4: Alpha Card

CARLOS

I should have known. And I feel like an idiot, for not suspecting this would happen after his ridiculous request, to help him disappear just the other day. I gripped a fist of my hair, pulling on it hard, as my wolf howled in sadness. I shuddered to think what would have happened, had I been a minute late. They would have probably disappeared into the darkness and never to be seen again. That thought brought with it immense anger, which I couldn't explain. I suddenly felt like I needed to hit something. Someone more preferably. “Explain yourself!” I bellowed, thinning my lips. Cameron didn't seem fazed by my outburst. In fact, he marveled at my audacity, if his statement that followed is anything to go by.

“What gives you the right to sprout that jilted lover glare?” He yelled, surprising me and his sister, but not as much as he surprised himself as I observed. I gritted my teeth, narrowed my eyes, and swallowed hard. There was so much I wanted to say and ask, but with his sister by his side, I was forced to do what anyone in my position would. I used my title to threaten them.

“Why do you care?” Cam spat, his eyes flashing gold for a sec, showing just how angry he was.

Before I could formulate a response, he added angrily.

“Go ahead, have them burn us at the stake, for all I care. Perhaps it will be a better fate than living as your slaves.” I fought hard to reign in my temper, but it was proving difficult. The Omega was pushing all the wrong buttons.

“You will go back to your room and I will pretend this little fiasco didn't happen.” I barked, taking a domineering step towards them. Of course, as Omegas, they had no other option but to cower in the presence of a stronger wolf. I deliberately deepen my voice for effect. I could seriously hurt them if I wanted to. And I reminded them just that, before adding, “whatever enduring you think you have done will be nothing, compared to the hell I will put you through if I catch you trying to escape again.” Cameron turned abruptly and headed back to their room without a word, but his feisty sister had something to say. Her murderous eyes zeroed on my face, “he might be too oblivious to see, but I know you want him.” She muttered gravely. “And though you think so highly of yourself, you don't deserve him. My brother is too precious for the likes of you.” I didn't get a word out, before she, too, turned and left, slamming the door behind her.

I could try to deny it, but Juliet was right. I didn't deserve Cameron. And my wolf kept screaming the same. I clenched my fist and marched back to my room, where I slumped on the bed, muttering profanity under my breath. No one seemed to understand my standpoint. Not even my damn wolf. I have no issues accepting Cameron as my mate. After all, I am gay, closeted, but nonetheless gay. It is what he represents that worries me. An Omega has nothing to bring to the table but damn problems. How can he be a Luna for my people, if they can't even stand his presence? Not to mention the fact that mating him would be putting an end to my bloodline. Unless, of course, he is willing to let me step out of our mating, and I doubt he would allow that. And even if I can overlook all that, never in the history of our people has an Alpha ever taken a male for a mate. Up until recently, same-sex mating was frowned upon. Fought against even. But times are changing. Though I doubt it will change fast enough to allow me to mate Cameron.

At times like these, is when I need my father. I regret not telling him this morning that I had found my mate. I'm sure he would have thought of something that could work for both myself and Cameron. He seemed to have all his shit figured out. Hell, he was able to convince my mother to let him step out of their mating, just to sire another child, after their numerous miscarriages. And he never lost her respect. Not once.

I stood abruptly and walked towards the window, pocketing my shaky hands, and just stared at nothingness. If today has taught me anything, it is how fragile life really is. This morning, I woke up with a very healthy father. And in a matter of minutes, he was ripped away from me. What if it had happened to Cameron? I couldn't help but think. It would have meant a lifetime of loneliness for my wolf and me.

'We need our mate, he will make us stronger.' My wolf argued in my head. To some extent, he was right. A mate's bond is a great source of strength.

'But it will threaten our position.' I argued. Everyone expects me to get a dominant she-wolf to rule beside me and breed a strong next-generation Alpha. And werewolves are not known for settling for less. A potential war could break, with many coming after my throne. Both internal and external. And the chances of losing are great because I would have to fight for two. If only Cam could have been a stronger wolf, then perhaps we would have a chance. Unlike popular beliefs, an Alpha isn't some macho-untouchable being. It's our pack's support that strengthens us. And their trust that we will keep them safe is what makes them respect us. But if they suspect that their safety is threatened even for a second, no one can tell the kind of chaos that would erupt.

I realized I wasn't going to get any sleep, so I did what I do best. I grabbed my sketch pad and began drawing my imaginary world. The one where Cameron and I would be together and happily ever after.