Once An Omega Now Alpha

Chapter 6

After waking up several hours later, Autumn stood up and stretched her body, letting out a sleepy yawn. She took a deep breath, savoring the morning scents of the forest that surrounded the cave. Eager to explore the unfamiliar territory, Autumn stepped outside the cave and was greeted by a chorus of chirping birds and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze. She stood at the opening of the cave looking around at our surroundings.

“How refreshing and free this feels.” She said to me.

“I know. It is the first time that I haven’t had someone commanding me first thing in the morning.” I smiled.

With eager anticipation, I witnessed the world through her mesmerizing gaze as she gracefully moved through the forest. Our trusty backpack, deftly secured in her delicate jaws, was a testament to her unwavering loyalty. As she glided delicately through the forest she was like a fleeting shadow, her every movement accompanied by a haunting silence that seemed to belong to another realm.

I was filled with gratitude as we escaped the world I once knew, venturing farther into the unknown. The sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, illuminating the vibrant hues of the flowers and casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. With every step, a sense of wonder and anticipation pulsed through our veins, fueling our journey deeper into the mystical realm.

During lunchtime, we stumbled upon a newly discovered river. Mesmerized, we stood there, captivated by the swift and perilous movements of its currents. The sunlight danced upon the rippling waters, casting a mesmerizing array of colors as we couldn't help but marvel at the sheer beauty unfolding before our eyes.

"It appears incredibly refreshing," she exclaimed, taking a step towards it. Kneeling down by the water's edge, she started to drink from it, savoring the cold, delightful taste.

"That's excellent," I commented as she lapped it up.

Upon finishing, she strolled along the riverbank and discovered a cluster of stones protruding from the rushing waters. With ease, we hopped across and made it to the opposite side. As we shifted back to our human form, I immersed myself in the cool water, cleansing away the dirt and grime. After changing into fresh attire, I indulged in some of the food we had brought. Knowing that this food wouldn’t last forever, the thought of setting up camp crossed my mind.

“Do you think we are far enough away to set up a camp for a few days? Enough to hunt game?” I asked her.

“We don't have to go through the trouble of hunting and smoking the food. I can simply kill it and eat it on the spot.”

“Oh. I never thought of that.” I told her.

“Indeed, it is widely known that rogues have a distinct and putrid odor, emanating from their feral and untamed nature. Their inability to regain their human aspect sets them apart. The scent of the animals they slaughter remains trapped within their fur, serving as a constant reminder of their savage existence.” She told me.

Feeling a heavy sigh escape from me, I took a seat on a fallen tree trunk. I was reluctant to embrace my wild instincts fully, but I could sense that if the situation persisted, I would be compelled to hunt in the manner she had described. The scent of the surrounding forest filled my nostrils as I gazed into the dense undergrowth, contemplating the choices before me. I listened to my surroundings, noticing that the once noisy forest had fallen silent.

“Something is wrong.” As I sat there frozen in place, Autumn's warning lingered in my mind, and I strained to pick up any unusual sounds.

I took a deep breath, allowing the distinct scents of powerful wolves to fill my senses as the wind brushed against me. I concentrated intensely, straining my ears to catch any sound while my eyes scanned the dense foliage surrounding me. The unease in the pit of my stomach grew with each passing moment, and a shiver ran down my spine as I considered the possibility of danger lurking in the shadows. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, and a cold sweat broke out on my skin as my instincts screamed at me to be on high alert.

“We should shift and make our way back to the river,” I suggested.

“Yeah…” She began and when a howl broke through the trees I knew it was too late. “We can’t shift, we are still a little slow. If they approach, it could be deadly to be caught during our shifting.” She warned.

I froze in fear, believing that rogues were approaching. I ducked, trying my best to hide behind the tree. I hoped that they would pass by.

I heard them fast approaching, their paws tearing up the earth as their claws dug in. I knew they had zoned in on me as I felt their eyes staring at me from behind. I heard the sound of shifting as a man walked over towards me.

"Rise, rogue." He demanded.

My heart raced uncontrollably inside my chest as I realized that, unknowingly, I had trespassed into the territory of a different pack. The air grew thick with tension as I heard the low growls of wolves in the distance, and I knew that I had to act quickly to show them that I meant no harm.

I stood and looked at the angry face glaring down at me. His face moved from angry to surprised. He sniffed the air again and tilted his head.

“You’re so small,” he stated.

“Yes, I… I know I am.” I was angry that I stumbled on my words but still looked him in the eyes.

“And you are in your human form, not your wolf. Are you a rogue?” He asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders, and he rolled his eyes at me. “I mean, I left my pack that used me after the Beta rejected me for someone else,” I stated.

“So, technically, yes, you’re a rogue. Do you know what packs do to rogues who trespass little one?” He stepped closer to me, his dark eyes burning through me. I looked down, but he lifted my chin to meet his gaze.

“I have heard they’re taken care of, and not in a welcoming kind of way,” I said honestly.

The man smiled at me and nodded his head. “Why are you not in your wolf form? You know that it is better to be shifted, so you are able to protect yourself.”

“We were just resting, enjoying what I believe would now be our last moments of freedom.” I felt tears begin to well up in my eyes.

As a solitary tear escaped, he gently brushed it away with his finger. "It's clear that you haven't been a rogue for long. You will face judgment in the Crimson Shadow pack. You will either be condemned to death or welcomed as a member of our pack. Should you choose to join us, you will be provided with shelter and a purpose." He glanced at the pack emerging from the foliage.

“I wouldn’t worry, little one. There's no need for additional tears. You may ride on my back on the way to our pack.” He offered a smile and wiped another tear off my cheek. He then shifted before me. In a flash, a large brown and white wolf stood before me, kneeling down. I looked at him for a moment, uncertain if I should get on.

“I can shift and run.” I told him and he growled at me.

I interpreted his response as a negative, so I proceeded to climb onto his back. As he stood up, I could tell he was communicating with the other wolves nearby. As he started moving, I tightly grasped a handful of his fur and buried my face in it as he and the other wolves swiftly raced through the woods. I only dared to raise my head when they began to slow down. What I saw in front of me was truly astonishing - the walls surrounding their home were monumental. The sheer size and grandeur of the walls took my breath away. They were made of stone and seemed to reach up to the sky, a testament to the strength and history of the wolf pack.

“Wow. Look at that! This pack must be huge.” Autumn commented and I agreed with her.

After he knelt down again, I smoothly slid off him. He walked over to a tree, disappeared behind it, and then reappeared fully dressed. Motioning for me to walk ahead, we strolled side by side through the gates. Unable to resist, I stopped to take in the breathtaking surroundings. The place was absolutely stunning, and I couldn't help but feel awe-struck. As I stood there with my mouth agape, I heard a chuckle and turned to look at my escort.

“Sorry. It’s just your home is absolutely beautiful. It is much nicer than my pack.” I confessed.

I followed him into another entrance, revealing the pack house. This didn’t look like ours though. This was more of a mansion, and it had to be over ten thousand square feet. It was four stories tall and who knew if there was an underground basement below.

“We will have to house you below until your trial. I am sorry that the living conditions are not comfortable.” He walked me into the elevator and clicked the button that said ‘UG2’. The elevator descended, and its doors slid open. He led me into a cell resembling a prison, then firmly shut the door behind me.

"I'll inform the Alpha of your arrival," he assured me. I nodded in acknowledgment as I observed his departure. Then, I approached the concrete wall and gracefully descended, folding my knees to my chest and resting my head upon them.

Upstairs…

Upon my arrival, I was completely unaware that utter chaos had broken out upstairs. The news of a not-so-rogue had quickly spread among the pack members, grabbing the attention of their Alpha, who was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the man - his Beta - who had escorted me to his office.

As soon as he opened the door, the Alpha pounced on his Beta, and they collided in the hallway. The Alpha of Crimson Shadow now had his Beta pinned against the wall, emitting a menacing growl.