The Alpha's Marked Omega

Chapter 2

Keith’s POV

I remained far away from her as I told her the plans for her punishment. I didn't like it but I knew it was necessary. The rage from being shunned by her at the ball consumed my wolf, and if only my mate knew, the real dangerous Alpha was my wolf, her mate, she wouldn't have angered him.

Luckily for her, my wolf and I stuck a deal to at least keep her by my side. I just hope she's wise enough to pick someone she can defeat and strong enough to actually go through with it.

“Take her in,” I ordered my men as I turned around because every moment with her was driving me nuts and making my wolf angrier because he still couldn't reach her.

Balsar picked the punishment, but I suffered the consequences. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Her pale skin, petite frame, and long lashes.

Because of her, I didn't get a wink of rest and before I knew it, I sat on the throne, my eyes fixed on the gate where she would emerge from.

Chants from other captives echoed through as they filed out one by one, standing in a long horizontal line as they waited for her and soon she did, dressed in a dull cream fabric.

My gaze was fixed solely on her and I could see the way beads of sweat formed over her forehead, each of them trembling as she shuddered with every breath.

She scanned her potential opponents one by one, and I tried to reach her again to tell her who to pick, the one she could easily win, but as usual, it was like she placed a silver door to block me out. One might call it cheating, but I gave her more than thirty seconds for her to pick her opponent and when she did, I was pleased by her decision. It wasn't who I wanted but it wasn't someone an observant omega couldn't take down.

As the duel began, I watched Vera carefully, assessing her every move. She circled her opponent, keeping a steady, focused gaze on them, her movements fluid and controlled. She had the upper hand right from the start, her defense quick and sharp. As expected, the captive became weak and she landed the blows cleanly. Her opponent staggered back, clearly infuriated and with a guttural snarl, the captive shifted into their wolf form.

Everyone cheered because they knew now, things were going to get more interesting but to my shock, Vera didn’t shift. She continued to fight in her human, entirely exposed, using her agility to evade the wolf’s brutal slashes and bites. I felt a surge of anger rising within me. What was she doing? Why wouldn’t she transform? I clenched my fists, my wolf growling inside me as I watched her take hit after hit, each one weakening her.

Foolish, stubborn girl, I thought, feeling my pulse quicken as she stood there, her body stiff with defiance.

I leaned forward and shouted, “Girl, Shift! Don’t be foolish!” My voice echoed through the arena, carrying a mix of frustration and desperation that I hadn’t intended.

She didn’t listen. She didn’t even look in my direction. Instead, she held her ground, her breathing quick and shallow. And just as she braced herself, her opponent’s wolf lunged at her, fangs aiming straight for her neck.

Time seemed to slow as I watched the scene unfold. I could see the sheer terror in her eyes as she lifted her arms to shield herself from the snapping jaws. Claws raked down her arms, tearing through fabric and flesh, and I caught the scent of blood in the air. My wolf stirred, restless but now ready to intervene, so I held back, watching, waiting, hoping she would finally shift.

But she didn’t.

My jaw tightened as I watched her sway, her eyes flickering as if she was teetering on the edge of consciousness. And finally, the inevitable happened. Her body gave way, and she crumpled to the ground, her blood staining the earth beneath her.

A fury I hadn’t known was capable of welled up within me, and I let out a roar that shook the very walls of the den, commanding, “Enough!” My voice was lethal, filled with the authority that no one in their right mind would question.

The b wolf growled in frustration but backed away, her ears pinned flat as she slunk off. The other captives, previously watching with savage curiosity, stepped back in fear.

“Take her away. All of them.” My voice was like ice, and the guards wasted no time in herding the captives away, leaving the arena silent and still.

Once everyone was gone, I approached Vera’s limp form, my heart pounding as I knelt beside her. Her face was pale, her breaths shallow. Her blood stained the ground, but a quick touch of her neck reassured me she was still breathing, though barely.

Without a word, I scooped her up into my arms, her head lolling against my chest, her body warm and fragile against mine. My wolf stirred, beaming with anger as I held her, but the feeling of her heartbeat against me found a way to calm us both.

I moved swiftly, taking her through the back door of the pack house to avoid any prying eyes. She was lighter than I expected, her small frame fitting perfectly against mine, though it was a fact I tried not to dwell on. I made my way up the stairs to my quarters, pushing open the door with my shoulder and laying her down gently on the bed. I watched her for a moment, her lashes resting against her pale cheeks, her chest rising and falling faintly. A pang of something unfamiliar tightened in my chest. She was stubborn, infuriating, and reckless beyond reason, but she was also mine.

“You foolish, stubborn girl,” I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead, a part of me regretting ever putting her in that den, even if it had been to teach her a lesson out of jealousy of seeing her admire another in my presence.

My gaze lingered on her bruised arms, the scratches that marred her skin, and the faint trace of a tear that had dried against her cheek. As much as I tried to remind myself of her defiance, of her stubborn pride, I knew that everything about her was something I couldn't help but admire.

“I’m not done with you yet,” I murmured.

I paced the length of my quarters, the agitation in me growing with each passing minute. Three hours had come and gone since I brought her here, and Vera still lay unconscious, her breathing shallow. Every so often, I’d stop and glance over at her, hoping to see a flicker of movement, the slightest sign of life. But there was nothing. Just the faint rise and fall of her chest, and that stillness I couldn’t stand.

A wolf of her size should have healed by now, but here she was, fragile and pale. My fists clenched as worry gnawed at me and I couldn’t take it any longer.

“Doctor, she hasn’t woken up,” I said, gesturing toward her. “Three hours… isn’t that the limit for a wolf her size to heal?”

The doctor gave a grave nod. “Under normal circumstances, yes, Alpha,” he replied, moving quickly to examine her. He felt her pulse, checked her breathing, and then inspected her wounds. His frown deepened as he worked, and my patience grew thin.

“Well?” I demanded, my voice harsher than I intended.

He looked up at me, calm but serious. “She’s not healing because both she and her wolf are severely weakened. Her body doesn’t have the strength to recover on its own, Alpha. She’s dehydrated and in shock. I’ll need to give her fluids to help speed up the process.”

I hesitated, then nodded, gesturing for him to continue. “Do it.”

The doctor worked swiftly, hooking up an IV line and attaching a drip bag, the steady rhythm of the liquid filling the silence. I watched, trying to suppress the discomfort that rose within me at seeing her like this. She looked so vulnerable, so unlike the defiant, stubborn woman who had stood her ground hours ago.

Once the IV was secure, the doctor stood back, meeting my gaze. “This should help her body recover gradually. It may take some time, though,” he advised. “Give her until morning. She should be stable by then.”

I nodded, my mind only half on his words. He left quietly, leaving me alone with her once more. I let out a slow breath, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside her. Carefully, almost reluctantly, I reached out and brushed my fingers through her hair, letting the silky strands fall between my fingers. My wolf quieted slightly, soothed by the feeling of her so close.

But as I moved her hair aside, I noticed something strange. My hand stilled, my heart skipping as I spotted a faint mark on the side of her neck, hidden beneath the curve of her collarbone.

I drew back, eyes narrowing as I examined the mark more closely. My heart hammered in my chest as realization dawned on me. This was… impossible.

Lost in thought, I barely heard the door open behind me until a voice broke the silence. “Alpha.”

I turned sharply to see my Beta, Fred, standing there, his gaze flicking between me and Vera with a look of cautious curiosity.

“Fred,” I said, unable to mask the edge in my tone. “Did you know about this?” I gestured toward the mark, anger, and confusion churning within me.

He shifted, clearing his throat. “Actually… Yes, Keith. I noticed it yesterday while teaching her a few battle moves as you ordered.” He paused, studying my reaction carefully. “I didn’t say anything right away because I wanted to be certain. I needed to be sure it was really what I thought it was before coming to you.”

I rose from the bed, crossing my arms over my chest. “And now you’re sure?”

He nodded slowly. “There’s no doubt about it.” He glanced back at her. “Though I must admit, I never expected it to appear on an omega.”

I stared down at her, feeling the weight of this revelation settle over me. An omega, my mate, bearing the mark that haunted me since birth.

My wolf stirred again, conflicted, and I let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my hair. This must be why he wanted her dead.

Fred spoke up again, his tone thoughtful. “It’s possible she’s been kept hidden for a reason. Or that she doesn’t even know what she is. Most of the time, those who bear it are watched closely from birth, raised with the knowledge of their purpose… but in her case…” He trailed off, his gaze distant as he contemplated.

“...she's an orphan and doesn't even know,” I completed, and Fred nodded, a hint of sympathy in his gaze. “If she really is unaware, Alpha, then perhaps it’s time she learned…”

“No. No one is telling her about the mark or what it means. I want every book on the mark hidden.” I exhaled slowly, before speaking again. “When she wakes, I’ll get answers. And then…” I looked back down at her, my voice dropping to a murmur. “Then, we’ll see what fate has in store for both of us.”

Fred gave a respectful nod before quietly leaving the room, leaving me alone with Vera once more. I returned to her side, my hand hovering above her mark as if afraid to touch it. There was so much I wanted to ask, so much I wanted to demand from her.

And yet, looking at her now, fragile and silent, I felt something shift within me. I leaned closer, allowing myself one brief moment of weakness as I murmured, “Why did fate bring you to me, Vera?”