Chapter 2

**Victor POV**

If my son weren’t such a hot head, I’d almost be proud of the way he dominated that omega in the kitchen. Being an alpha is all about displays of your authority to keep from your inferiors challenging it. I imagine that once Andrew learns to harness that power into a more calculated, calm exterior he’ll be an unstoppable alpha. Just like me and my father before me. 

“Son, you know chasing omega skirts is a favorite pastime of mine, but it’s time we get you focused on your future. So far your alpha training is going quite well. I could see you being ready to take over the pack by the time you’re 20 or 21.”

“But everyone else takes over their pack at 18. Why are you holding me back?” I could see my son’s impatient, angry blue eyes attempting to pierce into me, but he just barely missed the mark of intimidation. I stifled a laugh at the pathetic attempt and he began to look puzzled. My facial expression must’ve given away my amusement.

“You aren’t everyone else and you’ve wasted a great deal of time with the, er, lesser members of the pack. If you’d spend half as much effort on your studies as you have on chasing skirts you’d be ready by now.” Andrew ran a frustrated hand through his shaggy blonde hair. He truly hated being told what to do, especially by me. “Son, we have all the neighboring alphas coming to the pack this weekend to discuss a mutual treaty and I can’t have you embarrass me or derail our communications by making a spectacle of yourself the way that you did in the kitchen. Please at least promise me you’ll be on your best behavior the rest of this week. The alphas will start coming in as soon as Thursday. That gives you two days to practice behaving like a distinguished gentleman. Are we clear?” 

“Yes, dad.” Andrew rolled his eyes and huffed, but he still could not deny my authority. If he couldn’t restrain himself within the next two days, I’d have to alpha command him to do so. This treaty absolutely had to go through. This pack was weaker than every other pack in the surrounding area, and if the traditional pack allies didn’t agree to a contract of peace I could foresee us being pretty easily wiped out. If it could happen to Mystic moon pack 12 years ago, it could happen to us.

**Jade POV**

The rest of breakfast went off without a hitch with me cutting the fruit, baking the next several batches of croissants, and brewing the coffee in the kitchen with Emma replenishing the empty dishes and offering refills in the dining room. I knew I couldn’t remain unseen for the rest of the day but I could at least stay out of sight for the next short while.

Emma and I cleaned up after breakfast around 10 and helped ourselves to what little scraps were leftover. It wasn’t enough to fill us, but we were used to the feeling of being hungry. We made sure to down another cup of coffee before we headed to the alpha floor to start the cleaning for the day. We weren’t allowed to use the same coffee maker or event he same type of coffee as the other pack members, Alpha Victor always said he refused to waste pack resources on freeloaders like us omegas. I always tried to pretend I really was drinking the good coffee, but the taste of our coffee couldn’t even compare to the SMELL of the other coffee.

“God, the ranked wolves here are disgusting.” Emma griped as she held up a dirty pair of underwear with her little finger. I couldn’t help but laugh at her sass. We may have been pretty well beaten down since childhood but Emma had never stopped fighting back, something I secretly envied about her.

“Good thing they have us to wipe their asses for them, I guess” i said in between sweeping up garbage in Andrew’s room. We changed the sheets together as one well oiled machine, and after a quick dusting of all the surfaces and one unpleasant hour in the bathroom, Andrew’s room was totally clean for him to mess up over the next few days. The rest of the alpha and beta suites didn’t take long since nobody was as nearly as gross as Andrew and before long we were able to enjoy some quiet time in the laundry room. This was my favorite time of day because hardly ever did any of the ranked members come in here, so the other omegas and I could relax a little and not have to look over our shoulders waiting for someone to attack us over nothing.

“Andrew was sure in a shitty mood for lunch. You have to turn him down again?” Abigail, an omega only a few years older than me asked. 

“I don’t know why I’m suddenly so alluring to him, he didn’t give me a second look until a few months ago. I turn 18 tomorrow, I’m worried about what’ll happen once he knows I’ve gained my wolf and my scent changes.” I had to hold back an actual shudder thinking about how much worse his advances would get in just 24 short hours, that is, if the birth date on a necklace I had on when I was brought here was correct. I couldn’t even really double check it because alpha Victor confiscated it as my “room and board f*e”.

“Just make sure you’re showering more and maybe wear some newly discarded clothes with someone else’s scent on them. I heard the alpha is hoping to find Andrew a mate at this little shindig they’re throwing this weekend so hopefully you can keep him at bay with a little bit of distraction until then.” Emma offered. She was a few months older than me and had already gained her wolf, so I trusted her advice. The plan was to wait until tomorrow night to shift together and go for a run. Emma had been waiting on shifting until she could do it with me. 

I looked around at the small group of us smiling and folding clothes and sheets together. Every time I thought about it for too long I had to resist the urge to go tearing into the alpha’s office and demand that he treat us hard working omegas with respect. We are the back bone of this pack and yet he and most of the ranked members treated us like complete and utter garbage.

“I couldn’t agree more with your assessment, were it not for the way you just lumped yourself in with the other omegas,” a voice inside my head said and I froze momentarily before continuing with my work so as not to alert anyone.