CHAPTER 5: FEAST

The pack welcomes them, but not exactly happily. They rejoice at the sight of their alpha, happy to finally have him back. But as soon as they smell Gavin, their excitement dampens. They have sent their pack members on a journey, all expectant of the pack alpha’s future mate, high hopes for their pack’s future. But as soon as they return, they see an omega. A mere breeder, who cannot even shift but they don’t know that yet. An omega. Gavin, himself, would be disappointed too.

Some pack members tried to give him a smile, murmuring their welcome. Some just stared at him, almost incredulous. They did not even bother to hide their disbelief. How did Gavin even think that his life would be more peaceful here?

They were ushered to the center of the pack grounds. Before he knows it, he’s sitting on a chair at the left side of the Pack Alpha while Ainar was sent to sit on his right. The seat is obviously meant for an alpha too. The chair is huge, and his toes are barely touching the platform from where it is standing. The elders are all sitting on the array of chairs in front of them. The pack members are standing in front of them behind the elders. They’re still shooting him looks, some curious, some judging. Their murmurs are loud in the circle. Gavin lowered his gaze, focusing on his hands that are busy fiddling on his lap. His breathing is turning erratic, but he shuts everything out, focusing on himself, forcing himself to relax.

“Everyone,” the loud, commanding voice of the Pack Alpha boomed. He is sitting, but the confidence and the dominance in his tone made everyone go quiet, focusing on him.

“Today we celebrate my son, our next Pack Alpha’s future mate. Please welcome, our future Luna. Omega Gavin.”

They clapped their hands, but the strange gazes remained. The Pack Alpha was saying more things but Gavin already tuned it out, his breathing is loud in his ears. He picked on his wrist, blunt nails pinching at the skin. He startled when someone suddenly touched it, prying his hands away. He quickly snatched his hand back, looking at whoever it was. It turned out to be Ainar, who is looking at him with a guilty expression on his face. Gavin pushed his hand on his chest, lowering his gaze.

“I’m sorry,” the alpha started.

“You were hurting yourself.”

Gavin remained quiet. Only then did he realize that the ceremony must have been over. The pack members are slowly walking away, even the elders, but the Pack Alpha remained seated.

“The pack will be preparing for a feast later at night fall. For the meantime, would you like to see your shack? You can clean yourself too, we have traveled for days. I bet you’re itching to change out of your tunic. We will provide you with clothes and the things you need.”

Gavin took a while to process all the alpha had said but he eventually nodded. He carefully got down from his seat. Ainar knew he did not want to be touched so the Alpha settled on walking in front of him. They walked away from the platform, their weights creaking on the wooden floorboards. When they stood at the edge of it, Ainar stopped to call for someone.

“Maya!” he called out. Moments later, a woman came running to them, her faint and almost non-existent scent teased Gavin’s nose—a beta.

“What can I do for you, Ainar?” she asked. Her gaze fell to Gavin who’s standing behind Ainar, head bowed down as usual.

“Lead us to Omega Gavin’s shack please,” Ainar asked.

Gavin’s brows slightly furrowed at that. An alpha, especially of a higher rank, is using the word please while addressing a wolf of a significantly lower rank. The interaction is so strange to him. This pack is showing things far too strange and different from the norms of Gavin’s pack, rendering him confused.

Maya only nodded her head once, gesturing for them to follow her.

They walk past the pack center, where the ceremony was held, and entered a deeper part of the pack grounds. Gavin assumes this is where their housings are built. They walk past numerous shacks. They are built with a safe distance between them, not too close to be uncomfortable but not too far either.

“The living spaces are divided between ranks,” Maya explained as they continued to walk.

“Alphas’ homes are built together, the same goes with other ranks. Mated pairs are on a different side. Omega Gavin will stay on the Omegean side of the pack, obviously.”

They stop in front of a shack; it is elevated from the ground just like all the other shacks, four wooden feet holding it up. A small wooden ladder laid in front of the wooden door. The shack is enough for one person to live in it, but Gavin is still shocked at the size of it. It is so much bigger than the one he had on his pack.

“Tunics and other things we thought you will need are already inside. If Omega thinks he still wishes for more things, please tell us and we will provide it to you immediately,” she said. Her hands made a gesture to the shack.

“Thank you, Maya. I will take it here,” Ainar answered after a beat of silence. Maya only bowed her head, throwing Gavin one last look before she started to walk away.

“This is where you will stay until…” the alpha decided to cut his words.

“Would you like to take a look?”

Gavin stepped forward, climbing the few steps of the ladder before opening the door and entering. If he thinks it was big outside, it was bigger inside. It has so much space. A mattress is pushed on the corner. Beside it is a small low table. There are also woods nailed to the wooden walls, divided to be a storage too. He carefully walked inside, the wooden floor creaking. He removed his sandals, before walking straight to the mattress. A mattress! He never had one. He used to just sleep on hay he piled up. It’s not the most comfortable thing he had slept on, but it does provide warmth especially during the rare cold season.

There are furs piled up at the corner of the mattress, he sat at the edge and ran his hands on it. A small smile of satisfaction grazed his lips at the soft texture of it.

“Do you like it?” Gavin startled at the sound of the alpha’s voice. He almost forgot about him.

He nodded in affirmation, he withdrew his hand back, settling them on his lap.

“I’ll leave you to rest. Are you hungry? I can ask to deliver food,” Ainar offered. Gavin felt for his stomach. They had a small snack of fruits before they got to the pack. He can feel the small pinches of hunger in his stomach, but it’s nothing he cannot endure so he shook his head. He doesn’t want to inconvenience the alpha any longer.

“Okay. You can call anytime you need something. I’ll see you later at moon dine. I hope you rest well,” the alpha took it to himself to carefully close the door. He gave Gavin a smile before completely closing it and finally walking away.

Gavin only relaxed when he can no longer smell the alpha, that means he’s gone. He continued to run his hands on the fur a few more times before realizing that his hands are dirty. He looked around the cabin and saw a basin of water in one of the shelves. He stood up to get it. He dipped his hand in it, checking the temperature. He emitted a happy sound when he felt that it was lukewarm. He also fetched a clean cloth from one of the shelves and began to clean himself.

It’s not long before the water and the cloth turned dirty as he slowly wiped away the grime and dirt of their journey. He made sure to clean himself thoroughly, wiping every part of his body. When he was finished, he stood up to change into clean tunics. Even the tunics here are different. He marveled at the number of tunics piled on the shelves. He only had two before! The fabric is thicker, but still soft. He figured it’s thicker because the cold season is harsher here. They’re residing at the North after all.

Feeling refreshed, his lids suddenly felt heavy. He yawned, still exhausted from the long journey. He carefully arranged himself on the soft mattress, humming in delight at its comfort. He wrapped the furs around his body, almost purring at how soft it felt on his skin. It didn’t take him long to pass out, succumbing into a dreamless slumber.

--

Gavin jolted awake at the first sound of a knock. He might have been tired, but he was still a light-sleeper. A feat he learned to live by to protect himself in his old pack. His heart is racing on his chest, staring frighteningly at the door. For a second, in his still sleep addled mind, he thought he was in his old pack, in his own small shack. But then he felt the mattress beneath him and the furs surrounding him. Realization of where he was slowly kicked in. Gavin sighed.

Another knock resounded from the door, followed by a voice.

“Omega Gavin,” Ainar called out from outside. Gavin sat up straight at the sound of his voice.

“It is nearly moon dine. It is best if we head out now for the feast.”

Moon dine? But it wasn’t even midday yet when he slept. Was he that tired? Did he sleep that long?

“Omega Gavin?”

Gavin came back to his senses at the call. He quickly got up, trying to straighten his tunic. He worked to get the evidence of sleep out of his appearance. Even going as far as combing his hair using his fingers. He winced when he felt the grease on them. He needs to take a bath soon, tomorrow maybe.

When he deemed himself ready, he wore his sandals he put at the corner of the shack, he thinks he should clean them too. He carefully opened the door. Ainar was standing outside. He’s also wearing a different tunic now and he looks relatively cleaner. The alpha gave Gavin a smile when he saw the omega.

“Hi,” the alpha greeted softly.

“Did you have a good rest?”

“I did,” Gavin answered quietly. As usual, his gaze is turned down.

“That’s good to hear,” Ainar said. Gavin only hummed in reply. When Ainar figured the omega wouldn’t reply anymore, he cleared his throat.

“Should we go?”

Gavin nodded and followed behind Ainar as they started to walk. They pass by many pack members who all stop to greet and bow to Ainar. They all casted him glances too, less judging but still not accepting, they’re rather curious now.

When they reach the center of the grounds, a huge bonfire is already burning in front of the platform. Pups are running around as some members of the pack are arranging food on a long table meters away from the fire.

Ainar led him to the chairs at the center of the table, the alpha even pulled a seat out for him before sitting to his left.

“We will now have to wait for the elders before the feast starts. The Pack Alpha is on his way here too,” Ainar said. Gavin only nodded; head still hung low. It makes Ainar wonder, is that a habit? Or is he afraid of him? But Gavin seems to do that around everyone. So, is it a habit?

A group of pack members approached the table. They loudly pulled the chairs out and sat directly in front of them. Gavin tensed.

“Ainar!” someone exclaimed.

“You’ve been away for some weeks, how have you been?”

“Franz,” Ainar greeted back.

“I am well. The journey was worth it. I have found my mate.”

“So I heard. I am happy for you, pal,” Franz said, genuinely happy for his friend.

Ainar has a content look on his face when he answered.

“Thank you.”

They talked more, but just like the ceremony earlier, Gavin decided to tune them out. When he came back to the present, he is surprised to find the alpha missing from beside him. He looked up, trying to look for him.

“If you are looking for Ainar, he went to go to the Pack Alpha,” a voice suddenly said. Gavin whipped his head, turning to see who it was. It was an alpha, a female alpha, he notes. She looks beautiful, with her tan skin. Her eyes are like almond, nose small but high, lips pinkish and cheeks dimpled. Her features are soft for an alpha. And her scent, her scent is, how can Gavin describe this? It’s overpowering. He’s sitting across from her, and her scent is making him want to run away.

He ducked his head, nodding at her answer.

“You are an omega,” a new voice said. Gavin did not reply because he is—an omega.

“Gabrielle,” someone hissed.

“What? I am merely asking!” Gabrielle innocently replied. She turned to look back to Gavin.

“You are an omega, are you not?”

Gavin thinks she maybe is a beta. Betas are not sensitive to scents so they often just know someone’s rank when they mention it.

“I am,” Gavin eventually replied.

“Why did Alpha choose you?”

“Gabrielle!” another voice said. It’s from an alpha sitting to his right, and he sounded angry.

“We do not question Ainar’s decisions.”

“But the elders wanted an alpha mate,” Gabrielle defended.

“Celestine. Aren’t you one of the—”

“Gabrielle,” Celestine, now Gavin knows her name, called her out again, effectively cutting her off. Gabrielle’s lips are pushed into a thin line.

“We should not talk about that in front of the future Luna. Have some respect.”

Gavin wants to get out of here. It is clear he is unwanted. He appreciated them somehow defending his place, or are they just defending Ainar’s mistake of choosing him? Whatever it is, he still appreciates it. But he knows when he is not wanted, and right now, he is really is not.

Anxiety spiked in his scent, making the wolves in front of him cast worried glances.

“See? Now you made him anxious,” Celestine said. While it is probably meant for something good, mentioning his anxiety just made Gavin more anxious. He really wants to get out of here.

The chair on his left is suddenly pulled out again, Ainar sat down.

“What’s happening?” he asked. A pinched expression is on his face as he smelled Gavin’s distress.

“We did not mean to stress him. We were just asking—”

“Gavin, are you okay?” Ainar asked, ignoring Gabrielle.

“Would you like to go back to your shack? If you’d rather eat alone, we wouldn’t mind.”

Oh, they would mind. The elders would definitely mind. The feast is for them after all. And it would be disrespectful. But the elder’s words are the least of Ainar’s concern right now. His wolf is struggling at the distressed state of his mate. Gavin is his priority.

“I’m fine,” Gavin whispered, wanting to turn the attention off of himself. But Ainar isn’t convinced.

“Are you sure?” he worriedly asked.

“I can walk you back—”

“I am,” Gavin internally winced at his disrespect, but he really just wants to eat already.

“I don’t want to cause any more inconvenience.”

“You are not,” the alpha quickly replied.

“An inconvenience, I mean. You are not and will never be an inconvenience to me.”

“I am really fine,” Gavin insisted.

“I’ll stay here, Alpha.”

Ainar eventually sighed, not wanting to stress the omega further. He threw a glance at his pack members. Gabrielle’s head is turned down, clearly guilty. Celestine looks apologetic, Ainar just shook his head.

When the elders eventually arrived, the Pack Alpha started the feast. He repeated his words from the earlier ceremony before signaling for the pack to dig in. The whole table was loud, everyone is talking as they ate. Ainar, though, ate quietly. His father is talking to him about something, he thinks it’s about the possible expansion of their territories but he cannot focus as his attention is on Gavin who is quietly eating beside him. The omega eats in small bits, almost afraid to take the food into his mouth. Ainar’s wolf is itching to drop his own food to feed the omega but he held himself back. Gavin is already uncomfortable as he is, he doesn’t want to make him feel more uncomfortable because of his instincts.

He watched him the whole night, watching him eat. His father eventually stopped talking to him, noticing that his son is obviously fixated on the omega, he let him be.

When they finished eating, he immediately offered to walk Gavin back to his shack. The omega’s distressed scent did not disappear the whole time they had dinner so he figured the omega must be so uncomfortable right now.

Gavin nodded his approval and they walked back. They stood outside his shack.

“Did you have a satisfying meal?” Ainar asked, breaking the silence between them.

“I did,” Gavin replied. Ainar tries catching his gaze but the omega s stubborn, keeping his head hung low.

“That’s good to hear,” he hummed.

“Well, I won’t hold you for long. Please, rest. And if you ever need something, do not hesitate to call me, or anyone in the pack for that matter.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

Ainar should be proud, his chest should be puffing in pride at how respectful his omega sounded, but he doesn’t feel any inch of it. Gavin says it, almost like afraid. And Ainar feels a pinch of sadness from it. He wants to hear the omega call his name, soon, maybe.

He watched Gavin enter his shack and carefully close the door.

As he walked back to the center of the pack, determination bloomed in him. The omega is broken, and it is not his place to fix him. But Ainar will surely do anything in his power to help him pick up his pieces, even let him borrow from him if that will help him feel whole again. He swears to take care of Gavin, not just because he is his future mate, but because he feels something vulnerable and delicate for him. He doesn’t know what it is yet, but he’s determined to protect him in any ways that he can.