Made in Moonlight

Four

Leyla is out of the cabin in seconds. I blink at the swaying door, wondering if I should follow.

The commotion outside drives me to my feet before I can make a real decision. I wobble to the door, my legs numb all over again from sitting so long.

Outside, the sun is setting. Leyla and Thomas stand at the edge of the porch. In front of them, a small group of people shout.

"We don't need another Omega to take care of," one of them argues.

"We have enough to worry about as it is," another spits.

"What's going on here?" I ask, taking a spot beside Leyla.

She spins to me with wide eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she sputters. "Get back inside before Blake sees you."

"Too late," Thomas chimes in.

I turn, finding Blake in the middle of the group of people. His stern eyes land on me, then he sighs heavily and turns back to the rest of the group.

"Everyone!" he shouts. His voice seems to ripple through the crowd. The group turns silent. All eyes move to him.

"Wow," I whisper to Leyla. "That was effective."

"Of course it is," she murmurs back. "He's the Alpha. They have to listen to him."

"Alpha?" I repeat. "Him?"

I look at him with fresh eyes. Now that she mentions it, I can see how he might be the Alpha. His commanding presence. The way he bosses everyone around. I thought he was just an asshole.

"Youngest one ever," Thomas adds.

"We don't know yet if the new Omega will survive the full moon," Blake continues, his presence demanding an attentive audience. "If she does, the Lunam Silvam pack will take care of her, just as we have with others."

"Blake, we don't have room for her. We can't afford another mouth to feed," one of the people argues.

I narrow my eyes at him. He's tall and puffs his chest at Blake, like he's looking for a fight. It pisses me off. I want to stumble down those steps and slap that look off his face.

I don't, though. Mostly because he's a literal werewolf, and I'm pretty sure he could end me in seconds if he wanted to, but also because a staircase sounds awful right now. My legs wobble at the mere thought.

"I bit her," Blake says. His voice is low. Threatening. The other man wavers at it. "She is our responsibility."

He turns at that, dismissing the group, and stomps up the staircase. I gasp as he grabs my arm, tugging me back into the cabin.

Once the door is shut, he releases me and practically sprints to the opposite side of the room—as far from me as possible.

"What were you thinking, going out there like that?" Blake shouts.

I blink, taken aback. "What, I'm not allowed to leave now? Am I your prisoner or something?"

"It wasn't safe," he replies. He settles his glare onto Leyla and Thomas. "And you two. You should know better than letting her out. Don't you remember what happened when you turned?"

Leyla shrinks back at his words, but Thomas only grows taller.

"Of course, we remember," he spits. "But this is different! She's your mate. People have to accept her."

In a flash, Thomas is shoved against the wall. Blake holds him there, his fists gripping the collar of Thomas' t-shirt. Leyla and I gasp but make no move to get between them.