Notes:
   While Merlin makes plans, others are making plans of their own. Gwaine prepares to take a second mate.
Warnings: smut

    A week had passed since the incident and Cenred's pack had been living as part of Merlin's pack for a little over a month at this point.
   Merlin and Arthur had been stuck in their rooms for the duration of Morgana's heat, just trying to stay calm. Arthur entertained himself with the help of his two mates but, unfortunately, Merlin didn't seem to want to spend any time with Rose. He was very stressed over the week he was locked in the room and barely responded to his mate's attempts to cheer him up.
   Rose just felt hurt. She loved Merlin and wanted to help him to feel better but he didn't seem to want or need her around. So she had spent more time in the Omega Den with the others, trying to help the other Omegas feel more at home and safe as some of them still seemed nervous at the change in leadership.
   Meanwhile, Cenred was dealing with his own punishment. With the lowering of his status, he had gone from being in the top three most powerful weres in the pack, behind the Alpha Pack Leader and his second, to basically the bottom of the pack where he was below even most Betas.
   He had lost all the privileges afforded to him by his status including his official mating ceremony which was a big deal, and had to do plenty of odd jobs that other weres would not take. He was also shunned by a lot of the other Alphas who were disgusted with what he had done.
   To say Cenred was angry and felt bitter by the situation was putting it mildly. The only one who seemed to get him through it was Morgana who was kind to him and did whatever he asked of her. She always had a smile on her face and spoke to him gently.
   One day, he had told her, "I wouldn't be surprised if you hated me too and wished to leave me."
   "Not at all." She had said, placing a hand on his chest. "I wanted my true mate and I got you. I will stay with you until the end."
   After that, he couldn't bring himself to be angry with her. He cared for her dearly. He might not love her but he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her.
   So, it seemed, maybe she could change him after all...
                         * * * * *
   Once the week was over, Merlin and Arthur returned to their duties. Agravaine caught the two onto speed about the situation that had taken place during their incarceration.
   They still had no idea what the deal was with the hunters but they hadn't seen any new tracks in awhile. Unfortunately, ferals were still prowling the woods and they'd heard other sounds coming from those same woods, as if the ferals were stealing up Omegas that travelled that way and injuring the rest of their party of weres.
    Merlin shook his head at the news. "I want to send out a group of Alphas and Betas to comb the area from one side to the other of our territory and those surrounding it. If they are indeed snapping up Omegas, we need to find and protect as many as possible."
    "Agreed." His uncle said. "And...about the other thing? We need to get our Omegas mated as soon as possible just in case these ferals decide to attack."
    "I'm not so sure that will stop them. When Rose and I were on the journey to get here, a bunch of ferals seemed to take an interest in her. They were the same ones that attacked the day that Gwaine and Lancelot came to meet us as we were arriving. They knew she was mated as I had made a big deal of it and they still tried to take her."
   At the thought of his mate, he felt guilty as he remembered how he'd spurned her affections the past week. "At least this will help to prevent it somewhat." Arthur said.
   "Well we need to go over what Alphas intend to mate and either come to an agreement or arrange for a tournament."
   "What's been decided so far?"
   "Well, Odin had taken Bronwen as his mate and I believe that Gwaine is set on Elena. Vivian is out as she is too young and Evelyn is also out because of her...condition."
   "And the males?" Agravaine asked.
   "We haven't come to any conclusions. Several of the Alphas have chosen to fight for both of them."
   "Why don't you join the fight, uncle?" Arthur asked. "You could use love as well."
   "I have no intention of mating again, boys. Leave it to the younger Alphas I say." He stood up from his seat. "Well I say we send out the news for our plans. Who knows what might happen?"
   With that, he left the room. Merlin went to follow when Arthur stopped him. "I saw the look." He said. "What happened between you and Rose?"
   "Nothing." Merlin objected.
   "Really? Doesn't seem like nothing."
   He sighed. "She has been trying to cheer me up and I've spurned her affections."
    "Well then I think the answer is simple."
    "And what's that?"
    "You crawl back to her on your knees and beg for forgiveness. You'd be amazed how many times I had to do it for Gwen."
   Merlin laughed. "Actually, that doesn't surprise me at all."
                           * * * * *
   Meanwhile, far away from Merlin's pack, in a dark and dismal cave, a lone figure stood, watching over Merlin's pack through a pool of water. The figure wore a dark blue cloak with the hood up to hide the face of who it was.
   "So the Emrys pack has gained more members...as well as several delectable Omegas. Interesting." The figure turned towards a pair of very large wolves, both black, brown, and silver in color with huge fangs and one man that was huge and covered in scars."Go contact the feral, Helios. Let him know I'd like for us to finally meet...face to face."
   The man nodded. "Yes, Alpha."
   The group then left. The mysterious figure turned back to the pool of water. "All those Omegas...ripe for the picking...and soon, you will be mine!" The figure tossed back her hood to reveal a beautiful female Alpha with creamy white skin, raven hair as wild as she was, and a pair of vivid blue eyes. "The old ways will return!" She shouted, howling triumphantly at the thought of her victory.
                             * * * * *
   Thalia sighed as she looked up at her Alpha with her big blue eyes.
   Thalia was tall with long black hair tied back in a braid that fell over one shoulder, pretty blue eyes, and freckles that covered her nose. She was among the strongest Betas in the pack and chose to dress in clothing similar to the warrior weres, of which she was a member.
   "Gwaine--" She began but he stopped her before she could continue their earlier argument.
    "Tal, please, I feel like this is something I should do. Let's face it. We haven't had any success in having pups and it's been three years! I know you want pups and I think it would make sense for me to mate an Omega. You'll still have control over her and the pups."
    Thalia nodded. "You're right." She agreed. "I do want pups. Who did you have in mind?"
    "I was thinking Elena. She's young but not overly so and very sweet. I think you'd both get along well with one another."
    "I sure hope so."
                            * * * * *
   Merlin stood in the center of the war room, discussing the proceedings to the Alphas and Betas he had chosen to send out.
   "I want you divided into two teams to check on things. Arthur, you are in charge of the team that will be heading north to south. Take with you Leon, Gwaine, Percival, Odin, Cedric, Mithian, and Esmeralda."
   Gwaine cleared his throat. "Actually, Alpha, I wonder if I can't stay here. I was rather hoping to make a mate out of Elena as soon as possible."
   Merlin nodded. "Very well, Gwaine. Go in peace, my friend, and I wish you the best of luck in your quest for pups."
   Gwaine bowed his head gratefully. "Thank you, Alpha." He said then turned and walked out the door.
    "Very well." Merlin said. "Seven will work just as well." He turned to Morgause. "Morgause, I need you to lead the team that will be heading east to west. Take with you Zelena, Ingrid, Gilli, Mulan, Saralynn, and Crystal."
   "Of course, Alpha." The blond female Alpha responded, a sweet smile on her face.
   Despite the rocky start Merlin had had with Morgause, she had become much kinder and was helping out in the pack a lot. On top of that, like her brother, she was an excellent tracker and hunter. Which made Merlin think that, perhaps, for once things would go well in hand.
    "Well, off you go." Merlin said, waving them away. The two groups then left, splitting up and rushing off.
                            * * * * *
   In the woods beyond the borders of the pack, a lone were stood, the trees blocking him from view. His blue eyes gazed over the pack, a small sigh falling from his lips as he watched the two groups of weres take off.
   He ran his fingers through his short black hair as he remembered that he would have to report to his friends, Sam and Dean, in a few minutes.
   He shook his head as he thought about the situation he was in. He was hunting weres while he, himself, was a were, one of the more powerful ones on top of that. Should his friends ever discover the truth...he shuddered to think of the repercussions.
   No, they must never know.
   That was the thought he had as he disappeared on the spot.
                            * * * * *
    Half an hour had gone by since the two groups left and the pack was relaxing as they prepared for lunch.
   Rose rested in the Omega Den where most of the Omegas were at this time of day, aside from a few. Elena had gone to get to know Gwaine some before he mated her and Morgana was with Cenred, helping him clean up from the day's work so far.
   Rose was laying on the ground with Nyx over her, holding up a strange necklace that spun and twirled everytime she moved over a certain spot.    "Boy...girl...boy...boy...girl...boy...girl...girl...and another boy." She pronounced.
   "Wow!" Rose said, rubbing her ever-growing belly. "Nine pups!"
   "Merlin's gonna have a field day when you tell him!" Gwen said, a smile painting her lips. "The most Arthur and I had at once was seven!"
   Rose was nearly halfway through her pregnancy already and her belly had gotten really big. She was starting to grow self-conscious that Merlin wouldn't find her attractive, especially considering how things went during the week he was under lockdown.
   She had confided in Gwen and Morgana about it earlier. Morgana's oh-so-helpful response was, "He needs a good fucking!"
   Needless to say, Gwen had been more helpful, explaining that Merlin was probably stressed from everything that had been happening lately. All he needed was for her to show him affection.
   As Rose was contemplating all this, Merlin entered the den. "Lunchtime!"
   The Omegas excitedly exited the room. Merlin was about to follow them when Rose grabbed him and pulled him into a corner, holding a finger to her lips.
   Once all the rest of the Omegas had left, Merlin turned to find that Rose was leaning back in a provocative pose, her robe open and revealing her beautiful body. A shudder escaped his lips. She was beautiful like this, pregnant belly and all. Just knowing she was carrying his pups had him hard in seconds.
    "Alpha...I need you~" She practically purred.
    He couldn't stop himself then, immediately grabbing her into his arms and snapping off both their clothes in an instant, thrusting inside of her before she had a chance to think straight.
   "All mine!" He growled, his lips at her mating bite.
   "Yours!" She promised, cumming moments later.
                             * * * * *
   Gwaine entered his den with Elena by his side. He couldn't wait to mate his sweet little Omega and fill her with pups!
    Thalia was already waiting in the doorway, holding a bag full of salves and creams. "You're gonna need these." She said. "So, let's get this over with."
   Gwaine internally cringed. He'd prefer if Thalia wasn't in the room with them. As much as he loved his Beta mate, he wanted some alone time with Elena.
   That's when they heard the sound of a loud scream echoing from the woods. Thalia turned her head at the noise.
   "I'll be right back!" She promised and ran out the door.
   That's when another loud scream echoed, followed by a shout that was most definitely one of the Omegas!