The Bloodhound Alpha and His Prey

It's four am and I'm walking around the house, every step I take echoing through the walls as I yell loudly, "I know you're awake, Lu. Don't make me come up there and sit on your face!"

It's funny because I never do it but I can hear him moan and feel him through our bond waking up. It's a sensational feeling, being connected to a soul. My mind moves to the time in my life when I used to be connected to an entire pack but I quickly brush the thought out of my head as I see Lucas at the doorway.

He's standing there, his full hair scattered all over his face- Goddess, I should do something about it- And his eyes barely open. Though I might have been the one to Mother him, I just want it known that my son is gorgeous. Perfection. It's hard to believe he came from me but he did.

He walks to the dining table and sits. I bring him his food, humming softly under my breath as I place it in front of him before kissing the top of his head. He mumbles slightly and though I can barely pick it up, I know what he says. "Good morning to you, my love."

"Eggs and bacon?" He's not asking in an annoyed way. No. Lucas is never annoyed, even when I know he deserves to be. He's pushing his hair back as he begins to eat, his eyes staring up at me with need in them.

He's asking because he craves meat. He needs meat just like every pup does. I can afford that, sure, meat isn't a big deal but what I can't afford is him growing. I know I sound like a bad mother but meat... Meat is good for him. But I wouldn't know what to do if he got sick.

I don't have any advise from other wolves. I don't get any. He's all I have so I try to be careful. I give him meat when I can and when I can't, I don't. Of course, he needs more of it but I don't want anything happening to him. He's all I have.

The TV goes on now, all on its own and starts to relay a message, "The council is worried about the recent development about Omegas worldwide. Is it a trend now? Or a sick act of rebellion on the rules that the Council has set aside..."

I can already tell Lucas is listening to it, he's far too perceptive for his age, and I hurry to the screen and turn it off. Instantly, his sharp eyes land on me but they become smaller when they notice the apprehensive look on my face as I say, "Remember the rule, Angel. No TV until after school."

"Okay,'' My Lucas doesn't talk a lot. I used to worry about what the reason was when he was younger but knowing fully well that a rogue like me, especially being an Omega, meant nobody could be trusted. Plus, I'd like to think he was a quiet child. I loved that about him.

I kiss him again on the top of his head and place some money on the table in front of him. "Adelaide is gonna come take you to school while I have a shift. Anything you wanna watch with me tonight?"

"A horror movie?"

I try not to cringe at his words, especially since we both know I don't have a thing for blood but I manage to smile at him as I say, "Sure, baby. Anything for you." I start to hurry outside now. "Now, I gotta go. I love you."

He doesn't respond but he doesn't have to. The link we share buzzes with the love he shares for me and that's always how I know I've done a good job for the day. My son might not be extremely friendly but I can feel him and that's all I need.

It takes me only a few minutes to get to the restaurant but as always, I'm the first there. I take my alone time with stride, plugging my ears with music and cleaning up the place as I dance around.

I get jolted out of my peace as I feel someone's hand on my shoulder and I turn, panicking slightly. The face is familiar but it doesn't stop the way my heart is racing as I say, "Mr Alfred. You're here,"

"Oh, don't call me that, buttercup. You can just call me Sam," My boss, Mr Alfred, says this with a wink. He's only a few years older than me but I can't stop myself from cringing at how every nerve in my body screams at me to spit on his face and cuss him out as he says, "I like how you work. You're always on time and diligent. Makes me wonder what else you can do,"

I grip the mop on my hand tighter so I don't punch him in the face because one, I will not win that fight, and two, I most definitely will be without a job. "Everything that is legal and reasonable. If you increase my pay, that is."

He laughs and comes closer. I stand still, trying to hold myself from screaming for help as he whispers, "I really like you, Madeline. So fiesty and ferocious. Makes me wonder how your pheromones really smell with all that... Perfume you hide under."

Perfume I need to keep myself safe from perverts like you, that is, I think. Thankfully, Alfred knows better than to make all of his workers mind-link as I try to force a smile to my face before the door opens and our chef walkss in.

Gustavo, as always, is pissed but I'm forever thankful for his existence as he passes. "Maddy, kitchen. You know the customers better than any of us and you're a good assistant. Sure you don't want to join me?"

"No, chef. I highly doubt I'd survive your work environment," Gustavo knows Alfred has been trying to get into my pants recently, especially now with the entire thing going on in the streets with people like me so he makes it a job to save me whenever we're alone like this and I'm grateful for it.

As I'm about to join him, Sam's hand grabs my arms, sending every alarm in my body skyrocketing as I hear him whisper in my ear, "Come to my office tonight so we can discuss this... Better."

The hairs on my neck stand as I nod, acknowledging him before he walks away and I join Gustavo in the kitchen. I put on the apron and when I turn to him, he spares me a worried look but I brush it away with a wink, not wanting to scare him.

We have work to do today.

"This is crazy." Linc's stare on me drags me out of my meal as I turn to him. He's a young lad, should probably be in school but I know he has a rebellious streak about him that makes him hate that as he nods towards the television, "You good?"

I don't bother to look at the screen, already knowing what's there as I finish my sandwich and wipe my hands on my apron. "Yeah, sure. It's just the news, don't worry about it."

Blake and Cassie share a glimpse, both of them knowing that there's nothing good about what's going on but they know better than telling Lincoln the truth. He might act all high and mighty but he's a baby. We all know that.

In truth, I'm scared. Terrified. I try to shield Lucas from it but I highly doubt that he doesn't know, he's too smart for his own good.

Omegas, like me, are being hunted down for their pheromones. Why? Because apparently, having sex with our kind was addictive. Like the drugs humans use. It's crazy because we're not objects but no one sees us like that, not anymore. Ever since the news got out about how fucking omegas felt good, the rape stories have worsened. Some of us are even going missing now.

There are drugs we can take to hide our scent but I can barely afford that. With the rent closing in and Lucas needing his fees to be paid, I don't even have the right to want that. Still, it's fine. I just have to be careful and close late. That's all.

"You should be clocking out, love,"

Blake is the one talking now. He's already hovering around me like a fly and usually, I'd find that creepy but I can't, especially when I know he does it out of concern and his Mate, Cassie shadows him as well as she says, "Yeah, it's getting a bit late."

"I'm fine," I say for the umpteenth time though I know for certain that no one believes me. A part of me finds that soothing but the other part hates how they treat me. I know I'm an Omega. I know I'm weak but I'm not that useless. Come on. It was beginning to feel a little insulting. "Plus, I have to talk to Alfred for a bit. I'll go when I'm done."

I can already sense Blake's apprehension with Cassie's worry. Even Lincoln is terrified of the thought of me being alone with the bastard and I hate it. I hate all of it. Being put in this position. Being so... Vulnerable but I know there's nothing I can do about it as I wrap up the other sandwich Gustavo left for Lucas as I wave at them. "Wish me good luck."

As I stuff it into my bag, I hurry out of the staff room to his office. For an asshole, his office is surprisingly clean and tidy. The only thing dirty here is him and the look on his face as I step in, "Madeline. Please, come in and sit. It's always a pleasure to have you here."

The pleasure is all yours, I think but don't say as I do as he says. The second I'm seated, he's rising up from his seat and coming towards me. I swallow, trying to fight down the irritation bubbling up my throat as he stands beside me, resting on his table as he says, "You said you wanted something?"

"A raise," I say, looking up at him with the most serious face I could muster. "It's just... Lucas is getting older and things are becoming more expensive. You know I don't have a pack of my own so all of my expenses fall on me. If you could just... Increase my pay then maybe-"

"You've been passing by every night shift. Every. One."

I swallow. "Well, yes, but I can't... I can't exactly stay longer anymore. You know I would if I could but it's not safe, especially for people like me-"

Before I can finish my sentence, his hand is on my face. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"

Disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting. It plays in my head like a siren but I try not to do anything out of place as I say, "I'll work with Gustavo. I'll cook, if you want. I'm very good at that-"

He chuckles there, his eyes dancing over me like he couldn't wait to gobble me up at that moment. "Yeah. I'm sure you are," Then he moves away from me and moves his hands in the air. "All of this talk is pointless. I know you. I trust you. But things are difficult now. Prices are going up, taxes too. I mean, I honestly don't know how you're surviving with your kid, John-"

"Lucas."

"But that's what I've always liked about you. Your resilience. It's why I know you'll be good enough to be... More."

I know what he means but I can't stop myself from asking. "More?"

"Well, yes. You're not a baby anymore, Madeline. You have a child," He says this like it's common knowledge. I feel a shiver run up my spine as I feel him behind me, his hands grabbing my shoulder tightly as he bends to my ear and whispers, "Besides, I hear Omegas have cycles that makes them needy. Don't you want to finally have a man taking care of all those... Needs?"

My eyes fall on the pen on his desk, an image of me diving into his hand flashing into my head at that instant though I blink it away as I ask, "And if I say no?"

It all happens in a split second. He grabs my hair and yanks it backward, causing me to let out a muffled groan in pain as he chuckles, staring down at me with venom in his eyes. "I don't think you have a choice. Not if you want to have that pup of yours clothed and fed,"

As he lets go of me, I can feel the anger in my chest rising. Boiling. I know I can't win this fight, I never will, but a part of me doesn't care. He can do what he wants but he should keep Lucas's name out of his mouth. I count to ten, picking myself up from my chair as he returns back to his as I say, "I'll think about it."

Sam Alfred doesn't bother to respond, he doesn't have to. We both know I have no other choice in this situation. I need to pick a side and I have to pick it fast.

I don't bother to tell the others good-bye as I go back home to my son. The house is dark which means Adelaide is already gone and he's alone. I enter the house and go straight to his room. He's in his bed, sleeping, or pretending to. I can always sense when he's awake or not.

I kneel beside his bed and rake my hand through his hair as I whisper, "Are you pretending to fall asleep because you know I'm tired, angel?"

He doesn't bother to respond and I know he won't. I know we barely spend any time together but I can't afford that right now. I lean down and kiss his forehead, fighting the tears threatening to come down as I say, "Goodnight, baby." And with that, I leave his room.

And thank you, I send through our bond. I feel his response as always reassuring me. He's just nine years old and he's acting so old. I'm the parent here. I have to take care of him. And by the goddess, I will.

The night wind sweeps through my body but it does nothing to quell the heat in me. I'm burning, not in anger but need. My wolf, Daxon, has been restless recently. With the both of us focused with work and the Pack, there is barely any time or energy to bring him out.

Asshole, I hear him say.

Yes. I'll like to fuck one too.

"Damien. Do you have any idea how close you are to falling off the edge?"

I open my eyes now, staring down at my feet. I'm standing on the edge of my penthouse's balcony. The city lights are bright, the noise below almost deafening. It's almost like all of it is overstimulating, driving me to the edge so that I either shift or kill myself. I'm leaning heavily on the latter.

"Damien-"

"You say my name a lot for a person beneath me," Though my voice is cold, there is a smile on my face as I turn around to face him. My Beta, Aslan, stares at me with an exhausted look on his face as I come down from the balcony now and walk past him. "What can I do for you?"

I reach my bar first, taking out a bottle of whiskey and pouring some of it into a glass as he joins me. "You have been missing the meetings, Alpha-"

I scoff as I shove the first shot down my throat. "I'm Alpha now."

"And there is a global problem going around. The other Packs are demanding assistance from other Alphas to protect their Omegas. We both know this would get out of hand if it continues. Population control will be gone and suicidal rates of Omegas would worsen-"

I slam the glass down on my counter. It shatters with the sound piercing through the empty house as I ask quietly, "Why are you telling me this? Do you... Do you think I care?"

I walk towards him now. Aslan isn't terrified of me. He knows that I can rip his head off in the blink of an eye but he respects me enough to know that I respect his existence in return. He does his job as my Beta and keeps me updated about the outside world while I stay away from the world. "I stay alive for my pack. Is that not enough?"

Bloodhound Pack. My Pack. We are not a large group of people but that's only because there's no need for us to be. We are vicious killers, people who have spent many years training for a moment in the world when it shows its weakness and we take forceful charge of the entire council, subduing others to our will.

I am their Alpha, a thing I never chose but for a cruel sect, they revere me more than anything. Nothing is done without my permission and for that reason, they are innocent. As long as I stay alive, no one will dare harm anyone. If the world thinks the loss of Omegas mean anything now, they are not even prepared for what would happen if my Bloodhounds find them.

Aslan doesn't budge. "You cannot hide here forever."

"Ha. Watch me."

"You are more than just a spineless coward-"

I don't let him finish his words as I grab him by the neck, my claws instantly digging into the sides of his neck as I raise him up. His warm blood cascading down my fingers excite Daxon, the wolf drowning in the scent before I fling him to the side.

He crashes but I don't bother to look at him. Instead, I say calmly, "Be careful. You might speak the truth but I have a temper."

I can tell he's already healing himself, the fact that he's a member of my pack making him impervious to the venom from my claws as he says half gasping, "There is... There is an a-agency. They try to... They try to regulate the hormones of... Of Alphas, and Betas who seek Omegas for their... Their pheromones by requesting the services of the latter. It's... It's safe and well protected. No one would know you were there. Alpha."

He says the last part to soften the statement but I already feel insulted. Daxon is excited and that is never a good sign. "Do you think my reason for my depression is... Sex?"

"We all feel it. We all feel him," I know he speaks of Daxon as I watch him rise from the floor now. "You cannot keep repressing who you are. Their pheromones will help," And perhaps, if you see how necessary Omegas are, then perhaps, you will decide to help the cause.

He doesn't say that part but I can hear it lingering in the air like poison. It's bitter to taste but I don't find myself hating it. Daxon growls slightly in pleasure at the fact that I am thinking of it. Why? Because it is true. I need a release somehow and I know how it would end if I keep fighting what I really am.

A Predator who needs to hunt down prey to survive. I have fought these instincts after the event that happened many years ago but perhaps... Perhaps, it is time I stop beating myself for something that I could not control.

I can't help the laugh that leaves my lips now as I say, "Ah, I can't help but pity the poor omega who would have to deal with me after my many years of celibacy," A lazy smile plays on my face. "Daxon can be quite... Insatiable."

And so can I.