Guarding Omega

21

Ivory stands still looking puzzled at Wayne. When she passed the gates and approached the Alpha's house, the scent of pines with mountain breeze and a certain male filled her nose and hugged her with a veil of relief, getting away the constant tension she was carrying with her.

It felt so nice finding herself in this place again. Her body was acting strange. Anticipation was filling her chest and making a light warmth spread all over her. Her wolf was excited too. She could hear her howling and jumping around.

Resting her head on the window, she watched the trees go by as the car was going up the path to Alpha's house. How life changes. I was convinced that I'll never feel safe and happy in my life and out of the blue things turn around and my heart is filled with positive emotions and hope that good exists out there.

The car finally stops outside the residence and the chanters go out first from the back seats. Her cells filled with the joy of meeting her saviour again and she couldn't wait for the moment to come. Finally, one of the chanters opens the door for her and she gets out. The chanters stand on site and reveal before her the Alpha's tall and broad frame. Wayne.

Her heart blooms with the joy of seeing him again. As he stands opposite her, she takes a full breath letting his musky scent travel inside her and resurfacing the memories of her time spent there, before she's been transported to the sanctuary and from there to the temple of the goddess.

Though now, as she lifts her gaze to look at Wayne, uncertainty crashes all her expectations. Wayne stands like a statue with his amber eyes glowing slightly and wide in shock. He looks like he's seen a ghost. I thought... I thought he would be happy to see me.

Like something within Wayne clicks, he gets out of his frozen state and blinks twice. Ivory looks at him, with a mask of concern on her face. Wayne bows his head and instantly all do the same. Ivory gets a brief look at the crowd behind but her eyes never leave Wayne. This awkwardness between them confirms her uncertainty and disappoints her.

Wayne's mouth opens and Ivory holds her breath, waiting for him to call her name. "High priestess, you honour us with your presence. Welcome ba... to our pack." instead comes out of his mouth and her shoulders fall in defeat.

"Thank you, Alpha. The honour is mine." She speaks softly, nearly audible to the people close to her. Wayne takes a step aside, taking his hand out for her. With a heavy heart, Ivory places her hand in his and his fingers close, trapping her inside his large palm. She doesn't know to how to feel when her skin touches his, the warmth and security that once were providing her when he was holding her hands in his and rubbing his thumbs on her outside, trying to comfort her and promising everything is going to be fine.

Wayne guides her to the throne room, where the guests were already waiting, the room buzzing with voices. Ivory enters and the room falls silent in a second. Everyone's heads snap towards her direction, standing straight in the presence of the highest of titles amongst them. Not an eye blinking, all wait for a few words from the new high priestess.

"We have gathered all here tonight to honour and pay our respects to a beloved and respected member of our race, the Late Alpha Mason. A father, a leader, a friend, he was for all an important part of our society, who gave great fights to bring the packs into a new era of prosperity. May the silver goddess bless you all with courage and strength and console. Bless you, all." Ivory speaks with a shaky voice. It was the first time she was addressing a crowd in her new position and all this attention was making her body shake from stress.

Turning to her right, she finds Gina and the baby looking at her. "Thank you very much for your invitation."

Gina bends in a light curtsy. Wayne comes to join her. The look Gina gives him speaks volumes. Ivory turns to look at the baby and sees the same amber eyes looking back at her. A lump forms in her throat blocking her breathing and something tugs in her chest.

"I ask your forgiveness but the journey has worn me out and I am passed my night prayers." Ivory finds the strength to say covering her emotions that create a flood within. "Can someone show me to the sanctum please?"

Wayne opens his mouth but Gina cuts him off. "Of course, high priestess. I'll send Victoria to show you the way." She smiles. Giving a nod of appreciation, Ivory walks out of the throne room, followed by the chanters.

***

In the meantime, Wayne feels like hallucinating. Like something has taken his deepest desire and has transformed it into a nightmare, sucking him into it. How could this be possible? His head was a mess and his body was refusing to notice it.

His body wanted to get close to her, touch her, wrap his arms around her and fill her with his scent. Dominance emanated from his body while his wolf was howling inside and Wayne's body tensed and his jaw clenched trying hard to gain control.

If anyone would notice it would be a disaster.

Could she be a doppelganger? Could be anyone's trick to fool me? Or my mind is playing tricks on me?

The thoughts were running again and again in his mind like a whirlwind. Could it be true? However, how could she match so perfectly the way Ivory's dark brown eyes were glistening in the dark where only the starlight was reflecting on them? How could she match her shy and reserved posture while she's standing? How could she match the voice that for the past hour he's longed to hear it calling his name?

But, if she's alive and well and stands in person in front of him, why did his father lie to him? I guess I'll never know. When she gets out of the throne room, he stands there lost in thought when he feels a hand gently landing on his back.

"What's wrong love? Are you feeling all right?" Gina asks in concern. Wayne turns to her, giving a tired smile.

"I think all this is draining my energy, but I'll be fine." He whispers leaning close to her ear.

When the dinner is over and the guests are slowly taking their leave for rest, Wayne and Gina stand up from the table. Gina catches up the distance between them and passes her arm around his elbow.

"Gina, I need some air to calm down," Wayne says as they reach the stairs to the upper floor. "Want to join me? Just a walk outside. No talking."

Gina stares at him for a few seconds, trying to decipher him. He's been acting strangely these past few days, but today he was at the zenith. Always lost in thought, she frequently wondered what it's in his mind. "I think is better to check on Mason." She kindly declines his offer. Wayne nods at her with a smile. Without saying a further word, he walks past the main entrance.

The cold breeze brushes his skin. Exactly what he was looking for. All the time spent inside was making his blood boil and his skin itching. He wanted the cold to reset his mind. The moon was at its highest, shining brightly above, making the tips of the trees look silver. Taking out his clothes and placing them in a pile under a loose wooden tile on the terrace, he shifts to his wolf.

Dark grey fur covers his body as the sound of bones cracking and reconnecting breaks the silence of the forest. A pair of amber eyes glow in the dark. Wayne looks magnificent and intimidating in both his wolf and human form. His large paws hit the ground as he launches forward, running down the path leading to the sanctum.