One of the pack leaders, Eric, was already here. He was West Pack’s leader, and the youngest leader of all since the death of his parents years ago. I still didn’t know the story behind that, and I didn’t want to hurt my mate by pressing him for details. I knew he would tell me when, or if, he wanted to.
The other pack leaders were the parents of my other two mates, Ramsay and Colton, who belonged to South and North Pack respectively.
To an outsider, we might have seemed like an odd mix. But our love was real and strong, no matter which pack we came from. We wouldn’t let the fact that we were technically supposed to be enemies stop us from following our feelings.
Maybe that’s what I was so afraid of.
“They’re here,” Eric announced.
I pulled myself from my thoughts. I heard the sound of canoes docking at the shore, indicating others had arrived.
Behind me, a deep and elegant voice asked, “What shall I do, Matheson?”
I turned to face Noro. While debating my own anxieties, I’d completely forgotten he was still stranded here on the island. He had been injured just a few days ago when Neil, my ex-guard, turned on him and tore feathers from his wing. Without the ability to fly, Noro was stuck until they grew back.
“It’s not exactly like we can hide a giant half-bird, half-lion,” Ramsay mumbled.
“He doesn’t need to hide,” I said. “The packs already know about Noro. They know he’s not a threat.”
Eric made a face like he didn’t exactly agree, but he didn’t argue. I understood his doubts. We’d all thought the same thing about Neil, until he attacked Noro. I wouldn’t let that happen again.
“There’s no point in pretending he’s not here,” Eric said. “So it’s best if he remains out in the open with us.”
Noro dipped his head. “I agree.”
My hand drifted to my belly in anticipation. Nothing in my outward appearance had changed yet, but Iknew.I felt changed inside. I knew what had happened.
If my parents and others would believe me, though… That was a different story.
A small group of people arrived and gathered around the fire. As usual, it consisted of all the pack leaders--my parents, plus Colton and Ramsay’s parents--and a handful of guards to accompany them. I didn’t think the guards were necessary since tension among the packs had lessened after our agreement during the past month. As the chosen omega in the prophecy, I’d been given essentially freedom to travel among the other three packs. I’d built a relationship with all the other pack leaders.
But maybe I was being naive to think we were all friends and partners now. Watching them all gather around the fire with wary expressions, I wasn’t sure how much longer the friendly truce would last.
Mom and Dad came over to me for a big hug.
“How’ve you been, son?” Dad asked, smiling.
“Thank goodness you’re still in one piece,” Mom said, only half-joking.
“Of course I am,” I replied. I gestured to Ramsay, Eric and Colton behind me. “These guys did a good job of taking care of me.”
“Thank you,” Mom said with a respectful dip of her head. As a pack leader, she didn’tneedto bow her head to a lower-ranking wolf. But Mom was polite, and I knew her gratitude to my alphas was sincere.
“Good to see you, Lady Lilian,” Eric said.
She shot him an acknowledging nod--an interaction between two pack leaders of equal status. “You, too, Lord Eric.”
Everyone else had gathered around the fire, but no one sat. There was a thrum of edginess in the air. Things had changed since my omega awakening, and nobody really knew what to do about the situation as it stood now.
So I guess it’s up to me to speak,I thought.
I opened my mouth to begin when Colton’s mother, Lady Gabrielle of North Pack, let out a loud sniff and pointed to Noro.
“What is that beast doing here?” she asked.
I tried not to wince at her bluntly rude remark. Even though everyone present had met Noro at the last Moon Meeting, I couldn’t fault them for not understanding. None of them expected Noro to return here after relaying his initial message. They probably assumed his presence signalled misfortune, like he was a harbinger of doom or something.
Eric spoke up. “Noro was injured by one of our own. He’s unable to fly, so he can’t leave the island.”
