Needed Answers
1283 Words
Alpha Oscar – POV
The pack roared with rage. Their fury echoed across the grounds like a storm ready to break—but my low growl silenced them instantly. I stepped forward, voice firm, unwavering.
“There are consequences if we execute Mae Cooper.”
Thud.
I turned—Mae collapsed beside me.
“Get her to the clinic.”
A soldier immediately obeyed, while Doctor Jennifer from the Red Night Pack followed close behind.
Scanning the crowd, I spotted Faye and Atlas pushing their way out, retreating to their own pack. I let them go.
“Why are we sparing the life of a sinner, Alpha?” someone dared to ask. My gaze locked on him. He cowered and looked away.
“That’s confidential—for now,” I said, letting the weight of my words hang in the air. “I’ll address it when we have facts. Know this: my decisions are always for the good of the Orion Pack. Now, get back to your duties.”
One by one, the pack members nodded and slowly dispersed from the execution ground.
I walked back home, tension thick in my chest.
Nicole met me in the hallway, moving carefully—still recovering. “What happened? Mae—?”
“She’s alive.”
Relief washed over her. Nicole hated violence. No matter the crime, she didn’t believe in death sentences.
“Alpha,” Daniel appeared. “Dr. Jennifer would like to speak with you. It’s about Mae.”
I exhaled heavily. Nicole gave me a puzzled look, clearly sensing something deeper.
“What’s going on?”
“Nicole, please. Rest.”
“I’m fine, Oscar. You don’t need to baby me,” she pushed back.
“What’s happening with Mae? I have a right to know,” she pressed.
“You seriously care about the woman responsible for the plague? The one that killed our parents? Took so many from our pack?” I snapped, anger flaring.
“I’m not defending her. I know what she did. But she wasn’t alone—her parents were involved too,” Nicole reminded gently.
“Yeah, and now they’re dead. I wish they’d taken her with them,” I muttered bitterly, losing control of my darker thoughts. Nicole looked away. She knew I wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Then why did Faye risk everything to save her?” she asked.
“You’re still weak from the plague, Nicole. Please, just focus on healing. Let me handle the rest.”
“But—”
“No buts. Go to your classes.”
She scowled at me. “I’m not a kid, Oscar.”
Then she coughed—hard. My anger dissolved. I handed her a glass of water, my voice softer.
“Please, little sister... take care of yourself.”
She nodded and walked to her room. I sighed, just a little relief settling in.
“Alpha,” Daniel said as I turned back toward my office.
Right—Doctor Jennifer.
“What is it?”
“Alpha Oscar,” the doctor said when I entered. “Luna Faye’s suspicions were correct. Your mate, Mae, is under a spell. When I ran tests—”
“I don’t care,” I cut her off, exhaustion washing over me like a tide. “When will she wake up?”
“In an hour.”
She turned to leave.
“Doctor—” I called out.
She paused.
“…Nothing.” I waved it off. I’d wanted to ask her—if I rejected Mae, would I still have my wolf? Could I survive it? Selfish thoughts… thoughts I didn’t say aloud. I didn’t admit I deserved the punishment. Not after what I’d done to Faye.
“Alpha,” Daniel said hesitantly. “Now that you know she was under a spell… do you still want her exiled?”
“Are you questioning me, Daniel?” My tone sharpened.
“No, Alpha.”
“Then why the concern? She rejected a mate bond with you, Daniel. She killed many people in our pack.”
Daniel hesitated, pain flickering in his eyes. No answer came.
“I’m sorry for overstepping, Alpha. But maybe... maybe we should consider who put that spell on her in the first place.”
His voice was calm, respectful—but it stung. Because he had a point, one I didn’t want to acknowledge.
“Make sure Mae leaves the pack as soon as she’s able,” I said, dismissing him.
He nodded and left me alone in my spiral.
“Jake,” I called for my wolf.
Nothing.
He’d been giving me the silent treatment ever since Mae was imprisoned. He was still there—his strength pulsing in my veins—but emotionally, he’d withdrawn. Angry at me.
I closed my eyes. Screams from the past echoed in my head. My parents… dying. Nicole, pale and broken in bed. The plague that devoured our people. All of it… started with Mae’s family. And she’d hidden it, pretending to be our healer, pretending to save my sister—when all along, it was part of their twisted plan.
“Alpha,” Daniel’s voice cut through my thoughts.
My eyes snapped open.
Standing beside him was Mae. Clean. Dressed. Awake.
“What the hell is this?” I growled. “Why is she in my office?”
“Alpha, please—this was my request,” Mae said quickly.
“I don’t want to see you.”
“Don’t reject her,” Jake warned in my mind.
“I just need to know why I was spared,” Mae asked, her voice fragile but insistent.
“Because Faye asked me to. Her final request. That’s it,” I snapped.
“There’s more,” Mae said, reading the truth in my eyes.
My gaze drifted to Daniel. He lowered his head.
“Mae, I’m done talking.”
“I’m not,” she said softly. “I deserve to know why I’m still breathing.”
“I, Alpha Oscar Lockwood, reject you, Mae Cooper, as my mate and future Luna of the Orion Pack.”
The words tore from me like blades. Pain surged through every fiber of my being. My wolf howled inside me. I gripped the desk to stay upright. I’d felt rejection before—but this was worse.
“I don’t accept your rejection,” Mae whispered. “I won’t let you destroy yourself for my sins. Or lose your wolf.”
“Knowing you’re my mate is more painful than rejecting you,” I snapped.
Tears welled in her eyes. My wolf hated seeing her cry.
“I’ll leave,” she said, voice breaking.
“Daniel—get her out of here. You’ll answer for disobeying my orders,” I growled. Daniel said nothing—just obeyed.
I returned to the training arena. Soldiers were deep in drills. One by one, I called them out. I needed to fight. Needed to bleed this rage out of me.
Then Joseph, my omega, burst into the space. Panic in his eyes.
“Alpha—we have a problem.” He handed me a letter.
“Nicole is a good sister and is in my care. Alpha Oscar, I’ll contact you soon with what I want in return for her safety.”
My hands shook. No.
I tore through the manor, shouting her name.
“Nicole! Nicole!”
Her room was trashed—evidence of a struggle. Blood on the floor. Her scent mixed with that of a rogue.
Rage surged through me.
Someone had taken her—right out of my home. Past my guards. Into my territory.
And they dared to challenge me like this?
- Writer
