The Orphaned Omega

Chapter 8

[Dorothea’s POV]

I walked to the gymnasium with those thoughts swirling in my brain, changing into my gym clothes. When I joined the rest of the class out on the track, I could easily pick up Alpha Ian’s scent. It called out to me above everything else, and that stupid ache came back. I kept my head down, scooting a bit closer to another group of girls in the hopes of not sticking out. Alpha Ian and Beta Finn leaned against the bleachers, talking amongst themselves. I could feel eyes boring into me, and when I dared a glance up, I saw Ian’s hazel gaze pinned on me. I swallowed hard and looked away again. I swore I could hear a short growl come from him.

Before anything else could happen, our teacher blew a whistle and got everyone’s attention. The gym teacher – Javier Richards - was also a high-ranking member amongst Dark Pine’s warriors, so I always did my best in this class. Usually, we just did strength-building exercises or runs, but I still didn’t want to give the warriors any reason to look down on me when it eventually came time to enlist with them.

“Today, we’ll be doing some sparring,” Javier said. “Just basic moves to teach you all self-defense. Now, please split up into those of you with your Lycan and those without.”

I shuffled the opposite direction of Ian and Finn, joining the smaller group of sophomores and freshman. I let out a short breath of relief when Javier told Ian to take the other group and get them split into partners. Javier led the rest of us over to a set of training mats that were set up on the field.

“Alright, we’ll pair off and go through some basic moves – one partner will be the aggressor, and one will be the defender and then you’ll switch,” Javier said. He started to pair us up himself, which was a relief. Any time we had to pick our own partners, I inevitably ended up alone. At least today I didn’t have to worry about that. I ended up paired with Mallory from Mr. Quinn’s class. She was a mid-ranking member of our pack, not quite an omega but no one of real rank. I knew she was friends with Bailey though, so at least we were amicable.

“Hey,” Mallory said, coming over to me and beginning to stretch. “Ever sparred before?”

I shook my head. “No, not really.”

“I’ll take it easy on you,” she joked. “My brothers always try to fight me, so I’ve had my fair share of this kind of thing.”

I laughed softly. “Well, I appreciate it. Do you want to defend or attack first?”

She shrugged, pulling her dirty blonde hair into a ponytail. “Guess I’ll go on the attack first.”

“Sure,” I agreed, settling down to stretch out my legs.

Javier called our attention again, calling over Alpha Ian to help demonstrate some of the moves he wanted us to learn. I clenched my jaw as I watched them. I had to force myself to keep my eyes trained on Javier, instead of looking at Ian. Every cell in my body still yearned for the Alpha. I felt shame well up inside me. How could I be so pathetic?

Ian went for Javier from behind, grabbing him into a chokehold.

“Okay,” Javier said. “Now your attacker has you pinned. First, you want to ensure you can remain breathing. Quickly turn your head toward your attacker’s elbow and grab hold of their arm. Next, tuck in your chin so it’s harder for them to crush your neck. First, shrug up your shoulders and slip your fingers around his arm to create more space.”

He demonstrated this for us, and also bent his knees, sagging in Ian’s hold. “Now, bend your knees some and sink down in the hold. Next, get your foot up behind one of his. Be sure it’s on the same side that they are choking you from.” He shifted so his calf was aligned with Ian’s, but his foot was hooked behind Ian’s. “Do not arch your back. Keep yourself against your attacker to help with balance, and do not step your foot out. Just back. Now here comes the fun part. Turn your body toward the foot you moved, while bending your knees. Use this leverage to throw your attacker on the ground. You can use your other leg to help trip them as they begin to lose their grip. Most of you will be able to flip them, but some may not get it right away or may not be strong enough to pull off the flip.”

Javier moved again, twisting around, and tossing Ian onto the mat. Ian let out a huff of breath at the impact but was up again quickly. Javier turned to the rest of us. “Alright, get into your pairs and give it a go!”

Mallory and I found a space on one of the mats to practice. She wrapped her arm around my neck, and I followed Javier’s instructions. I was just hoping I’d be able to get her off balance. I twisted into her and pulled down on the arm she had around my neck, flipping her onto the mat. I heard her slam onto the ground. I had flipped her over a lot harder than I had intended to. It all just happened so fast. I stared down at her with wide eyes. She let out a quick yelp at the impact followed by a groan.

“Are you okay!?” I said, crouching down beside her.

She was cradling the back of her head in her hands, a dazed look on her face. “Uh…yeah, I think so. You sure you’ve never done this before?”

I nodded. “Yeah, never.”

“You’re damn strong,” she huffed, sitting up and looking at me. “You’re an omega, right?”

I nodded again. “I mean, yeah. But my dad was a warrior. So, I don’t come from omega blood.”

“Huh,” she said, starting to get to her feet. She wobbled a bit as she stood up. “Well, you certainly got me.”

“I’m so sorry!” I squeaked. “I didn’t…I…”

She held up a hand, one hand still cradling the back of her head. “It’s fine. But I may need to sit down for a bit. Javier?”

Javier wandered over to the two of us. “What’s going on?”

“I think I may have a concussion,” Mallory said.

“What happened?” Javier frowned, looking between the two of us.

Mallory pointed to me. “She flipped me like you said, but I landed really hard. I feel pretty dizzy.”

Javier appraised me. “You’re just an omega, and a werewolf. I’m surprised you could even manage to get her to flip. Mallory outranks you, and she is full Lycan. Come on, try with me.”

My mouth went dry, and I looked between Javier and Mallory. I realized quickly that the rest of the class had turned to watch us now too. I felt a prickle along my neck, and I knew Alpha Ian was staring at me too. My heartbeat picked up, but I nodded. This could be my chance! If I impressed Javier, then as soon as I got my wolf I could enlist and have a better chance of being chosen to be a warrior.

Javier took his place behind me, grasping me around the neck with his right arm. I ducked my chin, fingers wrapping around his beefy forearm, and I let my knees go soft. I shifted my leg back, planting my foot behind his right foot. In one swift motion, I had managed to unbalance him, and I flung him up over my back. He landed with a hard thud but composed himself quickly. The class burst into applause as Javier got to his feet. He looked at me again with a hard gaze, assessing me. “Come with me.”

My eyes went wide, and I nodded quickly, looking down at my feet. Javier started walking back toward the building and I scrambled after him. I heard him call for the Alpha, and soon Ian was striding behind me. I pressed my fingernails into the palms of my hands to try to keep myself steady, but I could feel the trembling beginning. What had I done wrong? Why did Javier seem so mad? We reached the building and walked down the hall to Javier’s office.

I ducked inside, quickly taking the chair closest to the wall. I kept my head down, not daring to look up and meet their gazes. Maybe if I just submit, I wouldn’t be in as much trouble.

Ian closed the door behind us, crossing his arms. “What is this about, Javi?”

“This girl here is strong, Alpha,” Javier said. “Stronger than she should be.”

Ian snorted. “She’s an omega.”

“You just saw her flip me yourself.”

“Yeah. So? You let her do it.”

“No,” Javier said slowly. “I didn’t.”

The room filled with silence, a long-drawn-out moment in which I could hear the blood roaring in my ears. Finally, I spoke. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t…I didn’t mean to hurt Mallory.”

Javier chuckled softly. “Oh, Dorothea, Mallory is just fine. That isn’t why you are here.”

“It’s not?” I frowned, chancing a look up at him. He didn’t look angry anymore. More amused.

“No. Who are your parents again?”

“I never knew my mother,” I said. “My father was Riordan Watts.”

Javier sat back in his chair. His gaze had suddenly hardened again. “Rio’s daughter. That’s right.”

His tone was hard, like he was holding back anger. I didn’t understand. “Y-yes, sir.”

Javier looked at Alpha Ian. “We need to watch her carefully, Alpha,” he said. “Rio was a good warrior, but—”

“Yes, I know,” Ian said, casting a glance at me. I flinched and looked away from him. “You are dismissed.”

I slowly got up out of my seat. I had no idea what was going on or why I had been called in here in the first place. I looked at Javier, who had that same cold look on his face as he gestured for me to go. I ducked out of the office and hurried back to the locker room to take refuge. I changed out of my gym clothes and into my jeans and tee. I didn’t know what else to do except wait until everyone else filed back into the locker room. I kept feeling like Alpha Ian or Javier would come find me again and punish me for some reason.

Mallory found me in the locker room when everyone was released from the fields. “Hey, what happened? Did you, like, get admitted to the warriors or something?”

I forced a laugh. “Um, no, not exactly. Its, uh, nothing.”

Mallory gave me a weird look but ultimately shrugged. She changed back into normal clothes. “Okay, whatever. I guess I’ll see you later.”

“Sure. See you,” I waved, watching her leave. I waited until the locker room was clear before leaving myself.

I spent the rest of the school day on edge, feeling like any minute I’d be called back to Javier’s office. Nothing else happened – the rest of the day was pretty normal. By the last period, I had relaxed again and assured myself nothing else would come of the incident. I still didn’t know what the big deal was, or why Javier had seemed so angry at the mention of my father.

After school, I headed to Moonlight to find Lorelai. Maybe she would have some insight for me. I tucked my bike in behind the dumpster like usual and headed into the back entrance. I found Lorelai in her office, a half-eaten croissant rising to her lips as I walked in. She looked surprised to see me.

“Thea,” she greeted, smiling. “I didn’t expect you here today. Did Fran ask you to come in?”

I shook my head. “No. I just wanted to talk.”

“Oh,” she said, concern coloring her pretty face. She set the croissant down and waved me in. “Okay, come in. Do you want some coffee? Chai?”

“Uh, chai, sure.”

“Chai with caramel?”

I nodded.

Lori got up and headed out of the room. I settled into the cozy armchair in the corner of the room. I could remember being a kid and climbing into this chair as Lori and Rosemary caught up. It smelled like leather, coffee, and old books in this office, and I had always loved that. Lori’s desk took up most of the remaining space, but the wall behind her desk was covered with a bookshelf. The shelves were jam packed; books stacked sideways on top of others to squeeze more onto each shelf. It was messy and I knew the books were not organized in any particular way; that just made me love it more. Lori had put up some photos of her and Fran’s wedding along the walls too, and I realized with a start that there was one of me and Rosemary too.

My heart clenched as I stared at the photo. I was probably just shy of thirteen – I recognized the photo from my first year with Rosie. I was all arms and legs and so stick-thin from years of neglect with Ms. Jillian. My hair was short then, cut roughly at chin-length. I remembered the day Ms. Jillian had cut my hair. She had said it was too much effort to upkeep and that since I couldn’t be bothered to brush it or care for it, she would just cut it off. I didn’t really know how to care for my hair then – I could brush it, but I didn’t know how to put it in a ponytail or even really wash it. My hair had been matted and dirty for at least a year when she had chopped it off. She’d done it with kitchen shears and had nicked my ear in the process. I still had a small chunk missing from my left earlobe where she had caught me. My hand absentmindedly went to my ear and found the old wound, fingers running over the odd divot left behind.

In the photo, Rosie had me clutched to her chest, arms wrapped around me from behind. We were both smiling widely. There was a solstice tree behind us in the cottage’s small living room. Multi-colored lights were strung through the branches and mismatched ornaments covered the tree. Lycans didn’t celebrate Christmas like the humans did, but we did celebrate Winter Solstice in much the same way. Solstice trees were often decorated just with lights, or with little trinkets of the moon and stars. Rosie had always liked the human ornaments though and strung our tree with them every year. I remembered that first Solstice like it was yesterday – I hadn’t been allowed to celebrate any holiday for years and I had begun to forget holidays spent with my father. Rosie had surprised me that year with a few gifts and we spent the night making cookies and spending time by the fire. I didn’t go to sleep until the sun was cresting the horizon, as tradition would have us, and I remember feeling so full in my heart that day. It was the first time I truly felt at home and knew I was loved.

Lori came back with a mug of steaming chai tea for me, breaking me out of my trip down memory lane. I thanked her and took a small sip, letting the warm tea trickle down my throat. It was a comforting feeling and a comforting taste.

“So?” Lori asked, gently shutting the door behind her. “What’s troubling you?”

I chewed on the inside of my cheek for a moment, watching the swirls of the warm liquid in my mug. Finally, I sighed and looked back up to her. I relayed the incident from gym class to her, how I had accidentally hurt Mallory and how I had easily bested Javier. I finally told her about the weird conversation in Javier’s office. “I guess…I’m just confused. I didn’t realize being strong would be a bad thing to Javier. I had hoped…well, I had hoped I’d even impress him, and he’d vouch for me at warrior training. But what confuses me the most is that he seemed so angry when I told him who my dad was.”

Lori gave me a sympathetic look, sitting back in her chair. “Well, Thea…there is something about your dad you should probably know.”

I didn’t like the way she said that, and it made me sit up straighter. I set my mug of tea down so I could focus on her. “Okay…?”

She sighed. “I hate that I have to be the one to tell you this, and that people still seem to blame you. Your father, Riordan, came to us from an outside pack. He never did say where, but Alpha Harry accepted him because he proved to be a strong warrior and pledged his loyalty to Dark Pine in exchange for asylum. When you were very young, we were under constant rogue attacks. One day, there was a huge battle. It took every warrior we had to defend our borders. Some that were undertrained even joined the fray. Well, your father was supposed to be by the Beta’s side. He was charged with defending the Beta in battle and keeping that squadron safe. The rogues had managed to slip past our outer defenses and were entering the heart of our territory. It was chaos. The story goes that Riordan left his post by Beta Alexander and broke off from the group to head back to check on you. He had left you home and should have trusted that the warrior assigned to protecting the area would keep you safe. In his absence, Beta Alexander was left without a partner. He was killed in battle that day.”

Lori’s story hit me like a ton of bricks. My father had disobeyed direct orders just to check on me, and he had left his Beta defenseless. “My father…I was told he died in battle too.”

Lori got up and came over to me. She took my hands in hers, her gaze so soft. So worried. I knew whatever she was about to say was going to be even worse than finding out my dad had indirectly been responsible for the death of the beloved Beta. Beta Alexander had been Alpha Harry’s younger brother and everyone had adored him. She shook her head softly. “No,” she said. “He was found out and executed by Alpha Harry in the aftermath of the battle.”

I felt my world tilt on its axis. Alpha Harry had killed my father? “He…was there a trial?”

Lori again shook her head. “No. Witnesses say Riordan confessed to leaving Beta Alexander’s side to go looking for you. Alpha Harry was so enraged that he killed Riordan outright. I’m so sorry, Thea.”

She squeezed my hands again, but I felt myself growing numb as I tried to process this information. My whole life I’d been fed a lie, or at least had somehow built one up in my head. I suddenly understood now why no one here liked me. They all thought I was a traitor’s daughter, and that my father was responsible for their Beta’s death. I couldn’t possibly understand it. Why would my father go out of his way to find me in the middle of battle? Sure, I was his daughter, and he was worried for me. But if I had been taken to safety then why would he feel the need to confirm it? I wasn’t worth the life of the Beta. I understood the look of contempt Javier had given me now when he had learned who my father was. I even understood why he had told Alpha Ian they needed to watch me. I had traitor’s blood.

One thought surfaced above all the others – I would never, never be accepted here. Rejected by my mate, outcast by my peers, and never to be trusted as a warrior all because of something I didn’t do. I really was out of options now. There would be no better days in my future. I was an omega of Dark Pine, now and forever.