The Mark of Betrayal (by Cooper) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Truth

Somara

The moment I arrived, I could feel it, this pack’s desperate need and desire for a Luna. I don’t know if it’s because I’m Roman’s mate, or I’m just in a heightened state of awareness of the emotions around me, but the moment I stepped into the crowd, I

could feel them relax. They are soaking me in like dried out sponge that’s getting water after being shriveled up for much too

long

The feeling in the pack isn’t neglect, it’s that they are missing their heart. That’s how it was in my parents‘ pack. Even at a young age, I watched my mother providing love and comfort to our pack. My father was a loving father, not only to me and my siblings, but also to the pack. But nothing compares to a mother’s love and compassion, and this pack has been missing

that.

I’d been focused on meeting everyone, making sure all of them had a moment with me when I heard the unfamiliar, angry growl. When I turned, I’d seen Roman watching me, seemingly unconcerned with his Beta’s very angry stance beside him

“What’s going on?” one of the pack members asked quietly. I’m not sure if they were asking me but since they recognize me

as their Luna, I felt the need to respond.

“I’m not sure. Do your Alpha and Beta frequently have disagreements?” I ask, still watching the interaction. Roman finally turns away and looks at his Beta.

“Never,” the group murmurs around me.

I turn back to the pack members and smile. “I’d better go see what’s happening then. I’ll be

right back.”

I feel their reticence to let me go, as if they’re afraid that I won’t return. The Alpha in me won’t let me stay away. This pack

needs me and it’s a deep seated instinct in me to give them what they need, to provide the love and care that they are craving

Beta Austin’s anger on my behalf was something completely unexpected. He is Roman’s Beta and from what I can tell, he has

been his Beta since Roman became Alpha Roman’s nonchalance at Austin’s anger tells me two things. First, he’s not worried

that his Beta will actually attack him, which is good. There’s trust there. And second, he is perfectly fine with his Beta questioning him. That’s a surprise to me. Given Roman’s forceful behavior with me up p until now, I would have thought that he would balk against anyone questioning him. But apparently, Beta Austin is in the minority of people he trusts enough to

allow him to push against him

My goal was to break up whatever argument the two were having, but Beta Austin’s righteous indignation on my behalf quickly alerted the pack to Roman’s misbehavior. I’m surprised when I feel the pack’s spike in anger, not at me, but at Roman. While Roman seems to have been perfectly fine forcing me to come to his pack, his pack does not agree with his

methods.

Roman surprises me again by being honest with his pack about bringing me through coersion, causing another spike in anger from the pack, which tells me something very important. Roman didn’t lie to me about his honest interactions with

people. He told me he only worked with legitimate businesses. If that had been a lie, this pack wouldn’t be surprised at his methods for getting me here. So, his treatment of me is outside the norm for him and the pack is obviously not happy about

that

Not wanting to cause chaos in my first half hour in the pack, I ask Beta Austin to introduce me to the rest of his pack,

steering him away from Roman. I can smell the she–wolf on him, so I know he’s mated, and I’m not surprised when she is the

first person he introduces me to.

“Luna, this is my mate, Elizabeth, and these are my pups, Scarlet and Luca,” he says proudly.

I say hello to Elizabeth, and then the pups. I don’t miss the silent conversation between the two Betas nor Austin’s subtle nod

before he refocuses on me and begins leading me around to the rest of the pack. Like a good Beta, he knows everyone. He stands patiently with me while I speak to everyone, trying to make mental notes of things that will help me remember all

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their names.

By the time I’ve spoken to everyone, I can smell food being cooked. When I look back to where Roman was standing before,

he is no where to be found

“He took your bags upstairs a while ago, Luna Listen,” he says, looking around and pulling me aside. “If you really don’t want to be here, my mate and I will help you get away,” he says.

I’m so shocked that it takes me a moment to collect myself. “I would never ask that of you.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering and so is my mate. We don’t agree with how our Alpha brought you here. It’s against our laws

and he knows it. It’s not right. So, if you want to leave, we’ll help you.”

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I look around, seeing the pack going about their evening duties. I can already feel the difference in them with me being here.

It’s not that they weren’t calm before, but there’s a peacefulness, a completeness in the emotions of the pack now. I don’t

have to have the pack link to feel it.

We can’t leave them,” Ayla says, watching the pack through my eyes.

No, we can’t. They need us and I’m starting to realize the responsibility that comes with my bloodline. I was so young when my mother would tell me about the importance of being a white wolf that it didn’t really sink in, but it’s starting to now. Like all Alphas, I can feel what a pack needs, what it wants. However, as a white wolf, as a wolf descended from a line of pure Alphas, my desire to take care of a pack that was meant to be mine is nearly overwhelming. I may not want Roman as my mate, but the Moon Goddess chose him for me and because of that, this pack is mine. I may not be willing to give my heart to Roman, but my heart already belongs to this pack. I could no more leave them now that I’ve met them, then I could leave my

own child.

I turn my attention back to Beta Austin. “I can’t leave them,” I say quietly.

“Are you sure?” he asks..

Inod, looking around again. “They need me. I may not be happy with pack.”

your Alpha, but I’m already falling in love with this

He smiles, turning to stand beside me and looking at the pack. “We’re a good pack. Yes, we’re strong and powerful. We work hard, we play hard, but we’re a cohesive pack. We look out for each other. We take care of each other,” he says, looking at me

That includes you now,”

I raise my eyebrow at him. “To the exclusion of your Alpha?”

“If our Alpha becomes the type of leader that we no longer respect, then yes, to the exclusion of him

I don’t know why I feel the need to protect Roman, but I do.

“From what I’ve seen, he’s been a good Alpha to the pack. I don’t agree with h his methods of bringing me here anymore than the rest of you, but don’t go overthrowing him because of one mistake. We all make mistakes, Beta. We shouldn’t have to

suffer the rest of our lives for them.”

“That will very much depend on how he treats you now that you’re here, Luna,” he says, looking me straight in the eye. “I will not stand by and allow him to mistreat you. He wants me to look into pack wars that have occurred starting eleven years ago. I’m guessing there’s a reason you are hiding your identity?”

“Yes, there is. I’m still not sure I can trust your Alpha. Until I am, I have no intention of letting him know who I am”

“Hopefully someday you’ll trust me enough to tell me, Luna,”

Luna,” he says, and I can hear in his voice how much he means it.

“Would you be willing to share the information you gather with me before giving it to Roman?” I ask him.

“Yes.”

#25 BONUS

“Thank you.”

We can get for you, please let me know!

“And if there’s anything else I can do or information

I focus on Beta Austin. “What do you know about the Brenners?”

Now it’s his turn to raise an eyebrow at me. “What about them?”

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