Chapter 2
“Brynlee Eclipse, you stand accused of attack my future daughter in law Tanya Cross. For that, you will be demoted to an Omega.” Alpha Valor calls out. My eyes widen and body flinches as I feel my title being ripped from me, my status as a Beta she-wolf being thrown to the wolves as I feel the new title of Omega settle onto me. He literally walked in to me fighting off Scarlet and Ashley, so how could he do this to me.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” He continues, his grey eyes stone cold. This was not the Alpha I grew up respecting. Not the man my parents died protecting last year. Many in the crowd watch on with anger, either directed at me or towards the Alpha. It is clear by the way the three she-wolves look versus my dishevelled and wounded state that the Alpha is spouting lies.
“If I tell you the truth, will you even believe me?” I ask sceptically. I try to reach out to Rune, to ask for his support but my mind link to the pack is still blocked and it is clear to me that Alpha Valor is protecting Tanya. Something about this whole situation seems off to me. Like I am trapped in some sort of play.
“Of course.” Alpha Valor agrees readily. I stare at him for a moment, scenting the lie in his words. Whether he believes me or not does not matter, Alpha Valor is against me for some reason and my only hope is whether or not the pack will listen to my words and hopefully come to my defense.
“I did not attack Tanya.” I shot back, glaring at Alpha Valor before my gaze turns to the ever growing crowd of pack mates. I search the crowd for Rune hoping he would come to my defence, even tried to mind link him images of what happened but the block remains. I manage to find him, our eyes meeting for a brief moment before he looks away with guilt. Shocked, I turn back to face Alpha Valor while trying to hide the hurt and disappointment I feel. I know he and Tanya were a couple, but as his Mate he should be protecting and defending me even if it means going against his father.
“I was waking up and getting ready to find Rune when Tanya and her goons attacked me. You can see how badly I am wounded, smell the wolfsbane in the blood that drips from the claw marks they left.” I continue explaining as I look to the wolves in the crowd, pleading with my eyes for them to believe me. Those that sneered at me sniff the air, their eyes widening when they realize I am telling the truth. I can even see some turning to look at Rune as the scent of him all over me is clear as day. Some even muttered that I own my own house so why would I be in the pack house attacking Tanya and her friends this early in the morning.
“Silence!” Tanya snarls as the mummers in the crowd grow louder. Some growl at her, not liking the fact that an outsider is telling them what to do, but Alpha Valor snarls a warning, silencing everyone and drawing a triumphant smirk from Tanya.
“Why would she attack you?” The Alpha asks with a scoff once silence settles. I can tell he does not believe me and I stare at him in disbelief. Could he not scent his son all over me? Heck, I can still feel the aftermath of Rune making love to me well into the night last night.
“Because your son is my Mate.” I deadpan, looking to Rune waiting to see what he would do. His head whips in my direction, his fingers clenching into fists. I stare at him watching to see if he will say anything but instead his eyes turning into a hard glare – a glare that is thrown my way. Taken aback by the cold treatment, I send one last attempt towards the link before I decide to explain further.
“We found out at my birthday party yesterday and he and I spent the day in his room. The pack can smell him on me.” I continue, my own stare hardening as I look away from my Mate wondering why Rune isn’t protecting me.
“You’re lying!” Rune shouts, marching down the steps. The sudden connection of his hand on my cheek sends me flying , the burning pain of being hurt by my Mate causes me to scream in agony. The crowd gasps in horror, my body already weak from the wolfsbane poisoning me mixed with the pain of being attacked by my Mate being too hard to bear in this moment as I try to force my healing into overdrive. I can’t appear weak right now.
The pain subsides as soon as I focus on healing and I turn to face my so called Mate just in time to watch two wolves rush forward to retrain him for hurting me further. But Rune is frozen as the mark of a Mate Beater appears on his neck, causing him to scream like a bloody banshee while everyone watches in a mix of shock and horror. It is clear now that I am telling the truth.
The Alpha looks between his son and I, worry for Rune etched into his grey eyes, but he chooses to remain where he stands. As an Alpha dealing with a pack member accused of attacking a visitor, Alpha Valor can’t afford to help his son through a crisis he caused all on his own.
“By the mark that just appeared on your neck Rune, I would say you are the liar. I am disappointed in you.” Alpha Valor states, giving his son a look of pity before he turns back to glare at me. Taken aback by the hostility in his eyes, I stand to my feet and ready myself for a fight all my instincts are telling me is coming.
“Unfortunately Brynlee, Rune and Tanya were arranged to be married years ago.” He continues, his grey eyes so cold and uncaring that I suppress a shiver.
“You cannot be with my son as I made a deal with Alpha Jonnah Cross. Our packs will be united in marriage. We made this deal so that he would not attack us for our land.” Shocked by this revelation, the pack begins to whisper amongst themselves again. My mind replays the night I just had with Rune. How I gave myself to him thinking we would be together as intended and we would lead Pine Moon together one day. He promised me so much last night, so how could he have kept this from me.
“What do you mean I can’t be with my mate? He is the only one the Goddess paired me with, I won’t have another mate?!” I question, my voice raising until I am screaming at Alpha Valor. I knew my instincts were right in that something was off. Both he and his son knew I would never be able to be mated to Rune and they planned this whole farce with Tanya.
“You heard me. Now either reject my son or let him reject you.” The Alpha scoffs, glaring at me like I am a misbehaving pup. Shaking with rage at his words, I turn to face Rune who stares at me with his own seething rage. The mark of a Mate Beater will never leave his skin. He will be stuck with it for life unless he repents for his mistake.
“No.” I snap back. I will not reject my Mate.
“Then Rune will do it for the good of the pack.” Alpha Valor shrugs, stepping back and motioning to his son.
“Rune wouldn’t do that! He knows we are meant to be together!” I argue back, turning to face Rune. He stares at me for a moment, his anger subsiding as he takes in my pleading gaze, but guilt flashes as he shakes off the two Warriors holding him back and opens his mouth.
“I, Rune Sterling, reject you, Brynlee Eclipse, as my Mate. May the Goddess finds mercy on you and you find a wolf to spend your days with.” The pain rips through me like a blade heated in Hell’s fire. It tears at my heart, causing an ear piercing scream to wrench from my throat as I fall to my knees. My one and only Mate choose a pack whore over me. Chose his duty over me.
The pack watches on, some in horror, some in shock, and others with amusement. After what feels like eternity, the pain subsides and I look to find that Rune stares at me with a smirk, one that causes the rage to take control. Without thinking I lunge at my now Ex-Mate, my fingers turning into claws as I slash them along his face. He screams in pain, his warm blood coating my fingers. He knew he was engaged to Tanya for years. Knew that he and I could never be together and yet he still took my virginity last night. Still played me like a fool and made me believe we could have a future as Alpha and Luna.
Strong arms pull me off of Rune and I allow them as I recognize the scent of Gale – the man who was made my God Father the moment I was born.
“Brynlee, you need to calm down.” Gale whispers into my ear, holding me tight against him as I try to fight my way our of his grasp. But he is strong, whispering that Rune will get his karma and that I need to calm down so that my healing can work the wolfsbane from my system. I finally stop fighting and allow Gale to help me stay upright while I fight back the tears that threaten to spill from the pain coursing through my heart.
“Brynlee you went too far!” Alpha Valor screams as he steps towards me. The two wolves that held Rune back now grab onto the Alpha, preventing him from attacking me unjustly considering what his son has just done. I glare at him, not caring any more about respecting him as my Alpha. He took away my status as Beta knowing it was the last thing I had left of my parents after their death a year ago. Made me and Omega without hearing my side of the story, then told me I can’t be with my Mate and had Rune reject me. He can go to Hell for all I care. I will even send him there myself if he tries to take another step towards me.
“No. You and your son went to far.” I snap back with a snarl, feeling my power of a Beta trying to break through the constraints the Omega title has placed on it.
“My parents gave their lives for you and your son and this is how you treat me? I deserve better and you know it!” I scream back, the pack whispering their disapproval at the father and son pair. Gale tenses behind me, reminding me to stay calm but I can’t. Alpha Valor took everything from me.
“It’s exactly because of what your parents did that I am allowing this.” He snaps back, spit flying from his mouth as he seethes with rage.
“Brynlee Eclipse, you are henceforth no longer a member of the Pine Moon pack. You have until midnight tonight to pack your things and leave my pack or else you will be hunted and killed as a Rogue.” I feel the pack bond break, feel my heart stop beating for a moment from all the pain I have faced in the last thirty minutes. The status of Omega is ripped from me, its shackles that bound my Beta blood gone and I take a deep breath. To think in just thirty minutes I would go from Beta, to Omega, and back to a Beta again. All it took was for me to become a Rogue.
“Valor this is going too far!” Gale shouts back.
“No Gale, this is exactly what needs to be done!” Alpha Valor screams back, his glare turning from me to Gale.
“And if you think I went too far in banishing Brynlee, then you can leave with her.” He adds. Gale opens his mouth to say something but someone else speaks first.
“Fine. We will leave then as clearly Pine Moon is made of liars and snakes.” I turn to the sound of the new voice and Find Miss Asteria walking towards us. Her image is blurry as the pain from the rejection and the banishment course through me.
“Gale take Brynlee home while I deal with this younger brother of mine.” Miss Asteria orders. I move to protest, to stop her from breaking ties with her family, but my steps faulter and I begin to fall. Arms catch me before I hit the ground and Gale’s scent surrounds me once more.
“Hang in their Brynlee.” He coos, helping me to stand.
“You can’t cut ties because of me.” I mumble out, feeling my body sway again.
“If Asteria says we are leaving, we are leaving.” Gale mutters as he scoops me into his arms. I try to fight him, try to push myself away but the pain and the wolfsbane have finally taken their toll on me and as I try to fight to stay awake, darkness takes me and I pass out while Miss Asteria argues with Alpha Valor.
Chapter 3A dull humming of pain wakes me from the darkness, the scent of my home being the first thing I notice as soon as I come to my senses.“Good, you’re awake Brynlee.” Turning to the sound of the voice, I see Miss Asteria standing before me as she removes pictures from frames and carefully sets them into a box. She is meticulous in her packing, making sure not to bend the only images I have of me and my parents.“I don’t want to hear you protest. Gale and I already renounced our status as members of Pine Moon and packed away our house.” She cuts me off as I open my mouth, her hazel eyes staring into mine. I want to say something, to make her change her mind, but Miss Asteria is an Alpha blooded wolf. Once she makes up her mind there is no turning back.“Valor and Rune went too far and you deserve better. I will not stay here while they destroy the pack my ancestors built.” Miss Asteria states as I slowly push myself into a sitting position on my couch. Looking around the room I
Chapter 4“Brynlee, I am vacuum sealing all the bedding.” Miss Asteria calls out, her head popping in the door way. A look of shock fills her eye as she takes in my now empty room before it morphs to one of sympathy. She understands what I am going through as she is also leaving being her ancestral home.“My bedding is on the bed. I wasn’t sure how to pack it.” My voice sounds emotionless and hollow and surprises even me. The calm that washed over me earlier seems to be working. I am holding myself together pushing all the pain and agony from being rejected and banish into a dam inside my mind. Time will tell when the dam will break and all the pain and hurt comes crashing down on me but for now I can manage each task one at a time.“I can pack it up for you while you decide what to do with your parents’ room. I left it for you to pack up.” She pads into the room to where I stand, wrapping her arms around me and pulling my body in for a hug.“Thank you.” I find myself wrapping my arms
Chapter 5“You did the right thing Son.” My father, Alpha Valor, claps me on the shoulder as I watch my Uncle Gale carry Brynlee – my Brynlee – away. My face burns from her claw marks, the pain reminding me that I hurt her all because I was forced to. Judging from how the blood continues to drip down my face, I know these marks will leave a scar. A scar that will match the pain in my heart forever.The pack begins to disperse now that the show is over, some whispering about how the pack will change when my Aunt and Uncle leave. Aunt Asteria was furious when she learned what we had just done to Brynlee before denouncing her role in the pack and breaking all ties with us. She told me I will regret loosing Brynlee and will realize that mindlessly listening to my father will lead me to a life of misery. I asked her if Brynlee had a Mate Beater’s mark like me, but she told me that Brynlee attacked me after I rejected her and there for will not bear the make before she left chasing after Un
Chapter 6Glaring at Rune’s retreating figure, I stand from the floor now that I can breathe again. To think he would find his mate in that slut Brynlee and left me at the party alone to spend the night in her arms. I was furious to learn that she spent the night in his bed, even more furious when I slammed the door open to see her wearing his clothes and covered in his scent. Rune is my play toy and no one can have him but me.“Tanya, why were you on the floor?” Valor walks into the pack house, his own mood soured from the trial outside. It seems getting rid of that slut caused problems with the pack. Many of the pathetic Omegas and lesser Warriors already voiced their opinion on the matter, stating they would rather have Brynlee as their Luna over me. I have a plan to deal with these wolves later as long as Valor keeps Rune in check.“Your son thought to teach me a lesson of respect.” I growl out in frustration, allowing the man before me to see the bruises left on my neck. Valor st
Chapter 7Slinking towards the motel, I shake my fur out as the light misting of rain makes me wet. I am happy that Miss Asteria and Gale chose a motel so close to a forest so that we can stretch our wolf form as it gave me a chance to run free and hunt down a rabbit that I happily gnawed on while mulling over my thoughts. It’s been seven days since we left Pine Moon. Three days that I haven’t been able to shift till this morning. Keeping the dam of pain and emotions at bay in my mind has gotten easier the further we are from Pine Moon and I find myself enjoying the long drives from motel to motel.Shifting to my human form, I find my clothes in the hollow tree I left them in and change, rushing to our room on the first floor and entering it just in time to see Gale and Miss Asteria getting ready to leave.“Did you have a good run?” Gale asks, giving me a hug.“I did. It was needed.” I admit with a small smile.“Well, you have rabbit blood in your hair. I am guessing you went on a qui
Chapter 8.1Glaring at the computer screen in front of me, I read the report sent by the Private Investigator I hired to find Brynlee. Its been a week since she was expelled from Pine Moon and I have slowly come to realize how much I regret what I did. I should have never slapped her, never rejected Brynlee – my Goddess given Mate.The last seven days have been hell for me. Tanya has ramped up her abuse on the Omegas, ordering them around like slaves to prepare for our wedding day in a few months time. Every day, I get reports of her attacking she-wolves that mention my Brynlee and how she would have made a better Luna. It has caused me to placate my pack mates and put Tanya in her place. But when ever I do that, my father indulges Tanya stating that those she-wolves shouldn’t have mentioned Brynlee in Tanya’s presence.It has become a nightmare for me. Always having to perform my duties as heir to reassure pack mates that I am handling Tanya, to dealing with my father yelling at me f
Chapter 8.2Walking through the woods on the outskirts of the pack, I curse myself for being so dumb at loosing track of time and running late. Today Brynlee turned eighteen and as the future Alpha I need to be at her party to congratulate her. To welcome her as a functioning member of the pack. She will begin her Beta training under Jett and will become my Beta when I take over the pack.[Where are you?] Wincing at the sound of my father yelling through the mind link, I roll my eyes and pick up my pace. He seems angrier than usual and me being late does not seem to help.[On my way. I lost track of time in the wood.] I reply back with honesty, deciding to shift into wolf form so that I can move faster. My clothes tear as I shift mid step, my paws hitting the hard forest floor as I take off. The party starts in ten minutes, I need to be there in five to make it in time to change into new clothes and still be on time for the party.[Hurry the fuck up, Rune. Your Aunt will nag me to dea
Chapter 8.3The door to my office slams open and Caspian storms in, plunking himself into the chair in front of my desk and pulling me away from my thoughts of Brynlee and that day a week ago. I was shocked that he was here, figuring we would only talk if it were about his Beta training.“I thought we weren’t on speaking terms?” I ask as I watch my friend runs a hand through his hair. I can feel the anger and hurt radiating off of him and I have a feeling what might have happened to make him choose to come to my office.“We aren’t. But this is the only place my parents won’t bother me.” He answers back, pulling out his phone. I say nothing, knowing the situation Caspian is in with his parents and how they are trying to force him into claiming some random she-wolf as a Mate instead of allowing him to search for her himself. Its an argument that I have witnessed myself many times since he turned eighteen. At one point Caspian had confided in me that he hoped Brynlee would be his Mate to
Rushing towards the boardroom while frantically clipping my hair into a bun, I dodge an Omega with their arms full of clean linen. A week has passed since Shadow Rose came to train with Crescent Phoenix and in that week Quincy has caused a fight and now lay in the infirmary after his punishment, being chained with silver cuffs for three days while staying in the dungeons. Ashton hasn’t left Devlyn’s side as the latter has yet to wake from a coma, and Quest has told Asteria that he and Ashton have talked to me and wish to leave the Pack when Rune and I take over Crescent Phoenix. Add on Rune finding out he can see visions of the future and that this power might be inherited by our pups in the future and I have no idea how I am still standing after the week I have had.Not only that, but today I had a weekly checkup with Jasmin to see how my pregnancy is progressing which made me late to our war strategy meeting now that the two Packs are slowly working as a team. After our foraging ses
Standing on Quincy’s front porch, I hesitate before knocking on the door. Caspian had told me before leaving the truck that Jett is staying here with his niece for now as Milan is shaken up by her Mate’s actions from today. I can’t blame him for wanting to be there for Milan, the only family he has left. I would be furious in Jett’s shoes and I would have marched down to where Quincy is being kept and throttled some sense into him by now whether Aunt Asteria liked it or not.The door opens and Jett appears looking weary and pissed. His mouth opens – most likely to yell at whoever is at the door – only for his angry appearance to morph into surprise.“Rune. Caspian.” He calls out with a sigh, looking at each of us in turn.“What brings you two here?”“I came to see how Milan is doing. Rune came to talk to you.” Caspian answers with a small smile. Jett hesitates, his eyes glazing over and we wait for a few minutes to pass figuring her was linking his niece to see if she wanted any visit
Helping Brynlee pack the mesh bags into a wagon Greg – one of our Omegas – brought to help us bring our foraged plants to the Pack House, I smile as I hear many of the Crescent Phoenix wolves chatter with the Shadow Rose wolves. It sounds like everyone had fun learning about foraging today, some even became excited when they found a poisonous plant that we could use in the upcoming battle. Caspian was the one to pick these plants with careful and precise movements since Brynlee was pregnant and unable to touch them while Brynlee explained the use of this poison as it has a similar characteristic to wolfsbane, The only difference is that this poison, a plant with red veins and black-tipped leaves called wolfsblood, will cause the person’s blood to curdle in their system in high enough doses leaving the victim to die a quick and painful death.“Ready to head home?” Brynlee asks as I place the last bag into the wagon.“Actually, I was going to find Jett and talk to him about this mornin
Standing in front of the tree line with Warriors and Hunters from Crescent Phoenix mingling with Tristan’s men, I watch as the tense atmosphere from this morning that Quincy caused slowly disappears. Training had been canceled so that Asteria could deal with Quincy and rip him a new one and Quest was still with Ashton, keeping an eye on our friend and unable to help with training. He had linked me twenty minutes ago to inform me that Jasmine had broken the news to Ashton that Devlyn possibly might be in a coma but Ashton’s presence will help him come out of it faster as the Mate Bond will help heal Devlyn.I had given Quest permission to take three days off to help Ashton as well as have him report back to me if Ashton tries to leave Devlyn’s side to try and find Quincy to pay him back for what Quincy did to Devlyn. After Quest confirmed he would keep an eye on Ashton, I went out in search of Tristan to make good on my promise of teaching his wolves to forage in the forest as well as
Standing to my feet, the chair I sat on falling backward, I rush to the front door calling out to Rune but I am too late. He is already racing towards the Pack House while Caspian stands at the door. Anger radiates off my friend and for a moment I wonder what he said to cause Rune to rush off like that.“We need to get to the Pack House.” He states, turning to look in the direction Rune left.“Quincy beat Devlyn up pretty badly and Quest is keeping Ashton at bay. He wants to destroy Quincy for harming his Mate.” Caspian explains. I nod, grabbing my truck keys from the hook and rushing to my truck. I forgo the seat belt and drive off as soon as Caspian climbs into the vehicle before he can even close the door.The tires kick up gravel from my driveway in their wake while Caspian holds on for dear life, his eyes wide as I drive through the forest faster than usually allowed. Rune has shifted into his wolf form by now, his body just ahead of the truck as I catch up.Deciding to have Casp
Moving around the kitchen, a smile on my face, I watch the bedroom door to see when Brynlee will wake. Last night had been a blast seeing Tristan and Michael again but I had been worried when Brynlee had gone off with Ashton and Quest alone. I waited patiently beside my god-brother while counting down the minutes until Brynlee would return to my side.When she did come back out, she had a worried air about her but brushed it off when I asked. Of course, Quest stood beside her, his eyes scanning the crowd like a watchdog. I knew these two bonded as friends and felt happy to know he was keeping my Mate safe when I was not around, but the way he refused to budge and talk with other wolves worried me even more.“Rune, is that pancakes I smell?” Brynlee calls out as she exits the bedroom rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. She looks so tired yet adorable and I can’t help but move to her side and pull my Mate in for a hug.“Yes. I just finished making apple cinnamon pancakes.” I an
The door to my bedroom is slammed shut and a small snarl escapes my lips. I know it is a warning by the Warrior who led me here after leaving Valor’s office but I can’t help but think that I am nothing more than a prisoner as I know said Warrior is standing outside, guarding my door so that I don’t leave without my Mate knowing. Everyone knows that Valor is not taking any chances when it comes to the unborn pup inside me. I know that he plans to get me pregnant as soon as I can after giving birth to this pup and the thought revolts me but not as much as the plan he has to keep me on my back in bed pleasuring him to his heart’s content instead of allowing me to perform the duties of a Luna.I regret mating that misogynistic prick. Regret making a pass at him after turning nineteen in hopes of gaining some form of power inside this Goddess forsaken Pack. I knew back then Rune didn’t want me. Didn’t want to marry me. He is right that everything that has happened is my fault.I got my mot
Watching the messages fly in as I converse with the other Alphas around me, I grin and lean back in my chair. Devlyn may have been a cowardly traitor for leaving as soon as he completed the blood pacts but his information has come in handy at least.I had worried about my sister coming back to claim Pine Moon as her Pack when she left. Worried about the truth behind mine and Clairice’s mating coming to light when Jett abandoned Pine Moon the moment that bastard Rune did. Now, I no longer care as the threat they pose will soon be gone within seven weeks. Add on that the doctor confirmed last night that Tanya is indeed having a boy has made the relief I feel immeasurable. My bloodline is secured, and my descendants will continue to rule over Pine Moon for years to come.As soon as Tanya has this pup I will make sure to put another one in her womb. She will only know the bedroom and the birthing room. She will raise our pups while I take care of the Pack during the day and she will satis
Watching Rune chat happily with Tristan and Gale while Delilah reclines by the bonfire with Asteria, Odette, and Avery, I take a deep breath and sip on the apple juice in my hands. It is the calm before the storm that war brings. A peace that I wish would last and could bring my pup into.Dinner had been a fun fan fair, the Omegas that volunteered to be on duty were quick to keep the buffet filled while Crescent Phoenix wolves came and went to mingle with the Shadow Rose wolves. I spent that time getting to know Avery and Delilah, finding myself laughing so hard that I couldn’t even drink my apple juice without nearly spitting it onto the table. It was during this laughing fit that Avery introduced me to her Mate, Jamal, a Beta wolf who was kicked from his Pack in Jamaica for not wanting to give up his right as Beta to his pack for his Alpha’s brother-in-law.He thought that coming to Canada would bring better luck for him as his cousin Delilah was here. He thought coming to see his c