If Only (BxB)

No way out

“What did you say Irving? Do you know something about this?” It was Mia who asked the question, Ashlyn visibly stiffened in her seat.

I heard Ashlyn’s anxious voice through the mindlink, “Answer carefully Irv, don’t give them a reason to suspect you in any way”.

“Um n-not really, but there was a s-strong scent of Aconite on it so I blurted it out” I began sweating bullets with all the eyes that were trained on me.

“Oh Really? I don’t smell anything. Are you sure there wasn’t a mistake on your part” It was Gayle who spoke while looking at me with a sneer on his face, of course he wouldn’t support me.

“I’m not lying, I’m sure it’s Aconite”, I spoke with more confidence this time round. Werewolves are educated about Aconite at a very young age to ensure we run away the moment we smell it.

“If what you’re saying is true, then this just took a drastic turn. Aconite is dangerous for all werewolves, but what I don’t understand is, why none of us veterans are able to smell it. Also, why didn’t it hurt the other pack members” Jennifer drawled out while staring at me with a frown on her face.

Even I didn’t know why.

“Must be a fluke. We should carry on with the meeting rather than wasting our time.” Gayle said while viciously glaring at me as if I embarrassed him greatly, “let’s go on-”

“May I know you’re second gender Luna Irving”. Before Gayle could continue, Marcus who had been quiet up till now interrupted him.

Startled by his question, I timidly reply, “Omega”

“Ah no wonder you can smell it.” Marcus said as he smiled mysteriously.

Everyone including me looked askance at him before he leisurely answered, “Omegas have a keener sense of smell when it comes to chemicals than any other gender, since Luna Irving is the only Omega in this room it’s no wonder he’s the only one able to smell it”

“Nonsense! How can we randomly believe an Omega’s words over professionals? Not to mention, how can his sense of smell be better than us Alphas.” It was the man with the unibrow who spoke.

It’s not like I didn’t see this coming, many packs didn’t look favorably upon Omegas and he was one of them.

“I implore you to be careful with your words Alpha, regardless of his gender, Irving is still the future Luna of the Bloodhound pack” Ashlyn threateningly glared at him, while Mia gestured her to stay calm.

Marcus raised an eyebrow over the remark and retorted “Alpha Jace must be really ignorant about his pack’s Omegas to not even realize such a simple fact. Our alliance has a separate research base for Omega scientists, since their olfactory senses are much more competent than others.”

Alpha Jace’s face turned red from anger, “Who are you calling ignorant?! I’d rather not believe the words of someone who leads the rogues, you could be using this Omega’s words to mislead us all. What if you’re behind all this?”

When the Rogue alliance was still in its infancy, Alpha Jace was its biggest opponent. He did everything in his power to stop it from forming. In the end, he’s still bitter about being unable to prevent it from happening.

With Alpha Jace accusing Marcus as the perpetrator, the atmosphere grew even more tense. Though the other pack leaders didn’t voice it, it was obvious that a lot of them thought the same.

“There’s no need to fight amongst ourselves, we have other Omegas in our pack. We can call them in for the sake of confirming the truth” Alpha Zac said as he motioned Ashlyn to mindlink one of them.

A while later, a timid Omega was called inside and made to identify the scent. The Omega answered in a trembling voice, “It’s Aconite…”

Alpha Jace flushed red with embarrassment while Marcus shot him a triumphant look. Even I was a tad bit surprised with the result, it was much easier for everyone to label Omegas as nothing special than spend resources on knowing their abilities. As a result, no one, not even Omegas knew of their own capabilities.

“That confirms Luna Irving’s conjecture. Since Omega’s are rarely taken on patrol duties, it would’ve been impossible to discover such a subtle amount of Aconite. But something tells me that Aconite is not the only thing in there. We’ll await further information from the researchers of Bloodhound pack and also take back a sample each for our own research. Meanwhile, I’ll also ask the other packs to stay safe and vigilant” Jennifer said as she concluded the meeting.

As soon as I got up from my seat, I felt an icy stare trained on my back, I turned in the direction of the stare and it seemed to be from Marcus’ group, who exactly, I couldn’t tell…

We all went back to the party, the solemn atmosphere receded and made way for a joyous one. Amid the celebrations, I separated from Gayle to grab water for myself from the table.

My mind was still a mess from all the attention I got in the meeting room. I wanted to be alone to calm my taut nerves.

“Are you alright Luna Irving” I stiffened hearing the friendly voice from behind me, it was Marcus and his subordinates who looked like they wished to chat with me.

“I’m f-fine” I felt nervous being the only one talking to the Rogue alliance right now.

“Really? You seem rather pale. How come I’ve never seen you at the meetings before, especially when you played such a crucial role in today’s conference?”. He probed as he offered me a glass of wine which I reluctantly took and pretended to drink.

 “You’re exaggerating Mr. Marcus I didn’t do m-much”

“Nonsense, if it weren’t for you who knows how long it would’ve taken us to discover Aconite, we don’t know what the delay would’ve cost us. That’s a much bigger feat than you give yourself credit for”

I flashed him an awkward smile, “I j-just stated the facts-”

Before I could continue, I felt a hand sliding onto my waist and instantly stiffened. I recognized Gayle’s scent and felt even more nervous than before.

“I wonder what the alliance leader has to talk about with my mate” he said and glowered at Marcus, which was bad since it was akin to offending him.

But Marcus didn’t seem to mind at all, “I was just praising Luna Irving’s abilities, you happen to be quite lucky in the mate department. Alpha Gayle must be overjoyed”

“Not really, he’s just an Omega unworthy of leader Marcus’s praise. I’d rather you not approach him so casually”

“Possessive now are we. But the part about him being unworthy… I can’t quite agree with that.”

Gayle only kept glaring at Marcus before coldly turning to leave. I could only follow since he still had an iron grip on my waist, I looked back to see Marcus smiling and waving goodbye.

Gayle dragged me back to the car and slammed me against it. Without giving me time to react, he harshly grabbed my chin, “I warned you Omega. I warned you not to humiliate me infront of everyone but you just don’t listen do you. Not only did you open your mouth where it wasn’t required, but also went ahead to seduce that person from the Rogue alliance. Tell me, was that old man to your taste? Do you want to be the center of attention that bad?”

“Let go of me” I whimper as his grip was beginning to hurt. Upon hearing my voice, Gayle shoved me aside and punched the car door, It left a dent but that didn’t seem to bother Gayle.

“Get. In.” Gayle spoke through clenched teeth as he got in himself.

I really didn’t want to go anywhere with him in that state, but it would look suspicious if we left separately.

I sigh and get into the car, “Drop me off at Ashlyn’s”

“What?”

“I said drop me off at Ashlyn’s I don’t plan on going back with you. It’s fine if you don’t want to drive me there, just stop the car at some distance”

Apparently not expecting this, he stopped the car and looked at me with confusion and anger, “What do you mean you’re not going back?”

“I already told you I’ll be leaving with Mrs. Dale, I’m not going back”

“Hah. Are you playing hard to get Omega? Throwing a tantrum for a maid?”

I silently gazed back at him, I know I’ll have to go back to him sooner or later, whether it’ll be because of Mia or someone else, I don’t know. But if I’m going back, I’ll be taking Mrs. Dale with me, I have already fallen too deep into this quagmire, I don’t know if it’s love or fear that’s making me stay with him but I know I can’t get out, I’ve got too much to lose.

Looking at my resolute gaze, Gayle became angrier than before, “Do you really think I need you Omega? If it weren’t for my parents, I would’ve long thrown you away. But it seems like you don’t care about your sister either, if my parents discover anything wrong, then believe me Omega I’ll make sure both of your lives are worse than hell!”

Yes, I always knew that the only reason Gayle kept me around was because of his parents and the coronation which required the Alpha’s mate to be present, given that he had one. His plans after the coronation were obvious.

The reason he’s able to so confidently tell me everything is because he knows that I’ll be able to do nothing about it, nor am I able to leave him. He knows which is why he’s so fearless.

I wonder how he would’ve reacted if we had found each other in a dark alley or something instead of the public meeting at my birthday. He would’ve probably killed me without anyone ever knowing.

But should I be glad? The life I’m living right now is worse than death.

“Fine.” I hear Gayle saying “I’ll let the maid come back”. Then with the attitude of someone who already conceded way too much, Gayle continued driving. I knew he’d relent, since there’s only a year left till his coronation, he wouldn’t want there to be any mishaps.

My eyes dimmed at the thought, “Take me to Ashlyn’s”

“What else do you want! -”

I interrupted before Gayle could finish his sentence, “I have some things I need to pick up”

“I’m not your chauffeur. Come back on your own, I’ll not be waiting for you”

I didn’t reply and just gazed through the window at the passing scenery. I mindlinked Mrs. Dale to pack her things when she comes back from the party since we’re going back, she must be busy with the aftermath of the event.

Once home, I enter my room and shove my things into a bag. Ashlyn was already in her room and it looked like she was taking a shower, I already told her of my plans beforehand so I head downstairs and prepare to leave.

But the front door suddenly flung open and I see my mother heading towards me with a furious look on her face. Before I could even react, my left cheek began stinging as a ferocious slap landed on my face. I could only stare at her incredulously.