CHAPTER 3: FAREWELL

For a moment, they stood there staring at each other, taking everything in. 

Gavin’s eyes trailed from the man’s eyes to his features. What was his name, Ainar? Alpha Ainar?

Ainar has a darker shade of hair, the darkest he’s seen among the members of his pack present. The alpha has a small nose and pretty pink lips. He’s lean, his build big but still slightly smaller than the rest. He wouldn’t think the guy is the alpha if not for his eyes glinting gold right now.

The moment was broken when he breathed in and smelled the mixed scents of everyone present. Some are in disbelief, irritation, and the most potent is anger. He looked around and saw everyone staring at them. He tried not to cough as their scents invade his nostrils.

“This doesn’t make sense,” one omega said loudly, gaining the attention of everyone there. Ainar, though, kept his gaze firmly at him. He’s starting to feel conscious, feeling small under the piercing gaze.

“What doesn’t?” a deep voice replied. He looked up to see who it was, a man beside the pack alpha, he assumed it’s their delta.

“He’s a freak! Why would he choose him?”

He ducked his head at that. They are right, the alpha is making a huge mistake.

A loud growl coming from deep within Alpha Ainar’s chest erupted but he kept unmoving. The Moon Valley’s pack alpha stepped forward.

“Pack Alpha Desmond, what is this?” the pack alpha called out.

Desmond sighed and remained silent. Of course, he would not bother to defend him, he’s the leader of his abuse after all.

The pack alpha turned to look at him, Gavin bowed his head lower.

“What is your name, pup?” he asked, his deep voice echoing.

Gavin doesn’t really want to answer, too scared. But it would be too disrespectful to the pack alpha. He raised his head a bit, but made a note to still not meet his eyes.

“Omega Gavin of the Midnight Pack,” he replied with a small,  shaky voice.

“Well then, Omega Gavin, do you accept my son’s intention? You are to be his intended if you agree.”

His breath hitched at that. What?

He roamed his eyes around; he can see his peers angrily looking at him. Some of the elderlies and their pack elders are glaring at him too. Why are they angry at him? Should he reject it? Will that make them happy?

“Pup,” he snapped his head to the direction of the voice, it’s the pack alpha again.

“You are to leave with us by sunrise. That is  if you accept. If not, then…”

He trailed off.

Did Gavin hear that right? Will he be leaving with them? He’ll be leaving his pack? He’ll be away from their abuse? He’ll be…

free?

He can still feel their glares directed at him.

The cogs in his head are turning. A bigger part of his brain is screaming at him to reject, a trauma response as he knows rejecting would save him from the wrath of his pack mates. But a small voice in his head is whispering for him to accept, to go, to run away, for his freedom. Maybe rejecting it would make their anger less. But that would not guarantee safety.

He pushed his lips into a thin line. The murmurs of protests are getting louder. Ainar is still unmoving in front of him, save for the impatient twitching of his hand. The alpha is still postured, back rigid, and nostrils flaring as he took in Gavin’s scent.

Gavin inhaled a deep breath and closed his eyes; he had made his decision.

He slowly looked up, looking the Moon Valley’s pack alpha straight in the eyes. When their eyes met, the alpha raised his hand, effectively silencing everyone in the crowd. Gavin pursed his lips at the sharp silence. It’s crawling at his skin, making almost every hair in his body stand up一making him want to recoil, but he stood his ground. No more.

He’s really doing this, huh? Gavin wants to pat his back, you’re getting brave.

He sighed before meeting Alpha Ainar’s eyes next.

For freedom.

“I accept.”

--

He doesn’t remember much of what happened next. But he remembers Ainar bowing in front of him, a sign of gratitude for accepting his intention.

He remembers his pack’s unwithering一which only became angrier一glares. Their scents were all sour in distaste as they looked at him. He remembers them walking away, silently, with disapproving and hateful downturn of their lips, who were still mouthing at silent sneers.

But he also remembers Ainar’s growl when someone tried to push him off. He remembers everyone stopping on their tracks, stiffening up at the warning growl from the alpha. He remembers his deep voice when he spoke.

“I dare you to hurt my intended one more time,” the alpha said darkly, eyes fixed on him.

Lalaine, a beta who was the one who pushed him, bowed her head in shame but still sent him a glare as she scrambled to walk away.

Ainar slowly walked towards him, and Gavin stiffened.

“Can I touch you?” Gavin’s brows furrowed at the question. Why is he asking for permission? He’s an alpha, isn’t he? So why is his, an omega’s opinion, needed? Don’t they just take what they think is theirs?

He nodded, albeit still confused. Ainar then proceeded to wrap his fingers around his left wrist, gently dragging him away.

They reached the more secluded part of pack grounds. He looked around, nervous. What is going to happen to him now?

“Relax,” Ainar said, smelling his clear distress. His voice was calm, but that didn’t make Gavin relax even for a bit. He’s alone with an alpha, a man so much stronger and powerful than he ever will be. He has the right to be nervous.

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

How can he be so sure of that?

If he saw the distrust in his face, he didn't mention it. He let go of his wrist. Gavin was quick to put it behind his back.

He wants to be clear. Just because he agreed to be his mate doesn’t mean he trusts him. His omega might have recognized him as a potential mate too, but he still doesn’t trust him. Gavin agreed because it’s freedom for him. An opportunity he can’t pass up on.

“I understand the distrust,” the alpha started, making him flinch.

“But rest assured that I will do nothing to intentionally harm you.”

He kept his head low.

He heard the alpha’s deep sigh in front of him. Resigned, but still understanding.

“We leave by sunrise. Prepare all the things you need to bring. We will meet with you at the border of your territory.”

And just like that, the alpha left.

--

Gavin stared around his small shack. He already has all the things he needed to bring, not that he owes much anyway. He thought, although the shack was fairly small and barely sheltered him from extreme weather, he would still miss it. It has become his home for his whole life, after all.

He moved to get out. It’s a few hours before sunrise but he thinks it's best if he leaves early. He quietly walked to the borders of their territory. He savored the silence, it’s a rare reoccurrence, especially for someone like him whose whole life has been full of chaos, so he treasures it. He closed his eyes as the early morning breeze gently grazed his face. Despite the darkness of the memories he has here, he thinks he will miss the place.

When he reached the borders, he was surprised to find the Moon Valley pack already there. They’re all standing, obviously waiting for him, they seem to be having an argument though.

“I still do not understand why you chose an omega!” he heard someone hiss. It was relatively quiet, but still loud in the silence of the early morning.

“I do not need your understanding,” a voice replied calmly. He’s sure it’s Ainar just from the voice.

“Why you—”

“Enough,” a commanding voice stopped them. Undoubtingly, the pack alpha.

Great. The pack he thought would be his escape seems to not like him too. He desperately hopes it’s not as bad as his current pack.

He approached them quietly.

Ainar was the first one to sense him, which makes sense since his senses are more heightened for him who is a potential mate.

“Good morning,” the alpha greeted.

He muttered a reply, fiddling with the sack of his belongings.

“Shall we wait for your pack members?” the pack alpha asked.

He shook his head in answer. “They won’t come.”

Which is the truth. After the shitshow last night, their death glares and clear disapproval. They did not even celebrate, the packs are supposed to have feasts when someone finds a mate, but they didn’t. That alone is already a hint. They wouldn’t want to see the omega who stole their opportunity from them.

Will they miss him? 

He thinks the question is silly, but he also thinks that maybe they will. They won’t have someone to beat up as a hobby anymore. He laughs bitterly at the thought.

They all look shocked at his reply but did not say anything.

“We will shift to make the journey easier. It would take us three days to return.”

Oh.

There was a pregnant silence that stretched for a moment, before Gavin surrendered to his verdict.

“I can’t shift,” he whispered. It was met with silence.

He heard a snort.

“Wow. You did not only choose an omega as a mate, but an omega who can’t shift too. Unbelievable.”

He bowed his head further at that, making himself look smaller again to avoid their gazes. He knows. It’s embarrassing, his pack mates have always told him that. He’d been insulted just for that all his life. An embarrassment of a shifter who can’t even embrace his wolf form. He thought he had already gotten used to it. But he’s realizing now that it still hurts. Especially coming from different people.

To his account, he really tried. He did everything he could to prove them wrong. To prove that he can shift, but no, it never happened even after he presented. He had to live his whole life enduring their sharp words, shaming him for not being able to shift一the literal basic of being a shifter.

His distress must have shown in his scent as someone growled.

“Quiet,” he heard Ainar hissed before looking at him. He could not see his expression as he had his head hung low.

“That’s fine, you can just ride on my back.”

He heard someone scoff again. He raised his head in shock to look at the alpha. He met his dark eyes; his gaze was unfamiliar to him. It’s…understanding?

Not able to carry the weight of his gaze, Gavin once again averted his own.

He doesn’t get it. Is it really? He’s not used to that. They should be laughing at him, saying mean words and even pushing him around. He’s a disgrace! Isn’t he? But why does he look at him like—

Gavin shook his thoughts away. Pity. He’s pretty sure that it was nothing but pity that he saw. There’s no way someone would take their precious time, especially an alpha, to understand an omega.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw them shedding their clothing. He stared at his toes. Nudity is not something werewolves are ashamed of. They are shifters, they’re animals. It’s not a foreign concept but he still wants to give them privacy.

His eyes remained on his own feet as he heard the eerie sound of their bones snapping as their shifting took place. After a moment, he heard a gentle padding of paws against the grassy ground. He looked up and he was just sure that the wolf in front of him was Ainar. It’s the eyes, his mind supplies. Deep charcoal compared to the gray that  the other wolves possessed. 

His wolf form was huge, even bigger than the wolves in his pack. They all are, actually. His head was bigger than Gavin’s torso, he’s sure his paws can crush him. He was even taller than him!

Fascinated by the beautiful beast in front of him, his right hand unconsciously let go of the sack he was holding to reach out and touch the wolf’s fur. Ainar closed his eyes, letting out a deep rumble from his chest. Gavin melted at the sound, touching him more firmly. They stayed like that, Gavin caressing him.

When the first ray of sunlight peaked beyond the horizon, Ainar opened his eyes. Gavin stopped touching him, dropping his hand uselessly down to his side.

Ainar pulled away and walked back only to lie low on his stomach, signaling for him to get on.

Gavin looked at the other wolves watching them. He has never tried riding on a wolf’s back before. He never thought he’ll ever need to, he’s a wolf too after all!

He hesitantly approached him, clumsily getting on his back. When he was settled, Ainar slowly stood up, Gavin let out a quiet gasp.

Ainar turned his head to look at him, he only caressed his fur again. When he realized that by doing so, he’s leaving his scent on him, he immediately stopped. But it’s too late for that now, isn’t it?

The biggest wolf, with elegant looking silver fur, stood upfront. It’s obviously the Pack Alpha. The wolves positioned. Ainar walked to stand behind the Pack alpha. The silver wolf looked at all them, eyes lingering on Gavin before howling, and the other wolves followed. 

Gavin’s heart pounded hard in his chest. The howling of the wolves already made him feel some type of way. He felt envious though. He wonders what his wolf would look like, if he really had one. Will he be this beautiful?

The wolves slowly walk, crossing out of the Midnight Pack territory. Gavin looked back, watching the place he grew up in slowly being bathed in sunlight. His heart ached but for a different reason.

Twisting his body back and holding his head up high一even just for a while he holds it high.

For the freedom he had been longing for. Gavin sighed.

Farewell.