My Own

*Kash View*

"If I can't trust you, why would I go?" This man was not what I expected. "Also, what is this about showing me around?" Looking towards Atlas I glared. "You said I could explore on my own."

"You can. Doc here is offering to show you around safely." Atlas chuckled. "Will take you out of the grounds too I bet."

"I said nothing of the sort. I just said I know areas you do not go." Doc was smiling and keeping his secret.

Looking closer at the man called Doc I realized he was a lot younger than I expected. He had no hints of grey in his hair as I would have thought. I bet he was closer to Jace's age than my father's. His eyes held a hint of planned mischief, and I liked it. "I guess you will just have to see if I feel like following you."

"Follow who and where?" My father had finally decided to join us. "Kash, I hope you are settled enough now to speak on what your plan is?"

"Nope. I am hungry. If you do not plan to serve food now, I will leave." Glaring at my father had me angered more. "I still have to pack."

"Where are you planning to run off to? You think packs will welcome you with open arms? You need permission to cross territories." His smile told me he thought he had a way to stop me.

"To bad for you. I have permission. It was an invite." Looking away from him and now focussing on the food that had arrived I refused to talk more.

"Do not worry Alpha Dax. He will be in safe hands. I'm known as Doc." Doc smiled as he introduced himself. Way out of the norm for pack etiquette. Normally Alpha Atlas or Beta Zion would have done it. "Since he seems to be in a fighting mood, I will add that he is joining Alpha Atlas back home."

Half-way biting through a sandwich I shot my dagger look at him. He was right, I could not trust him. Slowing down, I listened more to the conversation, wondering if I should still go with them. I also noticed my brother seemed very quiet thought the whole thing.

"Excuse me?" My father was surprised with the news more than he was happy. "Alpha Atlas, is what he says true? You have already made arrangements to take your mate with you?"

"Kash was offered to join me for the two weeks before the pack pledge ceremony. This will give him the chance to see my lands and meet possible pack members. I gave him the choice, and it still is his choice. He could change his mind and I would still support the decision." My respect for Atlas grew. He just let me know that he would not be angered if I did choose to stay. "Kash is an adult, and more than capable to pick his own path."

My father chuckled. "Even if he did not choose you? Then where would that leave him? The bond will always call him, make him miserable without you."

Doc interrupted my father's rant. "Given the correct knowledge and tools, any omega can be comfortable without their bond. However, they are only bonded at wolf level. There is no physical mating bond. Kash would be fine, with any option he picks. Until an omega is bitten by the chosen mate, they are as free as any other."

What he said had me wondering more. "What happens after the bite?"

Doc coughed. "What happens after the bite is not dinner conversation."

Blushing hard with the implications, I went back to eating. Atlas was telling me the truth then. There were options for me if I decided not to accept him. It was embarrassing for me to not know everything that the other three seem to know. Now to make a choice for the trip.

"Well, then it is up to Alpha Atlas what happens I guess." My father smiled and continued to eat, not seeing the expression of pain from his youngest, or the expression of anger from the Alpha he directed his comment from.

"Zion. I am finished here. There is no use communication with someone so self-centred he cannot even see what he does to his own son." The three of them stood up, very upset. Atlas looked back at me. "Kash if you still want to join us, Zion has volunteered to help you pack. We understand this is a new experience, and he is willing to assist with what you may need with the weather this time of year."

Looking up I smiled. "Yes, thank you. That is if he does not really mind. I would appreciate the help." The food was no longer holding my attention. Swigging back the last of my juice I stood up. "I am ready now, if you are?"

Zion smiled back. "Sure thing! Lets go pack."

Back in my room it was just Zion and myself. I cringed at the mess. "I really am sorry; my room is not like this usually. I wanted to pack, then panicked when I realized I had no clue what to pack."

Zion chuckled. "I get it. I was the same way on my first trip with Alpha Atlas. It was so bad; my mother came in and smacked my head. We can put away what you decide not to take and clean as we pack. I hope you do not mind that we brought luggage here. Alpha Atlas realized you had none and we brought them."

The luggage was a huge help and I could not help but smile. "It is great! Really!" Looking back at my room I shook my head. "So, umm...where do we start?"

The packing took no time at all. Zion was very efficient with folding and packing. SO much so I felt I was in his way. "Kash? Do you have spare toiletries?"

"Huh?" I had just finished putting my socks back in my drawer when he asked me this. "Like a toothbrush?"

He chuckled. "Yes. The basics like a toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps etcetera. We will have towels provided for you, so they will not be needed."

"Hmmm." I thought about it. "I have no spares, but I can pack what I have."

"No worries. Leave those here. We can stop and buy what you need when we arrive. I believe you have all the basics. Is there anything extra you would like to pack? For example, if you get stuck inside due to weather and need something to do."

"Just my laptop. I sometimes read, but being a new place, I doubt I can get comfortable enough to escape in one." Realizing what I sad I looking up in a small panic. "Not that your place is unsafe or anything!"

Zion just chuckled. "Naw, I get it. How about your favourite blanket?"

He had me look at my blanket. I never really slept without it. "Umm, would that be okay?"

"Of course. You need to make sure you are comfortable. I know you have not been taught much, but your room is your nest outside of heats. Many omegas have something they bring that keeps them comfortable in new areas." Zion said it as a matter of fact. "You are sleeping here tonight, so just make sure you pack it in the morning. If you decide to bring anything that is."

"Thank you for your help. I never knew about the room thing either." I sat on the edge of my bed. "Would it have killed my father to ask the royals before? Why do I have to learn in a crash course?"

Zion was no longer smiling. "Can I sit beside you?"

Nodding my head and moving over for him to sit beside me was easier than speaking.

"Look. I cannot even fathom what has or does goes through your father's head. I am not him. However, I can objectively look at what I have seen and learned the last few days and give you my opinion on the matter."

I looked back up to Zion. "Will I like the outcome?"

"That is up for you to decide. Also remember, this is the viewpoint of an outsider, that is partial to your potential mate." His chuckle had me smile a little. "I think it has less to do with your sub gender and more to do with your actual birth. He has told many it was not on the night of the lunar eclipse. Your birthday is celebrated on the day after. We looked into it and your paperwork all cover his story. The official papers do not."

"There are different papers?" I leaned in excited to learn more. "He did register me normally as well?"

Zion smiled. "Yes Kash. Your actual registration is the night of the lunar eclipse. He knew you were royal and he was protecting you. We still do not know why. If there was a threat, he should have notified the Royals, but he did not. As for the lack of your education as an Omega. We can again only speculate."

"If there was a threat against the pack because of me, why would he keep me around?" I was struggling to understand what was said. "I am not stupid enough to know that a small pup is worth more than the pack as a whole. If I was the first-born son and an Alpha, maybe? What else could it be?"

"We are not sure. Alpha Atlas seems to think it has to do with the rogues, not another pack." Zion put his hand on my knee. "Alpha Atlas does not want you to worry, but he also did not want to keep you in the shadows. He promises that as he learns more he will share. However, when it comes to my opinion of your father." Zion sighed. "I think he thought this as the only way to protect you from what he knows, that he has been unwilling to share. His own mind failed to see what he was doing to his own son as a whole, but since you were safe, all was good. In his eyes at least."

Thinking of my argument with my father today and the last little spats before I shuddered. I did not want to stay in the house any longer. "Do we have to wait until tomorrow to leave?" I spoke at no more than a whisper.

"Yes. The private jet is being fuelled and the pilot is resting. Why?" Zion was unsure as he spoke.

"I do not want to be here any longer. To be honest, my fathers behaviour scares me sometimes." I stood up. "Never mind. I will be ready first thing!" Trying my best to sound excited I walked towards my window. The pack was training again before dinner. Lucky bastards.

Zion was quiet while I looked outside. When I turned around, I saw him on his phone looking concerned. "I must have used a lot of your time. You have a pack to help run. Thank you, Zion, for your assistance. You can expect me ready for departure tomorrow."

"I was actually group chatting with Alpha Atlas and Doc. They shut the mind link off earlier and I wanted to communicate with them." Zion looked back up and smiled. "You are invited to have dinner with just us guys tonight if you like."

"Really? I would love too. If you are sure I won't be a bother of course." For some reason I was nervous and excited all at the same time. The idea I got to hang out away from home sounded fun, but the people I would be near, mainly one royal, scared me.

Zion chuckled at my reaction. "Of course, we are serious. Just so you know Alpha Atlas is cooking tonight and his food is top quality."

"Atlas is cooking?" This was surprising. My father never cooked. He had maids that would do it for us. I was the only one that actually made my own food at times. "I thought he would never cook."

"Naw. Alpha Atlas is more down to earth in his pack grounds. You will see." Zion walked towards the door. "You coming?"