*Atlas View*
Texting Zion with the items we needed for Kash put a smile on my face, he was willing to listen! At least for now. "Kash?" I waited until he looked up at me. There were many questions in his eyes. "I do believe this heat will be short. About two days max. You can blame me for it, but this would be a bonding heat. Normally the process is short and to the point." I softened my voice seeing his blush. "Most wolves feel the bond and mate. My plans for you, if you are willing, is to take my time. Have you learn more of yourself and second gender. In the process, you can get to know me as well, and then allow you to make the choice when you are ready."
The shock on his face was cute. His big, bright silver eyes open with wonder. "I thought as an alpha you would just, well, make the choice and demand obedience?" His voice softened at the end with both question and embarrassment.
"I will never make that choice for you, and if I found out any of my alphas have done it to their mates, I would banish them from the pack. No matter of gender and pheromones, it should always be two people agreeing and consenting. Kash, you have so much to learn, not just about you, but pack life as well. You seem to feel that you are to obey, which can happen, omegas do tend to submit."
I chuckled when he turned and glared at me. "I refuse to submit. There is no way I will obey just anyone! I allow some with my father as Alpha and Jace as he will be my Alpha soon, but never can any Alpha demand me to obey!"
"I like that about you. You're fiery and smart. You are the best dominant omega for me." His abrupt noise had me turn to him.
"I never said I was for you or would be yours. You're assuming and making yourself look like an ass." He glared daggers at me when I chuckled. "Hey, from what you said any alpha can help me like this yeah? SO, why does it have to be you? I can ask my brother just as easily."
"You could, and he probably would try and help you. He could not give you the scent like myself now that we are bonded. He has also told me your scent is off to him, therefore he would be uncomfortable. You would have full symptoms without me around unfortunately. You can ask if you like and see what he says." I got up from the cot and walked over when his face dropped. "The feeling of having no choice is hard. I can only understand it from my point of view, but you do have a choice with many more in your path and I am willing to help you when they arrive. Of course, that is if you are willing."
"How can you help me choose when the Moon Goddess has gone through making the decision this is the best for me.? I know what my father wants, and for the good of the pack I will do my duties, but it does not have to mean I am truly happy about anything." He turned away when I sat beside him.
Bars separating the touch I desperately wanted. "Kash. You do have a choice. We all have a choice on how our actions handle the situations given to us. For example, until you are comfortable with the bond, or even if you decide to accept it, how about you try doing some of the duties as Luna? There is much more to it than just a pack secretary."
"What does that even mean, Luna duties? I do no have a choice at all for the bond, do I? What if I wanted to explore places I have only heard about? What if I just wanted to stay at home and help my pack? Things are changing so fast, all because I turned 18." His voice was sad and I was ready to hold him and tell him it would be okay. "All I know right now, is I am hungry, needing dry clothes and miss my wolf. Could you tell me what happened here at least?"
I knew he was still very unsure on what I told him about his own choice, but it gave him something to think about. "When I got here you were being held by two rogues and a couple of restraints." I growled thinking back. "They had already gave you the drugs and were yelling at you to behave."
"I remember...I was so mad...no, furious. My wolf wanted to rip their throats out." His voice raised and was a little excited. "They wanted me to bend to their will and I refused." Even I could hear how proud he was and it made me happy. "Then your scent and voice. You lied to them."
I scoffed. "I did not."
He chuckled. "You did. You called me a Royal. I am not. I am the second son of an Alpha, no more."
"You were born during a lunar eclipse. You my glorious mate, are not only a strong omega, you are a Royal." Smiling I got up. "Zion is here. I will get the clothing and food. You need anything more?"
He shook his head while looking down. I was happy some of his memories came back, but it was only the last part of the fight. It also appeared his wolf was still quiet. I left the room closing it behind me to speak with Zion. "His wolf still sleeps. When is our doctor expected to arrive?" The worry in my voice could easily be caught by Zion.
"Boss, he will be here by morning. He told me that he suspects they gave him a small dose of wolfsbane to keep his wolf in check. Until he arrives he said lots of water and rest. His wolf should comeback when it leaves his system." Zion looked at me with sad eyes. "I failed to protect our Luna boss. The damn rogues won't talk, meaning it could be just the start of things. What are your orders?"
I smiled at him. My most trusted friend and most loyal pack member. "We both failed to prevent the attack, but we did protect our Luna. He is alive and well."
Zion chuckled. "So that is what you tell yourself to keep your wolf pacified right now? Man, I though you had gone soft."
Laughing with him I could not help telling the truth. "Just wait a day. When his heat is done and he no longer requires my presence beside him, those rogues will talk." My voice ended with a growl.
"Yes boss!" Grinning he started to walk away. "Take good care of our Luna and we will see what we can find in the ball."
*Kash View*
He was taking a while talking to his beta. My symptoms were still not a bad as earlier but I could tell if he left for much longer, they would be back once more. Since he was not around, I took the time to try and smell the air. He said there was more in the air and I wanted to smell it myself. At first his scent was all I could smell, so strong it even muted my own. This scent was the one he had been using to calm my heat. I could tell that now due to the fact that as soon as I took deep breaths of it, my symptoms were calmed more. It still had his warm home feeling with the misty forest rain scent, but it seemed to have more pine scent to it.
Closing my eyes to focus one the other scents deeper than that I took more controlled breaths. His other scent was just under the first one. If I could explain it, I would say that instead of feeling like home, it felt safe. Not saying that home is not safe, but this safe was that there was nothing that could touch me. That the world could fall down around me, and I would still stand. I could feel myself want to purr at the thought.
Taking time to really feel the difference in each of his scents, I realized that not one of his smells had dominance in it. Nothing said obey. Nothing said he was ruler. It was all about home, and being safe. He was being truthful in giving me a choice. I opened my eyes to see him at the door with food and clothing in his hands. "Are you okay?"
A small smile escaped my lips before I spoke. "I think so." He looked so unsure of himself. I wonder what happened to the teasing alpha male I met before. Deep inside, I hoped he came back. I liked that side of him as well. "Need a hand?" I moved to get up.
"No need. Please rest. Umm.." He looked down. "Can I have permission to enter?" Looking at my wide eyes I could tell he was a little panicked. "I just want to hand the items to you. Nothing more!"
"Yes, you jerk. Of course you can enter. I have no code and would really like to eat and change." I knew I blushed a little. It was the first time I allowed an Alpha in my nest area. "Don't make such a big deal out of it. It makes me uncomfortable." Keeping my eyes down I could hear the buttons and the door unlocking. "So will I get to know the code or are you trapping me in this?"
He chuckled. "You can have the code after this heat. Speaking of which, my pack doctor will be here in the morning to give you a check up."
I growled. "Why? What is wrong with my own pack doctor?" So did he have alternative plans?
He put the food down beside me and looked me right in the eyes. "I freaked out. I called the doctor I know and trust. He has already suggested they had wolfsbane in the drugs to keep your wolf in check. That is why he is still sleeping. I wanted him to make sure you are okay from the attack and that his suspicion is correct."
"This is just about the attack?" I doubted him still. How could I not, with all the things my family did. Telling me one thing and going behind my back about the truth until I had no choice but to play along.
"I swear! My plan is to be as much of an open book to you. I know there are some things I will keep from you. However! If it involves you in any shape or form. I will notify you." Stepping away he walked out of my nesting area and locked the door back up. "Your heat has mellowed enough it could be over by tomorrow. If you are more comfortable we can wait until all symptoms are gone for him to look you over."
Surprise flashed in my face once more. "I, would prefer that. To have a shower and look somewhat normal."
"I will let Zion know to set him up in one of the cabins until you are ready."
The rest of the night was a blur as he respected my space. Only increasing his scent if my heat flared. I ate in peace, and the food was perfect. He left the room so I could wipe down and change into dry clothing. He did not speak much either. It was as though he knew I need time to process this huge change. It honestly was the best sleep I had while in heat that I can ever remember having. Even knowing that he slept only feet from me, I knew with my whole being I was safe.
When I woke, the room was quiet. I knew my heat was almost done and I grinned over the fact it was so short. A voice off to my side reminded me I was not alone.
"Morning. Did you sleep well?" Turning towards him as I sat up, I quickly burst out laughing.
The Royal was not looking sexy at all. Or looked at all like a pampered ass. His hair was not the sexy bedhead but sticking up in places I never knew hair could. His face had pressure marks from the cot, since his pillow was on the floor I could bet he tossed and turned much of the night. The dark circles under his eyes would verify that. "You look like shit. Not used to sleeping in a cot, in a cold room? No fancy pillows or soft bed for your royal highness?" Coughing when my laughter caused me to lose my breath I leaned against the bars. "Seriously though. I have a reason to look worse than you at least."
He smiled. "Yes, but you also were not waking up regularly to scent the place down either. Let alone fighting the instincts to sleep beside your mate." I stopped laughing. "No worries. I would do it all over again, and will with every one of your heats."
Now blushing my face turned away. He does not fight fair. It was then my wolf, who had been sleeping, spoke up. "He is a good mate." Though sounding tired he was back. My face easily lit up.
"You wolf is awake?" Atlas seemed to catch on quick. "That is great news! I still would like you to meet my pack doctor when your ready. After you have breakfast, I have pack matters to tend too as well. Will you be okay down here?"
"Actually, my heat is pretty much done so I would rather go back to my room. As for the doctor, can I think on it?" I was testing him. There was only so much of what he said that I could believe. If he was honest yesterday, then I would have a choice here.
His face showed no emotion. I saw a flicker of something in his eyes before he spoke. "Please inform me of your choice before lunch. I would love for you to meet him before he goes back with the other pack members that did not find mates. Would you like to meet your personal guards or would you rather not know them?"
Wait. Personal guards? "What guards? The ones that my father gave me won't talk to me. Why would I need to meet them?"
A smile entered his face quickly before he gained his Royal bossy face back. "I have set up personal guards for you. You will have two at all times. When they rotate, I can have you meet the other two. Or, if you choose it, you can ignore them and not know them. The choice is yours."
"My choice?" Again, I was hit with conflict. Maybe always having a choice was not as fun as I thought all the time. "So, what happens if I meet them? Does it make a difference?"
"Meeting your pack members is always a good thing, no mater your position. If you get close to your guards it makes it easier to trust them when it counts. However, if you choose, they can be shadows and you will never know them." Atlas spoke with confidence.
Deciding to tease him I grinned. "What if I chose one of them over you? What would the poor alpha do then?"
Though his voice was growling and betraying his inner thoughts, he told me something I did not expect. "If that were to happen. I would control my wolf and make sure you are safe and happy. Also know that if your choice ever hurt you in anyway, my actions would be to hurt them back. Ten fold."
I put my arms up. "I was teasing your alpha ass. There is no way I would even look for a mate. Never wanted one. My wolf would not like it either, he made his choice." My wolf did not like the words I gave to Atlas about picking another and he was actually starting to hurt my head. "Can I ask you something?"
"Anything!" His excitement reminded me of a puppy with a treat under his nose.
"Last night you said something about Luna duties. What are those exactly?" With the idea of being useful it kinda stuck to me. I would be doing something, not stuck until I could get out. Keeping my mind busy is always good, and if I was doing it for a pack, that was even better in my mind.
He saw my hopeful expression and laughed. "Zion will be the best to help you with a lot of it. From what Jace has told me you have done all paperwork the Luna does. You have helped with all but the personal aspects of a Luna. I will be truthful. It will not be an easy job as an omega and even harder as a male omega. Do not let anyone talk down on you over your gender, and tell me who does. Most of the Luna duties are with the pack."
I thought back to his words. I never let any pack members talk down to me here. So, then I can assume it would be no different now than as a potential Luna. Thinking back, I wanted to ask Jace more about it. He would know since he was expected to find his own. "Can we leave now? I think I am done hanging out down here."
I watched him get up and stand by the door. Watching me for a few seconds before he smirked. "Do you just want to stay in the corner and not learn the code? Hmm, maybe you like being caged. Something to remember."
I growled and stormed over to him holding my two blankets. My wolf was laughing and loving the snarky mate of ours. "Don't you fucking dare. Give me the code."
He laughed and punched in the numbers allowing me to memorize them. "Now only you and I know them. Please do not go about giving it away."
I ran past his teasing wondering how I missed this. "Ass!"