claws in my men without me noticing, and it irritates me. If it weren’t for the fact that I still have the picture of her mother held hostage, she would have probably rebelled against me by now.
[Where are you?] Simon asks as I lower my body. The deer is just a few feet away from me now, and in one fell swoop I should be able to get it with a clean kill.
[Hunting,] I reply quickly, springing into action and pushing my body off the ground. My jaw attaches to the jugular of the deer, and we fall to the ground. In minutes, it is dead, and I howl in excitement. This is the first time I have successfully killed something since Kaylee has been gone. She was always faster than me, able to take down prey without any effort, and just as fast at skinning and prepping them to be used for pack meals.
[Well hurry up. The party is about to start, and I can’t find your dad or that whore anywhere. We need an alpha present, and that leaves you.] I groan at Simon’s words, and maneuver the deer onto my back, making sure it is secured before I trot off in the direction of the pack house.
[Give me a good twenty minutes to get this deer to the omegas in the kitchen and have a shower. Hopefully by the time I am dressed and in the common area, my father and Marilyn will be there.]
[Got it. By the way, Lilac called. The wolves got there safely, but the pack is being visited by the new alpha of Shadow Moon tomorrow. She will keep us updated on if we can continue as scheduled, or have to push back sending the next fifteen wolves.] Great, another problem to deal with. I tell Simon we can deal with this tomorrow, but right now we need to focus on making sure my father stays unaware of everything going on until we can leave Oak Fur. We have a total of twenty-five wolves ready to leave. Once they are in Ivory Fangs, I am next to leave.
Since my father is clearly too obsessed with the threat of Blood Oath attacking, there is no need to keep Oak Fur as a pack, if it means everyone can gain their freedom in a pack that allows growth. Even it if means I lose my alpha status. The safety of those I call my family is more important than being an alpha.
In no time, I am at the outside back door that leads to the kitchen. I got lucky with the door being open, and I pad inside. Omegas are hard at work making food for the party, and guilt creeps in. They are packmates too. They should be enjoying the party, and not hidden away like something we should be ashamed of.
Letting out a yip to announce my presence, I watch a she-wolf jump in fright before turning around.
“Oh, Alpha Lucas,” the she-wolf calls out, her shocked face blooming into a smile as she notices the deer on my back.
“Fresh game! Did you just catch this?” She moves to help lift the deer off of me, calling out to two more omegas to take the deer and process it.
[I scented it on my run, and figured the pack could use it.] I link this she-wolf, watching as another look of surprise flashes through her mind. It is then that I realize I have never linked the omegas. My father ingrained into me that they were beneath us, as they were the weakest of the pack and only good for menial labor. But Kaylee taught me all wolves, no matter their strength, are equals in a pack. Without the omegas, the menial tasks would not be done, and we stronger wolves would not be able to focus on our jobs of protecting the pack from rogues and invaders.
“Well, thank you, Alpha. We could use a few more, but I understand that the warriors are busy,” the she-wolf states, before returning to her work. It is then that I realize I don’t even know her name and the guilt inside me grows. There is no point in learning the rest of my packmates’ names. I will be gone before Marilyn and I are forced to be married.
Padding towards the front foyer, I climb the steps towards my room to find Kurt waiting for me outside. He silently opens the door and tells me that he will look for my father while I shower. Shifting back to my human form, I take a deep breath and scent the air. I knew I smelled honey the moment I entered my room, and sure enough, Marilyn’s scent lingers. It is only her scent thankfully, and with a bit of investigation, I find a few hidden cameras with voice recording features.
Chuckling to myself, I link Kurt and Simon the news, both men furious on my behalf. After reassuring them that I will deal with the cameras later, I shut the link down and head for a shower. Something inside me is screaming that tonight will be a long one, and I need to mentally prepare myself before I face Marilyn and my father.