Alpha and Omega

Fate Be Damned

"But mom, even if I mated Knox and we had a child, and that child was born with the kiss of death, it would be 13 years before they would be able to transform.  Not to mention, even when they could transform, I would never allow my child to be used in such a way."  So much of what my mother had told me should shock me, but it doesn’t.  I haven’t liked Alpha Neo or his son for most of my life, and Mathilda had hated them since she’d merged with me almost five years ago.

“I have a feeling that a man like Alpha Neo would not let something as small as what you want matter to him.”  Catherine mumbled, watching me with sad eyes.

“If I had to guess, he’d have encouraged his son to breed as many pups as he could off of you, and you’d have died in an accident while they were still young so he could raise them to be loyal to him.”  Added on Jaxon, but when I glanced at him his attention wasn’t on me at all, but Prince Gideon.

“I cannot wait to tear his head from his body.”  Muttered Gideon under his breath, drawing a chuckled from Jaxon and an eye roll from Catherine, while me and my mother looked at him with similar confused expressions.  While everything being said is terrible, and I agree that Alpha Neo needs to be taken out of power, I’m not sure the Royal family can do much on hearsay and assumptions.  When he noticed mine and my mothers confused expressions he sighed heavily and rolled his shoulders, trying to release tensions there.  “Although all of this is enough to have him investigated, what we learned on our tour of the pack today was already enough to pull him from power, his entire family really, and offer the Alpha position to another of family of worthy bloodlines.”

“What did you learn today?”  I asked him hesitantly, unsure if I really wanted to know the dirty details of what had really been going on in our pack all these years.

“Alpha Neo makes his pack members pay him rent for their homes and their lands, even for his protection, though all of that is his job to provide for his pack members.  Those that cannot pay end up disappearing to make room for new members.  Any pack members that attempt to leave are beaten into submission or killed, anyone who tells anyone outside the pack these details are gotten rid of as well.”  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, I had known that Alpha Neo was an asshole and a brute, but I had no idea of what lengths he had gone, to know that I had almost fallen into his grasp as well…

“Thank you for getting us out of there.”  I told Gideon with wide eyes, truly thankful that they had come tonight and been able to get me and my mother out safely.  I tried not to focus on the fact that his eyes were like melting chocolate and blinked rapidly, breaking the spell they seemed to cast on me, from the heat in my cheeks I knew that I was blushing again.

“Of course, Lenora, I would have fought them all to protect you.”  Gideon’s husky voice mixed with that sexy foreign accent had my heart skipping a beat as my stomach began to churn, feeling like there were hundreds of butterfly wings attempting to escape.

“Alpha.”  The guard, Kai, called from the front, his eyes flicking to the rear-view mirror anxiously.

“Yes, Kai?”  Gideon asked, pulling his eyes from my flushed face to look at his driver.

“Behind us, sir.”  Every head in the vehicle turned to look out the back window.   There were multiple sets of headlights coming straight for us, and the way they were gaining said that they were not friendly.

“How close to the pack boarder are we?”  Gideon asked as he began to unknot his tie and slip his jacket off.

“Less than a mile, sir.”  Kai answered, and with the shift of inertia that pushed us back into our seats, I knew he’d accelerated, racing for the pack boarder even as those in the SUV around me began preparing to fight our way out if need be.  Catherine was removing her jewelry and slipping out of her heels, Jaxon and Gideon were both now without ties and suit jackets, their white under shirts unbuttoned and rolled up to their elbows.  Mother on the other hand was white as a ghost and her breathing was erratic.

“Mom,” I mind linked her, hoping to help calm her nerves.  “We’re going to be okay, everything will be okay, we are almost to the boarder and the Neo and Knox will stop following us, they’ll have no choice.  We did it mom, we escaped.”

I knew she could hear me, but for some reason even my reassurances weren’t enough for her.  When I glanced up, I caught Gideon staring at me with a soft frown on his face, a look I was sure I mirrored.  The moment we passed the boarder I felt it, this freeing sensation passing through my body, and the way my mother tensed up in my arms I knew she felt it as well, being an Omega, the sensation would be difficult for her to accept for a bit, but soon she should feel better. Turning in my seat I expected the SUVs behind us to stop at the border, but to everyone in the vehicles surprise, they didn’t.  They passed over the border and continued following us, keeping us in sight but not gaining on us, like they were simply content to tag along.

“Sir?”  Kai asked uncertainly from the drivers’ seat, looking for direction on what to do next.

“Keep driving, if they do not back off by time we reach Silent Silver border’s then we will make them or Silent Silver will.”  Gideon answered as he glanced over his shoulder once more, his eyebrows pull together in concentration, more than likely he was he debating on why we were still being followed past Pale Moon’s borders.

“What are you thinking?”  I asked Gideon, knowing he had to have a theory.  His chocolate eyes flicked to mine and I saw the concern and worry there.

“Neo wouldn’t leave his borders in an effort to follow me, he knows it would be a death sentence to harm a Crowned Prince, and though he is absolutely insane in my own opinion, he is not stupid.”  Turning in his seat, Gideon seemed to slump back in his seat a bit as he contemplated, his hand going up to rub his stumbled jaw.

“Do you have a theory than?  If you do not think it is Neo, do you think it could be Knox?  Or even someone else?”  Jaxon interjected, when I glanced at him, I saw he and Catherine were holding hands but staring at Gideon in question.

“I honestly am not sure, and that is what worries me the most.  Neo and Knox are weak, and I could defeat them both easily, but there were many powerful Alpha’s there with their Beta’s in the crowd, and while I am not concerned with losing a battle with you by my side, I am nervous of my mate falling in the cross fire.”  The Prince answered honestly, causing Jaxon and Catherine to nod their heads in understanding.  We were facing an unknown enemy, or enemies, something they were not use to.

“It’ll be hours before we reach Silent Silvern we should all try and get a little sleep, with one staying up to keep watch.”  Looking at Catherine, Gideon raised an eyebrow before continuing.  “Would you mind keeping watch Catherine?  Me and Jaxon need to be at our best, just in case.”

“Of course brother.”  She nodded with a smile before leaning over and kissing her mate on the cheek.  I looked down at mom and was pleasantly surprised to see she was already resting, I was a little shocked that with the current events going on she was able to fall asleep, but exceedingly thankful. 

Leaning back in the seat with my mother pressed against me, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  I didn’t feel tired, and I didn’t want to sleep, but I needed to think, and with his chocolate eyes always staring at me with that heat I couldn’t focus on anything else.  Taking in deep, even breaths, I cleared my mind and began to go over the events of the night again, hoping to make them clearer for me to understand.

“Lenora.”  I heard a husky voice say in my ear, as the hairs on my arm stood to attention from the sensation of electricity dancing across my skin.  I groaned and leaned closer to the delicious feeling, and hearing a throat chuckle my eyes snapped open.  I had fallen asleep; I’d had no intention of falling asleep, but I had.  “Lenora, it is just me, Gideon, we are at the border checkpoint for Silent Silver, and they are demanding proof that you are with us.”

“Oh,” I mumbled, blinking my eyes rapidly to try and clear the blurriness of sleep from my vision.  “Yeah, of course, what do I need to do?”

“Just lean forward and let them see you from Catherine’s window is all.”  Gideon’s warm breath floated across my cheek, and I found my eyes drawn to his lips as I drooled at how amazing he smelled.  Those lips turned up into a smile though when he noticed, and he gestured towards the open window and a grinning Catherine leaning out of the way of the border guard who was demanding to see me.

“Hi, Lenora Hall, daughter of Derek Hall of Silent Silver, niece of Leonard Hall, Alpha of Silent Silver.  This is my mother, Nina Hall.”  I said as I motioned to the still sleeping woman whose head was in my lap now, followed by the others in the car.  “Royal Beta Jaxon, Princess Catherine, and Crowned Prince Alpha Gideon.  Please allow us passage through to speak with my uncle.”

The guard looked thunder struck from the moment I had told him who I was and stepped back with a look of surprise on his face as his gaze seemed to look off into the distance.  Soon his gaze was back on me and he was bowing his head as he waved us through. 

“Please follow the road into town, wolves will escort you to the packhouse once you reach the city limits.”  I nodded my head to him and leaned back into my seat, raising hand to cover my mouth as a yawn broke through my lips.  As the SUV began through the large gates in front of us I looked around the cab to see all eyes on me.  “What?”  I asked anxiously.

“Derek Hall’s daughter?”  Jaxon asked in astonishment, his mouth practically hanging open. 

“Your mom never mentioned her mate was Derek Hall.”  Catherine exclaimed, a huge smile, that honestly confused the hell out of me, curving her lips and lighting up her eyes.

“What does that have to do with anything?  We told you he was the Alphas brother?”  Did no one listen to the explanation we’d given earlier?

“Yes, but neither of you ever mentioned which brother was your father.  Convenient to leave out such a vital piece of information.”  Jaxon was saying, his voice laced with a bit of excitement now as well.  What in the hell was going on?

“I’m so confused…. What does it matter which brother it was?”  I asked, my eyes falling on Gideon as he chuckled and ran a hand through his already tousled hair.  How could anyone look so delectable when they’d been in a vehicle for hours?

“Derek Hall and Leonard Hall were twins, with Derek being the older of the two.”  He watched me as if that information was supposed to mean something of great significance to me.

“I know you just woke up but goodness woman, the eldest son is always the Alpha!  That means your father was the true Alpha of Silent Silver, he must have stepped down though when he found his mate would not follow him home, more than likely hoping to convince her to move.  It also explains why Neo felt so threatened by him and, from what I have heard, I assume he had him killed for this reason as well.”  Jaxon added in, but from the look he was giving me and the twinkle in his eye, he wasn’t done.  “Derek Hall was one of the greatest fighters to ever live, he even beat the King, Gideon’s father, in a sparring match when they were younger.”

“Wow, really?”  I asked in amazement, all I really knew of my father was that he’d been an Alpha’s son and brother, I had no idea he’d left such a legacy.

“It also explains why you did not bow to that weakling Alpha as well; you have true Alpha blood running through your veins.”  Catherine added, her smile never faltering, and I began to feel one of my own curving my lips.  Her smiles seemed to be contagious.

“We’re here sir.”  Called Kai from the front.  All of us turned to look out the windows to get our first glimpse of the infamous Silent Silver’s inner sanctum, but it just resembled any other medium sized town.  Well, except for the silver-colored wolves running in front of and beside our vehicle, leading us in.

When we reached the packhouse I marveled silently at the massive size of the structure, the brick building looked more like a school.  Four stories tall with white shutters and a big blue double front door.  There was even an exceedingly tall flagpole out front with two flags I didn’t recognize flying at the top.  Standing out front was about a dozen people, all seeming to watch the SUV closely as we pulled closer.  I had wanted to meet my father’s family for so long that I knew I’d be nervous, but I didn’t realize I would feel so worried as well.  What if they didn’t like me?  What if I wasn’t what they expected?

“Do not worry Lenora, there is no one on this planet who would not be enamored of you.”  Gideon whispered beside me, leaning in to plant a warm kiss no my cheek that had me blushing once more.

Looking away from him quickly I gently shook my mother away and told her we’d arrived as she rubbed her eyes sleepily. Once we stopped in front of the packhouse, the people waiting outside made to move forward, but a tall man at the front lifted his hand, ordering them to wait where they were, as he stepped forward and opened the door the SUV himself.

“Uncle Leonard!”  I exclaimed as I smiled shyly at his grinning face.

“Little Lenora, welcome home my dear!”  His voice laced with the same enthusiasm mine was.  He truly was happy to finally have me on his lands, and for once in my life I felt truly, and completely accepted.  “Well come now, lets unload so I can finally meet my brothers mate face to face and hug my niece!”  Catherine laughed softly and greeted my uncle warmly as he offered her a hand to help her out, mother moved to climb out next bowing her head to my uncle once her feet were on the ground in true Omega fashion, though Uncle Leonard scooped her up into a hug instead.  Jaxon opened his own door and quickly made his way around the vehicle to stand beside his mate, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close while he silently observed the unknown wolves around them.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart as Gideon leaned in and took my hands in his.  “Trust me, these people will love you, though I would hazard a guess the do already, and even if they do not, I will protect you.  Always.”  His beautiful chocolate brown eyes were staring at me with such sincerity that I instantly felt better about the entire situation.  I nodded my head and made to climb out of the SUV, taking my uncle’s offered helping hand, immediately being pulled into his arms in a bear hug once my toes had touched the gravel driveway.

“Finally, Derek’s little Ora is home.”  He whispered in my hair, and I had to admit, it felt nice getting a hug from a family member, even if I’d only ever met him through a tablet screen.  “You are where you belong now.”  Uncle Leonard added as he pulled away and gazed down at me an admiration.  “Come on y’all, greet your cousin!” 

Everyone began rushing forward at once and I felt Gideon tense up as he climbed from the SUV and stood at my side, nervous of so many people he didn’t know crowding me.  But I noticed one man in particular didn’t move from his spot, instead staring at me in shock, mouth hanging open and eyes wide as saucers.  I recognized him from our video chats, my cousin Channing, he was the oldest of my uncle’s kids and the next in line to be Alpha.  I looked around me confused by his reaction but seeing nothing that would cause such a reaction.  Uncle Leonard must have seen his reaction as well because he was not staring at Channing as well, his brows pulling together in a frown.

“Don’t just stand there boy, come great our guests!”  My uncle demanded of my cousin, who snapped his mouth closed and seemed to take a deep breath before heading over.  “Prince Gideon, this is my son and heir Channing.” 

Channing took the hand Gideon offered out in greeting and shook it shortly before attempting to turn away from the group.  “Channing!  Stop being rude!  Great your cousin.”  Uncle Leonard was practically growling at this point and the rest of his family was watching the scene in shock, clearly Channing never acted this way, and it was confusing for everyone, myself included.  Had I done something wrong?  Had I offended him?

Stepping towards me Channing seemed to take a deep breath and held a handout to shake my own.  I placed my hand in his and watched as he cringed away on contact jerking his hand from my own.  But it didn’t matter, I had felt what he knew was going to happen.  Tingles of electricity licked at my skin when our hands touched.

“Umm…. Mate?”  Mathilda said in confusion, clearly as surprised and shocked as I was.

“No….” I whispered under my breath, taking a step away from my cousin and straight into the arms of Prince Gideon, who I had thought was my true mate.

“I, Channing Hall, Rising Alpha of Silent Silver Pack, reject you, Lenora Hall of Pale Moon Pack.”  He stated clearly, his blue eyes, so much like my own begging me to accept.

“What’s going on Lenora?”  Gideon asked in shock, looking between me and my cousin in earnest, just as everyone else who was now still and quite around us was doing as well.

“I, Lenora Hall, of Pale Moon Pack, accept your rejection, Channing Hall, Rising Alpha of Silent Silver Pack.”  I braced my self for the pain that was supposed to accompany such a reject, but it never came, and the look of shocked worry on Channing’s face told me he didn’t feel it either.

“No… no, no, no.  I can’t do this…”  Channing muttered as he took a few steps back from before spinning on his heel and fleeing the scene.

“What the hell just happened?”  Uncle Leonard grumbled.

“What in the actual f**k is going on…”  Whispered Gideon.

“Alpha!”  Called a warrior behind Jaxon, calling everyone’s still shocked attention to him.

“What?!”  My uncle answered back beyond frustrated at what ever in the hell had just happened.

“There are Three Alpha’s at the border demanding entrance.”  The guard answered, seeming nervous of the news he was delivering.

“What the hell do they want?  I have no meetings scheduled.”

“Well… umm, they all claim to be Lenora Hall’s mate…”  I never realized a crowed this big could be so quiet, but I swear even the crickets stopped chirping.