Split Alphas

Chapter 2

Just like I predicted, the week flew by.

Each day, the omegas were assigned a never-ending list of chores to prepare for the arriving Alphas. Tomorrow, they would finally begin to arrive—and the ball would officially begin. My brain was desperate for rest. I was drained from the nonstop activity, and this morning would be my last moment of peace for a while.

I dressed quickly, tying my hair back into a loose bun as I walked toward the kitchen. Thankfully, it wasn’t my turn to cook breakfast. Grabbing a banana and a mug of coffee, I sat at the bar and waited for the lead omega to hand out assignments. My stomach was empty, but it churned uneasily anyway.

“Good morning, Ginger,” said the lead omega, walking in briskly. “Today I’d like you to stock the fridges in the cabins and luxury suites. I suggest you start here in the main house—someone can help you—but I can’t spare anyone for the cabins.”

I nodded. Then glanced toward Jamie—my one source of sanity.

“Can I bring Jamie?”

“That’s fine. Just be quick about it. She has other chores.”

⸻

Jamie and I finished our food in silence, then made our way to the pantry and wine cellar to gather supplies. We weren’t exactly morning people, so we worked quietly and efficiently, pulling everything from the list: fresh fruits, assorted wines from the Alpha’s collection, bottled water, and snacks.

The list was simple, but with so many rooms to prepare, it would take ages.

Pulling our loaded carts behind us, we headed for the elevator up to the fourth floor.

“Have you heard about the twin Alphas coming from different packs?” Jamie asked suddenly.

I shook my head. I’d heard of twin—or even triplet—Alphas before. It wasn’t common, but not unheard of. Usually, they shared the same pack…and, in rare cases, the same mate. But separate packs?

Jamie leaned in slightly, eyes wide. “It’s a crazy story. They were from the same pack originally—High Moon Pack. But when they came of age and took over, they got into a huge fight and split the pack in half. Went all the way to the council.”

My eyes widened. “They split the whole pack?”

“Yep. Divided the territory. Gave all the pack members a choice between the two.”

I shuddered. I hated having to choose between anything—never mind two Alpha leaders.

“What are their new pack names?” I asked curiously.

“I don’t know. Just that it used to be High Moon. I didn’t catch their names either.”

We fell into a thoughtful silence after that, pushing our carts down the hallway as we checked off each suite on the list. I moved quickly, knowing I still had to make multiple trips for the cabins—and I needed to find time to study tonight.

The last thing I wanted was to make a mistake that might embarrass Luna Clarissa. She wasn’t as cruel as some leaders we’d heard about—some packs were known to beat or even assault their omegas if orders weren’t followed to the letter—but she wasn’t soft either. Our punishments ranged from having meals withheld to, in extreme cases, being on the receiving end of Charity’s wrath. And that was punishment enough.

Almost like I’d summoned her by thinking about her, Charity rounded the corner just as Jamie and I left the final suite.

Even from a distance, I could tell she was in a bad mood.

“Maybe if you two spent less time gossiping and more time working, you’d be done already,” she sneered. “Anyone within a mile could hear you talking about the twin Alphas. Not that it concerns you anyway. You’ll both be lucky to even have a mate.”

“I apologize, ma’am,” I said quickly, keeping my eyes on the floor. “We were only talking. We’d never assume we’d be mated above our rank.”

Charity flipped her hair over her shoulder, clearly pleased with herself, and turned to walk away.

I felt Amethyst pacing in my mind, a low growl rumbling in her chest. She hated Charity more than anything, but I worked hard to keep her calm. We just had to survive the week.

Then I heard it.

A small sound—barely a scoff—from Jamie.

My heart stopped. No. No, no, no.

Charity’s head snapped back toward us. Her expression turned to pure fire.

“Is there something one of you would like to say?” Her voice was venomous, every word razor-sharp.

Jamie froze beside me. I tried to mindlink her, but it was like she’d mentally shut down. She wasn’t built for confrontation.

I stepped forward.

“No, ma’am. I’m so sorry. I just coughed,” I said softly, hoping—praying—that would be enough.

It wasn’t.

The sting across my cheek landed fast and hot.

The pain was sharp, but familiar. I’d been struck like this as a child—punished for mistakes I didn’t always understand. But in the last few years, I’d managed to stay under the radar. I’d worked hard not to attract attention. And now, here I was again.

I forced my breathing to steady. Straightened my spine. Replaced my expression with a neutral one.

“That’s what I thought,” Charity spat. “Know your place, bitch.”

Then she stormed down the stairs, her heels clacking like gunshots.

Jamie rushed to my side.

“I’m so sorry. I thought she was gone. You didn’t have to do that.” Her voice rang in my mind through the pack link.

“It’s fine,” I mindlinked back. “She’s gone now, so you can talk. Just help me stock the cart for the cabins and stay out of her way the rest of the day. Her bark’s worse than her bite.”

I gave her a crooked smile and made my way toward the elevator.

The cabins were about a quarter mile from the pack house, but the weather was warm and sunny, and I didn’t mind the walk. My wolf, though, was on edge.

Amethyst paced restlessly in the back of my mind—alert, agitated. That was rare for her. She was usually calm, quiet…content to let me handle things.

Must be the stress, I thought. Too much work, too little sleep, and nowhere near enough time to study.

My thoughts drifted as I approached the first cabin. I reached for the handle—and stopped cold.

A scent hit me.

Juniper. Spices. Intense and intoxicating.

It clung to the air just beyond the door, fresh and wild and utterly magnetic.

I inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering closed as the feeling sank into my bones.

Then I heard her.

Amethyst’s voice—low, reverent, and sure.

Mate.