Blood-Stained Moon

New beginnings

I must have fallen asleep on the drive over because I'm forced awake by a kick to the shin from Ryan, ouch. "Wipe the drool off your face R. Not a very good first impression for your future mate" He smirks.Laughter errupts in the vehicle causing the driver to raise his eyebrows through the rearview mirror. I kick Ryan back twice as hard"Same for you a*shat, smells like you haven't showered in a week and I won't even mention your current female body count. Besides I'm not looking for anyone so shush." His face flushed scarlet and he sat back with a huff

Ha that told him, but about the whole mate thing, can we come back to that? Wolfy chuckled

NO we cannot. I will decide who I want and when I want. I don't have to be mated

Wolfy whimpers and retreats to the back of my head.

What is with everyone and mating, barely over half the wolf population ever finds a mate, 25% of that number reject or lose their mate and the half that don't ever find a mate choose one. Being mated changes nothing. My mother was my father's mate and it still ended between them. The driver clears his throat, making us all jump. "We are now approaching the Emerald clan" Our mouths drop in shock. The tyres crunch on a neat graveled path down towards a large metal gate. As they swing open to our passing car the setting sun hits a large emerald, creating the most beautiful glittery gaze . They fully open with a clunk into place to reveal a long path surrounded by hedges and wildflowers, I stare through the car window to see the winding path leading to a huge castle. It's a far cry from our crumbling packhouse that could barely be considered a mansion due to its disrepair. As we get closer a few flaws of crumbling bricks are noticeable at the forefront portcullis, but the exterior castle walls look strong and the upkeep looks marvelous, not one bush left unpruned, not one leaf out of place. The van stops in the courtyard just by the front steps and I gasp in awe, even the doors look beautiful, the history carved into the heavy wooden frame is indescribable. Is that silver laced into the winding vine carvings? I wonder aloud. The door itself is at least 8 ft tall and 6 ft wide and to one side is a large wooden beam with what also looks like silver bars nailed across it. The bar looks secure and also painful to anyone who touches. The driver exits and walks around to open the door. I clamber out and self consciously brush off my clothes. I feel so dirty and common compared to the building that towers above me and also the guards standing in front. They're well dressed in clean cut black suits with emerald ties, the buttons of their crisp white shirts barely holding together over their impressive tanned musculature underneath. They are all clean shaven and the smell emanating is like fresh pressed linen, it almost makes my mouth water. They are each sporting black glasses and earpieces that make them look like a scene from a spy movie and not one part of them is misplaced or scruffy. Even their voices boom deep and clear "Alpha Peterson welcomes you to the Emerald clan. Please step inside, our Omega Valerie will show you to your lodgings." With that they part to reveal a petite woman exiting the large door. She looked mature with oval glasses donning a dark orange skirt suit. Her brown hair was starting to grey down the cascading curls and she was a little skinny but looked well kept overall, she reminded me of a headmistress. My whole body instantly unclenches almost at ease. If all the omegas look like this woman, the Alpha here must treat his pack well- or so I hope.

Valerie sashays down the steps towards us and gives a welcoming smile "Welcome to you all to our abode. I can imagine it is rather different to what you are used to." Grace scoffs and rolls her eyes, Valerie clears her throat and continues, if she saw she covered it well. "If you come this way I will show you to your rooms, Alpha Roan has expressed a wish for the pack to be as close to the castle as possible and we have a few spare rooms left for working Omegas on the lower floor, if you would follow me please." She extends her arm to the door and begins to walk looking behind to check we follow. On closer inspection the door is definitely laced with silver vines, the metallic smell makes my nostrils flare in disgust.

It's a good defense strategy

Bit of a sh*t one wolfy, you can't touch the door without burning yourself too. Won't have time to glove to barricade in a hurry

Valerie practically power walks through the entrance and to the right down a flight of stairs, she walks so fast none of us have time to stand and gawp at the interior design. There was just too much to take in. Down the stairs there was a large living area with two long corridors branching off. The lounge area boasted several sofas, chairs a bookshelf and a wall mounted television above a marbled fireplace. The floor was a hard stone with several emerald rugs draped over the floor. Valerie leads us down the corridor on the right and stops near the end. "Before we enter the designated rooms, I shall give you a quick run through of the castle. Are we all listening? Valerie looks above her spectacles and gives direct hard eye contact to each of us. I shuffle my feet nervously, man she gives off some power vibes. "So the East wing from the first floor up is reserved for ranked members only, half belongs to the gammas and the other is the nursery for the ranked pups . We do give advice not to walk around too freely to give them privacy and also for the security purposes of the pups. The second floor and above are strictly off limits, they belong to the Beta, Alpha and guest ranked members only. Passes are required for any working Omegas that are assigned the first floor and above.The west wing lower and ground floors are for the working omegas, the ground floor is reserved for omega families although most prefer their own lodgings outside of the castle. East wing ground floor is all access, there is the dining hall, the kitchen, laundry rooms et cetera. The west wing first floor is mostly consisted of the medical bay and a small gym and spa. The second floor of the west wing is off limits and subject ot privacy no passes are accepted there" She pauses to take breath, We are barely taking in the information but she continues on spouting it out as if reciting instructions from a page "Outside there is a small outdoor pool, an outdoor seating area, the lake with the lake house containing boats to the south and a few ponds scattered around. Please take care if you do not swim well to avoid any deep water areas including the lake. You are reminded to stay in territory at all times, the border is marked by wooden fences and silver wires, take caution. If you are to roam in wolf form steer clear of the front border. We have had incidents of humans wandering near the property. We have not had any incidents in..." She pauses to check a mental clipboard "nearly 3 years now. If you see a guard on patrol do not disturb them they will not take it lightly. Now, rooms. Grace and Leon, I am aware you are mated, we unfortunately do not have a free family room, but we do have a few large spare so your room will be on the left side number 34. Ryan, on the right, room number 17. Remy you have been assigned number 12 left side. The common area we passed connecting to this corridor is for the omegas only, for your leisure during downtime hours, the left corridor has a small kitchen but you are expected to replace any food used. All regular rules apply, no fighting, or speaking/behaving above your position. Dinner is in one hour, you will be expected at that time no later than. You must remain seated until the ranked mebers leave. Usually working Omega are expected to begin clean up but as you have just arrived you may take the day before starting your designated stations. Please wait for the assignment announcement after the dinner. ". She wastes no time handing out our keys and doing an about turn on her court heels, before striding down the corridor. I get the feeling this isn't the first time she's had to go through this whole spiel today. I waste no time in hauling my heavy bag down the corridor and searching for my room. I try to go over the information but my brains hurts. I reach my door and push the key into the lock. I take a breath and steady my nerves before I push the door open. My nostrils flare at the sudden waft of air

It smells so clean here, my nose burns

Don't moan, clean is better than dirty, oh my gosh

Wolfy is practically running circles in my head tongue wagging at the sight of my new roon.

Stood in front of me is the most pristine area I have ever seen, it looks just like a hotel room. There is a double bed with a thick quilt, woolen blanket, FOUR pillows and an extra cushion for decoration. The pillows smell of feathers, beside is a small bedside table and a white lamp with fringing, rather dated but still pure white. On the right is a small wooden desk with a chair and a computer! I gasp audibly unable to contain my excitement. It's an old thick one, but I have always dreamed of having one. On the very left is a large black wardrobe and in the corner is a small sink holding a bar of soap, and a cup with a toothbrush and paste. Wolfy is pawing in my head itching to wrap herself in the bed sheets and ruffle the feathers within.

wish granted

I'm on the bed within seconds, wrapping myself up like a burrito and spreading my scent all over. It makes my body feel twice as heavy

I have to get off this bed before I fall asleep it's too comfortable

Outside, I want to run outside can we go please please I need to explore

Simmer down girl, food first. Can't be late to dinner

my stomach rumbles in agreement. I rub my gurmbling belly and sit up giving a good stretch feeling my bones pop. I glance at the bedside table and see a sheet of paper with instructions to the bath and shower rooms. I sighed. One day I dream to have an en suite, one day. My thoughts are discturbed by Grace bursting through my door, shrieking like a banshee "A ROOM TOGETHER, OUR OWN ROOM. ITS A QUEEN, A QUEEN BED REMY AND A BATHROOM. WE GET A SHOWER AND A TOILET AND OMG YOU HAVE A COMPUTER" Her eyes dart my desk and almost bulge out of her head in excitement. "I'll trade you computer for a bathroom Grace. But hell this place is freaking awesome. The walls aren't even falling apart, and the sink has HOT water. I'm definitely liking it here already" I chuckle. "Deal, you can shower anytime you want if i can steal a go at the computer. OOh wanna come see my room?"

"Don't have to ask me twice". I dart forwards, still holding the keys to lock my door behind us. We link arms and giggle like schoolgirls rushing down the corridor to her room. It was pretty much the same except bigger and where my desk is is a door amd a small shower room with a toilet. Ryan ends up joining us and we all had a good comparison of rooms.

Fast forward to dinner, we all stumbled around cluelessly trying to follow a map to the dining hall, Ryan and Grace both arguing which way to go while Leon and I took in the sights. We eventually bumped into some people and followed them in the hopes we would get there. Finally we pass through a set of thick mahogany doors and the scent of food hits our faces. Inside there are several large tables, in separated clusters, presumably for each rank type and a table at the head of the hall separated by a step, of course for the alpha and his gamma/beta. Of course they would need to be separated from us lowly ranks and sit from up high, I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I notice the chair at the head of the table is empty, but the chairs either side are occupied. A woman on one side and man on the other. So they must be his betas. I glance at the large grandfather clock behind the alphas chair, it is just past the hour, dinner has started I wonder where is the alpha? My thoughts are interrupted as we are shooed to a vacant table tucked in the corner. I recognise our pack scattered around the back of the hall, most at their own tables together. Ryan, Grace, Leon and I sit side by side, Leon subconsciously scoots closer to Grace, so much so that the legs of the chair begin to tangle with each other. It's not long before we are joined by Amal and one of our kitchen staff who's name I can never seem to remember. I tried to connect with her once but she just ducked her head and pretended not to hear me, I just stuck with Ryan after that. Amal has a permanent shocked expression and his eyes are moving constantly, the other girl is slouched her head down at her lap. I catch Ryan's eye and he mouths weird. I stifle a giggle. We watch as more chairs are added to the ends of the head table, Beta Natha, Gamma Neal and Leanne take their seats in the added chairs. The new gammas are sat at a table just below the head, along with what I presume to be the Emerald Gammas, judging by their stance and dress. Alpha Roan darts over to the remaining seat at the head and adjusts his tie subconsciously, he hardly ever wears his suit and it looks pretty crumpled. He tugs at his shirt collar as if it will loosen its tight grip on his neck. Roan usually wears his shirt and a jacket, the top button is always undone to give his large neck some space. His sudden dress up is probably to put on a good show for the Emerald clan.

As the last few get seated large trolleys are wheeled in from swinging doors at the back of the hall just like in restaurants.

Each cluster got their own trolley of food, instead of helping ourselves plates are handed to us with a serving of delicious looking pork chop. A Large jugs of gravy isplaced at the center of the table. The portions look fair but carefully controlled with a generous serving of vegetables. I'm practically drooling, the heat is climbing up my face just asking me to dig in. A loud clearing of the throat demands attention to the head table where the male to the right of the Alphas seat is standing, his voice booms "Good evening and a warm welcome to the Emerald clan. I hope you are settling into your rooms. As you are aware, Alpha Roan" a small nod in his direction "has submitted under the rule of our Emerald clan. Roan has chosen to step down from his current position to be the new Emerald Beta." shocked gasps and murmurs fill the hall, a wave of uncertainty fills the air. "This may come as a shock to some, this decision has not been taken lightly, however the recent attacks on the Timber, Copper, Bronze and Silver clan have shown us that strength better lies in numbers. More shall be said on this matter, on behalf of the Alpha I apologise. The alpha is attending to important matters upstairs and unfortunately will not be greeting at dinner tonight. I am Beta Greene, I am the packs head trainer. To the side of me is Beta Trake " He motions across to the stoic faced woman seated beside "Trake deals with rules, punishments and the general upkeeping of rules. You will be seeing much more of me in the coming days, so eat up! you'll need your strength." Beta Green chuckles heartily, raises his glass and sits back down at the table, as he picks his fork up everyone begins to eat. I hastily grab my fork and shovel in some pork chop holding back a moan as I bite into the hot deliciousness that is dinner. It's like nobody has eaten in days, Ryan's inhaling his so fast I'm surprised he can even taste it. His dinner dissappears before I reach my third mouthful. He jolts back in the chair and groans rubbing his belly "Man these people cook decent food. They better put us in the kitchen I wanna learn all they can teach *burp*" I shake my head at him in disgust and place my cutlery on my empty plate. "D'you think anyone will notice if I lick the plate clean? *burp* *groan* I think I ate too fast *burp*"

"no s**t Ryan, stop burping in my face" I pretend to be angry but the giggle escapes before I can trap it. Grace and Leon are feeding each other, it's almost nauseating how in love they are. Wolfy pouts at me, I shove her back mentally, today has been enough without more love debates. It's not long before all of the plates are empty and we are all rubbing our extended bellies in satisfaction. That was one mean meal I think. A quick ahem from the head of the table and Valerie appeared, clutching a stack of papers to her orange blazer. "Here is a list of names and your job assignments, take one and pass the rest down. on the back of each list is a short map from the omega quarters to each designated working area. Duties start tomorrow and we expect all to be clean and punctual so please take plenty of rest after the long day. If you do feel like a run outside our curfew is 8pm, we do not take kindly to rule breaking, but we do encourage recreation. That's all for now, have a good evening" She pullsa few labelled papers from the stack and drops them lightly on the table, turns her heel and attends to other tables. I get my paper and hand the rest over to Ryan who passes the rest across. Grace and Leon have been assigned to laundry, Grace cracks a huge lovesick puppy smile at Leon, I gag internally. Ryan and I are in the kitchen, I grin so hard my cheeks burn. Amal is with the pups in the nursery, he shows us instructions to collect a pass from the Beta to gain access in the morning. I take no interest in the girl at the end of the tables job, her head is still hung low, I cannot tell if she is happy or sad or even awake. Ryans face is beaming with happiness, until he sees the time we have to be up for breakfast. I laugh so hard I almost lose my dinner "hhha- 5am -5, 5- in the morning hhahaha" I'm clutching my sides in agony but I can't stop. Ryan looks like he's been slapped in the face, Leon's rolling in his chair crying and Grace is banging her fist on the table and hiding her head, giggling furiously. Ryan scowls furiously. "I f*cking hate mornings." "Dhuh D Don't worry about haha, about it Ry, I'll kick-y your a*s awake haha" I wipe the tears from my eyes and try to breathe through hysterical giggles. He smacks my shoulder hard and crosses his arms. Grace catches Leon before he falls off the chair and we take deep breaths to calm down. Even the weird girl looks up briefly, I swear I see a small smile peep out beneath her bangs. Amal just looks embarrassed.

Not long after our giggle outburst the hall begins to clear. I look round to see the head table is already emptied, they must have left as we were distracted by our paper. A quick pan around, any Silver pack member still leaving are clasping papers to their chests, well, I guess not Silver pack members anymore. The thought of that wipes the smile from my face. The energy suddenly drains from me, its been a long weird day. I drag my feet on the way back to my room, nobody seems to notice as they chatter happily on the walk back, except the odd glance from Ryan on the way. I barely register an appetising scent lingering on the entrance hall on the way down. As I get to my door I look up and notice everyone has already left, I hardly remember even getting here. Sighing heavily I unlock it and head straight to the bed placing the paper and key onto the desk before throwing myself down. I cuddle the pillow tightly and allow my falling tears to send me into a deep slumber.

I wish you were here daddy