Alpha's Protective Pup

14

“Yes, that’s him.”

I frowned this time. “Why does he want to meet me?”

“He’s the leader of the pack. It’s normal for him to want to meet you. Just make sure not to show any weakness. Being an omega, you often face the assumption of being inferior, which means you must work hard to prove yourself.”

Those words had become all too common in the past few days since I arrived at the den. The idea of being an omega scared me almost more than being a wolf. That I was turning into a wolf was already difficult to handle, but being the most coveted prize as an omega made it even worse.

“Do I have to?” I asked, feeling sweat along my brow. Given the choice, I would rather not meet him at all.

The moment I asked, Alison got the strangest look on her face. Seeing that expression made me uneasy because it meant I had to meet him.

“Look, it won’t take too long. Just speak with him. The faster you get it done, the sooner it will be over.”

I went with Oscar, who led me to his father’s part of the den. Upon arrival, he attempted to soothe me and assured me that everything would be fine. All I had to do was speak to him for a bit.

The conversation was pretty short to be fair, but I didn’t like how it made me feel. The whole time, it seemed like he was examining me. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Oscar inquired about my well-being, and I explained the situation overwhelmed me. He could see how uncomfortable I was around his father. I refrained from discussing it since there was nothing either of us could do about it.

“Where is Lukas?” I asked, curious that he wasn’t around.

It appeared he and Oscar were inseparable. I knew they were friends, so it made sense. One day I’d have to ask about their past because it looked like I was going to be spending quite a lot of time here.

Whatever human life I had before was gone. It was hard for me to accept something like this being forced upon me. Looking back on it, I never should’ve gone for a walk in the woods. Papa had always warned me about them.

Did he know about the wolves that lived in the woods? I think he would’ve mentioned them to me if he had any inkling, but he knew something wasn’t right about the forest. If he could see me now, I think he’d be so disappointed.

“He’s out scouting the area,” Oscar said, voice sounding flat.

I raised a brow. “That’s his position in the pack, then?”

“Yes, he’s very perceptive.”

I realized all at once. Thanks to Lukas's scouting skills, I was alive and able to share this story.

“I’ll have to thank him then when he gets back. I already have, but it hit me just now how lucky I was he was out there scouting the area,” I said.

It was hard to fathom what might’ve transpired if Lukas hadn’t gone after the wolf that attacked me. Starving, it would have killed me and devoured me like a delicious meal. The thought of it made me shudder in disgust.

Oscar seemed put off by my comment. It almost seemed like… jealousy, but I brushed it off because I saw no reason he would envy Lukas, his friend. It was probable that I was over analyzing the situation.

My mind had been racing since the moment I woke up in the infirmary. At that moment, I stopped feeling sorry for myself. Regardless of my feelings, I had Lycan blood running through my veins. I could either accept it or continue running from it, which would only make me look like a fool.

I remembered the looks everyone had given me when I walked back into the den after running off. Their stares pierced through me, belittling me as if I were just a silly child. It made me feel like a complete i***t.

“You look like you’re dazing out there,” Oscar called out, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

His eyes bore into mine, filled with genuine concern that I couldn’t help but appreciate.

“Just realizing I need to get a handle on this wolf thing. You and Lukas are going to have to help me. Mostly because your father said I am your responsibility, after all.”

Oscar frowned. “I’d help you regardless if he expected that from me.”

“So, what is it you do for the pack?” I asked, curious what his position was because while I knew Lukas was a scout, I did not know what Oscar did other than being the head alpha’s son. That alone was an important position. Despite being considered a pup in their group, it wasn’t difficult to figure out.

“I’m a hunter, which is self-explanatory, I’m sure.”

I snorted. “Yes, it is. How often do you go on hunts?”

“It depends, but we try twice a week. There is enough of a surplus for us to feed the entire pack, so we don’t have to worry about starvation.”

This made me wonder how other werewolf clans were faring out there. The wolf that attacked me that afternoon had been in a desperate situation. I almost couldn’t blame him for assaulting me the way he did. Chances are he would’ve charged any animal or person who was close by and couldn’t put up much of a fight.

Oscar answered any follow-up questions I had to the best of his ability. I found it valuable because I had inquiries about not just the Sabretail Pride, but also wolf packs in general.

When Lukas came across us, I was sharing a meal with Oscar. He glared at Oscar, but when his gaze met mine, it softened, revealing a hint of compassion.

“I thought you were scouting?” Oscar asked.

He smiled. “Finished. So, mind if I join you two?”

Although he appeared to address both of us, his gaze locked on me.

I shook my head. “No, please do.”

By now, it was evident that their animosity had taken on a tangible presence, not just a figment of my imagination. The hostility between Lukas and Oscar was palpable, hanging in the air like a heavy fog, though the reason for their tension remained a mystery to me. As far as I knew, it could’ve existed well before I arrived.

Friends could have heated arguments with one another, their voices rising in a symphony of disagreement. Even the closest of friends could engage in passionate debates, their words echoing through the room. It was just how life was when you sought and engaged in relationships with other people.

“How have you been? You seem to be a little more settled than you were when I left earlier today.” Lukas grinned at me.

I shrugged. “I think talking with Oscar’s father sobered me up fast. It was… quite a conversation and not one I wish to repeat soon.”

The moment I said I talked with Oscar’s father; Lukas’s jaw dropped.

“When did this happen?”

Oscar blinked. “About an hour or so after you left, but it’s fine. I was there with her the entire time, so it’s not like Isla was alone.”

“And Isla can handle it herself, thank you,” I said.

“Of course, Isla, but this is the head alpha we are talking about here,” Lukas argued with kindness.

I sighed. “Well, it’s over and now I need to pull my weight around here. What open positions do you have? There must be something I can do.”

Even if I wasn’t required to do something, there was no way I was just going to sit around and do nothing. I’d never done that, even when I was living in the city.

The two of them shared a look, causing me to scowl.

“I’ll find something to do even if you don’t assign something,” I announced, crossing my arms over my chest.

Lukas raked a hand down his face. “Well, Margaret could always use help. She has trained others, but could use someone to assist her with the smaller things.”

“You want me to be miserable, don’t you?” I asked, laughing when the two looked like they were close to panicking. “No, it’s fine. If the old lady needs some help, then I’ll help. It will stop me from moping around this place over how much f*****g change I’ve had to go through in the past few weeks.”

He smiled. “Then Margaret’s it is then.”

“Thanks for the suggestion, Lukas… and also for saving me that day. If I had survived, I don’t think I could’ve handled my Lycan blood by waking up on my own.” I noticed Oscar tense out of the corner of my eye. “I also want to thank you again, Oscar, because you convinced your father to let me stay here.”

Both men seemed to almost preen under my compliments. Oscar and Lukas sat in silence for the rest of the meal, their eyes focused anywhere but on each other. I was the one to drive the conversation. They were more than happy to speak with me.

It would also give me a chance to ask Margaret all the questions I had on my mind. I didn’t feel comfortable asking Oscar or Lukas about what it entailed to be an omega. Margaret had dedicated her life to helping and healing others. Sure, she was a prickly old crow, but I knew she would give me the unabashed truth without sugarcoating things.

I needed to know what was going to happen to me. Already, certain odors affected me… especially Lukas and Oscar’s scents. At times, they would release a different one than what they usually smelled like. The aroma was my surefire indicator that they had been there, and it always brought me a comforting sense of serenity.

It did a lot to calm me down.

The next day, I started working alongside Margaret. Lukas had spoken with her after we ate, and she was more than eager to take me on.

This made me more nervous than eager.