My eyes widened in surprise as did many of the crowd. Their once fearful expressions turned

to ones of shock as they looked toward me. I staggered a step back at the depth of the situation.

He just declared me his mate in front of the entire pack. After so long of wondering why, and when, he just did it.

'He sure did.' Cel breathed, her tail swishing in anxiety.

Phoenix began to walk back over to me with determination. I nervously laughed at his dark and predatory gaze and turned to go step behind Charlie. I was nervous, a little scared since he seemed out of control. We were unmated I hoped he didn't do anything stupid in public.

'Like, announce us his mate?' Cel snorted.

Oh, sugar.

He reached me before I could hide, his hands pulling me towards him. I inhaled sharply in surprise but his arms merely wrapped around me. I froze under his embrace when his head fell to my hair and he inhaled deeply. I could feel and hear the grumbling of his beast as he tried to calm down. I knew he had done this out of dominance, but I was so surprised. What did this mean now?

From where we stood, my sight of the room had been blocked by his arms. We stayed like that for a long moment, the room full of murmurs that I couldn't hear through the racing beat of my heart. I have never felt so comfortable yet worried; it was confusing.

It wasn't until he moved his arms, that I noticed he had calmed down; his eyes a deep treacle colour. His hands moved to cup my face and the erupting volcano of warmth spread across my skin. I shivered at the pleasure of it, his breath fanning my face. He bent down to place a gentle kiss on my forehead and I felt myself blush. He was so damn tall too...

He took a deep breath and moved his arms away. Taking a deep breath, a low grumble left his lips, one demanding submission. I hesitantly glanced over the room and gasped when I saw the room. They had all fallen to their knees with their heads bowed, their necks bared to the side as they looked at the floor.

Phoenix grumbled in satisfaction. "Meeting adjourned. Those who wish to accompany us in the morning are to stay behind. The rest of you please leave; Charlie if you will..."

Phoenix sighed and looked back down at me when they began to stand. "I am sorry I did that. I couldn't tolerate her anymore, she needs to be taught about her consequences. Many wolves have been disrespecting you, doubting you, and I couldn't do much about it without letting out you were my mate. So I apologise for how I did it. But they know now, that you're mine."

I blinked up into his amber eyes and shook my head to clear the haze. "I understand. It's just... a shock."

His lips fell into a small frown but he nodded and kissed my forehead one more time before moving away. I wrapped my arms around my torso in the cool air, glancing at the wolves who stayed behind. I felt rather empty without him beside me.

But they knew now.

From the looks of wonder in their eye, I knew that they had never expected it. They were as shocked as I was, just for different reasons. A few were still looking at me with distaste, but I knew they would. I was Omega blood to them, nothing more. They probably expected a stronger bloodline for their Alpha and pack, but little did they know that I was more than that now.

I was their Luna, and I was a Lycan.

A part of me wanted to prove myself to them, but I didn't want to seem desperate. If I was to be their Luna I felt it needed to come naturally. I was not a person of power, I was not one to take the lead role. But I felt like I had to, and it made me frown because I didn't want to take the spotlight. It was conflicting. To be their leader or to be their friend?

"Thank you all for accepting the mission." Phoenix cleared his throat. "We estimate Alpha Steven is on the inside so we need to be wary of his pack. We are to travel to the mountains northeast of his pack, and scour the area for any trees marked with an N."

"A letter N?" A man wondered.

I nodded. "When I ran I marked as many trees as I could to find my way back."

He nodded and bowed his head in acceptance of my answer. The others glanced at me but focused back on their Alpha.

"We follow the path North East and we will come across a witch's path. Do not let yourself get distracted. We suspect her power aids to divert wolves from their hideout. We follow Nova's markings and nothing else. Understood?"

They all murmured agreements and he nodded, crossing his arms. I peeked around him to see Sean standing a foot or so away, glancing at all the wolves and jotting things down on a piece of paper. I slithered my way from Phoenix's side as he explained our plan, to see what he was doing.

Sean's grey eyes glanced at me from the side and I gave him a small smile. He returned the smile and leaned his hands down so I could see what he was doing. Glancing at the notepad I noticed he was writing people's names, descriptions and skills.

What's that for? I wondered.

He smirked and went back to working on it. 'It's so I can work out formation and strategy. We don't just go in screaming murder you know.'

I pouted at his teasing. So what are you putting down?

'Well, we have sixty wolves in front of us. All different skill levels, each with pros and cons.' He explained. 'For example, the man that asked about your carvings, he's strong, but not very smart or quiet. He'll be going in once patrol is down. Others like Kiera are skilled in silent attacks. She's brilliant in all varieties of offensive and defensive attacks, so she'll be great to silently take down border patrol.'

Ohh okay. That makes a lot of sense. I nodded and grinned. I never had to pay attention to any of this being an Omega. It's quite cool to have an inside look. Steven hardly went to battle.

Sean chuckled and nudged me with his elbow. 'That's cause he's weak.'

I chewed my lip to hide my surprise but shrugged nonchalantly. It was still so strange that my old Alpha was more than likely an enemy. I had so many questions, why be one of them?

I turned my attention back to the room to see Phoenix had already finished the meeting and everyone was dispersing. But his gaze was already on me, his honey eyes focused right on me. I almost jumped in surprise when I caught his gaze, but the intensity of his stare was making my body heat up.

I shuffled awkwardly and looked away, hyper-aware of Sean and many wolves still in the room. Phoenix's gaze turned to look behind me and I heard Sean sigh before he too began to walk away. Phoenix watched him go, his jaw set firm.

I licked my lips nervously and his eyes snapped to stare at the movement. They darkened slightly and I felt myself blush. What was going on?

"Uh, I'm gonna go to bed." I eventually mumbled.

Phoenix grumbled but followed me out. He walked silently behind me, his heavy steps slow and loud as we ascended the stairs. I felt self-conscious as he followed a few steps behind, especially when he let out a deep sigh when I reached the first landing.

I turned to glance at him, his eyes still set on following my every move. He was predatory. His eyes stayed focused and keen, not missing a movement on my face.

I swallowed and carried on until I reached my lonesome floor. He stood at my door again, gazing down at me. We stared at each other, neither having the words to say.

"Goodnight Nova." He breathed.

I gave him a small smile and reached behind for my door handle. "Goodnight Phoenix."

His eyes darkened as I began to turn away and enter my room. Just as I stepped through the threshold his hands grabbed me and pulled me back into him. He was always so grabby like I was a doll.

I pressed my cheek against his chest, and the thrumming of his heart soothed me. I hesitantly wrapped my hands around his back and relaxed into his touch, eliciting a grumble from him. It was peaceful and comfortable as I held onto him. I inhaled his scent deeply, hoping to comfort my nerves for tomorrow.

His face pressed into my hair, his arms wrapped around my back and rubbed small circles into my skin. I hoped he didn't realise how scared I was, to go back there because I knew he wouldn't let me go. But I had to go.

He inhaled deeply before pulling away and once again planting a kiss on my head. It was comforting; the way he soothed my nerves. He was so tall though I didn't blame him for having to settle for my head. Plus our relationship was weird now, I wasn't sure what we were or what the boundaries were.

"Sleep well." He whispered as he pulled away.

I mutely nodded and stepped back towards my room. I gently closed the door on him, like many times I have done before. He waited until I was in bed, the creaking of the frame announcing my descent, just as he always did. I listened to his footsteps as he walked away to his room, my heart feeling lonesome with every step he took.

Sleep well.

Not that I'd sleep. I've been having a hard time too ever since I got out of the hospital. I felt haunted by my memories. I could envision every single person there, caged like animals and beaten daily. I remembered Felicity, a child who's been there for weeks, unable to live as a child should.

They haunted me.

The guilt ate me up. Knowing I was in a warm, safe bed, in a safe house. It upset me that women were easily targeted, and used as bait and trophies.

But I needed to sleep, no matter how hard it was going to be...

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