Alaric

She’s covered in cuts and bruises! Who the fuck would do that to her and why do I have this overwhelming need to find them and end them slowly and painfully? She’s a tiny waif of a thing, thin and frail. Only the worst kind of bully would do that to someone like her.

“Tell me who hurt you, sweetling.” I don’t mean to growl but I can’t help it.

I’m not a soft man. I’m used to commanding respect, not coddling little omegas. But she doesn’t seem put off by it, in fact, she appears to ignore it completely.

“Who didn’t?” She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Here, I brought you some food. It’s not much, but you need to keep your strength up.”

She chatters away, unwrapping her little bundle and presenting it to me like a sacrificial offering. She doesn’t seem affected at all by her injuries though I can tell by looking at them that they must be painful. It’s almost like she’s accustomed to this kind of abuse and I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.

“I asked you a question, sweetling. I expect an answer.” My tone is firm, brooking no argument, but I manage to keep my aura in check. I’m not used to being defied or ignored.

She sighs, exasperated but resigned. “The Beta’s daughter hates me. Well everyone hates me, but she detests me more than the others. She makes it her mission in life to hurt me when no one is looking.”

“And her friends are all too willing to join in on the fun. Today was just worse than usual. Now, let me check the nasty bump on your head.”

“That can wait. Tell me why you say everyone hates you.” It’s clear by her run down little shanty and the lack of food in her pantry that she’s not well cared for by the pack. It’s inexcusable and I want to know why.

“I don’t have a wolf.” She looks away when she answers, her face coloring with shame. “I’m an embarrassment to them.”

“I see.” I keep my expression neutral, but inside, I’m enraged. I knew the moment I met her she didn’t have a wolf. Being wolfless is an anomaly but it happens sometimes. There is nothing shameful about it. Any good Alpha would care for all members of his pack equally.

My wolf rumbles unhappily, pushing me to comfort her but I don’t want her to get attached. We haven’t even exchanged names yet and it’s better that way. I can’t stay here long.

“And the Beta’s daughter? What is her problem?” I press for more information. Not out of concern for her but because anything she reveals could be beneficial to my mission. At least that’s what I tell myself.

“She doesn’t like that the Alpha’s son, Cassius, is nice to me. She’s decided he belongs to her and wants me to stay away from him. She thinks I’m trying to seduce him or something.

“Which is ridiculous.” She wrinkles her nose adorably. “I can barely speak around him. I get all tongue-tied when he’s around, hardly seductive behavior. And it’s not like he’d seriously consider someone like me anyway.”

“Hmm.” I mumble. “You don’t seem to have a problem talking to me.”

“You’re easy to talk to and a good listener.” She rattles on, not missing a beat. “Anyway, Daphne is as psychotic as they come and unfortunately, I’m in her line of fire.”

“Maybe it would be prudent to steer clear of the Alpha’s son if that's a trigger for her.” I suggest the obvious but this little spitfire isn’t having it.

“Absolutely not! He’s the only person in this pack that’s ever been kind to me and I won’t repay him by avoiding him to save my own skin.” She snaps. “Besides, spending time with him, however short it may be, is the highlight of my day. And he’s very nice to look at.”

I have to hold back the snarl threatening to escape at her words. Why should it bother me if she has no sense of self-preservation, wasting her time on a man like Cassius Sloane. From what I know of the man, he’s no good for her but it’s not my place to tell her so.

“Oh! Guess what!” She exclaims without waiting for an actual guess. “Tomorrow is the big contest to determine who the new Chief Omega for the packhouse will be!

“I’m going to compete! If I’m chosen, I’d get to work inside everyday instead of out in the fields in the sweltering heat. But the best part is, I would be working closely with Cassius everyday to make sure everything is to his liking.

“We’d be spending lots of time together, choosing menus for pack dinners and going over his schedule, making sure he has everything he needs for meetings and such. It would be a dream come true for me!”

This time a growl does slip free. For some reason, the thought of her spending time with that man annoys the shit out of me! I really need these wounds to heal soon so I can be on my way before this little omega really gets under my skin.

She flinches slightly at the sound and I feel guilty for scaring her. “I’m sorry. I won’t hurt you little one.”

“I know. I’m not scared of you. You’re my friend.” She says confidently, offering me a radiant smile.

She helps me lean forward and cleans the wounds on my back, her touch patient and gentle. I’ve noticed she hums while she works and the sound soothes me as I breathe through the pain. But something about what she said is nagging at me.

“I’m happy to be your friend, sweetling. But you shouldn’t trust so easily. You don’t know me that well. If I were someone else, you could’ve been in real danger. I would think your pack has taught you that lesson well.”

“And if I’d let them break me, if I closed myself off, suspicious of everyone instead of choosing to look for the best in people, you wouldn’t be alive today.” She pushes back, her lips turning up in a challenging smirk.

As much as I love a good challenge, I let the comment go. I have a job to do and bantering with a pint-sized omega is not part of the plan. I need to focus my energy on healing so I can move on. But a tiny ounce of guilt pricks at me when I see her face fall at my obvious dismissal.

Why do I get the feeling this tiny little wolfless omega is going to be the death of me?

Sage

There’s a spring in my step as I stride toward the packhouse. It’s selection day for Chief Omega and I plan to slide my name onto the list before sign-ups close this morning. I know I can win! Cassius will see my worth, I’m sure of it!

I hustle into the kitchen, dropping my bag and strapping my apron on. The room is empty, but I peek over my shoulder, toward the door just to be sure no one’s watching. After scribbling my name on the list of contestants quickly, I’m just shoving the pen back in my pocket when Daphne’s shrill screech has me jumping out of my skin.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She demands.

“N-, nothing. Just getting ready for work.” I glance toward the clock to double check the time, verifying I’m still early.

“Well you’re not needed here. Find something to do out back where you won’t be in the way!”

I practically skip out of the kitchen on my way to the backyard. I like working in the garden. It’s beautiful and peaceful out there. But it doesn't take long for me to realize I’ve been set up..Trouble is waiting for me right outside the back door.

“Where are you going, you filthy wolfless whore?” One of Daphne’s friends pokes me in the chest.while her gaggle of accomplices snigger behind her. I try to side step her but she mirrors me, blocking my path. “Did you actually think we’d let a waste of space like you participate in the Chief Omega contest? What a joke! As if a worthless piece of shit like you could be Chief of anything!”

She shoves my shoulder hard, making me stumble. Before I can catch my balance, she cocks her arm back and punches me in the nose. I hear a sickening crunch and my head spins from the impact, blood pouring from my nostrils and running down my chin.

I fall backward, losing my balance and smacking my head on the concrete. Before my vision clears, another blow lands in my gut, knocking the air from my lungs.

They take turns kicking me over and over again. One of their feet connects with my ribs and I hear it crack at the same moment a white-hot stabbing pain sears through me.

Dark spots dance before my eyes, consciousness quickly slipping away as I struggle to suck in enough oxygen. Their voices become muffled as my hearing tunnels out until there’s nothing but blissfully silent darkness.

“Don’t touch me!” I scream, coming to with a start and scooting away from the cool hands touching me.

“Shh! It’s okay, sweetling. It’s just me.” The deep tenor of my handsome stranger’s voice instantly soothes me. “Hold still so I can finish cleaning your wounds.”

As the fear-induced adrenaline dwindles away, the pain of my injuries comes roaring back. I suck in a sharp breath as my broken rib sends a fiery jolt up my side. It's quickly followed by the sting of whatever he’s dabbing on the cut above my brow.

“How did I get here?” I look around, noticing I’m on the cot he’s claimed as his own all week.

“I was out for a walk when I saw a group of she-wolves tossing your unconscious body across the border. Don’t worry!” He holds up his hand to silence me when I open my mouth to scold him. “They didn’t see me. But lucky for you, I saw them.”

He lifts my shirt to reveal an already blackening bruise over my rib cage. He tears a strip from my sheet and wraps it tightly around my ribs. It's excruciating but after the initial pain subsides, I can actually breathe a bit easier.

“Oh no! The Chief Omega selection! What time is it?” I blurt out, remembering suddenly.

“You’re in no shape to participate in some demeaning contest for that idiot Alpha’s entertainment.” He growls. “If the Alpha’s pup needs some showy contest to make a decision instead of taking into account how hard you work everyday, he deserves whatever useless bimbo he gets stuck with!”

“This is important to me. It could change my life.” I pout. “I would be respected, not just the pack outcast.”

His eyes soften as he listens and understanding colors his features. “You’d better hurry then.”

I flash him a brilliant smile and slide off the cot, wincing at the ache that rockets through. Pulling myself together. I head back to the packhouse as quickly as my injured body will tolerate. I’m late of course, but the look on Daphne’s face when she sees me walk in is worth it.

“Sage! What on earth happened to you?” Cassius demands. Daphne narrows her eyes at me, promising a world of hurt if I dare tell the truth but there is no room in my head for her when Cassius is waiting for an answer.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” I lock eyes with him, ignoring the whispers around me. “I wanted to participate in the contest but I-, I had an accident.”

He crosses the room to me and examines the damage to my face and limbs, clucking his tongue and shaking his head.

“There’s not enough time to let you complete all the tasks and it wouldn't be fair to choose you over those who did. Besides, you seem too accident prone for someone in such an important position.” My face falls at his pronouncement. “But . . .”

He tips my chin so I’m looking up at him. “I’ve noticed your talent in the kitchen, your desserts are delicious. How would you like to be our new head pastry chef?”

“Really? Thank you!” I stretch up on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek before I can think better of it.

I hear someone snarl and my cheeks burn with embarrassment but Cassius’ wolfish grin is back. “You’re welcome, little bird.”

As soon as I can, I head home, anxious to tell my new friend the amazing news. I burst through the door and the words come spilling out, my excitement bubbling over. I thought he would be happy for me but he levels me with a frown instead.

“Doesn’t that seem odd to you? Why would the Alpha’s son do something so nice for the pack outcast?”

I flinch at the demeaning tone in his words but ignore the hurt and decide for once to stand up for myself. “I have worth! Just because you and the rest of this pack can’t see it, doesn’t mean he can’t!” I snap haughtily.

A frustrated growl rumbles in his chest. “I’m just warning you to be careful. Alpha’s are known to use omegas then toss them away. Don’t let him flatter you right into his bed.”

If my cheeks were red before, they’re flaming now! But I’m as furious as I am humiliated. “Maybe you’re the one who should be careful! I told you not to walk around outside. You’ll get us both killed!”

I turn on my heel and storm away with all the indignation I feel, heading for the only room in this house with a door, the bathroom, and slamming it in his stupid face!

Sage

“Sage! Please come out, sweetling. It’s important!” I hear my guest call to me through the door.

“Leave me alone!” I bite back.

I’m still mad at him for the disrespectful comments he made earlier. Even if I do go weak in the knees at hearing him call me “sweetling.” Suggesting I’d let Cassius or any Alpha use me as a sex toy was a step too far.

I may be inexperienced, but I read romance novels. I know what a “fuckboy” is, and it’s not Cassius. Implying I’m too stupid to know the difference is just insulting!

“Please!” He’s scratching at the door now and his voice is closer, his tone pleading. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. It wasn’t my intention. But we really need to talk.”

I crack the door, peeking through the thin strip of space to find him just on the other side of it, staring back at me with those slate eyes, unreadable emotions swirling in them. I sip air in short little gasps. Why does being so close to this man make me feel so . . . warm? I have to fight the urge to fan myself.

“There you are, sweetling.” He murmurs, deep and rumbly, and I feel it in my core. But his next words douse the building fire. “I think we might have a problem.

“I heard a noise outside so I looked out the window. I only saw her back but someone with long black hair was running into the woods. I think she may have heard us talking or even seen me. I could be wrong, but the woman's clothes were nicer than anything the wolves in this area are wearing. I can’t think of a reason anyone from the inner circle would come this far out if they weren’t looking for something specific.”

“Oh no! If she tells someone, they’ll come for us. No one can find you here!” I pace the room, my voice rising as I speak. “What do we do?”

“Hurry back to the packhouse and pretend like nothing happened. Just go back to work as you normally would” He suggests. “Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself.”

“Okay! I’ll go now!” I say, already heading for the door.

But he grabs my wrist and pulls me back so hard I smack into him, bouncing off his chest. “Stay safe, sweetling.” He cautions, looking in my eyes as he kisses the back of my hand.

He seems to come back to himself, dropping my hand like it burned him. I don’t have time to think about why that might be, dashing out the door to begin my mission.

I’m almost to the packhouse when sirens blare all around me. Uniformed warriors storm into the yard and fan out everywhere. I duck behind a tree, listening to their general barking orders.

“Rogues have breached the border! I want everyone on alert. Try to bring them in alive!”

I whirl around in a panic, heading back the way I came while dodging the guards who seem to be everywhere. People are pouring from their homes with their weapons poised, the whole pack on high-alert. My body aches and I’m out of breath, but I don’t stop.

I can’t let them catch my new friend. For both our sakes.

Alaric

“What’s going on?” I jump to my feet when my little savior bursts through the door.

Some of her wounds are bleeding, the scabs torn open. She’s only just starting to heal and obviously pushed herself beyond the limits her wounded body could handle.

“Rogues!” She spits out between ragged breaths. “They’ve breached the border. The guards are combing every inch of Blackthorn land, hunting the intruders. You have to go before they find you here!

“Please! If they find you here, you’ll be killed. I would die if anything happened to you. You’re my first real friend and I can’t lose you!”

She flings herself into my arms and I rub her back awkwardly, doing my best to soothe her. I’m not the least bit scared of what this pack’s Alpha or his guards might try to do to me. But I’m also not ready to reveal who I am or why I’m here, so it’s best I go before that becomes a necessity.

But for some reason, the idea of leaving her behind doesn’t sit right with me. An Alpha is meant to care for his pack, no matter who they are. And this Alpha is clearly doing a shit job of that.

She clings to me so I hug her tighter, careful not to crush her broken ribs, hoping it’s comforting enough that she’ll be willing to let go. Instead, her little fists twist into my shirt and she sobs into my chest. It melts the ice around my stone-cold heart the tiniest bit.

I don't understand why I’m so drawn to her, so reluctant to leave, but I know I have to. “You’ll be alright, sweetling.” I reassure her. “Be careful. Keep yourself safe, okay?”

“I’ll try.” She agrees, leaning away to give me a shy smile. Then her nostrils flare and her smile fades, “Do you smell that? What is that? It almost smells . . . electric, like the electricity in the air before a thunderstorm.”

Shit! I don’t even realize I’ve let my aura slip out until her eyes glaze over, her expression a little dazed. It would be overpowering for a young omega like her, especially one without a wolf. I reel it back in before she gets too overwhelmed.

I let her go and step away. I don't know why I lost control, but I can’t risk it happening again. “I don’t smell anything.” I lie, then send her away. “You better go now, back to the packhouse where it’s safe. If there are rogues wandering these woods, you shouldn’t be out here alone.”

She hesitates for a minute, then finally agrees with a reluctant nod. I stand there watching as she walks away, wondering what it is about the tiny girl with the delicate features and strange, violet eyes that calls to me the way she does. My emotions are locked down tight. I never lose control, but I did today, with her.

Shaking off the concern those thoughts bring, I head back inside. In the end, it doesn’t matter. I’ll probably never see her again. Grabbing what remains of my tattered jacket, I head back across the Blackthorn border, towards home.