An Omegas Hope

They know

Emma

I quickly make my way through the pack house, I don't want to run and bring attention to myself and I don't want to talk to anyone right now, because if I do, I don't think I'll be able to keep it inside anymore and I don't want anyone to know how stupid I've been. It hurts to even think about it. How the f**k could I get this so wrong? I was convinced Alex liked me, really liked me, but I guess it was all in my head. f**k, I'm stupid.

Thankfully, I manage to make it through the house without bumping into anyone, which is a Goddam miracle in itself as this place is never empty. Maybe the Moon Goddess is finally giving me a little break. I quickly head for the back of the pack house and into the forest, soon arriving at my favorite place in the pack lands. I just need some time alone right now and this is the best place for me to be.

Alex

"Whoah Alex. Where's the fire?" as I'm running out of the pack house still trying to find Emma, when I bump straight into Noah, who's heading inside with Jake and Sophia. s**t! "Yeah, everything's fine," I hate lying to them, but I'm not really sure of what I should say to them and, unfortunately for me, they already know me very well and know I'm hiding something.

"Alex," Sophia gives me the look only a mother can, and I can already feel myself cracking. This woman is good.

"Have any of you seen Emma?"

"Not since training," Noah answers, followed by Jake. "I've not seen her since breakfast. Alex, what's going on?" as much as I don't want to talk about it right now, I can see the worried look gracing Sophia's face and that's the last thing I want.

"She saw something, but it wasn't what she thought, even though I don't know if that was-" Thankfully, Sophia stops my rambling before I can spill more crap.

"OK, let's head inside and talk, and I'll link her to check on her, OK?" her Luna tone is slowly calming me down, and I'm grateful. Now, I just need to figure out what the f**k I'm going to tell them and how the f**k I'm going to do it. Too soon we reach the lounge, and after we've all sat down, I look up to see all eyes are on me, and it scares me a little.

"So, Alex, what's going on? And I want the truth please son." there's not a hint of Alpha coming from Jake right now. There's only a concerned friend and father tone, and it helps calm me a little more. I quickly tell them what happened from the moment we left the training grounds to Emma running off and their reaction surprises me. I had expected anger, maybe a little confusion, but instead, they give me a strange knowing face, leaving me to be the one confused.

"You like Emma, don't you Alex?" Sophia has a loving look on her face as she asks me, and again I feel myself crack even more.

"Of course I do, Sophia. She's a lovely girl." there's that knowing smile again.

"That's not what I mean, Alex." Ahh, bollocks. I guess it has been more obvious to them than I realized. What do I say? These are her parents after all.

"It's OK Alex, you can tell us the truth." Sophia pulls out her loving mother's smile and I can feel the last of my wall breaking. Here goes nothing.

"I do, I like her so much more and, if I'm being honest, I've liked her since the moment I met her, but of course, I understand if you don't like the idea. Just say the word, and I'll never mention it to anyone again."

"Alex, we are all waiting for you to hurry up and ask her out," Noah grunts while rolling his eyes, causing both Sophia and Jake to chuckle.

"Huh?" it's not often I'm speechless. But clearly, there's more going on than I know of. "Everyone can see you and Emma are perfect for each other, and we're all waiting for it to happen. Emma deserves a good man for once, and we all know that's you," Well, f**k me sideways. I was not expecting those words to come out of Noah's mouth.

"Alex, our daughter has been hurt so much in her lifetime. I'm not going to go into detail because it's not my story to tell, that's a conversation for you and Emma to have, but what I can say is we've all watched you both since the moment Emma came home, and we can all see how perfect you two would be together." the love Sophia holds for Emma honestly warms my heart and if I didn't know any different I wouldn't even believe that she's not her biological mother.

"Alex, Emma is hurting right now and yes she will get through this because she is one of the strongest wolves I have ever met, but how long that will take no one can say and while she's working on that she needs someone who will be there through the good and bad, someone who will let things run at her pace, someone who will just love her for who she is and not what they can get from her or only want her until they get bored, and we all know that person is you.

You are already being that person for her. I just don't think you realize it, but Emma does, she sees it and that's why she always comes to you." Jake's words are said with love and care, and I'm just grateful that he's seeing the good in me.

"Wow, honestly I didn't see any of that, I've just been going with my instincts and how I feel I should act. I wish I could do more to help her. Every time she has a panic attack I just want to bring Jay back and make him suffer even more!"

"The fact that you don't even realize what you are doing just shows how much you care for her." I'm seriously grateful for the support Noah is giving me, Jake, and Sophia too.

"I don't understand how anyone could hurt her. Why would anyone want to do anything that would make her sad or cause her pain? She's such a kind person, she'd do anything for anyone and yet there are wolves out there that think it's fine to hurt her. That bastard Jay called her fat and worthless so much that she thinks it's true. How the f**k could he do that to her? She's so beautiful she takes my breath away every time I see her-"

I shut my mouth when I realize what I've said out loud to her parents and brother and mentally high-five my face.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking like this in front of you guys."

"Why not?"

"She's your daughter, Jake, and I should be more respectful to you."

"Alex, all we can hear is how much you care for our daughter. All we hear is that you look past everything that she's been through and just see her for who she is, it is a blessing to our ears and nothing else." I swallow hard at their honest words and look up at them both, and I can see that they mean every word, and it makes me feel happy and hopeful.

"I don't even know if she likes me as any more than a friend. After everything she's been through, I wouldn't be surprised if she's off men for good!"

"She does." Noah quickly chimes with a smirk laced across his face.

"Without a doubt," Sophia joins in, "but her confidence isn't the same anymore, and it will take a lot for her to make the first move. I don't know if she has it in her right now, but she wants to. She wants you, Alex, that's why she ran earlier. I don't know what Stacey said to her, but I'd bet my last dollar on it involving you being Stacey's!" Sophia is right, I know she is, and I want to end Stacey for it.

"Stacy is seriously starting to f**k me off! I've never given her a reason to think there's more to me and her other than friendship and, to be honest, within a few weeks of being here, I lost interest in calling her a friend as well, because of how she was acting. She needs to stop, but I've tried everything I can think of."

"Maybe we should speak with Sean. I know he's aware of the situation and that he's spoken to her, but I don't think he realizes how extreme things are." If Jake's idea can help in any way, then I'm in.

"It's worth a shot, Jake. Sophia, Emma's not answering my links. Would you mind trying to link her to see if she's OK?"

Within seconds, she's smiling my way, "She's fine. She's in her sunflower garden." I don't know the story behind her sunflower garden, but I know it's her favorite place in the pack lands, and I'm glad she has it.

I tell them that I need to go and talk to Emma as I stand up, but before I can move a step, the door to the lounge flies open and the packs top warrior, Richards, runs into the room panting and dripping in sweat.

"What's wrong Richards?" Jake jumps up from his chair instantly in Alpha mode while Noah and I are straight by his side.

"I've had a link of Brown. He's out patrolling the forest with Rhys and... and." his tone has me instantly on edge.

"What is it, Richards?" It's clear to see that Jake is slowly losing his patience.

"They have reported seeing Jay hiding in the forest, Alpha."

WHAT THE f**k!