Ex's regret, Gamma's addiction

From "frying pan"

Six weeks later,

I had been mistaken. My Saviour wolf had been going his way that night. He did not come after me like I feared. Once we raced outside, he'd gone in an opposite direction, straight to the mini mansion where our Chief Gamma lived.

However, as far as I was concerned, my current situation was the same as jumping frying pan into the fire. I'd made it past the border only to get captured by two Forest Moon warriors.

Now, I practically lived in the pack. A captive of battle. Although as a low-rank shewolf, I was considered a harmless civilian and not treated harshly.

Peyton and Vivi were also captured. Once we were brought here all they'd done was offered orientation and put us to work the moment.

Like the pack I ran from, I was not allowed in certain places here unless I was assigned work there. Going outside the premises was not allowed either. Guards had their eyes on us at all times.

To our greatest luck, our jobs were mostly menial with nothing to do with the life I wished to escape. No s€x work for now, at least. But I lived in constant fear that this could change anytime.

I had encountered two of such servants around here, which confirmed that this pack was no different from ours on the inside. They kept pleasure servants too.

We were given small rooms near the farm. The pack's prison was somewhere nearby too.

Peyton and Vivi's room sat on either side of mine. It was somehow comforting. Though we weren't allowed much interaction with each other.

We'd been here for nearly six weeks now, if my calculations were right, yet I hadn't been able to ask my friend how he was captured.

I saw my saviour wolf only one time. Everyone called him Chief. That meant he was head of the Warriors here. I resolved to avoid him at all cost. Thankfully, that didn't require any effort. If he found out whose daughter I was, I could be dead before I had the chance to beg.

Apparently, my former pack still stood even though its piece-of-s**t Alpha had fallen. A new leader had ascended. We, civilian captives, would be held and watched for some time. The period of assimilation was usually indefinite and uncertain. But twelve weeks was the standard.

Once they determined that we weren't spies for others, we may or may not be allowed to join this pack. We may be killed if the Alpha, his Beta or Chief Gamma deemed us troublesome. Which is why it was crucial that the Mooners didn't find out whose bastard I was.

Six weeks to go!

I was never returning to Jefferson though. Not to my former pack. I also refused to stay here, of course. My goal had not changed. This place, living in servitude and in the fear of being discovered as Alpha Laz’s bastard? That's not for me. I would get out of here somehow.

The bell dinged, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was a signal for work. Only an hour or so before sunset now. They hadn't given us much to do in the morning. Today's work was an evening affair. A party was to begin in an hour.

I rose and grabbed my jacket at the clanking sound of the door. The moment I came outside, Peyton began whispering into my mind.

'I've decided to stay here. I'll beg to take the blood pledge before Alpha Nick. Once you take the pledge, you're free to move about the city, you know.'

"Peyton Day!" The guard snapped. "No secret talk. No whispering. Last warning!"

He gave the female guard a single glance and refocused on me. Vivi walked beside us now, proud and snobby as ever. I ignored her too.

"So you like it here?" I faked a smile.

"What's not to like?" He replied. "They are rich. Also, the gammas are actually HONORABLE."

He shouted the honorable for the guard's benefit, offering her a soft smile, which she returned with a stoic expression.

I felt somewhat bitter that he was changing his mind about the place. Well, it didn't matter to me. Our lives were different. Whether he'd chosen to stay or return to Jefferson didn't affect my own plans.

For me, the only good thing about the Forest Moon was the fact that I was far from Kevin. Was he even still alive?

My throat tightened as I recalled my last heart-shattering talk with my ex. As usual, I exhaled deeply, pushing him out of my mind.

We reached the massive, elegantly-decorated hall moments later and were immediately separated.

"Oh good. They're here," someone called out.

A omega female. Clearly, she was in charge of the decorations. Shocking because it meant she was not a mere servant. Omegas at the Night Storm were all strictly servants. Apparently, the case was different here.

"Guests will start to arrive soon. The seats need dusting ASAP."

Her tone was more surprising. She sounded like we were one of them and not captive servants.

Peyton and Vivi reappeared with rags and a spray bottle with liquid inside it. Another female walked in after them. A very familiar she-wolf.

All three of us froze in shock.

Celia Kai, Alpha Laz’s legitimate child, was here? Alpha Nick rejected the arranged mating between their parents and everyone thought the shame had forced her into hiding somewhere in Europe. So Kevin had been right.

The female in charge motioned to the cleaning supplies as she urged,

"C'mon, guys. Barely one hour left to make sure this place is sparkly clean."

Peyton, Vivi, and I exchanged looks as we moved to begin the cleaning. Celia kept a straight face, ignoring us all like she didn't know us.

In twenty minutes, we were done. The flashy omega reappeared and nodded in satisfaction. Then she called out instructions for where we all would be working tonight.

"Tessa and Vivian, you'll join them in kitchen right away."

"Peyton, you're with the guys and drinks! Cici, you'll stick with me."

Peyton bumped shoulders with me as we headed through the corridor to our different tasks.

"Guess what's happening here tonight."

"A feast?" I said.

"Wrong," Vivi spoke for the first time. "A mating ceremony. Someone from the Alpha's family is wedding the Beta's little sister."

It was hard to decide if it was her bitchy tone or the news itself that dampened my spirit. I was immediately reminded of those times when I used to dream that I, too, could have a proper mating ceremony with Kevin Fox.

"That's right," Peyton said.

Before he could say something else, Vivi spoke again.

"Cliché, isn't it, Tess? Alpha and Beta families. The high-rank wolves mate themselves, Tessa Nile. They don't stoop low to raise a servant like you and I. We're only good for menial work and one other thing. You know what!"

Peyton and I slowed down as I turned a horrified look his way. He raised an innocent brow. Then shook his head silently denying that he didn't tell her about Kevin and I.

Her comment meant she knew for sure. Who told her, if not Peyton?

"Enough talking!" A guard barked. "Keep moving."

Once we entered the kitchen, I asked Vivi, the b!t<h.

"What do you mean I know what?"

"I knew about you and Gamma Kev, Tessa," she scoffed. "Or should I say the late Gamma Kev? He's probably dead now."

I didn't get the chance to respond. Someone gripped me by the collar and dragged me further inside the massive kitchen.

"Get to work. Don't make me talk too much!" The guard warned me. She wasn't evil, merely the no-nonsense kind.

As we worked, I kept glancing Vivi's way, wondering how long she'd known. If Peyton told her, I wouldn't forgive him.

What did it even matter? She was right. Kevin was probably dead. Even if he was alive, we were no longer a part of each other's lives. Hell, that part of my life had been a lie.

It was a good thing the battle took place before he ruined all of my good memories of him. I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and focused on wiping the dishes and arranging them the way I was asked.

Laughter and voices filled all around soon. People were beginning to arrive. I had to accompany another servant to go set plates on the table. We had done that and was leaving the hall when I heard my name.

"Tessa?"

The voice sent my heart to my throat. I froze, too scared to turn around but having no choice.

My partner gave a slight bow at the person who had just called my name, then she hurried back into the kitchen.

I turned slowly and sure enough, it was Kevin Fox.

"Tessa. It is you," he murmured.