Chapter 004
1173 Words
Élodie closed her eyes tightly.
She kept thinking about what Lucien had said the day before. He said that her scent was... neutral. It was, of course. It must have been.
She was an omega posing as a beta. That was the purpose of the pills.
She thought about the day everything changed.
The elderly pack doctor declared, "I discovered something."
He was sweating, breathless, and covered in dirt. Leaves were stuck to his jacket, and there were holes in it. He took a small white bottle with unreadable words out of his pocket.
Élodie squinted as she leaned forward. "What is that?"
"These will help," he said, displaying it as though it were a priceless gem. He takes a pill every month. They tamper with your aroma.
Omega gazed at the bottle he was holding. She wanted to take it with her fingers. She had no other options. She would lose everything she had worked for, including her spot at Université de Saint-Rémy and her life away from the pack, if she didn't take those pills. She had to sacrifice so much already. She also wasn't prepared to give up her dream.
She unscrewed the cap with shaking hands. The pills, which resembled tiny gel beads, were blue and somewhat glossy. It smelt strange, neither sweet nor potent. Simply neutral.
similar to the packhouse's guards.
She capped the container again and asked, "What's the difference between these items and suppressants?"
The physician dabbed at his perspiration. Suppressants block the smell. These alter it. Élodie, you are a true Omega. You smell dangerous. This applies specifically to Pure Alphas.
She scowled. Risky?
Observing the expression on her face, he nodded. You attract them despite their rarity. You have the scent of something they should have.
That didn't sit well with her. She felt insignificant, like a prize on exhibit. She averted her gaze and clicked her tongue.
"Doctor, I appreciate the reminder."
"I'm attempting to assist," he said quietly. "You are a target. However, if you smell like a beta, you will just be seen as another person in the crowd.
Élodie remained silent. She glanced down at the bottle once more. She clenched her fingers around it.
She questioned, "Do you think it'll work?"
The physician didn't think twice. "It will. At first, I didn't think it would. However, then... One evening while I was out collecting herbs, I stumbled over something. No scent was detectable. Then I noticed that Alpha Chien de l'Enfer was dead.
Her gaze expanded. "Dead?"
Indeed. No smell. You are aware of the stench of those creatures. Everywhere they go, they have scent glands. However, this particular one exhibits no scent.
She turned back to the bottle. "Did it contain these pills?"
"Exactly. discovered a stash in his bag. There are three bottles like this one.
She yelled, "You took pills from a deceased Chien de l'Enfer?"
"Yes, I am aware! It sounds crazy. However, we have no other choices. He averted his gaze and scratched his beard. "Never mind, your brother."
"What?"
He didn't respond. simply continued speaking.
"I tried one. Only one. I thought I could outrun a storm two hours later. more powerful. I felt like a child once more.
She gazed at him.
"No one had any suspicions?"
He chuckled. I passed two frightful Alphas as I was walking. Large men didn't even flinch. They asked me why I was in the vicinity of the border. I made something up and left.
Her mouth fell open.
That was the end of it. She began taking them on that day. It was six months ago.
Élodie inhaled deeply the following morning. Every time she exhaled, a gentle grey mist coiled around her lips, and the sky remained dark. She touched her toes as she leaned forward. Her body was loose and warm. Before running, she always completed her routine.
Then she heard a whistle behind her.
"I want to wake up to a view like this."
She jerked her back into alignment. She didn't even need to look.
Lucien.
Wearing tight black trousers and a maroon shirt, he jogged up next to her, smiling foolishly. A black cap showed off his curls. He slowed next to her, and she rolled her eyes.
"Why are you in this place?" She spoke in a flat tone.
This perspective. Unrivalled.
She crossed her arms. "Are you able to hear what you're saying?"
He put his hands in his pockets, ignoring the sarcasm.
Our fraternity is hosting a party on Friday night. You ought to attend. It will be enjoyable with music and ice luge.
"Is this your pathetic apology?"
"No. This is merely an invitation.
"Go ahead." She looked away. "I don't attend parties."
"You have no idea what you're missing!"
"I don't care."
She started to run.
He returned the following day.
He walked casually past her as she was tying her shoes.
"This is when you always run?"
She didn't respond. She simply pushed her earbuds in and got to her feet.
He smiled and added, "Just asking so I can plan around football and classes."
After a single stretch, she ran ahead.
He picked up her trainers and followed her. "Hey, you dropped these!"
She didn't slow down.
The wind blew across her face. Her lungs were burning. She continued to run.
Panting behind her, he called, "You even hear me?"
The answer is no.
"I'll catch up!" Through the trees, his voice reverberated. "Wait a minute!"
She grinned. Lucien, not today.
He beat her to the pitch by the third morning.
It's a quarter to five. That early.
He appeared to have just won a gold medal as he stood there silently dancing in triumph. Nobody was watching, and there was no music. He was alone in the fog.
From behind the trees, Élodie observed him.
He chewed on his lip, continued to check his watch, and gazed out into the forest as if something might emerge.
She was not interested in being impressed.
Her white earbuds bounced on her shirt as she walked out with her trainers. Her back was already covered in sweat.
Lucien brightened as she passed him. "At last! In fact, you're—
She sprinted by him.
He yelled behind her, "No way!" "Are you ever able to sleep?"
She finished that afternoon.
In the student lounge, she sank into a chair next to Marc.
He arched an eyebrow. "I'll venture a guess. Lucien?
"Yes!" she moaned. "For three days. THREE.
Marc chuckled. "He apologises in that way."
She blinked. "What?"
"Why did you storm out of the cafeteria?" he asked me. I informed him.
"So he is aware."
Marc gave a nod.
"And he's stalking my morning runs instead of just apologising?!"
"Yes."
She let out another groan.
"Élodie, he's not that bad."
"Okay, if you don't mind being chased around like a lost puppy."
Marc smiled slightly as he leaned back. "Perhaps all he wants is to put things right."
She didn't respond. She wasn't grinning, though.
- Writer
