The Alpha's Secret Luna

8.PLAIN AND BORING

I had a difficult nights sleep, I was riddled with guilt about Alicia, how I broke my promise to her. I was comforted by knowing she and Lyam would be united as mates before the thought of seeing her again and explaining myself sent me back into the depths of self hatred. How I couldn’t save her... how all would be different if Alpha Thomas survived if Marc had grown up loved instead of used for his power. Alpha Thomas was a kind and just Alpha, who was always disappointed in his son. You would think that being born to one of the most prosperous packs, and one of the most generous Alphas that had existed that Marc would have turned out better than he did but there was a few unfortunate circumstances in his upbringing that caused him to be the grade A arsehole we knew today. Firstly, his mother died when he was young, now this is not an excuse or a reason for being horrible but as wonderful his father was, he was completely unprepared and inept at raising children and gave the job to his Omegas. A young Marc could always be found skulking around the kitchen and terrorising the cooks or cleaners, sliding down the bannisters, or putting chilli flakes into recipes. When his father did try to reprimand him, he was reminded that he barely knew his son and was only present when there was telling of to do. This led young Marc to see his father in a negative light. Marc was never brought to council meetings or on visits around the pack grounds to check in on everyone. To Marc, he felt locked away and hidden from everyone like he was a dirty secret never to be let out. In reality, it was the opposite. His mother had been murdered by a traitor in the pack and Alpha Thomas had become paranoid that his son would be next, seems the paranoia ran in the family, so he kept his son safe from harm and away from the world. Ironic that Alpha Thomas would take in any stray that found their way to his lands, but his generosity always superseded his concern. The second unfortunate circumstance was when the rogue attacks started increasing and the packs numbers grew from the wounded or warriors from decimated packs. This brought an array of Lycans together from all levels of society. Some unsavoury characters, who had been banished from their own packs, saw this as an opportunity to sneak in and a young, impressionable Prince was the perfect friend to have. They were known to constantly remind him that he was the prince, and he should act like it. They would fill his head with their own ideals as to who was lower than them, which was anyone that wasn’t in their friendship group. They took pleasure in running around and stealing food, clothes, jewellery, anything that took their fancy. A teenager Marc would often be seen running around the grounds with two in particular; Athony and Cleo. Cleo was a nasty piece of work, thought of herself as the most beautiful person to ever exist and would slap the look off your face if you said otherwise. Anthony was her partner, but they were never truly exclusive, most notably by the story that on Marc’s 16th birthday an Omega went in to tidy his room to find Cleo and Marc in a rather comprising position with a third unknown Lycan. The omega resigned the following day. Thirdly, and most importantly, that at nearly 52 years of age (still quite young for a Lycan), he was mateless. Most Lycans found their mates at 18, and some lucky ones found them earlier, but the mark and scent wouldn’t be available until you turned 18. With his age, it was unlikely that he was ever going to find his mate, and with each year that passed his need for one, and his taste for his courtesans grew. A Lycan without a mate is close to living without air. You need it to be alive. Marc could have been one of the greatest. He only needed someone to show him his own strength. He needed his mate. My sleeplessness was gone when my mind drifted off to sleep and told me the story of when I first met Marc.

**

I was in Odessa’s room, which was down from the infirmary ward, I awoke in the middle of the night to a sound from the hallway, and I strained to hear the voices.

“Come on Marc don’t be a wuss. Let’s see the newcomers, you never know. One may be her…” The female voice ended in a sing-song tone.

“I would be so lucky.” Came a male voice, Marc I guessed.

“Look at the positives of your situation. There are dozens of new Lycans coming in every week. More of a chance of finding your mate.” A second male voice. “Here we are, the adolescent ward. All those between 12 and 18, perfect.”

“I’ll try guys, but no-” Marc stopped suddenly, and I could hear footsteps closer to my rooms doorway.

“You alright?” Came the other male voice.

“Shh Anthony!” Came the female.

“Don’t ssh me Cleo!”

“Guys!” Marc’s voice sounded urgent. “I smell something…” A silhouette appeared. In the dim light from the hallway, I could make out a tall figure. It came closer towards me, and the moonlight lit his features. I hated to admit it, but young me, in the light of the moon, found Marc stunning. He had his dark hair perfectly styled, two eyes of crystal-clear blue, his face chiselled. As I searched further, he had broad shoulders, and the shirt he was wearing heavily defined his shoulders and arms. Broad and brave, toned as if created out of marble. I hadn’t realised I was staring until his eyes met mine. “Hi.” Was all he said.

“Hi.” I said back. The silence between us was deafeningly loud.

“Who’d you find?” Came Cleo’s excited voice as she almost jumped next to Marc. She took one look at me before snapping around. “Really? Her?” Anthony arrived and stared at me.

“I’m with Cleo here. She looks a little…”

“Plain, boring.” Finished Cleo.

“There’s something about her.” Mused Marc to himself, still watching me. He shook his head as if to clear his mind. “Sorry, I’m Marc.”

“Cora.”

“Cora.” He almost breathed it. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“What are you doing here?!” Came a much harsher tone from Odessa than I thought possible. “All three of you, back to your rooms and leave my patients alone!”

“Sorry Nurse Odessa.” Teased Cleo as she took Anthony’s hand and led him away, Marc lingered for a second longer before giving me a small nod and following them. Odessa came rushing to my side.

“Are you okay, Cora?” She seemed genuinely concerned.

“I’m okay. Who were they?”

She took a long sigh. “The lady of the three is Cleo, and the gentleman she sauntered off with is Anthony.” She didn’t hide in her voice her distaste for them.

“Do you not like them, Odessa?”

“I try to like everyone dear, but some are harder than others.” Very diplomatically said, I thought.

“And the other one? The handsome one, Marc?”

“Handsome?” She blinked twice in quick succession before softening her face. “My dear, do you like Marc?” There was a soft twinkle in her eye, and I felt my cheeks heat up.

“I’ve just met him; I can’t say whether I like him or not.” I turned my face away to hide the growing blush. Odessa placed her hand on my cheek and turned me to face her.

“Oh sweet. Marc is our prince, the Alphas son. He’s a very handsome young man and unmated to my knowledge.” That last part seemed unnecessary to my fourteen-year-old self. “But be careful. I hear he is a bit of a wild card, a ladies’ man shall we say.” This went right over my head. “Try and sleep again, Cora.” She stroked my hair softly, like my mother used to, and although I wasn’t tired, I fell asleep quickly.

**