The Omega’s Secret

Chapter 7 - The Unwilling Alpha

* * * Max’s POV * * *

* * two days ago * *

We’re up s**t creek without a paddle, without a doubt. We’ve close to absolutely nothing. To be fair to us, we had less than absolutely nothing when we first started out. So, I guess we’ve gotten somewhere in the brief time we’ve been together. But that doesn’t help me now as I sit looking at our finances. Beta, please come here, I ask.

On my way Alpha, he responds.

“Come in” I say tiredly when there are three knocks on my door.

My Beta walks in, takes a look at my office desk and gives me a sympathetic smile. We’ve been friends for 12 years; we met at the nights watch. We don’t wish for our roles to come between our friendship. So, we use our titles only for any negative official business.

“Tell me truthfully, Beta, do you think it was a fool's move to try to set up this pack?” I ask him, feeling weary.

“No Alpha. We all knew this would be difficult when we signed up for it. We were all made rogues, only you have the natural ability to lead us, and you know we're all in this for the long haul. We will do what it takes”, he tells me kindly.

“I just can’t make the finances work, Beta. I'm giving myself a migraine”, I tell him, my voice carrying my frustration.

“Pass them over and let me have a look for a few minutes. Besides, this is still much better than the nights watch”, he says, eager to help and make this work.

He’s right, of course. I still have nightmares about the night's watch. I’d been sent by my father to our border which hosts the nights watch at the tender age of 10 years old. ‘Come back a man or do not come back at all’, he had told me. If I’m honest with myself, I believe he actually hoped that I would be killed. That way he wouldn't have to hand over the title of Alpha.

My father was a cruel man, he ruled with an iron fist and punished anyone who disagreed with him. What he had failed to tell me was what I would see at 10 years old. Sure, the nights watch was a safety net to watch for intruders, the dangerous kind, human hunters, rogue wolves, vampires, witches, and wizards. But that was a cover story. The dungeons held innocent passers-by to be experimented on to develop weapons against each kind. We tortured innocent beings.

I had challenged my father on the poor treatment of others, I was thrown out, made a rogue, along with those who agreed with me and were loyal to me. It has been a rough few years for us all. But we have finally purchased land and we’re beginning to build our future.

“Hellloooo, earth to Alpha”, my Beta breaks into my thoughts.

“I am sorry Beta, I just had a little trip down memory lane”, I tell him honestly.

“Don't worry, Alpha. I still have nightmares about what we did”, he sighs.

I look up, shocked at his admission. “You're not alone, we all have nightmares, it's hard not to. And it does not make us weak,” he says firmly.

“I honestly thought it was just me. How about we arrange a pack meeting once a week, where we can all discuss what haunts us and support each other through it? I am an i***t for not doing this sooner. We will find out what night works for everyone and it will be held every week without fail. But it is not mandatory. That must be made clear, we share because we want to”. I’m actually feeling hopeful.

“I think it's a very good idea, Alpha. I will get straight on it” he smiles.

And then he frowns at me, “I thought I told you last year that all pack members were happy to put 50%-75% of their earnings into the pack account to cover bills, food, and support development. You have not changed a single direct debit since we spoke. No wonder you cannot make it work by only taking 8% and footing bills yourself. Dammit Alpha”, he snaps angrily at me.

His eyes glaze over; ATTENTION PLEASE his voice sounded across the mind-link. The glazed look meant he was addressing the pack. It has come to my attention that our dear Alpha has not changed our direct debit agreements and has been paying for everything himself and is now struggling. All who are able to afford 50%-75% as we discussed, could you please work out how much you would have paid and send it to the pack account. In addition, our Alpha would like to arrange a once-a-week meeting for anyone who is struggling with what happened at the wall. Both myself and your Alpha would appreciate any support to come to terms with it. Please also email me your preferred day of the week, and remember it is not mandatory. Thank you. And I will see you at dinner.

I give him a look when he comes back to. “Do you think we are perhaps too informal with the pack?” I wonder aloud.

“Probably, to another Alpha. But they have not been through what we have” he tells me while he uses the laptop. “Here we go you fool, no longer at £0. It looks like an average of 60% earning across the board, for all 50 pack members. Just short of £600,000 will be in the account during the next few days. Oh, and they would like Thursday to be the meeting day” he adds, looking at his emails.

“I shouldn’t have to use the pack members' money. I hate this, I feel like I have let them down”. I shake my head, feeling like a failure of an Alpha.

“It’s only been five years, Alpha. In five years, we’ve come from being rogues to being a pack. We’ve bought a large house with acres of land and began building outhouses. You’ve given us hope of a better future and a family. Our numbers slowly grow as our members find their mates, or new wolves join. Have faith in the moon goddess’s plan. We will get to where we need to be”

“Thank you, Beta. I don’t think I tell you enough, but I really do appreciate you standing by me and the support you give me”, I tell him earnestly.

“Stop it, you will make me blush” he teases.

“Anyways, before you began moping about. I was actually on my way to tell you that councilman Eric called you at lunchtime. I told him you may be out until this evening. But he says he needs you to call him”, he informs me.

“Why have they called me? What do we have to offer the council?” I ask to nobody in particular.

“Call him and find out, then fill us in at dinner”. With that, he bids me farewell and leaves with a smirk. He knows I hate speaking with the council more than he does.

It had taken some convincing the council to let us create a new pack, rather than joining other packs who were willing to take us in. We wanted to stay together, we told them we did not need their aid, just to be recognised as a pack, to officially be recognised in their eyes. They had granted that, at least. With a sigh, I dialled councilman Eric.

“Hello, this is councilman Eric” he says as a greeting.

“Good afternoon councilman Eric, it is Moon Hope’s Alpha here returning your call”, I inform him.

“Thank you, Alpha, I wasn't expecting you to call so soon. I am calling round all packs, the council are hosting an urgent inter-packs meeting. You are required to attend the mountain shadow pack on Friday of this week. I do appreciate it is short notice”, he tells me.

“Councilman Eric, all due respect, but why have you called me? You know my pack does not have much to offer. We started at ground zero, we still don't have much. What could I possibly offer to an inter-packs meeting?” I ask him.

“Your morals, values and judgement are required, Alpha,” is his reply.

“My what? What is going on? And the mountain shadow pack of all places, they are brutes, almost as bad as my father”, I tell him.

“I have been made aware of that, Alpha. Please know this is not a request, all Alphas are required to attend. Please trust me when I say it is very important”, he sounds as tired as I feel.

We must go, Noah tells me. He doesn’t often get involved in politics and business with the council. He has a good sense of purpose and was a wise wolf. So I answer councilman Eric, “We will be there, I shall bring my Beta with me only. I will see you Friday”.

“Thank you, Alpha. Have a good evening and I do look forward to seeing you again. I am passing by your way. May I come visit your pack and see how you are doing?” He asks.

“Of course, if you come Thursday night, we can provide you with transport to the Mountain Shadow pack Friday” I reply. With that, we say goodbye and I hang up the phone.

I sit having dinner with the pack in our new dining hall. We’ve knocked through some walls, to make this room large enough for our future pack. It’s taken us three months around our day jobs, but it’s been worth it. I find it calming and reassuring to be with my pack, these amazing people who have placed their trust in me.

I stand from my chair. “May I have your attention, please, Moon Hope.”

I’m met with numerous “Yes Alpha” and “Of course Alpha”. I have never had to use my Alpha tone or presence with the pack. We run on mutual respect. Although I am aware that I may have to, if we ever become a large pack.

“I have received a call from the council, summoning me to an inter-packs meeting. It is important to attend as it is another acknowledgment of our existence by the council. I will be taking our Beta with me. I do not need to leave anyone in charge as well. Quite frankly, you are all amazing and keep me organised. But I would like two volunteers. One will be the first point of contact, the first person to be approached if you need me for anything. The second volunteer is a back-up contact. We will be leaving this Friday and should be back on Sunday or Monday. Any questions?” I address the room.

None have questions, all are keen to volunteer, which makes me laugh. We finally agree that our cook would be the first contact, because she sees everyone daily, and our trainer would be the second contact.

* * one day ago * *

I’m waiting in front of our packhouse for councilman Eric’s arrival. I have to admit I’m slightly nervous in case he doesn’t approve of what we’ve built in case he thinks I’m failing. Our entire land is fenced, we’ve kept the electric gates and have a pack member always present monitoring visitors. I’ve instructed them to allow councilman Eric to pass.

A few short minutes later, a grey Range Rover Évoque begins its way towards the pack house. Relax, he will be happy with what we have built, Noah tells me.

“Welcome, councilman Eric, to Moon Hope. I trust you’ve had a pleasant journey?” I greet him as he exits his car.

“Thank you for hosting me, Alpha. This is really starting to come together, isn’t it” he states, looking around.

“Slowly but surely, we’re getting there. We’re small but we’re efficient, and we will succeed in making this a pack to be proud of for future generations. May I give you a tour?” I ask him.

I spend the next hour showing the councilman around our pack. I drive him around our walled and fenced border, explaining that, due to our current small size, we’ve invested heavily in state-of-the-art digital security, cameras, infrared sensors, that are able to pick up audio and sound alarms if motion or tampering are detected. I then show him the new homes we’ve built and the ones in progress. Finally, I show him the large 15-bedroom home we’ve bought to use as the packhouse. I explain the modifications that have been made. And finally, our plans to build our finances and buy more land joining ours, extending our perimeter.

I tell the councilman our story from the time we were approved as a new pack, that we had sought regular human employment, rented houses and saved our income. We accepted rogue wolves into our pack if they wished it and shared our vision. After three years, we were able to buy this house and land. The next two years were spent building the other houses, updating the packhouse, assigning roles, creating a pack schedule, and building our savings.

“I have to say. I am very impressed with all you have achieved, young Alpha. Especially given your circumstances”, the councilman praises me.

I show the councilman to his room so that he can deposit his belongings. We then walk to the dining hall to join my pack for dinner. “You will have to forgive us for not providing an extravagant fare. As I say, financially it has been tough. But it has brought us closer together. There is hope within Moon Hope” I explain, by way of an apology. “We eat pretty standard meals, keeping within a budget.”

“Please don't apologise, Alpha, you are flourishing better than I thought you would be. I wonder, would it be possible for me to speak to a few of your pack members after dinner?” He asks.

“Of course, any wolves in particular?” I ask him.

“I think your Beta, cook, a couple of your oldest members, a couple of your newest members who were rogues and a couple of omegas’ will suffice” he states.

“Why must omegas be listed last? We don't have omegas, there are jobs to be completed. A rota is created from what is needed and when, and we all volunteer depending upon our work rota. Now that we have more disposable income than before, we are working on set-pack roles that will be paid. Such as kitchen assistants, housekeepers, laundry assistants. Job roles. Paid roles. No wolf is above or below another, we are equal” I say firmly, feeling my anger rise at how some wolves are looked down upon.

“No offence meant at all; I quite like your approach. I will be interested to see how it fares” he answers kindly, he appears genuine.

“Alpha, sorry for my intrusion. My cherry vodka has finished brewing. Would you care to try?” A voice interrupts us. I inwardly cringed; I had forgotten to mention Jackson to the councilman. Dammit.

“Forgive me sir, but I don't detect your wolf's scent. Are you a wolf?” The councilman asks, gazing at Jackson curiously.

“No sir. I am not”, he gazes at me, seeking permission to continue. I nod. “I am a vampire”, Jackson states.

The councilman lurches his chair back in shock, “I..I...I, what is this, Alpha?” He looks at me.

“I informed the council about what had happened at the nights watch. Jackson here was simply passing by after renouncing his clan. He was captured and tortured. I was his assigned guard and had gotten to know him, helped him as best as I could. When we disbanded from the nights watch, I offered him sanctuary and a place to stay if he wished it. Despite not having a wolf, he has sworn a blood oath to be a part of this pack, to acknowledge me as his leader. He quite enjoys calling me Alpha, as vampires have elders and kings, not Alpha’s. He is a good and loyal pack member and is also our night guard”, I explain.

“Very well, I would like to question him too if that is, OK? Can I ask though, he won’t bite me, will he?” He asks seriously.

I have to laugh, “how do you think he survives here?” I tease him and then laugh.

It turns out, the councilman has a sense of humour, he smacks me on my shoulder while laughing along. Once he caught his breath, he asks, “May I ask how you survive?”

“Of course. We occasionally raid blood banks. I can survive off animal blood also. And, well, we haven’t found out what happens if we run out of either of those. But I would not hurt my clan, sorry, my pack”, Jackson tells the councilman, making me smile.

The rest of the meal was finished with light banter and humour. While eating dessert, I turn to the councilman, “why are we really meeting at Mountain Shadow pack?” I ask. It’s been bugging me.

“I'm telling you out of respect for hosting me, but not a word until I say so. There has been statements and evidence submitted that show Alpha James has violated wolf law, that he had input into the capturing and torturing of multiple species with your father and also the abuse of his omegas," he answers me.

“He worked with my father. He knew what was happening to all those innocent lives. He is abusing his pack? Why is he not in chains?” I whisper shout, to avoid drawing attention.

“All in suitable time. I need you present as you know what happened at the nights watch”, the councilman tells me.

I nod. “I must bid you goodnight, councilman. My pack and I have weekly meetings to discuss what we saw and were made to do at the nights watch. Kind of group therapy”, I say to him.

“What a marvellous idea. Is there anyone I should talk to first to allow them to attend?” He asks me.

“Jackson and my Beta. You may use the Gamma’s office. It’s set up ready for when we have a Gamma, but it is an unused and private space”, I answer.

“Thank you and good night, Alpha. Tomorrow we will ride to the Mountain Shadow pack, to see if we can help those who are suffering.”

“And to seek justice for those who were kept at the nights watch. To seek justice for his mistreated pack members.”