Page 40 of Abundant Moon
The room buzzed with excited chatter and it pleased Ben to see their interest. It would require a lot of time and hand-holding, but a spate of new businesses promised to benefit both the pack and local community. Ben let them talk for a few moments before continuing.
“As you’ve all heard, Hezekiah’s journals have revealed some interesting and important information. While we don’t have time to discussallof it tonight, Jack and Evan are prepared to share something we think you should know.”
Evan stood, glancing down at Jonah who sat on the floor holding Evie in his lap. The man was tense, even though he already knew what Evan would say. After his second heat of the season, Jack spelled it out for him before it became public knowledge. For Jonah, the news proved troubling, and he wondered how it might affect his packmates.
“Recently, Evie asked me a question I’ve asked myself. Why do male Omegas have heats? If she’d asked a few days earlier, I wouldn’t have had an answer. As it turns out, there is an excellent reason – it’s because they can bear children.”
A strange mix of confusion, surprise, elation, and worry swept through the assembly. All eyes turned to Jonah, curious for his reaction. He kept his emotions in check and Evan redirected their attention by continuing.
“Jack, Everet, and I were not particularly surprised, but the journal entry confirmed what we always suspected and explained the particular circumstances which make it possible. It’s simple actually – they become Change Mates, the same way I did. The difference is, Omegas don’t require an Alpha partner.”
Without the benefit of extensive shifter memories, few people understood why this was so significant – and disturbing. Donna, at least, seemed to grasp the reason for concern and spoke up.
“If this is true, why aren’t the male Omegas among us bearing any children? On the other hand, how are we going to protect them from being used as breeders?”
Jonah winced, as did several others, disturbed by the potential of such abuse. Evan opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by another question from Perdy.
“Why didn’t Jack know about this? I thought there have been many male Omegas with same-sex partners in the past.”
Evan stepped back, relinquishing the floor to his mentor. As always, Jack appeared unperturbed.
“These are perceptive questions. My memories, while extensive, do not contain every bit of information regarding our people. I remain unaware of anything I did not learn through personal experience or was passed down to me directly from my mentor or other True Elders encountered in my lifetime. Even now, this knowledge comes from Hezekiah’s journals which contain things evenhedid not teach me in person.
“As to male Omegas with same-sex partners, there are two relevant issues to consider. One – I believe Luna intended for the majority of Omegas, of either gender, to mate with Alphas. This is the best balance achievable for a healthy pack, and the norm for most of our history. Two – all of the mated pairs in my memories were Alpha/Omega mates, and I assumed they produced children because one of themwasan Alpha and were using the Change Mate process.
“Today, Omegas are often considered weak and unsuitable as Alpha mates. Male Omegas, especially those with a same-sex attraction, are dismissed or mistreated by some packs rather than treasured as Luna intended. As a result, Alpha Sheppard informs me there are only a handful of male Omegas with male mates - none of them Alphas - among all known packs. Because no one knew they could become pregnant, none have borne children.”
Jack paused to let the information sink in before turning to face Donna.
“While we rejoice in this newfound knowledge, one of your questions, Doctor, becomes the focus of our fears. If male Omegas may bear children regardless of who sires them, there is indeed a grave concern they would become chattel for the unscrupulous among us. Since they often bear Omega children, the danger is seeing them used as breeding stock for valuable pups, sold to the highest bidder.”
Incredulous murmuring filled the room, as many simply could not believe their own people capable of such an atrocity. Donna stepped forward with a scent and facial expression which hinted at the horror of what she was about to tell them.
“Some of you doubt this kind of thing can happen, but I have seen it. In this case it was a female Omega who had been locked up and bred repeatedly. She was never allowed to keep her pups or told what happened to them. When her situation became known, I was called in to treat her – but it was far too late. As soon as she was well enough to go free, she threw herself off a cliff. The sick bastards who did it felt no remorse; right up to the moment their throats were ripped out.”
The room went from stunned silence to raw, biting anger – growls mixed with sullen curses on anyone who dared do such a thing. White-faced, Jonah wept quietly while trying to comfort a confused and unhappy Evie – too young to understand the situation fully. Kneeling next to his brother-in-law and daughter, Evan enveloped them both in a hug, whispering assurances. Outraged, Lance stood and asked what all of them wanted to know.
“What are we going to do about this? How are we going to protect them?”
Angry murmurs of agreement filled the charged space, and with a gesture from Jack, Evan re-took the floor.
“As of right now, this is the only pack who knows the truth. Eventually word will get around, but first Alpha Sheppard is reaching out to all the known shifter councils to alert them. In turn, they are responsible to share the knowledge with trusted pack Alphas and every known Omega or their parents. Untrustworthy packs will be told nothing directly, and men are being sent secretly to rescue any Omegas who wish to leave and resettle them where they will be cared for and protected. If they wish to remain where they are, we cannot compel them to relocate.
“Any of you who personally know, or know of, an Omega are encouraged to provide Ben with the information so we can contact them. In addition, Alpha Sheppard is prepared to issue a unified statement from the council regarding the treatment of Omegas amongst us. Abuse will not be tolerated, and anyone found guilty will be put down and their pack disbanded.
“I think we can all agree that children are our greatest blessing and among our most vulnerable. I hope our fears will never be realized, and that the male Omegas among us will rejoice in the ability to bear offspring. Gladstone stands ready to offer sanctuary to any displaced Omega - male or female, gay or straight, mated or unmated. I can also report my home pack in North Bay and Everet Kern’s pack in Fairbanks are prepared to do the same.”
Evan finished his remarks, and while everyone was free to go, people chose to linger. Some needed comfort, many had unanswered questions, and others were compelled to share their feelings with a sympathetic ear. Tonight proved to be one of the strangest pack gatherings in anyone’s memory, beginning with joyous celebration and ending with a mixed message of elation and outrage. Ben and Evan observed proudly as the pack showered Jonah and Evie with hugs and assurances of support.
Focused primarily on the possibility of horrific abuse, Jonah accepted and appreciated his packmates encouragement; all the while feeling guilty for wondering who the father of his future pups might be.
