1. The Packhouse

Max

I silently cursedto myself as I took the stairs two at a time. I prayed Luna Calia's staff hadn"t arrived yet to prepare her for the day. It wasn't likely, but I liked to be at my post well before the Luna started her day. As her main guard, it was essential to start my day well before she started hers.

"Good morning, Commander." Daniel stood a little taller as I approached. The young alpha had recently been promoted to night guard within the packhouse. He looked tired, but still alert. He was handling the position well.

"Has Alpha Davon started his day yet?" I asked, eyeing the large double-doors. A soft moan slipped from the other side, and my eyebrows jumped upward.

Daniel's lips pressed into a bashful smile. "The Pack Alpha is still inside with his mate, sir."

I simply nodded, then turned my back to the door. "Anything to report?" I stood tall, ready to start the day.

"Um," Daniel's eyes flickered to the door, then back to my face. His gaze lingered on my damaged eye, then traveled down the scar on my cheek to the one across the bridge of my nose. It didn't bother me. I was used to people staring. Even those I had known for years couldn"t help but look at my ugly mug for a little longer than needed. I couldn"t blame them. My scars were hard-fought, and while they made me less desirable to the more attractive ladies in the village, they did command a lot of respect from the alphas.

"Speak up," I urged Daniel. "Did anything of note happen last night?"

The young alpha pulled in a tight breath, before sighing long and hard. "It sounded like Luna Calia was upset last night." He ducked his head, clearly uncomfortable sharing this information. But these were the kinds of things I needed to know. "It was after midnight. I think she cried at one point, but it was hard to tell." His voice dropped to a whisper, "It felt wrong to listen to too much."

"This isn't gossip," I reminded the young alpha. "Omegas are incredibly sensitive, and somewhat unpredictable when upset. I need to know what her temperament is so I can watch her more closely on days like today."

"I know." His dark eyes cast down.

"Don't forget this is confidential," I said firmly. "No stories about the Luna sobbing into her pillow."

Daniel's head snapped up, giving me a tight shake of his head. "Absolutely not, sir." He stood tall. "I would never."

"Good. Dismissed." I stepped to one side, indicating he could go. The young alpha quickly bowed his head, then marched down the long hallway.

Quiet settled, disturbed only by the occasional moan or gasp. I paid them no mind, keeping my attention on the shadows. This part of the packhouse had no windows. Just double-doors on either side, leading to the family quarters. Unfortunately, Davon's only surviving family member was his mother, and she stayed on the first floor, closer to her maid, so all the rooms up here were empty. It kept me on edge.

Empty spaces bred mischief and possibly danger.

"Alpha!" Luna Calia gasped as the Pack Alpha roared long and loud. The vibrations pushed through the walls, settling into the soles of my feet. Then the softest hint of omega slick hit my nose.

My wolf snarled, and I took a careful step away from the door. I pushed my breath forcefully from my nose, clearing the scent. It wasn"t that Luna Calia smelled bad. On the contrary. She had a very pleasant natural perfume, but my wolf was repulsed by the traces of Davon's aroma that clung to her. Perhaps a weaker alpha would still be tempted by a mated omega, but I couldn't get past my Pack Alpha's claim on her.

"Unbelievable," Florence's voice cut from the end of the hallway, followed by the clack of his far too stiff dress shoes. Alphas rarely wore anything on our feet as it hindered our ability to seamlessly shift into our wolves. A few betas wore boots or soft-soled shoes, but nothing like Florence"s shoes. They looked…uncomfortable.

"Hurry up," the older beta hissed at someone around the corner. He fussed with his dark red tie, smoothing it down his shirt to the waistband of his matching slacks. In all my years of service, I had never seen a beta that dressed half as fancy. Not even the Pack Alpha's family. "I swear you're going to be the death of me," Florence snipped.

My back instantly straightened, and my hand smoothed down the front of my dark green uniform. I checked that my belt was centered, puffed out my chest, then held my breath.

And then she appeared.

Beta Demi strolled not far behind Florence. Her long, golden blonde hair rested on one shoulder, cascading down to her waist, and her elegant black dress fluttered around her feet. She always looked like she was floating in her little satin flats.

I couldn't believe women as beautiful as her existed in the world.

"Good morning, Max." Demi smiled sweetly at me. She had the most remarkable, pale green eyes.

Ignoring the flood of sensation to my cock, I gave a quick nod, acknowledging her. I wanted to smile back, but the expression always made my scar on my cheek dig in deeper. A young pup once told me the mark sliced across my face and made me look like a monster. While the insult wasn't exactly devastating, it did make me more aware of it when I smiled.

"I shouldn't have to drag you out of bed every damn morning," Florence huffed as he came to a stop in front of Alpha Davon's bedroom door. He swiped his hand over his bald spot and down the short white hair around the sides of his head. "It's ridiculous that you don't take your job more seriously." He narrowed his eyes at a very unfazed Demi, then huffed, "I don't know what I did in my last life to be stuck with you as a roommate, but it must have been horrible."

Demi scrunched up her nose, giggling softly. "You don't have to wake me up each morning," she said simply. "Leave me be. I need my beauty sleep." She pushed her long, golden hair over her shoulder, letting it fall down her back. Her delicate, clean scent wafted toward me, tickling the inside of my nose. It made my wolf whimper.

"Beauty sleep?" Florence's eyes went wide with shock and his mouth fell open. "I understand that you lived a very…" I tensed as he carefully chose his next words, "...different life in Hala. But you're a Luna's maiden now. You should act like it."

Demi rolled her eyes, snorting under her breath.

I had heard rumors that Demi was a companion in her old village. We didn't have positions like that in Casin, but apparently it was for betas that tended to prestigious alpha's physical needs. Some villages saw the role as somewhat noble—caring for Pack Alphas who lost their mates—while others turned their noses at people with such professions. I didn't really care either way. Demi was sweet and liked to laugh often.

She was a bit of sunshine in our all-too-violent village.

"How did you sleep, Alpha Max?" Demi's green eyes held me in place, making my wolf simper and paw at the inside of my chest. Even the simplest of questions from her made me feel off-center.

"Very well." I tucked my hands behind my back. "And you?"

Demi opened her mouth, but before she could answer, she was cut off.

"Good morning, everyone." Kade's deep, cheerful voice cut down the long corridor. The advisor looked cheerful as ever, his usual smile in place.

Demi smiled brightly as she turned away from me, greeting the older alpha. My wolf roared within me, snarling and snapping his powerful jaws. I was sure my eyes were flashing red, but there was no helping it.

Kade was an impressive alpha, with dark brown hair and gray along his sideburns. While I wasn't sure if he was someone Demi found attractive, I had heard many tavern ladies compliment the alpha's looks.

"You look well rested," Demi said sweetly to Kade. I bristled at her complement, clenching my jaw tight. "I saw you at the tavern last night. You looked to be having a rather good time."

Shock cut through me, but before I could say a word, Kade spoke up.

"Beta Demi," The older alpha said with obvious shock. "The tavern is no place for a maiden." It took everything in me not to nod fiercely. "The alpha's that drink there aren't known for being gentlemen."

"Agreed," Florence said flatly, straightening the tip of his dark red tie.

"I think I can hold my own." Demi winked at Kade and a deep rage burned in my belly.

She's not yours, I silently reminded my wolf, hoping to settle him. But it did no good. The damn beast paced and snarled, baring his fangs and amping me up. I curled my fists tight, pushing my nails into my palm.

"Still." Kade kept his voice soft as he spoke to Demi, "There are lots of wicked alphas looking to do wicked things in that tavern. It would be smart for you to stay away."

Demi pushed out a long sigh, then agreed, "Very well. I guess I can bug Florence the next time I want a friendly chat with my evening brandy."

Florence pulled a face, glaring at the bedroom door, then he jerked as it swung open. A shirtless Alpha Davon emerged, looking over the small crowd of people. All my tense emotions instantly faded, and I straightened my back, ready to start my day.

"My apologies for the late start." Davon's shaggy hair was all over the place, mussed in the back and falling into his face. He looked as if Calia had tried to rip it right out of his skull. "Sadly, I don't have time for breakfast, Kade. I hope you ate," Davon said, stepping to one side so Florence could enter the room. "Give the Luna a few moments." He glanced from Kade to me, before disappearing back into his room.

"I expected to see you at the tavern last night," Demi said, moving her warm body to my side.

My heart quickened, but I was careful not to react to her words. She was looking for me. "Kade is right," I said firmly. "The tavern is no place for a lady like you."

"A lady like me." Demi leaned in, giggling like I had told the silliest joke. She was so small and delicate, more closely resembling an omega. "You are very kind to say that, but I grew up in places like that. I'm used to a rowdy crowd."

Shock, then fear washed over me. Taverns attracted all kinds of alphas—lonely, tired, wild, but also violent. Even here in Casin, the tavern had a fair number of suspicious travelers cutting through our village. It broke my heart to think of a young Demi growing up in such an unpredictable place.

"What wrong, Max?" Demi looked up at me with her shining eyes. She was so stunning.

"I find it hard to believe someone so bright could grow in such a dim place."

Kade's dark eyes widened at my compliment, and hot embarrassment spread across my face. I forgot he was here.

Trying to look unbothered by his presence, I cleared my throat roughly, then fixed my posture. "It's not safe for you to go there unattended. You're very short."

Demi giggled again as she rested her small hand on my bicep. "Short?"

"Yes." I eyed her small frame. She was maybe the smallest beta I had ever met, closer to the Luna's size.

"Well, next time, you'll have to come with me to protect me." Demi winked, then disappeared into the bedroom.

My brain froze, struggling to process her words.

"Good morning, Luna," Demi said in her vibrant, lovely voice, and I forced my feet to move.

Luna Calia smiled at her staff from the center of her big bed. The entire thing was loaded down with several pillows and blankets, creating a massive nest, but it somehow looked bigger. Fluffier. It was concerning. Omegas didn't modify their nests unless distressed.

I narrowed my eyes at the Luna's face, trying to assess her demeanor. Her usually sleek black hair was messy and her nightgown was rumpled, but she spoke sweetly to Demi, acting as if she was fine.

"Max," Davon motioned for me to join him and Kade at his cluttered desk on the other side of the room.

"Yes, sir?" I quickly approached.

"Kade and I have business outside of the village today." Davon crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes just past me. He was looking at his mate. Kade angled his body away from the bed, telling the omega was finally getting up. I listened carefully as she whimpered, then groaned. Davon's expression went tight, clearly worried about his mate's discomfort, but he didn't go to her.

While I had read a few books on omega care, since Luna Calia had come to our village almost a year ago, I admittedly didn't know much about them. Omegas were scarce in our village and outside of Luna Calia, the only other omega I had known was Davon's youngest sister. But she had left years ago, mated to a Pack Alpha from another village.

"I have a meeting with the orcs," Davon whispered, clearly not wanting his mate to hear. "We're getting closer to a treaty." His dark eyes slid from his mate to me. "Calia hasn't been feeling well, but I cannot miss this meeting."

I straightened my back, understanding my orders. "Should I send for the healer?"

"No," Davon quickly answered through clenched teeth, and I immediately understood what they fought about last night.

Luna Calia liked to think of herself as a fiercely independent omega. She didn't like to be seen as weak. It was a little laughable given her status as an omega, but I respected her desire.

"Keep an eye on her," Davon continued, "I don't want her to leave the Packhouse grounds."

"Yes, sir."

Warmth moved at my back and Demi's soft scent filled my nose. "Alpha?" she said, and I glanced down, happy to see her sweet face. "The Luna is ready for breakfast."