The Silent Luna

Chapter Two: Derrick

This was not a trip I wanted to make, but when you were the Heir to the Kingdom—well, it seemed you didn’t always get what you wanted. And as the Heir, I needed to find my Fated Mate. I had spent the last twelve years in Europe expanding our pack business and being the liaison for our Kingdom in Europe. The business was thriving and my younger sister, Megan, had taken over while I returned to America to start my true quest for my mate. My father wanted me mated by the time I turned 100 and since I was 57–well, he thought I was running out of time.

I wasn’t—but what the Alpha said was to be done, right?

“What can you tell me Ryan?” I asked as I walked through the plane and sat down with my Delta. Ryan Ebonhart was the Nephew to my father’s Delta and was damn good at his job. He was the main man when it came to research and intel. To my left, Holt Dainhurst was looking over his own set of files and as my second in command, I expected him to be just as informed.

“Well, everything we have on them seems to be pretty clear and something your father wants to see changed—they have back dated views on rankings and blood status—and unfortunately, I think our team found out exactly what we feared,” Ryan explained as he pulled out a report and passed it over to me. “Omega Females aren’t mated to anyone—all meant to be used for breeding—and even mated wolves seem to take pleasure in them.” I felt my jaw tighten at the very idea. “It seems our teams were able to confirm the rumors—one team even witnessed a young Omega Female being forced to reject her mate—a beta male who just stood there and once it was done, he wrapped his arms around another female and claimed her as his mate.” It was sick in his mind, to reject a fated mate.

“They don’t believe fated mates makes them stronger—no wonder three hundred years ago the Stonehart Alpha couldn’t take on your grandfather in his challenge for the Kingdom,” Holt mused as he put the file down and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I wish your grandfather and father would have wiped them off the Kingdom and placed a new Alpha over the region.”

”Well, the next Alpha ensured they would change their ways—but, like father like son—or grandson… Michael is my age now and he already has a mate and son as well,” I said as I looked at their profiles before us. Gabe grumbled and shook his head as he looked at the unit files. “What is it, Gabe?” My Gamma was not happy about something.

“I am reading a report that a few other Alpha have visited Stonepaw in the last few years—they seemed to have partaken in using the Omegas themselves—granted, none of them are mated,” he said with a grumble before tossing the file with the others. My Gamma didn’t like any wolves being used in such a fashion—but I knew he was more attune with emotions, seeing as he was the wolf who would one day be my Luna’s protector. But, his Aura was meant to calm and help.

“Well, when we arrive, we are to pretend we know nothing about this—I have requested that the three of you stay together in a suite,” I said as I pulled up my digital mail on my phone. “You three will be staying in the Beta House? Apparently, they have a series of Pack Houses based on blood status—single wolves live there or newly mated wolves. Families get their own house or apartment in their region.” Though, I had a feeling that no Omega Wolf lived in any home except for the Omega Packhouse. The Packhouses were all together too based on the map. The Alpha House was in the center, with the Beta House to the South, Delta and Gamma to the East and West, and the Omega House to the North. “I want to see what they do typically.”

The rest of the flight was uneventful and we landed in Charleston, West Virginia before taking our rental SUV towards the main area of the Pack. Much of this pack stretched across from of West Virginia and Kentucky. They were a mountain pack, living in the Appalachians. So, our drive was scenic and I texted my father to update him on our travels. This was my third pack to visit to find my fated mate. The first had been further on the west coast and my first down in the Bayous. Both the packs had been strong and friendly—I was wondering what this place would be like.

We arrived prior to dinner and much of the Pack was there for dinner. Quickly, I made the observation that there were no Omega’s dining with the pack—they were all serving the food and being silent. I also noticed exactly what we had discovered—Omegas were being treated exactly how we expected. A few males even laid claim to female Omegas, telling them to come to their rooms for the night. The few female Omegas we saw who were obviously pregnant with pups had a male watching over them with possession, likely because they were carrying their pup. At least two mated pairs had pulled an Omega down to sit with them and caressed the Omega’s belly together.

‘They aren’t just being bred by unmated males—even mated pairs are taking part in this together,’ Holt said to me quietly in my mind as we watched. They weren’t even trying to hide it. This was completely normal behavior for them and I glanced over at him. I didn’t need them to realize we were communicating to my unit. The Alpha Family sat with us and I watched as Chad Stonehart called over an Omega to introduce us.

“Alpha Derrick, this is Melissa Blackthrone—she is the mother of three of our best Betas,” he explained as he smiled at her. “She is actually blessing our pack with another pup as well.” I didn’t even care who’s pup—though with the way he looked at her and the way his mate and future Luna looked at her, I could only imagine. I knew Megan Rainer-Stonehart. She was from another pack and it was clear that she was pissed at what was going on. But, something must of been said to her to keep her mouth shut.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Blackthorne—I’m sure your mate is very proud,” I said with a smile, earning a glance between the Alphas and then Omega who seemed to pale a little. I didn’t react, only returned to eating my meal and mentally speaking with my unit.

It was several hours before my Unit and I separated, though we could link each other easily enough. The Luna and Alpha escorted me to my own private suite and the moment I stepped in—my wolf surged forward. ‘Mate!’ I had to grab something to steady myself. She was here—I could smell her scent strong, along with something else. ‘Our mate smells off—like something is wrong.’ I shook my head, trying to force my wolf to understand we needed to be patient.

‘Calm down, I will find out who was in here,’ I said to him before I turned to look at the closed door to my suite. It was a nice suite, with a living room, kitchenette and two bedrooms, not that I needed two bedrooms. I linked with Holt the moment I felt in control. ‘She is here, my mate—in this pack.’ It was both amazing and also—worrisome. Wolves here were okay with things most of the kingdom was not.

‘Here? Damn—have you seen her?’

‘No—I just smelt her—she was in my suite, but it is fresh scent, a least a couple hours before we arrived,’ I said, taking another deep breath before closing my eyes. I had to figure out what that odd scent was that lingered with her. ‘But, something is off—I will find her tomorrow though.’ Because I needed a chance to calm myself and my wolf.