My eyes shoot open and fear creeps into my heart when I feel the bed dip behind me. Memories of when Mikhail would silently come into my room suddenly flashed in my mind and I can feel my entire body trembling.
Where am I? Who is in my room?
“Kardia mou…” comes the strained, familiar voice and it takes me a few seconds to register the spicy autumn scent.
I rush to flick on the light on the nightstand, only to come face to face with a bloody Nikolaos laying next to me; he sees me and a wistful smile crosses his lips before his eyes flutter closed.
“Niko!” I exclaim and I reach out to touch him with a trembling hand, but he doesn’t respond. There’s blood splatter on his face, his shirt is torn and singed from where it looks like he’s been stabbed and burned.
There’s the distinct scent of death on him as well as napalm?
I lift up his shirt but find no open wounds, just healed patches of skin from what seems to be bullet holes. Was he shot at with silver bullets?!
“It’s…okay…” he struggles to breathe and places a hand over mine. “Silver has been removed and…wolfsbane burned out. I just need…sleep.”
After checking his body for wounds, I decided against my better judgment to let him sleep. With a heart thudding with anxiety, I then slip on my nightgown and walk out of the bedroom to find Bastien or at least Maxim to find out what the heck is going on.
“...head home with Panzer and Armata to make sure the pack house is safe before they get back,” Maxim’s voice floats up the stairs and a smile slips over my lips.
I never thought I would miss that rough lilt, but then again, I haven’t seen him since before we left for my father’s territory. I cross my arms over my chest and pad downstairs to where I hear the voices and it happens to be in the living room.
Maxim is standing next to Bastien and five other scary men I have never seen before.
They’re all dressed in black. There are two standing with long back hair; they are tall and huge with biceps the size of my head. One is perched on the arm of the one-seater next to Maxim; he has short-cropped blonde hair and piercing blue eyes and a scary aura altogether. Just looking at him sends a shiver down my spine.
The other two are focused on what Maxim is saying, they both seem muscular, of average height, and have the same type of scar going down the side of their faces. Cold gray eyes focused and listening intently to the Beta.
Maxim’s eyes drift to me and a grin splits his face. “Well, look who it is,” he says and everyone turns to me.
I chuckle and am about to respond when the five men get to their feet and line up in front of me. They then drop down to one knee with their heads bowed and left hand over their hearts in a fist.
“Luna,” they say in unison and my face flares up in embarrassment. My mouth drops open at this show of respect and I don’t know what to say. Maxim’s chuckle brings me back to the present and he walks over to the stand next to the kneeling men.
“Luna Mia, these men are the Alpha’s five most trusted Gammas. They’re known as Pente,” he says, then places his hand on the blonde’s shoulder and starts introducing them one by one. “They go by Ghost, Descry, Harken, Panzer, and Armata.”
Both of my hands go to my chest and I swallow deeply. “It’s…a pleasure to meet you. Please get to your feet,” I say and they immediately obey me. They stand with their hands clasped firmly behind their backs and staring forward.
Gods, I feel like a military Sergeant.
I walk over to Maxim and hide behind him. “Please, make them stop,” I whisper and he starts laughing.
“Your word is as good as their Alpha’s, Mia; these are not only Nikolaos’ men but yours as well. You are their Queen and this is their way of showing respect to their Luna,” he says.
I turn my attention back to the men and walk in front of them; they’re staring at absolutely nothing, their muscles coiled tight at attention. Taking a breath, I give them awkward smiles.
Shooting Bastien a smile of thanks, I walk towards the kitchen to start with breakfast for the Gammas. They’re large men, so they’ll need plenty of meat by the looks of things, especially those two named after tanks.
The chef joins me a few minutes later and we get to work preparing a full spread for everyone, including Niko when he wakes up. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it, given he’s been stabbed and shot at so many times.
“Hmm, wonder if they’ll eat in here or the dining area,” I think when everything is completed and not even ten seconds later they all fill the kitchen island to dish themselves.
I stand there, confused as to how they knew I asked the question when I look at Maxim to see the smirk on his face. “What?” I ask.
“Did Niko mark you?” he asks and my face flares up while he chuckles. “Thought so; you’re in our pack now, Mia; we all heard you over the mind link.”
My mind goes completely blank when he says this and tears well up in my eyes as the realization hits me. I have never been part of a pack, even with my father and Mikhail having their hold on me. I’ve always been a packless Omega and yet now, I’m part of a strong pack.
Not just part of, but their Luna.
“Oh…” I trail off with a happy smile on my face. Maxim ruffles my hair and walks over to the Gammas while I follow him and head to the coffee pot. “Anyone want coffee?”
Five voices declare that they would be the ones to get to the coffee and my heart warms for some reason. I nod to the one named Descry and he gives me a warm smile before taking over making the coffee for everyone.
I sigh happily and leave the kitchen to lay next to the man who went through hell to get his Beta back. Now that I know he’s okay, I can finally relax and calm my heart. Not only that but the present danger is gone - Mikhail is dead.
Smiling, I curl up next to Nikolaos and let his level heartbeat lull me to sleep. Ares wiggles and kicks my ribs uncomfortably, so I take Nikolaos’ hand and put it on my belly to calm him down, falling asleep and feeling content.
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