The Rise of the Wolf

Chapter 5

Daniel

I was dreaming, chasing a faceless woman through a dense forest. Though I couldn’t see her clearly, I had the strange sense that I knew her. She was far ahead, her long hair flowing past her shoulders, her slim figure barely visible through the trees.

The shrill sound of my alarm shattered the dream, yanking me back to reality. I woke up with an annoying sense of loss—like watching a favorite movie only for the power to cut out right before the finale. I didn’t always remember my dreams, but this one lingered. It felt different. The wolf inside me was restless, struggling to understand where this vision had come from.

But I had no time to dwell on it. Work awaited.

I brewed a quick cup of coffee, poured it into my travel mug, and packed a clean set of work clothes. Grabbing a piece of bread, I headed out. As I passed a few houses, I spotted Brett, our supervisor. He was an older, more experienced Omega like me, but also an exceptional builder. Without him, our pack’s construction company wouldn’t have earned its reputation as one of the best in the area.

Humans made up most of our client base, drawn to our efficiency and reliability. We finished jobs on time, rarely went over budget, and always addressed unforeseen issues immediately. Brett had a way of putting both our pack and human clients at ease. Though pushing sixty, he was well-built, his powerful muscles and calm demeanor making him a reassuring presence. He carried himself like a man who could solve any problem, no matter how big or small.

“Morning, Brett,” I greeted, though my voice lacked its usual energy.

“Morning, Daniel. Rough night?” He eyed me with curiosity.

“Nothing serious. Just a weird dream.”

“Oh? A love dream? Someone met his mate?” he teased with a knowing grin.

I scoffed. “I wish. Just a crazy vision.”

“Dreams come and go. You’ll meet her eventually. Stop sulking, and things will fall into place. In the meantime, we’ve got work to do. This job is a big one.”

I nodded. He was right. Long-term projects like this provided stability and strengthened our cooperation with humans. To be fair, humans had come a long way from their bloody history. Many companies now prioritized worker rights, and some even scrutinized their suppliers’ ethics. It was a far cry from the past, where abuse and exploitation were common.

Our Alpha wasn’t a tyrant like some we’d heard about—leaders who treated Omegas as lesser. We had it better than most.

A few more workers joined us, and we piled into our rusty old van. Running through the forest with all our tools would have been faster, but humans wouldn’t understand how we’d managed it. Best to keep a low profile.

When we arrived at the site, the air was thick with sawdust and fresh concrete. We got to work immediately, prepping for the final interior phase—building the inner walls. Everything was progressing smoothly, and seeing the spa come together excited everyone.

Then Beta Peter arrived.

He strode onto the site with an air of authority that needed no announcement. We could feel it, sense it in the way his sharp gaze scanned every detail, as if searching for something to criticize.

“Well, well,” Peter drawled. “Looks like you’ve all decided to actually do some work today.”

Brett didn’t flinch. “Beta, we’re following the project timeline exactly as agreed with the human clients. Finishing too early would raise suspicions, and it won’t earn us more money.”

Peter smirked. “Should be? Or will be? Because I’d hate to think our pack’s ‘esteemed builders’ are getting too comfortable.”

I clenched my jaw but forced my expression to remain neutral.

Brett stayed calm. “We’re exactly where we need to be. No delays, no issues. Everything is on track.”

Peter let out an exaggerated sigh. “Good. The Alpha wouldn’t want any screw-ups. Not that I expect perfection from you lot, but let’s at least aim for competence, shall we?”

The silence was heavy. A few of the younger Omegas avoided eye contact, pretending to be busy. I could feel their frustration, but no one dared challenge Peter.

Clearing my throat, I kept my tone light. “Beta, we’ve got it under control. Just getting the last preparations in place before the walls go up.”

Peter’s sharp eyes flicked to me, assessing. Then, after a beat, he smirked again. “Good. Don’t mess it up.”

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away. Only when he was out of earshot did the tension ease.

Brett exhaled through his nose. “Well, that was unnecessary.”

“Peter has a job to do,” I said, though even I didn’t sound convinced. “He has to keep order in the pack for the Alpha. If that means checking up on us, so be it.”

Jay, one of the younger workers, scoffed. “Doesn’t mean he has to be a prick about it.”

I shrugged. “That’s just Peter.”

We let it drop and returned to work, shifting the conversation to the spa’s design.

“Humans think rustic means marble floors and jacuzzis,” Jay laughed, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“I know, right?” I chuckled. “Rustic means actually living with nature. No plumbing, no heated floors.”

“Exactly,” Julian added. “But you have to give them credit. Who else would think to put a five-star spa resort in the middle of nowhere?”

Mark nodded, securing a panel. “True. They may be slow builders, but they turn wilderness into luxury.”

Brett, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. “That’s because they use technology to bridge the gap. We rely on instinct, strength, and speed. They use tools, planning, and patience. Different methods, but both effective.”

Jay snorted. “Patience is an understatement. If we worked at their speed, we’d be here for five years.”

By noon, the scent of freshly cooked food drifted through the air, signaling the arrival of Amy and Julia. The two young Omega women carried baskets filled with warm bread, roasted meat, and vegetables. Their presence immediately drew attention.

Laughter and teasing followed as the men gathered around.

"Ah, Julia, you always bring the best food. Must be because you think of me when you cook," Liam teased with a wink.

Julia giggled, tossing a piece of bread at him. "If I thought of you while cooking, the food would be burnt."

The group erupted in laughter.

I noticed Jay leaning toward Amy. “And you, Amy? Bring something special for me?”

Amy smiled faintly but seemed distracted. Unlike Julia, who playfully batted away the flirting, Amy looked distant.

Knowing what this about, I approached as she handed out plates. “Amy, you okay?”

She hesitated, then sighed. “It’s nothing.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t seem like nothing.”

Amy bit her lip before finally murmuring, “You know Daniel that I got accepted for a university scholarship. But the Alpha won’t let me go. Says my place is here—to cook and wait for my mate.” Her voice wavered, tears brimming in her eyes.

My stomach tightened. “Amy, I know. You worked hard for that.”

She let out a small, bitter laugh. “Fairness doesn’t mean much when you’re an Omega girl.”

I had no response. The Alpha’s decision wasn’t unusual. Few pack women attended university, and even those who did were mostly daughters of ranked members who eventually returned to settle into pack life. Instead of speaking, I nodded, offering silent support.

Then, in the midst of the laughter and chatter, a sudden scent hit me—sharp, fresh, intoxicating. It was unlike anything I had ever smelled before. Like a crisp mountain river flowing through young spring vegetation.

My entire body tensed. My wolf surged forward, recognizing the impossible.

I was smelling my mate.

In the distance, Beta Peter’s voice oozed with fake charm. “Mrs. Sanders, such a pleasure to have you here. It’s rare to find someone with your level of expertise overseeing projects like these.”

My heart pounded.

I turned my head toward the sound, knowing that just beyond my line of sight stood the one person who would change my life forever.