The Alpha's Secret Luna (2024)

1.CHARMING PRINCES

It has been decades since they last saw me, or more correctly banished me from their pack. An unwanted orphan of war taken in by a neighbouring pack, I was at my lowest; my family murdered, my home burnt down, and my pack destroyed or scattered to the wind. I wondered if they would recognise me as I stood in the once grand hall awaiting the Alpha; Marc St Meve. “My deepest apologies, I was needed to resolve a minor pack dispute.” He said as he sauntered in. The scent of a female omega thick on him confirmed my thoughts he hadn’t changed, a sly smile from my companions as the aroma wasn’t lost on them either. “The duties of an Alpha are never-ending; it’s encouraging to see what they say about you is true Alpha Marc.” Charmed Carlos with a small bow. “An Alpha for his pack, who endeavours to help all his subjects.” Marc seemed quite enamoured with this greeting, and stood smugly, oblivious to the teasing. To my side Penelope’s arm was shaking as she tried to hold in her laugh, I softly jabbed her with my elbow which caused it to catch in her throat and she coughed it out. “If you plan to flatter me Beta Carlos, your plan is working.” Marc responded with a short bow of his own, too short for my own liking, but Marc never did do full courtesy unless it was with a ranking of his own standing. He had extraordinarily little respect for his officers, and even less for his father who was by an easy length the better Alpha of the two. For being the son of an Alpha, Marc always carried an air of self-importance, he was trained and schooled in the ways to run a pack efficiently but upon his father’s death he removed all the advisors from power and inserted his friends, who had no business in their roles and advised him only on matters of who next he could bed. Marc turned his attentions to Lyam, a young, promising recruit and Carlos’ son to add. “I’ve not met you before, Gamma…?” “Just Lyam, Alpha Marc.” He finished politely with a bow. “I was told that the Beta and Gamma of Twin Falls were to arrive, is that not the case Beta Carlos?”“Yes Sir, may I introduce-” Carlos began to beckon to myself and Penelope but was cut short.“And I most certainly have not had the pleasure to meet you before, for I would recognise a unique beauty such as yourself.” He words dripped as he grabbed Penny’s hand and kissed it gently. “Seems Twin Falls brought company rather than a Gamma, but who am I to complain when faced with a present such as you.” Penny snatched her hand away sharply before receiving a second kiss.“I am no present Alpha Marc.” She snapped.“Oh? What are you then?” He teased as he stepped closer.“My wife.” Carlos stated, having strode across in one movement to stand between Penny and Marc. He cleared his throat and continued, doing his utmost best to be diplomatic in the face of brass audacity. “Alpha Marc, may I present to you my son Lyam, and wife Penelope.”“What an incredibly lucky man you are then Beta Carlos. Blessed by the Goddess you are to have a fine strapping man, and a sensational woman.” He turned and swept his cloak to sit on his fine, extravagant throne. It looked rather out of place in the grand hall, where it’s paintings where all covered in a thin layer of dust, the paint was peeling in the corners and cracks across the floor highlighted how little Marc did in upkeeping his pack. “Thank you, Alpha Marc.” Penny curtsied, glaring daggers into the back of his head.“And may I also present Gamma Cora.”“Gamma? A female Gamma?!” A full laugh arose from Marc. “I’m sorry, but females have no place in officers of the court. Only as Luna. Alpha Harrison must be losing his mind.” He barely gave me a sideways glance. “I can assure you he has not.” Carlos’ patience was wearing ever thinner at Marc’s brashness. “Gamma Cora has proven herself as a most skilled warrior, with loyalty to Twin Falls and to all its people. A finer Gamma there has never been.” Carlos may have over emphasised this as his father was Gamma before me and I doubted, not because of his respect for me, but respect for his father than I was a finer Gamma. A fair one, I’d like to think a good one, but I wouldn’t class myself any finer than his father. “Well then, Cora.” Marc began, deliberately ignoring my title. “If you don’t mind my asking, what did you have to do to earn such a prestigious rank?” I could sense the disgust, and the undermining tone that he presumed I had slept my way to my rank. “I couldn’t say it was any one thing Alpha Marc.” I spoke for the first time. A small bead of sweat dripped down my neck, I waited to see if he would recognise my voice. “It was never my intention nor aspiration to be Gamma, but it is a rank I hold with the greatest honour, and I perform to the best of my duties.”“I sure would like to see that one day.” A glint in his eye made my hairs stand on end. I was overcome with a feeling of wanting to run to a shower and wash for 3 days straight. When he turned his attentions back to Carlos I sighed a silent relief, here I stood, and Marc looked me dead in the eye and had no idea who I was. “So” He clapped his hands together. “Now all the pleasantries are out of the way, what can I do for you?” Carlos, who was glad the subject had changed, stepped forward. “Alpha Marc, we have been made aware of some rogue attacks in the area and believe a fugitive is hiding amongst these. As they are within your territory, we are asking for your permission to form a scouting party to search for this fugitive and when found they will be brought back to Twin Falls for their sentencing.”“Hmm.” Marc tried to act as if perusing some deep thought. “Someone escaped from your pack, they are now in my territory, and you want me to let you all come barging in to steal them away?” “Our intention is to not barge in Alpha, and it wouldn’t be stealing them away as reprimanding a fugitive of the law.” Carlos argued. “You can fancy it up however you wish Beta Carlos, but your intention is to come onto my land with force. I think this fugitive isn’t real and you are using this as a pretence to usurp me.” Marc’s paranoia had increased since my departure. “Alpha. We have evidence, video proof of their heinous crimes. Surely you want to protect your people against any – ”“I do protect my people Beta Carlos.” A venom had appeared in Marc’s voice. “Whoever told you otherwise is a liar.”“I haven’t been told otherwise Alpha, my deepest apologies for any insult as none intended.” Carlos bowed deeply; this man was a god with the patience he had to still be civil in front of this doucebag. “I was merely-”“No apology required Carlos.” Marc waved his hand to raise Carlos. “But enough about all this rogue, fugitive nonsense. We haven’t had Twin Falls here for over 40 years, I think we should have a celebration!” The doors swung open as a group of female Omegas came prancing in and made their way quickly to Lyam, Marc, and Carlos. Lyam looked like a deer in headlights, Carlos looked fearful of what his wife might do whilst Marc sat comfortably as three approached him. A blonde on either leg and the third, a petite, brunette who reluctantly started massaging his shoulders. “Come join me Carlos as we discuss plans.” Me and Penny looked at each other.Is he serious? She linked to my mind. A celebration?! With most of his pack sick, poor, and starving and the select few being catered to high demands, he wants a celebration?!He’s trying to show a good sport for Twin Falls. What does he hope to gain? It’s all a smoke screen. He will want our help. We are a strong pack, one of the largest with a high status amongst the Guild. He isn’t oblivious to what is said about him and his pack, his hope is a ‘friendship’ with us will lift his elevation. Carlos won’t fall for it. Neither will Harrison. No, they won’t Penny. But we need into his lands, he knows this. This may be our only way of getting his approval that doesn’t require… Penny shuddered as she finished my thought. I want to bathe in disinfectant just by him looking at me. Tell me when you were here, were you one of his ‘handmaidens’?NO! Absolutely not! I was simply curious! A young Omega, tragic tale, a foreign Prince who once upon a time could’ve been charming. You have a penchant for charming Princes...Are you calling Marc charming? I raised an eyebrow at her, not retaliating to her comment. No, I am not. But thank you for confirming my suspicions. About what?Charming Princes. You can deny it all you want Cora, but I’ve seen you around Harrison. She was right. Penny was always right. Alpha Harrison had a hold on me that I couldn’t describe, he was my first thought in the morning and the last before I sleep. There was a spark in the air whenever he was near, but it pained me to know it wasn’t the mate bond. A sweet, charming girl from a neighbouring pack had recently visited on a trade expedition and it shocked us all when she proclaimed to be Harrison’s mate. I felt my heart shatter that day. Harrison never reciprocated the bond, and I didn’t want to have the discussion with him about it. So, when the opportunity came along to visit my old pack and re-open old wounds, I thought what’s the worst that can happen? But every moment away from Harrison, knowing that girl was there, I felt my stomach churn at the thought of them.