A Runt Luna
Chapter 8

She glanced at her toes, confused as to what she was feeling. Never before had she felt this weird attraction, it was almost like a magnet. She was drawn to him, but she fought it. Her fox was purring inside her, calling the man her mate. It was a foolish and a childish thought she couldn't not let herself have. No, it would just cause trouble. She figured if she kept her eyes down he would never see her. This way, if he didn't notice her he wouldn't be able to reject her. Of course, her plan would have worked if she wasn't standing next to his sister.

"And why do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Darren forced out to be a pleasant question, even though he wasn't thrilled at the intrusion.

"I have come for my sister and something else I seek. My mate. I would like to see your unmated and see if any of them are her." The deep voice spoke. Aurora was confused, Georgia said he was going to evaluate the pack, what had changed?

"Of course, and who is your sister?" Darren asked his eyebrow twitching at the thought of knowledge being withheld from him.

"Georgia."

Aurora could feel Georgia squeeze her hand, before stepping out of the shadows, and towards her brother and what Aurora assumed to be the beta and her mate. She watched the happy reunion as her mate took her into his arms and kissed her. The sight was something Aurora ached to have but knew better than to wish for it. Especially if her mate really was the Alpha, he wouldn't want a runt.

"Thank you for keeping her safe."

"My pleasure." Darren said. "Allow me to line up the females, so you can get on your way."

"Please." The Alpha nodded.

"Line up if you are mated and get back to work." Darren spoke dismissing the others who were unneeded for the presentation.

Aurora shuffled to the line, replaceing her way to the very end. She kept her head down and her eyes shut. The Alpha started at the other end, and for this Aurora was relieved. Maybe one of the others was his mate and she was just feeling their feelings through the pack link? It could happen. Unlikely-but it could.

As he came closer she felt like her heart was going to pop out of her chest. She kept her eyes shut, praying he would overlook her. But when she felt his warmth stop in front of her she knew it wasn't going to happen. Aurora cautiously looked up and was caught by his eyes. The man was even more beautiful up close than he was seen at a distance. What wasn't beautiful was the tense look on his face.

"Who did this to you?" He growled sending a chill through her body and not in a good way. She remained quiet not wanting to get herself in trouble, with either Alpha. Her eyes on her toes she shifted uncomfortably, hoping he would move on to something else.

"I asked you a question." He demanded, grabbing her chin with a surprisingly gently touch. She swallowed, her mouth dry. His furious silver eyes scanned her face before he turned around with a snarl. "Who dare harm my mate?" Looking to someone else for the answers, but no one wanted to confess. No one wanted an angry Alpha to turn his attention onto them.

It was if something clicked in Darren's head. A weakness maybe, because he egged on the tense atmosphere with the next question.

"The runt is your mate? Well you can have her or what's left of her, that is. She required some disciplinary action so she might be a dud. She's definitely damaged goods." Aurora cringed at that truth. She was damaged goods, an Alpha would never want a Runt for a mate; let alone one that shifts into a fox. She could see the Alpha tense the muscles in his jaw clenched. She was almost afraid he was going to break a tooth. He was mad, she could see that-anyone could. Aurora was sure it was because he realized what she was, as Darren outed her as a runt. She braised herself for the rejection she was sure was coming, promising herself she wasn't going to cry. The Alpha did open his mouth but instead of the rejection it was a growl that escaped his lips.

"Watch yourself." Alpha warned not liking the way the other Alpha was talking down about his mate.

"Why don't like the truth?" Darren asked.

"You bastard!" Georgia snapped breaking from her mate's embrace. Something inside her just snapped as she heard him egging on her brother, disrespecting Aurora. Georgia lunged at Darren, shifting in midair but he was expecting it. In fact he was encouraging it.

He could practically feel his Beta, Alex and his Third, Josh glancing at him in confusion. The plan they came up with on the way to Darren's pack flew out the window as soon as Kole stepped onto their land. They were going to challenge Darren for his pack but instead of challenging him, Kole asked to see his unmarked she-wolves.

The warm tingling feeling that ran through his body, the way his inner wolf was on high alert-almost in a frenzy, told him that his mate was close by and he just had to replace her. Alex and Josh made no noise in confusion but he could hear them talking to each other through the mind connection, his higher ranked pack had, even in their human skin. They had no idea where he was going with this, but they followed him blindly. It was their loyalty and trust in Kole that made him confident in his choice to make his best friends his beta and third, instead of replaceing other wolves.