Page 84 of Carnage Island

Just not Omega Clove.

She’s mine.

Assuming she can fall into a true estrus, I remind myself.

Clearing my throat, I focus on the task at hand. “Thank you for joining me tonight,” I say, addressing my pack. “I’m sure it comes as a bit of a surprise considering this morning’s events. However, my Omega is no longer in heat.”

Omega Clove, notmyOmega, I correct with a thought. But I can’t bring myself to say it out loud, so instead I continue by saying, “Clove is of mixed heritage. She comes to us from the Nantahala Pack, her mother having been a Nantahala Wolf, likely of mixed origin.” As there is no other way to explain Clove’s existence.

A few of the wolves bristle at the mention of the Nantahala Pack, but I ignore them. If I can forgive Clove for her origin, so can they.

It’s not her fault she was born into a misogynistic pack with a penchant for framing innocents for their own murders.

I clear my throat again, calling order among the wolves who are still reacting to my statement. “She has a Carnage Wolf father whose identity remains a mystery to us at the moment. Her mother was raped, or that’s what she said when Clove finally met her wolf the other night.”

A few growls meet that statement.

They don’t appreciate the insinuation that a Carnage Wolf would rape someone.

My father didn’t like hearing that part either, but promised he would look into it. He’ll need to properly meet Clove to do a scent test. I don’t recognize any pack aromas on her, suggesting the culprit may not be someone I know.

However, my father feels it’s likely a Black Mountain Alpha considering the close proximity to the Nantahala Pack. Clove’s mother would never have been permitted to wander far, so on that basis, I agree.

That said, it still could have been a rogue.

Regardless, it’s primarily my challenge. My father may help a little, but he made it clear that this is my Alpha task. “It may even be the one that will finally bring you home,” he said earlier tonight. “Good luck, son.”

This is the Carnage Wolf way—to earn our positions, even when born into them by blood.

And I fully intend to earn my Pack Alpha status.

Which includes winning over the wolves before me.

I continue by telling them what I know about Clove, how she was promised to Alpha Crane’s son. How he rejected her. And how her sorry excuse for an Alpha claimed her to be feral, blamed her for killing her mother, and sent her to Carnage Island.

My wolves are growling now, furious at her treatment.

Omegas are precious, even half-breeds. However, I suspect they would have welcomed her even if she were a Beta or an Alpha. My pack values tolerance and respect, something they’re proving now by giving me their undivided attention.

Even the Alphas I beat earlier are doing their best to show their support.

“I want to host a welcome party for our newest addition,” I tell them all. “I know originally we designed a traditional game to play, but Clove is new to our customs and the ways of our pack. As such, I think this would be the best way to introduce her to our pack, unless one of you has a better suggestion.”

I pause, waiting to see if anyone has any better ideas.

“I think a welcome party would be adequate,” Alpha Duncan says.

“Me too,” Beta Clive adds, his voice soft yet holding a note of confidence in it. He’s one of the few Betas on the island, a warrior I’ve come to respect these last few years.

“Have you claimed her?” Alpha Dirk asks, driving straight to the point. She’s an Omega and he wants to know if she’s eligible.

“Not yet,” I admit, allowing his interruption and providing a truthful answer. This pack is all about trust. I won’t start lying to them now. “Her estrus cycle wasn’t complete. I will wait until her next heat to properly claim her.”

A statement meant to say—she’s mine, hands off.

But there’s an undercurrent to my words that many of them understand. I’m waiting until I know she can properly procreate, something I have to do as Pack Alpha.

Which means they may have a chance with her if her heat cycle doesn’t live up to expectations.