Our Omega Leader

Chapter 1, Unexpected

Gia POV

It’s such a wonderful day out. I finished my work early today. Now I want to be outside enjoying the sun. Hmm… I am running low on my herbs and medicines. I’ll use that as a excuse to go for a walk in the woods. I grabbed a basket and a handful of bags and a few vials just in case. I love going in the wood. It’s just so calming. I would say that it’s nice to get away from everyone but I have lived alone for years now. I love being a part of my pack but I do miss family. As I walked outside I began reflecting and thinking to myself.

My mom died a few years ago. She taught me about the woods and how every living thing both animal and plant can harm and heal. You just need to know how to handle them and learn there secrets. She was a great woman! Many people went to her for healing even though she wasn’t a doctor. People come to me as well but not nearly as many. My mom was respected. She was a insurance agent. Our pack is small so like most she had to get an outside job to pay the bills. She told me that everyone should know about medicine and the basics of how to care for yourself and your family.

I can treat most things myself without going to see a doctor and I use all natural ingredients that I find out hear in the woods. Most werewolves don’t ever bother learning how to make medicine or treat wounds because we heal so fast, but sometimes we need help and the children don’t heal like adults do. I thought about being a doctor but it’s like my mom said we should all know how to heal not just the doctors. I never saw a need or felt the desire to go to school for another 10 years then do 24 hour shifts while people treat me badly. It’s a cut throat career and not for me.

All I have ever wanted to do is help people. I have been labeled a omega but I know that inside I’m really not. People just don’t understand. They think I’m week because I hate fighting. I’m a healer I don’t want to cause others pain. They also say that I’m a pushover. Again I’m not. It makes me mad that they think that but they don’t want to take to time to look at me for real. I work hear in the pack on salary. My official job title is “fill in”. I’m the only one with that title and do what ever anyone needs. I’m a organizer, substitute teacher, cook, cleaner, waitress, driver, nurse, gardener, fixer, and all around worker. I do everything except guard duty and fight of course. It all started when I was still in high school. I always offered to help everyone with everything. They eventually started to give me all the bad or tedious jobs that no one else wanted to do. I was annoyed doing them so much at times but someone had too! No one wanted to do the little jobs and because of that things weren’t getting done or not being done well. I figured that was where I could do the most good at the time.

So I kind of got sucked into this position. I’m NOT a pushover. I am just willing to do what others aren’t. I help everyone and support the pack anyway that I can. I have also come to like the diversity of it. I don’t get bored switching from job to job and for the most part everyone is always thankful for me to come and help out. I also control my own hours. I work late on some days and hardly at all on others. No one ever looks over my shoulder or demands me to do anything. I get to choose. I don’t know what I really am which bothers me a little but I’m not an omega. I’m just me. I try to convince myself that titles don’t mater. It’s not really the position that bothers me. I just don’t like it that omegas are looked down upon. Everyone is valuable in there own way and can contribute to the pack.

Shaking my head from the sad thoughts. I realize that I have reached the deep part of the forest. I have to go far out to make sure the plants that I gather haven’t been touched by people or car exhaust. I don’t want them to be contaminated. The first thing I always do is get some willow bark. I hate getting bark! I feel like I’m hurting the tree. But I use so much of it and give it to so many that I always need it.

I find a tree and put my hand on it. Quietly saying “I’m sorry that I have to do this. You are going to help many people and I thank you for your sacrifice. Please forgive me.” Then I take out my knife and get to work being careful not to harm the tree to much. After that I look for yarrow. A kid cut himself badly last week and I used most of what I had trying to stop his bleeding. I have a long list to get since it’s been awhile.

After about 3 hours I have most of what I need. As I continue to look around I’m engulfed in the beauty of this place. The trees are thin and there is bright green life everywhere. It should be a good spot to find some of the rare plants on my list. With my eyes fixed on the ground I slowly walk around trying not to miss any. But as I come around one of the trees I have a strange feeling that stops me dead in my tracks. I just stand there for a minute frozen. My wolf is going nuts and I don’t know why. It’s not danger and I don’t see any poisonous plant near. I take a breath and try to calm myself then look up to survey my surroundings. That’s when I see him! A man standing about 15 feet away. Instantly a wave of emotions roll over me. I feel love, joy, relief, possessiveness, scared, safe, confusion and curiosity all at once. He is memorizing and I am awestruck.

Evander POV

I have been on this computer for about 9 hours now. My eyes are starting to go fuzzy and I’m having tunnel vision. I have been working overtime for the past 8 years! Will I ever be able to pull us out of this mess that my grandfather got us into. I’m starting to lose hope and I’m just so tired of it all. I need a vacation or better yet a whole life overhaul. Uhh I’m trying to live up to everyone expectations but I always seem to fall just a little short. I don’t have a choice. I’m the alpha and I have to take care of everyone. My family has led this pack for generations and I’m not going to let one man’s mistakes ruin it all. I just have to keep going and pray for strength.

I try throwing some water on in my face and shaking my head before turning back to the dreaded computer screen. Five minutes later I realize it’s no good. I have to get away from this thing and let my eyes have a rest. I know I should go and train but I really don’t feel like it today. I’m too upset about everything and too worn out. I decide to go for a run instead. I haven’t been out of this house in a few days. I really would like to shift and go run but I know people will see me and then follow or act awkward because I’m there. I think I will just stay human and go far away from anyone.

I halfway laugh to myself. Even if people do see me they probably won’t recognize who I am. Only my top warriors and a handful of workers know what I look like as a human. I don’t have time for anyone. I have no family left and I don’t even have a mate. One day I’ll choose a mate. Maybe my kids will have and better life then me and who knows maybe the pack fiancees will be fixed by then too.

I quickly sneak out the back door. As soon as I hit the wood line I instantly feel better. My eyes are still sore but start to adjust and recover. It’s nice to look at something that’s real and tangible for a change. I take off running at my full speed zigzagging my way through the trees with the wind blowing in my face. Ahh I really needed this!

An hour later I slow down to a walk so that I can enjoy it all. Without realizing it I ran pretty far. I’m almost to our boundary line and I don’t want any of the patrols to see me. Despite being a small pack we actually have a large territory. My ancestors wanted a large buffer so that they could be prepared if anyone tried to attack us. I used to know every inch of this place but not it looks so foreign. I miss my old carefree life and the ability to get a full nights sleep. I need to take time and enjoy this every once in awhile. The forest is a beautiful and relaxing place. It also… smells so good!

What is that smell? It’s… uhm… fresh baked cherry pie and waterfalls? That can’t be right. There are no water around hear and no houses. But it clearly smells just like it. I slowly start to follow the smell getting even more confused. I absolutely love cherry pie! I know this could be a trap. I mean why would a pie be out hear? I try to convince myself to stop or be smart and at lest let someone know I’m out hear. But I just can’t. That smell it’s just drawing me in. Every fiber of my body to telling me to go towards it.