Chapter Fifteen: On the Edge

"It feels so good to be out in fresh air," Zoe said as she walked through the village for the first time in what felt like years. 

The last time I visited the villa was when mother and I had to go treat a wolf that got hurt during training. Zoe thought as she looked at the homes and the people. 

She did not count official business like the meeting with the elders and the Alpha. Zoe could not deny that being out in the open sky was relaxing. 

Its been a week since I transformed in front of the council. Zoe thought of the energy that she had expelled out by forcing herself back into her human form. And travelling down the mountain in her state did not make it any better. 

Then there was creating a barrier strong enough to hold and large enough to expand from the council sanction, the entire village, and the mountain's base. That was a feat that most priestesses could not manage. 

It killed my best friend when she attempted the feat. Zoe thought. 

When she lost consciousness, Zoe awoke in the village's hospital around several people that she wished was not there. She hated to admit it but her mother and the High Priestess did not look after her as much as she thought. They controlled her every move and the result was her running to the Alpha. 

She pushed the thoughts out of her head as she passed by the villagers. She had not noticed until now but some of them were giving her uneasy looks. 

Elder Grace had mentioned while Zoe was recovering in the hospital that Alpha Nikoli had made a public announcement that he had found a mate. Zoe knew what came with that announcement; many people would avoid her and try to stay out of her line of sight. 

Zoe smiled as she recognized Gemma, a female that would come for offerings and blessings; now she refused to look Zoe in the eyes now. Zoe bumped into someone and almost fell over. 

"I am so——Oh it's you," the voice said lowly. Zoe looked up and saw that it was Ceric. He was a really nice boy that would come visit Zoe at the temple.

 Many of the temple maidens thought he would try to court her. Others thought that he and Zoe might end up together, but now, after he practically ran into her, he was determined to steer clear of Zoe completely. 

It scares me when I think that many of them are avoiding me because they do not want to upset Nikolai. 

Angering the Alpha of any tribe was an easy way of facing punishment or worst exile. Luckily, Nikolai was not as harsh as the temple made him seem. 

Then Zoe remembered Elder Grace's warning:

"Not everyone will like the Alpha's new relationship. Many will be furious that he is mated to a priestess, especially given the recent developments." 

"Recent developments?"

"The Alpha removed your title of Tribal Whore," Elder Grace whispered. Nikolai had made it clear he did not want anyone using Zoe's formal title. 

Zoe thought of that warning as she made her way to the Alpha's home. 

And then there are those that never acknowledge my existence. Now they sneer and make rude comments towards me. 

"Everyone knows that she had to sleep with the upper ranks," a male whispered as Zoe walked by. She did not have to look behind her to know that it was Ceric's younger brother Troy. "That's probably why Alpha Nikolai named her a potential to keep everything in full circle." He sneered at her. 

"At least until his true mate given to him by the Moon Goddess appears," Zoe heard a female wolf say within shouting distance of the priestess. 

Zoe did not care for their vicious jabs at her. She knew the truth. However, she did not have the courage to confront any of them, especially the potentials that Nikolai had lining up before her. How could she when she still had doubts of whether she was the Alpha's mate or not? 

A potential mate is a running or competition for any and all females in the tribe that want to become the Alpha's LUNA.

Unfortunately, it is not that simple. For that wolf to be considered, she must be able to run during the moon tribute known as The Ruhn. If she was not capable enough, then that would lead to a deadlock. 

While some she wolves did not have to have any status in the tribe, the Elders would like the females to have some type of power base. That way she would not siphoning from the tribe or the Alpha himself. This weakens them as a whole and could lead to the Alpha going into a sleep like status 'til he recovered. It could take days, even months. And the last detail was that the potential must bare at least two to all three of the alphas marks. 

The female wolves despise Zoe now because when a potential LUNA has all three marks—like she did—none of them can be a candidate because the competition is over. Zoe was automatically the winner and the prize was Nikolai.

Three marks equals an instant winner; if only I felt so lucky. Zoe shook her head in frustration.

As the wind blew against her, Zoe's thoughts halted at the feeling of a presence near. 

"Whatever you are trying to sell me, I a'int buyin'," Zoe was corse but she did not care. Dropping to sit next to her was Lex. Smiling from ear to ear. 

"You must still be trying to heal and recuperate. Most shifters and weres could have sensed me the minute I was in the proximity."

"Or maybe I have other things on my mind to worry about besides your horrid lurking skills." Zoe wanted Lex to go away but she knew what he was doing. While the Alpha Nikolai was away she got an appointed guard dog "wolf". When Zoe was leaving the hospital, Nikolai had mentioned that he would be on patrol while she was recovering. Without her as a first line defense, the upper ranking wolves need to be more focused.

It was to make sure that should the villa be attacked Zoe also had someone protecting her. Even though there had not been an attack since, the pack's Omega charged in the temple to discuss the attack with the High Priest. Zoe was commanded to stay at the based of the mountain to erect a barrier to protect the elderly, women, and children while the enforcers went after the rogues. Zoe had held the barrier for hours before they came back. None of the rogue attackers could sense the barrier, let alone the villa.

"You do not have to be here, Lex. I am capable of looking after myself," Zoe said to Lex. The last thing she wanted was a bodyguard following her every step of the way.

Lex rubbed the back of his neck. Something bothered him enough to notice Zoe's surge of power.

"I know you can. Hell the entire villa knows your power is a reckoning force." 

"Then why are you here?" she questioned.

"Can't I hang out with my best buddy?"

Zoe scuffed, "we have not been buddies since I was titled and you were promoted. Why do I want a friendship like that?"

"I deserved that," he said. "Its just seeing you in the hospital reminded me of when we lost Janiva. I don't wanna lose another friend." 

"So it's out of pity. Great, as if you slurring me was not bad enough," Zoe said. She rolled her eyes. 

"Alright," Lex said, putting his hands palm faced close to his chest. "I deserved that. I was a shitty person to you and an even shittier friend. I should not have done that to you, Zo." 

She could feel the sadness in his voice; the ending almost registered as a whine.

"And you make up for it by letting the Alpha force you to guard me. Am I right?"

 Lex sighed. "Zoe, Nik did not force me to do anything. I volunteered to be your guard when he leaves."

"Why?"

"Guilt for the way I treated you. To prove to the others that you are not just some tribal maiden looking for an escape. Fuck if I know." Lex shrugged.

Zoe laughed at him. "But Nik trusted only a certain number of people to be around you. All I want is for you to do the same." 

"Maybe," Zoe smiled at him as she nudged her shoulder against his arm. 

I guess I could give him a chance. We were friends once.

"AHHHHH," they heard someone scream out of nowhere. Lex held on to Zoe as she tried no to slip and fall. She was able to keep her balance to peer in front Lex's guarding stance. Omega rank Victor was standing behind them.

When Lex moved closer to the Omega, Zoe was able to get a better look at Victor. He was atleast a few inches taller than Lex but shorter than the Alpha. Zoe estimated that he had to be atleast six foot one. 

He has a muscular tone and broad shoulders. Zoe knew that, based on their status and power, they determined the strength and size. The omega in front of her was almost like a brick wall. His icy blue eyes and blonder braid would make anyone believe that he was not truly a threat, but every hair on the back of Zoe's neck was standing on end.

Omega the beginning of the end. He could rival the strength of the Beta if he wanted to. 

"You fucking moron, are you insane!?" Lex yelled to his subordinate.

"Probably," Victor stated.

"Why did you do that," Zoe asked.

He shrugged, "I don't know it seemed like a touching moment and I did not want to interrupt." The jokester added.

 Lex rolled his eyes. "So, instead of announcing yourself like a normal person you jump out like a lunatic on Halloween." 

Victor scoffed, "normal—hah—its the normal people you have to watch now. They are the crazy ones."

"No, I believe that you, my friend, are out of your mind. Now what did you come up here for?" Lex demanded.

"What did I come up here for? What was it? Oh yeah, we and the others need to do a proxy sweep."

"What about Zoe?" Lex looked down at her since he had long let her go. He looked at Zoe as if she would shatter. Like she was that fragile thing he saw in the hospital bed. As if she was going to break. 

What happened to the conversation earlier?

 Omega interrupted Zoe's thoughts.

"Leave her with Jyde. I am pretty sure she will enjoy the company."