I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA

4. TROUBLE IN PARADISE

“Jo, I think something is wrong with Maria's immediate acceptance. You have to agree with me that it was unlike her,” I said sitting down beside him in my father's quarters.

Alpha Jo was not moved by the statement. It was like he was expecting me to say something like that. “Were you expecting something different?” He asked.

I turned towards him, I did not know how I was feeling towards the whole situation. “Yes, like a ‘no’ before her ‘yes’ or just silence without any answer,” I said. I knew Maria did not like anyone from my clan, except maybe for my father, whom she uses at will to fulfill her will.

“Well, I am glad that she exceeded your expectations. You think too lowly of her, she is a lovely person,” Alpha Jo said.

I smiled. Maybe it was true, and he was correct or maybe she was changing. I could still not bring myself to believe that. Maria is the superior law in Nashville. A very cunning and vile person, how come she changed? And to crown it all when an Omega wants to marry her brother, the Alpha of the pack. Something isn't right.

“Jo, you know that is highly incorrect,” I said.

And that led to some kind of altercation between us. The air crackled with tension as Alpha Jo and I stood at odds, our voices clashing like thunder amidst the storm of uncertainty that brewed between us. With each word exchanged, the divide between us widened, a gaping chasm fueled by suspicion and distrust.

"Jo, you can't ignore the signs any longer," I pleaded, my voice tinged with urgency. "There's something sinister about Maria's intentions, and we can't afford to turn a blind eye."

But Alpha Jo's expression remained impassive, his loyalty to his sister unwavering. "Ava, you're letting your imagination run wild," he countered, his tone tinged with frustration. "Maria may have her faults, but she would never betray us. For one thing, she loves me." And he was right about Maria's love for him, yet I think some things were greater than that love and that includes Maria. Our argument reached a stalemate, and Alpha Jo left me to myself.

I sat down alone, wondering what was in Maria's head. If I could get a clue of what she was planning so that I could prepare my defense. Everyone feared her and, for Alpha Jo’s sake, I was scared too. I wouldn't want to jeopardize this very opportunity for myself and my clan.

A cry for help pierced the air, drawing my attention to a scene of cruelty unfolding before my eyes. I met two werewolves harassing and maltreating a young boy. With a careful look, he was from my clan.

Without hesitation, I rushed to intervene, my heart pounding with righteous indignation as I confronted the werewolves who dared to mistreat the younger omega.

The lad was already crying from the treatment he was receiving from the older werewolves. I was frustrated because they came all the way to Downtown just to torment this young boy.

But as I stood my ground, defending the innocent against the tyranny of the powerful, little did I know that my actions would have dire consequences.

“You dare interfere in our affairs, you stupid omega bit*h,” one of them said.

“You did not need to call me names, and you cannot intimidate and harass a young werewolf. You should be ashamed of yourselves,” I said.

“That you are even speaking to us is a curse, you omega slut,” he said.

“One more word from you and you will know the true identity of the lightning Vanisher’ and your lives will never remain the same,” I said.

When they left, I was glad that there was no bloodshed. The boy thanked me and ran back to Downtown. I was pleased with myself because I knew that it was just a thin line before I poured on both of them.

The werewolves, emboldened by their perceived superiority, wasted no time in reporting my defiance to Maria.

I found myself summoned before her. I was smiling at the thought that they dared report Alpha’s betrothed to her sister-in-law.

“Can you tell me why you are smiling?” Maria said. The weight of her disapproval bore down upon me like a crushing weight.

“I don't think they knew who I was, they were torturing a young lad, and I had to stop them,” I said.

"Ava, how dare you undermine the authority of our pack?" Maria's voice rang out, sharp and cutting. "You had better learn your place, or face the consequences."

Her words were like a dagger to the heart, a stark reminder of the powerlessness that came with being an omega in a world ruled by hierarchy and tradition. But even as I bowed my head in submission, a spark of defiance flickered within me, a stubborn refusal to yield to the tyranny of those who sought to oppress.

I felt ashamed of myself in front of her because I could not do something and would rather not make Alpha Jo angry. We were supposed to get married and she was supposed to be my sister-in-law.

As I left Maria's presence, a sense of determination burned within me like a beacon in the darkness. For I knew that no matter the obstacles that lay ahead, I would not rest until justice prevailed and the shadows of deception were banished from our midst.

I began to think of the incident and why Maria did not want to hear my side of the story. It occurred to me that I must have been playing. The men did not attack me but instead quickly reported the incident to Maria. She took their sides because she must have been the one who sent them. I knew I had to speak to Alpha Jo immediately.

I knew that her acceptance was not proper. Alpha Jo had talked me out of that but what just happened gave me the exact confirmation I needed. “I am calling off the wedding,” I thought to myself.