If there was one thing Nebraska had learned over the years, it was that tears solved absolutely nothing, so shedding them was in vain. Instead, she had many things to think about and to do, one of them was the state of her relationship with that alpha who, whenever he could, he mentioned that she was his.
She couldn't deny that she had much to thank him for, he had done more for her and her pack than anyone else, even though the price was her body, which would soon lose its independence.
She caressed the bite mark on her hand. That night when Rudoc tried to mark her after the wedding, she refused and it was precisely this skin that she had suffered. She had covered the back of his neck before he could bury his teeth and the pain he had felt was the worst in his entire short life, not even everything that happened afterwards could be compared to that.
Canine venom designed to mark the neck, where its omega gland lessened the pain of the action, had penetrated the wrong skin. The brand would never go away and would be a constant reminder of his miserable past life.
Moments earlier when Hades had thrown her onto the bed she had froze in panic, yet she knew she couldn't help it this time, she needed the mark to escape death. This alpha seemed moderately better than what her mind had known, she hoped that bubble would not break or she would be forced to kill him with her own fangs, she had already tried once and almost succeeded, a second time would not make a difference. She would not allow anyone to abuse her again, least of all her puppies.
Two days had passed since the sentence when Leoxi knocked on the door of her room and Alan let him pass. Aside from Nebraska, her three middle children were present as often as they could. Leoxi smiled and bowed, announcing the change of sentence with which she took a deep breath.
-Change of sentence? What is ma talking about? - Nicolas had gotten up from the chair where he always read papers and seemed alert.
-You're welcome, something older- the wolf answered quickly before the alpha's twin responded.
It would be a problem if they knew the facts in detail. Solo hadn't skipped the part about joining Hades, changing some data on how they had come to that conclusion. Of course Alan and Nicolas had not swallowed even half but they did not want to pressure her, she would have her reasons, or as she had said, that was grown up.
-You can also go down to the dining room, and all conditions are ready and the new members of the pack can join us. A good feast has been prepared-
Noa opened his eyes as his guts cracked. He looked at his mother with doubt and impatience, if she didn't want them to come down they wouldn't.
-Thank you Leoxi, we will go down in a few minutes- he bowed his head in respect to the wolf and thanking his actions.
The door was closed again by Alan and he turned to his mother.
-Don't even think going down like that- he pointed his finger at her and she raised an eyebrow.
-That is not the tone to speak to your young mother- she did not recriminate him, rather she seemed funny, she had a better mood now than in the past days.
-Me together with Alan in this- Nicolas took Noa by the arm and they stood next to his brother- You will be the next couple of the alpha and you were a queen so the image is fundamental-
-I do not think it is appropriate to say about the issue of the union with Hades while he does not confirm it, I do not want to look for more problems- she got up throwing her hair back- But they are right, they do wonders with my image, I will give them the pleasure –
She pointed to the loose white dress that was comfortable for her, too casual and unsuitable to be seen. Her children smiled and Noa ran off, Nebraska knew where. Who else was he going to look for. Sara was the right person for these moments.
The bustle in the dining room was loud. At least more than a hundred people were clustered at long tables. Large, stocky wolves, some beautiful, others not so much, but still they did not lose their manhood. Stylized, elegant wolves with lush curves. Shiny hair and full lips. Hades's pack had specimens to talk for a while and genes for honorable offspring. The question of why the alpha did not have a partner was already doubtful.
The contrast with the new members was stark, as most of the males had recovered and the cubs outnumbered the adults, yet their appearance was improving with impressive speed.
Nebraska entered the dining room guided by Nicolas. Sara had done wonders again. This time she had pulled out a dark Prussian blue dress of who knows what just as tight and long, with thick straps that left her arms and neck in view. Her loose hair combed to the side framed her face, and with her upright, firm posture, she had once again had the air of supremacy of when she had been queen.
More than one of them had dropped their noses when they had entered. The former members of the gray pack rose and bowed and she greeted them with a tender smile that warmed several hearts. Liam wasn't there for all that and she found that strange.
Leoxi approached them and directed their seats at a table smaller than the long ones occupied by the others, but with more plates, where he, the beta and his wife and Caesar were sitting. A chair at the head was empty and they deduced that it must be from Hades.
-I feel like in a circus- Noa spoke with a mouth full of roast chicken- They all look at us-
-That's a good sign- César smiled in front of him- They have you present, you have no idea of everything that has been said about you-
Nicolas looked around and most of the eyes were focused on his mother, after all the last time she had appeared in public she did not look memorable.
For her part, Nebraska felt that someone was focusing their attention on her more than necessary. She raised his face from what Alan was serving her, and in the distance she saw a red stain through the mist that she recognized instantly and tensed.
Layan smiled at her attention. He huffed inwardly and made a covert wave of his hand, which she politely responded with with a shake of her head and ignored him.
The sound of a crystal glass breaking and a feminine cry interrupted the hitherto pleasant evening.
-What are you doing here, mangy puppy? You don't belong here, go far-
A small child was backing away, crawling across the floor, his cheeks wet with tears and his hands muddy from what must have been some food.
-Miserable, you and all those of your command- the wolf took out her teeth and claws- They only come to contaminate our people-
He was about to pounce on the cub when a lean body got in his way. Nebraska could not tolerate violence, especially against someone innocent. She had moved so fast that her children couldn't see her and she had stopped in front of the boy.
-Who the hell are you?- The exasperated wolf yelled.
-I- Nebraska heard Leoxi and the rest of the table get up to intercede, she did not care, apparently there was someone who had not passed the adaptation process positively. She raised her finger and pointed to the child who had taken refuge, hugging her leg shakily- I am his queen-