Filed To Story: The Omega Destiny
from. Do you know his name?” She nods her head “no” and “Were there other shifters taken with you?” she nods her head “no” but writes “other shifters were kept there too, but they don’t stay long.” “Do you know where they went Ayla?” she starts to breathe heavy, but writes “no.” “Did the warden tell you what happened to the other shifters they trafficked?” she takes a few seconds and writes “he said they were done with them and finished them off.” That revelation confirms that we are hunting the same trafficking group. Not some amateurs and not different shifters. They always use them and then kill them. The memories have me staring at the floor trying to pull myself together more than I care to admit. She must notice because I feel a slight touch to my left shoulder and realize her little snow??hite hand is resting there. Her eyes offering me reassurance. Damn it, I need to get it together. “Do you know why they kept you so long and not the others?”
Ayla
“Do you know why they kept you so long and not the others?” That question has me feeling panicked and I think Thane can probably sense my alarm. Do I tell him? Do I tell him I am the reason my entire family is dead? That it is my fault my family was slaughtered in front of me? That my first shift ruined my entire life? I stare into his green eyes while he stares back waiting. If I trust him with this secret, it could destroy his entire pack. Or, they could sell me off to someone else. They could kill me just like my family. I don’t think I can do this. My eyes dart back and forth across his handsome face, attempting to find a way out of answering this question. “Do you know and not want me to know little wolf?” I nod my head “no.” and look down at my hands full of shame. “Then don’t tell me now. Tell me later when you trust me more.” He calmly tells me and reaches out to rub his thumb over my hand. I look up at him and realize I do trust him a little, although I find myself still in denial, waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under me. “Is there anything you would like me to know Ayla?” Is there? I’m not sure what to say, but find myself writing “I can’t cry” down on my note pad.
“You can’t cry little wolf? Do you mean that you want to cry, but can’t? Why can’t you cry?” I take a moment to write my answer down for him, not sure how he will feel about it, but I feel like he should know for some reason. “The warden likes it when I scream and cry so I stopped doing both. It was the only thing I had control over.” He reads back to me and looks at me with sadness. His eyes intermittently flashing gold, telling me Ronan isn’t happy with what he read. “Any shifter that needs to bring pain and suffering on someone to get off doesn’t deserve his wolf and needs to be put down. I promise you Ayla, I will kill the warden in my prison and any other shifter that caused you pain and suffering. You will cry again, but next time you do it will be because you want to and you will be happy when you do it.” I stare into his eyes and can tell he means what he says, but I pay no attention to the promise. Promises aren’t real. I don’t care who is making them. I can tell he means what he is saying, but I don’t think he understands fully my extent of hopelessness that I battle with off and on throughout the day.
“Little wolf, would it be alright if I ate supper with you in here tonight? You can write down any questions you have for me about myself or the pack and I can try my best to answer them for you.” He asks me with a vulnerability he may not show others in his eyes. The question has me feeling slightly nervous, but eager. I nod my head “yes.” “Great. I will be back later on tonight, let’s say 7? I will have some food sent up and we can just eat and talk about anything that comes up or I can answer any questions you may have.” He stands up and I do as well. I only come up to his sternum. I look up and I see that he is already smiling down at me. I smile slightly and lower my head as I begin to blush. Thane leans down with his mouth next to my ear and whispers “you can look down all you want little wolf, but i know you’re blushing for me. I immediately dart my eyes up to his, turning redder which causes him to laugh and show me his dimples. “Don’t worry little wolf, as white as your skin is it would rather difficult to hide your blush. I also enjoy seeing it.” He quickly clears his throat. “I mean, in the sense that if you are blushing, then you aren’t upset, and you not upset makes me happy. I should be going. I will be back later.”
I watch him leave my rooms and I set back on the couch. I have a few hours to think of anything I want to ask him. Do I have anything to ask him? This whole situation is overwhelming. I’m staring at the wall, thoughts flowing through one after another when it suddenly hits me. I have been safe all day. I have been free and safe all day. No abuse, no cage, no putrid smells and no disgusting alphas. Free. I let out a breathy laugh. I can’t hear it, but I know it’s there. Maybe someday I will speak again. At this point, I have gone so long without, I think the sound of my own voice would startle me.
A few hours go by of me doing nothing. Thinking, arguing internally about staying vs going. Being trapped in my mind is exhausting. I change into sleep pants and a tank top. Hopefully Thane doesn’t mind my attire for supper, but my body has years of sleep to catch up on and it feels like the revelation that I have been safe all day has switched something inside of me causing to become excessively tired. Almost like my body knows that it doesn’t need to be on high alert right now. I hear a knock on the door and realize Thane is here with our supper. I unlock the door and I am greeted with that dimpled smile and those green eyes. His earthy pine smell is invading my senses and I immediately feel more peaceful. I believe he truly is a good alpha and my shifter senses, although not in full force currently, sense it about him.
I brought our food, may I come in?” He asks, although for no reason he is the alpha and can do whatever he wants, but I smile and step aside anyway. He carries it over to the small island and it smells delicious. “I didn’t know how your stomach was feeling, so I just brought some baked potato soup, homemade bread and a chocolate cake for dessert. The thought of having cake causes my eyes to go wide and for him to chuckle. “I take it you like chocolate?” he asks and i quickly nod my head “yes. “Me too. Don’t tell anyone though. I don’t need my shifters thinking their alphas slugs around all day stuffing his face on chocolate. Also, I keep candy bars in my desk back in the office.” He gives me a huge grin which causes me to smile back.
Thane begins dishing up my food and I take a seat next to him at the island. I wait for him to begin eating; however, he is waiting for me to do the same. He smiles and states “Eat.” and that’s all I need to hear before I dig in cake first causing him to laugh dramatically. I mean, the soup smells great, but this omega needs her cake. He then slides his over to me. I stop eating and glance over at him and he is smiling at me sweetly. “Here, take mine. I know where it is kept. Don’t tell Monica though. If the kitchen finds out I sneak their cake I will catch a rolling pin upside the head.” I do take it, and I plan on starting it when I am finished with mine.
“Ayla, would you like to tell me about your family?” I look at him apprehensively, but I take my notepad and begin writing and when I am through, I pass it over to him and he begins to read it out loud to me. “I come from a small family. One younger sister, mother and father. All were murdered when I was kidnapped. They killed them in front of me. All except my dad, but the warden told me he killed him and burnt down our home.” I carefully chose my words, hoping to get away with not giving out too much information. “Had you shifted prior to your kidnapping? You would have been 14, correct?” I nodded my head “yes.” and wrote “one time on the note pad now resting on the island between us. He leans in towards me to read it and looks at me with a little sadness and a tight smile that doesn’t meet his eyes. I hope you can tell me more about them sometime. Can I ask why you don’t want to return to your old pack?” I look at him apprehensively, but then I answer him on the notepad. “They are all gone in the fire? A whole pack wiped out? Are you sure?” He reads and I nod my head “yes.” I didn’t see the annihilation of my pack, but the warden made sure to tell me about it in length. He starts to ask another question, but we are interrupted by a knock on my door.
Thane
A knock at the door has me pausing my conversation with Ayla. I can tell she’s panicking and rightfully so. Nobody should be coming to her room and only myself and a few others know where she is staying. I immediately get up to answer the door, but my shifter senses have already told me who is there before 1 open it and I am not happy. “Della, what are you doing here? I slowly growl while Ronan is pushing up against my mental barrier What am I doing here? What do you mean? What am I doing here? What are you doing here? I told you I was coming back to see you today and I could not find you anywhere. Why are you even in here?” Della, I am your alpha. It would be wise for you to remember that and lose the tone with me I asked you a question Why are you knocking on this door?” I asked her, a look of shock completely across her face, I just thought I would come by and introduce myself. I think it’s important that the rescue meets me as well. She moves to step into the room and I quickly block her entrance. First off, you should not be here. You were fold yesterday that I want nobody around her other than myself and Eric Secondly, how do you even know where she is staying? Third, she is not a “rescue”. Her name is Ayla and you will respect her by using her name appropriately, do you understand me?” Y ye yes I understand Thane. I heard from somebody in the kitchen that she was staying here. I just thought that I would come by and introduce myself. I apologize for not clearing that with you. I just want to be helpful and I figured that if shes going to be spending a lot of time with you, then she should get used to me as well. Now, can I come in? Meeting you, Della would be no more important to her than meeting any other pack member. I explain sternly, causing hurt to flash over her features, then carefully, she schools them to a mask of indifference.
I look back over my shoulder to check on Ayla. She remains at the island no longer looking afraid, but emotionless. While I am looking at little wolf, Della uses the opportunity to push pass me and enter the rooms. “Oh, I didn’t realize you two were eating a meal together. I thought that’s what we would be doing?” “No, As I recall, I never made plans to do any of the sort. “Oh really, I’m sorry I must be confused. Anyway, now that I am here, I would like to introduce myself. She walks up to Ayla, extending her hand with a smile plastered on her face. Maybe Della genuinely cares to help Ayla acclimate here? Hi Ayla, my name is Della, oh my gosh!” she quickly takes her hand back without giving Ayla the opportunity to shake her hand. “Look at your face and arms! You are covered in bruises. Wow. Well maybe we can get you some make up to cover yourself up since you don’t have shifter healing after losing your wolf, it could take forever to clear those bruises up. I’m sure you wouldn’t want the whole pack seeing them. I growl, causing Della and Ayla to jerk their heads toward me. Ayla looks down and to the left on instinct showing me her neck in submission, but Della just scowls. She does not need to slather herself in your female war paint to cover her bruises. She is stunning just the way she is. The bruises are a testimony to the strength that she possesses. She also will not be meeting anybody else in this pack until she is ready. Do I make myself clear?” “Crystal. I didn’t mean anything by it. You are correct Thane, she is beautiful. I don’t think I’ve never heard you describe another shifter as stunning before, which slightly confuses me since the pack is full of beautiful shifters and you literally see me every day. That comment has my eyebrows shooting up to my hairline. “Kidding. I’m teasing. Lighten up. I don’t need you to tell me 1 am stunning. I already know this. It would be nice to hear It sometime though. She winks at me causing my eyes to glow gold and Ronan to growl in my chest. ‘Della, I am your alpha first and your friend second. I am telling you now as your alpha to leave.” She heads for the door, looking back at us one more time before leaving, What a clusterfuck.I apologize Ayla. She should not have found out where you were staying and I will send a mind??ink out to everyone to stay away from these rooms unless I specifically send them here and you are aware of it beforehand. I sigh, running my hands through my hair while taking a seat at the island again. I feel like I should explain Della’s behavior to Ayla, but I also don’t want to Give her another sing to be bothered with. It looks like I need to have another tough discussion with Della. ‘Della is a friend of mine that gets a little too territorial and needs to be reminded of her place sometimes. She means well. Ayla nods her head in agreement and begins to eat her supper again. “Don’t pay any attention to her comments about needing make up. I mean it when I say that you are stunning and there is nothing for you to hide.” I tell her gently rubbing my thumb over the knuckles of her hand resting on her thigh. I am not sure why, but the action seems instinctual. She picks up the pad of paper and begins writing, then passes it over to me. “She was right about one thing?” I read out loud. “What was she right about little wolf. She takes the pad of paper from me scribbles on it quickly and slides it back over. “This pack is full of beautiful shifters. Eric and Cyrus could melt ice with their smiles.” I read. “Oh, is that right little wolf? My beta and my healer are the beautiful pack hotties? Well, Cyrus would agree with you and probably try to make a competition out of being the hottest of hot somehow or threaten everyone in the running with their early demise unless he won the title. You’re forgetting that I have dimples and wasn’t included in this line up. Is it my beard? I haven’t shaved in a week. Maybe you can’t see my dimples well enough. I will shave and tomorrow you can let me know if I can make the list? She quickly blushes and looks down. “Don’t hide from me, little wolf.” Ayla quickly looks up at me causing a “good girl” to roll off of my tongue. I’m not sure where that phrase keeps coming from, but I like it and I think she does too.
We eat in silence for a while. When we are finished, I get up and start clearing the island causing her to get up as well. It’s alright. I will take care of it; you just sit back down. She doesn’t. Instead, she walks over and hands me her pad of paper. “Thank you for standing up for me and keeping me safe today.” I read it and I’m happy and also sad that this little omega needs to thank me in the first place. Before I can say anything, she slowly walks over to me with her arms out and I realize she is working her way over to hug me. I can tell she is scared and apprehensive. I stand still, slowly starting to raise my arms out at my side and hold them out, giving her the opportunity to carefully wrap her arms around me. I’m sure it has been 10 years since she’s hugged anybody and I can’t put into words how I feel about that hug going to me. I carefully wrap my arms around her, firmly holding her against the middle of my chest. I lean down and bury my nose into her thick, beautiful white hair and catch myself taking a deep inhale, relishing in her lavender scent. Ronan is alert and calm. In fact, he is so calm, he has started to purr, surprising myself. I’ve never heard him do that before. It must be his instincts to protect and comfort an omega. I very softly and very carefully place a kiss on the top of her head. Telling myself it’s just a comforting action.
Ayla,
I take a step back. Confused, but also nervous about the kiss just planted on top of my head. Yes, I enjoyed it, but he’s also the alpha of this pack and Della clearly has a claim staked on him. He clears his throat. “I should get going, I have a few work things to catch up on. tomorrow, if you are up for it, I can drive you around the grounds and town. You wouldn’t have to meet anyone. It would be good for you to see the pack to will leave you get some sleep. Maybe help you decide on whether or not you want to become a member. I hope that you do, but that is ultimately up to you.” he lets go of me completely and heads to the door, glances over at me one more time, shows me those huge dimples and heads out the door. I don’t even know what to think about Della’s surprise visit. Thane ensured me that I would be safe here, but a complete stranger shifter knew how to find me. She clearly has feelings for Thane. Territorial is an understatement. There could be more than just friendship there, not that it is any of my concern, but thinking about it makes me feel disappointed.