Is this love...

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Sorry I was supposed to post this days ago but my dumb ass didn't... anyways enjoy!!

Velvet's pov

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I wake to the leader's voice, calling everyone to the campfire as we prepare to head back home. Y/n is still asleep on my shoulder, her breath warm against my skin. I try to wake her with a gentle shake, but she doesn't respond. We're leaving, and I can't just leave her here, so I carefully lift her into my arms.

She's so light. Too light. As I carry her, I can feel the sharp edges of her bones, and it hits me—did her father starve her? The thought churns in my mind, a bitter taste in my mouth. If he was heartless enough to give her to our pack without a second thought, what else did he do to her back in his territory? Did she even realize she was being starved?

I push the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. We have a long journey ahead, and I can't afford to get lost in my head. With Y/n cradled against me, I fall in line with the pack, ready to head home.

As we set out, the campfire's glow fades, replaced by the steady rhythm of footsteps and the rustling of leaves underfoot. Y/n stays asleep in my arms, her slight weight a constant presence. The path ahead is long, winding through dense woods and over rough terrain, but the pack moves with ease, each of us falling into our roles.

Fang, one of the more seasoned members of our pack, falls into step beside me. He glances at Y/n, then at me, curiosity and something else—concern?—flickering in his eyes.

"She's still out?" Fang asks, his voice low, careful.

"Yeah," I reply curtly, adjusting my grip on her. "She is."

Fang grunts, his eyes lingering on Y/n for a moment longer before he looks back at me. "Velvet, what's the deal with her? She doesn't seem like the others. There's something... off."

I bite back the irritation rising in my chest. I don't owe him an explanation, but I know I have to play nice. "She's been through a lot," I say flatly, giving him as little as possible. "Her father wasn't exactly kind."

Fang's expression darkens, and he looks like he wants to press for more, but I'm not in the mood for a deep dive into Y/n's past—or mine. "She's too quiet," he says, his tone heavy. "Not like most Omegas we've brought in."

I nod, more to shut him up than anything. "She'll adapt," I say, keeping my voice even. "They always do."

Fang studies me for a moment, then nods. "Just keep an eye on her. The transition's tough enough without whatever she's carrying."

"I'll do what I have to," I say, my tone clipped. I tighten my hold on Y/n, not out of affection but necessity. I'm not about to let her slow us down.

Fang gives me a brief nod before moving ahead, blending back into the pack. I watch him go, then turn my gaze back to the path. Y/n stirs slightly in my arms, but I don't look down. She's safe with us now, but that doesn't mean I have to like it—or her.

The journey is slow, the terrain rougher than usual, but the pack moves with steady determination. Y/n doesn't wake, and I find myself grateful for the silence. It's easier this way, not having to deal with her wide, uncertain eyes or the way she looks at me like she's trying to figure me out. I don't need her pity—or whatever it is she thinks she's offering.

As the sun climbs higher, the pack pauses to rest by a stream. I set Y/n down gently, propping her against a tree. Her head lolls to the side, and I take a moment to study her face. She looks peaceful when she's asleep, almost innocent—like she hasn't seen the worst of what this world has to offer. But I know better.

"Hey, Velvet," comes a voice from behind me. It's Thorn, another pack member, her expression unreadable as she approaches. "How's our little guest holding up?"

I shrug, not bothering to hide my indifference. "She's fine. Still out cold."

Thorn crouches down beside Y/n, her eyes narrowing slightly as she takes in the girl's fragile form. "She's scrawny. Was she always like this?"

"Don't know, don't care," I say, a bit too sharply. I immediately regret the edge in my voice, but Thorn doesn't seem to notice—or if she does, she doesn't comment on it.

"She's probably starving," Thorn says, almost to herself. "Might explain why she's been so out of it."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "She'll eat when she wakes up. We'll make sure of it."

Thorn looks up at me, her gaze piercing. "You don't have to act like you're the only one who's got a stake in this, Velvet. We're all responsible for her now."

"I'm not acting like anything," I snap back, the words leaving my mouth before I can stop them. I know I should reign it in, but something about this whole situation rubs me the wrong way. "I'm doing what's expected. Nothing more, nothing less."

Thorn raises an eyebrow but doesn't push further. "Just don't forget that she's one of us now," she says, standing up. "Whether we like it or not."

I don't respond, watching as Thorn moves away to join the others. I know she's right, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept. I turn my attention back to Y/n, still unconscious and oblivious to the world around her. She's one of us now. Whether I like it or not.

I sigh and stand up, looking around at the rest of the pack as they gather their things. The break is over, and we'll be moving again soon. I glance back at Y/n, still leaning against the tree, and feel a flicker of annoyance. I'm not her caretaker. I never wanted to be.

But as I move to lift her again, I can't shake the uneasy feeling settling in my chest. I don't like her, but I can't bring myself to just leave her behind. Maybe that's what bothers me the most.

Without another word, I pick her up, falling back in line with the pack as we continue our journey. The road ahead is long, and I have no idea what awaits us when we reach home. But for now, all I can do is keep moving forward, Y/n in tow, and hope that whatever comes next is something I can handle.

I'm back! Sorry for the wait

Me when a trolls song comes on in front of my family or friends

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Me when a trolls song comes on in front of my family or friends

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