The Chubby Omega and her Alpha Mate

Chapter 5

“What did you do?” Gale cried, holding Lauressa’s limp body in his arms. He hauled her up, pulling her closer to his body. Her head hung back and exposed her neck, which he eagerly sniffed along, taking in her scent. His wolf purred happily, tapping its paws around in celebration as their mate’s body rested against theirs. Even in her sleeping state, tingles graced his hands as he supported her weight.

“I-I…” The healer stammered, lowering their gaze away from Gale’s eyes. Eugene had now made his way over to his son, aggravation evident from his expression.

“Galenos! What are you doing?” He asked, squaring his shoulders as his son looked round to him.

“They can’t touch her,” Gale answered, lifting Lauressa up higher so he could carry her. Eugene stared into his son’s eyes, trying to understand his actions. As he looked deeper, the pieces fitted together as he came into realisation.

“Ah, I see.” Eugene responded. The crowd were now silent, all staring towards the Alpha and the Alpha heir, waiting for what was going to happen next. “Take her to my office, I will meet you when this is over.” He said to Gale, who nodded cheerfully as he turned to go. “Not without Gamma Julius though you don’t.” Eugene called after him. Gale sighed but stood waiting for the Gamma to join him. Together they walked back to the packhouse. Eugene turned his attention back to the crowd. “Please, judge, continue.” He said, walking back to his seat.

The judge nodded, pulling out the next document. He turned back to the crowd and called out the next name. Felix and Freida looked longingly at the packhouse, wondering what would happen to Lauressa after her outburst.

The rest of the ranking was finalised, the day ending with thanks being said to Ms Carrol for training up some brilliant unranked members and that they hope the newly ranked members are satisfied with their new roles and eager to do them. With a final round of applause, the tests finished.

The group of newly ranked members returned to their dormitory, collecting their belongings ready to be transferred to their new homes.

In Eugene's office, Gale, with the help of Julius, had laid Lauressa down on the leather sofa by the far wall. He crouched beside her, staring at her intently. Her chest slowly rose and fell. It aligned perfectly with his heartbeat. He gently brushed a finger all along her cheek, feeling the sparks run through his hand at their contact. She stirred under his touch, leaning into him.

Eugene entered his office, dismissing Julius and then making a beeline for his son. He peered down at Gale on the floor, stroking the female lovingly. He stood there for a few moments before coughing to announce his arrival. Gale jumped, whipping his head around to look up at his father.

"Enjoying yourself?" Eugene said coyly, his lips curling at their edges. Gale quickly got to his feet, his cheeks burning slightly.

"Sorry, Alpha," he mumbled as he averted his eyes.

"From your affections, I am assuming this young lady is your mate?" Eugene quizzed, gesturing to the sleeping Lauressa. Gale followed Eugene's arm down and sighed happily when his eyes met her face. He nodded happily. Eugene smiled sincerely. "Congratulations, son, I'm pleased for you."

Nik entered the office, followed by the same healer who had injected Lauressa earlier. Eugene welcomed their presence, turning away from Gale and walking over to greet the healer. Nik left his father to it before joining his brother at his side.

"She looks sweet," he said, staring down at Lauressa as his brother was doing. Gale nodded in response. The brothers stood in silence as they watched the female continue to sleep.

Eugene came up behind the brothers, grasping their shoulders and parting their bodies. The healer followed him, another syringe prepared in their hand. Gale looked over to the healer, catching a glimpse of the vial in their hand. Instinctively, he turned his body against Lauressa's, extending his arms to protect her. A low growl came from his throat. Eugene rolled his eyes at his son.

"It's to wake her up, step away," He said, grabbing his son's shoulder and pulling him away from the sofa. Gale growled again. Eugene pulled his son closer to his face, his tone drastically changing, "Quiet boy!" He snarled, his eyes swirling black as he spoke. Gale gulped back his growl, falling silent instantly. His wolf whimpered inside his head, backing away from his father. Eugene released Gale, before gesturing to the healer to come forward

The healer positioned the needle on Lauressa's arm and commenced with the injection. Once the antidote was administered, the healer nodded to the Alpha family and took their leave. All three men turned their attention back to the female that laid on their sofa. Eugene paced back over to his desk, taking his seat behind it and folding his arms across his chest. Nik moved to the opposite side of the desk, sitting in one of the chairs. Gale remained by Lauressa's side, lowering back down to his knees to stare at her face, highlighting the details in his mind.

A few minutes passed by before Lauressa began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, her wolf stretching and yawning within her mind. As the room came into focus, her head dropped to the side where she met Gale's gaze. He began to smile at her, only to be met with horror in her face. She bolted upright, letting out an ear- piercing scream. All three men were surprised by her outburst. She extended her claws and thrashed her arm about. Gale jumped up and backwards while Eugene and Nik got to their feet. Lauressa pulled her knees up to her chest, burying her chin into their crux.

"Do you remember anything?" Eugene asked, moving around his desk and approaching Lauressa. Her worried grey eyes looked up at him. She nodded as she replied.

"I remember being on stage, the judge announcing my new rank .." She paused, letting a growl slip out before she continued, "I got angry, I tried to attack the judge. I remember the warriors were running at me. And I remember... You." She said, her eyes falling back on Gale. A pull grabbed at her chest as she looked at him. Her wolf purred happily within her mind, repeating the word that had invaded her thoughts: Mate.

Gale smiled at her, to which she returned it. Any fear or anger that was brewing inside her chest subsided as she gazed into his blue eyes. How those eyes pierced the depths of her soul. Nik and his father glanced at one another before returning their attention back to the couple. A daunting thought suddenly crept into Lauressa's head.

"Oh no, the judge! I'm so sorry, Alpha, please forgive me." She cried, turning her attention to Eugene as she jumped down on the floor, assuming a begging position. Eugene tried to stop her but tears had already started dripping down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause that. I didn't want to hurt him. I was just angry," she wept as she crawled closer to Eugene's feet.

Eugene raised his eyebrows, trying to shuffle backwards out of her grasp. Gale's eyes began to water as he looked down at his mate, begging. No mate of his should ever have to beg. Why was she so scared? He thought. His wolf whimpered inside his mind, urging it's human to tend to their mate. Eugene looked at his son, pointing down to Lauressa with his head. "Get down there," he mouthed insistently. Gale blinked away his tears and nodded, dropping down beside Lauressa as she continued trying to crawl towards Eugene.

Gale pulled her into an embrace, lifting up her hands from the floor and pulling them up to his lips. He kissed them softly before interlocking his fingers with hers and swooping them around her body, pulling her closer to his. Satisfied that Lauressa wouldn't be targeting his feet again, Eugene began to speak.

"It is dealt with, no harm was done. Are you ok, my dear?" He asked, trying to sound reassuring. It was difficult for him, not used to showing emotion in front of his sons. Lauressa nodded, her head buried in Gale's chest. Her breathing was heavy and deep as she tried to stop her tears. She inhaled his scent, using it to calm her senses. "What is your name and what upset you so much?" Eugene continued as he stared down at Lauressa on the floor.

"My name is Lauressa, Sir, and I was upset because I didn't get the rank I wanted." She replied, parting herself from Gale's chest to look up and meet Eugene's eyes. Eugene thought for a moment before he responded.

"But I'm sure you were chosen as one of our new strategists? That is a wonderful achievement," he affirmed. Lauressa nodded.

"It is, but it's not what I wanted. I want to defend our pack, not just from the sidelines," she said, tears beginning to attack her eyes again. Eugene went to speak, but no words left his mouth. Gale and Nik looked at him. They all empathised with her, it wasn't the first time that an unranked wolf hadn't achieved their desired goal. Eugene couldn't think of anything to say to comfort her as she bawled silently.

"Archibald," He called out, "Prepare a room for our guest." Archibald appeared at the doorway. He nodded once and walked away.

"No, you don't need to do that!" Lauressa insisted, trying to get to her feet. Gale refused to let her go though.

"Nonsense. Besides, I think my son would like to get to know you a bit better." He mused, his eyes directed more towards Gale than her. Gale looked up at him, a mocking pout on his lips which he spread out into a smile. "Gale will help take you to your room." Eugene said, turning on his heel and returning to his desk. Nik had a smug look plastered on his face as he stared at his brother. Gale furrowed his brows at him, though he too smiled smugly in return.

Gale helped Lauressa to her feet, keeping an arm tucked around her waist as he guided her out of the office. He glanced back over his shoulder to his father, giving him a nod before heading down the corridor in the same direction that Archibald had gone.

"Well, that was eventful," Nik said, slapping his hands against his knees. He turned to his father, who seemed to be lost in thought. "Father?" He asked. Eugene regained his focus, his eyes shifting towards Nik.

"Pardon, it's just been an... Interesting day." He answered, still not fully back in the room. Nik tilted his head slightly.

"Is something the matter?" he asked as he tried to suss out his father's indifferent tone.

"Not at all, Nikandros. Please, leave me be." Eugene replied, turning back to the piles of paperwork on his desk. Nik went to protest but thought better of it, he knew his father was still processing the events of the day. He nodded curtly to Eugene and exited the office, closing the doors behind him.

Eugene scanned the room, ensuring he was alone before he picked up the receiver and dialled. After a few rings, a voice answered.

"Reggie! I have a bit of an issue I need to discuss with you."

"It's about my son. He... appears to have found his mate."

"No, this will not affect our deal, I will ensure that.

"Nikandros is still a worthy suitor."

"I am aware Galenos was the desired choice."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"I understand. I will try to resolve this matter quickly."

"I appreciate you have been waiting for a few years now."

"I am aware."

"Please give me some more time."

"Thank you, Reggie. Speak soon."

Eugene hung up the phone and pushed his thumbs into his temples. This was not supposed to happen. After six years of Gale not finding his mate, it seemed inevitable that he would not, which is where this proposition came from. This female has now jeopardised it all. No, years of work would not be sacrificed for one female. Eugene let out a frustrated growl. His wolf sat patiently in his head, calculating any next moves that could be made. They sat in silence together as they combined their thoughts and ideas to create a more fool-proof plan than what they originally had. His legacy couldn't end this way.