Chapter 5 It's all downhill

"What?!" Mom stares at me wide-eyed

"Mom, calm down," I say "it's not so bad─

"Not that bad?" She repeats "you'll be gone to an unknown place for the goddess knows how long with no one to save you, shall you land yourself in trouble!"

"Mom," I say calmly, "I'll be okay, I can handle myself."

And besides, a little adventure won't hurt.

Mom lets out a shaky breath "I just need sometime to myself. Go to sleep, Paloma. You have to leave early in the morning."

With that she walks out of the room, leaving me with a dull ache in my chest. Oh mother dearest, why do you worry as such?

Because you are all she has left.

With a sigh, I collapse on my bed. Yes I want to travel a bit. Yes I want some excitement and adventure but not at the expense of Mom's peace.

With my mind made up, I go out of the Omega quarters and start for the main pack house. The dew drenched grass bends under my feet, the cold night air makes me wish I'd put on a jacket.

Thankful that my hair is covering my ears, I quickly reach the back door of the pack house. Slipping inside since I knew it'd be unlocked, I rake my head.

Luna and Nicole would never help me. Alpha is probably not going to see me at this hour of the night and snap at me for sneaking in. I have no idea what Frank is like since he just came back with Alfred. That only leaves me with one possible option...

The moon knows where his room would be! How am I supposed to find him?

Nevertheless I march towards the stairs and soundlessly go up to the second floor. I wander along the hallway, thinking;

If there are five rooms here, one for Nicole, one for her brother Frank, one for the Betas and one for the Alphas so that only leaves me with...

I walk towards the room at the end of the hallway. The perfectly polished door shows me my reflection.

I raise my hand to knock but then stop. What am I going to say?

So hey there, I can't go with you. Why? Well, my mother is feeling worried for me.

That sounds really professional, doesn't it?

For ten minutes I raise and drop my hand, thinking hard about what to do.

Finally, I take a deep breath, raise my hand, ready to knock.

The door opens.

My hand freezes in mid air, my eyes stare at someone's tanned skin instead of the polished door.

Alfred stands in the door frame, his brown hair ruffled, dark blue eyes staring down at me with a tinge of irritation.

Did I mention he's shirtless?

Heat rushes to my face and with no better option, I focus my eyes on his.

"You've been standing outside my door for the last ten minutes," he says in a raspy voice "what do you want?"

"Oh, umm, I-I have to say something." I shutter

What are you saying, Paloma?! Don't let this shirtless male think you're an idiot!

"Then say it." his lips curl in a tired frown

He really does look tired. With the bags under his eyes, the weary look in them, he looks like he hasn't slept in ages.

A low growl snaps me out of my thoughts.

"What. Do. You. Want?" Alfred narrows his eyes at me

Hmm, I want a lot of things. Like freedom from this godforsaken pack, and equal rights for Omegas, and a good soulmate, did I mention a puppy? And some dirty diapers to throw at Nicole?

"I can't go with you," I say, my voice comes out stronger than expected

Three cheers for me!

"Why?" Alfred's eyes narrowed to slits

"Because," I drawl out "because I'll cause trouble, I always do. I can't do a thing right! You should listen to your father, he was telling the truth when he said I can't obey anyone!"

Alfred leans down so we're on eye level, the scent of pine trees and coffee waves over to me, making my stomach twist in a weirdly good feeling knot. His narrowed dark, deep blue eyes stare into my wide hazel ones.

"I haven't slept peacefully in a long time and when finally, today I fell asleep, you woke me up at this hour of the night to point out how bad of an omega you are?" His warm breath fans my face

"Yes?" I grin sheepishly

"You are going to the north with me. End of conversation." And he slams the door in my face

For a moment, I stood there like a gaping fish. I raise my hand, ready to knock and give him a piece of my mind when the door swings open again.

"I see you're still here," Alfred growls

"Just wanted to say good night." My own tongue betrays me

I quickly turn around and go to the Omega quarters.

Seems like I'm going to the north.

***

"Take care of yourself," I hug mom tightly

"You too dear," she says, hugging me back

"Try to not get in trouble," Hudson says to me with a grin

"Aye, aye, captain." I grin back

"I'll miss you," Octavia says "and I'm so sorry you have to leave, it's all my fault."

"Hey, hey, don't stress yourself." I say, putting a hand on her shoulder "besides, a free trip to the north? Sounds pretty good to me."

I wave at my family one more time before hurriedly going towards the garage. When I reach it, people are hurrying about, pack warriors loading their things in one car, the higher ranks standing a bit away from them, muttering among each other.

I notice that the Omegas they'd picked are standing by their sides, heads bowed. With a sigh, I tighten my grip on the strap of my duffle bag and walk over to a certain Alpha Lycan.

"So, where are we going?" I ask Alfred

"Pakistan," he replies, hands clasped behind his back

"But that would be a 14 hour flight!" I point out

Be it Lycans or Werewolves, but Lycans more so, they hate long flights. It makes their wolf grumpy and agitated.

"But very worth it," Alfred says "Naran Kaghan values are known to be one of the most beautiful places in the world."

A wave of excitement crashes over me, suddenly this trip doesn't feel bad at all.

***

I was wrong. It was bad, heck, it was horrible! 14 hours in a damn plane, then God knows how long in a car and we still haven't reached the place!

"We're here," the Omega driving our car, otto I think his name is, says to us

"Freedom!" I jump out of the car as soon as it stops

The first thing I notice is the cold. The second is that it's dark and I can't see anything. The third is that there's a mansion on a brilliant land scope just in front of me. But keeping the second point in mind, I can't see very well. Oh well.

Grinning like a maniac, duffle bag in hand, I hop over to Alfred. He starts walking without acknowledging my presence but I'm just so happy to be on my feet, I don't care.

"Omegas, all of you will have a room attached with you incharge." Luna explains as we enter the grand hall of the house "Behave yourselves and serve with diligence."

Two staircases go up, one from either side of the hall and Alfred turns to the left one. I followed behind quickly.

We'd reached the middle when a banshee-like scream met my ears.