The alpha, the sultan and the omega

Scars from the past.

—They all work for me —she answered and all bowed their heads—, Emma does too.

—Huh? Really? I didn't know that you a got a job —she looked at her, Emma smiled—. That's why you move out, isn't it? Where are you living right now, by the way?

—She lives in the facilities of my company —Summer talked again.

That caught Amy's attention.

—Your company?

—I'm the CEO of Celtic Enterprises —was her answer.

—Celtic Enterprises? So you're freaking rich —Amy gasped—. Are you hiring?

—The last vacant was taken for your friend Emma —denied.

—Damn it, Emma, you're so lucky —she looked at her—. I wish I could work like that.

Celtic Enterprises was the front company of the sultanate in the modern world, a company dedicated to the empowerment of women and the improvement of technology. Gale had commented to her about it. "Summer Abrahams" was the daughter of the previous owners of the marketing empire and she raised as well as their parents the company.

—Yeah, I... I am really lucky —she smiled.

—Well! Talk to me about the facilities you mentioned —Amy proposed.

—It's no big deal —she raised her shoulders—. We think the more, the merrier. Since our employees live in our facilities it's easier for them to work and we've proven that raised the productivity.

By facilities, she meant a huge collection of apartment buildings that were given to employees of Celtic Enterprises. Since most of them belonged to the pack, it was better that they stick together in the outside world as well. That's what she thought.

—It makes sense —Amy affirmed—. But you're so young...

—Well, I'm already twenty-four —she explained—. My brother is in charge of most parts of the company, meanwhile, I'm dedicated to ending my career.

—I see —Amy put a thinking face—. So you have a brother...

—Yeah, he's older than me.

—What about you, Noah? —she smiled at the blonde—. You're too quiet. Even tho she is the one that never talks. Is this some kind of soul shifting or something?

Noah laughed.

—Not at all, I was thinking —he scratched his neck—. What were you saying?

—I was asking you about your family.

—Oh, I have two little brothers —he smiled—. My sister Kate and my brother Bright.

—Bright? What a curious name, I like it —she said.

Emma smiled too.

The days of the week passed quietly. It was true that maintaining two different lives was exhausting but it was worth it. Emma was happy in the mornings going to class and spending time with Amy and the others as if they were just college kids. Then when they returned to the imperial territory, the sultan and alpha would return to their usual states of kindness, and distance. Then Emma would train with Gillian and take classes with Gale, help out in the harem and visit Kendra in the Atari family.

—My sultan.

—Hi, Emma —the blonde smiled at her while pointing to the place next to him—. Come, sit down with me.

Other than that, she didn't do much more than eat and sleep, but she had started spending more time with the sultan. He claimed that her company was good for him in the afternoons when the alpha went out. Emma watched her go, always so stoic, and with her head up, she walked with the pride of a prince.

—You know, Soleil's birthday will be celebrated this weekend —he said.

—Ah, that was the topic all the people were talking about —she wasn't surprised.

—Indeed —he affirmed—. Everyone in the empire is coming, so I asked Idris to bring a couple of the best silks to make you a dress. He'll be in charge of you, if you want something, ask him.

—I don't know what to say, sultan.

—Promise me, you'll dance with me at the ball —he smiled.

—I promise.

—Very well, now move on. How was the training? —he asked.

Emma would never stop being amazed at the beauty of his Majesty. The clothes he wore as a sultan were impressive. He brought out the beauty of him and made him look like a divine being. The robe he was wearing that day was a mesmerizing sky blue color like his eyes.

—It was good, I still lacking stamina but I'm improving myself —she commented.

—That's good. I know that soon you'll be beta or more —he was happy for her. Even if she were there for just two weeks, she was way too better. When they found her she was skinny and hurt, now she was a beautiful woman growing up in shape and mentality.

—Thank you for your confidence, I won't let you down, my Lord.

—Stop being so formal, tell me, Noah —he sighed—. It makes me feel so old.

—You're not? —she smiled.

—Very funny —he saw her with a smile—. In fact, I am very young, my lady.

—Is that so?

—Yeah, I'm just starting living —he acted resolutely—. I think it's the good thing about ascending the throne so young.

—Huh? It's true.

Emma stared at him.

—I heard this weekend will be celebrated as well the 10th anniversary of your reign.

—That's right.

—How was it?

—Um?

—Your coronation —she said.

—Ah —Noah smiled—, it was pretty good, I think.

Emma waited for more.

—You want me to tell you the story?

She nodded.

—Well, I can't tell you everything so let's see —he thought for a moment—. Ten years ago, Summer came back after her 14th birthday. She challenged the alpha, risking her life for trying to give a better life for the members of the pack —he told her—. When she won, she said that she wouldn't be a sultan. And then she chose me.

Noah sighed.

—Since I wasn't royal, we got married and I adopted Autumn's name and costumes.

—So you're married?

—Yeah, the other people in the harem are my concubines or consorts —he said.

—Tell me more —she insisted.

He smiled.

—We were kids playing to be gods —he scratched his cheek—. But Kenneth and Idris took care of both and help us, with time, we improve ourselves and became the leaders the empire needed.

—You're a good leader and Summer too.

—Thank you, means a lot.

—So... If you're married, why don't you act like a married couple?

—Well, at first we fight a lot because of the problems of an arranged marriage.

—An arranged marriage? But you said she chose you.

—We know each other since we were children —he looked at the sky—, and I was in love with Reyham but she wanted Soleil. Kind of strange love triangle, you know —he laughed.

Emma was surprised to learn that.

—I wasn't a royal so I had no chance with Soleil and we were rivals or something like that. Am, once Reyham asked the sultan Soleil's hand and the sultan wasn't sure about it. But we met the old man and I liked him, he told me that he wanted me to be her husband —he bit his lip—, as Soleil's guardian I was an alpha. That was the last thing he asked for before his death.

—Oh.

—Yeah, well... Um, it was an arranged marriage. She didn't want me —he clicked his tongue—, and I wasn't ready for something like that. Then her brother became the sultan and was like hell on earth.

His back got tense and he raised quickly.

—Sultan?

—Something's wrong —he inhaled—. I gotta go back to the castle. Idris.

—Yes, your majesty? —the brown-haired approached him.

—Take care of Emma and make sure she gets well to the castle, I have to go.

—Yes, your majesty.

Without saying a single word more, the sultan quickly walked away. Emma looked at Idris and he shrugged, looking at her with a strange smile. She wondered what had happened to make the sultan worry like that but she would ask later.

—How is she?

The blonde entered the room with a worried face. Immediately, Kenneth was by his side, letting him see her. The black-haired woman was lying on a futon on the floor and was being treated by Nathan. The sultan's eyes went from her purple face to the wound on her ribs, she looked really bad. His inner alpha growled with anger.

—Not good.

—What happened?

—Dunno. She came back wounded and she fainted at the frontier, two guardians saw her and bring her here —Kenneth answered, frowning—. I sent Samuel and a couple of warriors out the frontier to find some answers.

—Jesus, your highness —Nathan screamed—. You're insane.

—What happens?

—She's healing herself with magic —Nathan looked worried—, but she's running out of stamina.

—Summer, stop.

—I can tell, she's been doing this a long time —Noah frowned when he heard him—. Probably was stabbed way too early in the afternoon, she has been healing herself since then. That's how she could make it into our territories again.

Nathan was finishing stitching up the wound on Soleil's ribs. He still couldn't understand how she had been injured. It was not just any wound besides, it was a pure stab. She fainted again.

—She...

—It's okay, she's just tired. I guess her body couldn't resist anymore —he said—, I sutured her stab wound and healed the others. Since her magic keeps running while she sleeps, she's gonna be okay by tomorrow —he affirmed—, but she really needs to stay in bed the whole day.

—No problem —he was going to sleep there anyway—. I'll watch her.

—Remember this —Nathan said—, she can not move an inch. She needs to rest up and sleep.

—Very well, thank you, Nate —Noah smiled at him.

—I'll send Idris to check her and I'm going to prepare medicine —informed the black-haired man walking out of the chambers—

. If somethings change, please call me. I'll be here as fast as I can.

The sultan nodded and looked at the silver-haired man standing at the door.

—I want you to found out what happened and bring me the guilt one —he showed his fangs.

—Consider it done, my sultan —he bowed his head and closed the door. Kenneth sent the guardians to watch the door and he ran into Idris.

—Damn it, Soleil.

He couldn't bear it. He had let her go out of the empire's territories alone because she knew she needed her own space. He had always been afraid that something would happen to him and he would not be there to protect her from her. Yes, she was very strong and capable, but she was not immortal or invincible. Everyone needs someone to help them, even the alpha of the herd.

—I heard the alpha was stabbed —Rumors run fast.

The whole harem was talking about what had happened, and then she could finally understand that she had made the sultan run like that. The alpha was injured that day and she was critical. At least, that were they saying. She didn't know what to think about it. How could she get hurt?

—Huh? But if our alpha is so strong...

—I heard that his highness wanted to protect someone and received the stab.

—That makes sense —Emma looked at the three women that were talking—, our alpha is so kind. It could make it front to our worst nightmare without even blink. So strong and kind.

—So our queen has been stabbed —Sean entered in the harem—. Damn, troubles everywhere.

—Sean...

—Oh, Emma —he greeted her—. Have you seen Idris? The sultan needs him.

—Yeah, he is in the dining room with Nathan —she answered—, I'll accompany you there.

Sean didn't answer and they started walking on the way to the dining room.

—Look at her, she goes out and acts like she was already a favorite but she hasn't even changed her name —another whisper. Emma wrinkled her nose—. Acting like that, she's gonna find a bad destination.

—Don't listen to them —Sean yawned—, they're jealous.

—Why would they?

—Because you're protected by the sultan and the alpha —he said—. Idris.

Sean greeted the older brunette as they entered the dining room. He and Nathan were preparing medicine. The smell made her frown and she looked at the two werewolves there.

—Hi Emma.

—Sean was looking for you so I brought him —she explained while pointing at him—. Do you need any help here?

—You know something. Help Nathan while I talk with Sean —he said, washing his hands—. Make sure you wash your hands before, I'll be right back.

—Okay.

—I have a bad feeling.

The blonde looked up at her husband, confused. The black-haired man was looking at the window of the room with that melancholic look that he used to put when he thought about his house and family. She bit her lip.

—Is it about Summer?

—I'm afraid it is —the sighed while he turned to see her—. I think we should get going.

—Isaac, do you think she will be okay if we go without telling her? —she asked.

—Don't worry, my love, she may look rude but she is such a sweet —he approached her—. And she loves us both. I received a letter from Noah, they're gonna make a dance ball to celebrate Soleil's birthday and we're invited.

The blonde nodded with a smile.

—Then we should look after new clothing —she was worried.

Despite being human, by marrying a werewolf she had learned some things in life. Among them, her husband's intuition did not fail, and if he felt that something was happening ... It was.

—I hope she's doing okay —he mumbled, hiding his eyes from her.

—Honey —she raised his face with her hands and caressed his cheeks with her thumbs—, she is Autumn's alpha. She'll be fine. Trust her as you've always done.

—Yeah, you're right... My little sis is strong, she won't be defeated just like that —he smiled.

But still, he had such a terribly bad feeling about it.

—s**t.

Noah raised his eyes from the floor and noticed she was moving.

—You can't move —he stopped her while grabbing her hands—. Soleil, you're hurt.

—I... I'm sorry.

He blinked, confused, and looked at her.

—What?

—I'm sorry, I make you worry, all of you —she mumbled—. Can you take me to bed, please?

—I don't think you can bear it in that state —he raised his eyebrow with a flirt smile.

He liked to see her rosy cheeks. He loves knowing that he could make her feel like this, make her heartbeat hard with him close. Seeing her blushed and embarrassed were his favorite things.

—i***t.

—Yours, always —he smiled and approached her—. I'm gonna take you to bed, right? Don't bite me or anything —the look she gave him was enough to him—. Don't move at all, doctor's order.

—Since when you're a doctor?

—Since you came stabbed —he was serious.

She didn't say more and waited for him to carried her in his arms and take her to bed. He carried her carefully and with all his kindness. You know, that feeling when someone takes something precious in his hands. That was the idea he was making of, she was everything for him. He left her on the bed and look at her wound.

—Nathan took care of you —he said.

—I know, I was conscious —she answered softly—, come. Sleep with me.

—How dirty.

—I'm not. Get out of my sight —she complained, making him laugh—. Go away.

Noah smiled and lay down next to her, careful not to go hurt her. He put all of her weight on her elbow and looked directly at her. She couldn't move and just turned her face to him. She looking at him silently.

—I was afraid —he confessed.

—You're not gonna lose me like this. It was just a stab wound —she said, raising her hand to his face and smiling with her eyes closed—, it takes more than that to kill me. Do you know?

—Just a stab wound —his eye had a nervous tic by that time.

She laughed.

—I survived more harmful hells than this.

He closed his eyes.

—Don't remind me that, please.

—I wanted to tell you this before —she mumbled and he looked at her—, but I was afraid.

They were now looking at each other.

—You can tell me what you want.

—I... I want to quit —she whispered, and he was able to see how the tears accumulated in her eyes—. I want to left everything behind and go away, I'm not strong enough to protect you all.

Noah was worried.

—What... What do you mean?

—I thought about dying today —she confessed softly—, I thought about letting them hurt me. If they could hurt me then I wasn't invincible or strong, the people in the town will see this and they're gonna change the alpha. Right?

Noah sighed.

—Are you saying... that you let them hurt you?

She nodded.

—That makes sense —he was released—. Tell me, who were they?

—Hunters.

He opened wide his eyes.

—I was in the southern territories, they have hunters there —she commented, letting her hands over her abdomen—, they couldn't follow me. I used magic to escape, not to heal me.

That made a lot of sense. Noah knew Soleil well, well enough to know that she grew weary of carrying the full weight of an empire on her shoulders. They were so young when they took office that they didn't have a life. Maybe she wanted to run away, experience life for herself. Not as Soleil Autumn, the alpha and sultan of the empire, but as Summer Abrahams, a wealthy werewolf girl in a modern world. He could relate, sometimes he felt that way too.

—Let me get this straight.

—Huh?

—You went to southern territories looking for some hunters.

—Yeah, they're making money by haunting wolves —she clenched her jaw, angry—, disgusting. So human.

—You left them hurt you and then you ran away, used your magic to came back here and everything you did was because you wanted to quit —he said slowly. She analyzed and nodded immediately—. Are you out of your mind?

She bit her lip.

—You could just tell me that you wanted to quit —he said—, not go out and put yourself in danger to demonstrate that you're not invincible. We already know you're not such a thing.

—Then why you keep me as the alpha? When that kid challenged me... I felt released, I thought it was what I needed but then, everyone said they didn't want other alpha but me —she sighed.

—That's because no one in the world could ever be a better alpha than you, Soleil.

He reached out his hand to her face and caressed her.

—Honey, you're always worried about everyone but you —he said—. And I get it, that's my job. Isn't it?

She closed her eyes and the tears she was holding back, fell.

—I'm the alpha's alpha —he told her—. My job is to take care of you while you take care of us all.

—You're not good at your job then —she sobbed.

—Yeah, sorry about that —he excused—, I wasn't aware of the situation but I am now.

He smiled.

—I know that you wanna escape all this s**t because of your memories and I also know that you keep pushing me away because you're afraid that the people could think that you're not capable anymore and exiled you as they did with your father —he whispered—. But I want you to know that I don't have a problem if you want to go out and rediscover the world for yourself. 

—Really?

—You just have to promise me you'll come back —his eyes get crystalized.

—Of course, I can promise you that. 

—Good —he cleared his throat—. Also, you don't have to let anyone hurt you to find out you're weak, because you're not. You are strong as hell, and hot too.

—i***t —she was flattered.

—Everyone in our pack knows that you're the strongest person we ever gonna have as alpha. You give your hundred percent every day to make us comfortable, and you allow us to have plenty, harmonious and peaceful life —he added—. Everyone in this place is in doubt with you and we all love you just the way you are.

—I...

—Even if we know you're not hulk. You have weaknesses as everyone else does, we know you're afraid and that you can get hurt —he affirmed—, and we also know you have the greatest heart. That's why you saved that little fella and received the wound instead.

She opened her eyes wide.

—Wha-

—Did you really think that I wasn't going to figure out what happened? Idris told me about the guy you were trying to hide from anyone —he sighed—. I'm not mad, you have your reasons but honey, we're married. Remember?

Summer nodded.

—We are one.

—Exactly, that's why I need you to trust me.  

—I have scars...

—Yeah, I have scars too and the worst are the unseen scars we have —he said—, but that doesn't mean that we can not just vanish them. Okay? 

—What he-

—Language —he laughed—, arent you sleepy? I'm almost dead. 

She nodded again.

—Let's sleep —he embraced her—, the doctor said that you needed to rest in bed the whole day. 

—I hate Mondays. 

—Yeah, I know the feeling —he laughed—, let's pretend tomorrow it's Sunday.

Then they both fell into the arms of Morpheus.

—I thought the medicine was for his highness.

—One of them but Nathan will give her the medicine tomorrow morning —Idris told her.

—I still can't believe someone stabbed the alpha. 

—It happens frequently —he sighed, walking to the stables.

Emma was walking behind him with a lantern and the keys he gave her. 

—Sean must be sleeping by this time —Idris said—, I hope. You should get going to sleep too.

—There's no need, I really want to help you.

—Very well —he touched the door three times and asked her to stay quiet—, I'm Idris.

The door opened and let her see a little kid. The boy does not appear to be more than seven years old, but he was so small and thin. Idris smiled calmly at him.

—Hello, Kou —he said—. I brought you some medicine and food.

The boy had black hair and blue eyes, he was wearing a large black shirt and small blue pants.

—She's Emma, it's a friend of her majesty —he introduced her, making her raise her hand and greet—. I'm sorry that I'm so late but I have to check her first.

The kid just looked at him.

—Yeah, she's fine —Idris said—. She just has a little wound now and will heal soon. 

—Do you want to come over and eat something? —Emma asked him. 

The boy stared at her.

—You don't have to be afraid of me, I'm Emma —she extended her hand—, and I'm an omega. 

—O-Omega? —the boy blinked.

She nodded.

—Just like you. 

—But you're old.

—I am —she laughed—. Idris and I made your food and it is really good. Don't you wanna taste it maybe? I can say that it's gonna be to your liking. 

Although it was something very clumsy, it seemed to Emma that the boy had a certain touch that made him look like her alpha. She wasn't sure if it was his hair or the way he looked.