Chapter 25

Ava

Chris and I made our way back to the podium with the Elders in tow. This decree was unprecedented, a radical shift that would undoubtedly send shockwaves rippling through every facet of our pack’s way of life.

But I was proud of him. Eradicating the Omega slavery had been a lifelong pipedream of mine, and Chris had just made it happen in a matter of minutes. Or at least, that was how it seemed; there was still much ahead of us, and perhaps the change was only just beginning.

As we stepped up to address the crowd once again, I could feel the tension crackling through the crowd, thick and palpable like the air right before a storm. The pack members, which were still murmuring amongst themselves, slowly turned to face us as we took our places once again.

Chris didn’t so much as flinch beneath their scrutinizing gazes. Instead, he simply raised his hand, commanding silence with that effortless aura of authority that I had come to admire in the recent days.

“As you all heard, I intend to issue a decree that will see our Omegas given fair wages and protected from mistreatment,” he began, his voice echoing over the hushed crowd. “This is not a decision I have made lightly, nor is it one that I intend to back down from.”

He paused then, letting his steely gaze sweep over the assembled pack members as a low murmur began to ripple through them. Olivia still stood at the forefront of the crowd, gritting her teeth, but said nothing just yet.

“However,” Chris continued, “in the human world, I have come to respect the notion of democracy—of giving the people a voice in the decisions that will shape their lives.”

Another murmur, this one laced with confusion and disbelief. It was… not entirely unheard of, but still quite unexpected for an Alpha to give pack members any weight in decision making. But Chris stood firm once again, pulling his shoulders back as he addressed the crowd.

“So I ask you now—who among you supports this change? Who wishes to see our Omegas treated as equals, fairly compensated for their labor and protected from harm?”

As he spoke, Chris raised his hand high, his palm facing outward. “Show your support by raising your hands. If the majority wins, then the decree will become law.”

For a long, agonizing moment, there was nothing but tense silence as the crowd seemed to shift and sway uncertainly. A few exchanged nervous glances, but not a single hand went up. I felt my heart sink, my stomach dropping.

Of course this decree wouldn’t be supported. It was a radical change, and perhaps Olivia’s words really had struck home.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of movement from where Olivia stood seething at the edge of the crowd.

She opened her mouth, no doubt preparing to spew forth another vile stream of vitriol, but a single warning glare from Chris quickly silenced her. She closed her mouth again, her eyes flashing with hatred as she looked over at me.

It was only then, after that fleeting distraction had passed, that the first few hesitant hands began to rise into the air—first one, then two, then a few more until, finally, the vast majority of the crowd had their arms extended high in a show of silent solidarity.

A wave of relief washed over me at the sight, my knees nearly buckling as the realization hit me. They supported us. Despite all the tradition and convention we were going against, our people were ready to embrace this change, to forge a new path towards a more equitable future.

Chris, too, seemed to sag ever so slightly, the tiniest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he swept his gaze across the sea of upraised hands.

“So it is decreed,” he said. “Thank you all for coming today. I will be sure to update you during the coming weeks.”

As the crowd began to disperse, still murmuring and chattering excitedly amongst themselves, I allowed my gaze to drift towards the smattering of Omegas clustered at the fringes.

So often overlooked and ignored, suddenly they had become the center of attention—the catalysts for a revolution that would change their lives forever.

Some of them seemed dazed, almost as if they couldn’t quite believe what Chris had just decreed. Others were openly weeping, tears of joy streaming down their faces as they clung to one another for support.

My heart clenched in my chest, then, as I spotted the two Omegas from Olivia’s attack, their faces still swollen and bandaged, their bodies leaning heavily on the healthcare workers at their sides. Even now, the full extent of their injuries was evident in the way they trembled and winced with every slight movement.

Yet, despite their obvious pain and trauma, one of the girls managed to lift her head and meet my gaze. For a fleeting second, our eyes locked, and the ghost of a smile tugged at her split lips as she raised her hand, pressing it over her heart in a gesture I didn’t quite recognize.

Before I could dwell on it further, though, Chris was at my side once again, his warm fingers brushing against the small of my back as he leaned in close. “Are you ready to go?” he murmured.

I could only nod mutely, allowing him to guide me away from the dispersing crowd and back towards the winding path that would lead us back to my home.

The rest of the day seemed to pass by in a blur, a whirlwind of activity and preparation as the entirety of our pack scrambled to adjust to this new reality. There was so much to be done, so many logistics to sort out—but for once, the weight of it all didn’t seem quite so daunting.

Because this time, I had Chris by my side. He may have been absent from our pack for years, but he seemed competent—and compassionate. The pack would do well to have him step up as the Alpha, and as the day wore on, I kept thinking back to the Elders’ request to ensure that he stayed.

It wasn’t until evening fell that I finally found a moment to catch my breath, sinking down onto the cushioned window seat in my living room and gazing out at the dimly lit village beyond.

Even from here, I could hear the distant sounds of music and laughter, the telltale signs of a celebration taking place in the town square.

The pack members were excited, and for good reason. There was no doubt in my mind that a great, impromptu feast was going to take place in the town square, complete with dancing and music. And the thought made me smile.

After all, it had been a long time since we had had a good party around here. Too long.

Suddenly, a soft creak from the doorway behind me caused me to startle, whipping my head around to find Chris leaning against the frame with an easy smile playing at his lips. I felt my breath catch upon seeing him standing there.

He looked almost criminally handsome, wearing a casual outfit: black slacks, sneakers, and a white t-shirt. Most notable was the moonstone pendant at his throat, which was glimmering in the fading light.

When he saw me looking, he nodded his head toward the window, toward the sound of the merriment taking place in the town square.

“Care to join me for the party?”