Page 83 of Hunting Their Omega

“The participants in the next Hunt are Valor, Korren, and Ezra,” Wynn announced.

The chosen individuals rose, their expressions filled with gratitude. It was a testament to their capabilities and a responsibility they would shoulder with honor.

With the matter settled, the pack’s focus shifted as Alaric took center stage. Wynn and Bishop joined me, and as Wynn’s hand brushed the small of my back, I leaned into his touch, loving how he never hesitated to show me physical affection anymore.

“On to the next order of business,” Alaric said. “As we all know, there have been recent developments concerning the Council, their loyalty to the Omegas, and the packs they claim to serve in the name of the Goddess.” A hush fell over the pack. “As such, Hidden Creek will be implementing new rules. From here on out, every member will check in and out of our territory. No one is to go anywhere alone.”

The simmering tension lingering beneath his words did not go unnoticed. The Council’s oppression loomed over us, a constant reminder of the challenges we faced. Every step forward was a testament to our resilience and determination to forge our destiny against the odds.

I stood quietly, the weight of responsibility pressing upon my shoulders. Soon, another Omega would enter Hidden Creek, and it was my job to make our territory feel like home for her. I wanted to help her feel seen and heard. The Hunt could be a symbol of solidarity and strength—a commitment to resist the constraints imposed upon us.

Quiet resolve settled within me. Regardless of the challenges ahead, we would break free from the Council’s iron grip and reclaim our autonomy as a pack.

Alaric continued. “Our patrols will double. The metal workers and security department will reinforce our borders and ensure we have no weak points in our defenses. There will also be restrictions on what we can share with friends and family in other packs.”

Disgruntled murmurs broke out. Curiosity and confusion etched the faces of many.

“Finally, everyone in Hidden Creek will begin training, and all pack members will learn basic self-defense. As for my Enforcers, you will receive modified training in addition to your normal regimen, focusing particularly on paired combat.”

Questions rang out.

“What kind of information are we keeping from the other packs?” one of the men asked, earning nods from his peers.

“Should we be worried?” asked another.

“Are we preparing for war?” an older wolf shouted.

Bishop joined Alaric at the front. “There is no need for alarm. You all know about the Council and the Omegas. It has come to our attention that the Council may be working with witches to procure and wield magical artifacts.”

The ensuing silence was deafening.

“How?” The question came from Ezra, our head of security.

Every individual held their breath, waiting for the answer.

Wynn stepped forward. “We’ve narrowed it down to three possibilities. The first is that they’ve acquired a witch to work for them. The second is that they allowed themselves to be spelled, infusing their blood with the witches’ to allow them access to small portions of magic.”

“And the third?” Ezra asked.

A chill so cold it burned my bones swept through the hall.

“The third is an act of blasphemy to the Goddess. It is the binding of souls to a witch. With this, they could access the full power of the witch they are bound to.”

Ezra’s face paled.

Growls and gasps flooded the room, along with mumbled prayers to the Goddess.

The revelation shattered the Council’s façade. It exposed the corrupt influence of magic wielded by the Council and ripped off the veil of mystery disguised as duty. The discovery prompted a collective shiver at the unknown depths of power we were up against.

Now they knew everything.

The implications were dire—unknown alliances formed through magical coercion threatened the very fabric of our existence. The once-familiar unions with other packs were shadowed in doubt and suspicion. We stood at a precipice, unsure which packs stood with the Council and which remained untainted.

“We will not trust anyone until we are sure they have earned it,” Alaric ordered. “Alpha Wynn is already establishing contact, but assume all other packs are working for the Council until they’ve been cleared. Hold your pack close. Ryr hlak it'hry.”

The pack is all.

The men repeated the words of Hidden Creek in the old language—a pledge.

---