The Were Gathering was when all the packs in North America met up annually for games and challenges. It was supposed to keep us united from the ever-growing threat of humans exterminating us.

"You know what? Who cares?" said Jess. "Youarea true werewolf. Being around lots of them tomorrow will be good for you, and who knows? It might trigger your wolf to emerge."

"Ugh, I'll think about it," I said.

"Good. I don't want to be around all those stuck-up omegas by myself."

Chapter 2

Kayden

Whatthefuckjusthappened?

I was bewildered as I strode away from that old, dingy apartment.Why was there an unmated omega wandering the streets alone at night? Did she have some crazy kind of death wish? She could have been kidnapped or sold by neighboring alpha packs living alone like that.

She should have been at home being pampered, perfumed, and prepared for tomorrow night's festivities. Not being manhandled by wasted humans in dark alleyways. She was at the mercy of anyone who came across her path. I could have easily taken her away for my pack, but I would wait until tomorrow for the choosing of our omega.

Because we definitely needed an omega now.

And she was one of the most sexiest omegas I had ever seen. With mesmerizing green siren eyes and long, flaming red hair. And her scent… my cock was rock hard as I remembered it.

It was mouth-wateringly delicious, like hot drizzled caramel. Easily identifying her as an omega and different from other female wolves.

I really should have taken her for my own pack, and I was starting to regret it.

It was too late anyway.

I had already registered my pack for this year's omega choosing. I couldn't back out of it now. I didn't want to risk pissing off Roman and his hotheaded pack since they were hosting the Were Gathering this year. I wanted to make a deal to get in with his new lumber business.

I walked away from the rundown neighborhood and started making my way back to the mansion where my pack and I were staying. I have no idea why an omega was staying in this part of town. It was poor and dilapidated, unfit for her high status. And from what I just saw, the crime rate was through the roof. Plus, I could see that she had no survival instincts.

I remembered those bruises I saw earlier, glaringly stark against her arm's soft, delicate skin. That bothered me more than I cared to admit. My wolf's hackles were raised, and he still wouldn't settle down. I gave up the fight with my wolf, tore off my clothes, and let him out as I shifted again. He clawed at the earth and pointed his nose back toward where we came- to where the sexy omega was staying.

Nope, not happening.

I pulled the control back and turned us around to continue heading towards home.

The next morning, I pounded the punching bag conveniently provided in the mansion's gym.

"How about Grace Winters from the New Moon pack?"

Duncan, the second alpha of my pack, cleared his throat from beside me as he continued reading off of a list of omega names.

"Isn't she going into heat with the heirs of the Evergreen pack? I don't need to be making new enemies here, Duncan," I grunted while adjusting my right hook.

I landed another solid hit that sent the bag flying.

Sweat dripped down my forehead and into my eyes. I ignored it and kept pounding away at the bad. My muscles and my mind were nowhere near worked out enough. I was thinking too much about the omega from last night, and that was unhealthy if I was going to take on an omega today.

We were going to get the first pick of an omega because we were a powerful pack, the Bloodmoon pack. And no other alpha pack dared to challenge us.

Through my blood and sweat, I had carved out a place for my pack. This mansion that I had built for us and our future omega bride. At twenty-five, I had gathered and formed one of the most formidable packs in North America.

And now, at thirty-eight, it was high time I secured our pack's future by providing an heir or two. It was why I was officially searching for an omega to mate with me and the alphas of my pack.

It was unconventional, waiting this long without finding an omega to mate with. But I was ultra-focused on building up the strength of my pack for years. I found the strongest alphas to join in leadership with me. I gathered reliable betas with their families to build a powerful community.

And now all that was left was begetting heirs and continuing to build wealth.