Page 6 of Consort

The Prime acted as though he was benefitting his pack, but what he did was far beyond wrong. Instead of learning from her death, Bock sought vengeance and eventually found and killed the fae he believed was responsible for ending her life. The packhailed him as a hero, and he swore to his Alphas that he’d soon find another Omega to replace her.

It’s not just the Luna who’s suffered, though. So many Betas have been hurt by his actions. If my mate ever strayed to another shifter because they were better at mating than me, I’d feel so betrayed. I’d never be able to trust or love my mate after something like that. That’s why I’ve always hated Alpha’s so much. I’m sure not all of the mated Alphas took part, but I know many did.

And I’m going to find out exactly which ones if I don’t do something about my new designation.

“I won’t do it, Mother,” I tell her, wishing she’d say something. “I’ll join our late Luna if I have to. And I won’t have to find a fae for that. I’ll gladly do it myself.”

Despite my strong will, I turn my head. I can’t bear to look into her eyes as I threaten to put her through the pain of losing a daughter.

She finally breaks her silence, but it’s not what I expect. “We will hide it until another Omega presents,” she says. “Jevive is small and docile. I’m willing to bet that she’s an Omega. She’s about your age. It shouldn’t be long.”

I was prepared to face this battle alone. But learning that my mother will help me fills the cracks in my armor. I can hold my own, but with her, I’ll never be defeated.

I smile at my mother with gratitude, but I feel it twist into a grimace. She’s really willing to help me hide my designation until another Omega presents? To so easily let someone else endure the suffering in my place?

She huffs at my reaction. “Don’t you remember Jevive always following the Luna around, despite knowing what’s expected of her? She’s so desperate to be Luna, it’s shameful.”

I throw myself into her arms and pepper her cheeks and nose with kisses. “Thank you, Mother!” I say, beaming at her now.

She grins back at me briefly before her expression turns serious. “You’ll still be paired with an Alpha when you reveal your designation. But Wister is next in line, and he’s an honorable shifter. A much better alternative. The best you’ll find in this pack.”

I don’t want to be mated toanyAlpha, but she’s right. Wister is a respectable Alpha. He won’t share me, and he’ll be a decent mate. I can’t expect a perfect life now that fate has decided to pick on me. But at least I can fight back and have a tolerable one.

“We need to find you better clothing,” Mother says. “Thicker materials,” she adds, pacing back and forth in front of me as she plans. “Some scraps should work in your undergarment to absorb any slick. We’ll have to dispose of them afterward. Burn or bury them. I’ll make a cream from fallen dryad’s bark to mask the scent on your neck.”

Her gaze drops to my chest as she speaks, making her frown. “We’ll also need to bind your breasts tighter. They’ve filled out. But don’t worry. Just stay inside while I gather everything we need. We’ll make sure to conceal your scent and your new figure. You can do your sewing from here.”

Luckily, my current contribution to our pack is fashioning garments and helping Mother mend the tents. We have plenty of fabric and scraps to work with. It will take a lot of effort, but I think we can keep this hidden for a while. I’ll just keep to myself and stay inside as much as possible. No one should find out. But one last issue remains unsettled.

“Will you tell Father?” I ask.

My mother freezes.

Bringing this up makes me feel sick. We’ve never discussed my father’s betrayal. My mother has buried her pain to keep our family together. Still, my father’s indulgence with the past Luna has been a festering wound, seeping into our home as long as I’ve been old enough to understand.

It’s clear that my role as Luna would affect him quite differently than my mother. He could no longer turn his back on her when he wanted an Omega’s company.

“Of course not,” my mother says, still facing away from me. “We mustn’t tell your father. He’d send you straight to the Prime. He’s…”

She pauses, then turns around to meet my gaze with bitter eyes. “He takes his position seriously. He would relish the chance to show off his daughter’s elevated status.”

I can’t decide which would be worse–my father betraying me to impress the pack or keeping our secret so he can continue his disgusting behavior with the next Luna. I stare blindly past my mother, wondering which he’d choose if he found out.

But I decide it doesn’t matter if my mother is right.Shehas chosen me, even though my becoming Luna would ensure her mate could no longer stray. I slip my arms around her, and she begins to rock me like a youngling. Being held protectively unlocks something inside me, and my pathetic Omega weakness pours out, drowning me in fear again.

“Madda,” I whisper, the nickname from my younger years slipping off my tongue. “Father will find out. He’ll scent me no matter what we do.”

My mother pulls away to look sternly at me. “Do you think we Betas have no brains in our skulls? I can handle your father. Just handle yourself, and you’ll be fine.”

I’m not sure she’s right, but I have no choice but to believe her.

Chapter 2

Durin

I used to spend my days in my family’s small hut reading. Or racing and wrestling with Farris. Or even watching my mother tend the gardens. I always enjoyed the company of the other fae in my small village. I was happy to share meals with them or help those who needed it. Life was peaceful and never as dull as it could have been.

But four years ago, when that shifter’s life was taken away, my quiet life left, too.

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