Chapter Four

Alpha Orion's pov

The elder's council room was filled with the murmurs of former alphas, their voices, a distant buzz in my ears. I could barely hear a word they were saying, though I knew many of them spoke behind my back, calling me names like 'The cursed Alpha', a title earned after the mysterious deaths of my previous mates. My presence here was nothing more than a political obligation, a reminder of my status despite the rumours that followed me.

As I stood there, half-listening to their idle chatter, a sudden, sweet scent caught my nose, unlike anything I had ever encountered. It was intoxicating, compelling me to find its source. Without a word, I stood up, ignoring the curious glances of the elders, and followed the trail of the scent.

The scent led me to the Alpha's Lodge, where a celebration for Ethan's coronation was in full swing. Laughter and the clinking of glasses filled the air, but my focus was on the source of the intoxicating aroma. As I entered the lodge, the scent grew stronger, guiding me to the centre of the room.

I saw her. Anita. Her eyes were downcast, trying to avoid the lecherous gazes of the alphas surrounding her. My blood boiled as I watched Ethan torment her, his cruelty on full display. The sight of her suffering stirred something deep within me, a protective instinct I had long suppressed.

Ethan's voice cut through the din, drawing my attention back to him. "Ah, our favourite omega," he sneered. "Come to join the celebration?"

Anita stepped forward, her eyes still downcasted, trying to avoid the lecherous gazes of the alphas surrounding her. The room fell silent as she approached, and I felt a surge of anger at the spectacle Ethan was creating.

"Strip," Ethan commanded, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.

Before she could react, I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the tension. "That's enough!"

The hall fell silent, all eyes turning to me. Ethan's expression shifted from smug to fearful as he recognized me. "Alpha Orion," he stammered, trying to mask his discomfort. "I was just—"

"Leave her be," I ordered, my tone brooking no argument.

Ethan swallowed hard, nodding. 

As the room returned to its previous state of cautious celebration, I turned my gaze to Anita. Her resemblance to my late wife was uncanny, a cruel trick of fate that stirred something deep within me. She looked up, her eyes wide with fear and confusion, then she proceeded to move but I halted. 

"Stay!" I commanded, my voice softer but still authoritative.

She hesitated, then nodded, her body tense with apprehension. I could see the questions in her eyes, the fear that her fate had just taken a turn for the worse. The other alphas watched with curiosity and unease, their whispers filling the air as I led her out of the hall and into a quieter corridor.

I turned to face her, my expression unreadable as I closed inches between us with my hand on the wall, over her head, "You remind me of someone," I said, my voice low. "Someone I lost."

Her eyes widened further, and she took a step back. "Please, Alpha Orion, I—"

"Quiet!" I interrupted, my tone firm. "You are coming with me."

Her eyes widened with a mixture of fear and resentment, clearly understanding the gravity of her situation. Ethan approached, his greed showing evidently in his eyes.

"Alpha Orion, if you're interested in her, we can make an arrangement," Ethan said, his voice oily.

"How much for the omega?" I asked, my voice low and threatening.

Ethan blinked, taken aback, "For Anita? She's not worth much, really. 1000 gold coins and 100 yards of silk, maybe?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, my gaze piercing through his, "1000 gold coins? You're trying to insult me, Ethan. 200 gold coins and 50 yards of silk."

Ethan's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly masked it with a nervous laugh. "Two hundred? Alpha Orion, surely you—"

"200 gold coins and 50 yards of silk," I repeated, my tone final. "Take it or leave it."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, since the omega isn't worth staying in my pack, let's make it 10 gold coins."

I pulled out 10 gold coins from my pocket and handed it to him. "She's mine now."

Ethan took the money, his hands shaking slightly. "Of course, Alpha Orion."

I turned to Anita, who was visibly trembling. "Follow me," I ordered.

*******

Reaching the pack house, I came down from the carriage while Anita followed behind. Her steps were fast, filled with dread. The pack members, upon seeing me, immediately sensed the change in atmosphere. Some started whispering, with a mix of curiosity and fear at the sight of the omega at my side.

"To the pack house," I commanded without turning back. She obeyed, her silence speaking volumes of her fear. 

Once inside, I led her to a room, the door closing behind us with a thud. 

I turned to face her, my expression hard, "You will serve me now," I said, my voice cold and commanding. "You will be my pet, my slave. Do you understand?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Alpha Orion."

My anger that was long suppressed, began to bubble to the surface. "Do you have any idea what it meant to serve me?" I growled, stepping closer. "You will obey my every command. Failure to do so will result in severe punishment. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Alpha Orion," she repeated, her voice shaking.

The sight of her trembling stirred something dark within me. The memories of my lost mates, the pain of their deaths, and the cruel whispers of the curse increased my anger. I grabbed her by the arm, dragging her to the centre of the room.

"Kneel," I ordered, my voice threatening.

She dropped to her knees, her eyes filled with fear and confusion. My grip tightened as I stared down at her, the resemblance to my deceased wife was more than I could bear. The pain of my past, the ridicule of others, all came crashing down on me.

"You think you can replace her?" I snarled, my rage getting the better of me. "You think you can ease my suffering?"

She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No, Alpha Orion. I don't—"

"Quiet!" I roared, my voice echoing off the walls. "You are nothing but a tool, a means to an end. You will learn to serve and obey. You will learn what it means to be at my mercy."

I released her arm, pushing her away. She fell to the floor, sobbing softly. I let out a sigh and deep heave with effort to control my rage. But that couldn't do anything to the pain inside of me. 

"Get up," I commanded, my voice cold once more.

She struggled to her feet, her body trembling. I watched her, my mind raced with conflicting emotions. The pain of my past and the cruelty of my present collided in a violent storm.

"Follow me," I ordered, leading her out of the room and towards my quarters.

As we entered my private chambers, I closed the door behind us, then I turned to her, my gaze hard and dogged.

"Tonight, you will serve me in a different way," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "Do you understand?"

She nodded hastily, her eyes widening with fear. I walked towards her, my anger giving way to a cruel pathway. 

And as I drew closer, the scent of her, the warmth of her presence, stirred something deep within me. An emotion I had long buried.

I reached out, my hand cupping her cheek. Her skin was soft, her breath quickening. I leaned in, closing the distance between us. The moment our lips were about to touch, I felt my wolf leaping with joy. 

What could this be? 

I snapped off and moved backward, I haven't experienced this before. Even with my past mates, it wasn't like this. 

I've never seen Oin, my wolf rejoicing this way. What exactly is this? 

Could this be my mate?