Third person's POV
"Alpha, is everything okay?" Liam, who was at her right side asked her, his eyes darting between Chloe's face and around the hall for any threat.
"Alpha?" Ethan also questioned, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. He was at her left side.
Other warriors, noticing their Alpha's sudden change in demeanor, tensed up, their eyes darting around, fully ready for any potential threat.
Chloe didn't reply either of the worried men, rather she raised her hand to silence them. Her attention was fully on the scent that was filling her senses. Her eyes darted around the hall, searching for the source of the scent that had caught her off guard.
"No, this can't be happening. I didn't ask for this." She thought and wanted to storm out of the room but her wolf wouldn't allow her. It was as if the scent was intoxicating the wolf.
The scent was a complex aroma.
At its core was a warm, earthy musk - distinctly male, yet soft and inviting. It reminded her of sun-warmed cedar, rich and comforting. Underneath that was a hint of sweetness, like wild honey drizzled over ripe berries. This sweetness, she knew instinctively, was unique to Omegas - a natural lure designed to appeal to Alphas.
But there was more. Threaded through these pleasant notes was the sharp, metallic tang of blood - not his own, she instantly realized, but that of others. It spoke of the recent battle, of survival against odds.
And beneath it all, barely detectable but undeniably present, was the faintest trace of fear.
Chloe shook her head, as if to shake off the scent but it was a futile attempt. Afterwards, she took a few steps forward, her gaze sweeping over the bowed heads of the captives. All the while, her warriors were at alert, watching her every steps, ready to attack.
And then she saw him.
Huddled in the corner, almost hidden behind the larger werewolves, was a tall figure. His clothes were tattered and stained with blood and his frame was slightly trembling. Even with his head bowed, Chloe could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he seemed to curl into himself, trying to become invisible.
But it was impossible for him to hide from her. Not when every fiber of her being was suddenly attuned to his presence.
"You, stand up and look at me." Chloe's voice cut through the silence like a knife.
The Omega flinched at her command, but slowly and shakily, he rose to his feet. His eyes remained fixed on the ground, his entire posture screaming submission and fear.
"I don't like repeating my words. Look at me." Chloe repeated, her voice low and dangerous.
Reluctantly, the Omega raised his head, and their eyes met.
Chloe felt as if she'd been punched in the gut. Those eyes - a swirling mix of green and gold - they called to her wolf and something deep within her.
"Mate." Her wolf yelled excitedly.
Her mate. Her destined partner. And he was here, among the defeated, a weak and shy Omega who looked like he might shatter at the slightest touch, despite his huge and tall frame.
Chloe clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
"A weak, broken omega as my mate? No, the moon goddess must be kidding me." Chloe yelled inwardly. She was furious at the unpleasant surprise.
Liam noticed how she was glaring at the captive standing before her and how silence had fallen over the hall.
"What's going on?" He wondered.
Something in Chloe snapped and she realized she had lost her composure. She realized she had been staring at the Omega for a while. She scoffed in annoyance and then cleared her throat.
As fast as possible, she snatched her eyes away from him despite her wolf's protest, and looked elsewhere.
"Listen good, everybody, because I don't like repeating myself." She started addressing the captives. At that, her warriors relaxed and but their guards weren't let down.
"You are under me now and I am the Alpha here. I need you to know that I am not, and would never be like your Alpha. I hate disobedience a lot. I won't tolerate it from anybody. Under me, disobedience can cost you your life and that is not a bluff." She maintained firmly, her voice sharp and menacing while her eyes flashed dangerously.
"And know this, you have no choice but to be loyal to me and this pack, your refusal to be will cost you your life. It is as simple as that." She continued. All along, she hadn't spared the Omega a glance even though her wolf was aching for her to do so.
The Omega was still standing. He knew they were mates immediately their eyes met but he dared not comment on it. Just the glare on her face silenced him and he dared not voice it out that she was his mate.
It was a rude shock to him. As an Omega, he had thought he would find a mate in the lower status and had never thought of having a Gamma, not even Beta, not to now talk of a whole Alpha, as a mate. And a ruthless, feared one at that.
He was shaken at the finding. And it was hard to believe. Instantly, he concluded it was just a huge mistake on the part of the moon goddess.
"But does the moon goddess ever make a mistake?" He wondered inwardly but before he could ponder on that further, Chloe's sharp voice brought him out of his thought.
"Thirdly, in here, your former rank doesn't matter. You are all at the same status; captives. Untrustworthy captives who are under strict scrutiny. Every of your movements will be monitored." Chloe continued her speech. At that announcement, some high ranking wolves like Kylie sobbed, mourning their sudden lost of power.
Although they had known that was going to be their fate, they weren't really mentally prepared to hear it that loud.
"But you will be allowed to prove your worth and that will determine your status here. After the oath joining ceremony next week, you are all free to join any department here. Your attitude to work at your individual department will determine the kind of life you will live here. No bias, no two ways to it." Chloe said and paused for a second before continuing.
"There are different departments ranging from kitchen, laundry and so on. You will be allowed to choose for yourself. Afterwards, your life is in your hands." She said, firmly.
"Do you all understand?" She asked the captives and there was a loud echo of 'yes, Alpha' from the crowd.
"Beta Liam..." Chloe called out, her attention shifting from the captives.
"Yes, Alpha." Liam responded and walked up to her briskly.
"See to their accommodation and feeding." She instructed Liam, sharply. The Beta who knew how those things were being done and taken care of, nodded respectfully.
With that, Chloe made her way out of the hall, carrying herself gracefully. Even though she had managed to act like the Omega wasn't existing back in the hall, she couldn't help but think of the supposed bond between them as she walked away with her warriors trailing behind her.
"A weak Omega? No, I would rather kill him than to accept him as my mate." She concluded inwardly, her golden eyes so cold.