Page 82 of Hunting Their Omega

“Or don’t remind him.” Alaric smiled playfully, bumping me with his shoulder. “Then we can all get some enjoyment out of it when he inevitably pisses you off.”

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked when I noticed Isolde’s faraway look. “Everything will be all right.”

“How can you promise that?”

“Because we’re a pack, and every single member will stand together on this.” I tipped her face up with the crook of my finger. “Let’s not worry about it anymore. You know what’s important right now?”

“What?”

“That baby you’re cooking up. The one we still have to get ready for,” Wynn said, placing his hand on her stomach.

The bond bloomed with happiness, and she smiled.

“Come on,” I said, pulling Isolde up from her seat. “How about a nice warm bath before you go to medical?”

“I get to scrub her,” Alaric called, following us up the stairs.

She laughed, letting me guide her to our room, her shoulders no longer tense.

I wanted to keep that smile on her face and show her joy regardless of the world around us. Despite what was happening outside our borders, Isolde was safe.

I was going to make sure she enjoyed every minute of her life with us.

Chapter 31

Isolde

I stood amid the pack, observing the scene before me. My heart thumped with anticipation, and the room buzzed with the energy of determined wolves, each eager to secure their place in the upcoming Hunt. The event was a month and a half away, and my mates had decided which unit would partake.

My gaze lingered on the faces of my mates as they took charge, addressing the room filled with seasoned and qualified wolves. Everyone in Hidden Creek knew the possibility of finding a fated mate was within arm’s reach for the males participating in the Hunt. The hall was alive with hope that the future could be different from the past, but before we could prepare for it, we needed to face one more darkness.

“Ryr hlak it'hry,” Wynn started. “They are more than just words; they are the foundation of pack life. A moral and ethical institution that keeps us strong. Nothing is more important than the pack. To betray your pack is the worst sin a shifter could commit. It’s unforgivable.”

Laris was brought to the front of the dais, Alaric holding her by the ropes and securing her hands behind her back.

Wynn faced the crowd, his face glacial and unyielding. “Laris Rhodes is accused of the following: allowing rouges into our lands, drugging and manipulating our Enforcers to steal covert supplies, arming our enemies, and conspiring to have my matekidnapped and given to an unsanctioned pack.” He turned to Laris. “Speak. Reveal your sins to your pack.”

The hall was quiet, the energy thick with anger and betrayal.

Laris trembled, lifting her chin with great effort. “I confess. To everything.”

A murmur ran through the hall, disapproval ringing throughout. Alaric turned her so she was facing Wynn.

“Laris, you threatened the life of my mate and handed her over to our enemies with no regard for the unspeakable horrors she would have been subjected to. My unit wants your exile.” Murmurs of agreement sounded as her face paled. The world was a hard and dangerous place for a rogue. “But our mate requested your forgiveness. A second chance.”

Wynn held out his hand, and I moved to his side. Shoulders squared, spine erect, I looked Laris in the eye. Uncertainty passed between us. “This isn’t pity. This is a new way. So, I’m offering you a choice: exile or submission. Your rank and title will be stripped, and you will have to work your way back into the good graces of your pack. You will be monitored and placed in scullery units until you prove you can be trusted with more. You will repledge your loyalty to your Alpha unit and to Hidden Creek.”

The air seemed to thicken as we all waited for her answer.

Finally, she said, “I will submit.”

“Very well,” Wynn replied in a hard tone. “We will perform your vow under the blood moon. Until then, you will be kept in the cells.”

He waved his hand, and Alaric passed Laris to an Enforcer, who took her away.

The room settled once more. “On to the next matter,” he started. “Before we announce the unit that will represent Hidden Creek on the upcoming Hunt, I would like to remind you of two things,” Wynn said. “First, while the prospect of finding your true mate is exciting, you must prepare yourself. There is a chance she is not there. She may have participated before, or perhaps she hasn’t been a part of the Hunt yet. Second, if you do not sense a fated bond, it is still your responsibility to bring an Omega back to the pack. Once here, you may decide to continue the bond or wait for your fated mate.” A murmur went through the crowd. “We are there for a bigger purpose. Each of you must remember that.”

Bishop stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back. “We chose the next unit based on strategy and unity. The wolves in this unit are capable, responsible, and loyal. When they enter the Hunt, Hidden Creek will be one step closer to accomplishing our goals.”

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