THE OMEGA’S SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER 5- A SPARK IN THE DARK

ETHAN POINT OF VIEW

I awoke early, still very much aware of what had happened to Cora the previous evening. I was plagued by the thought of her skin flashing silvery light. What was the meaning of it? Why did I find her so attractive?

I heard heated voices coming from the kitchen as I descended the stairs. My wolf sprang awake, sensing Cora's distressing scent.

I picked up my speed and turned the corner in time to see Pearl forcibly grasp Cora's arm.

"You stupid girl!" Pearl gave a hiss. "Did you burn the toast?" How could you? Is there nothing you can do correctly?"

With downcast eyes, Cora flinched. "I am sorry, but it will not occur again." My heart hustled at what I saw. I walked confidently into the kitchen before I could stop myself.

"Is there a problem here?" I inquired, trying not to show my wrath by raising my voice.

Pearl sprang, letting go of Cora's arm with a burnt look. Her expression turned into an overly charming grin. “Alpha Ethan! Greetings this beautiful morning. We were just talking about getting ready for breakfast."

I glanced between her and Cora and arched my eyebrow. Although the Omega girl refused to look at me, I could see the red lines where Pearl had grasped her arm.

"I see," I said stoically. "Well, maybe I can assist. Could you please show me where you store the bread, Cora? I'd be glad to toast some fresh bread."

Pearl was surprised. "But, Alpha, you shouldn't have to."

I gave her the finger. "I'm an Alpha. I mean, I'm only a visitor here. "This is the least I can do." When Cora did glance up, her amber eyes were wide with astonishment and a glimmer of, maybe, hope. With a mute nod, she made her way to the pantry.

As we prepared breakfast together, I could feel Pearl's scowl piercing my back. But I turned my back on her and concentrated on Cora.

"Are you alright?" Making sure Pearl couldn't hear, I requested in a quiet voice. With a little grin pulling at her lips, Cora nodded. "Yes, I appreciate that. It wasn't necessary for you to do it. I smiled back at her and shrugged. "Cora, everybody deserves compassion. Especially you."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and my heart skipped a beat. When she smiled, she looked stunning. That's when Zack entered. His brows furrowed as he took in the sight in front of him. Pearl furiously raging in the corner, and me standing by Cora.

He insisted, "What's going on here?"

I turned to face him without making any facial expressions. "Zack, good morning. I was just helping with breakfast. I hope it's okay with you."

Zack grunted his teeth and faked a grin. "Obviously not. Even now, I'm certain Cora could have handled things alone."

Cora was becoming more tense next to me. I instinctively applied a comforting touch to her lower back. "Sometimes it's nice to have help, don't you think?"

Something flared in Zack's eyes; was it anger? Jealousy? before giving a tight nod. "Obviously. Okay, then go ahead and continue."

I looked back at Cora as he walked out, taking a still glaring pearl with him. She looked at me with a mixture of appreciation and joy.

"Why are you treating me so well?" she said. I paused, unsure of how to describe the attraction I had for her. Rather, I just said, "Cora, because you deserve it." Never listen to someone who says otherwise."

Territorial talks and pack business. But thoughts of Cora kept coming back to me. To find out what was going on, I needed to chat with her about yesterday night.

My opportunity presented itself after lunch. I saw Cora walking toward the garden with a wash basket in her arms. I followed her, making sure no one was looking. "Need a hand?" I yelled as I got closer.

Cora whirled around, almost losing the basket. "Ethan Alpha! Thank you, but I think I can handle it."

With a grin, I accepted the basket from her. "I'm an Alpha okay. In addition, I wanted to speak with you regarding yesterday night." Her gaze widened as she darted about anxiously.

I dropped my voice as we finished hanging the laundry. "Has it ever happened before? The... radiant?"

Cora reluctantly gave a nod. "On a few occasions, but never with the intensity of last night. I have no idea what is going on with me." I scowled as I pondered. "And you've never been able to shift?"

"No," she said, her face displaying a flash of agony. "I'm just a useless omega who can't even do that right."

I stretched out and touched her face without thinking. "Cora, you are not useless. Not at all. I believe you may be something really unique."

Her gaze scanned my face as she leaned into my eye contact. The world appeared to vanish momentarily. We were the only ones in the sunshine, about to experience something really life altering.

Then the moment was broken by anger.

As soon as we split apart, Zack was storming toward us; his angry expression contorted. With a victorious smile on her face, Pearl followed by his side.

Zack growled, "What the hell is going on here?"

I moved ahead of Cora in a protective manner. "Zack, we were just talking. It's not necessary to…"

"Necessary?" he interrupted. "Ethan, you're a visitor in my pack. And you and my omega are getting quite close."

My eyebrows flew upward at what he said. His omega? However, I believed Pearl to be his mate. Unless... I glanced over at Cora, who had grown quite pale. She was looking at Zack with a mixture of love and terror.

All of a sudden, everything made sense. Zack's possessiveness, Cora's latent strength, and the mate connection. Everything made a strange kind of sense. "Zack," I asked softly, "is there something you're not telling me about Cora?"

His eyes flickered erratically. "Ethan, it's not your concern. Now move away from her. Right now." I refused to back down, and my wolf took up the challenge. "I doubt that will happen. Not until I get some clarity."

A knife could cut through the atmospheric tension in the air. Zack seemed prepared to strike, and Pearl was watching with scarcely disguised joy. And Cora, standing tall but shaking, was caught in the midst of it all.

A peculiar breeze sprang up just as I thought everything might blow up. As it swirled around us, we could smell the perfume of wildflowers. I was amazed when I glanced at Cora. The silver light danced over her skin, and her eyes glowed with that ethereal amber brilliance.

"Stop," she said, her voice with confidence and strength. "Enough fighting. "No more arguments" We were all shocked, staring at her. This was not the timid omega of the past. This individual was... more. Cora wavered on her feet when the wind ceased. Before she could fall, I grabbed her and held her to my chest.

Zack stepped forward, fear and rage mixed together on his face. "What... what are you?" Cora glanced at Zack before turning to face me. She answered, "I don't know," in a forceful yet gentle voice.

Everything changed after hearing those words. Because the power balance has changed, nothing will ever be the same. I knew one thing without a doubt as I embraced Cora close and felt her heart beat as one with mine, regardless of what occurred straightaway we would confront it together.