Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
“Something like that.”
Zina didn’t like this, not even a little bit. “How can you stand that? Why are you here? What happened with mates doing what’s best for the other? How can George make you stay in this pack and be bullied? Why don’t you ask him to come to the Shadow Fang pack? You know that Alpha Dayson will welcome both of you. How much I know, Alpha Dayson and George are getting along well. Don’t tell me you are happy being confined in this villa.”
Dawn couldn’t tell Zina about George’s plan for revenge. That was George’s big secret, and she had no right to share it, not even with Zina. But Dawn couldn’t leave Zina’s questions unanswered.
“It’s not so bad, Zi,” Dawn said. “I’m just telling you the worst, so you are not surprised if something like that happens.”
“And what if the worst happens? Are you expecting me to lower my head and let them insult me? What if they hit me? Is that what happens when you go out? How can you live like that?”
Dawn puffed her cheeks and spoke through their pack mind link. ‘Zi, didn’t you notice that I didn’t leave the Shadow Fang pack?’
Zina realized that Dawn was right. Normally, the two wouldn’t talk through the mind link because they didn’t care who was listening.
Zina continued through the mind link, ‘Are you saying that George will come to the Shadow Fang pack? What’s with the delay?’ Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Dawn would be with her mate, Zina would get her bestie back, and everyone would be happy.
‘He is not opposing the idea,’ Dawn responded. This was the truth. ‘George has some matters to deal with here. Once that is settled, we will decide what to do next.’
George was unsure if he wanted to start his own pack, but he wanted to provide better conditions for people who didn’t want to stay in the Red Moon pack. All this was under the assumption that he issues an Alpha challenge and wins.
…
Note: Owen’s pic is in the comments of the previous chapter (#891)
Zina was pacified by Dawn’s answer. “I hope George finishes his work quickly, so you don’t need to suffer long. I know you won’t move in back with me, but we could still work in the packhouse together and hang out while George is busy with warriors…”
Dawn felt guilty for not telling Dawn the truth. But this was for the best. Zina didn’t know that George was an Alpha, or that he wanted to kill Alpha Edward, or that Dawn had a complete Alpha aura that could rival Alpha Edward’s.
Dawn was dreading the day when those would come to light, and she hoped that Zina wouldn’t be too angry because Dawn was keeping all those secrets from her.
…
Zina observed the change in Dawn’s demeanor from the moment they left the villa, and Zina didn’t like it. Her cheery friend became quiet, and Dawn lowered her gaze even before they met anyone.
Zina and Dawn were accompanied by Estelle and Adele, older female Omegas who were quiet anyway, so Zina wouldn’t notice if they quieted down, but with Dawn it was obvious. Dawn acted like she had done something wrong and was waiting for her punishment.
The narrow path meandered through the forest, and they crossed several intersections before they reached a paved road where people walked, and some rode bicycles. Everyone looked busy.
The buildings had an industrial feel. They were made of stone, wood, and metal, with minimalistic windows and doors, without curves or details that would make them pretty.
Zina thought how this was different than Darkbourne, which had stores and buildings no different than any average town in North America. People in Darkbourne were more relaxed; they would make eye contact and stop to chat, and some would linger on benches or outside seating in front of shops to indulge in a beverage or a sweet treat.
Compared to that, the atmosphere in the Red Moon pack was stifling, and Zina didn’t like it.
The most repressive was that Dawn was quiet, just like Estelle and Adele. When Zina asked something, they would respond with only a few words, and that dampened Zina’s mood as well, and she eventually stopped asking questions.
They reached a big building that looked like a hangar. Double doors were wide open, and people were coming in and going out non-stop. It was the busiest building Zina had spotted so far.
“This is the market,” Dawn explained to Zina. “It’s indoors, so it’s working regardless of the weather. Estelle will buy some things for the villa. Let me know if you want to get something.”
Zina cocked an eyebrow at Dawn. “I have money.” She didn’t need Dawn to pay for her expenses.
“We don’t work with money here.”
Zina was confused. “How do you pay for things?”
Dawn reached into her purse and pulled several coupon-looking things. “We exchange goods and cover the difference with these. These are like money in the Red Moon pack.”
Zina took one coupon and felt that it was made of rough paper that had writing “worth 10 units” and there was a stamp of a red moon.
“How do you pay for things outside Red Moon pack?” Zina asked.
Dawn shrugged. “This is the economy we have here. Money from outside is valuable only for people who go out.”
Zina was about to ask more, but she heard Dawn’s voice in her head, ‘Can you keep other questions for later? We can also talk through the mind link.’
Zina saw Dawn giving eye signals toward Estelle and Adele, and she understood that her questions made the other two Omegas uncomfortable.
They were in the Red Moon pack for a long time, some were born here, and they didn’t know how the world outside of the Red Moon pack functioned.
‘Alright,’ Zina said to Dawn through the mind link. ‘You know that this is how Alpha Edward is preventing his pack from integrating with the rest of society. Right?’
‘I do. But these people don’t have a choice. Just saying openly how it’s wrong won’t solve anything. If we tell them how good life is outside the Red Moon pack, they will not believe us.’
‘Or they will believe us and will retaliate against this system.’
Dawn shook her head. ‘They are Omegas, not revolutionaries. Most are happy to have a roof over their heads and food on the table. They grew up here, and this is their normal. Even if they knew that life in another pack was better, they wouldn’t have the courage or skills to fight for it. Those few who show potential are either silenced, or they get promotions and a good lifestyle that makes them not care about Omegas.’
Zina hated that Dawn was right. Little people won’t fight, and anyone with potential was dealt with before he became a threat. It was not fair, but it worked in favor of the minority at the top of the hierarchy.
Inside, the hangar-like market was livelier than it hinted from the outside. Numerous stalls were lined up in rows with merchandise that consisted of clothing, shoes, hand-crafted accessories and jewelry, and food items. Some people stood behind their stalls, and people moved to see what they were offering. The noise of haggling for a better price made Zina squint, and the scents that filled the air were overwhelming.
Zina decided to follow after Dawn and observe. She didn’t need anything but was curious about how things worked in the Red Moon pack.
Estelle and Adele carried baskets with pastries which they exchanged for eggs and cheese.
Zina spotted freshly caught rabbits, and she said to Dawn through their mind link, ‘We can make those for dinner.’
‘Let’s not waste money on something my George can catch for free.’
Zina rolled her eyes at Dawn’s words. ‘Do you need to boast how awesome your mate is?’
Dawn stifled a giggle. Her George is awesome.
Dawn’s smile froze when she felt hostility from her left. Since George marked her, Dawn’s senses were sharper.
“Let’s go this way,” Dawn said while grabbing Zina’s elbow.
“Look who showed up here,” A singing voice reached them, and Dawn cursed under her breath.
‘Don’t talk, Zi,’ Dawn told Zina before turning toward her left.
Estelle and Adele stood in front of Dawn and Zina. “Miss Ana, we are here to get the ingredients for dinner that Commander George requested.”
Ana made a face at Estelle. Commander George’s name guaranteed they won’t be bullied, so Ana didn’t dare to give her a hard time, but Ana had a different target.
“I was not talking to you,” Ana said to Estelle while extending her hand and nudging the latter to move to the side. Ana wanted an unobstructed view of Dawn and Zina.
Ana tried mind linking Dawn several times, but she was unsuccessful. It was visible that Dawn was marked, and even though Ana couldn’t confirm who Dawn’s mate was, she was fairly confident that the male was from the Red Moon pack. Ana didn’t have the ability to verify if Dawn joined the Red Moon pack, so she assumed that Dawn was shutting her out on purpose, which only enraged Ana further.
‘Who is this?’ Zina asked Dawn. It was obvious that the three females didn’t approach them with good intentions, and Zina wondered if Dawn had some history with them. It seemed like it.
‘The one in the middle is the leader. Her name is Ana. All three are Omegas who work in the packhouse, so they consider themselves above others. The word is that Ana is sleeping with Alpha Edward, so no one will dare to offend her.’
Zina couldn’t believe this. ‘An Omega is spreading her legs for a mated Alpha and thinks…’
‘Zina, please,’ Dawn interrupted her. ‘Let us handle this.’
Zina released a long breath. ‘Fine.’
Dawn had difficulty controlling her wolf. After George’s marking, Dawn’s spunky attitude morphed into one of an Alpha. Dawn was now an Alpha female with an Alpha wolf, and her wolf couldn’t stand anyone talking to them in a demeaning way, especially not an Omega.
Dawn feared that if she lost focus, her wolf would jump on Ana, and her aura would leak, which would put George in danger. Dawn would never say she was an Alpha because of his mark, but she also knew that George wouldn’t allow anyone to interrogate her, so it would be obvious they were mates.
“Who is the new face?” Ana asked while eyeing Zina.
“She is…” Estelle stopped talking when Ana raised her hand.
Ana pointed at Dawn. “I want her to respond.”
Among so many people who walked with their heads lowered, for Anna, Zina stood out as a sore thumb. Zina was not submissive, and there was also a matter of Zina’s clothes. Zina didn’t have makeup or excessive jewelry, but those were definitely good-quality blouse and jeans. Ana also noticed Zina’s red hair, sharp grey eyes, flawless skin, and curvaceous figure… and it was only a matter of time before Zina caught the eye of someone important. How could Ana allow some no-name nobody (aka Zina) to get such a chance? What if she ends up working in the packhouse and takes over Ana’s position?
“She is my friend,” Dawn responded to Ana while pushing Zina behind her.
Ana cocked an eyebrow at Zina. “A friend? Do you have the right to accept friends?”
“The right channels approved,” Dawn responded ambiguously.
“Did they?” Ana asked with a sneer. “Somehow, I doubt it. Give me names I will check.”
Dawn’s jaw ticked in annoyance as her wolf started emerging to the surface. “I thought your duties are to take care of the packhouse. Unless I see in writing that you are in charge of protocols for visitors, I won’t give you anything.”
Ana’s eyebrows shot up at Dawn’s lack of cooperation, and she folded her arms over her chest.
“Disobedience is punished in this pack. I thought we already established that last time when I hit you. Should I give you another lesson?”
Zina’s temper flared. “She hit you?”
“Zi…” Dawn pleaded. Ana wanted to slap Dawn, but Estelle got in the way and received it instead.
“No, no,” Zina was shaking her head. “I don’t care about rules and keeping a low profile. No one…” She turned to Ana. “NO ONE gets to hit my friend, especially not bitches with an overinflated ego.”
By now, most of the market was silent, and they watched the showdown.
Dawn cursed under her breath. She feared something like this might happen. This was not good, and her wolf was scratching to come out.
“Zi,” Dawn held Zina’s arm. “Let’s just go about our business. Forget about this. Ana is not important.”
Ana’s expression flared in outrage. “Not important!?”
Ana reached to grab Zina, but Dawn got in the way, Estelle and Adele stood rooted in place, and then…
“STAY AWAY FROM MY WOMAN!”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.