Page 90 of Smoke and Moon

“Omegas!Omegas!”The chant rose to thunderous levels.

Morlie shivered as the roar of the mass rocked her body.She wanted to step forward, draw close to Chanin, and feel his strength and heat around her, but she stayed in place, not wanting to appear weak.

Chanin allowed a few people to ask questions, which he answered in his strong, booming voice.It wasn’t hard for Morlie to see how his people respected him as Alpha.She didn’t know what the shifters had been through, but she could tell Chanin had earned their trust and confidence.

When the questions fizzled out, Chanin turned to her.With a firm nod, he indicated he wanted her to come to him.

She bit the inside of her mouth to keep herself from glancing at the many faces and allowing a higher level of anxiety to settle in.

Chanin placed his hand on her lower back when she was beside him.She now had the heat and strength she’d wanted a moment ago.She sighed as she attempted to allow her body to absorb what she needed from him to stand boldly before his people.

“I’m sure you all have heard the Great Spirit has honored me with a mate.Someone by my side who will help our Pack strengthen.”Chanin set his intense gaze on her.She saw many things swimming within—hope, promise, determination, desire.

Her heart pounded in response.

“This is Morlie.I’ll declare before you now, I’ll claim her as mate.”

This time, cheers, whistles, and a few lude comments made Morlie’s face flame.

Chanin winked at her before he turned back to his people and called out, “Stronger as a Pack!”

“Stronger as a Pack!”reverberated through the crowd.

Soon, Chanin dismissed his Pack and allowed them to start their day.

Chanin stepped over to speak with his leaders.

Morlie saw Bleddyn wave over his mates.The two women rose and walked toward the center with their hands linked.

“Alpha, sorry I’m late.I was still out scouting with one of the patrols.We picked up Farkas’s scent but lost it southwest of here,” said a woman Morlie could only describe as gorgeous with her almond-shaped eyes and long, straight hair.The woman’s body was slim, but her short dress effortlessly showcased the lethal tone of the muscles in her arms and legs.The woman’s brash, fluid sashay through the den of men announced her confidence in both her beauty and strength.

Morlie noticed the woman boldly stood close to Chanin.

“No worries, Minsi.I’ll hear the report on the way to interrogate Valko,” Chanin assured the woman, then turned back toward Boris, his head of security.

“Yes, Alpha—” The woman’s nose twitched, and a deep frown distorted her features.

Morlie watched Minsi scan the group, only for the woman’s gaze to focus on her.

For a moment, Morlie thought the woman would introduce herself to her, but the woman’s lips peeled back in a snarl.In a flash, a moment Morlie could barely register, Minsi crossed the short distance.

“He’s mine!”

Pain exploded in Morlie’s face as the back of the woman’s hand made contact.The strength of Minsi’s slap knocked Morlie to the ground and filled her mouth with thick, liquid copper.Morlie saw darkness and stars as her hand clutched the ground to find purchase.

She coughed and blinked as a ruckus went up behind her.Anger filled her as she lifted her dirty hand and wiped the blood running over her chin.Minsi was a strong, fast Lupine, Morlie would give her that, but the fuck if she would allow someone to come at her without defending herself.Morlie doubted she could beat the she-wolf with only her human strength, yet she’d attempt to beat the shit out of the other woman, even if she lost in the process.

Rage had Morlie reaching for a large rock on the ground before her, then getting to her feet, ready to fight.

“Chanin!”Bleddyn barked, standing over Chanin, who, at some point, had taken wolf form and struck down the Alpha female.

The moment was tense as everyone seemed to hold their breath collectively.Finally, Chanin’s wolf released the woman’s throat, and then he shifted, nude once again, his clothes in tatters at his feet.

Minsi clutched her bleeding throat and stared up at her Omega Pack Alpha.

Still holding the rock, Morlie remained on guard, not trusting the other woman.She watched as emotions swirled in Minsi’s gaze—everything from anger to fear to hurt.

“Alpha, Morlie can stay with my mates as we handle business,” Bleddyn volunteered.

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