Chapter 21
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Kennedy Lowe and I were in the combat Beta program before I found out I was meant to be an Omega. She dropped out at the same time I did because Artume City’s program is challenging, and she decided to take a different route.
As the daughter of Alpha Kendrick Lowe in Olive Grove, she’s protected by specific laws as a visitor, and she’s used this immunity to expose some of the City’s darkest secrets, like how the Beta program ranks its cadets by bloodline. It’s not uncommon, but it is unfair to the wolves who don’t come from prestigious backgrounds like my own–especially those who work hard enough to deserve the top spots and still don’t get them.
She’s also exposed rogues and other alphas of the City: cruelty, domestic violence, child endangerment, and drug abuse have all been topics of interest. A lot of people consider it gossip, but the Queen Luna loves her show and has stepped in to help some of the families affected by the exposure. Kenny has a multi–million–dollar podcast, Facts With Kennedy Lowe, that streams worldwide. She’s been number one for the past three years.
“Welcome back to Facts with Kennedy Lowe. I am your host, Kennedy. I want to start by saying Hellooooo Artume City. I’m baaack,” she sings, and her jingle plays. “It has been a very long time since I’ve been back here. You know Baby’s got places to be and people to meet.” Cheers erupt with people calling out her name. “I want to start today’s stream with some spectacular
news.
“Your girl Kennedy Lowe has found her match. That’s right, boys, girls, non–binaries. Kenny is officially off the market. I will not be putting my mate’s name out on blast, mostly because he asked me not to.” A playful whomp–whomp plays. “However, do I have a story for you. Based here in good ol‘ Artume City.
“Now, I’ve known some of you for a very long time. We’ve grown up together. I consider some of you close friends and others, very close enemies. You know which one you are, and if what I say insults you, know where the complaint box is.” The sound of a garbage truck plays as she lets out her evil little giggle. “It has come to my attention that Artume City has a
new Luna.
“Correct if I am wrong, but we’ve all known who the next Luna of the City was going to be since we all first shifted. I myself know this beautiful soul personally. I mean, we all do. But I think this woman and I have a special connection because she saved my life.
“I, Kennedy Lowe, was at a little game seven years ago that resulted in the mass destruction that caused Artume City almost three hundred wolves, which included this special lady’s family. I come home only to find that not only is she not our new Luna, but that one of the snakes that she saved is usurping her place.
“You’re all going to come at me saying that I’m being biased, but we’re all thinking it. I am 100% glad that this is not my pack and that I don’t have to put up with the discrimination this pack has always shown toward our ranks.
“As you all may know, the little lady I speak of is an Omega. The very first born into one of the most potent bloodlines in her history. The Helvigs have been known throughout our history to be some of the fiercest warriors. There is no doubt in my mind that my favorite last member of the Helvig bloodline didn’t shift because of what she did for us.
“And I say Shame, shame on the Romanos for casting her out to choose a nobody like Poppy, who slithered her way into the Alpha’s bed, becoming the Luna of what used to be one of the greatest cities in the world–a city I no longer respect. After all these years, she finally did it. Poppy got the sloppy seconds she’s always craved.
“There’s one thing that bothers me, though. A whole lot more than a mate–stealing slut, and that is a coward who rejects his goddess–given gift all for power. But it really shouldn’t surprise me because this shit runs in his blood.
“That’s right, Chat. You heard me correctly. Santiago Romano is not the first to reject his mate because of her rank. Both former Luna and Alpha did the same exact thing. I have a very special guest here with me. Someone we all know and adore.
“An Omega that has beaten the odds against all who would wish him harm. I want nothing more than to introduce you to my friend Victor Callihan–the star of our new favorite series, Omega in Love. Give Vic a hand, Chat.”
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Clapping echoes through the speaker. I sit back, stunned by what is happening at the moment. Ivar and I look at one another equally in awe of what is happening. I didn’t know this. I did know she rejected her mate, but I didn’t know he was still alive. After all, Rosaline Henderson, the former Alpha’s mate, was killed under mysterious circumstances. That is the information I sent her.
“Thank you for having me on today, Kenny. I want to personally congratulate you on finding your mate. You’re glowing. Victor Callihan is one of the biggest TV personas in the industry right now.
“Thank you, Mr. Callihan. I want to personally congratulate you on your new role. Donovan Curry is one of my favorite romance novel boyfriends, and I think you are absolutely perfect for this part. From the looks down to the personality.” dog whistles and awws play. She is having a whole lot of fun with her soundboard tonight. “However, that is not what we’re here to discuss, and I am so sorry for bringing it up after so many years.”
“I’ve had plenty of time to get over it. I’m actually no longer ashamed of what happened to me. If you’re listening, Sophie, you’re not alone. This is actually a widespread occurrence in the Omega community.”
“Really? So, mates are just rejecting Omegas all the time?”
“Yes, I was seventeen when it happened to me. I had met former Luna Romano at the academy. In fact, I was close to her chosen. He was my best friend.” She plays a gasp that makes him laugh. “Yeah, I agree with your soundboard. “It came as a surprise, honestly. One second, we were running around in love, planning our futures together, and the next thing I knew, she was getting married.
“The night before their wedding, we were together. She never expressed what she truly felt about my rank until that night. She gave me an ultimatum. She said that she was getting married to become the Luna of the City and that the only way we could be together was if I agreed to let her play her part as the Luna so that she could give the Romanos an heir.”
“What?” she asks, completely thrown off. His story is similar to my own that it makes me sick.
“Yeah, she told me that it was going to happen whether I liked it or not and that as a lowly omega, I should know my place and face the fact that no one was going to want me because I was unworthy of a wolf and unworthy of an Alpha mate like
her.”
“Did you two reject one another on the spot?” Kennedy asks.
“I wish I could say yes, Kenny. With all my heart, but no. I loved my mate. I thought the world of her, and even when she put this obstacle between us, I honestly believed we could make it work. I guess it was just the hopeless romantic in me,” he chuckles as if his statement were some joke.
“You agreed?”
“I did. I believed her. She strung me along for two years,” he admits.
“Two years? What finally made you snap?”
“I met my best friend at the time. Alpha Romano’s mate. She came from a Delta Bloodline up north. It’s never been proven. but I always suspected Luna Romano made her disappear. Rosie was a tiny thing, and she thought the world of her mate. We both understood our position in their lives.
“We got close, and our superiors didn’t like it. Despite my telling my mate that we were just friends, she wouldn’t let it go. The night before Rosie disappeared, she called me. She was upset. She was done with all of it.
“The way Luna Romano treated her and humiliated her was appalling. It started with snide remarks and belittling. Rosie kept her head down and never complained. I think that’s what got to the Luna the most. What drove her to push harder. She would accuse Rosie of trying to sleep with me.
“It drove a wedge between the Luna and me. It made me see the kind of person she was becoming. That night, I told her that
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what we had was no longer working for me. It was the biggest mistake I ever made. I didn’t get to say goodbye to a friend. Not while she was living anyway.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
