Alpha Markus
Chapter 9

Markus P.O.V.

I wanted to laugh at the face of shock and dismay from the Alpha, Luna and their daughter as the moon rose. It seemed none of the leaders of the packs were her mate. I am not sure anyone was surprised, outside of them, but we were all doing a pretty good job of looking sympathetic. I saw Sandra turn from the stage and stomp away, likely to go cry in her room. The moon reached the peak and we all removed our clothing and shifted. I can’t help but actually admire his lands under the full moon. The previously dead and uncared lands looked filled with wild magic under the full moon. My wolf was excited. He was an old soul and it was clear that he enjoyed his moon runs.

I feel like something is happening. I think something is about to change. – Atlas said as he ran faster.

I didn’t say anything. I felt the same way.

I heard the Alpha’s howl to turn back. As we were getting closer to the area were the party was taking place, I heard a woman shrieking like a banshee.

“I DON’T NEED YOU TO DO ANYTHING WRONG. IF I WANT TO BEAT YOU TO DEATH BECAUSE I f*****g WISH TO, I CAN. YOU’RE PROPERTY. YOU’RE NOT WORTH THE FOOD YOU EAT.”

“This was supposed to be my night. I was supposed to replace my mate. Instead everyone is just talking about how good the food is.” She screamed again.

We reached the clearing and we all saw Sandra kicking someone on the floor. I shifted and started running towards them. Maya was to the side with b***d running down a gash from her face. I smelled b***d, strawberries, honey and the coolness of a winter’s night mixed together. I looked at the woman on the ground. All I could see was the copious amounts of jet black curls shining against the full moon. I saw b***d dripping from her chin. I saw her sniff the air slowly and sit up and look our way. My eyes met her bloody eyes and I felt the bond snap into place. I heard her whisper something before falling over.

My eyes turned black as Atlas took over ,“MINE,” he growled.

No longer under control of my body, I saw Atlas rush Sandra and back hand her backwards. I felt my Beta run to my side as well as my warriors surround me as we bend down to inspect our mate. He gently pushed the hair from her face and roared. Her eyes were bleeding, I could feel a crack in her orbital bone. Her jaw looked broken and there were already bruises and swelling all over her face. B***d on her abdomen.

“Alpha Markus, explain yourself,” Alpha Geoff roared at me. Helping his daughter up from the ground.

“Your daughter was beating my mate.” Atlas growled as I took control of my body and I picked up my mate and started heading towards where I knew the Packhouse Hospital was located. ‘Bring Maya, she looks like she needs medical attention too,’ I mind linked Gillian. I saw him walk towards her and gently lift her up and follow me. My warriors flanked us as we headed towards the hospital.

“That’s impossible. She isn’t even of age yet. How can she bond?” Luna Luisa growled.

“Perhaps you need to pay more attention. Some of her injuries are healing. She clearly has her wolf.” I spat.

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” he demanded.

“To the hospital,” I said, without turning back to them.

“The omegas do not have hospital rights,” Sandra shrieked, “She can’t be your mate! She’s just trash!” There were a couple of gasps from the other leaders of the other packs.

I felt my eyes turn black once again and I let ATLAS roar.

We turned around. I felt our fangs elongate. “You have committed crimes against my future Luna and have admitted to denying basic necessities to your omegas. We will discuss the punishment for the transgression AFTER my mate has received medical attention. If you try to prevent help being given, I will not hesitate to call the council. Maya and my mate are under the protection of the Crescent Moon Pack. Any attempts to hurt them will be considered a direct attack to my pack and a declaration of war. Who here will stand beside me?” Atlas looked at the crowd. Many of whom were still naked from the shift. Everyone but the members of the B***d Moon Pack stepped forward.

“This is ridiculous. Just wait until that piece of trash wakes. You will see how wrong he is and I will expect an apology from each one of you” Alpha Geoff screamed and he dragged Luna Luisa and his daughter into the house when he realized no one was on his side.

Alpha Rhett stepped forward then, having put on a pair of shorts, handed me a pair. Atlas gave me back control. I gently shifted my mate in order to dress myself, not wanting anyone to touch her. “You are sure Markus?” he asked. I nodded. “Then you have our support,” he said.

“Thank you my friend.”

I saw my Beta put on a pair of shorts as well and then gently guiding a petrified Maya towards the hospital. She hesitated at the entrance. “It’s forbidden,” she said.

“You won’t have to stay here,” Gillian said gently, looking at me. I nodded at her and saw her relief. “You can leave the B***d Moon Pack. You are under the protection of Alpha Markus and you will be allowed to join our pack.”

“What is her name? My mate,” I asked her.

“Celeste,” she said.

“The cook?” I asked, she nodded.

We went through the double doors and noticed that for a few omegas cleaning, the hospital was empty. I heard someone trying to push behind us while my warriors growled.

“Alpha, if I may. My name is Dr. Castle. I am the Pack doctor. I can help.”

I nodded to my warriors and an elderly gentleman pushed through.

“This way please,” he said as he hurried past me.

I carried my mate to a room and laid her gently on the bed. I wasn’t keen on having him touch her, but I knew she needed something I could not provide. I stepped to the side and sat on the chair by her side. After about 20mins of checking her over, he finally looked at me.

“She’s got a broken jaw, several broken bones, including her clavicle, her left side orbital bone is broken but intact. I would imagine with the damage to her head, she definitely also has a concussion. I could feel no internal bleeding though and she already seems to be healing. I would imagine that you’re correct and this woman has her wolf. She should be healing much slower otherwise. She will likely sleep for a couple of days as her wolf heals her.” My eyes turned black then grey several times as I tried to restrain Atlas from losing control. I couldn’t stop the growl that came from my throat.

“I want my guards at the doors at all times. No one is to come in or come out except for the doctor unless I say so. We will be remaining here until she’s well enough to travel. Bring another bed in here for Maya. She is also under my protection. I would like some clothes and a pillow brought to me. I will remain in this room with her.” I instructed my Beta who was already mind linking my warriors. He brought out his phone to alert our pack that we would be delayed. “Yes Alpha,” he said as he left the room.

I looked down at the woman in the bed. My mate. I never wanted a mate and yet the moment I saw her, I already felt the need to protect her and murder the ones responsible for her suffering. I sighed and held her hand.

I heard Atlas whine inside my head – They hurt mate.

I know buddy. But they won’t hurt her anymore. We will make sure of it.

I sat down next to my mate. Celeste. Her name was like a song. I inhaled deeply and let the smell of honey and strawberries and that cool winter’s night calm me.

“She protected me,” I heard a small voice say from the other side of the room.

“Pardon?” I said.

“Sandra hit me first and then her. She was coming back to me, but Celeste stood up and took the attention away from me. I thought I had messed something up with dinner and then she started screaming about not replaceing her mate. I don’t think we did anything wrong. I think she just wanted to take her anger out at someone,” she sobbed.

“Do they do that often? Hit you for no reason?” I asked. She nodded.

“They don’t feed us enough. We’re only allowed to eat left overs but the warriors never leave us any, so Celeste always pretends to mess up the food just so we can all get some food. They usually beat her for it but we all know that she does it on purpose just so we have something to eat.”

I looked down at my mate, a sense of rage growing but also of wonder. She’s a protector of the abused. Even though it caused more abuse to her. She will make a great Luna – Atlas puffed his chest in my head.

And she cooks like a goddess – I told him.

He smirked -Best food we’ve ever had. Even better than bunnies.

—

“We need to speak to Alpha Markus. We need to settle the matter of his mate and the omega.” I startled awake. I had fallen asleep in the chair while holding my mate’s hand.

‘Let them through.’ I mind linked my warriors. ‘Gillian are you close? Something is happening.’ I switched to my Beta.

‘I’m just coming through the doors. I thought I’d grab a couple of bagels for you. I have to warn you, they are nowhere near as good as your mate’s food. These are barely edible but I don’t think anyone else knows how to cook in this place’ he smirked in my head.

I suppress a g***n as the Alphas walk into the room.

“Has the doctor confirmed that this omega has no wolf?” Alpha Geoff growled. Luna Luisa and Sandra were standing behind him.

“I am afraid that you’re mistaken, Alpha. This young lady appears to have her wolf. Her healing is definitely consistent with that of someone with a wolf and her pupils are black,” the Doctor spoke timidly, baring his neck in submission at the glare of Alpha Geoff.

“That’s impossible. She is only 17,” he growled. My eyes widened at the knowledge and looked down at my unconscious mate.

I looked back at the Alphas in the room. “If she’s 17, then she has an early wolf. I will not question the moon goddess’ plan for my mate. She is the future Luna and even if I have to wait for her to hit her legal age. She will be coming with me. Her and Maya,” I said

“She can’t take her. Who will cook our food then?” Luna Luisa whined.

“That is not my problem, nor is it theirs,” I respond, disgusted that this is what her worry is.

“You can take the b***h, but you won’t take the other omega. She’s mine,” Alpha Geoff growls.

“Watch what you say to a future Luna, Alpha Geoff,” Alpha Rhett said, “No one in this room will tolerate disrespect to a mate.”

“Maya was part of the assault that your daughter inflicted yesterday. We all heard her say that she could beat them without cause. I would take all the omegas in the Packhouse with me if I could as I’ve noticed that they are all underweight and mistreated.” I took a deep breath, “However, I will settle for removing Maya from immediate danger that I believe she still poses. I have asked her to join my pack and she has agreed.”

“Is this true child,” one of the other Alphas asked. I could tell Maya was terrified, more so when a low growl escaped from Alpha Geoff’s chest. All she could do was nod.

“Well, considering this is an underage omega, I would usually say it’s up to her guardians. Where are her parents?” He asked Luna Luisa. She paled.

“Ehh. She’s an orphan. We are her parents,” The Luna said, looking nervous.

“And we do not consent to her leaving,” Alpha Geoff smirked.

“What happened to your parents, child? Come speak. My name is Alpha Troy and I won’t hurt you.” Alpha Troy was an older gentleman that was here not for a mate, but to accompany his Beta.

Maya looked at the Pack Leaders. It didn’t seem like she was going to talk, when she looked at Celeste on the bed. Anger and determination replaced the fear in her delicate face. “My parents were from Sky Moon Pack. They were killed the night the B***d Moon Pack challenged and killed our Alpha. We were forced to come here after.”

There was a chorus of murmuring from the other Alphas. We all knew the story of what happened to the Sky Moon Park. It was borderline murder but the council had declared it legal. As there was no known survivors, all we had to go on was the story from the Alpha and his warriors.

“In this case, I think we can all agree that considering the animosity the Alpha’s daughter has shown towards this child, that legal guardianship should shift to the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. Anyone disagree?” Alpha Troy looked around the room. No one objected. “Very well. This is an unfortunate end to a very pleasant visit. I believe we will take our leave. Alpha Markus, anything you need before we go?”

I shook my head, “I will remain in this hospital with my Beta and guards until my mate is well enough to travel. All I need is place for my guards to rest until that happens.”

Alpha Geoff growled but nodded. He grabbed his Luna by the arm and carried her out. Their spoiled daughter stomping behind.

Once I was alone with my Beta again, I sighed and sat back down. I took a bagel and after biting it, made a face and spit in the trash. Maya giggled.

I looked at her and she paled. “Sorry, it’s just that for the last 7 years, the only one that’s been able to cook anything edible was Celeste. Don’t expect any miracles from the rest.”

I laughed and looked at my Beta. “Order us something edible for lunch? I have a feeling we’ll all end up with food poisoning otherwise.” He laughed and I saw his eyes glaze over as he mind linked one of our warriors.

“Done and done. Now, do we know how long it will take for the Luna to wake up?” He asked.

“Doc said a couple of days at most. She looks better than last night at least.” I stroked her swollen face gently, feeling the warmth from the bond on my hand.. She stirred but didn’t wake up. Even with all the injuries, I could already tell my mate was breathtakingly beautiful. I looked at Maya again. “You did well. That took courage.”

She smiled shyly. “I thought about what Celeste would do.” I smiled.

‘I can see you’re already falling hard,’ Gillian smirked through the mind link. I roll my eyes but the smile stayed on my face.