Another celebration
1310 Words
DAMON’S POV
Now that things were finally settling in the pack house after the mate selection ceremony it was time for me to start planning the celebration of its success. This duty fell onto my hands because I was the one who had hosted the mate selecting ceremony. I was honored because this was a way for me to cement my position as the alpha and I wanted this to be an opportunity for the other alphas to realize that I was the perfect candidate for the alpha king position. The main reason why I had selected Nyra to be my mate was because her father’s position as one of the elders gave me an advantage.
Preparations for the celebration had already begun before noon. The pack house moved with the quiet urgency that always came before gatherings of power. Servants hurried through the halls with armfuls of banners, cooks shouted orders from the kitchens, and guards doubled their patrols along the outer walls. Another gathering of Alphas.
Another night of alliances, negotiations, and watching wolves pretend they weren’t measuring one another strength. I wasn’t the only one who was gunning for the alpha king position but tonight was my chance to prove myself. This was something that all the other alphas were expected to respect. I stood at the long table in my office, studying the layout of the Great Hall while the scent of ink and parchment filled the room. Across from me stood Marcus.
My right-hand. The only wolf in the pack who spoke to me with something close to honesty. He leaned over the map, his finger tracing the outer gates before glancing up at me.
“You’re expecting quite a crowd tonight.”
“Yes.”
“And security?”
“Handled.”
Marcus didn’t move. His finger tapped lightly against the parchment.
“Handled how?”
I leaned back slightly in my chair.
“Double guards on the perimeter. Patrols along the forest line. No one enters without clearance.”
Marcus nodded slowly. Then he asked the question he’d really come here to ask.
“And uninvited guests?”
His tone was casual. Too casual. My eyes lifted to his.
“You mean Nathan.”
Marcus didn’t bother denying it.
“He’s still out there.”
“He’s been out there for years.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
Marcus folded his arms.
“You’re not worried?”
I almost laughed.
“About Nathan?”
“Yes.”
I leaned back further in the chair. The name carried no weight in my mind anymore.
“He was banished for a reason.”
Marcus’s gaze remained steady.
“That doesn’t mean he won’t come back.”
“It means he won’t survive if he does.”
Marcus didn’t look convinced.
“He used to live in this packhouse,” he said quietly. “He knows every entrance.”
“Used to.”
“And he used to have supporters.”
“Used to.”
Marcus sighed.
“You’re underestimating him.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“You’re ignoring him.”
“That too.”
Marcus studied me for a moment before speaking again.
“You really believe he’ll never return.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Nathan was always many things,” I said calmly. “But he was never suicidal.”
Marcus didn’t answer. I knew what he was thinking. Nathan had once been the wolf everyone expected to become Alpha. The stronger brother. The louder one. The one who attracted loyalty without trying. But strength didn’t always equal discipline. And discipline was what ruled packs. Not chaos.
Nathan had been chaos, and chaos didn’t lead it burned itself out.
“Even if he did return,” I added calmly, “what would he do?”
Marcus shrugged slightly.
“Cause trouble.”
“He already did.”
“That was years ago.”
“And the result hasn’t changed.”
Marcus exhaled slowly.
“You’re very confident about that.”
“I’m certain.”
Silence settled briefly in the room, then the office door opened. Nyra stepped inside without knocking. Marcus straightened slightly.
“My Luna.”
Nyra gave him a brief nod before turning her attention to me.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“You are,” I said evenly.
She ignored the remark.
“I wanted to speak about tonight’s arrangements.”
Marcus glanced between us before stepping back toward the door.
“I’ll check on the outer patrols.”
“Do that,” I said.
The door closed behind him.
Nyra walked further into the office, her long dress whispering across the floor.
“The Alphas arrive at sunset?”
“Yes.”
“And the hall?”
“Nearly prepared.”
She nodded thoughtfully, hen she said, almost casually,
“I’ll handle the Omega staff tonight.”
I looked up from the map.
“You’ll what?”
“The Omegas serving the banquet,” she repeated smoothly. “I’ll assign them personally.”
“That’s unnecessary.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
Nyra moved closer to the table.
“As future Luna, I should take responsibility for certain things.”
“Omega assignments aren’t one of them.”
“They are now.”
My eyes narrowed slightly. Nyra smiled faintly.
“You’re very protective of the lower ranks lately.”
“I’m protective of order.”
“And I’m ensuring it.”
I studied her quietly, there was something too smooth about her tone. Too deliberate.
“What exactly are you planning?”
Her brows lifted.
“Planning?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“I’m planning a flawless evening.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Nyra’s smile remained perfectly calm.
“The Omega staff should represent the pack properly.”
“They will.”
“Then you won’t mind if I select them.”
I leaned back slowly. My wolf stirred faintly with irritation. There it was. That familiar undercurrent in Nyra’s voice. Not anger. Not quite jealousy. Something colder. Something calculated.
“You want Elodie there.”
Nyra didn’t even try to hide the satisfaction in her eyes.
“It would be fitting.”
“For who?”
“For the pack to see what happens when someone forgets their place.”
The words hung in the air. I could almost picture it. Elodie standing among the Omega servants. Serving tables. While the entire Alpha council watched. Nyra waited for my reaction. My wolf shifted uneasily at the thought. Not because of Elodie. Because of the bond. Because it would react. Because it always did. But outwardly, I remained completely calm.
“If that’s what you want,” I said finally.
Nyra’s smile widened slightly.
“You don’t mind?”
“No.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
She watched me carefully, waiting for hesitation. Waiting for weakness. She found neither. So she nodded.
“Good.”
Nyra turned toward the door.
“Then I will make sure the right Omegas are chosen.”
As she reached the doorway, she paused.
“You know,” she added lightly, “the Alphas will enjoy seeing the pack’s discipline.”
“I’m sure they will.”
Her smile lingered for a moment longer, then she left. The door closed behind her. The office fell silent again. I stared down at the map on the table. My wolf stirred once more. Restless and annoyed. Somewhere in the pack house, Elodie was probably still working. Cleaning. Serving. Scrubbing floors like every other Omega. Exactly where she belonged now. Exactly where I had put her. And yet the bond pulsed faintly in my chest anyway.
Unwelcome. Persistent. I ignored it. Tonight was about power. Not instinct. And I had already made my choice.
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