Omegas Fate

Caleb

*Eloise’s POV*

I reluctantly turned my back on the stranger not wanting to be distracted from the task at hand. Carly was still sobbing on the floor, dirty black streaks of mascara running down her cheeks, her upper lip and chin covered in her blood, her nose red and swollen. Now whose the one that looks a mess, I thought maliciously. A manic grin on my face, I went to resume my attack but someone had grabbed me around my waist lifting me at least two feet off the ground, my legs dangling uselessly in the air.

“Get the hell off me, Bradley!” I shrieked, kicking back and wriggling, trying to loosen his grip. That’s when I saw Bradley standing to the side, an irritating smirk plastered on his face. He caught my eye and shrugged at me.

“Yeah”, he said slowly, his voice laced with amusement. “Not me.”

I stopped my struggling, momentarily confused. There’s no way it was a teacher, they wouldn’t dare risk a legal suit by physically restraining a student, especially a female with her boobs on display.

“Are you ready to calm down now?” A deep rumbling voice whispered in my ear, my spine shuddering involuntarily, and heat pooled low down in my stomach, my body reacting to just the sound of his voice. I could feel myself relaxing into his embrace like we were meant to be together. That lovely earthy smell, laced with the fresh scent of freshly dropped pine needles surrounded me completely and I realised that it was coming from him. His aftershave must have been strong for me to smell it from so far away, I thought to myself, but it didn’t have that horrible headache-inducing chemical taint to it, it smelt natural like I was walking through a forest. I inhaled deeply, “You smell amazing,” I said quietly, then flushed bright red, had I said that out loud? I sent a silent prayer out, hoping he hadn’t heard but he replied quietly, “As do you..”. My heart skipped a beat at his response.

He carefully placed me down on the ground, his hands lingering on my skin a touch longer than was necessary. I turned around to face him, he was tall, and I had to tilt my head up to look at his face. I had only caught a glimpse of it earlier, unable to appreciate any detail other than those silver-grey eyes, which were once again focused intensely on me, dark brows knitted together as if something was puzzling him. He was incredibly handsome. Poker straight mid-length jet black hair framed a tanned face, with high cheekbones and sinfully full lips. He could have been a model, not fashion, he lacked the slenderness and slight figure for modelling clothes. This man was all hard toned muscle, he exuded strength and power, physically and mentally. His face looked vaguely familiar, I felt like I had seen him many times before but I couldn’t quite place him.

He shrugged his expensive-looking suit jacket off his shoulders, handing it over to me, revealing a pristine white shirt, the top few buttons left undone exposing the smooth tanned skin on his chest. I could make out the dark outline of what looked like a tattoo on his upper right arm but I couldn’t distinguish the design. I just stood there eating him up with my eyes, clutching his jacket in my hands, wondering why he had passed it to me.

“You may want to put that on”, he said, leisurely lowering his eyes to my chest, before looking back to my face. I shivered, that one look stoking the fire he ignited within me just moments before. His nostrils flared and his eyes darkened as if he could sense my desire, my heart burning for the want of him.

It took me a few moments to process his words before I had my light bulb moment, eyes widening at the realisation. Oh crap! I had completely forgotten that I was currently standing in front of a group of people half-naked. Bear in mind half of them were teenage boys, without sounding too arrogant I’m pretty sure I had just provided them with some quality material for their ‘wank bank’. I put the jacket on, fastening it up quickly so I wouldn’t accidentally expose myself again. He was obviously a lot taller than me, so the jacket fell to just above my knees and I had to roll up the sleeves to free my hands, making me feel like I was a child playing dress-up in my parent's clothes.

A group of teachers had finally made it over and were dispersing the crowds of gathered teenagers, threatening them with detentions to get them moving.

“Eloise Wilson!” I heard one of the teachers yell my name furiously. His round face red from the effort of running across the yard. He was a large man, not used to exercise, he was wheezing heavily and sweat was dripping from his face, staining his shirt collar a dirty yellow. “I might have known you were behind all this.”

I mentally rolled my eyes at his comment, I never instigated any of the things that happened, I was the target. He was just too blind to see it.

“Daddy!” A shrill voice piped up from behind me, and there it was as if on cue, the reason this stupid man would never believe anything I said. She started sobbing louder, ever the drama queen.

“Carly! Sweetie, what happened?” He went over to her, his belly wobbling as he walked, pants straining at the seams as he awkwardly lowered himself down to the ground beside her, cradling her close to him in a sweaty embrace.

“It was her!” She screeched, pointing an accusing arm in my direction, her hand trembling for effect. Her father, the school's Physics teacher, was distracted and couldn’t see his ‘darling’ daughters expression as she smirked at me evilly. “Erin and Claire saw it all, she just went crazy and attacked me for no reason.”

He turned his attention to them and Erin and Claire just nodded along in agreement, expressions vacant. The cowardly conniving lying little bitches.

“They’re lying!” I exclaimed in outrage, shaking with fury, but knowing it was futile. He would never believe me over his daughter, he never had before. “They stole my work and burnt it.”

“Don’t let her hurt me again Daddy!” She cried cowering against him whilst all the while looking at me malevolently.

“Shhh,” he soothed. “It’s ok, Daddy will fix this.”

I cringed in disgust at his simpering attitude, it was no wonder she had grown up into such a vile human being. This man had no backbone and was easily manipulated.

He turned around to face me in anger, a vein throbbing in his neck. “I will see you expelled for this! How dare..”

“Mr Hughes!” The headteacher reprimanded, stopping Mr Hughes mid-rant, his voice steady and calm. He had managed to silently approach us whilst we were bickering. “I suggest we take this indoors and discuss this in a more civilised manner. We have guests present.” The headteacher looked pointedly at the stranger that had restrained me moments earlier, who had remained silent during this interaction, watching us all closely to see how it would play out.

That’s when Mr Hughes looked towards the stranger, his eyes briefly widened in shock and recognition. “Mr Hanlon!” He gasped. “I'm so sorry, I didn’t realise you were there...I mean..sorry. Umm...yes ..Headmaster we should perhaps take this elsewhere.”

I also froze upon hearing the name, my jaw dropping open, I turned around to face Mr Caleb Hanlon, I knew I recognised him, how could I not have realised. He had developed an almost notorious reputation as a ruthless businessman in the area, not much was known about his private life, but he pretty much controlled this town and everyone in it. Not to mention the fact that he was a huge benefactor of this school.

He also owned the nearby forest and was a strong advocate for enforcing the protection of the plants and wildlife within it. A strong plus point in his favour. Apparently, there were wolves in there, I could hear the howls at night and longed to see one. But he had restricted public access to just the outskirts of the forest and the wolves must live deeper in.

He was hugely influential and it was rumoured he had numerous questionable accomplices at his disposal. Bad people, the kind that could make people disappear as if they never even existed. He could make or break a person with a snap of his fingers, and the last thing I wanted was for him to be aware of my existence. Now, not only had he seen me half naked but I had also told him he smelt amazing, I’m bound to have made some kind of memorable impression! I was mortified.

He was looking at my reaction with a great deal of amusement completely ignoring Mr Hughes who was currently struggling to stand up. He leaned down towards me placing his hand under my chin and gently pushing it up, effectively shutting my mouth which had still been hanging open in shock.

“Don't want you catching flies.” He said with a wink before turning around to face the Headteacher, “I would appreciate it if you would allow me to be involved.” He said before looking at me once again. “There are a few things I need to discuss.”

I just stood there hoping the ground would open up and swallow me whole. This was possibly one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.

“Of course, Mr Hanlon, if you would like to follow me. Mr Hughes, if you could round up the girls and Bradley and bring them to my office and we can get to the bottom of this” The headmaster said, directing Caleb Hanlon towards the school building.

“Are you ok walking Carly?” Mr Hughes said fussing around his daughter like a fly around a turd.

“I’ll help her, Sir,” Bradley said, putting an arm around her waist whilst she looked up at him gratefully, then casting a disparaging look in my direction.

I just rolled my eyes, and looking at her with disdain, I busted her nose not her legs, she was more than capable of walking unassisted. She limped past me hanging onto Bradley like a leech, her father waddling behind them uselessly.

“You’re in for it now”, Claire hissed at me snidely, purposefully shoulder barging into me as she passed, almost knocking me over, “There’s no way they will let you stay in this school after this. Even your pathetic attempts at whoring yourself out to Caleb won’t save you now.”

“Just wait until her dad finds out!”, Erin laughed, “His punishments will be more effective than what the school will do.”

“You told them?” I said in disbelief. “I told you that in secrecy. I knew you were a nasty piece of work but I didn’t think you would sink that low!”

“About him beating you?” Erin said her face beaming. “Of course I did. It’s hilarious!

I pushed her hard and she fell backwards landing heavily on her fat arse. She let out a loud shriek and I advanced on her, angry at her betrayal.

“Eloise!” Mr Hughes yelled. “Can’t you control yourself for even one minute!”

I ignored him ready to push Erin down again, maybe I was the one that needed anger management lessons, I thought before dismissing it.

I heard someone say “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it”, and before I knew what was happening I was once again hoisted into the air by Caleb. Only this time I was humiliatingly tossed over his shoulder, my legs firmly held in place by a strong arm and my head and torso dangling uselessly down his back. I mentally sent out a small prayer of thanks that Caleb had lent me his jacket, otherwise, he really would have got an eyeful. I had a rather questionable pair of granny pants on and the skirt was barely more than a belt.

I thought I heard him mutter, “Think I’m going to have to teach you how to control that temper of yours”, as he settled me on his shoulder.

“You crazy b***h!” I heard Erin shriek from behind me.

Caleb spun around and advanced on Erin. “I suggest you keep your mouth shut, I have exceptional hearing and from what I heard you deserved that and a whole lot more.”

I wish I had seen her face as he said it, I could just imagine her gawking up at him in disbelief, practically pissing her pants in terror. I tried to move myself around to peer at her from behind his back but he was already turning around again, my body still hanging over his shoulder like a sack of flour. I pushed myself upwards, using his back as leverage, finally managing to get a glimpse of Erin on the floor. Her face was red and blotchy and she looked like she was about to cry. She glared at me and I just smiled back at her sweetly giving her a one-fingered salute, I felt like I had won that situation, despite my current upside-down position.

“Stop antagonising her,” Caleb said but he still sounded amused by it all.

I settled back down against his back deliberating on whether to let my arms hang loose or grip him around his waist. I had never been in this position before so I wasn’t sure what was considered ‘proper etiquette’ for being lifted fireman style.

The feel of his warm hands on the skin of my bare legs was causing some inappropriate scenarios to play through my mind. I honestly didn’t understand where all this was coming from. My teenage hormones were obviously running rampant today.

“Just relax and enjoy the view.” He said.

What was he on about? I was facing his back all I could see was his back and his jeans hugging his tight lovely shaped....ohhhh.

“Hilarious,” I said drolly, feeling the vibration of his laughter echo through my body.

I smiled before remembering who it was that was carrying me and where he was taking me. This was not going to end well.

*Caleb’s POV*

The girl lay limply over my shoulder, the weight of her slight body was barely noticeable as I carried her back to the school. I had a feeling she didn’t know what to do with her arms as one minute she was letting them hang down, then the other she was lightly holding onto my waist, sending my mind into overdrive. I wanted this girl, more than any other girl I had encountered before. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her large blue eyes permanently seared in my mind, and her body even more so. Offering my jacket to her had been a purely selfish action on my half. Firstly, I didn’t appreciate the fact that all those people were ogling my woman. My woman? I mentally scoffed at myself for using that phrase. She didn’t belong to me...yet. Secondly, by wearing my clothes she was effectively covering her body in my scent, ensuring any other wolf would recognise that she belonged to another.

Who was I kidding? I’d already claimed her in my mind despite trying not to rush into anything. I needed to tread carefully, despite what my wolf wanted. He was clamouring at me to claim her, mark her and make her mine, something he had never done before. He was completely enamoured and I was starting to think this was something more than just an initial attraction to a beautiful woman.

She was a wolf, I sensed that immediately. Even though myself and my wolf couldn’t get a hold on her wolf, I knew she had one. Perhaps she had disguised it, or suppressed it? Greg was the only witch I knew, and the only one left in my territory, but perhaps another had managed to sneak in unobserved behind my back. I needed to have that discussion with her, and soon. But first I wanted to get back to Greg’s office and determine what he knew.

The girl fidgeted slightly on my shoulder as if trying to get herself into a more comfortable position, and I placed my hand more firmly against the back of her leg, hearing her breath quicken slightly and her chest hitch at the contact. It would seem she was also affected by me, and I couldn’t help but smile to myself at the thought. I wanted to trail my hand higher up her slender legs, up under her tiny skirt towards the heated area that my jacket was barely covering. It was so tantalisingly close to my face and I could smell her arousal from earlier, but I was all about consent at the end of the day and she was still at school for Goddesses sake! I knew she was the same age as Bradley and therefore not much younger than myself, but still; I needed to calm down.

What’s her name? I asked Bradley, who was already in the building helping the overweight middle-aged man carry the girl with the broken nose. It was her nose that was hurt for Goddesses sake, she hardly needed carrying. I couldn’t be doing with a high maintenance woman like that. I quickly glanced at the girl on my shoulder. She didn’t look high maintenance but I imagined she would be trouble. She had the werewolf temper and a strong stubborn streak running through her.

Whose name? Bradley replied. Carly? The one I’m with?

He sounded confused, probably wondering why I was showing an interest in a human girl. I didn’t tend to get involved in human affairs.

The one that broke your girlfriend's nose. I told him.

Oh her. Bradley replied, his disdain for her clear through the mind link. That’s Eloise. She’s a stuck up b***h. Thinks she’s better than everyone else even though she lives in the shitty end of town.

His comment irritated me, and I wanted to defend her against his slur but I managed to stop myself, cutting Bradley off so I didn’t have to hear anymore.

We reached the building far too soon for my liking, and I placed her on the ground at the doorway.

“Think you can manage walking the rest of the way without getting into any more trouble?” I asked her, and she looked at me sullenly, her pink lips pouting slightly, and drawing my gaze to them. She turned away from me, not even bothering to answer and I smiled despite myself.

The plain-looking girl with mouse-brown hair walked past us, giving me a wide birth and scurrying inside. I saw Eloise glance at her, a slow smirk creeping on to her face as she noticed the muddy stain on the girl's backside. After what the girl had said about Eloise’s father she was lucky she only got away with being pushed over. I made a mental note to find out Eloise’s address and make sure checks were in place to guard her. If her father so much as lifted a finger against her I would break every single bone in his body. My wolf grumbled in agreement, nobody would harm his mate. Mate? That would explain why I felt so strongly for her.

I looked down at her, placing my hand just slightly behind her back to guide her into the building, remaining close by as if I was afraid she would run away from me. She flinched slightly as if I’d scalded her, walking forward but remaining close to me much to my relief. I watched as she gathered up her loose hair as she walked, roughly plaiting it, and using a band from around her wrist to finish it off. The plait fell in a thick length over her shoulder exposing her slender pale neck, and I felt my teeth lengthen. I was worse than a bloody vampire, my wolf pushing forward trying to make his claim. As if she could sense my inner turmoil, she turned her gaze towards me and I forced myself to look straight ahead, not wanting her to see my struggle.

A small frown marred the smooth skin on her forehead and she shook her head slightly before looking ahead once again. I could hear the fat man and his daughter mumbling to each other ahead of us, discussing how they were going to get Eloise expelled, and how it was no wonder this had happened considering the area she came from. They were being less than complimentary about her and I had to clench my fists together and remind myself where I was before I lost my temper and did something stupid. Like, smash his fat sweaty head through a nearby wall.

We reached Greg’s office and I instructed her to sit, which she did, much to my surprise. She didn’t seem the type to follow instructions. I was still trying to figure her status out, which was incredibly difficult without her wolf being present. She seemed too slight to be an Alpha, a Beta perhaps? The only other option was far too rare to contemplate.

Keep an eye on her. I instructed Bradley. Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere.

He gave me a curious look but even he knew better than to question a direct order.

Greg opened his office door and we walked in. I could sense that odious fat teacher close on our tails and I quickly shut the door in his face, I had no time to deal with that.

I could practically taste Greg’s fear as soon as the door shut. He had no reason to be afraid of me, providing he didn’t double-cross me we would get on just fine. He went behind his desk, putting as much distance and as many barriers as he could between us as if that would make any difference. He cast me furtive glances as I walked over to the window, looking out upon the forest using its image as a calming influence whilst I gathered my thoughts.

“I did originally intend to come and discuss Bradley’s behaviour with you.” I mused, and I heard Greg clear his throat as if he was about to say something. “However, something more important has come to my attention.”

“We don’t usually have fights like that.” Greg stuttered out nervously. “You know what teenagers are like..”

“That doesn’t concern me,” I said sharply, cutting him off and turning to face him. He cowered a little, surprised by my speed. “What I want to know is why you, nor Bradley let me know you had a rogue werewolf attending your school.”

His eyes widened and a look of shock and confusion spread across his face. “A rogue?” He said. “Where? Who?”

It was obvious neither Bradley nor Greg had known what she was, and to be fair I didn’t really blame them. Without her wolf present, it would be incredibly difficult to pick up on what she was, but I knew. There was something very off about this situation, and it was starting to make me a little uneasy.”

“The girl. Eloise.” I stated. “I need for you to tell me all you know about her.”