Chapter 2

 The Bourne Pack hierarchy had always been crystal clear. Alphas at the top, followed by the Luna, then Betas, Warriors, Gammas, and finally, Omegas at the bottom.

We each had our place, our roles, our invisible boundaries.

It was a system that had worked for generations.

 But as I stood in the pack dining hall the morning after my rejection, that system felt like a noose around my neck.

"Omega!" Zara's sharp voice cut through the breakfast chatter. "My coffee's cold. Again."

I bit back a sigh and headed to her table, where she held court with her inner circle, all daughters of high ranking pack members.

The future Luna's perfectly manicured nails drummed against the table as she fixed me with a cold smile.

"You know, Layla," she said, loud enough for nearby tables to hear, "I've been thinking about pack positions lately. Particularly about omegas who can't perform their simple duties correctly."

My hands trembled slightly as I picked up her cup.

Through the lingering phantom of our severed bond, I could sense Aiden approaching the dining hall.

My wolf whimpered.

"I apologize, Future Luna," I managed, keeping my eyes down. "I'll bring fresh coffee immediately."

"See that you do. Oh, and Layla?" Her smile turned predatory. "I'm announcing some changes to omega duties today. Be sure to attend the pack meeting."

Great.

Just great.

As I retreated to the kitchen, whispers followed.

Everyone had noticed something was off about me since yesterday.

Rejected wolves often showed physical symptoms, exhaustion, loss of appetite, depression. But rejected mates? That was different.

Worse. And while no one knew about my rejection yet, they could sense something had changed.

"Here." Sarah pressed a fresh coffee pot into my hands, her eyes sympathetic. "And take these too." She handed me a bottle of suppressants, special ones, designed for omegas during their heats. But we both knew that wasn't what I needed them for today.

The pills would help dull the mate bond's remnants, make it easier to be around Aiden. They were technically forbidden for this use, but Sarah didn't ask questions. Omegas protected their own.

"Thanks," I whispered, quickly swallowing two pills dry.

"Layla." James's voice made me jump. He stood in the kitchen doorway, his Beta status allowing him access everywhere. "Can we talk?"

Sarah quickly made herself scarce as James approached.

In the morning light, he looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept. Probably hadn't, after finding me in that clearing last night.

"About yesterday..." He started.

"Please don't," I interrupted. "I can't... I can't talk about it."

His eyes softened. "Okay. Then let me tell you about something else. The neighboring Silver Creek Pack is hosting a run next week. I have an extra invitation."

I almost dropped the coffee pot.

Pack runs were usually restricted to higher ranks. Omegas weren't typically invited to inter pack events.

"James, I don't think..."

"You need this," he insisted, stepping closer. "A night away from here. Different wolves, different territory. No ranks, no politics. Just running free under the moon."

The offer was tempting.

So tempting. But...

"Zara would never allow it."

"Zara doesn't make these decisions. And I've already cleared it with the Beta Council."

Of course he had.

James might play the easy going Beta, but he wielded considerable influence.

His father was Head Beta, and after losing his mate, James had thrown himself into pack politics, earning respect far beyond his years.

A commotion in the dining hall drew our attention.

Aiden had arrived for breakfast, Zara immediately at his side. Through the kitchen window, I watched her wrap herself around him possessively.

My wolf snarled, the suppressants not quite strong enough to completely dull the pain.

"Okay," I said suddenly, turning back to James. "I'll go to the run."

His face lit up. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. But right now, I need to deliver this coffee before..."

The kitchen door swung open. Aiden stood there, filling the doorframe with his massive presence.

His eyes locked onto mine for a fraction of second before sliding away dismissively.

"James," he said, his voice neutral. "Beta Council meeting in ten minutes."

"Of course, Alpha." James straightened, all business now. But he hadn't moved away from me, his shoulder almost touching mine.

Almost...

Something dangerous flashed in Aiden's eyes. "Now."

James squeezed my hand quickly before leaving, the touch innocent but comforting.

I didn't miss how Aiden's jaw clenched at the gesture.

Once James was gone, Aiden remained in the doorway.

The air felt electrified, heavy with unspoken words.

My hands started trembling again, the coffee pot rattling slightly.

"Alpha," I managed, forcing a bow. "Did you need something?"

"The pack meeting today," he said, his voice clipped. "You will not attend."

I looked up in shock. "But Zara said..."

"I don't care what she said." He stepped closer, and goddess help me, my traitorous body swayed toward him instinctively. "You will make yourself scarce until it's over. That's an order."

The alpha command settled over me like a heavy blanket.

I wanted to argue, to demand why, to ask if he was trying to protect me or just hide me. But I couldn't.

I wouldn't dare.

"Yes, Alpha," I whispered.

He nodded once and turned to leave, but paused. "And Layla? The Silver Creek run is off limits. You will not leave pack territory."

My heart sank.

Of course he'd heard. Of course he'd forbid it.

"You can't..." I started, but the words died in my throat as he turned back, his eyes now blazing alpha gold.

"I can," he growled. "I will. You are my...  you are part of my pack. You go nowhere without my permission."

He cut himself, but I heard it.

The word he'd almost said.

My chest ached with fresh pain.

"Now get back to work," he ordered. "And stay away from James."

Then he was gone, leaving me clutching a coffee pot full of cold coffee, my hopes for escape as shattered as the mate bond we both pretended didn't exist.

Sarah reappeared, wordlessly handing me another bottle of suppressants. I'd need them. Because somehow, impossibly, the rejection had made things worse, not better.

In the dining hall, Zara's laugh rang out, followed by the sound of chairs scraping.

The pack meeting would start soon, the one I was now forbidden to attend.