The Alpha's Forbidden Omega

Worried

Chapter Twelve

Caleb’s POV

I felt a little tired this morning. I didn’t need to wonder why that was or what was causing that, knowing I had spent almost the whole night looking over the pack’s ledgers.

Normally it was Hunter and I who were supposed to that as the top ranking officers of the pack since there was no one assigned to do the job.

Hunter’s trust issues had not allowed him to appoint someone experienced in that field, leaving the job to both of us… well, to just me apparently.

But this wasn’t the reason I had a sleepless night going through pack documents. I was aware of Hunter’s disturbed mind and I didn’t was to him to bother with more pack problems.

Now, I stood in the main hall, going over the day’s agenda in my mind, when one of the palace guards approached me, his face looking serious.

The young man held out a letter, sealed with the seal of another pack obviously. “Sir,” the guard began, “this was delivered by a messenger from the Steeprock pack. I tried to find Alpha Hunter, but I was told he’s… indisposed. I thought it might be important, so I brought it to you.”

I took the letter from him, nodding in approval. “You did well. Thank you.” I said to him, actually impressed.

As the guard bowed slightly and walked away, I turned the envelope over in my hands. The seal was unbroken, and the weight of it felt a little heavier than expected.

I knew the Steeprocks were one of our neighboring packs. The wolves there had a reputation for being unpredictable, their Alpha a man with whom we'd had an twisted alliance with.

If they were reaching out now, it wasn’t likely to be a friendly note. Without wasting another moment, I headed for Hunter’s chambers.

Normally I would send servant to his chambers, but I knew at that point, I was probably the most likely not to get on his bad side disturbing him.

As I walked, I felt the actual weight of responsibility settle heavily on my shoulders. Hunter trusts me to manage these sorts of things, especially when he was otherwise occupied.

Still, I hesitated, wondering if I should open the letter before I handed it over. Hunter had been in a strange mood lately, distant and distracted. I wasn’t sure if he was in the right state of mind to deal with whatever this was.

Not that Hunter would be unhappy about me going through the letter first, he expected mw to do so even, but I made up my mind to at least break the seal in Hunter’s presence.

However, the urge to know what was inside soon overcame me. I paused in the corridor, out of sight from the servants and other guards, and carefully broke the seal.

I unfolded the letter, my eyes scanning the neat handwriting.

…

To, Hunter Blackethorn, Alpha of the Howle Wulf Pack,

It has come to our attention that recent events have raised concerns within your borders with yours. The mining activities within your pack does not go unnoticed, however, we would remind you that we share borders and we would not tolerate your workers bridging our land. Our packs have always been allies, but we cannot ignore any weaknesses, especially if they threaten the balance of power in the region. We propose a meeting to discuss these matters of mutual interest and to ensure that our alliance remains strong. However, if we don’t receive a response in due time, we will take it then as a sign that you no longer value our alliance.

Fredrick, Alpha of the Steeprock pack.

I read the letter twice. This wasn’t just a casual request for a meeting. It was a hidden threat. Fredrick was indeed testing Hunter, looking for weaknesses.

The mention of “instability” could only mean one thing, our pack’s internal issues were becoming more apparent than we’d realized. And if Frederick was aware, it wouldn’t be long before other packs noticed too.

I refolded the letter, shoving it back into its envelope. Hunter needed to see this, but how would he react? He wasn’t known for his diplomatic skills.

If anything, his temper could even worsen the situation sensing the threat hidden in the message. But keeping it from him wasn’t an option either.

The guard had been right to bring it to me, something about the way it was delivered seemed urgent. I didn’t like the feeling that gnawed at me as I walked toward Hunter’s chambers.

With Hunter being “indisposed”, which I knew meant either passed out from drinking or involved in some other atrocities. It may likely fall to me to deal with whatever this was.

In the hallway leading to his chambers, before I could reach the door, a girl burst out of Hunter’s room. Her face was soaked with tears, her hair disheveled, and her hands trembled as she tried to compose herself, glancing briefly at me before increasing her steps.

I stopped in my steps, momentarily stunned. The girl was stunning. Her long red hair cascaded down her back, her body a perfect blend of curves even in those maid uniforms.

Even in her disheveled state, she was breathtaking. A damsel, one could say. But it wasn’t just her looks that caught my attention, it was the look in her eyes, a mix of fear and pain, that gave me worry.

She looked broken.

Hunter had done something to her, no doubt. He had a way of playing with women, including his servant girls, using them as mere objects for his s****l pleasures before casting them aside like trash.

The thought made me sick. I had spoken to him countless times about finding a true mate, about the importance of a Luna by his side, but Hunter had always brushed me off.

To him, women were just a means to an end, a way to satisfy his desires. The idea of having a mate, of being bound to one woman for life, irritated him. He saw it as a weakness, a vulnerability he couldn’t afford.

I watched the girl stumble down the hallway, her soft sobs audible even to me there. What had Hunter done to the poor girl to make her run out like that?

Part of me wanted to go after her, to help her, but I knew my duty was first to Hunter. With a mixed feelings, I turned back to his door and knocked before pushing it open.

Hunter was sprawled across a chair, a smug grin plastered on his face. His shirt was unbuttoned, his pants pulled down leaving only underwear on, and his hair was tousled as if he’d been in the middle of some workout.

Seeing the scene, I immediately realized what had just happened, the grin on his face stated it all. He had no doubt forced the girl to please him sexually, and from the look of things, she had not enjoyed it.

Hunter looked up at me with that same arrogant smirk he always wore, completely unaware or indifferent to the damage he’d just caused.

“Caleb,” he said, raising a glass to me. “What brings you here, old friend?”

I didn’t return his smile. “A letter was delivered,” I said, holding up the sealed envelope. “From a neighboring pack. It seemed urgent.”

Hunter’s expression didn’t change. He reached out lazily for the letter, but I didn’t hand it over right away.

“What did you do to that girl, Hunter?” I asked, my voice calm, but there was an edge to it. “She ran out of here in tears.”

He just waved a hand dismissively, as if the girl didn’t matter. “Just a little fun to teach her some lesson, Caleb. Why do you always get so worked up over these things? Women are meant to be enjoyed brother.”

I clenched my jaw, swallowing back the words I wanted to say. It was no use arguing with him about this. Hunter was set in his ways, and nothing I said would change his view on it. But that didn’t stop me from feeling disgusted by it.

“Anyway,” Hunter continued, leaning back in his chair. “What’s in this letter that’s got you so serious?”

I handed him the letter without a word, watching as he tore the envelope open and unfolded the letter. His eyes scanned the contents, and I saw his smirk slowly fade as he read.

I studied him. When he finished reading, he flung the letter on the table and glanced at it, his expression shifting back to his casual face. “They’re always worried about something. I doubt there’s any real threat.” He said, sipping his drink.

“Maybe,” I replied, “but it’s something we should address. The last thing we need is to ignore potential threats until they become real problems. Especially sent this way.”

Hunter shrugged. “I’ll deal with it later. Right now, I’ve got more pressing matters on my mind.”

I couldn’t help but glance toward the door, where the girl had fled moments ago. “Pressing matters like that girl?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hunter’s grin returned, but there was a hardness to it now. “You know me, Caleb. A man has to have his fun. Why are you so disturbing about a servant girl anyway? The girl needed to be taught a lesson.”

“Hunter,” I began, trying to keep my tone calm, “you can’t keep doing this forever, you know that right? One day, you’re going to cross a line even you can’t come back from.”

He waved a hand dismissively. “Relax, man. It’s all in good fun. They all know what they’re getting into.” He said, referring to the women that always seemed to fall into his hands.

“I’m not so sure about that,” I said quietly, thinking of the girl’s tear soaked face. “Not every woman is just looking for a good time. Some of them…”

“Enough,” Hunter snapped, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve given me this speech before, Caleb, and I’m tired of hearing it. I’ll live my life the way I want. I’m the Alpha.”

I sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to get through to him today. Maybe not ever. But being his friend and someone who he dumped much less everything concerning the pack on, I had to try, for his sake at least, as much as for the women he toyed with.