Chapter Three

Mel walked to the back of the ballroom to where the other servants sat gossiping and chatting. They were seated around a large table shrouded in an off-white table cloth. Mel noticed almost immediately that their tablecloth was not nearly as nice or clean as the ones the other tables adorned. That didn't surprise Mel, but it certainly annoyed her. It was just another reminder that the Omegas were inferior. Mel felt her wolf grow irritated at the lack of respect, but she forced her down and tried to adjust her position to best see the stage.

Jax had long since made his way up to the impromptu stage on the left side of the Ballroom. He had first watched Mel, to make sure that she was ready, he still knew she wasn't. The stage was set up right next to the doors to the kitchen, which is why all of the staff was made to sit down and watch the future leaders be announced. This way there was no crashing into to waitstaff as the future leaders made their way onstage.

As Jax made his way into the backstage area her recognized most of the people back there. He had met them all at one time or another, but at the moment he didn't have time to socialize. Some of the people back here had already been anointed. He knew that because of the power some of them radiated and also because he had been to some of their ceremonies.

Jax blew out a breath of relief as he saw Jessica. Now all he had to do was ask her his burning question. Jax knew that she would agree, but he still felt oddly nervous. He wanted this out so badly. Please, Jessie, he though before walking up to her.

"I have something to ask-or purpose to you," Jax said.

"What is it," she asked gently.

Jax relaxed a bit at her tone, now that he was sure of her good mood this would be much easier.

"So you know Mel, right? The girl that came her after her parents were killed by rogues? She had blonde hair, medium height, I think green eyes?"

Jessica scrunched her features in though, "I think I know who you mean. Is that the girl my father yelled at the other day during breakfast?"

Jax cringed, "Yeah, that's the one. Did you know that she is of Gamma blood?"

Jessica smiled at Jax's words. It was well-known knowledge that both and Jessica hated the boy that was supposed to be Gamma. He was not for their beliefs at all. They wanted to change the pack for the better and they needed somebody that would help them do that.

"Do you think she'd be able to help us achieve our goals?"

Jax nodded furiously, "I know she is. She is born to lead after all."

Jessica smiled even wider, "I trust you, Jax."

The light dimmed and Jax knew it was time. He and Jessica would be announced first because the ceremony was being held at their pack. It's now or never, Jax thought. He half-listened to his Alpha's speech as he mentally prepared himself. This would cause some controversy, but Jax was ready to face it for what he thought was right. He wasn't about to have a racist, misogynist, egotistical jerk leading with him. By the time the Alpha announced him, Jessica, and Micheal onstage, Jax was sure he was making the right decision.

Mel's eyes studied the three people that walked onstage. She knew Jax and Alpha Jessica, but she didn't recognize the last guy that walked onstage. He was almost as tall as Jax and had very curly black hair. Mel's eyes were focused on Alpha Jessica as she started talking.

"Welcome all to The Dark Fang pack. I am Jessica Albez and I will become the Alpha of this wonderful pack in twenty-eight days. I am open to making alliances with each one of you regardless of our current status. Changing this pack for the better is always my priority, so I am more than ready for the responsibilities that await me ahead."

Everything Alpha Jessica was saying resounded with Mel. She couldn't wait for Jessica to take over. Mel already had so many suggestions for Jax that she could barely contain her excitement.

"Now, for me to announce my Beta and Gamma. This announcement might surprise many of you, but I assure you it is for the best interest of my pack. I of course recognize Jax Parsons as my Beta, so please step forward."

Jax stepped forward to the right side of Alpha Jessica and smiled out to the crowd. Mel sat confused, what was the big news they had?

"As for my Gamma, "Alpha Jessica said, smiling. "I would like to announce Melody Sars as my choice. She is Gamma-blooded and I feel as though she would be a better fit for our pack."

Mel sat shocked as a din of chatter broke out. She watched as Alpha Jessica and the curly-haired guy fought until he was escorted off of the stage. Mel was in utter shock. She had in no way seen this coming.

A guard guided Mel from her chair up to the stage. Mel could feel her wolf howling in pride and she felt it too. She was finally going to be what she was mean to.

The crowd simmered down as Mel took her spot to the left of Alpha Jessica, smiling wide. The vanilla and coffee scent was stronger now.

Alpha Jessica pulled Mel in to hug and the crowd clapped politely. Questions were flowing through each mind in the crowd, but none of them were going to be answered that night.

The trio of soon-to-be leaders was pulled off of the stage by the Beta and dragged silently to his office, they had some explaining to do. Mel started to fidget as she sat silently in a chair next to Jax. The Beta's stare was intense.

"What was that?" He asked, scarily calm.

"I announced my Gamma," Alpha Jessica answered.

The Beta clenched his jaw, there was nothing he could do about it now. Jessica had just announced it to all of the packs in the country. The timid Omega girl would be the Gamma of this pack.

"Beta Parsons," Mel said. "I would just like you to know I will always have the betterment of this pack as my priority. Even though I was unaware I receiving this position, I am more than ready. I was actually in Gamma training for Red Eye Pack before it was massacred."

Beta Parsons let her repose marinate in his mind. Mel could see the pure concentration on his face and hoped she would have his support.

The Beta sighed, "Honestly, I think you will be very good at this position, Mel. I can see the fire in your eyes. But as far as the Alpha is concerned he does not think you are the right choice."

Jax felt his wolf bubble up inside of him, "Mel is the right choice and she will prove it. I'll even train her extra. We are serious about this."

Jax's father looked at him thoughtfully, "I will deal with the Alpha. You are all dismissed. Go back to the ballroom."

Mel immediately stood up and walked out of the room. She was feeling all sorts of things she didn't understand. All of a sudden, a title was placed back on her and she had no idea what to do. Mel knew that she could be a good Gamma, but not with the entire pack against her.

Jax put a hand on Mel's shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Mel wasn't sure how to answer that question. She didn't feel okay, but she should. She just goit everything she had ever wanted.

"I don't know," she answered honestly.

Jax smiled at her, "You can do this Mel. We don't need the support of anybody because they can't change you being Gamma. You are going to rock this, I know it."

Mel gave him a soft smile, "I'll try."

"I know that you are the right choice, Mel. Although, I say we would get back into the ballroom right now and talk about these matters later."

Mel and Jax followed Alpha Jessica as she led them back into the ballroom. It felt odd for Mel not to go to the back of the room. Instead, she was seated at a long table packed with leaders.

Her wolf puffed pout her chest making Mel smile. We can do this, she thought.

"Next leaders to be announced are of the Blood Shift Pack."

Mel felt her stomach leap at the name of the pack. This was the pack that was above Alpha Wren's. She had heard many rumors about them. She had heard that they were ruthless and cruel.

"Can you believe they showed up late?"

"Not like anybody would tell them not too."

Mel eavesdropped and rolled her eyes. People were always so heavily influenced by rumors and it annoyed her.

The scent of vanilla and coffee became almost overwhelming as the new leaders of the Blood Shifts pack appeared on the stage. Mel couldn't help but marvel at the man onstage.

He was tall and had raven black hair. His hair just barely licked over to his icy eyes. His mesmerizing eyes caught her attention and kept it. She had to rip her eyes to the rest of him. His sharp jawline and built body were almost as good as his eyes. Seeing him in formal attire almost made Mel melt. She was so distracted she almost didn't feel her wolf clawing and howling away inside of her.

That was when the icy eyes met her emerald ones. That was when Mel felt like she was going to lose her meal. He was her mate.

Mel threw her chair back and ran out of the ballroom. She couldn't handle it anymore. She felt her anxiety skyrocket and she took the stairs by twos. When Mel reached her room she slammed the door and locked it. Her breathing was still heavy as the grabbed her perfume bottles and sprayed over every inch of her room.

Mel had no idea how she was going to deal with this. She had just run away from her mate. She had been waiting for her mate all of her life, so why did she run? Why was she suddenly decided that everything she ever wanted to be made her scared.

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

Mel felt tears coming down her face even though she was sure sad was the last thing she was feeling. She threw the closet object to her against the wall before she realized what she had done.

"No!"

Mel picked up the picture frame. She had completely ruined the last thing she had of her parents. Mel sliced opened her hand trying to salvage the photo but it was no use. The picture of her glowing mother and smiling father was ripped into shreds. Mel felt her chest constrict as the tears rolled down her face. The internal pain she felt was almost too much.

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I'm ruining everything."

But Mel's sorrows were short-lived as her door burst opened to revel a fuming Alpha and a growling Beta.

"Leave her alone!" Jax shouted.

The raven Alpha growled dangerously at Jax and stalked over to Mel. He sat down gingerly next to her, with eyes more dark than icy now.

The Alpha slowly lifted her hand a growled softly.

"Get her a wet paper towel and a bandage," he ordered to Jax.

Jax's eyes widened as he saw Mel's gash. Worridily he set off to find what the Alpha wanted. He hated taking this man's orders but he knew this one for the best.

Mel looked hesitantly up to the man next to her as he gently helps her hand. He was her mate.

"I'm Mel," she said meekly.

"I know," he responded.

At first, Mel was confused at his lack of chatter, but then she took in his state. He was physically shaking and his eyes were pitch black. Mel knew this was because she ran away from him and she was hurt. Mel did what she had seen her mother do countless times; she placed her non-injured hand on his back.

Her mate looked at her and she could see his form visibly calm down.

"What happened," he asked, gruffly.

Mel sighed, "I-I threw the last picture I had of my parents against that wall and then instantly regretted it."

Her mate nodded he understood acting out on anger as well as anybody.

"My name is Achilles."

"And you're my mate," Mel breathed out.

Achilles nodded, "And you're mine.

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What did you all think? I hope you all are doing amazing!

Reading Questions:

-Were you surprised by what Jax did?

-Do you think Mel's reactions have been justified?

-What would you do if you were Mel right now?