"Issac wake up, quickly you over slept." The young omega shivered against the draft outside the small nest the three omegas had managed. They were allowed to build the pathetic nest with the little blankets and clothes they were given. It was never enough, the three huddled together for warmth through the cold nights and mornings.
Issac was the smallest of the three omega males, the small windowless room used to have more omegas. Two girls Lilly and Autumn however Lilly had died last winter from pneumonia and Autumn had found a mate or rather a mate found her. He was intimidating and from another pack. Alpha Razr didn't even hesitate to hand over the just turned sixteen shewolf to the complete stranger from a faraway pack.
Issac prayed nightly that the moon goddess had chosen a good person for sweet Autumn. He wondered why omegas were so hated, why the moon goddess had cursed them so cruelly. He didn't have time to continue on this train of thought, the young teen omega with his soft blond slightly curly hair quickly got up ignoring the pain in his ribs. Yesterday he had been punished again for some supposed crime. From experience he knew better than to ask why. He had learned a lot of things since his mother died.
He like his three omega roommates had all grown up together, they had lost their omega parents at a young age. The omegas were told another pack attacked their mothers and that they had no known alpha sire. According to the taunts around them their omegas like all omegas ever born were just big sluts.
Issac hated this place, the cruel words and cold taunts he didn't even have a picture of his omega father.
"Look alive Issy. Stay behind me if you're not feeling the best, we don't want that broken rib to turn into an infection or worse pneumonia. " The oldest of the group stood five foot six with soft dishwater blond hair. The omega spoke hurriedly clapping his hands he gave quick instructions.
Issac tried to tell their older brother like omega not to worry so much but he knew better and just agreed. "You work on the cooking and Jermiah and I will bring the plates out so you aren't targeted easily. After the meal is served you can take your shower first before the hot water-"
"Ski-" this is where Issy wouldn't budge, "No! It's your turn. I've already had mine, I'm last this time. What's three minutes of cold water anyway."
Jermiah bit his lip, "He's stubborn. We be better get down there." He warily opened the door, it was before sun up and the pack expected breakfast ready and served before they came down.
"Come on bro." Issay hurried out the door." Normally a wolf would heal quickly but Issac had always been weak Omegas weren't exactly fed the best nutritious foods, they weren't even allowed to eat in the same room as the pack or pups.
They were given what was left over if anything was. If you were caught stealing food you were beaten bad enough you prayed for death. Skyler was more than a few inches taller than Issay, and the dishwater blond wolf had stolen food for Lilly. It when her illness was so bad she couldn't leave their small room. He was caught in the act and still limps from the broken leg that never healed correctly.
Issac prayed to the moongoddess every day that someone would save them from their cruel fate, omegas didn't last long with the Armageddon pack. He sometimes entertained thoughts of just running away the three of them, making a life in another city. Going rouge, however omegas would only be at the mercy of any pack or rouge beta or alpha wolf.
They made their way down stairs and started to make breakfast. And as usual the pack followed the scent all freshly showered taking their seats at the big table in the pack house dinning area.
Jermiah nervously balanced the bowls of biscuits and a platter of pancakes, Skyler brought out the heavier platter of bacon, sausage and pork chops. Issac kept his eyes down ignoring the snarls and food being thrown at his turned back. Some of the teenage betas were just as bad as pups. He started to pour coffee into the Alpha mother's large black mug. Alpha Stella's only frowned and push it away.
"It's cold you incompetent brat! So useless!" The heavy scent of disgust and anger rolled off the dark haired woman whom sat with her thin sharp angled face. She had her hair swept back in an unforgiving bun her darkened almost maroon lipstick caked her thinned lips.
Carefully shaped eyebrows raised making her anger even more apparent. Her manicured pointed nails matched her heavy matted lipstick, these nails gripped the tables edge leaving deep marks. So many scratches or deep welts in the wood stood as testament of her usual angry temperament. Today she wore a black cotton cardigan over her maroon dress. And Issac was sure her needle point black heels were digging into the wood varnished floor. All signs of NOT GOOD.
"I'm sorry alpha-" The she wolf and mate to the head of the pack slapped her hand on the large oak table. Several glasses of juice and milk danced dangerously teetering from the force of this action.
In the blink of an eye, she effortllessly captured Issac's thin wrist in her powerful grip. "Maybe you need to be educated on what hot and cold are. Idiot whelp! I don't know why my husband took such mercy on you and allowed you to stay when your own whore mother abandoned you."
"Forgive me Alpha Estella, I'll-" Issac winced his fear apparent in the sour of his scent.
"Oh, no I think a lesson is best." She snarled and before Issac could lift his head to see what she intended. Scolding hot coffee was poured over his hand until the mug was empty he bit his tongue his whole body shaking. He managed to not cry out, or it would have been worse for him, he was released falling back against his damaged side.
Skylar was lifting him up quickly pulling him out of the room. Jerimiah continued as if nothing happened, quickly he cleaned the brown liquid from now dripping table.
"Bring me another cup and you better hope for your sake it's at a perfect temperature." The young brown haired omega nodded and hurried off taking the hot coffee pot away. The echo of cruel laughter following as he hurried towards the kitchen.
"It's ok." Skylar placed the reddened skin under cold tap water. Issac took deep breaths ready to be sick he broke out in a clammy sweat. He could feel his black skinny jeaned legs ready to buckle. Thankfully his thin blue cotton t-shirt was unstained, the black apron had saved him this dignity. Laundry day was allowed every two weeks for non working unbonded omegas.
"It's bad. It hurts." Issac mumbled his hand under the cold water. "I caused you trouble. I don't know why they hate me so much." Issac said in hiccuping gasps. "She's going to kill me someday." Issac clasped his eyes shut swaying.
"Nonesense. She just wakes up in these moods. Let's just get some ice on it. If we ask kindly they'll let a doctor look it over."
"Doubt it." Issac winced as Jerimiah hurried out with another pot of coffee.
Issac was allowed to shower first after all, he kept it to two minutes instead of the allotted three. He wasn't looking forward to school a majority of the pack went to the all werewolf school, other teens from near by areas attended as well.
Some sick idea to keep peace among the territories by promoting bonds. There weren't that many omegas that attended and of the handful from other packs, they kept their distance from the Armageddon wolves, omegas included.
Issac was fighting a headache, his hand burned and he hopped maybe the school nurse would allow him some ointment without having to document and send a report to the alpha.
The pack alpha hated omegas more than his wife did, and his son was a very close third place. Oh, the handsome Maulish or Maul as his friends called him. He was beautiful, tattooed, built with a rakish smile. That dark hair and beautifully cold gunmetal gray eyes should be illegal. He was an alpha dog in ever sense of the word, he was definitely his father's son. He was one of Issac's top tormentors.
The sixteen year old wolf had learned to steer clear at all costs, he didn't even venture into the cafeteria and made sure he was first to class just to avoid any bad bump ins with his pack members and soon to be alpha.
Soon Maul would be eighteen tonight was the big party and his mate would be revealed. Issac coudn't help but want so badly to be rescued from his personal hell he prayed his mate would be kind and wisk him away. He also prayed maybe the alpha would allow Skylar and Jeremiah to join their pack. This was a dream that he knew would always be just that, an empty dream.
Looking at all the girls and guys fawning over the big star quater back made Issac roll his eyes. Whomever the pack alpha jock would end up with, he would probably be an alpha like the pairings of most of the their pack.
Gorgeous, popular and everything Issac would never be. The omega barely stood at five foot two, he was small for his age. And he had been told, many times, by the curvy girls, that he would never attract an alpha with his disgusting body. He held his hand close to him Sky had tried his best to wrap it in gauze but it was already slipping revealing the bright red skin aching like a scab that felt so tight and still burning.
School was a blur of being tossed into lockers, kicked and having his cold lunch poured over his lap. Although he did seem to make a new friend and that was surprising in of itself. Maybe things would turn out for the better. Maybe.
His name was Danny, he was the same age as Issac, although he was a little more intimidating at five foot 12 maybe taller. Danny had beautiful green eyes, and he seemed stoic and unapproachable until the teacher had directed Issac as his school guide.
"Hello. I'm Issac of the Armageddon pack." The dark haired boy gave a small smile as the alpha looked for an open seat. The omega gripped his thighs under his desk like table. Everyone glared at the smaller boy, piting the new Student. Issac attempted to hold his scent in, knowing from his bullies both at home and school, his scent made them sick. He managed enough that only a little slipped past. It was exhausting.
The teacher had called the tall alpha, Alpha Daniel Greyback of the Greyback pack. The Greyback pack was just as big as Issac's and they had just moved to the area bordering Issac's pack territory. This was a dangerous move, Issac's alpha complained about possible challenges daily. The tension was real and it always left Issac weak when he passed by the alpha and beta pack meetings.
All that didn't matter Issac was caught up in the here and now. The tall dark haired Alpha took his seat next to a paling omega. This blued eyed Alpha frightened the naturally timid Issac, whom only knew pain at his pack's hands. Then Alpha Daniel turned quietly towards Issac. Beautiful baby blues, turned their focus on him, causing Issac to start fidgeting under such sharp beautiful observation. "What is your family name?" This was said gently but firmly asked.
"Oh, uh." Issac tried to remember that, he hadn't been asked his family name in so long. "Well in our pack omegas don't have a family name. We are just called by our name or some variation of." He tried to make a joke but the alpha at his side scowled, causing Issac to panic.
Issac's scent was anxious and scared, how could he forget that this guy was an alpha after all. What was he thinking being snarky! Idiot Issac! The trembling omega had to make it right and pray for a quick punishment. He held his poorly wrapped hand closer to his chest.
"Sorry for the disrespect Alpha Daniel, I believe my family name was Cress." That seemed to satisfy the alpha and he nodded, frowning but turning away.
Showing Danny around was nerve recking, Issac expected the earned punishment for earlier. Daniel's dark glares kept others from fucking with Issac all day. It was such a relief up until the alpha wolf caught sight of Issac's hand he seemed somewhat disgusted. Issacs's apology bubbled to the surface as the Alpha gripped Issac's wrist painfully. The two were just outside the library.
"What the hell happened!" Daniel growled grasping Issac's small wrist causing the blond omega to fall to his knees, black dotting the blond's vision. " Oh shit!" Danny must have realized he was being rough and the scent of the omega's pain soured the air, he quickly let go.
The omega had crumpled to the hard tiled floor tucking his knees under him holding his injured hand to his chest. He whimpered hating his weakness, but he couldn't fight instinct, being the weaker secondary gender. He prayed once more for a quick punishment.
"Shit! Issac, I'm so sorry. Issac!" The alpha was holding the panicking boy's head in his large but gentle hands. The smaller boy kept his eyes shut, and he trembled. "Deep breaths breathe with me. It's okay, I wont hurt you. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. Please." The alpha's scent screamed 'Safe, SAFE!'
This calmed Issac , calling him away from his near panic attack. The omega had never felt an alpha do such a thing, the warmth of it brought confused tears to his eyes. However muscle memory taught him to submit to the stronger gender.
The blond took deep breaths, flinching when the alpha firmly but once again gently griped the back of the boy's neck. This was unfamiliar to Issac but it instantly relaxed his breathing. Still Issac fought the urge to pass out. He didn't want to admit his bruises and the burn was from being disobedient . Or the fact he was hated partly because he was a bastard. If the alpha found him defective all gentleness would turn to disgust and abuse.
The blond hated himself when a sob escaped his treacherous lips. He might as well come clean get it over with before someone else told the attractive boy.
"I-I deserved it. Alpha Estella said the coffee wasnt hot enough. But I swear I tried, she dumped it on my hand to show how co-cold it was. I-please" Issac swallowed his breathing hard and throat dry he protected his injured arm curling around it. "Don't." He half sobbed half whimpered. No one would help if they were there. The hall outside the library was always as empty as the library. This was Issac's sanctuary, but it would be ruined.
Hands came at the young boy causing him to whimper tightening into a ball, expecting a kick or worse cruel words. Issac clasped his eyes shut, the hood of his thin red hoodie falling over his left shoulder. Instead of punishment warm hands pulled him up placing the scared boy in his lap and scented him.
Issac had never experienced scenting outside his two surrogate omega brothers. This was warm, and a delicious scent of damp grass and leather filled his lungs and it chanted once more safe, omega safe. After what seemed like forever the alpha reluctantly released the younger boy. Issac's eyes were wide and confused, even more so when alpha Daniel produced a Grey handkerchief with the Greyback crest and the alpha's initials. The taller boy wiped the tears from Issacs cheeks and eyes before holding it to the Issac's nose instructing the shocked omega to blow.
He helped the blond to stand, "We are going to the infirmary. Don't argue." The alpha cut Issac's weak protests off. He kept a steady arm around Issac's waist, the smaller boy's cheeks were burning and he prayed his scent wasn't giving him away.
The nurse in the infirmary rolled her eyes seeing Issac. But a deep growl from the alpha next to the omega caused her to jump. "What can I do for you?" She pushed her red braid behind her, her blue scrubs and white lab coat brought out her yellow beta eyes.
"He has a burn, treat it." Danny more demanded then asked. The woman huffed before instructing the omega to go sit on an empty bed.
"I'll have to charge as well as inform the Alpha of the Arma-" she was pulling on white nitrel gloves when the tall alpha sneered cutting her off.
"Thats not necessary, charge the Greyback pack, send the receipt with your itemized statement and whatever other things you hillbillies do, send it all to my Father Alpha Solomon Greyback."
Issac's mouth as well as the nurses' mouth fell open. Danny huffed crossing muscular arms over his broad chest. "I can't believe father dragged the pack to this small town in the middle of nowhere." He grumbled.
"Excuse me! We may not be sophisticated and snobby as you city folk but we are far from hillbillies! You young man-"
" You will be compensated by my father the pack leader." The young alpha growled. " He'll be very surprised when I inform him of this school's incompetent school nurse. He is a board member and as a charitable patron to this broke ass school as well as city. I'm pretty sure he'll have you replaced. We are the new pack in town and I will be its successor. " the nurse visibly shaken not just from the tall alpha's words but the powerful scent demanding submission. Issac slumped down into the white sheet of the hospital bed. The older alpha swore again glaring at the nurse.
"Sssh." The alpha ran gentle but strong fingers through the slightly curled blond hair. " You're safe. " the omega scent had soured and the alpha pushed his own comforting one out in response. The smaller boy calmed sitting up slowly and the nurse quickly cleaned the wound, Issac held back pained cries biting his tongue and concentrating on that pain until he tasted copper.
Issac felt wet tears fall after the nurse wrapped gauze around it and handed the blond a tube of burn cream with instructions. Issac hopped off the bed sniffing he shivered while walking towards the door.
"Issac? Does it still hurt?" Daniel hurried to stand next to the omega worry in his eyes and voice. It confused Issac, didn't the alpha know? Issac was a lower class, an omega. The smaller boy was barley allowed to go to school.
"No." The boy softly replied sniffling he was offered another kleenex.
"Then what-" Danny genuinely sounded confused.
"I've just never had anyone but my nest mates be so kind to me." Danny frowned hearing the soft reply. If he wasn't a werewolf with super hearing he would have never caught the heartbreaking words.
"Well thats what friends are for right?" The alpha threw an arm around the smaller boy's shoulders.
"Friends?" The blond stiffened looking up in disbelief, red rimmed meeting bright green eyes wide.
"Yeah dummy we're friends. You really saved me today by showing me around. Let's have lunch together tomorrow. I'll introduce you to my packmates , let's head out the last bell's about to ring. Issac couldn't hold back a happy smile, he couldnt wait to tell the others.
Once they were outside a group of foreboding alphas and betas approached their soon to be head alpha. They greeted him with friendly banter their scowls fading away high fiving and patting each other hard on the backs.
"How'd your day go Alpha Danny?" An alpha with ash blond almost grey hair asked. Before he could answer a beta with orange hair cut in.
"Well if anybody cares my day sucked these fuckers from smaller packs tried to be intimidating. I have a headache from drowning their pathetic scents out. Then theres the fucking Armageddon pack trying to start shit. If your dad hadn't ordered us to keep the peace I would have punched that smug bastard and his idiot cronies in the fucking face." A strong aggressive scent nearly knocked Issac off his feet.
The small blond boy whined clutching the back of his new friend's coat. The group of five craned their necks to the side. A blond alpha female in a high black skirt and black sleeveless silk blouse grinned smugly crossing her arms over her large chest.
She wore black knee socks and flats that reminded Issac of a ballerina, but he pushed all thoughts away. Everyone's narrowed eyes focused on him, his friend's scent was protective and calming.
"That didn't take you long." The she wolf raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
"Hey there kiddo, we aren't going to hurt you." A red headed boy with an undercut coaxed his black hoodie was baggy it looked warm and expensive. It suddenly annoyed Issac that the taller beta was talking to him like a pup.
"Cut the shit he's in our grade. Hold your disgusting scents back idiots." Their alpha growled. Issac didn't flinch this time. "Omega Issac Cress of the Armageddon pack. As unfortunate as it may be, let me introduce my idiot friends."
The omega blushed feeling his cheeks burning, no one ever addressed an omega with a tittle. Only alphas were addressed with their secondary gender than name.
"The red head Beta boy is my cousin Azrael but he prefers Az." The red head stepped forward with a slight bow.
"Sorry man, didn't mean to offend you." Issac couldn't believe their behavior. They were treating him like a person. "Forgive me?"
Issac stepped out shyly, there were five and they were all so tall, looming over him. But he still nodded affirmatively unable to talk.
"This tall bastard is my second, Gabriel, he prefers Gabe. He's not much of a talker." Issac had to step back to see the taller alpha, he wore a leather jacket with a black hoodie underneath. His black combat boots and loose fit dark blue jeans gave him a delinquent look. His hair was pulled back in a black low pony tail his grey eyes piercing. He nodded his head but said nothing. Issac offered a nervous smile in a returned greeting.
"This sassy bitch is my sister Seraphim and though everyone calls her many not so respectable names, she prefers Finn. Now if you haven't guessed it we are twins." Danny gestured between the two.
The girl with almost purple midnight blue eyes rolled them. Snapping her gum, " Cut the shit bro, it doesn't bother me if you just get it out." She turned to ruffle Issac's hair, the kid flinched that made her frown but she quickly covered with a smile. "I'm adopted and proud of it. That means my adoptive parents have excellent taste in picking such an awesome daughter too bad they can't say that about my bro here."
She punched her brother's arm playfully. Stepping back sensing the shorted boy's tensed shoulders. She snapped her gum and gave her brother a look that said she would ask later.
"Oh shut up. It was charity." He shook his head armed crossed over that incredibly muscled chest. Issac didn't want to be caught acting like a creeper, he couldn't help it the Alpha was gorgeous. He had never been around such relaxed easy banter, a slight smile reached his lips.
"This is Mike he hates being called Michael." Issac timidly took the offered large hand of the tall alpha wearing his hair military short his clothes somehow gave off the same military vibe. He wore loose fit blue jeans without a sign of wrinkles, his shirt was simple plain beige and a letter jacket from his old school.
"Hey there omega Cress. Nice to meet you." The handshake was firm but quick. The she alpha mimicked Mike.
"Such a fucking boy scout." Finn rolled her eyes.
"Last but not least, Raphael but please don't call him Raph he prefers Ralf but most of our pack calls him Ralfie."
The olive skinned Alpha equally olive colored eyes and light brown short curly hair he was just as gorgeous as the others. He wore a black hoodie with the a a constellation of grey stars. It was a nice hoodie, with fashionably ripped black jeans and a pair of gray converse. He winked at the smaller boy. Issac paled pulling in his scent, he was advertising his approval of the hot group of werewolves.
"Nice to meet you broski." He ruffled Issac's hair. The group was staring openly, Issac wondered if he had something on his face.
"It was nice meeting you all. I better go before I miss my bus. See you tomorrow." Issac took a step back almost bumping into Danny. Strong hands steadied him.
"Yeah our limo awaits." Mike groaned signaling to a black Suv. The group said good bye Danny was the last he squeezed the boy's shoulders.
"See you tomorrow." The older boy waved leaving Issac feeling empty but warm, he made friends actual friends. He had not sensed any negativity or deception.
His happiness was short lived, once Danny had driven off Issac was grabbed roughly dragged into a space between the main building and the brick extension. His hoodie was bunched into a white knuckled fists lifting him up and slamming his small thin body into the side of the hard surface behind him.
"So you think you could just offer up your loose ass and boom just like that you'll snare yourself a ticket out of our pack!" It was Maul, he was fuming his dark pheromones causing Issac's head to spin he leaned into the wall head down. praying he didn't get sick.
" You fucking reek! You can wiggle your ass as much as you want but if you think you are going anywhere, you're fucking wrong! Even if your mate is some high born and comes knocking for your hand, I'll kill you myself just so you won't ever find happiness. You don't deserve it!" The alpha was seething, Issac turned his head submissively in a daze.
Why was he so hated? Why were omegas of his pack treated so badly. Issac clasped his eyes shut. As the alpha continued, "Your own omega didn't want you! My father was kind enough to take you on and look where that got our family? You're a curse! Just like all omegas! A fucking curse and I'll see that when I take over just what happens to curses!"
He was so close that Issac could feel the alpha's breath on his ear, he couldn't fight his anxiety or fear, he waited for the hand to strike him. And it did, he was hit with an open-handed slap, it caught him high on his cheek causing the left side of his face to slam into the brick wall, blood filled the smaller boy's mouth, and he slid down the wall with a whimper.
"Stupid bitch. I can never forgive you." The alpha walked off to join his friends.
Issac shakily put a hand to his pounding face. He swayed getting to his feet, he had to catch the bus, or he'd have worse for being late. Today was the alpha's birthday party, he hated how much anger and hate the pack held for him.
He made it onto the bus slumping down in the first seat ignoring the wads of paper hitting his head. He held back his tears trying to forget the pain from his bully's words as well as his hatred.
They all hated him because he was the first to find Maul's eldest sister, Helena, she was cold and beautiful. Gorgeous black hair, and it was Issac who found her in her chamber after she hadn't come down to eat. He had brought her some tea hoping it would settle her upset stomach. But he caught the scent of blood, it was everywhere. She had taken her father's wolfsbane coated knife and slit her wrists. Issac had called for help, he had slipped on the blood and tried to wrap her wrists, but it was too late.
After that things got worse for him, it was as if they blamed him, he was eight and she was thirteen he didn't have much interaction with her other than at the breakfast table. She had always seemed so kind to him and the other omegas, but cold to everyone else.
Issac's headache was getting worse so the beta in charge of the omegas allowed him to lay down, probably because he looked the part. It was a little after midnight when found himself being dragged out of the nesting room by rough hands. He was forced to stand next to the nursery. He was confused until the Alpha Razr barked the pack alpha's scent was heavy, but Issac managed to stay up right.
"You will be the minder of pups from now on." Alpha Razr was growling his son at his side. Issac clung to his long shirt and baggy sweats, he tried to appear smaller than he was to save himself a beating. A quick glance at Maul confused the omega. The birthday boy looked ready to puke, his head partly lowered until his father growled nudging him forward. "Make it quick!"
The alpha glared down on Issac whose head was ready to split in two, "I Alpha Maulish son of Razr and Estella reject you Issac omega. I forbid you tell anyone of your status. You have been demoted you are now lower than omega. And will be sold at market when the time comes. Any pups you produce out of mating while here will be sold. "
Issac felt as if a hot knife was searing through him cutting him directly in half, he couldn't breathe, he started to sway. What a cruel fate, he was being rejected! He straightened mustering up any courage he could, why had the moongoddess given him such a mate. No, he would not accept the monster's hand, he would finally be free of this house. He sneered meeting Maul's bright blue eyes, "Good. Because I would rather have been cut down than be tied to such a cruel line." The omega somehow found his words catching all alphas off guard. "You are truly merciful for selling me instead of forcing me into an unwanted bond. I would never want you Maulish I have hated all of you for as long as I can remember. I can't be sold fast enough. Such a thing would be better than staying one more day in a house of monsters! It's me whom rejects you! Hurry and kill me before I do it myself. Hurry and sell me before I chose death over another horrid day with any of you cruel monsters! kill me, I wish to be released. I would have killed myself if I were tethered to such a foul Alpha and his filthy blood line!"
Issac expected the heavy hand from Alpha Estella who lifted a painfully accurate strike slapping the already bruised boy's face. Issac fell back hitting his head hard enough to crack the wall near the nursery door. He was breathing heavy but pulled himself up, swaying slightly. This wasn't anything he wasn't used to by now, he wiped the blood from his lip with back of his shaking hand.
"Just do as your told you still belong to this pack! I release you on my own terms." The alpha snarled but the omega was then pushed into the pups' nursery room where a beta would be showing him how to tend the children. Maul frowned his chest ached, but the omega looked unaffected through the small window on the door.
"Obstinate trash!" Alpha Estrella growled with a huff leading the others towards the soundproof library.
Razr frowned, "We should hurry and send him to the meat market. It's too dangerous to have him around. Even with clear rejection on both sides. We don't want another issue like we did with the boy's omega."
"You can't tell me you feel regret rejecting that useless whore. Look at what happened, you gave him to your second. And your second died protecting the ungrateful bitch from rouges, can we even say that brat in there was even your second's?"
"Mother?" Maul was confused, he had thought Issac's alpha wasn't bonded to the omega's mother. A male omega that died years ago, he knew that much. Maul could see that his father was troubled the man went straight to his mini bar pouring himself a glass of whisky.
"Oh the boys old enough Razr tell him what the family tradition is. He's going to have to keep it going."
"It's a curse by now" the older alpha snarled. "Omegas have led our family astray, " the older alpha swallowed the amber liquid then he spoke angrily "Your great grandfather almost lost our pack trying to save his omega from rouges. So, to protect ourselves if a mate is omega, we reject them and quickly kick them out of the pack. Your mother was not meant to be my mate but our pack thrives under our leadership. Omegas are weak they can't fight, and they die easily, they will always run away from danger. They are only good enough to provide heirs in desperate times. Even then the male omegas die too easily in childbirth. My own brother was a prime example. That is our curse we continue to deny the goddess and there is always a sacrifice like Helena."
"No." Estrella growled "Don't bring her up."
"Helena?" The young alpha demanded.
"She was your sister and an omega. Once she found this out, she ended her own life." Razr poured another drink. " I would have married her off. She was so young." Maul flinched feeling his father's heavy remorse scenting the room.
"Put that aside, it's the past. Now we have other problems. The Greyback pack have moved into a territory just at the edge of our own. If they find out about that boy and their alpha's own cousin, it will be war. If the rouges circling isn't bad enough."
Maul froze just then realization hitting he swallowed a lump in his throat. He had always assumed it was that omega's fault, this whole time! He had been fed these lies, lies that-that the omega had said something to upset the princess. He had been deliberately cruel to Issac over it. He felt sick remembering the eight-year-old version of the blond, he was holding the limp wrist of Maul's kind hearted sister. Helena. Helena had been so afraid that her secret would have been discovered her only way out was ending her life.
Then his mother's words started to sink in, Issac's mother had been nobility and she was dead was it a coincidence that Greybacks were attending his highschool.
Several days passed and Issac felt better where he was, although his mate rejection seemed to weaken him, he didn't care. He was no longer allowed to attend school, but he was able to tutor the pups who occupied the playroom. He fed them, played, and napped. And the small children varying in ages appreciated his free cuddles and comfortable nests.
A month had gone by and Issac was feeling increasingly sick, the beta he worked with had no patience for weakness. Issac found eating food difficult and sometimes waves of dizziness struck. The small omega tried to hide this from the severe child minder Ruth. Issac kept asking Ruth when he would be auctioned, she had the same answer. "Soon."
Issac hated the feeling hanging over him, the other two omegas in the room were subdued and quiet. They were weary of the children knowing the pups would grow to be alphas that would beat them or worse. Issac refused to take on this mindset, however he sometimes yearned to be outside even for a minute or two. The windows were high up, too high to escape out of and curtained with beige curtains.
Maul had heard laughter while passing the nursery. The past month he would sneak away from his mother and father's lectures and meetings. He would come here peeking into the nursery through the small window. Silently watching the blond omega interacting with the children. This was the only calming part of his day.
Highschool for Maul was becoming a cold war, the Greybacks snarled and growled in his direction. The attending was growing, and their leader kept asking to see Issac. Maul was instructed to tell a half lie. He would say the omega had a weak immune system. The wolves would growl not hearing the lie or uptick of Maul's heart. He was taught half-truths by his mother.
He put this behind him, he watched as the omega tickled one of the small brown-haired pups, it was some game, the omega always played some game getting all the children involved. After that the head beta and two other less active omegas would take the children to play outside.
Issac still being under punishment was not allowed to be outdoors. Maul noted the omega becoming thinner and his cheeks hollow. Had he always looked so pale, the alpha tried to rack his brain. He had never payed much attention, he only recalled the eagerness to leave as many bruises on the smooth skin as he could. The anger and aggression had turned to guilt and the bile sometimes was hard to keep down. He felt an odd pull to this room.
"I caught you!" The omega breathlessly cheered a smile taking over his pale unmarred face. As he played inside with the smaller pups. Then a blond stern looking beta approached holding a test score and again the omega took it with a smile. "Troy! You are so clever! What a great grade! Let's hang it there on the fridge so everyone can see!"
The young brunette pup cheered bouncing up and down. "I did good Issy! I did good?"
"Yes Troy you did really good." The omega sounded breathless, and he dropped the paper with a big red 100%.
Maul tried to remember his own time in the nursery, it wasn't colorfully decorated, and no pictures or test scores lined the walls or small kitchen's refrigerator. It was colder, he remembered a stern beta much like Ruth. An old school beta, believing in a stern curriculum, anything else made alphas weak.
Issac would scent or allow himself to be scented giggling with the excited pup. And he held the hurt or sick pups to his chest with a tenderness that reminded Maul of his own sister. His mother had been cold, he wished he had been in such a warm environment. His eyes focused back on the omega who had put a dark-haired pup down only to reach for the boy's test score.
Issac stood slowly his face was pasty gray. Maul noticed the medical bandages wrapped around omega's hand. why hadn't he healed? "Now you all know it's time to clean up." He gave a no nonsense smile the small grayish blond wolf clinging to his dark jean's pocket at his narrowed hip and shook her head pulling a binky out of her mouth.
"No ifs ands or buts let's get it all done and I'll treat you to something." Maul thought the omega was swaying, he sounded out of breath removing his bright blue apron. He pulled at his red sweater's collar. "Bella you go help, I'm going to check on lunch-" The omega shakily showed the blond away with trembling hands. Before suddenly toppling over. The older children were on their knees crying as they nudged their favorite minder. Ruth entered shaking her head irritably pulling the omega into a sitting position.
"Don't mind pups go do what you were told. Idiot omega so fucking weak. This is the third time this week!"
Maul quickly entered the sweet-smelling room and followed instinctively as the beta took the small boy into one of the tiny bathrooms. She dumped the unconscious omega carelessly into a small bath turning on the cold water. The boy barely stirred considering it was a full blast of freezing water. Maul felt sick, no one took notice of the pack's soon to be Alpha. Had the omega always looked so fragile? So small?
"Get up idiot. You are becoming more of a nuisance. " Ruth snapped.
"Beta Ruth, please can't we call a healer? He's burning up. Or maybe give him medicine?" A brown haired omega hurried into the small space, the beta rolled her eyes.
"Get him dressed take him to his room, I'll speak to alpha Estella, but don't get your hopes up. Instead pray the goddess takes him home before he is sold at the meat market."
"I'm okay just need-" The omega whimpered, and Maul remained out of sight.
"Sssh, you're alright Issy, let's get these wet clothes off of you, then its bed time." Jax cooed, pulling the grey sweater than the white undershirt with a long-sleeved white thermal under that. "So many layers." Jaxs shook his head.
"He's always cold." The blue smock wearing omega with light almost grey ashen hair started to tear up hurrying out returning with a black t-shirt. They pulled the wheezing boy from the cold water.
"I'm okay. I just need-"
"It's okay Issay lets get you into warm joggers." Maul turned away he could see the boy's ribs and oddly he felt sick. Were they not feeding him? He was still bruised! Why wasn't he healing?
"What are we doing? A healer? Jaxs? Just let him die like that one omega we heard about. It's a mercy." The younger boy started to tear up and sobbed. "You keep prolonging this. Let him fade, like Beta Ruth said its better before he goes to market. They hurt you in different ways. I heard Alpha Renner talking to Beta about it."
The omega clutched the other boy's yellow paint smudged smock. "Just let him go. " Jaxs put an arm around the smaller omega. As he held the swaying mumbling omega.
"Alright. " He walked out of the small bathroom, possessing a toilet, a small clear curtained tub and sink.
Jaxs called out to Beta Ruth hurrying as he handed Issac over. The Beta was on a phone positioned on the wall. The omega talked in low tones. The Beta shrugged and hung up the phone. "Take him to his room prop him up so he can breathe comfortably. Let the Goddess do the rest."