Chapter 7 Leaving for a new pack

/Edlyn/

The last thing I was expecting when Alpha James called me into his office was to be told to pack up. Not just pack up but to leave.

“With the Supreme Alpha,” he said, like it was no big deal.

Like my world hadn’t just tilted on its axis. Like he hadn’t just said I’d be going with the very man who was my mate unknown to him. For a long second, I could only stare at him. I wasn’t sure if I’d heard right.

“Sorry,” I finally said, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. “Could you repeat that? Because it sounded like you just said I’d be leaving the pack.”

Alpha James gave me that fatherly, weary look of his, the one that said don’t argue, child.

“You heard correctly, Edie. Supreme Alpha Nelson has offered his full support against the witch attacks. In return, he’s requested you join his pack. Effective today.”

Today.

The word thudded against my skull like a hammer.

Moon howled in excitement inside my head.

He wants us! she squealed, spinning in wild circles. He’s taking us home! Our mate, Edlyn! The Moon Goddess finally decided to stop torturing us!

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my face neutral even as my stomach twisted itself into a thousand knots.

Home? I echoed her. You think he even knows what we are? if he learns about us, he will become just like other...

Moon huffed. He will. He’ll smell it if will let him , feel it, know it. That’s how it’s supposed to be. This is destiny, Edlyn!

“Destiny?” another voice cut in, dark and amused. Vamp’s tone dripped through my mind like spilled wine. Oh, yes, destiny. Maybe now I’ll finally get what I want too. His blood smells divine. I bet it tastes like wildfire.

Moon growled immediately. Don’t even start, leech. You’re not sinking your fangs into our mate.

Our? Vamp laughed. Oh, don’t get greedy, little wolf. You can have his heart I just want a taste. Maybe a drop or two.

“Enough,” I snapped under my breath before either could say more. Alpha James looked up from his desk, confused. I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Sorry, talking to myself.”

He sighed  probably thinking I was nervous  and stood up. “You’ve been good to this pack, Edie. Loyal. You’ve done more than most omegas ever would. But this… this might be a better opportunity for you. Supreme Alpha Nelson doesn’t ask for much, and if he’s taken interest in you, I’d say don’t waste it.”

I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “When do I leave?”

“In a few hours,” he said gently. “His people will come get you before sundown. Pack light.”

Light.

As if I owned enough to make packing heavy.

When I stepped out of the office, the sunlight felt wrong too bright, too cheerful for what was happening.

Moon was practically glowing with joy, her energy vibrating through me. We’re finally going where we belong!

You mean into the arms of a man who doesn’t even know you exist, I muttered. It was quite obvious that this two doesn’t know what we are or maybe they have forgotten... am a being that shouldn't have existed the first place

He may not know right but he will in the future. His wolf will find out eventuallyif will let our sent out. You felt it too, remember? The way he looked at us? That wasn’t confusion, Edlyn that was recognition.

I wished I could believe her. But moon knows more than she telling... Her excitement alone makes her more suspicious, she knows we don't need a mate right now but her been excited after just meeting him and about to leave the pack we grow up in, made it more certain to me that she  knows what is about to happen next

Because the truth was, as much as I wanted to run  as much as Vamp whispered fight, hide, vanish a part of me couldn’t stop thinking about him.

The way his hand had felt on my throat. The heat in his voice when he said my name. The way his power wrapped around me like it was meant to. Maybe Moon was right. Maybe fate had finally caught up with me. Or maybe it was leading me straight into disaster.

By the time I reached my room, the news had already spread. Omegas weren’t exactly subtle when gossip started flying, and this one was wildfire.

I caught snippets as I walked past  hushed whispers, curious eyes, someone even saying, “Maybe the Supreme Alpha wants her as a personal maid.”

If only they knew.

If only he knew.

Inside my small room, everything was painfully still. My cloak hung where I’d left it, still damp from last night’s river dive. The faint scent of earth and moonlight clung to it  his scent, somehow still there.

I closed the door and leaned against it, finally letting out the breath I’d been holding.

You’re shaking, Moon murmured softly. You’re excited. Don’t pretend you’re not.

“I’m not,” I said aloud, even though we both knew I was lying.

I pulled my bag from under the bed a small, worn leather satchel that had been with me for years  and started packing. A few changes of clothes, my training dagger, the tiny charm necklace my mother left me, and a blood vial sealed in silver.

Vamp stirred instantly. Ah, finally. I was beginning to think you’d leave without feeding me at all.

“You’re not getting any blood,” I muttered, tossing the vial deeper into the bag.

We’ll see about that, she purred. Your precious mate’s neck looks delicious.

“Enough,” Moon snapped at her, fur bristling in my head. We are not biting him. Ever.

We’ll see, Vamp sang again, her laughter echoing through my mind. it still surprises me how i was born with them both.. and have been with the my whole life yet they never get along... they even have a mind of their own... it was like they are their own individual

I pressed my palms against my temples. “You two are going to drive me insane before sundown.”

Moon’s tone softened. You’re nervous. I get it. But think about it maybe this is how everything begins. Maybe meeting him again will make sense of… everything.

I wanted to believe her.

But belief never kept me safe.

The hours crawled by slower than death. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t think straight. Every sound outside my window made my heart jump. I wasn’t scared, not exactly  just restless.

When the knock finally came, I was already standing, bag over my shoulder.

“Edlyn?” It was Beta Conrad’s voice  calm, respectful, but holding that edge of discomfort that said he didn’t like this any more than I did.

“Yeah,” I called back, opening the door.

Two warriors stood beside him, both wearing the Supreme Alpha’s crest on their armor black with silver trim, moon sigil shining faintly. They looked powerful, disciplined… and more than a little curious.

“Supreme Alpha Nelson has sent them to escort you to his pack,” Conrad said, eyes softening a bit when he saw my expression. “He said you’d be ready.”

“I am.”

My voice didn’t even tremble, though inside, Moon was wagging her tail so hard she was practically glowing, and Vamp whispered something about tasting his blood once we arrived.

Conrad gave a slow nod. “Alpha James wanted me to tell you something, too. He said—”

He paused, clearing his throat. “He said you’ve been like a daughter to this pack. And… that no matter where you go, this will always be your home.”

Something in my chest ached. I gave a small smile the kind that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Tell him thank you. For everything.”

As I stepped out into the courtyard, the wind carried the faintest trace of a scent I’d come to recognize all too easily  wild pine, silver smoke, and storm.

Nelson.

Moon sighed dreamily. He’s close.

Good, Vamp murmured. Maybe I’ll finally have my drink.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re not drinking anyone.”

Not even a drop?

“Not even a thought.”

The warriors began walking, and I followed them down the path that led out of the pack’s gates the only home I’d ever known. The sun hung low, shadows stretching long across the ground.

I didn’t look back.

If I did, I might change my mind.

Moon was humming softly in my head, restless, joyful.

Vamp was purring like a cat waiting to pounce.

And me?

I was walking straight toward the one person fate had tied me to  the Supreme Alpha who didn’t yet know he’d been bound to the thing everyone feared most.

A half-blood.

A secret.

A ticking storm disguised as an omega.