“Where is she?” Nolan said, his face red.
Caspien’s eyes clouded over, and a few seconds later, Camilla was brought out the front of the packhouse. Her hair was tangled, and even though she was wearing fresh clothes, she looked in complete disarray. Her wild eyes scanned the crowd, and she rushed up to Nolan, who held her at arm’s length, looking her over.
“What did they do to you?” He snarled, “See what they do to a Luna in their territory? How do you think they would treat you?” Nolan addressed his pack, his voice loud.
“Ex-Luna,” Cali corrected, crossing her arms and jutting her chin at Nolan. Cool yet firey as ever. She was my rock.
Nolan opened his mouth to say something but Caspien cut him off.
“She was given good food, water, and a comfortable cell. Willa made sure that she had clean clothes and basic amenities.” Caspien’s voice was hard, “Something I did not think she deserved,” He added.
“It was my Luna’s call, and she was treated better than any prisoner I have ever taken alive.” Caspine’s voice left no room for further questions.
“Now, let’s get it over with. This has taken enough of my time already.” Caspien said, walking towards Nolan and Camilla.
“Camilla Wright, you are stripped from your title as Luna of Blue Ridge by my authority as Alpha of The Crescent City Pack.”
Caspien’s royal aura expanded, and his command whipped through the crowd.
Camilla fell to her knees, clutching at her stomach and head. Silent sobs wracked her body, I wondered if this felt similar to being rejected, but I didn’t think anything could compare to that gut-wrenching pain. Nolan stared down at his chosen mate in shock and what might have been disgust.
“You will honor the blood oath and focus on raising your son, which is the only reason you’re alive,” Caspien added, growling.
We would have people checking in, not just to make sure that Camilla didn’t try to act as Luna but to make sure that Theo was well taken care of. I knew that despite his grandparent’s misdeeds, they loved him and would protect him, but I needed to know that he was well taken care of.
Nolan seethed, his hands in fists and his whole body shaking.
“You bitch.” He growled at me as if this was all my fault.
I raised an eyebrow, not suppressing the amused smile that crept onto my face. Caspien growled louder than Nolan, and everyone in the crowd took a step back under his ancient power.
“Try again,” Cali said, her voice cool yet fiery.
“I would watch your mouth when talking to your Princess,” Caspien took a step forward, towering over Nolan, “Stop blaming these consequences on others. That isn’t the mark of a leader, but then again, I wouldn’t expect you to know how to act like one.” “Ohhhh, s.hit.” Cali said, and I tried not to smile, she was doing really well, not cutting in, but I knew she must have been dying to say something.
Nolan shut his mouth, but his shaking didn’t stop.
“Thank you for letting us intrude on your time,” I said to the crowd, trying to diffuse the situation, “I hate that we had to come back under such negative circumstances, but I hope you understand to some extent why we did.” I shrugged. Caspien turned to the crowd after taking his place next to me and grabbing my hand, “You are welcome at Crescent Moon. Anytime.”
With that, the conversation ended.
I let out a deep breath.
“Well done,” I murmured to Cali.
“She was linking me her commentary the entire time, the only thing that s.hut her up,” Holden said, taking his mate lovingly into his arms.
The crowd didn’t disperse. Instead, loud chatter filled the area until one word cut through it all.
“Mate,” Jack yelled as if he were gasping for air.
Rachel ran into his open arms, wrapping her legs around him and burying her face into his neck.
NEW
(Willa)
Oh my G.oddess, my hands flew to my open mouth.
This was everything that I could have hoped for. They would be so good for each other, balance each other perfectly. “Where have you been?” Jack growled, pulling back and looking at Rachel, “Beautiful,” His wolf pushed forward.
“Italy,” Rachel looked into his eyes, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
“Can I come?” Jack asked, and Rachel pulled back, placing her hands on his chest.
“You’re the Gamma here,” She said, her brows tugging together.
Jack shrugged, “I know I don’t know you, but I know we were fated for a reason, I’m happy to follow you anywhere.”
Rachel breathed, and I held mine.
“O-okay,” She said, “But we can talk about it. I don’t want you to give up everything for me.”
“You can’t leave anyways.” Nolan cut in with a dark laugh.
“Don’t ruin the moment,” Cali crossed her arms, taking a step towards the newly mated pair.
“Who are you to speak to me like that?” Nolan said.
Cali raised an eyebrow looking him over, deciding he wasn’t even worthy of a response.
“You’re my Gamma. If you choose to accept your mate she will live here, help out with your duties.”
Jack turned to face Nolan setting Rachel down but grabbing her hand.
“Nolan, I say this as a friend, but I do not think I can stay here if my mate doesn’t want to. Actually, I know I can’t” Jack said calmly, “If it weren’t for my family line, I might have left a while ago.” He said a bit quieter. “You’re not serious.” Nolan scoffed, his eyes darted to his Gamma and then the crowd still standing there watching the interaction.
“You wouldn’t give up everything, your legacy, your title, just because you met your mate? Act like a man,” Nolan seethed.
“I am,” Jack took a step in front of Rachel, “I am protecting the most important thing in this world, the mate bond. Not all of us see our mates as lesser, as supporting roles, and I won’t see her-.” Jack looked at her. “Rachel,” Rachel smiled at him, her face full of adoration, “My name is Rachel.”
“I’m Jack,” He said, squeezing her hand before turning back to Nolan, “I won’t see Rachel as anything less than what she deserves, and I know that she won’t get that respect here.” Jack held his ground. Nolan’s mouth gaped.
Camilla was still on the ground behind him, her hand over her heart, looking up at the interaction.
“We need females here to pick up Camilla’s slack,” Nolan boomed, “And you haven’t even asked what she wants. She should be glad to take up a ranked position.”
Jack looked to Rachel, who shrugged.
“I’m happy with my life, but I wanted a mate more than anything. I understand that we live two separate lives and we will both have to make sacrifices. I had never really cared nor assumed I was mated to anyone of rank, but again, that doesn’t matter.
I will say that what I have heard and seen from this pack is not one I would like to be part of. I won’t go as far as to say that it can’t be turned around, but under the Alpha you have, I don’t see how much change or progress can be made with a man with such dated and archaic views.”
Nolan took a step towards Rachel, and Jack moved to him, pressing his chest into his Alpha’s.
“You will not threaten my mate,” Jack growled. Everyone was silent.
“I, Jack Levine, Gamma of The Blue Ridge Pack, hereby step down from my role as Gamma and cut ties with The Blue Ridge Pack.”
To his credit, Jack barely flinched, and I know that must have impacted him severly.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.