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When I woke this morning, I could feel a change in the air, thinking it must mean my mate would be returning home soon. Now I wondered if that feeling could have had an angrier meaning. Something dark had found its way into the village, and it scared me to think what might happen if it wasn't found.
I shook my head and tried focusing on better things. My mate, Korban, was due home any day now. He left only a month after our mating to patrol the northern border for the King, something our younger Alphas did every year. The passing months without him had been agony. I was a mated Omega living with my parents, who frequently forgot I was no longer a pup. I had lingered at the border gates almost every day since the trees started to bud, waiting for him to return.
Sade and I made our way into the village square and toward the stores. The merchant house was bustling. Lots of gruff wolves were stocking up on supplies and growling aggressively at one another when certain items appeared to be in short supply. The whole space was crowded, loud, and hot.
I waited patiently at the counter for Sade to pick up supplies for her father. I hoped she would be quick so we could get out to the gates. I wanted to ask the scouts if they had received any sign of our Alphas returning.
"I heard the Winter Wolves are returning today," Sade cooed as if reading my mind. She leaned over the counter, kicking her feet playfully behind her.
"What? When did you hear that? How could you not tell me?"
"My brother heard it from the scouts last night when he was on duty. They should be home some time today or tomorrow."
My heart raced with anticipation at the thought of seeing Korban's beautiful face and feeling his large hands roam all over my body. I closed my eyes, lost in the memory of our last night together. I unconsciously pressed my thighs together, and my spine tingled. Forcing my eyes back open, I was suddenly all too aware of the throng of hostile wolves rushing around me.
"Good afternoon, Beta Dane," Sade said as she slid a list of supplies across the counter to the old wolf.
"Omega Sade, Omega Tzidal," he nodded. "How are you today?"
"Excellent, thank you," Sade chirped.
I nodded politely and glanced sideways at a large Alpha a few feet from me. He dragged his gaze up and down my body, licking his lips slowly. I flipped my long, dark hair over my shoulder, showing off the prominent mating bite just beneath my ear. The Alpha eyed it hard before turning on his heel and stomping away.
"The store seems filled with a lot of unknown wolves today," I said, watching the Alpha disappear out the front door.
"I take it you didn't hear about Sander?" Dane asked.
"We saw him," Sade whispered, her brown eyes deep and sad.
The Beta gasped. "They said it was just awful." His face was grim, but a slight trace of excitement flashed in his eyes at discussing such savage news. "Apparently, his sister found him completely ripped to pieces. The Pack Alpha is offering a hefty reward for the capture of whoever did it. He doesn't like the idea of wolves capable of such things taking up residence in his village."
"It's true," I said. "His attackers weren't kind at all."
"They think it might have been rogues." Dane gave me a pointed look. "So don't stray far from the village center," he warned.
We both nodded quickly. Omegas barely had the strength to fight off a cold, let alone savage Alphas.
"Are you excited for Korban to return?" he asked.
"Oh yes," I smiled at the Beta's sudden turn in topic. He obviously wasn't too eager to return to his other, more aggressive clients.
"I heard they might be returning any minute."
"Really?!" I yelled, bouncing on the balls of my feet.
Not waiting for the Beta to respond, I ducked through the crowd, right out the door, and straight to the front of the village, abandoning Sade behind me. I reached the large iron gate and looked around, biting my bottom lip in anticipation.
Alphas stomped through the streets, some hauling large kills. A few Betas tended to their shops, haggling with customers and shouting out prices to attract onlookers. But the most excitement came from a group of Omegas. They were bunched together in a tight group next to the gate, chatting and giggling. A few spoke excitedly with the aggravated guards. The energy they radiated was a bit overwhelming.
I sat along the side of the road, several paces down, deciding to keep my distance. I had nothing against the other Omegas in my pack, but the attention they were receiving from some of the nearby wolves made me uneasy. There were too many strangers wandering around the market today.
The day wore on, and it felt like I had been waiting for hours. The crowd around me began to thin as dusk settled. Alphas ventured out of the gates to patrol the surrounding area, taking most of the noise with them. The majority of the shops closed for the day, and most of the Omegas gave up on waiting for their mates and shuffled off to their homes.
I picked up a few small pebbles at my feet and tossed them, watching them bounce and skip across the dirt. Once there were no more within reach, I huffed loudly and rubbed the back of my neck.
"Patience, my sweet Omega."
I spun around. "Korban!" I squealed, flinging myself into his open arms and wrapping my legs around his waist. "You're home," I whispered, burying my nose deep into his neck.
