A few days later, I walked through the halls of the pack house, smirking behind my mask. This was as gaudy as I expected. White and cream? Who chooses those for mating colors? I snorted as Meg, Shannon’s best friend, ran from a room in tears.
“I fucking hate her!” she screamed, fleeing.
“She seems like a real peach,” a dark whisper came from behind a curtain. I was near.
“You aren’t supposed to be near me,” I leaned against the wall by the window.
“I know, but how could I not be?” His voice was soft. I heard the window open. “But someone is coming. I love you.” Then he was gone.
The lack of guards was laughable. “Do we really need to wear these stupid fucking masks?” Verity’s nasally voice echoed from down the hall. I continued walking. She rounded the corner with a familiar man, already masked.
“Will you please stop whining for five damn seconds?” The man rubbed his forehead. “We’ve only been here an hour, and you’ve already given me a migraine.”
“Daddy,” she pouted.
I froze, watching his face, familiar build, and voice. I shook my head before realizing it. He stopped beside me; I held my breath. He turned. “Excuse me?”
“Yes?” I kept my voice low.
“Where is this mating ceremony supposed to take place? We’re just wandering around here.” He smiled and lifted his mask. Any doubt vanished.
Verity lifted her mask. “Hello? Omega? We asked you a question.” She growled, reaching for my mask, but I dodged her.
“I’m sorry, we aren’t supposed to talk to the ranked wolves, nor are we allowed to remove our masks.” I bowed. “It was a command.” I stepped back. “The main event will be in the clearing outside, with a meal in the main hall to follow. Right now, the men are getting ready in the Alpha’s office, and the women are down the hall to the right.”
The man watched me. “Do I know you?”
“I don’t think so, Alpha.” I dipped my head again. “What’s your name?”
I panicked for a second. “Clara, Alpha.”
“Garith.” He smiled, making my stomach clench. “You can call me Garith.”
I gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Did you need anything else, Alpha… Garith?”
He chuckled. “No. Continue with your tasks.” I nodded and started down the hall.
“Why are you so nice to the Omega’s daddy? They don’t fucking matter,” Verity whined as I slipped around the corner.
He growled low. “I’ve told you time and again. Omegas are the backbone of our packs. They do all the hard tasks no one else wants to do, and they enjoy it. It calls to their lower nature. If you don’t treat them nicely, they’ll leave, and then you have to lower yourself to get the shit done.” His voice lowered. “You treat the trash like they’re cherished, and they’ll follow you to their death.” He chuckled softly. “Everyone needs cannon fodder.”
Verity’s laugh followed. “Understood.” Their voices faded, but I trembled, stuck around the corner. Verity was my…aunt? No fucking way. I must have misheard.
“What are you doing?” A sharp voice called out. I turned to see Meg glaring from a chair halfway down the hall in a reading nook the Luna demanded.
“I was walking, and I rolled my ankle in these heels.” I wiggled the ridiculous high heels Shannon picked out for the waitstaff.
Meg faltered, holding an ice pack to her own ankle. “Yeah, they are ridiculous.” She sighed, icing her ankle. “Do you know where the Luna is?”
I shook my head. “No. I saw her heading downstairs with another Omega. Did you need her?”
Meg groaned, looking around before deciding. “No one will believe an omega, anyway.” I limped closer. “She’s being such a bitch, and I’m at my wit’s end. She wants the Luna to walk with her down the aisle, but the Luna already said no.” I tilted my head, shuffling closer. “Do you know what she did? She fucking threw a tantrum and pushed me, spraining my ankle. Knowing my wolf is too weak to heal it before the fucking walk down the aisle.” She growled.
“What do you need me to do?”
She leveled me with a look. “Find the Luna and convince her to walk Shannon down the fucking aisle.” She pushed her power into her next words. “Convince the Luna or kill yourself. This fucking bitch.”