“Welcome back to the Den Mother—your official source for the latest news and the juiciest gossip in the Wolf world! I’m Veronica of Gray Wind, an offshoot of the Darkwater Pack, coming to you live with Alexander of Black Moon to set the record straight about what happened last week at their Summoning Pillar. Alex, thanks for being here today.”
“Thanks for having me, Veronica.”
“Also joining Alex is his mother, Lea, the Pack Beta, and his grandmother, Orleena, former Pack Alpha of Black Moon and now Grand Alpha of the Wolf Council. Thank you both for joining us.”
Lea smiled. “Thanks for having us.”
Orleena only nodded.
“So, as I mentioned, I was hoping you three could go over what happened at Black Moon’s Summoning Pillar because I’m sure our viewers have questions.”
“Right,” Alex interjected, “We’re here to let everyone know that they’re not in any danger.”
Veronica smiled. “Thank you, Alex. I’m glad you brought that up. That was a question that my viewers had for you as well.”
Orleena huffed. “Then let me confirm that Alex poses no such danger to the general public.”
“There you have it, right from the mouth of the Grand Alpha herself,” Veronica said. “Alex,” she directed her gaze at him. “I have you before me, and we were speaking before the camera was rolling as well, and I, too, must say, there’s no way I can imagine you as the culprit behind the terrible event that happened.”
Alex smiled. “Thanks, Veronica, that’s the first time that’s ever happened to me before.”
“And I hear that it was because of a particular omega that you lost control. Is that correct?”
Before Alex could answer, his grandmother cut him off. “We are not going to be talking about the omega at this time. As none of that information is relevant.”
“Forgive me, Grand Alpha, but I think the public needs to hear the reason behind Alex’s attack, so not speaking at all about the omega—”
“Talen,” Alex cut in, a bit snappishly. “His name is Talen, so stop calling him the omega.” Then his tone softened, “Please.”
Orleena whacked Alex’s shoulder. “They don’t need to know his name.”
Alex grimaced. “Sorry, yeah, forget that. I just hate calling him the omega.”
“Nothing bad came from using descriptive words, so, if you don’t mind, Alex,” Orleena huffed, irritation blatant in her curt tone, “we need to be getting back to the conversation at hand.”
Vanessa hesitated before she said, “Oh, alright, getting back on topic then. Alex, you said you’ve never unleashed your wolf like that. In fact,” she checked her notepad, “sources tell me that you were very much behind in Alpha Training as a teenager, and didn’t start until the second year—”
“Third, actually.”
“Wow, again, I find it hard to believe that someone behind in so many ways can suddenly produce a wolf aspect of that magnitude.” At her words, Alex looked uncomfortable. “Was there something about the omega,” Veronica cleared her throat, “forgive me, Talen, that upset you and provoked such an attack? I know that Black Moon Guard has had problems with Talen in the past.”
“Now wait just a second!” Alex looked right at the camera. “Talen is not the problem!”
“Alex,” Orleena warned.
“He’s not. Just because he happens to be an omega. It’s them who’s starting fights, not Talen.”
Alex’s grandmother seemed to be on her last nerve, “Alex, enough, I said.”
“My apologies,” Veronica said to Alex. “It sounds like you and Talen are very close.”
“No closer than is required,” Orleena interrupted. “That I can assure you. Isn’t that right, Alex?”
“Wait, why do you even want to know about Talen anyway?”
“They don’t. So, stop speaking about him, please.”
“Forgive me, Grand Alpha Orleena, but my viewers definitely have questions regarding Talen, the omega who brought an alpha to his knees.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alex scoffed. “You make it sound like what happened was a bad thing.” He shook his head. “I mean, it was a bad thing, but it wasn’t Talen’s fault.”
“This is getting ridiculous,” Orleena interrupted. “We are here to reassure your viewers that Alexander of Black Moon is not dangerous, not comment on the omega or on Alex’s relationship with him.”
“Oh, is there a relationship between the two of you?” Veronica smiled at Alex.
“Nothing improper of an alpha and omega,” Orleena said.
“Forgive me, Alex, but I hear that you bat for the other team, if you will. Given that, is your relationship with Talen romantic?”
“Of course it’s not,” Orleena scoffed. “He is the future heir of Black Moon.”
“Woah, slow down,” Alex said. “I didn’t say anything about being the future leader.”
“That’s right,” the reporter cut in. “I’ve heard that you don’t plan on succeeding your father. Is that right?”
“It is,” Alex nodded.
At the same time, Orleena interjected, “Ridiculous, Alex is Eben’s official heir. End of story.”
“Not end of story!” Alex snapped. “It’s my life.”
“Now, now, Alex.” Alex’s mother, Lea, gave a nervous laugh. “I’m sure now’s not the time or place for this conversation.”
Alex and his grandmother both huffed but quieted down.
“As you can see, there’s still a dialog going on about Alex’s future involvement,” Lea said. “But I’m happy to announce that the Black Moon Pack will be hosting an official Courting Ball. We’re inviting all eligible male betas from every pack to join us.”
“Mom,” Alex whined. “No one wants to hear about that.”
Veronica’s eyes lit up. “Courting Ball, you say?”
Alex waved her off. “Nothing’s happening. Just a few people are coming. It’s no big deal. ‘Sides, didn’t you wanna talk about my wolf at the Summoning Pillar?”
“Are you only inviting male betas to the Courting Ball?”
“Well, yeah, I’m gay, so not much point in inviting regular betas. Ow,” Alex rubbed his temple after Orleena gave him another whack on the head.
“No, of course not, that makes sense,” Veronica interjected. “But you must be inviting other tiers, too? Omegas, perhaps?”
“Omegas? At a Courting Ball?” Orleena scoffed. “Don’t be absurd.”
“Oh, but, Alex, isn’t Talen around your age? Surely, he’s attending your ball?”
“Veronica, is it?” Orleena huffed. “You’re from Darkwater Pack, correct?”
“The Gray Wind offshoot, yes.”
“Then tell me, are omegas ever invited to Courting Balls in Darkwater, offshoot or not?”
“Well, no. But it is a modern world, after all?”
Alex smiled brightly. “Exactly! Modern world. I like you, Veronica.”
“This is ridiculous.” Granny huffed.
“Anyway,” Lea interrupted. “No, Talen is not invited. After all, Talen and Alex are brothers.”
“Brothers. Ah, that explains why you are protective of him.”
“Well, Talen’s not really my brother, Mom. I mean, he is. But he’s so much more than that. He’s Talen! And well, why couldn’t he come to my Courting Ball?”
“Then, Alex, does that mean you would like to court Talen? And maybe your wolf does as well?”
Alex’s expression fell. Growling, he said, “There’s no way I’ll let that monster anywhere near Talen.”
“Monster?” Several people off camera gasped.
“Err…” Alex scratched the back of his head, “not that I’m a monster or anything.”
“Are you saying that your wolf is dangerous, Alex?” Veronica asked.
“Great, Alex. You just undid everything we’ve been saying for the last half an hour,” Orleena said dryly. “Bratty grandson, think before you speak next time.”
“What Alex is trying to say,” Lea interjected, “is that he and his wolf are still in the midst of their Soul Battle. So they’re still working out their relationship. But Alex is still Alex and very much in control over the situation. Right, sweetie?”
“Yeah, we’re still working things out.” But the camera caught the hesitancy in Alex’s eyes. Despite that, he smiled and agreed with his mother.
“So, the wolf is safe to be around?”
Alex nodded. “Uh, yeah, sure. Definitely.”
“Just not around Talen.”
“Would you forget about the omega already,” Orleena huffed.
“Right, Talen’s my brother, like Mom said.” Alex looked away. “He’s my best friend. We’ve been raised together. It’s just that—”
“You like him more than a brother?” Veronica finished, and the look of blatant need in Alex’s eyes was all the confirmation the reporter needed.
“I think you’ve had enough time discussing the omega; in fact, this interview is over.” Orleena clapped her hands together like she was closing out the event. “Alex’s wolf is under control, so there’s no need for anyone here to fear.”
“Right,” Alex nodded. “My wolf’s not dangerous.”
“But is he the Legendary Death Fang?” Veronica asked. “Forgive me, Alex, but the public has a right to know.”
Alex gave a nervous laugh. “I’ve never been legendary at anything, so what’s the odds that’s actually the case, right?”
“Bratty grandson, are you trying to sound reassuring or not?”
“Well, I can’t exactly answer that question. And it’s not like I can ask the wolf. He probably wouldn’t even tell me.”
“Does that mean your wolf is in charge of how much information you share?”
Alex bunched his brow. “Hmm, never thought of it like that? Ancestors, I sure as hell hope not!”
“Alex, language, sweetie,” Lea chastised. “You’re on national TV.”
Alex grimaced. “Right, sorry.”
“Are we ending this interview, or aren’t we?” Orleena groaned.
“Yes, of course,” Lea said. “Thank you so much for speaking with us.”
Veronica nodded. “Before we go, Alex, one last question for our viewers?”
“I think Alex has answered enough questions for the day—” Orleena started.
“This will be the very last one.” Veronica clarified.
“Oh, all right,” Orleena sighed.
“It’s about Talen,” Veronica smiled.
“No,” Orleena said. “You’ve asked enough about the omega. No more questions.”
Veronica didn’t seem ready to call it quits. “You say that he was raised as your brother, Alex?”
Alex nodded. “That’s right.”
“Well, is it normally commonplace for omegas to be raised with the Alpha Family?”
“Uh, I guess not.”
Lea intervened. “Talen was a special case. As he was not deemed feral when he was brought in, we all thought it was best that—”
“Talen was a stray?” Veronica asked.
Alex growled. “Don’t call him that.”
“Oh, forgive me.” Veronica sounded genuine. “I know that some dislike using that term.”
“Everyone dislikes it. So don’t call him that.”
“Forgive me, Alex. You seem very protective of Talen.” Veronica smiled. “Do you think your wolf was coming to protect him?”
“I was—I mean, we were coming to protect Talen.”
“From your father? Wasn’t it he who was carrying out the punishment?”
“Only ‘cause I wouldn’t do it.”
“Alex,” Orleena groaned. “Think you’ve opened your trap enough? This interview is over. Turn the camera off.”
“And sources say that Talen was being punished because he stood up against an alpha. Is that correct?” Veronica pressed Alex, ignoring Orleena completely.
“Roman had it coming! And no, he wasn’t justified. Simply because Talen’s an omega doesn’t mean he has to be treated like crap—”
“I heard that Talen came to your rescue.”
“Well, yeah, but that’s—”
“How can you really be the Legendary Death Fang and require the help of an omega?”
“That’s rude. I take it back when I said that I liked you.”
“Don’t be that way, Alex,” Veronica smiled sweetly.
“Turn off the camera. Alex, we are leaving.”
“But Granny?”
“Now, Alex.”
“All right.”
The camera returned to Veronica, and this time, Alex and his family were gone. “This has been an exciting interview with Alexander, Black Moon’s official heir, talking about his time at Black Moon Pack’s Summoning Pillar where sources say his wolf aspect unleashed such terrible power while Talen, an omega raised as Alex’s brother, was being flogged for apparently standing up to an alpha, and on Alex’s behalf, too. It’s clear that Grand Alpha Orleena wants to keep this under wraps, but I ask you, fellow viewers, why? Is it because her grandson is really housing the Legendary Aspect, Death Fang? Or because the future heir of Black Moon might be harboring feelings toward an omega, a stray, who he seems very protective of. More information on this as it comes up. I’m Veronica of Dark Wind, offshoot of the Darkwater Pack, reporting to you live for the Den Mother—your official source for all things news and gossip in the Wolf world.”
To save the one he loves, he must face the beast within.
Book Title: Feral Hearts: Book 1
Author: Melissa E Costa
Publisher: Self-Published
Cover Artist: Vanesa Gorkova
Release Date: August 19, 2021
Genres: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy M/M Romance.
Tropes: Friends to Lovers. Childhood friends. Gay for you. Omegaverse. Hurt/Comfort. Fated Mates.
Themes: Soul Mates, classism
Length: 68 683 words/176 pages
This is book one in the Feral Hearts series.
The book does not a cliffhanger, per se, but the story’s conclusion won’t be reached until the end of book 3.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
Blurb
Alex isn’t a traditional alpha—he’s gentle, awkward, and caring. He also has no desire to assume leadership of the Black Moon Pack once his father steps down.
Talen is an omega stray, taken in by Alex’s parents and raised as his brother. He’s also straight, emotionally damaged, and the love of Alex’s life.
Now of age, Talen is forced into the role of an omega—those treated little better than slaves. Worse yet, the monster inside of Alex has awoken and set its sights on Talen. The beast will stop at nothing to get what it wants, even if it takes the whole world down to do it.
Alex must face his worst nightmares if he ever has a chance at protecting Talen. Is he strong enough to bring them together, or will he lose Talen along with the pack?
This three-book series tells a continuous story with a resolution at the end of book three.
Alex couldn’t believe they were going to flog Talen. Eben stood to the side of the pillar with his back to Alex. He had been able to get Alex out of doing the whipping.
Etched into the pillar were symbols from the old language. A loop made of rope was attached to a minor ledge higher up in the stone. Its purpose was for this very thing. The shaman placed a large wooden block at Talen’s feet and had him step up onto it. Even elevated, he still wasn’t tall enough to fit his wrists through the loop, so they told him to hang onto it instead.
Talen wasn’t wearing a shirt. His arms above his head stretched his torso and made visible the taunt muscles of his abdomen and chest. Tiny beads of sweat gathered on his collarbone before they rolled down his back. Whether caused by anticipation or the blistering heat, Alex didn’t know. Talen’s left arm was no longer hidden by his sleeve, making the slight bow in his wrist apparent for anyone who knew where to look. A nearly unnoticeable tremble shook his shoulders. He looked so small then, fragile, even though Talen was anything but.
One of the shamans began making a speech. Her loud voice carried on the wind. “To speak out against your betters is the greatest disrespect you can show to your pack.” She was lecturing Talen, but she also looked around as if talking to the crowd, making an example out of him. A wave of nausea washed over Alex as his anger rose. “When you disrespect your pack, you’re disrespecting yourself.”
“Stupid bitch,” Alex grumbled. “Get off your high horse.” Even though he hadn’t wanted to watch the whipping, his feet moved on their own until he was close enough to see Talen’s face clearly.
“Talen, for your disobedience, you will be punished by thirty slashes to your back to be carried out by the pack leader.”
Eben held a medium-sized bullwhip.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” the shaman continued. “To say to Roman, who you have disrespected by your behavior?”
For one moment, Talen looked like he would say something, and it wouldn’t be nice. That fire burned behind his dark-hazel eyes.
Alex remembered his father’s words at dinner. If Talen doesn’t go through with this, he might have to find himself another pack.
As cowardly as it seemed, Alex prayed that Talen would keep his mouth shut. Please, don’t say anything. Please, Talen. Please don’t say anything.
Talen closed his eyes, and the tension left his body.
“Only to apologize for my insolence.” His words carried on the mild breeze that made standing outside on this humid hot day bearable. But Alex couldn’t care less about the wind or how good it felt against his skin. Instead, his attention focused only on Talen. Even though Talen bowed his head, and his words sounded a bit hollow, there was a fire to them—Talen’s voice, his spark. His energy. His will to fight. Talen amazed him. His ability to stay himself, to not give into fear, regardless of the hell he had been through. Alex envied him. Talen might have been an omega, whereas he was an alpha, but there was no doubt that Talen was the stronger of the two of them.
His father got in position and raised the whip. With a loud crack, it singed between Talen’s shoulder blades, leaving an ugly red gash. Talen’s breath hitched. He clenched the rope, baring his teeth. Every taunt muscle on his body writhed with each slash that marred his back. He wasn’t crying out, though. Talen was a proud one.
Another crack.
Alex tightened his fists.
Each crack grew louder and louder. Alex’s claws dug into his fists until tiny droplets of blood trailed down his palms.
Ten slashes into the punishment, Talen’s visible ribs heaved with each breath. His lithe frame trembled. Then his wolf surged, forming a white aura. It didn’t stretch out into a shadow—mostly that was an alpha thing—rather, it surrounded him like a sphere as it had done before with Roman—a white wolf seemingly chasing its tail in an endless figure eight. Its hazy white color made Talen appear blurry. It wasn’t large enough to affect Eben, only a whip length away.
It reeked of agony, hurt, anger, but mostly pain—Talen’s.
Alex turned away. His stomach clenched in knots. Something dark grew inside of him. Blacker, thicker. As he looked back at Talen, all Alex felt was rage.
Talen let out a scream before he bit his lip and a trail of blood spilled down his chin. Finally, he lost the battle, and he started crying out with each lash.
Alex’s fangs elongated. He wanted to kill them. All of them. His dad included. How fucking dare they lay one hand on Talen? On his Talen.
Melissa writes character-driven fiction, and any genre is fair game. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, anime, manga, and gaming. Living by the motto of trying all things twice, Melissa has jumped out of a perfectly good plane, swum with manatees, dived headfirst into Alice’s rabbit hole, and seduced classy ladies in 6-inch heels. A free-spirited bohemian, she currently lives in artsy St. Petersburg, Florida, with her soulmate and their two adorably needy cats.
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