"I don't think-" Before I could say anything more, a scene interrupts the ENTIRE party as a trio enters. The two heirs : Rainer and Ander - and behind them a female that I have never seen before. She was beautiful, but something about her made me uncomfortable.
"Rainer!" Screams Evette in a happy tone, running up to greet him. Circe and Soren were not far behind her. "You came!" Rainer gives her a smile. "Of course, Eve. We had to celebrate our return."
"Who is that behind you, Rainer?" Evette says, her tone clearly unhappy.
Rainer raises a brow at her hostility, but moves to bring the woman forward. "This is our friend, Juniper." "Friend? Not mate..." Evette says in a curious manner. "Yes friend, silly."
"Sister please." Ander groans, not enjoying her jealousy. "Juniper is our friend. And she is now part of our pack. We rescued her. It's a...long story."
"And not for here. Later." Rainer responds then looks to his sister. "Hello Circe, beautiful as ever." "Hello Brother, annoying as ever." She responds, moving to give him a hug.
"Now let's get back to the festivities!" Rainer says loudly, looking out at the audience they have created. "Please everyone, enjoy the night!"
I stare at Juniper as she hides behind Rainer a moment longer before looking at Rhory. "Is it just me?"
Rhory looks a bit on edge, I move to place my hand on his forearm. "Rhory?"
He snaps out of it, looking at me with a smile. "Sorry. That was strange..." He says nervously, rubbing the back of his neck before whispering. "My wolf doesn't seem to like her..."
Vesper has been awfully quiet. Hello voice in my head can you hear me? 'Strange.' Vesper finally responds, but doesn't give me anything else.
"Mine seems confused." I whisper back to Rhory.
"Would you like to dance?" Rhory looks at me, pushing past what just happened and refocusing on his 'desired'.
"Dance? I uh - I am not very good at that." I give him back a honest response, unsure if I'd be any good.
"It's nothing fancy, just fun. We can look silly together." His smile gives me confidence and I take his hand to be led to dance before the fire.
We dance and twirl in a playful manner, not really caring if it was good enough. He seems sweet - different from what I thought just seeing him in the forest. I can't take my eyes off his smile. Every now and again he catches me staring, clearly enjoying the attention.
'Ask him to date!' Vesper whines at me, wanting to spend more time with him. 'We are free tomorrow!'
We both go to speak at the same time, but I allow him to go first. "Would you like to...hang out again with me?" Rhory blushes, looking at me in a hopeful manner.
"Yes!" I almost scream, catching myself and quickly covering my mouth. I remove my hands and whisper softly. "Yes. I have tomorrow off..."
"Great!" Rhory looks happy with himself, but then pauses and looks at something behind me. His face looks...concerning.
"Hello little mouse." My heart rate goes up as I hear Soren behind me - what the fuck does he want?!
I slowly turn around, looking at the Gamme with a polite smile. "Hello Gamma Soren."
Rhory is quiet for now, but I can feel a soft growl come from him. That makes Vesper happy.
"Having fun, Little mouse? I saw you were enjoying yourself dancing." Soren smirks, looking at me and seeming to ignore Rhory.
"I am having a lot of fun, Gamma Soren." I keep a polite smile, looking around for a moment. "Aren't you supposed to be with Circe?"
"Trying to get rid of me, little Mouse? That isn't polite. I was hoping to have the next dance with you?" He says in a teasing tone, still not paying any attention to Rhory.
"I am sorry, Gamma Soren. I am not a very good dancer and-" I am cut off by Rhory. "And she is currently enjoying my company. I find it rude for you to interrupt us, Gamma. You should be watching your change, not toying with the omegas." He seems to not want to put up with Soren's bullshit as much as I do.
'He senses you are uncomfortable.' Vesper says, purring at the display that Rhory is giving. 'Lean into him. Show him you like it!'I do as Vesper says, leaning on Rhory a bit so he can possessively wrap an arm around me. "Now if you excuse us." Rhory says calmly before dipping his head respectfully at the Gamma.
"Of course. I am sorry for the interruption...little mouse." Soren gives me a wink as Rhory pulls me away.
"What the fuck is wrong with that prick?" Rhory grumbles as we get a safe distance away. "He should be focused on Circe not getting his dick-" He stops, clearly not wanting to say the rest in front of me.
"It's okay, Rhory. I understand he was likely...flirting with ill intentions. Thank you for protecting me." I give him a big smile, still shaking a bit from the predator before.
"He likes stealing other males..." Rhory looks out at Soren in the distance, then down at me and his look softens. "Let's talk about something else."
The mood has been ruined, but perhaps I can turn things around again. "Want to go for a run?"
Rhory smiles, but then it is quickly replaced with worry as his eyes glaze over a bit. Someone must be thinking of linking with him, but then I look around and quite a few people have the same expression.Rainer raises his voice, giving orders. "Omegas and others head quickly back to the dorms. Warriors with me, it seems rogues are at our borders!"
I reach out to Rhory, him looking at me with an apologetic smile. "Rain check? You get yourself and the others back to the dorms. Stay in a group and on the path. Don't worry, everything is going to be okay."
'Mmmmmmm.' Vesper purrs. 'I like this side of him too. Give me orders.'
I roll my eyes internally at my wolf, and give Rhory a nod - but before he can slip from me, I lean up to press a kiss to his cheek. "Be careful."
He is caught off guard by me for a moment, blinking as he just looks at me with a silly smirk. "Of course, Alesi. I'll come see you tomorrow, promise."
And with that he was off, following Rainer and the others towards the threat.
Evette and Cerci gather the omegas and we start making our way to the dorms, Juniper trailing slowly behind Cerci like a lost puppy. It seems the girls don't really care to bother with her, but are 'watching her' for their Brother. Gamma Soren is with us too, having to watch Cerci at all costs. He seems extra anxious, given at times like this he would be with Luna.
We make it back to the dorms alright, and the trio with Soren head to the packhouse next.
Bre was quiet till we got to our rooms, then she would not shut up the rest of the night about her new boyfriend. She is hoping they can be mates, but they will have to wait and see if the Goddess approves at the mating ceremony.
The next day the pack was quiet, but everything seemed to have gone back to normal. It was my day off, and Rhory said he'd come see me at some point - but when? I might as well go for a walk, stretch my legs. There is a path in the woods that leads to a waterfall. I'll go there. I toss on something comfortable and head out, leaving Bre snoring comfortably in her bed. I toy with my mother's rose pendant as I walk down and out the dorms, heading outside to be greeted by the crisp fall wind. I love this time of the year, comfy sweaters are my favorite. Heading towards the path, I quickly realize I am not alone - running into Juniper seemingly lost and by herself. "Oh, hello - I uh." Juniper fidgets, looking from me to the woods. "Lost?" I give her a polite smile. "Where are you trying to get to?" 'Be cautious with her. She smells strange.' Vesper growls, clearly agitated by the new female. "Yes-no? I mean...Circe told me Rainer was out here waiting for me." Juniper relaxes a bit, loo
I keep walking down the path towards the waterfall, mind wandering all over the place of the rumors of the 'cultists' and the insane rules they follow. A fated mate was one of them, a person made just for you chosen by the Goddess herself - someone that you just love. You are forced to be with this person. Doesn't matter if you are actually compatible. There are pulls to others, in a way - but not that extreme. A male that is suitable for breeding smells nice, but dating seals the deal.It said these 'matings' are made by the goddess, but I remember some omegas talking about how it was a witches spell that is used by a false Goddess to manipulate those in the packs to behave accordingly. Just magic - nothing celestial. I'd never want to just be stuck with a person I didn't know, or hated. That sounds gross.Arriving at the waterfall, it is quiet. There is a bench to sit and just listen, sometimes I come out here with a book to read. Vesper alerts, growling. 'Elesi I smell blood.' My
We arrived at the pack hospital, it's not very big, but still a large building. Those in the pack come here for all sorts of care, from dentistry to check ups. I head to the clinic's side, which is similar to a human's EAR. Rhory walks away once I go inside, likely going to change or attend to other business. I really don't know if he is coming inside with me. A nurse approaches me, "Hey there Omega Elesi, my name is Violet. You can call me Vi if you like." She gives me quite the customer service smile, before looking around me curiously. "Didn't you come here with Rhory?" I can feel Vesper growl, clearly picking up that this female likes Rhory. "He escorted me as a wolf...so I don't know where he is now." I say politely. "Hrm." Violet seems disappointed, giving me a bit of a pout. "I was so excited to hear he was coming this way." She shakes her head before she leans close to me to whisper. "I believe he is going to be my mate. I have been trying to seduce that man for a few week
We leave the clinic and there is a bit of silence between us. I am unsure how to act, a bit embarrassed at how I did, but curious of who Violet was to him. Did he date any others? Is he flirting with anyone other than me right now? Jealousy isn't a good look on me at all, but wolves are territorial when they find someone they like. I go to speak, but Rhory catches me off guard. "I am not seeing Violet anymore. I dated her for a bit, but our personalities don't mesh well." He looks uncomfortable, but gives me a gentle smile. "I have been looking for someone for a bit, but haven't really had much luck." Vesper rumbles, clearly thinking of what he is saying. "That is normal to date around..." I shuffle nervously, not really sure if that came out right. "You are just my first." Rhory looks a bit confused, giving me a glance like 'really?' and it makes me so embarrassed. I might be a bit of a pervert, but that is to be expected with wolves - all they want to do half the time is mate wi
The scent is gone. All is quiet - too quiet. I stand up and look around and realize I am outside the boundaries of the territory. Shit. Vesper grumbles. 'We have to get back before something finds us.' She is on alert, heightening her senses for danger. I turn around and start walking back towards the border and that is when I hear the crunching of leaves. Please be a deer. Please be a deer. 'Not a deer.' Vesper growls as she alerts me of something moving to my right. I wing around and try to let out a growl to hopefully scare it off, but am quickly tackled by something. "A werewolf?" A strange voice whispers to me, pinning me behind a tree. "Shhh. SHHHH" He sounds worried, afraid of something. I open my eyes to see a smaller male with some strength hold my mouth closed as he pins me, unable to move much more than a wiggle under him. My eyes shift from his red ones towards the woods, listening. There are many more leaves crunching. His hand is so cold, and his scent is odd. Tho
Tirian had no scent. I now realize this, looking back at the woods behind me as they now bring more fear to my heart. What is going on? As I make my way past a fallen tree I smell someone familiar to me. Vesper growls, not happy with this. 'Juniper.' I spin around and begin searching in a hectic manner, unsure as to why she'd be out here. Is she in trouble? Are the cultists here for her? As I hit the fallen tree I spotted her, Juniper laying nude on the forest floor covered in wounds. Did she get into a fight? Is there something out here? I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I run to her, wishing to check if she was alive. My eyes glaze over, wishing to mind link with Rhory. 'Rhory! I found Juniper injured badly in the woods. Find me. I need help!' I let out a loud howl, hoping to alert any wolves nearby to me needing help. I feel Rhory connect to the link, but not respond. "Juniper? Juniper!" I feel for a pulse, and I think she has one. I might not really like thi
I walk up the stairs of the Omega packhouse quietly, trying to wrap my mind around everything that has happened. I think I am in shock, or perhaps I am dreaming. Everything going on is insane. My Mother is a zombie? Who was that man, Juniper's Brother? Elwood? Why was the Alpha holding her so tightly? How was she healing so fast? 'Don't forget about the vampire.' Vesper chimes in. What is going on? My head is spinning, opening the door to my room and shift, my body again filling with pain as I switch from Vesper to myself. I stand there naked, looking at myself in the mirror. That hurt. 'I wish I could have gone for a run.' Vesper rumbles, clearly upset. 'I don't like that strange man, Elwood. Something about his wolf made my skin crawl...'I should shower first, then get dressed. Running around in the woods has made me feel stinky. I grab a towel and a change of clothes and head over to the showers, planning to be quick so Rhory would not have to wait long for me. The floor was q
I turn to leave, but immediately bump into Beta Ander and stumble. He grabs me, making sure I don't fall down. "There you are, Omega Elesi. I have been looking for you. Rainer and I have some questions for you, please follow me." I want to go back to the dorms and lay down, but it seems fate has another idea in mind. I follow Beta Ander, letting out a sigh, fidgeting as I feel like I am being sent to the principal's office. I kept silent, not really knowing what I could say.Ander leads me to the Alpha quarters, and then the office. The Alpha and Luna are absent, but Rainer is standing there lost in thought. "Rainer?" The Beta speaks up, aiming to pull his friend's attention. "I have brought her." Rainer looks up at me, then stands quickly. "What happened out there?!" Ander puts himself between Rainer and myself, protecting me from his outburst. "Get yourself together, Rainer. Your parents put you in charge of figuring this all out as a test. Do not disappoint them with anger towa