His Delicate Love

1

The air was thick with the scent of pine, damp earth, and the faint hint of wood smoke drifting from the towering stone manor at the heart of the land. A humble omega named Annie, moved quietly through the shadowed corridors of the manor, balancing a tray of tea in her slender hands. The burn of the stone cup warmed her palms as she passed by a window, where moonlight filtered through the trees. Annie caught a glimpse of her reflection—a girl with golden skin, black wavy hair that tumbled over her shoulders, and soft brown eyes, framed with weariness.

Life in the Blackridge Clan was not easy for an omega. While wolf blood made Annie strong, her place at the bottom of the hierarchy weighed heavily on her every step. The Alpha and Luna, ruling with iron dominance, rarely gave a second thought to the servants. Annie is expected to serve, to listen, and to obey without question. Any hint of rebellion could be met with punishment. Annie wasn't like them—proud, powerful wolves—but rather humbled by her station, her voice soft, her presence nearly invisible in the grand halls of the pack's estate.

Outside, the omegas had their own section of the clan's territory—a humble cluster of cabins where they ate and slept. The wealth and splendor of the Alpha's estate were distant dreams. Yet, despite it all, there was a certain peace in her quiet life. Until tonight.

She heard it first—a growl. Low, rumbling, like a warning from the earth itself. The Alpha, Cade, and his mate, Luna Varia, were in one of their moods. Their tempers were infamous, and Annie hurried her pace, wanting to deliver the tea and retreat to the omega quarters before the tension snapped into something worse.

As she entered the grand hall, Cade's towering figure came into view, his silver eyes gleaming like steel in the firelight. His presence dominated the room, a predator that commanded respect. Varia, equally intimidating, lounged in her seat with a cruel smile playing on her lips.

Annie approached cautiously, bowing her head.

"Your tea, Alpha, Luna," she murmured, hoping her voice wouldn't tremble.

"What took you so long, omega?" Varia's voice cut through the silence like a blade. She didn't look at Annie as she spoke, her gaze fixed on the fire. Cade's attention was now fully on Annie, his eyes narrowing.

"Forgive me," Annie pleads, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart pounded in her chest, fear thick in her throat as she stood before the Alpha and Luna. Cade's sharp eyes softened for a brief second, then he made a swift hand motion, signaling for her to leave their presence. Relieved, Annie lowered her gaze and quickly retreated, not daring to look back. The weight of the air behind her seemed to ease only when she slipped past the heavy wooden door of the manor and into the cool night.

Her footsteps quickened as she returned to the omega quarters, the familiar sight of the small cabins a welcome relief. The scent of wood and damp moss wrapped around her like a protective cloak, and soon, she found herself outside the cabin she shared with a few other omegas. Before she could take a breath, the door flung open.

"Annie!" A voice cried out. Ms. Ginny, one of the older omegas, rushed toward her, wrapping her in a tight, warm hug. The scent of lavender and aged pine filled Annie's senses, and for a moment, she relaxed into the embrace, feeling safe.

"Oh, Ms. Ginny," Annie murmured, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "It's good to see you."

Ginny held her at arm's length, her silver-streaked hair shining in the dim light, eyes twinkling with warmth and familiarity. "And it's good to be home. I was worried about you, child."

Annie nodded, stepping back slightly as the comfort of the embrace passed. "How was your trip to the Windhallow Clan?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her brown eyes. Windhallow was one of the oldest allies of the Blackridge Clan, a neighboring pack known for its strength and resourcefulness. Ms. Ginny often accompanied the warriors when they visited, acting as a mediator and offering support.

Ms. Ginny's expression softened. "Oh, the Windhallow wolves were gracious as always. Their lands are so different from ours, covered in rolling hills and endless fog... But the warriors, they're something else—stern, and watchful. They were in need of supplies, so I helped distribute the resources. We exchanged goods, made sure our alliance stays strong." She paused, her voice lowering as if speaking of something delicate. "But there's talk of unrest. Even among our allies. They sense it, too."

Annie tilted her head, concern tugging at her chest. "Unrest? What kind of unrest?"

Ms. Ginny glanced toward the window, her face etched with a mixture of worry and wisdom. "Some say the clans are growing restless, tensions rising between the younger alphas... And there are whispers of lone wolves gathering. It might be nothing—or it might be the calm before the storm."

The unease Ms. Ginny spoke of mirrored the feeling Annie had sensed brewing at the Blackridge manor. The way Alpha Cade's gaze lingered on her tonight had been unsettling, more intense than usual. She tried to shake the thought away.

"Alpha Cade and Luna Varia have been more strict with us lately," Annie shared, her voice dropping as she glanced toward the door, as if fearing someone might overhear. "I suppose it has something to do with what you're talking about. The tension... it's different."

Ms. Ginny's brow furrowed slightly, her eyes drifting to the floor as she became lost in thought. After a long pause, she looked back at Annie, her gaze contemplative, weighed down by the knowledge of her years.

"Perhaps," she murmured, the word lingering between them like a shadow. Her lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "But no worries, love. We'll be alright. Whatever is happening, we have strong warriors who will protect us."

Annie studied Ms. Ginny's face, but beneath the older woman's calm words, there was an unease she couldn't quite place. The smile didn't reach her eyes, and her earlier words—about unrest, about lone wolves—hung heavily in the air. Annie wanted to believe her, to trust that the warriors of Blackridge would stand strong, that the Alpha and Luna, for all their strictness, would shield them if something went wrong. But the growing edge in Cade's voice, the Luna's cold commands, had been cutting deeper as of late. The omegas had felt it too—quiet whispers of dread passed around the communal fires.

Ms. Ginny stepped closer, reaching out to tuck a strand of Annie's wavy black hair behind her ear. "Don't you go worrying yourself now," she said softly. "We've seen harder days, and we'll get through this."

Annie nodded, but the pit of anxiety in her stomach didn't ease. "I hope so, Ms. Ginny."

The older woman patted her cheek gently before stepping away. "Now, you get some rest, child. Tomorrow is a new day, and you'll need your strength."

Annie gave a small smile, watching as Ms. Ginny turned and walked toward her own quarters. The night was calm, too calm perhaps, the distant howls of wolves echoing across the vast stretches of the forest. The moon hung low, casting long shadows over the cabins.

Alone again, Annie stepped into her small cabin, the familiar scent of the wooden walls greeting her. She sat on the edge of her bed, the soft blanket draped over her lap, and stared at the flickering candle beside her. Her thoughts swirled with Ms. Ginny's words, the whispers of unrest, and the growing tension that seemed to claw at the very heart of the clan.

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Hi guys!!! Ive been working on this for a while and I've kept it in the drafts but I'm happy to share it with y'all now so hopefully you like it and feel free to let me know what you think :) thank you so much !!