Part 2

/Axel POV/

"For the last time, I am not interested, mother!" I sullenly said, wiping the corners of my lips, a frown starting to take over. The grip on my napkin tightened when I noticed the former Luna twist her lips.

As expected, she did not take it well, abruptly standing up from her seat. I swallowed loudly, the vein in my head ticking, when I saw her plate. My mother hadn't bothered to take a bite of the roasted potatoes and steak or anything else for that matter.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, a hand slapping over her lips while turning on her feet. I cursed under my breath.

"Mom! Please!"

"Please, what?!" She hiccuped, a tear sliding down her cheeks as she glared at me. "Do my words mean anything to you anymore? I have been trying to tell you from last year, Axel!"

Her voice softened as she took a step in my direction, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. I sagged against the chair, a breath whooshing out of my chest. My grip on the napkin loosened, slowly falling in my lap.

"It's been three years, honey."

Something twisted in my chest at the harsh reminder. My wife passed away three years ago, leaving a gaping hole in my chest that will never be filled. It has been a trying time ever since for my family as well as the pack.

"You may not like to hear it, but I am getting old, and I don't want to spend my afternoons doing the Luna duties."

Guilt swarmed my belly at the tired lines marring her face. With no Luna to take over, my mother had to fulfil the responsibilities and manage the pack members. My mother enjoyed her time away from the pack when the incident occurred, and she took over. 

"I told you to take weekends off." I lamely said, looking up at her.

"As if that's possible. You know how it gets during the weekends, Axel. I am tired of handling this pack."

"Mom..."

"You gave me your word." She cut me off with a pointed look, her expression unwavering. "Last year...when I asked to go, you told me you'll try this year. Do not back away now."

"Fine!"

"I'm asking this for your sake. The last thing I want is to see my son end up like me. It only gets lonelier as you age and have no one by your side."

I looked away, staring at my feet. The ex-Pack Alpha, my father, passed away as soon as I turned eighteen. She was left with no mate and continued to hold on. Having no other successor, I had to learn all the skills as soon as possible. Those days were difficult for both—my mother and me, but she left my side, ignored the protests of our elders and made me the Pack Alpha.

***

The next day everything was arranged for my departure. As expected, my mother was over the moon, bidding me goodbye with a radiant smile.

I stared up and breathed deeply through my nose to calm myself. The smell of the freshly cut grass, the sound of wind yowling, along with the birds chirping echoed in my ears. It's a trick my mother taught—to focus on what I can hear and smell if I feel too overwhelmed.

"Your horse is ready, my lord." The stable boy informed, his face pink from the chill.

I reached out to pet Williams mane when he bristled, cooing at the horse gently and ensuring he was calm before mounting.

"You ready?" I heard my beta from the left, Liam appearing every bit calm and determined. It helped that he's the second in command and my best friend at the same time.

"Like that matters. Let's go!"

***

It took six long hours to reach our destination. The Palace stood, all bright, brilliant against the sky, its lights emanating from the windows and casting a glow on the massive expanse of its grounds. I grimaced, mouth set in a thin line as I thought of the Alpha King behind the pack. He's something of an evil mastermind—rumoured to have killed his brother and his wife for the throne. No one knows the truth.

"Alpha Axel?" Liam blinked at me, standing in front of the guards, a brow raised towards me.

"Take my horse. My legs feel cramped so I will walk. Do not worry; I know the way in."

"Should I send someone along with you?"

"No. I am fine." I dismounted smoothly from my horse, and the crunch of gravel under my shoes felt solid, grounding.

At the end of the stone way, I noticed it break off into three more roads in varying directions. I twisted my lip and noticed the lack of guards lining them. Just as I stood there, with my arms crossed together, considering a path, my nose caught a sweet scent that had me turning left. I followed it before I could stop to wonder.

It's faint but strong. The smell clung to the walls, more so as I got closer to the open door a few metres into the hallway. I connected the smell, identifying it as jasmine and amber, smoky yet subtly sweet.

I sauntered down the hall, staring up at the ceiling, the cornices almost shimmering silver. I stepped further into the room and down one of the aisles, unconsciously following that scent which grew stronger the more I explored. Turning to the next aisle, with my eyes on the ceiling, I was in awe at the dome-like structure.

"Fuck!" A curse flew out of my mouth as I tripped, barely catching in time on the ledge of the shelves around. Straightening up, I heard a hiss of pain from the floor, letting me know my feet knocked over a person.

"Oh, I am..." I whirled around to help the person when the words died in my throat.

An omega.

I stared unabashedly at the person on the floor now, through a mask of cool nonchalance, my eyes drinking in every piece of her. Blue. Her eyes are the most striking colour of earth and ocean, widened in fear as she stared back. The pink of her lips are parted, glossy and round.

I winced as the pain in my chest intensified, vision getting blurry around the edges. What was this sudden sensation?

The omega sat on the floor against the shelves with a book in her lap like she had been lounging and reading, small hands clutching her ankle that I might have accidentally hurt.

"I'm so sorry, omega," The title slipped out in a way normally meant for mates. What was I thinking? I shook my head, balling my fingers into fists. "You should not be sitting here like this."

"Excuse me?!" Her voice was high, a light rasp like the omega hadn't spoken much. The sound of the book falling off her lap echoed in my ears as she abruptly stood up. She had her arms crossed, raising her head as if in an attempt to tower me. No way it's possible with her shoulders reaching only up to my chest.

I never had a pair of eyes make my heartbeat increase as it did now.

The omega's clothing was thin linen, a thick pearl necklace glimmering in the light but still the neckline of her top remained exposed. At the heaving breath, she took, my eyes flit over her jutted collarbones, the expansion of her neck, and I had to swallow against the rush of saliva in my mouth. The skin was so pale, smooth and unmarked.

“Are you trying to turn this around, mister? You should be the one watching where you are going."

My mouth slacked a bit at the sharp tone of her response while I tried to control my breathing, trying not to let the scent drive me primal. I knew that I should leave, that it would be the best option, but at the same time, the thought of turning around and leaving this omega alone and unprotected with an open collar made my alpha itch with self-aimed anger.

"How dare you talk back to me? Do you know who I am?"

"Why?" She blinked at me with an amused tilt of her lips. "Do you not know who you are? Want me to tell you your identity?"

The unwavering of her voice and an overconfident stance made something shift inside. No one in my pack or outside spoke to me in this manner. Her stupidity and lack of manners were hilarious. She was breathtaking, brighter than the sun as she lifted a dainty hand to cover his mouth.

I could feel my jaw slack a little, rage coiling in my belly.

"Why, you little..."

"Oh, moons!" She cut me off, her eyes falling onto the clock. The omega hastily brushed a hand down her gown, picking the book from the floor. "I have to leave now." Turning to me, she made a sound. "Hope you find yourself soon. Bye!"

I stared at her retreating back in a daze, nostrils filled with her scent and heaviness in my chest disappearing.

***