Milcah’s p.o.v. “For the time being, I would like you to sleep on the Alpha floor.” Luna Leona says, but Mom makes a rather strange sound. “No, Zaphara. You are free to go wherever you want and I would actually encourage you to explore the territory. There is a reason for this suggestion and it has to do with your safety. The Alpha floor is the only floor that we can keep private; only a direct order from the King can surpass that.” Luna Leona explains. Mom thinks about it for a minute and then nods her head. “That is why he kept us on the Alpha floor.” Mom mumbles as we follow Luna Leona. She opens a double door to a vast, well-lit room and Mom walks in, looking around. This is significantly better than the suite we were previously in, and I think we might be able to relax here. “I thought that for the time being, the two of you would feel more at ease by sharing a room. Take your time looking around and if you need me, the guard at the door can link me.” Luna Leona says. The door stays open after she has walked out and Mom walks to the nearest bed to crash. It takes a minute before her breathing evens out, sending her off to dreamland. I grab the bag to empty the contents and place it in the walk-in closet. My steps falter as I walk into the closet; it isn’t empty as I had suspected. It is clear to see that the closet is divided into two, because there is a big difference in the outfits. “Many Pack-members donated these clothes, not that we know the entire story.” A voice says from behind me. “I am Brenna. Luna Leona assigned me to the Alpha floor. If you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen.” From her words, I gather that she is an Omega. She is the first Omega I have seen in my life, because Alpha Ferdinand didn’t allow them on the Alpha floor. I place Mom’s sketchbooks on the bedside table and our essential papers are hidden in the walk-in closet. I doubt someone would try to take them from us, but as long as we haven’t decided on staying, I feel better with hiding them. “Can I get you anything, Milcah?” Brenna asks me when I walk into the kitchen, after taking a shower and getting changed into the most comfortable clothing I have ever had. “Some breakfast would be nice. We didn’t get any this morning with an unexpected visit.” I mumble as I sit down. It is strange to have someone else take care of me, because there were never any Omegas on the Alpha floor. We had a small kitchen in our suite to prepare our own meals and the groceries were handed to us by Alpha Ferdinand himself. The breakfast we would have with Fermin was the only time I didn’t have to prepare myself. Which was probably prepared by Omegas, who didn’t know for whom they were preparing it. Brenna tells me about their former Alpha and I understand why Mom was hesitant to trust this Pack’s former leader. I gain a better insight into the new leadership and the many changes they have made for Gold Moon and its Pack-members. “Omegas were never allowed to attend the Full Moon parties and most got rejected by their fated Mates, because the Pack-members were raised to believe that we weren’t suited to be mated to a higher-ranking Shifter.” Brenna says as she places a coffee in front of me. Lyxeria growls in my head for the disrespect, but we both know that this is a common practice for a Pack’s leadership. I enjoy my coffee as I listen to her talking about the difference between Alpha Lincoln and late Alpha Hank. It is remarkable to hear how differently the two Alphas are and how much this Pack has thrived under new leadership. “Luna Leona is also very different from the former Luna Mia. She values our ideas and thoughts; she expects us to speak up. We enjoy working for the Runesteam family; they don’t work us to the bone and we are willing to do more for them than required.” Brenna says. My breakfast is ready, and after she places it on the table, she excuses herself. While eating the meal, my mind tries to remember where I have read about the Runesteam family before. I recall reading about them during my studies and I have to dig deep to find the information. Black Valley Pack was founded by the Runesteam family, a Lycan family that sought to form a Pack that treated all its Pack-members the same. Most established Packs didn’t want a mixed Pack and looked down on the Runesteam family for wanting to create a Pack for all Shifters. Black Valley would become a home for many different kinds of Shifters and their leadership has consistently demonstrated this. The Voidhunter family became Black Valley’s Beta family and they are Bear Shifters. The Gamma family are Feline Shifters, Mountain Lions to be exact and their family name is Orbgazer. Lyrexia and I were in awe when we read about them and hoped that one day we could escape Frozen Star Pack to settle there. I clean my plate before pouring myself another coffee and decide to drink it on the balcony attached to the room we are staying in. Lyrexia is close to the surface and both of us want to enjoy our freedom. Mom is still in a deep sleep and even Zunda isn’t stirring. I pull up a sheet to cover her and smile at the peaceful look on her face. After stepping onto the balcony, I close my eyes for a moment and let the sounds around me to register in my mind: footsteps, some fast and some leisurely. Voices, excited or serious. I let it all register before I open my eyes again. I sit down in a chair that offers the best view of the area around the Pack-house and I take in my surroundings as I sip my coffee. Children are playing near a few bushes and it takes me a minute to realize that they are training. I watch as a woman emerges from the bushes and tries to grab one of the kids. The kids have different reactions to her and each gets feedback on their actions. I smile as they continue practicing how to escape from an adult and how they try to apply everything their trainer teaches them.