That gesture tells me so much about how sure he is that Clove belongs to us. He controls his wolf almost as well as I do, but on this, he’s giving in to that urge to claim.
I envy him for that.
But it further proves that I need to be the one with the level head here, the one thinking about our future and what taking Clove may mean for our clan and our pack.
With one final wistful look at the bed, I leave and make the long jog through our underground cave to the surface. There are a series of traps here, all of which I know by heart, making it an easy ascent. But anyone trying to follow us down here would be in for a world of hurt.
Fortunately, no one attempted it earlier.
I reach the surface and continue my jog toward the beach, the moon illuminating my path through the trees. Most of the branches have lost their leaves, leaving only the fir trees to provide sufficient ground cover.
The scent of pack welcomes me as I enter the beach a few minutes later, the shifters all standing around in human form. I do a brief count, surprised and pleased to find everyone here. Even the three females are present, their partners standing nearby.
Alpha Ebony is a rare female Alpha. She joined Alpha Duncan’s Clan shortly after her arrival on the island. Most Alpha clans are not intimate with each other, waiting instead for their Omega to join them, similar to what my own clan has done. I’ve seen Caius and Volt in action several times, but we’ve never shared. Not until today.
However, Alpha Ebony is intimate with both Alpha Duncan and Alpha Pan, creating a unique dynamic in their clan. One I suspect an Omega will very much enjoy in the future.
Just not Omega Clove.
She’s mine.
Assuming she can fall into a true estrus, I remind myself.
Clearing my throat, I focus on the task at hand. “Thank you for joining me tonight,” I say, addressing my pack. “I’m sure it comes as a bit of a surprise considering this morning’s events. However, my Omega is no longer in heat.”
Omega Clove, not my Omega, I correct with a thought. But I can’t bring myself to say it out loud, so instead I continue by saying, “Clove is of mixed heritage. She comes to us from the Nantahala Pack, her mother having been a Nantahala Wolf, likely of mixed origin.” As there is no other way to explain Clove’s existence.
A few of the wolves bristle at the mention of the Nantahala Pack, but I ignore them. If I can forgive Clove for her origin, so can they.
It’s not her fault she was born into a misogynistic pack with a penchant for framing innocents for their own murders.
I clear my throat again, calling order among the wolves who are still reacting to my statement. “She has a Carnage Wolf father whose identity remains a mystery to us at the moment. Her mother was raped, or that’s what she said when Clove finally met her wolf the other night.”
A few growls meet that statement.
They don’t appreciate the insinuation that a Carnage Wolf would rape someone.
My father didn’t like hearing that part either, but promised he would look into it. He’ll need to properly meet Clove to do a scent test. I don’t recognize any pack aromas on her, suggesting the culprit may not be someone I know.
However, my father feels it’s likely a Black Mountain Alpha considering the close proximity to the Nantahala Pack. Clove’s mother would never have been permitted to wander far, so on that basis, I agree.
That said, it still could have been a rogue.
Regardless, it’s primarily my challenge. My father may help a little, but he made it clear that this is my Alpha task. “It may even be the one that will finally bring you home,” he said earlier tonight. “Good luck, son.”
This is the Carnage Wolf way—to earn our positions, even when born into them by blood.
And I fully intend to earn my Pack Alpha status.
Which includes winning over the wolves before me.
I continue by telling them what I know about Clove, how she was promised to Alpha Crane’s son. How he rejected her. And how her sorry excuse for an Alpha claimed her to be feral, blamed her for killing her mother, and sent her to Carnage Island.
My wolves are growling now, furious at her treatment.
Omegas are precious, even half-breeds. However, I suspect they would have welcomed her even if she were a Beta or an Alpha. My pack values tolerance and respect, something they’re proving now by giving me their undivided attention.
Even the Alphas I beat earlier are doing their best to show their support.
“I want to host a welcome party for our newest addition,” I tell them all. “I know originally we designed a traditional game to play, but Clove is new to our customs and the ways of our pack. As such, I think this would be the best way to introduce her to our pack, unless one of you has a better suggestion.”