Notes:
   Arthur and Gwen make up. Charles invites Merlin and company to have a talk at his house.
Warnings: hint of a dark past, oral sex

   A few days later, Nyx and Gwen returned to the farm, Gwen's sons strapped to Nyx's back.
   When they came back, the blizzard was still raging outside but had lightened up some which made it easier for them to head directly into Gwen's house and lock the door behind them. The second they were through the door, Lance immediately ran over and grabbed Gwen into his arms.
    "Are you ok, sweetheart?" he asked.
    "I guess." She replied, shrugging. "I'm tired. Imma head to bed."
    With that, she went to her room and shut the door.
                          * * * * *
    A few days later, the blizzard finally started to ebb. Snow was still continuously falling but now it wasn't as bad as it had been before.
    Adam had deemed it safe for the weres to leave their houses to congregate and get some fresh air so that's what most set out to do.
    Gwen still hadn't forgiven Arthur and had gone to Rose to talk over what had happened.
    "He basically called me a slut!" Gwen said. "How can I even think of forgiving him after that?"
    Rose sighed and hugged her friend. "I know it's hard but...he is your true mate and he loves you...very much."
    "I thought he did." Gwen replied miserably. "Now I find out he only mated me cuz he thought I was fucking the entire pack!"
    "C'mon, Gwen. That doesn't even make sense!"
    "He's been judging me the whole time! You'd judge too if you knew!"
    "I already know you and Merlin had a fling back in the day." Rose said quietly.
    "What?" Gwen asked.
    "After Merlin killed Nimueh and we were heading home, one night Merlin just broke down and told me every sin he believes he's ever committed. I guess he thought that that would make me angry because he blamed himself for me getting captured."
    Gwen looked up at her friend, tears clouding her eyes. "Are you mad?"
    "Because you made out with Merlin a long time ago before I knew him? Of course not! I mean...Merlin's a really good kisser."
    Gwen smiled. "Mmm hmm." She agreed.
    Rose laughed before her face turned serious. "You need to go home and talk to him, Gwen. The longer you stay mad at him the harder it will be on you both."
    Gwen nodded. "Ok. I'll talk to him. But I can't promise anything."
    With that, she hugged her friend goodbye and left the house for her own.
                          * * * * *
   When Gwen got back home, Arthur was in the kitchen, dark circles under his eyes which he was rubbing.
   "Hey, Gwen. How are you, sweetheart?"
   Gwen looked up, sadness shining in her chocolate orbs. "Hey, Arthur." She quickly looked away.
    Arthur got up from his spot at the table and walked over to where Gwen was standing. He wrapped his arms around her slowly. Hooking a finger under her chin, he tilted her face up so he could gaze into her eyes.
    "I'm so sorry." he whispered gently.
    "Rose thinks I should forgive you."
    "Do you?" Arthur asked hopefully.
    "I don't know if I should." Gwen confessed. "You really hurt me with your accusations. You don't understand what I've been through, Arthur!"
    "I know now. Merlin and Lance sort of explained it to me. But it doesn't excuse my actions. I should've trusted you. You're my true mate and I love you, Gwen! I will never not love you! And if you give me a second chance, I promise I will never hurt you again."
    Gwen's eyes filled with tears. "Do you swear?"
    "Gwen, I made you a promise when we mated and again when we had our official mating ceremony. I swore that I would love you forever, that I would take care of you, that I would protect you and be yours until my dying breath. Nothing has changed. So whatever I need to do to show you that you are my world, I will do it willingly."
    "I need you to understand the truth. I'm ready to tell you my story but, I warn you, it's not a pretty one."
    They sat down and Gwen began her story. Arthur was surprised to learn what his grandfather had been doing behind his father's back. It was no wonder that Kilgharrah had banished Uther not long after he and his siblings had been born!
   Gwen was crying by the time she got to explaining about the weres she was with before Arthur. Arthur brushed her tears away and kissed her gently.
    "I'm sorry, Gwen. I had no idea."
    "Just do me one favor."
    "Anything."
    She grabbed him by the front of his shirt. "Never accuse me like that again. Understand?"
    "I promise." He said, holding his hands up in surrender.
    "And...love me." She added, pulling him closer so that she could press her lips against his roughly.
    "Yes ma'am!" He said.
    With that, she pulled him into their room by his shirt....
                          * * * * *
    A few days after the blizzard, it was deemed safe enough for the packs to go out and enjoy the snow. Merlin and Adam had gone out in the early morning hours to check over their supplies. It seemed like most of the food they'd harvested was doing just fine.
    Chad and the farmhands had kept the horses, cows, goats, and sheep locked up in a few of the barns and sheds. They'd survived just fine because of this.
    While Merlin was busy checking on things around the farm, he was surprised when Charles came walking out from his home on the east side and approached him and Adam. He was followed closely behind by an absolutely gorgeous Omega with golden blond hair that flowed down past her butt, beautiful amethyst eyes, and pale skin, a loose white gown the only thing that covered her.
    "Alphas!" Charles shouted, getting their attention.
    "Alpha Charles!" Adam called back. "What brings you here so soon after the blizzard?"
    A devious smile spread over the blond Alpha's face. "Well, in these troubling times, I feel it is important for all of us weres to stand together. I'd like to meet your pack and get to know you better. Especially after our...ah...little disagreement."
    Merlin frowned. "I wouldn't say that it was a "little disagreement"."
    "Well, what's that saying you always say Adam? It's all "water under the bridge"?"
    Adam nodded before turning his attention to the Omega. "How are you doing, Luna?"
    Luna was quiet, not speaking for a moment before she simply shrugged. Merlin thought it rather odd that the Omega didn't answer his question but didn't press for answers.
   Charles spoke up once more. "In any case, I'd like for you two to come as well as your second and third to talk some business with me and mine. Oh, and bring your Omegas as well. My Omegas are dying to meet yours, especially Luna here. She's quite eager to meet your mate, Alpha Merlin."
    Merlin narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "I'm sure she is."
    Adam spoke up. "We'll be glad to come and speak with you and yours."
    Charles grinned. "Wonderful! I shall see you all at noon! Don't be late!"
    With that, he turned, took Luna's arm and the pair rushed off.
    "What was that all about?" Merlin asked once they were out of earshot.
    "I believe that Charles wants to keep an eye on you and your pack. I'd be careful at this meeting. But don't worry about the Omegas. They'll be a lot safer than us."
    "That doesn't make me feel any better."
    "As I said, Merlin. Do not worry for the Omegas. He knows that should any harm come to them, he's dead. Even Charles wouldn't plot something so nefarious. Trust me, he did the same thing when each of the Omegas that lived on this farm came to be here."
    "And what was up with that Omega Luna?" Merlin found himself asking.
    Adam looked sad. "We'd do best not to dwell on it. C'mon and let's get the Omegas."
                         * * * * *
    It took some time but they finally got the Omegas to come along, as well as Arthur and Agravaine. Cenred, Gwaine, and Percival also insisted on coming which was a relief to Merlin who was glad of their insistence.
    Soon enough, Adam, Merlin, Arthur, Agravaine, Cenred, Gwaine, and Percival were escorting Rose, Gwen, Morgana, Evelyn, Daegal, Bronwen, Elena, Sophia, Vivian, Pellinore, Freya, Ruby, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Owain, Ophelia, and Elisa from the Pierson pack, a beautiful blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty with plenty of curves although her personality ruined her image.
    Adam lead the way to a large mansion of a house. He knocked with one of the large brass door knockers and was answered by a tall female Alpha.
   She was beautiful, with her long wavy brown hair, large teal blue eyes, full red lips, tanned skin, and curvy body. She wore an expensive looking purple dress.
    As the Alpha looked out at the group with narrowed, suspicious eyes, Rose thought that something seemed sort of off about the female Alpha.
    Adam cleared his throat. "Alpha Brietta, it is a pleasure to see you! I am here with Merlin Emrys of the Emrys pack, along with his Omegas and few Alphas, to speak with your Alpha."
   Brietta glanced over the group once more. "There are...more Alphas than we expected."
    "Only here in the interest of conducting business." Merlin added.
    "Very well." Brietta said in a bored tone. "Come inside."
    She opened the door and the Alphas and Omegas entered and followed Brietta as she led them into a large, well furnished living quarters. A flat screen TV rested against the far wall, over a roaring fireplace and was blaring some sort of show. In one of the sofas, Charles sat, half watching the program, while Luna was knelt at his feet, currently busy servicing him with her mouth. Beside Charles sat a female with long purple hair and matching eyes, dressed in an expensive light purple dress, watching the TV with disinterest.
    Brietta walked over, knelt on the other side of Charles and whispered something. A wide grin spread across his face and he pushed Luna off of him, adjusting his pants as he turned his attention to his guests.
    "Adam! Merlin!" He called, excitement in his voice as if seeing them gave him some sort of weird pleasure.
    He opened his arms wide and enveloped both Alphas in a bone crushing hug.
    "We've brought our Omegas and a few Alphas as requested." Adam said, trying to awkwardly escape the hug.
    Charles turned his attention to them. "So you have. Hello, beauties!" He said, smirking at them.
    Merlin stepped forward and gestured to Rose. "You remember my mate, Rose."
    Charles' smirk widened. "Of course! Enchanté, dear." He said with a wink.
    Merlin gestured again. "This is my brother and my second, Arthur, and his Omega mate, Gwen." Charles gave the same greeting to them both though less enthusiastically. "And my sister, Morgana, and her Alpha, Cenred. My Uncle Agravaine, my third, and his Omega mate, Owain."
     He gestured again. "Gwaine, one of my most trusted Alphas, and his Omega mate, Elena, and my other most trusted Alpha, Percival, and his Omega mate, Ruby." He then gestured to the rest of the Omegas in turn. "Then there's Evelyn, Daegal, Bronwen, mated to another of my Alphas, Sophia who is also mated, Vivian, Pellinore who is mated, Freya, Jasmine and Rapunzel who are both mated, and Ophelia."
     "And you remember Elisa of course." Adam added.
     Charles chuckled. "You have such beautiful Omegas! Surely blessed by Mother Lupa herself." He exhaled sharply. "You've already met my half sister, Brietta, and my Omega Vixen, Luna. This lovely lady," he said, gesturing to the purple-haired woman, "is my Alpha Vixen, Cordelia." He chuckled as he massaged her breast in front of the group. "Luna, dear, take the Omegas to the Omega Den so they can meet the others. The Alphas can take care of business here."
    Luna nodded as she gestured for the Omegas to follow. Rose led the group as they left. Merlin watched them go, then turning his eyes to Charles who had a dangerous smile on his face.
    Whatever the Omegas were doing, Adam was right. They were safer than he and his Alphas were.