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Red crept down Myla’s neck, and she looked at her plate as she spoke. “Bedmates are . . . temporary companions for any of the males who hold rank in the pack. If they’re lucky, they become a permanent mate, but that’s pretty rare. Most males like to switch out bedmates every couple of weeks.”
The only sound in the room was the drizzle tapping against the windows.
Myla risked a glance around the table.
Theron’s jaw was locked tight, and his knuckles went pale with the force of his grip around his glass.
Bowen subtly took it from his hand and set it aside.
“The females do this for protection?” I asked.
“And privileges. Food, clothes, and fewer chores.”
“So it’s a caste system?” Silas said.
“Uh-huh,” she agreed. “Unprotected females are at the bottom, and those useful to the pack are at the top.”
We stewed over her words as we ate.
I hadn’t heard of a pack like that since the Black War.
“There is no system like that here,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
Myla gave me a small smile. “I know. The other Omegas told me. They said everybody works here and receives equal treatment.”
“You sound like you don’t believe it,” Silas said.
“I do. It’s just . . . hard to wrap my head around.”
“We’ll make it easier for you then,” Theron said. “Come to the shop with me tomorrow. I’ll show you around during my break.”
Surprise flashed across her face, but she quickly replaced it with a pleasant expression. “Sounds like a plan.”
Chapter 7
Myla
Nature was greener here. It had to be.
Though the Blood Moon pack was deep in the forest, there were never this many colors. Or perhaps there was never enough time to notice those things.
Whatever it was, Hidden Creek was different. It felt different.
The air was cleaner, free of the stink of misery and fear. I heard small animals scurrying between the trees, calling out to one another without a care for the predators around them.
Blood Moon territory hadn’t seen a bird or squirrel in over a year. They knew better. When game was scarce two winters ago, the males supplemented their food supply with small forest creatures. Those who survived found safer homes.
“Ready to go?” Bowen asked, coming down the front steps with Silas and Theron on his heels.
I’d been waiting out front, enjoying the warm weather until they were ready. Silas and Bowen planned to walk with me and Theron this morning since the Enforcer building was past the carpentry workshop.
My wolf itched to check out her new surroundings. The scents of unfamiliar shifters drifted on the breeze, and I began to imagine what I would find when I explored.
“Yup,” I replied as Bowen and Silas sandwiched me between them.
The warmth of their skin comforted and excited me in equal measure. I wanted to lean in and inhale. The thought terrified me. Even on heat suppressants, the pull to be near them threatened to drag me under.
Memories of the night before flashed through my mind. The five of us had slept together for the first time, and the thought alone made my core pulse.
