Dante was in shock. He was staring at Eden without knowing what to say when he realized something.
"What about Moon? What happened to her?"
"At first she was punished. Demoted for a week. But yesterday, at the same time he announced the breakup of Lucas and Evan's engagement, their alpha declared Mandy Moon, rogue."
Dante's face turned white. All his colors were gone when he heard those words. Rogue. Moon had been declared a rogue. A werewolf their age, a future beta had been declared a rogue. His alpha had chased her away. Abandoned her. He returned to reality when he heard that Eden was still speaking.
"Principal Blackbones said that by the time he heard the news, it was already too late. No one knows where she went. The surrounding packs haven't heard from her, and he's all the more worried that his alpha injured her before he shooed her away. Of course, he didn't give her an antidote so it may be… "
"Stop!"
Eden felt silent and, this once, his eyes were looking at Dante. The beta was holding his head as if dizzy, his eyes staring into space.
"It's was a fucking teenager's quarrel. How did it become that way, Dante? I mean I know we messed up and didn't respect some rules at school but how did it become this ... Mess? How an alpha can act this way toward his pack, toward his son for crying out loud. He kicked out the future beta, demoted the next alpha. He broke the engagement of his son who is an omega! An omega, Dante! "
"I know. My parents would beat the crap out of me if I ever hurt Cherry because they know how important the bond between a dom and a sub is. "
"Some omegas are so dependent on their alpha that they give up on life because they can't stand the loss of their bond. Even if he is a pain in the ass, I can't deny that Lucas was like that because he loves his fiancé. It was just a fucking quarrel. "
Eden ran his hands over his face and sighed. At the same time, the door to the nurse ward slid open and the round-faced woman appeared. She looked back and forth at the two students who simply nodded. They didn't know what to do or what to think.
"Principal Blackbones made an announcement. Classes for the day are canceled and students are expected in the gymnasium while waiting for their respective packs to pick them up. I'm already warning you that you are exempt. Alpha Silver has been notified of the situation and they have sent buses to pick up the other students and a car for you two and Miss Coppice. He thought you'd be more… comfortable like that. "
"Thank you very much," the two teenagers said at the same time.
Footsteps approaching their way echoed in the hallway. A face framed in shiny black hair dotted with fire-red strands appeared. Cherry stared at her fiancé without moving from the doorway. When she saw on her own that he had no injuries, her body began to shake. Her legs gave up and she slid to the floor before she started to cry bitterly. Dante ran to her as her tears redoubled despite her efforts to dry them.
"Shh, babe, don't cry!"
"Don't touch me! I'm mad at you! I thought you were hurt!"
Dante released his comfort pheromones to console his omega. After a few hiccups and many more tears, the girl's face was puffy and red.
"What are you waiting for to hug me?"
"As you wish, babe."
Her hair was a mess and her running nose was ruining Dante's jacket. She calmed down a little, breathing her fiancé's scent, then she pushed him away.
"Don't leave me, Dante, please. Don't ever leave my side. I know you're a beta and will have to face many dangers, many asshole foes, and stuff like that but, I'm pretty sure I'd get insane if you ever disappear so, don't leave me. Ever. "
Dante engulfed her in another embrace and tightened his grasp around her waist.
Between the administrative procedures and the various packs that called to organize the picking up of their members at Black Moon High school, the car planned to fetch Eden and his friends didn't arrive until mid-afternoon. The three students waited together in the principal's waiting room to avoid any risk of another incident.
The tension between the students was palpable and several arguments had broken out between those who defended and those who blamed the Omega and his beta friend. Of course, most of the students were aware that this was an internal problem with the Crescent Moon Pack and that outsiders shouldn't be held responsible. However, the cruelty of the punishments having shocked everyone, and not being able to openly blame an alpha for the management of his pack, some found it easier to find scapegoats to vent their anger.
The way back to Bloodhood Pack cave was made in a silence that was both painful and necessary. Neither Eden nor his friends had the heart to speak, but the lack of words made them think every moment of what had just happened and what they had just learned.
They walked through the hall leading to the meal room and Acher Rivers' voice interrupted them.
"Hey, guys… You're here."
The man swallowed back everything he imagined saying when he saw them. The beta looked at his son's fiancée who was desperately clinging to his arm. He sighed before proposing.
"Why don't you go to the hot pool and soak there for a bit, hm? That was a pretty hectic day. Dante, you're exempt today, you can rest. Cherry needs you and, Son… "
The young beta cast a dead gaze on his father who seemed reluctant to say something. All of a sudden, the man approached his son and his friends, then hugged them awkwardly. He stayed like that for a few seconds and stepped away with a clear throat. Astonished at his father's attitude as he's far from being the demonstrative type, Dante smiled sincerely for the first time since the morning.
The second person to meet them was the Luna. Snow Bloodhood walked over to them, gorgeous with her pristine white fur that made the red spots on her chest even more noticeable.
"Sweetheart. My babies. "
Just as Acher had done before her, Snow enveloped the trio in her embrace. The latter was much more natural. The three friends felt a lump form in their throats as they breathed in the wistful scent emanating from Luna's fur. A scent that reminded them of all the times they'd been hurt and scolded and the omega female comforted them. Snow gave her son special attention and stroked his blonde hair with her fingers. She could feel him struggling as he was trying hard not to emit distress pheromones. It was all the more noticeable that he had blocked his scent completely so nobody could read his emotions. She scanned his face with a worried expression and let out a sigh as he averted his eyes from her gaze.
"Go to the hot pool. You need to warm up a little. You guys can stay in Eden's cave tonight. I've already grabbed some furs for you to sleep over.
The next day, like every day, Eden opened his eyes with the dawn. Beside him, in his nest, Cherry and Dante were also sleeping in their wolf form. The little white-furred wolf with a fiery red tail and bust was nestled against a huge gray wolf whose bust rose and sagged as it breathed. He stood up, careful not to wake them as he untangled their paws. The golden wolf yawned unrestrainedly and trotted out of his cellar. He rushed down the halls and walked for a moment before arriving at another of his favorite spots.
Eden landed on a huge stone located on the ground along the east face of the cave to observe the sunrise. He felt a presence and recognized the aura of his Alpha and father. A black wolf with golden spots on the torso reminiscent of the color of his fur comes to lie down next to him. They remained side by side in silence for a moment and Eden came to nuzzle. He let out a brief whimper and the Alpha licked his cheek to comfort him.
Silver Bloodhood returned to human form and the golden wolf came closer to nuzzle.
"I know how you think so I'm telling you, son. No matter what some people say, neither you nor Dante is responsible for what happened. "
The golden wolf's eyes remained stubbornly fixed on the sunrise. The yellow disc was already nearly half of its surface above the horizon line.
"Each pack has its values, each Alpha its way of leading its members. It's not up to me to judge the decisions of the leader of Crescent Moon, but please know that in my opinion, the way you and Dante reacted was the right one even if it wasn't perfect. You don't have to feel guilty. You stood up for yourself because you felt threatened and Dante wanted nothing more than to protect you. This is its duty as a future beta "
Eden did not transform. He remained in his wolf form without answering his father, still unsure of what to think of the whole situation. When the sun was totally above the horizon. Silver stood up. Eden did the same and followed suit, trotting on all fours at his side. He still hadn't spoken to his father, but the latter could tell by his demeanor that his words had an effect.
As he neared the main entrance, they heard an abnormal commotion for an early morning. The alpha frowned when he saw a light brown furry wolf lying on its side. The man leaning beside him stood up as soon as he saw Silver.
"Alpha! We have been attacked! "
"What?"
Eden immediately shifted into his werewolf form and ran to see the wolf lying on the ground. Silver bent over the injured man and talked to his men.
"What happened ?"
"Just before dawn, we noticed some strange movements at the border with Crescent Moon. Before we could understand what was going on, several wolves attacked us. At first, we thought it was an attack from the pack, but we spotted Crescent Moon patrollers chasing them. They stopped when they saw us. I believe they were chasing rogues from their land and deliberately leading them to our lands. "
"No rushed conclusions," Silver cut him off. "Take him to the healer and call me Acher. I need to talk to him before I contact Crescent Moon's Alpha. "
Silver turned and saw his son leaning on a wall nearby. He was looking at the wolf lying on the ground with a blank expression.
"Eden, Atticus Blackbones informed us that Blue Moon will remain closed for a few more days. I want you, Dante, and Cherry to stay in the cave. You're not allowed to step one paw out until I say otherwise, is that clear? "
The werewolf nodded silently then watched his father walk away inside. As the Alpha made his way down the hallway to his cave, he passed two wolves, one big and gray and the other with white fur and red chest and tail. They didn't take their eyes off their packmate lying on the ground and Eden was sure they heard what the guard said.