CHAPTER 4 - MY ARRIVAL
1421 Words
ETHAN POINT OF VIEW
Something significant was going to happen, and I couldn't get rid of the sense as my car approached Silver moon pack home. Whether it was a gut feeling or an Alpha instinct, there appeared to be a lot of possibilities in the air.
I straightened my jacket and strolled outside to inspect the assembled group. Zack walked over, a stunning blond lady holding onto his arm. I figured it was his mate.
"Alpha Ethan," Zack said with a little bow of his head. "Welcome to Silver moon pack."
I shook his hand firmly and nodded. "I appreciate being here. I am excited to strengthen the ties that bind our packs together."
While greetings were being spoken, I looked around the group. There was someone or something calling to my wolf. Then I caught sight of her.
She was near the rear, somewhat concealed by other people. A beautiful lady with the most stunning amber eyes I had ever seen and wild auburn hair. We briefly caught eyes, and I suddenly felt... something. Feelings? Relationship? I was having trouble naming it. "Who's that?" Zack and I nodded at the girl as I asked.
His expression softened. That's our omega, Cora. Don't worry about her."
But I was unable to turn away. She had a certain quality, a strength that lay behind the surface. My wolf barked quietly, pleading with me to approach her. I ignored the emotion and returned my attention to Zack.
"Shall we head inside?" I said, making myself turn away from the fascinating omega.
As we entered the pack house, I heard bits and pieces of muttered conversation.
"Can you believe Alpha Ethan is here?"
"He's even more handsome in person!"
"I heard his Marble pack is the strongest in the region."
I gave myself a little grin. If only they were aware of the difficulties that accompany being a "strong" Alpha. The loss, the burden of responsibilities, and the loneliness.
Unconsciously, my hand gravitated towards the ring on my finger, a constant reminder of Sarah, my partner, who had left me much too soon. I had assumed the spark would never return to me.
Up to this point.
Zack took me into an opulent dining area. My gaze kept going to the kitchen door while we were eating. Would she make her appearance? What drew me to her so strongly? Zack called out to me, "So, Alpha Ethan," bringing me back into the discussion. "What do you think of our humble pack so far?"
I gave a courteous grin. It's quite beautiful. Zack, you did well here."
I could feel the tension as we discussed business. Zack's pack mates seemed to be frightened of him. Real terror, not the kind of healthy respect an Alpha should have.
Then she showed up.
Quietly, Cora entered the room with a tray full of beverages. As she made her way around the table, I smelled her aroma wildflowers and moonlight. My wolf stirred once again, but with more insistency.
Our gazes locked again as she got to me. In their amber depths, I could see the anguish and loneliness up close. However, there was more than that. A glimmer of rebellion, of unrealized possibilities.
I murmured quietly, "Thank you," as she set a glass in front of me.
She was surprised, as if she had never received gratitude before. She nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly as she stepped away swiftly.
I scowled as I saw Zack and his companion, Pearl, as I had discovered, utterly disregarded Cora's existence. How did what I observed escape their notice?
The remainder of the dinner was consumed in a haze of gossip and group dynamics. But thoughts of Cora kept coming back to me. Really, who was she? Why did I find her so attractive?
After supper, Zack offered to show me around the area. I decided to find out more information as we strolled through the woodland.
"That omega girl," I said jokingly. "Cora, was that right? She seems to be... unique."
Zack froze his expression. "Different how?"
I shrugged, trying to seem as casual as possible. Simply an emotion. Has she ever been part of your pack?"
Zack gave a rough "As long as I can remember" in response. She is not exceptional. I'm not even able to move."
At that point, my eyebrows rose. A wolf incapable of changing? That was strange, to put it mildly. However, I detected immense strength sleeping inside her, not weakness.
I just shouted out loud, "Interesting."
As we carried on with our trip, ideas flew through my head. I had no doubt that Cora's tale had more to tell. I swear to myself that I was going to find out.
I couldn't sleep that night while I lay in the guest room. Whenever I closed my eyes, Cora's face appeared. I was tormented by those amber eyes, which were a mixture of power and agony.
The open window let in a nice breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers. The smell of Cora. With my wolf on full alert, I sat up.
There was an incident. It was hard in my bones.
I couldn't help but get up and steal through the peaceful pack house. My feet led me into the attic, as if they knew where to go.
As I got closer, I heard gentle whimpering from within a small door. Cora.
I held my hand just over the doorknob. How did I get there? Here, I was an Alpha visitor. It was not my place to roam in the early morning.
However, my wolf would not be tamed. It pleaded, "Go to her." You are needed by her.
As I turned to look away, I heard a gasp from within the room. A subtle murmur followed, "What's happening to me?"
I knocked on the door softly out of concern. "Cora? Are you okay?"
A brief interval of quiet was followed by the noise of frantic activity. Cora's tear stained face was seen when the door broke open.
"Alpha Ethan?" she said, her tone betraying her surprise. " Alpha Ethan What are you doing here?"
I began to respond, but the words were heavy in my throat. Because I saw something inconceivable at that very instant.
Like stars, a silver light swirled across Cora's skin. There was an underlying fire in her amber eyes that I had never seen before.
"Cora," I inhaled. "What... what are you?"
With a mixture of astonishment and horror on her face, she glanced down at her hands. Shouting, "I don't know," she said. "This keeps happening, and I don't understand why."
I stretched out and grabbed her hand without thinking. A surge of electricity shot between us the instant our flesh touched. I had never felt anything like that, not even with Sarah.
Cora's eyes became wide and met mine, half in terror, half in hope. She said, "You feel it too?"
Barely able to talk, I nodded. I had never encountered a wolf with the same level of strength as this female, a purportedly weak omega. And I was involved in it somehow.
A sound from the lower level interrupted the moment. Knowing how horrible this would seem if we were discovered, we both stiffened.
With a firm "Go," Cora withdrew her hand. "Please, you can't be seen here."
My desire was to object, to remain and investigate the situation. However, she was correct. It was not the right location or time.
"We'll discuss tomorrow," I hesitantly said, pulling back. Cora, don't be scared. We will work together to resolve this, whatever it may be.
My head was spinning as I softly made my way back to my room. What had I just seen? What was more crucial, and what did it mean?
It was obvious that my visit to this pack had become more interesting than expected.
I lay back in bed and looked at the ceiling, my head still full of Cora's radiant skin. I sensed that everything was about to change, and my wolf paced restlessly.
I had no idea how accurate he was. Because tomorrow would bring with it truths that would rock the werewolf world to its core.
And the focal point of it all was one amazing feeble omega with eyes the color of golden fire.
I swear I heard a voice on the wind as I fell asleep, saying, "Destiny awaits."
The journey was just getting started. I had a feeling that Cora would be central to everything.
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