Page 156 of An Omega for the Lycan Prince

She beams at me. “Thank you.” A pause. “And thanks for being honest with me.”

“I can sympathize,” I tell her. With how she feels she isn’t good enough, I add in my mind.

Aurelia understands me even without words, because she looks at me with a sad smile. “I know.”

The group Ari and I put together is a strong one. I didn’t lie to Aurelia when I said I decided to choose seasoned fighters only who come with a lot of experience. I still feel wary about the situation, so the more cautious we are, the better. Aurelia is not the only one who is upset with me, though. Dante doesn’t question me the way Aurelia did, but I can see it in his eyes. He is easily one of the best warriors and a very seasoned fighter, yet I didn’t include him for this mission either.

Did I do anything wrong, Alpha?He asks, and I notice the edge in his voice. He also never calls me by my title normally.

No, of course not.I can’t tell him the reason for my decision yet. I just hope he understands that I won’t leave him behind for no reason.I need you to be there in case something happens,I say warily before a sudden thought hits me.Also, you need to be with Ella.I add, glad that I found the perfect excuse.

Dante’s stance relaxes a bit.All right, I trust your judgment,he says before backing off to join Annalise and Ella.

Before my warriors and I set off with Philipp, I link them.I chose you because all of you have experience and are seasoned fighters, and I know you can all keep your cool if necessary.I can notice their slight surprise at my words, but they listen intently.If I tell you not to put up a fight, I want you to listen.

Do you think something will go wrong?Aryanna asks.

It’s a feeling,I admit.I don’t know for sure, though, so keep your wits about you.

Yes, something feels wrong,one of my men admits.

If anything goes wrong, I don’t want you to put up too much of a fight, or it might kill you,I order again.Marcus is smart. Maybe he will try to lure us further into the pack grounds.

How?Another one of my warriors wants to know.

He could go for mass execution of she-wolves,Aryanna assumes.

That’s a possibility,I agree.I won't lie to you, I'm actually expecting a trap, and I'm sure Marcus will have a plan. If they attack us, we will obviously fight, but I trust you to act smart. In a hopeless situation, we might need to retreat to develop a better plan!

They all give me a curt nod. I know I can trust them to act accordingly. That’s the reason I chose them and not young pack warriors who won’t have their emotions and instincts under control.

We drive to the meeting point – an empty warehouse –and meet Philipp and a few of his men there, arriving separately, not to stir too much attention. Once there, we need to wait until night settles, keeping ourselves entertained by chatting a bit. Meanwhile, Philipp tells us more about Crescent Moon and the horrifying events there. To imagine they would rather kill themselves than fall into Marcus' claws is truly unsettling. So many unnecessary deaths...it's sickening. No matter the reason, I would never sacrifice my pack members - there always has to be a different way. While Philipp keeps talking, I notice how clouded his eyes are, making me wonder if he is afraid of Marcus’ wrath or if he fears his pack will be next. I try to let Fenris use our gift and read his feelings, but they are conflicted. This is one of the reasons I hardly use this gift… it’s not really reliable.

Around midnight, we finally start moving. I make sure we cover our scents before heading closer to Red Claw’s pack borders. The plan is to remain in our human form as long as we are close to the pack borders. Lycan wolves are too big and would attract unwanted attention. The pack borders are guarded but not as heavily as I anticipated, which is surprising, considering how neurotic and paranoid Marcus is and how he likes to keep control over everyone. Wouldn’t there be more guards around? Where is everyone?

I halt, frowning slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Philipp whispers.

Through the darkness, I notice how his lips are quivering slightly. There is that look in his eyes again... this time, however, I understand what's going on... I act on the spur of the moment, grabbing his arm tightly before he can move away from me. “What is going on here?” I hiss. “What did you do? Do your warriors know?”

I can see the men with him are taken aback by my words. His Beta seems to want to lunge at me first to defend his Alpha, but something holds him back. He looks at his Alpha, his eyes widening as realization settles in. I don’t know what exactly he just realized, as he knows his Alpha better than I do, but I know for sure that his Beta didn’t know beforehand. I can't freaking believe what this idiot just did! Inside my head, I can hear Fenris' growls. He is clawing at my mind to let him out and free this pathetic traitor from his insufferable head! This idiot led us all into a trap, his men included - not even his Beta knew anything! He betrayed his own people.

How could I be so stupid and follow him blindly!? I should have used my gift on him and checked if he was telling the truth. I knew Marcus would lure us to the pack grounds eventually, but I didn’t expect to be backstabbed by one of our own allies. I growl at Philipp, grabbing him by his throat and punching him hard enough to send him flying to the ground. He is no match for me in general, but he isn't even trying properly right now.

I turn to my people who have been watching in shock. “Run,” I huff. “Get away from here!”

Their initial first shock wears off fast. They turn around, ready to shift and run, when little arrows are suddenly shot through the air. Ari dodges one of them, and the other hits her arm. It’s almost like it’s raining little arrow tips now. They don’t even differ between my wolves and Philipp’s.

Philipp’s Beta gasps for air when he gets hit. “What is this…”

I tug one of the arrows off my shoulder. “Wolfsbane,” I state in a matter-of-fact tone. “Your own people?” I hiss at Philipp, who hasn't even moved up from the ground. “How could you stoop so low!”

His Beta has narrowed his eyes at him now. I have to commend him for remaining so strong despite the effects of the wolfsbane and the knowledge of his Alpha’s betrayal. “How could you do this, Alpha?” he demands to know. “We would have followed you anywhere! We trusted you!”

“I am sorry,” Philipp blurts out. “I… he has abducted my mate, and- “

“And you thought this is the way to get her back?” I ask sharply. I am pissed at this guy for so easily turning into Marcus’ pawn, for not having considered the fate of his own pack even for a second, and at myself for falling into his trap. I knew something was off, but I just thought he was struck by grief over the loss of his friends in Crescent Moon. I was sure Marcus would pull off a crazy stunt to lure us to his pack grounds, I didn’t expect him to do something so… logical and simple.