Page 105 of Carmichael's Omega

"A pack in South Africa, Alpha," she replies.

"And you left your pack. Why?"

She meets my gaze bravely, "my mate accused me of crimes I did not commit. I was sentenced to exile on an island in the sea. To die," she says bluntly. "Slow starvation if I didn't go mad and throw myself into the water. I was rescued by a family member and smuggled out of the country. I came here, eventually."

I narrow my eyes at her. My alpha-wolf has been watching her closely, too, unsure if this female is trustworthy enough to be friends with our female.

"What crimes did you supposedly commit?" I ask bluntly.

"I was named a traitor for adultery and mate bond betrayal," she says, just as blunt as before.

I inhale slowly. She's not lying. Even if her heart rate sped up or her scent soured with a lie, I would know she was telling the truth. The agony in her eyes speaks volumes.

"Death by exile for adultery? You were mated to the alpha,no?" I surmise. Only adultery toward high-ranking wolves is punished so seriously.

She jolts, going pale. Her spine stiffens even more, if possible. "No," she says abruptly, "hewas mated tome."

"Ah," I nod. Alpha females are rare. Extremely rare, but not unheard of. Whoever wanted this female gone must have waited for her mating to be complete before striking. That way, her mate would have been made the Alpha instead of her.

It must have been unbelievably painful. Not to just lose a mate, but her pack and family. An unwelcome sympathy sparks for this female. I can relate, in a way.

"What do you like about my female?" I ask her. The question takes her by surprise.

"Everything," she replies when she recovers. "Her kindness, her way of always putting others first. She is a true, Born Blessed."

Now it's my turn to be surprised when she calls my female a Blessed, just like Devel. "You sound like Devel," I tell her.

"The scarred male? He knows the old ways," she nods.

"Devel told me about another 'old way,'chica."

"Oh?" she questions with her nose tilted up.

I hide my smirk at her expression. "Sí.When a female who isn't... how did he say it? A female who isn't a strong wolf-" Weak, I had thought, "and is mated to the alpha, will have another female act in her place,sí?"

Alize's expression grows wary. "Yes. This I have heard of. An Alpha female for the Luna."

"This is common?" I ask.

She shrugs one shoulder, chalking the cue stick over and over as if finding the repetitive motion soothing.

"As common as a Blessed Luna."

"Not common, then," I point out.

"I suppose. A Luna could be a human or witch, as well. The Alpha Female must be an extension of the Luna. Her strength, but not overpower her ability, yes?"

"My Cassidy will need an Alpha Female," I tell her quietly.

She looks disturbed, upset. "I am no longer strong, Alpha."

It's my turn to look at her skeptically. "My female doesn't need strength in her head or heart,sí? She is not a warrior. You are," I wave my hand at her. "Think about it,no?"

She is ashen under her dark skin. Eyes stark and wide, she nods.

"Bueno." I wander off to find my mates.

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