The Long Lost Alpha

Chapter 4: The Alpha’s Daughter

Theo

My whole body froze when the mysterious beauty revealed her identity. She was the Alpha’s daughter. The very same Alpha I had bad-mouthed in front of her. Once again, I cursed myself for not obeying Mrs. Quinn’s advice and staying indoors. I would have saved myself from such humiliation and potential danger.

“You had to insult the Alpha, didn’t you?” Kai mocked, shaking his furry head with disappointment.

Unamused, I lashed back out to him, “Well, I didn’t see you do anything to stop me, did you?”

My wolf turned mute and I shifted my attention back to the gorgeous yet dangerous lady in front of me. We had both sat down on a couple of crates and her face was now exactly at my eye level. But, her sapphire eyes glared at me while her eyebrows narrowed in displeasure. Even though the thought that she still looked pretty when she was angry struck my mind, I buried it down at once.

“Well? Still interested in disrespecting the Alpha of Crimson Crest, mister?” she asked, upper lip twitching in loathing.

Exhaling out loud, I looked up at her, “Ilona, was it? Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t know who you were.”

“So, you’re saying that if I wasn’t related to the Alpha, you won’t apologize for what you said?” she replied at once.

Inhaling a breath of confidence, I gave her my resounding answer, “Yes, of course!”

“How rude!” she exclaimed as she placed her hand on her chest.

My palms balled into fists at her accusation, “It has nothing to do with being rude. I expressed what I had heard. Plus, based on what I see and what you said, it makes sense and only proves my point more. I’m not some sort of yes-man who would endure and accept my fate, no matter how terrible it is. I speak my mind and would not stand for any sort of cruelty.”

“Preach, Theo! That’s my human!” Kai howled out inside my mind in support, much to my joy.

It was the truth. If there was one thing I hated was such cruel rulers and the way they stomp all over their loyal subjects. In fact, my late mother, Heidi, once was a devoted Omega servant for the Crimson Crest pack. But that was back when Alpha Tyrell ruled. She always reminisced how his rule was of kindness, justice, and peace.

But, when something bad happened to him and his family, the Alpha that came after him banished her. That was how I ended up in The Willow Den. It took me to step into the very same pack to learn that the crook was none other than Alpha Xander.

“You know, now that I know that she’s the daughter of that horrible Alpha, I don’t think she’s that pretty anymore. Oh, who am I kidding? She’s still beautiful!” Kai chimed in, disrupting my chain of vengeful thoughts.

“That’s a little rebellious, isn’t it?” she replied, her face emotionless.

My blood boiled in my veins at her attitude, “Yes. There is nothing wrong with being rebellious against wrong when you are right. Don’t you think so?”

“No, I don’t. I do not condone such a thought. In fact, I’m going to call the warriors to capture you now. The Alpha will decide what to do with you and your beliefs,” Ilona retorted as she got up from the crate.

My eyes widened with shock and my jaw dropped in response. Never in a million years did I expect her to call the guards on me, even though I somehow anticipated it. My heart stopped and my breathing raced as I thought of an escape plan. But, little did I know that my nervousness was becoming the source of someone’s humor.

In a matter of seconds, Ilona started giggling in a frenzy. Her ecstatic face stirred butterflies in me. Small crow feet like wrinkles appeared at the edge of her eyes as she laughed with no hesitation. I, on the other hand, was confused and in fear of my life.  

Wait, what just happened?

~.~

Ilona

The stranger’s face turned pale at my words before his eyes began scanning the surroundings. He tried to parade a brave face but I was certain that he was afraid inside. My lips twitched into a smirk as I enjoyed his fright for a little while longer.

But, when he yearned for an escape, I couldn’t hold back my laughter anymore. I broke out in giggles and had to close my mouth to avoid being too loud. The nameless foreigner’s face only contorted into more confusion at my actions.

Deciding that I had gone too far, I apologized, “I’m sorry. That was mean.”

“What do you mean? I don’t understand?” he replied, his eyes still looking around for signs of the pack warriors.

Sitting back down on the dusty crate, I cleared the air, “There is no one coming to get you. Don’t worry.”

“Why not?” he said, his green eyes fixated on me.

Chuckling at his response, I exhaled, “Because I am not my father. In fact, I’m the opposite of him.”

“Oh.” His eyes narrowed as if deep in thought.

Squeezing out a small smile, I continued, “What you said was true. He is not a good Alpha to the pack. But, the worst thing is that he is not the father I wish he was.”

My mind begged me to stop, to retract my dangerous statement to a stranger, a foreigner. After all, I had no idea of his background or his intentions. Yet, my heart felt comfortable with him. It had been some time since I had the freedom to speak my mind. That too with someone without the fear that my father would hear about it.

“I’m sorry to hear that. That must be tough,” he replied, comforting me with his words.

Looking away, I sighed, “It is. But, there is nothing I can do about it. That is why I like coming to the market, it helps take my mind off him.”

“To be honest, it is a nice market.” The kind stranger shrugged his shoulders and flashed me a smile.

Nodding at his statement, I responded, “Yes. I love mingling with the public and being independent. Something I don’t have the chance of enjoying in the packhouse.”

“Well, on the plus side, your father’s actions drove you out here and I got the chance to meet you.” I couldn’t help shrug away the feeling that he was trying to cheer me up, even though it was highly unlikely. Even so, his attempt worked.

A short laugh escaped my mouth, “I guess that’s true. It has been an exciting morning.”

“Well, in that case, let me introduce myself. My name is Theo. Theo Hemming. I’m but a humble Omega, in case you were wondering.” Theo extended his hand forward to shake mine.

Accepting his invitation, I slid my hand into his warm one, “Nice to meet you, Theo.”

Perhaps the mysterious stranger is not too bad after all.

~.~

Theo

After an eventful hour, I sighed as I looked at the stall packing up for the day. Noon was approaching, marking the end of the market. Plus, an impatient wolf was pacing around my mind, eager to let loose. Yet, I found myself unwilling to part with my new acquaintance.

“Me too! Wait, why don’t you invite her on a run? That way I can meet her and her wolf too!” Kai suggested, his brain working perfectly when there was a beautiful woman at stake.

As much as I wanted to shut him out, he had a point. Maybe it was her kindness or the dire need of a friend, but I found myself caving into Kai’s idea. Rubbing the back of my neck in doubt, I approached the Alpha’s daughter who was preparing to leave.

“Alpha Ilona, would you care to join my wolf, Kai, for a run?” I asked, shrugging my shoulders.

Her breath hitched for an instant before she cast her eyes down, “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“You see what you’ve done! Now, she won’t run with me. Do something, Theo, or I won’t talk to you ever again!” Kai screamed in my mind, upset that she rejected his offer.

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” I mind-linked him in response.

Kai growled, “Don’t tempt me, Theo. You and I both know what would happen to you without me.”

“Fine.” I gave into my wolf like I always did. After all, Kai was part of me and he was the only person in the world I had left.

Exhaling sharply, I pinched the bridge of my nose, “Listen, I’m sorry for what I said earlier. You don’t have to take it out on poor Kai. He’s very excited to meet you. Please?”

“No,” she replied, without even taking a second to think about it.

Her lack of consideration for Kai was astonishing. Perhaps it was the grudge she was holding against me for speaking my mind. But, her refusal to even take a second to contemplate my request riled me up. Just when I thought that she was nothing like her father, she proved me wrong. Yet, I somehow couldn’t show my anger towards her.

Instead, my determination for an excuse came out as a plea, “But, why?”

But then, her answer shocked my core and made me realize what a fool I could be, as Kai always accused me of being. With a heavy heart and a tone of a little more than a whisper, Ilona finally revealed her reason.

“Because I don’t have a wolf yet!”