The Alpha's Addiction [BXB]

Chapter 6: Journey

I scramble for my knife, searching for a few seconds before I realize they must have taken it. Which makes sense if they're choosing to hold us captive. But we are not tied up...

I hear his heavy footsteps—I know they're his, how can I not when the closer he gets to the tent the butterflies in my stomach feel like they'll fly up my throat. Curse it. It's not by my choice. Just this stupid mate bond.

I quickly lie back beside Oliver, pretending to be asleep. Perhaps he will proceed with less caution if he thinks I'm still out and I'll be able to make a move.

I hear the fabric pulling back. "Ah. You are awake," his deep voice startles me.

Fuck. Of course. I should've known tricking him would be harder than that. I sit up, glaring at him.

"Whatever you plan to do to us, I promise it will not end well for you,"

"'Do' to you? Why make it sound like that?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Because that's how you alphas work! Y-you always act on your selfish desires!"

"If the selfish desire is to keep my mate and his pup safe, then yes. I do act on that,"

I scoff. "Don't you sugarcoat it, dickhead. I'm not an idiot. So, what? Do you plan on keeping me captive until I go along with this mate shit? It won't work. I'll never submit to you.!"

He's quiet for a moment, studying me. He still gives nothing away by his expression and it's absolutely infuriating. "I do not wish to force you into anything. But.. There are rogues in these woods. Predators. You are easy targets, an omega and a pup. I cannot let you leave my protection,"

"Fuck you.! We're not easy targets!"

"You are covered in bruises. You collapsed, bleeding in my arms. Am I supposed to believe those injuries did not come from an assailant?"

"I—I am fine! He's dead.!"

"It does not change the fact that there are others out there who will hurt you,"

"So assuming every damn wolf in these woods is out to get us—how can I trust you?"

"I am your mate," he replies, like it's the most explanatory reason in the world as to why I should let my guard down. Fat chance.

"First of all, no. No! We're not—"

"Deny what you will. The evidence is what you feel in your chest, as I do in mine. Your wolf longs for me, does it not?"

My cheeks flush in embarrassment, annoyed by the fact that he's right. Not that I'd ever admit it.

"I feel nothing for you," I snap.

He goes quiet. He looks hurt. Hah. I can't imagine why. He barely knows me. Why would what I think of him matter? He could just snatch up another omega, if he wanted. An omega far more suited for him than me. And it's not like an omega reciprocating affection has ever been necessary. He can take what he wants, like all the others do.

Still, I feel the need to justify myself, for some reason. But no words come to my tongue. Instead, I give him a withering glare, wrapping my arms around Oliver protectively.

His eyes are icy, boring through my soul. I've definitely angered him. "Will you tell me your name, at least?" he asks, any warmth gone from his tone.

I stubbornly look away, refusing to answer.

He huffs in displeasure, before retreating. "Fine then. You are not to leave. Do not even think of running,"

Then he roughly throws the tent open and storms off. I make a rude gesture in the direction he left in, gritting my teeth. Fuck this guy.

*

A while later, the female alpha I know as Lonnie comes to our tent. She's got pale, ivory skin and large black eyes, making her look insect-like. Her hair is dark brown, cut short. I regard her with suspicion.

"I'm only here to tell you that we're heading back to the pack now,"

"The pack?" I ask, looking to the recently awakened Oliver who still looks half asleep. Poor baby. He must've been so tired.

"Yes. Our pack. The Nightshade Pack. Cyrus, your mate, is our Alpha. He's needed back at home,"

Alpha. I quickly process the information. So he's their leader. Which means I've run from one crazy Alpha of a pack who forced me to be his mate to another who actually is my mate, and also seems to want to force me to go along with it. Or at least hold me captive. He's no different from Zacan. My wolf bristles at the statement, not liking what I'm suggesting.

"Chop chop. We're leaving within the hour," she urges, then leaves before I can make a retort.

I sigh, putting my face in my hands. What can I do? They'll catch us if we try to escape. And even if we do manage, where will we go? I tried to follow the North Star, and look where that's gotten me. I have to accept I have no talent for navigation. Oliver and I may end up alone and lost in the woods, starving. I can't risk that.

I make a decision there and then. We will go with these wolves. For now. If they can provide food and shelter, I can't pass that up. Moon goddess knows Oliver needs it. He looks more exhausted than I do, and he's not even the one with multiple injuries.

"Are we gonna go with them, mama?" He asks in a small voice.

"Yes," I reply, hoping my voice doesn't waver. "But do not tell them where we came from. Nothing. We cannot risk rumors spreading and getting back to Zacan. He'd find us,"

Oliver nods solemnly. He's always listened well. I hear his stomach growl just then, and know I must find food. Even if it means leaving the tent I've been treating as my safe haven from the world—and situation—stirring outside.

I tentatively take Oliver out, holding him on my hip as he rests against my shoulder. He's gotten so big, man. My arms already feel like they're going to fall off.

But I ignore the strain of my muscles, walking over to where an unfamiliar alpha stands. "Excuse me? He's hungry," I tell him, causing him to whip around in surprise. He must be Xavier. The one Lonnie was talking to earlier. He looks opposite of her. He's brown, like me, but about two shades darker. His eyes can only be described as a mix between yellow and orange, like a sunset. He has long dreadlocks tied up in a semi-knot on his head, some of the longer strands trailing down his back.

"You have such light footsteps," he remarks, eyes wide as he surveys me and my son.

"He's hungry," I repeat.

"Yes," he bows his head. "I will fetch him food right away, Luna,"

The title catches me off guard. "You're mistaken," I narrow my eyes at him, "That is not what I am,"

He looks confused for a moment, before bowing his head again. "My apologies,"

Then he walks over to the fire, getting the food where it sits in a lidded pot beside it.

*

Cyrus won't leave me alone. Although we do not speak to each other, he refuses to move from my side as we travel through the forest. Cyrus, Lonnie and Xavier are all transformed into their wolves, while Oliver and I remain in human form. Oliver doesn't even know how to transform. And me... we'll I've barely transformed since I got pregnant with him. Once omegas were deemed "of age" we weren't allowed outside much, which is the only place our wolves could run free.

On my other side Xavier flanks Oliver and I, and Lonnie walks behind us. We're completely surrounded. I wonder if it's for our protection or so we don't make a run for it. Maybe both.

I've been concealing my injured ankle, doing my best to hide the ache that smarts my leg with every step. But it only gets worse as we go on, the pain increasing until it feels like a knife tearing through my ligaments. I feel annoyed that I haven't healed yet. But then again, omegas heal slower.

Abruptly, I stumble to the ground, cursing as I let out a whine at the hurt. Immediately, Cyrus stops, looking to me with urgency. I can't walk. I'm weak, dehydrated, exhausted beyond belief. I can't go on. I really can't.