His Delicate Love

2

The next day, the sky was dark, heavy clouds rolling in as the rain pounded relentlessly against the earth. The once dry paths between the cabins had turned into streams of mud, and the air smelled of damp wood and fresh rain. Most of the omegas were inside, either in the manor tending to their duties, or huddled in the cabins, resting or taking shelter from the storm. But not Annie.

Today, she had been ordered to work with the warriors. It was a rare assignment for an omega like her, and she couldn't help but wonder why Cade or Luna Varia had chosen her for the task. Their orders had been brief, commanding her to assist with preparations in the warrior's quarters. Though the work was familiar—cleaning, organizing supplies, attending to any needs the warriors had—something about today felt different.

The rain soaked through her clothes as she crossed the yard, heading to the large stone barracks where the warriors trained and planned. The structure was intimidating, its cold walls towering over the omega cabins like a fortress. She pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside, the warmth of the hearth immediately enveloping her as the sound of low voices filled the space.

Inside, the warriors were gathered in small groups, some sharpening weapons, others hunched over maps spread across the wooden tables. Their conversation was quiet, but even from the corner where she stood, Annie could hear snippets of their discussion. Talk of opposing clans reclaiming old territory, of lone wolves growing more aggressive and dangerous. The tension in the room mirrored the unease that had been brewing in the manor for weeks.

Annie kept to herself, her movements careful and unobtrusive as she went about her duties. But she couldn't help but listen, her curiosity piqued by the warriors' grim tones. She had always been told that the Blackridge Clan was strong, unshakable in its dominance over the surrounding lands. The idea that other clans might be challenging that power, or that lone wolves were becoming a threat, was unsettling.

As she wiped down a row of weapons near the back wall, she overheard two of the senior warriors talking in low voices.

"It's the Ravenstone Clan," one of them muttered, his scarred hands gripping the hilt of a dagger. "They've been claiming land near the northern border, pushing closer to our territory. Alpha Cade sent scouts last week, but they haven't returned."

The other warrior nodded, his jaw tight. "And the lone wolves... they're no longer scattered. They're banding together, forming packs of their own. Some say they're being led by a rogue alpha."

Annie's heart skipped a beat at the mention of a rogue alpha. She knew little of the lone wolves—wolves without a clan, outcasts who survived on the fringes of pack society. But the thought of them organizing, growing stronger, was a chilling one.

She continued her work in silence, but her mind was racing. If Ravenstone was moving in on their land, and lone wolves were becoming more aggressive, what would that mean for the Blackridge Clan? For the omegas?

As she moved to the other side of the room, one of the younger warriors glanced her way. His sharp green eyes lingered on her for a moment before he spoke.

"Hey, omega," he called out, his voice neither harsh nor kind, but curious. "You hear anything interesting while you're working?"

Annie paused, unsure how to respond. She kept her gaze low, not wanting to draw attention to herself. "I... I'm just here to help," she said softly, hoping that would satisfy him.

But the warrior didn't seem satisfied. He stood, stepping closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. "I bet you hear a lot, being around the Alpha and Luna as much as you are."

The room seemed to quiet slightly, as if others were listening now, too.

Annie glanced up at the man towering over her, his presence making her feel even smaller beneath the weight of his stare. His green eyes held an intensity that made her heart race, but she quickly lowered her gaze, unwilling to meet his scrutiny for too long.

"I... I don't know," she murmured softly, her voice barely carrying above the sound of rain pelting the windows. Her hands clenched the cloth she was using to clean the table, her fingers trembling slightly. She could feel the man's glare burn into her, as if he was waiting for more, something she wasn't willing—or able—to give.

Just as the young warrior opened his mouth to speak again, his frustration evident in the way his muscles tensed, a commanding voice cut through the tension.

"Enough. Leave her be."

The voice belonged to one of the senior warriors, a woman with graying hair tied back in a tight braid. She had a no-nonsense air about her, and her sharp blue eyes darted between the younger man and Annie. Her tone left no room for argument, and the young warrior, though clearly annoyed, grunted and stepped away, muttering under his breath as he moved to rejoin his group.

The older woman shook her head, her expression softening as she turned her attention to Annie. "How are your duties coming along?" she asked, her voice gentler now, no longer carrying the sharpness she had used with the young man. Her gaze held no judgment, only a calm understanding, as if she had seen such moments countless times before.

Annie swallowed hard, feeling a rush of relief at the intervention. She offered the older woman a small smile, though it was faint. "I'm almost done," she replied, her voice still soft but more steady now.

The senior warrior nodded, a reassuring smile tugging at her lips. "Good. You're doing well. Just take your time." She patted Annie's shoulder before turning to walk away, leaving Annie with a sense of quiet reassurance, even in the midst of the uneasy atmosphere.

As the older woman moved along, Annie continued her work in silence, the earlier tension fading but not entirely gone. The room still buzzed with conversation about battles, border disputes, and rumors of rogue alphas. Annie's mind was a whirl of thoughts, her curiosity now more piqued than ever. But she kept her head down, determined to stay unnoticed for the rest of the day.

That night, as the rain continued to patter softly against the roof, Annie sat beside Ms. Ginny in the dimly lit cabin, the others either already asleep or speaking quietly among themselves. The soft glow of the fire cast flickering shadows along the walls, and the air inside was warm and hushed, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the warriors' quarters earlier in the day.

Annie leaned closer to Ms. Ginny, her brown eyes wide with worry as she whispered, "I heard the warriors talking about what's happening... about the lone wolves, the opposing clans reclaiming territory." Her voice trembled slightly, the fear from the day still gripping her chest. "It sounds dangerous, Ms. Ginny."

Ms. Ginny's expression softened, but her brows drew together with a hint of concern. She looked around the cabin, ensuring no one was listening, before gently taking Annie's hands in hers, her weathered palms warm and comforting against Annie's cooler skin. She leaned in closer, her silver hair catching the firelight.

"Now, now, Annie," she whispered, her voice firm but kind, "don't you go snooping on others' conversations. You're a good girl. Leave the talk of wars and wolves to those it concerns."

Annie looked down, feeling a little ashamed but still unable to shake the unease that gripped her. "But Ms. Ginny," she murmured, "if something's coming, shouldn't we be prepared? What if... what if the warriors can't stop it?"

Ms. Ginny squeezed her hands gently, her smile filled with understanding. "I know you're worried, love. But the truth is, sometimes it's best not to get caught up in things beyond your control. We omegas, we have our duties—simple as they may seem, they keep the pack running. Leave the rest to the warriors and the Alpha."

Her words were meant to reassure, but the anxiety gnawing at Annie's heart didn't fade. She could still hear the murmurs of the warriors in her mind, the talk of threats looming on the horizon. She nodded, though, knowing Ms. Ginny was only trying to protect her from fear.

Ms. Ginny's grip tightened slightly as she pulled Annie into a brief hug. "We've survived this long, haven't we? You trust me, now. Everything will be fine."

Annie nodded again, though her gaze remained distant, her thoughts still tangled in the words she had overheard earlier. Despite Ms. Ginny's comforting presence, something inside her whispered that the days ahead would be far from fine.