Bab 16: 16
Sawyer closed his eyes, holding tightly onto Daniel, and felt three again. This time he was back in the little cramped Packhouse, the elders seated around him. His mother held onto his hand, pleading for a fairer punishment to be given to him, as he was the youngest in the Pack then. He couldn't remember what offense he committed, but he could relate the feeling of nervousness he'd felt back then to his current state. His heart was pounding, a million possibilities running through his mind – all negative. What if the elders didn't accept him or the baby? What if they accused him of being a bloodsucker after Daniel's money? What if they didn't think he was good enough to be Daniel's mate? The what-ifs didn't seem to be ending soon.
Deep breaths, Sawyer. You can do this.
Sawyer was aware of the level of influence the elders of a Pack held. As a combined force, they could overrule the decisions of Alphas and Betas. Their verdict, when passed was final and couldn't be twisted. He'd feared that Daniel's love might not be enough conviction. And what proof did he really have that this baby was for Daniel? They'd slept together without condoms and parted ways after, but they could say that he'd slept with another man afterward.
He hoped they'd leave a chance for DNA testing after the baby was born. That was if they dragged their doubts too far.
Daniel squeezed his hand as though perceiving his nervousness. Sawyer forced a smile, his shoulders relaxing a bit. It felt good not to be alone.
Clearing his throat now, Daniel spoke up. "Before I start, I'd like to apologize to each one of you for the alarm I raised," he directed his gaze toward the elders. "Mostly to you, Fathers. Believe me, it wasn't my intention for you to find out him this way."
Sawyer's heart leaped when the first elder – the one that appeared to be the youngest, probably in his sixties with scary, black beady eyes pointed at his protruding stomach and rattled. "Whose child is he carrying?"
The elder seemed to have guessed the answer correctly for as soon as Daniel affirmed that the baby wasn't his, but theirs, he stood up sharply – staring at him in disgust.
"You insolent boy."
"Father please hear me out – " Daniel protested, his hand slipping away from Sawyer's.
He held up a hand, his aura reproachful. Daniel was quiet. "Is this why you've been refusing to see Anita? Because of some lowly omega, you knocked up?"
"He's not lowly," In a flash, Daniel was up, thrusting his face against the elder's. Sawyer placed a hand on his shoulder to hold him back, but Daniel's body was piping hot in rage. Steam seeped out the Alpha's ears when Sawyer held his hand instead. "I'd like you to mind your tongue. He is my mate!"
"Boundaries, Alpha," Spencer said, planting himself in between them now. Like a barrier. "He's an elder, you arsehole."
"I don't care."
"I'm really disappointed in you, Daniel. We raised you to behave better. What do you think the public would say if they found out you impregnated another omega while still engaged to Anita? From which pack is this supposed mate of yours from? Where are his parents? Have you taken a look at his lineage?" the second elder with a prominent scar and pot belly shook his head.
"Exactly!" The scary elder exploded. "Those are the most important questions you should have asked before taking him to bed. You don't just do whatever you like because you're the Alpha. There are rules, even for a leader which he must follow."
"I'm still yet to know what rule I've broken here. The Moon Goddess gave me a mate, and I've found him! You've got to loosen up, old man."
"Language, Daniel." The pot-bellied elder bellowed.
"I'm sorry, Elder James."
Sawyer couldn't wrap his head around what was happening. He felt humiliated. From the onset, the Alpha was engaged but didn't tell him about it. He knew that Daniel wasn't in love with this Anita girl, but they'd pledged to tell each other about everything. Heck, the first night they met Sawyer told him about his family and Mrs. Angelini. He'd expected Daniel to be honest.
"In all my three-hundred years of being a wolf and one-hundred since I became an elder, there has never been a male Luna. The same Moon Goddess you claim that gave you this omega as your mate wills it so. He clearly has you hooked on some magic spell. That explains why you're not in your right senses."
"I've never been so sure of anything in my life," Tears escaped from the corner of Sawyer's eyes when Daniel bent, coming face level with his bump, and pressed his left ear against it. Sawyer drew in a deep breath as the baby kicked Daniel's hand gently. Daniel chuckled, the happiness in his laugh music to Sawyer's ears. He felt so blessed to have such a man as Daniel for a mate, because he knew, in his heart, that they were meant to be forever.
"This baby is mine. My blood runs through his veins. Our blood runs through his veins. He is my son."
"We're not disputing that fact. But still, Sawyer cannot be accepted as your Luna. He can settle for a spot as your Luna Consort – we've had multiple male Luna Consorts in the past...mates of the Alphas they belonged to – but to uphold the tradition of the Pack you must have a woman as a Luna."
- -
"I'm sorry,"
Sawyer didn't turn his attention from the white wall to look at him, even though Daniel was apologizing for the umpteenth time and he was getting sick and tired of hearing about it. the elders had left, and he was going to be Luna's Consort just because he was bearing Daniel's child. Not because he was his fated mate. Not because he was his life partner. Not because Sawyer was enough.
And Daniel had sat there, his shoulders sagging in defeat. He was contented with the decision as long as Sawyer wasn't going anywhere. Not caring about what Sawyer thought about the whole arrangement.
"You fucked up, big-time, man," he heard Spencer scold. Sawyer was surprised that he was still around. He was supposed to leave with the elders. "You couldn't even stand your ground. You just let them override your sentiments and lord their wishes over yours. We can't seek out an interview with the Gavin group anymore because, at the end of the day, you're still getting married to Anita."
"Don't make this anymore scathing than it already is," Daniel growled. "He's mad at me, and you're adding fuel to the fire."
"I wouldn't blame him, though." Spencer retorted with a snort.
"Would you like having your position and title stripped from you?" Daniel said teasingly – his sugary tone laced with menace. Sawyer stifled a laugh, picturing the facial expression on the Alpha's face.
"Oh my god. It hasn't come to that."
"Then shut the fuck up."
"Alright."
The room was restored to its previous painful silence. Sawyer couldn't stand Daniel right now. To think that he felt disappointed was an understatement of the century. He felt betrayed.
"All I'm asking is for you to give me more time," Daniel pleaded. "I won't have any other Luna apart from you. It's your rightful place. Please say something."
Unfortunately, Sawyer's tongue suddenly felt dry, the words sticking to his throat like glue. He wanted to say so many things. Wanted to express the hurt, shout, hit, and punch Daniel for failing him. For not opposing the Alphas head-on.
"I'm annoyed," he managed, his voice hoarse and inaudible. He choked back a sob. "Is it a crime to be a male omega? Fuck, I don't even want to be Luna. I just want to be respected as your mate – the father of your first child. Is that too hard to ask?"
This wasn't the first time Sawyer felt shunned for being a male omega with a female reproductive system. It wasn't his fault that his testosterone levels were insanely low, and he was painfully effeminate. He could count all the times on one hand when he'd reject these pushy Alphas and they'd take a jab at how slender he looked. How much of a weakling he was. In as much as male omegas like him were adored, they were still heavily stigmatized, most especially in urban towns where a good number of Alphas and female omegas made up the majority.
He finally turned away from the wall slowly. Daniel reached out to touch his reddened eyes, his wolf coming so close to the surface that Sawyer flinched away from his fingers. "Daniel."
It was too late. The Alpha stormed towards the door, despite his pleas. Spencer lunged at him, holding him back. "Whoa, whoa. Where are you going?"
"Leave me alone," Daniel seethed. A tussle ensured between them, claws forming, tuxedos ripping, growls getting louder. Sawyer's vertigo came crashing down on him and he gave a weak shout, passing out.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone