Misunderstanding

(Devon’s POV)

“Who’s the alpha here? Because right now you’re acting like an immature fucking brat, Dev.” My beta called. She was right. I am acting like a brat.

“Oh, hush it. You know better than anyone why I’m acting out Bren.” I wiped my hand over my face. This whole goddamn situation is frustrating.

“It doesn’t matter. Why’re you all of a sudden caught up about it?” Bren sat next to me.

“Because, if I don’t do something about him, he’s gonna try to go to war with us. We may have fantastic warriors, but we don’t have nearly enough manpower, or connections to go against him. I’ve heard the rumors about him just like anyone else has. He thinks I’m just gonna let him scout our females?” I sighed. Alpha Marks was a horrible alpha. He treats all the women in his pack like slaves, mated or not. Every pack in the whole of the states has heard what he forces those poor women to do. Plus, he has all his men brainwashed into thinking the same way.

“Then why don’t we ask the same of him? He’s not the only one with unmated pack members. Maybe we could help some of those women?” Bren has a point. I just don’t see that bastard going for it.

“Good idea. Maybe he’ll let some of his women leave.” I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

“He might Dev. You never know.” With that Bren left my office.

I didn’t even want to think about calling that man. He hurts innocent women. Forces them to be his personal slaves. The mated ones got off somewhat lucky, they were usually just used as maids. The unmated ones though, he used as personal sex toys. Some of them are so young they had just gotten their wolves. But everyone knows he has a favorite. No one knows why that poor woman gets the brunt of everything.

*************************************************************

(Two weeks later)

I can’t believe I let Bren talk me into this. I also can’t believe that bastard agreed to my deal.

“This is a good thing Dev. We might be able to help some of these people. He even brought the special girl.” Bren said as she stepped up beside me to greet the fuckers.

“If ya say so.” I sighed.

I soon saw the black SUVs they were in. I could feel my warriors despair. We may never see some of them after this. Regardless of gender, my entire pack is treated the same. And now, I might have to subject some of these people to torture and slavery.

About two minutes later, Alpha Marks pack members made it on the field. His women looked defeated; his men looked like they’d seen war.

I already regret this.

Marks made his way to me with his beta.

“Alpha Cruse. Long time no see.” Marks bowed his head. At least he knows how to respect other alphas. It may be his only redeeming asset.

“Alpha Marks. It has been a while, hasn’t it?” We shook hands and I lead him and his pack to the guest houses. It’s a custom among all packs to mask their scent for the first day of a Luna Celebration. The weeklong meeting between two packs to find their fated mates. Or if you’re lucky, a second chance mate if one of the fated mates met the Goddess in the sky too soon. We mask scents to make sure no one gets overwhelmed on the meeting day.

“Alpha Cruse?” Marks called.

“Yes, Alpha Marks?” I turned to face him. No alpha likes talking to another without eye contact.

“Thank you. I know this was a hard decision to make. No other pack would agree to meeting me. Or consider a Luna Celebration. Not since the rumors started anyway.” He gave me a smile and ushered his pack into the houses.

*************************************************************

(The next day)

The one thing that sucks about being an alpha, no matter what, you’re always up with the sun.

“Devon Mikhail Cruse, I swear to all that is fucking holy, your ass better be awake.” A very groggy sounding Bren called trough my door.

“I’m up. Go back to bed, nothing starts til nine,” I look at my phone. “Jesus, Bren it’s only 5:30.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” That was my cue to get up.

I threw open my door and took us downstairs.

“Coffee?” I asked while starting a pot.

“Please.” She sighed. She honestly looked like shit.

“The scent mask wore off early this morning. Do you think all the new smells are overloading you?” Bren has been my best friend since I was three. She’s also my best tracker and warrior. Female betas aren’t too common, but Bren fought her way to her position. She never got any type of favoritism.

“Possibly. I have the best nose in the pack other than you. I’m just glad the guest houses are a mile away from the pack houses.” I gave her a mug and sent her back to her rooms.

The biggest pack house is mine. I didn’t want it. I made sure all my members had a choice. The house has more than enough room for the entire pack to be luxuriously comfortable but being around that many people can be draining. I contracted a house for every family, and members. There is a few members who choose to like in the pack house, other than that, it’s me and Bren.

Around 7:30 my pack members started getting things for today ready. The first day of a Luna Celebration is always the most overwhelming. It’s a 12 hour day for everyone. Not only is everyone overwhelmed by new smells, but new customs the packs bring to each other. We start with a greeting ceremony. The alphas greet one another, then we introduce our betas, gammas, and pack medics. We then allow for the members to meet each other over a breakfast feast. We then set up games for everyone to get to know each other. The games take over most of the day. The rest of the night is closed out with a bonfire.

This is going to be a long day.