I Am Me (Book One): Weakness

Chapter 13: Your Pack

Isaiah's POV

Finally! I knew it! I told everyone it would happen! I had faith he's pull through the dark and back to where he belongs, here with us. My god, I forgot how much I missed him and his mannerisms that I got so acquainted with from a distance. It is a relief on so many levels. I would be fine spending my days with his wolf if it would've come to that, but I'd much prefer to have Mark in every aspect that is him. Now, if only I knew if he feels the same.

I may have missed his old self and talking with him has brought me to love him even more, but back when I was talking to his wolf, there appeared to be nothin holding it back from expressing its views of the world and it's life, good and bad. Human Mark is not as simple and I knew that, but it is a little jarring to live seven years with someone who wore their heart on their sleeve only to be guessing later down the line. It's an understandable defense mechanism, but I'd be lying if I said I weren't a little hurt that his trust yet completely in me like his wolf.

As I talk to him, I realize just how nervous I am, given that his attention is no longer on me the minute we step outside, yet I'm still rambling like a lunatic. You see something everyday and it seems like old news, but to someone who has never seen our new Pack Complex, it's a bit nicer. Granted the Pack house is the same, but soon, we added to the plot a land a whole complex of apartments for single men and women or small families. It's funny how Packs don't normally have this. Granted the bigger Packs usually stay in large mansions that could fit an entire Pack and guests, somehow, but still, it's nice for us to have our own space beyond a single room, yet still be close enough together to see each other practically every day. It's not always perfect, but as a Pack, we make it work. My parents live in this complex as does Marks. The benefits of having one or two kids. Marks brother, though initially worried about him, eventually moved out, so Marks parents saw no reasons to keep their house. They still have a guest room for when he comes to visit and all, but for the most part, we are a lot closer. 

And the timing couldn't be better because around the time it was finishing up, Rogues started entering our lands. They were very hostile, their alpha was a beast of a wolf. I never had the pleasure to fight him though since, somehow, my mate snuck in the battlefield to have first dibs. Neither won because I finally stepped forward with a loud resounding howl. Luckily, my alpha voice had only gotten better with time. Talking with the alpha, he was quite the ruthless bastard, but I got him to see things my way. So, we merged Packs, given them a permanent home and giving us more support in terms of power. And boy what power we do have, since the men are huge in this Rogue Pack integrated in our Pack. Mark growled a bit at that last explanation. Still, he was amazed on what we managed to amass. 

"Hey beautiful! Hey!", we hear as wild-whistles sound. I give a glare to our harassers as I see poor  Marks cheeks slightly pink in embarrassment. Fortunately, both our wolves already told theirs to back off. 

"Is it always like this?", he asks as we enter my office. "It's exactly this kind of thing I wanted to avoid for my entire life! Oh god, if I'm outed as an Omega, what must the pack think of me?"

"It's okay. Yes, the new guys are a bit chauvinistic, but they know their places. We have each other and our wolves in those times where we have been bothered. We are capable as grown men and they respect that underneath the macho acts. Especially the day your wolf stood against his and managed to rough 'em up", I say to reassure his immediate panic. 

But trouble does not stop there. "Alpha Isaiah. Pleasure to be in your presence once again", speaks the smooth voice of Alpha Bradley.  Standing at 6'1", a tall muscular man, ruggish in his dirty shirt with dry concrete spots. With his chestnut brown hair, matching scruff, and piercing blue eyes, he is quite the eye catcher for almost all who gaze on him, even dominants. He must be on his break from building his home for his consort of mates. As distasteful as I find it, his ways are different from how I was raised and I wouldn't and won't judge him. That still doesn't still doesn't stop him from just what he is about to do now that spells trouble every single day he comes in the morning.

"Construction for my house is near completion and I wanted to thank you. Personally. That is, if your bodyguard wishes to perhaps flaunt himself to some of my interested warriors", he speaks arrogantly. The growls which have not stopped since he walked in the room get louder as, like every day since they've been here, Mark pins him against the wall. Unlike the other times, his concern isn't with me.

"I am not some whore ready bend for bunch of filthy pigs like you. Next time one of yours dares to even look at me funny, I will tear each and every one your eyes out so that you may never gaze upon another person ever again. Have I made myself clear?", he menacingly explains in a low voice filled with anger.

This only amuses the Alpha. "By all means. If they can't take you, they are disappointment of warriors and deserve to lose what little they got. As for me, you are not what I'm after. I'm always around the tough guys and pretty girls. Even the feminine boys begging for it. But......an alpha, not too big, not too small, just plain and assuming. There's got to be hidden gems underneath all  cool composure. Am I right, Alpha?", he says in seductive tone, soft and gentle in its delivery, with a cocky smirk. He knows exactly what I like and it's frightening. The caring sweet facade doesn't fool me, but it's impressive that he knew my cues with only so brief greetings and conversations. He's been dominating, he been patronizing, and he's been uninterested, only to be astonished that I have not fallen for him. He one day has his eureka moment when he sees that his usual plans for Omega and Betas don't work all that well with me. Even a few Gammas have fallen prey to single nights from what some of his warriors tell me.

"If I'm nothing special, why are you here? Ready challenge my sovereignty or do you perhaps wish to come and concede defeat. Learn to follow in the footsteps of the food pack member", I say with a smirk of my own. I know my words sound like they are playing with Fire, but one thing this Alpha realizes is that he hates being Alpha. So much responsibility on his plate, not enough time to live out his days with all the pack women and male harems. Not to mention his interest in me is rather unique. He doesn't allow anyone to talk down to him accept me and mate. My mate because he is a rival and just as strong physically. Me? 

"No, you are the Alpha. This Pack...the moment I stepped in the community, I saw how comfortable and stable its become. A Pack like this needs to be protected. To be a safe haven to those that wish for entry. You refer to me as Alpha in mockery, but when I call you MY alpha, it's nothing but wondering respect and wishes", he says with smug expression hidden with longing.

It does nothing for me, but I am rather touched he thinks so highly of me. I've given credit to my father last time he praised me in this way, the day we merged packs, but he denies that claim, saying a pack couldn't last long with an alpha who couldn't fulfill the pack, something my father agrees with him on. My mate though never believed a word of it and it doesn't look like his human is any more receptive to the praise given to me. 

"That's very kind of you to say Alpha. And I you were wrong before. I wasn't mocking you when I called you Alpha. You led them out of a terrible situation and kept them alive and happy. That's more than I could say for any without training or experience in leading beyond the trial and error you've gone through", I say in honesty. I do think he's a better alpha than I, but it only pushes me to do better. Rather than back then, when it used to fill me fear.

"I am assured that you will be of a much better role model for my pack than I could ever be. And I know the trouble they've caused your 'mate'. What astonishes me though is their treatment of you? As if you are a prize to be won over? No. You are to be wooed, not a trophy. Next Pack meeting, they will learn to respect you. You have my last promise as Alpha, before I publicly step down to your authority."

Wow. If I wasn't already taken in every way of my being, I probably could've fallen for him. But said person who owns me is shocked in pure jealousy at the moment and I don't know what to make of it. His wolf is obviously a big factor, but how much of a factor is Mark? Is this something he agrees with his wolf on? Should I consider the man? He has many consorts so that's he biggest Red Flag, so I wouldn't make a consideration even without my mate in my life. But people can surprise you. The days to come will be full of them, surprises I'm not ready for.