The Alpha's Claim

10

"I have never seen you sleep, alpha."

Damien jerked awake. Naomi was fast asleep beside him. Eric hovered at the door, smiling. Damien blinked a few times before extricated his hands from Naomi's.

"I had often wondered if you slept at all. Turns out you are not immortal after all."

Damien brushed his hand through his hair and rubbed his eyes. "I need to get her somewhere safe." Eric nodded. "You will have two weeks to create and maintain a structure for Redwood. I trust you can do that?" he asked sharply.

"Of course, alpha."

Damien nodded. "I supposed Redwood could function as a summer home in the future."

"When we bring the old magic back to the wolves, there will be a pack for every day of the year, let alone every season," Eric said proudly. 

Damien nodded, eyes lingering on Naomi. Eric placed his hand on his shoulder and met his gaze.

"Your family will be avenged. Then, we can focus on starting our own."

Damien's eyes were lost in space. "How is yours?" Damien finally asked.

Eric smiled. "Perfect. She will be in to care for Naomi soon."

++++++++++++

I woke to the gentle humming of Berry. I shuffled and her hand came to rest against my shoulder.

"Morning, Naomi."

"Morning," I mumbled.

"It's nice to hear your voice. It's been too long," she said. I blinked a couple times and my eyes locked onto Berry. She was glowing. She faced me, and I saw her beaming.

"Is there a guy?" I asked hoarsely. She burst into laughter, and my heart lifted at the sound of pure joy. "How long was I out?" I joked.

Her laughter faded. "Bad news or good news?"

"Bad," I said, anxiety flooding my veins.

"Three days."

"Three?" I jumped up in shock. I had missed three shifts at work. Jody was going to kill me. Memories began to pour back. The Hunt. Damien.

"Good news," she quickly said. "Is that your shifted body heals quickly! Alpha suggested that you may heal in your sleep, which is why you were out so long. Your ankle is still healing, but at this rate, it will only be a few more days in the modified cast."

"Alpha Maximus said that?"

Berry's eyes lit up. "Uh, no." She sat on the edge of the bed. "Alpha Maximus is dead. He tried to kill you after someone else claimed you in the Hunt. So, our new alpha killed him."

My eyes widened. I hated Maximus, but I never wanted him dead. That seemed extreme.

A sudden thought hit me. "Who is our new alpha?"

"Alpha Damien. He's been in here almost every second when he's not doing alpha business. He is restructuring the pack. My dad is a gamma now, essentially running the logistics of the camp. There's a special force of all-female fighters for undercover operations. I've been seeing a lot less omegas come in from 'accidental' falls."

I froze, still processing it all.

"And—band-aid time. You're not a werewolf. You have wings."

I nodded slowly and looked down at my arms. I had zebra scars, but the burns were healed. My shoulder felt better. Even my ankle was manageable. I reached behind my back and brushed the feathers that were there. Wings?