Guarding Omega

5

The dead leaves on the ground were flying away with every dragging step of her legs. Ivory was trying to run – as fast and away as she could – but her already drained-of-energy body was giving up on her.

So, she kept staggering through the forest, getting a hold of various trees, and heading back to her tent. It may be nothing to the house she once lived with her parents, but the tent was her only place to seek refuge. Even though she feared they knew exactly where to find her.

***

Wayne stood still – like a living statue – looking in the direction she fled. A muscle in his jaw clenched but he kept his posture and the expressionless mask on his face.

A few moments ago, he and his father – Alpha Mason – had just entered the Moon river pack territory and be lead to the Alpha's house by a small group waiting for them at the border. The air once they set foot seemed to change in here.

A soft mist was covering the floor and the chill air was causing each breath coming out of Wayne's mouth to look like a puff of steam. A thought crossed his mind. Was this place cursed?

They were a few rumours about the Moon river pack and the nature of his dealings with the other packs – and sometimes with humans and other paranormal beings as well. And the reason for their visit was double.

Number one, Alpha Mason's last tour and the introduction of Wayne as the soon-to-be Alpha of the Silver spear pack. It was important to keep good relations with the rest of the packs and Alpha Mason would make sure his son is well-acquainted with all.

Number two, the Silver spear pack was involved to some extent in the dealings the Moon river pack was doing. This was a part Wayne hated and was a top priority on his list to lead the pack away from such a path.

He wanted to focus on trade – and most importantly their crops. Silver spear pack had an enormous area of arable land and it was a shame that none sympathised with his vision. They all wanted easy money. Money that weapons and drugs and – who knows what else – could bring.

But Wayne was determined to find a way. That didn't mean that he had to cut out all links from the start. Diplomacy was a must.

They had just reached Alpha Remus's house, when a loud sound of something metallic falling accompanied by water splashing, got his attention. His head snapped to the direction the sounds were coming and he took a few steps away from his position – next to his father – to check it.

But before he makes one more step he saw a small frame, walking in blind. It was a female, her eyes shut and slightly red around the edges, hissing breath – indicating she was in somewhat of pain – and trembling hands stretched wide open in front, maybe trying to hold on to something.

She wobbled with each step. Forming an almost circular line she literary bumped into him just at the moment, Alpha Remus – accompanied by Drake – was standing on the doorframe of the main entrance. Wayne caught her by the shoulders, and she gasped in reaction to his touch.

The coldness of her skin took Wayne by surprise. It was normal for wolves to have higher body temperature than humans and some other paranormal beings but never in his life so far had he come in touch with a wolf with freezing skin.

Her pale skin – like a ghost – got his attention. Another strange fact. Wolves were tanned by nature. They were also taller and more muscular than any human being or not. However, the girl standing in front of him was small, pale and looked so fragile. Wayne thought that if he squeezed his hands a tiny bit more, her bones would break.

She slowly opened her eyes and Wayne hold his breath unconsciously. Behind those closed eyelids, a pair of warm chocolate eyes were hidden. It felt like time stopped but that feeling soon vanished the very next moment when she turned and run away with shaky steps.