What Next?

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 eyes widen, looking around as I begin to walk slowly - listening to my surroundings. Blood? There was an attack last night or something. Perhaps an enemy got behind our lines? That couldn't happen. 

'Over there. Behind those trees!' Vesper growls, pushing me to investigate. 

I gulp, unsure of this before I tiptoe to look behind the large tree. The sight causes me to wretch, turning to release my stomach onto the roots. I have to signal an alarm. I have to call someone. 

'Mind link, Elsei. You were just with the Beta.' Vesper is on edge, pushing to the surface in case I must shift. 

My eyes glaze over as I push on the link, aiming to find Beta Ander. We had just been in contact, so it should not be too hard. "Beta Ander. It is called Omega Elesi. There is a body at the waterfall." I know it reacted to him, but he isn't responding. 

The body at the base of the tree looks like a man, or what is left of one. I can't tell who he is behind all the blood. I check to see if he was even alive, but his skin is cold to the touch. My skin is crawling, both fear and anger in my heart as I can't understand who could have done this. 

It doesn't take long for the sound of howls approaching me, a few wolves sent ahead to be quick. I responded on my own, alerting them that I was here. I didn't want them to come in with fangs barred. 

A dark brown wolf breaks the tree line first and heads straight to me, circling me before taking a defensive position beside me. Two more enter, both of these gray, moving to the body and letting out a soft whimper. Finally Beta Ander comes walking forward, a clear pissed off look on his face.

"Omega Elesi." Anders approaches me, looking me over. "Are you hurt?" 

"No. I just found the body. I was just out for a walk." I respond to him politely, looking rather sullen. "Is he one of ours?" 

He frowns, then moves over to inspect the body on the other side of the tree - growling. "Get the body back to the hospital - quietly." The two gray wolves nod at Ander, waiting for another warrior in human form to appear and move the body. 

"Omega Elesi. I need you to stay quiet about this too. We don't need everyone panicking." Anders tells me, giving it as an order. 

"Of course, Beta Ander." I really don't want to tell anyone about this. The thought of someone being dead on pack territory is not something that happens often. 

"Rhory here will escort you to the hospital to make sure you are okay. You touched the body?" Ander asks in a concerned manner. 

"I did to see if he was alive..." Was that wrong of me? Now I am even more scared than before. Also did he just say Rhory?

'I smelled him the moment he broke the tree line.' Vesper chuckles, clearly enjoying that I did not.

"To the hospital then." Anders gives the order to Rhory before turning to leave - quickly. 

"Rhory?" I look down at the brown wolf, giving him an uneasy smile. "Ready?"

Rhory rumbles and moves to push me a bit, leading me to the hospital.