Their Little Wolf

Chapter Two

My body contorted, muscles stretched, and another howl left my human throat as I fell to my knees at Sebastian’s feet, my bones reforming.

My first Shift.

I was both terrified and exhilarated. I felt my atoms shatter and reform, and my body followed the new structure they created.

My pores opened, and my hair elongated, thickened and burst from my skin, bulging my clothing before I could take them off.

My black eyes met the emeralds behind me. Warrick and Heath watched me as their brother did, their expressions guarded and waiting.

My body twisted, a yelp of pain leaving me as my arms snapped and my back bent, forcing me to the ground.

As I grew more prominent, claws formed and dug into the earth. I felt like I was being crushed by a brick, steel pipes slamming into my bones to reshape them.

Argh! I didn’t know it would be this painful! I gritted my sharp teeth, feeling them bite into my lips, and I could feel my body tensing - resisting the Shift.

Heath’s voice cut through the pain.

“Come on, princess—show us your beautiful Wolf,” he urged, his tone almost pleading in a way I didn’t quite understand.

Yet, it soothed something deep within me. I felt accepted, and my body relaxed as the pain lessened, with Warrick and Seb also encouraging me.

“Good girl.”

“You got it, sweet girl,”

After moments, I found myself panting on all fours, positioned between the triangle they formed.

My senses heightened, creating an almost surreal awareness of my surroundings. I could hear the gentle rush of water from a nearby stream, its continuous flow creating a soothing melody in the background. The faint sounds of breathing—steady and rhythmic—filtered through the air, reminding me of the presence of life around me. The scents of the earth and foliage engulfed me, each note distinct and vibrant, unlike anything I had ever experienced.

Then, all at once, three powerful scents overwhelmed my senses, hitting me like a wave. My legs reacted instinctively, retreating from the intoxicating aromas of my Alphas. The fragrances were so rich and alluring that it took all my willpower to pull myself away. They were captivating, filled with warmth and familiarity, and I marvelled at how amazing they smelled, each enveloping me in an embrace of comfort and belonging.

I stumbled, not used to four legs, and almost fell over. Seb suddenly moved, Shifting into a large Wolf, pressing his body against mine to support and stop me from falling.

The sensation of his warm, tingling body against mine ignited something deep within me. A low whine escaped my throat as I lifted my head to meet his dark gaze, and the wind swept around us, blending our four scents.

Three voices resonated in my mind, all uttering the same word:

“Mine.”

That word jolted through me, and my eyes darted to each of them, noticing the serious expressions on their faces.

Ignoring every instinct that warned me not to, I ran without thinking.

Lies. Lies. I chanted like a mantra, trying to push away the overwhelming desire to turn back as my paws beat rhythmically against the ground.

Three earth-shattering, heartbreaking howls, filled with longing and pain, echoed through the night. A whine of agony escaped my throat in response as I sensed three thundering, determined wolves behind me.

Their presence pressed against me like walls, the urgency of their energy almost palpable as they attempted to close the distance between us. Fractured words of mindlinks from Heath, Warrick, and Seb kept breaking through, but my frantic thoughts cut them off.

“Ari, please—” Heath’s voice was laced with urgency, a plea that tugged at my heartstrings, my powerful legs leaping over fallen trees as I attempted to lose them.

“Little Wolf! Come back—” Warrick’s tone was a mix of powerless command and desperation, his concern cutting through the darkness as I turned for the campus.

“Sweet girl, we’re sorry—” Seb’s voice was softer, filled with sorrow and regret, wrapping around me like a gentle caress that almost sent me sprawling across the concrete of the back paths.

I managed to make it to the Packhouse, slamming into the large back door and continuing, ignoring the shouts and snarls surrounding me from Pack members as I dashed past them. I found an empty social lounge and threw myself into the door to close it behind me, thankful the doors were reinforced for Shifted students.

My heart pounded, and shakey whines left me as I stepped away from the door. I felt the three auras enter the building, splitting up and searching.

For me - their mate.

No. No, they’re going to reject me. I need to be in human form. I panicked, remembering Doctor Alexa’s lecture on mating bonds and the medical repercussions when a bond was broken by rejection: physical pain, mental agony and severe depression. Many Omegas ended their lives after rejection, knowing we rarely received a second-chance mate.

I was given three. The combined rejections alone could kill me. Break my heart until it stopped beating.

As I stood lost in my thoughts, the sudden creak of a door behind me broke the silence, abruptly pulling my attention away. I turned just in time to see the imposing Alpha of the Black Wing Pack stepping out of the adjoining reading room. He exuded an air of authority and danger, his intense gaze locking onto me with an unsettling intensity.

My heart sank as I recognised that look that transmitted interest and disdain. His nostrils twitched as he inhaled deeply, clearly gauging my scent. The tension in the air shifted, coiling around us, and I felt a cold dread creeping in as he growled lowly, a primal sound that sent a shiver down my spine. His jaw tightened, and a cruel smirk spread across his lips, revealing sharp teeth that glinted under the dim light.

“The unmated Omega…” His pronunciation felt like a condemnation, highlighting my vulnerability. “I’ve been waiting for this,” he continued, his eyes glinting with a mixture of hunger and expectation as he took a step closer, the tension thickening in the air.

Black Wing and Grey Fang saw Omega as toys - a s*x object for the Pack to do whatever they wished, even allowing for the unsettling possibility of another Pack claiming them if they happened to stray off alone.

The only rule was that they had to be unmated – not bearing the mark of their mate – and then they were considered free game.

The Alpha before me was born from such a barbaric tradition - his mother was a chosen mate because she was an Omega.

Danger. My instincts roared at me, a primal alarm echoing through every nerve.

I backed up, only to collide with the solid barrier of the closed door behind me. The impact rattled me, and I realised with a sinking feeling that this was a door I couldn’t open again—at least not without using my thumbs - and I couldn’t Shift quickly.

The Alpha, Ryker, stepped closer, his cloudy blue eyes gleaming excitedly. I couldn’t stop the whine of fear that left me; something in me was begging for-.

His smirk darkened, his eyes black, and my thoughts vanished other than terror. “Shift for me, little Omega.” He sneered, his voice laced with an Alpha’s command.

I barked defiantly and pressed further into the door, whining loudly, hoping someone would hear my panicked calls.

Rage and frustration flowed from him like a palpable wave, and as he lunged toward me, his claws gleamed against the light as they lashed out.

I felt the rush of hot air whip past me as he closed the distance, and my instincts screamed too late.

He struck like a lightning bolt, his claws slicing through the fur of my back leg, easily tearing the skin beneath it. I yelped as pain erupted in a fiery trail along my side, shock and horror mingling in my veins.

His Alpha speed was a cruel advantage, rendering my attempts at escape laughably futile.

If no one hears me - he could kill me or worse.

Mark me as a Pack toy - a forced mate.

I tried to run again, ignoring the pain that threatened to topple me. Only to howl, the sound raw and filled with anguish, as he gripped my tail, the sensation both shocking and excruciating as he yanked me backwards suddenly. The world blurred as I was pulled away from the door and thrust into the open space. I slammed into the floor, the hardwood knocking the breath from me, a pained yelp leaving me that echoed in the room as Ryker strode across the room, reaching for me, seeming ready to toss me again.

The sound of a door being thrown open and a voice boomed from behind me, cold and commanding, Ryker freezing.

“Put her down!” Sebastian emerged in human form, a pillow clutched to his naked body I recognised from another social room.

His black, angry gaze locked onto me, softening a fraction, my heart thumping at the sight. “Sweet girl,” he muttered.

Ryker didn’t release me; instead, he scruffed me like a dog, his eyes pinned hatefully on Sebastian.

Ryker snarled in my ear, which was flat against my head. “He has a pet name for you,” he mocked before he raised his head, smirking coldly at Seb. “You can have her if I find her unsatisfying.”

A violent noise tore through the room, my body shaking in terror as it recognised a furious Alpha’s roar.

The voice that followed was low, dangerous, and dripping with controlled rage. “Let her go.”

I looked at Sebastian, whining as he strode towards me, his pillow discarded and murder shined in his obsidian eyes. I realised he was dead serious.

He would kill Ryker.

“Touch her again, and I’ll kill your entire Pack,” Sebastian warned, his voice a promise.

Ryker snarled, meeting Seb's eyes. He saw the murderous intent dancing in them and backed down, disappearing into the reading room. He shot me a cold glare as he shut the door.

Sebastian turned to me, his eyes burning with intensity.

He moved, leaning down and carefully picked me up, cradling me close as he walked out of the room, saying nothing.

He was so warm, and his touch was comforting, soothing my pounding heart and overwhelming fear.

Seb ignored the looks of the Pack members, gazing at me curiously, whispers of who I was.

Words about a silver Wolf.

They died out when Sebastian stepped into his bedroom, closed his door and gently placed me on the ground beside it. He tugged on a pair of pants from his walk-in dresser and pointed to the middle of the large room, his voice soft as silk. “Come here, baby, let me look at you.”

He narrowed his eyes as he noticed my slight limp. "Stop," he commanded, his voice low and firm.

I felt my body tense in response, freezing in place.

Without warning, Sebastian crouched down beside me. His hands glided over my fur, sending a wave of warmth coursing through my skin, igniting a flurry of sparks with each gentle touch.

I couldn’t help but shudder at the sensation, but my breath hitched in my throat as he brushed against the raw cuts on my hind leg, causing me to whimper and yelp in pain.

“I’ll kill that fucker.” He snarled, his grip surprisingly gentle as he examined my injury, his eyes glinting with an intense, almost fervent kindness. “It should heal soon, but you’re staying with one of us until it does,” he assured me, his tone leaning towards a comforting promise.

A whimper escaped my lips as I instinctively tried to step back, the instinctual urge to flee bubbling within me.

But Seb was quick, his fingers tangling gently in the thick tufts of my fur, locking my gaze with his.

“Don’t,” he implored, the usual commanding or sarcastic edge in his voice replaced by an unexpected layer of vulnerability. He held my gaze for a heartbeat longer, his hands gradually relaxing as he moved to softly pat my cheek.

The scent of Earl Grey tea enveloped me, warm and inviting. I found myself pressing into his hand, a soft whine of contentment bubbling up at the unexpected tenderness of his touch.

Tilting his head, he asked, “Can I see you, Ari?” His voice a soft plea.

I stumbled back, fear and panic rocking through me.

Oh Goddess. He was going to reject me the moment I did.

His eyes widened, as if he could sense the tide of fear washing over me. He raised his hands in a soothing gesture, brows furrowed with genuine pleading.

“I just want to see your pretty face,” he said quickly, then the corners of his lips twitching as if he realized the corniness of his own sentiment, but he didn't move.

I sighed, feeling my Wolf almost sobbing at the look of worry in his eyes.

Taking a few more steps away from him, I drew a deep breath and said a silent prayer. My Shifting was slower; being new to it, it took me almost five minutes to kneel before Sebastian, completely naked and vulnerable.

Finally, after a minute of silence, my eyes met his. His gaze was wide and surprised—not angry or disgusted—more awed.

He whispered, “Y-You are my mate.”

I couldn’t respond because tears threatened to choke me. Instead, a soft whimper of agreement escaped my lips.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and I scrambled to cover myself. Sebastian moved quickly, wrapping his arms around me protectively, shielding me from whoever had barged in.

“Where the hell is she?” Warrick’s panicked and angry voice cut through the room. I moved to peek around Seb’s large frame.

Heath flanked Warrick’s shoulder, his eyes wide as they both found me hiding and disheveled. They snarled at the sight and smell of my blood, and Sebastian snarled back, protectively holding me close but gently, turning to face his brothers in challenge.

I moved away.

“Please, don’t!” I begged, surprising myself as their eyes snapped to me.