Violet
I woke up to the sound of whispers and a crackling fire. I slowly opened my eyes, blinking away the blurriness. Every part of my body hurt, a dull throbbing that resonated in my head, chest and limbs. But most especially my legs. I questioned where I was for the first few moments before my vision finally cleared.
That wolf!
I shifted and tried to sit up. The heavy fur blanket on me showed resistance, along with a gentle hand pressed against my shoulder, keeping me down.
"Easy now," a female voice said. "Your body still needs to recover."
I blinked hard, forcing my eyes to fully focus. A woman leaned over me, her face kind but cautious. She looked a little older than I was and had tanned skin. Her long brown braided hair hung over one shoulder, almost dangling over my neck. Her eyes were a sharp shade of green.
"Where am I? Who are you?"
The woman took her hand off me and sighed, her eyes shifting to the other side of the tent. "You're safe." Her tone sounded off, as if she herself wasn't fully sure of herself. "He found you in a neutral zone and brought you back to camp for some reason."
I tensed immediately. "He?"
She seemed to hesitate as her eyes returned to mine. Then she answered, "The Alpha."
'Alpha? Did she just say Alpha?'
I remembered the overwhelming presence, his sharp blue eyes… and the way my power surged so suddenly before everything went dark.
I sat up, and this time, the woman didn't stop me. My head slightly spun before returning to normal. I fully took in the tent this time. I had been lying on a fur-lined bedroll on the floor. A small fire burned in a stone pit at the center of the tent, with its smoke curling up and escaping the structure through a small opening at the top.
The woman kneeling at my side wasn't the only person in the tent, and it immediately unnerved me how I hadn't noticed them until now.
Two other women sat near the entrance. They both watched me with curious but weary dark eyes. One of them looked older, middle-aged, with silver streaks in her blonde hair. The other looked to be the same age as the woman beside me. Freckles dotted her face and her straight red hair flowed down her shoulders, untamed.
They were all dressed similarly, in loose pants and a strip of material wrapped around their breasts. They were slightly muscular too, with well-toned bodies from the little I could see.
We engaged in a silent staring contest.
"Why… why am I here?" I asked, genuinely confused.
I knew the question made no sense, but I had to ask. For what reason could an Alpha pick up an omega and bring him to his…
My eyes shifted to the tent.
I noticed their attires once more.
These were wandering pack members. Away from the pack, along with their Alpha for that matter. Were they looking out for territories to claim?
"We wouldn't know. You would have to ask him yourself," the older woman spoke up, her voice deeper. "He ordered us to tend to you. Make sure you didn't die." She shrugged.
I wasn't sure why, but I reached for the pendant at my chest. To my relief, it was still on me. Their gazes carefully followed my movement.
I then noticed the clothes I had on. I was dressed in a grey shirt and soft wool pants. My body was clean. My feet were bandaged with moist wraps that felt soothing against my skin..
The woman beside me spoke up. "You were filthy and half-dead. We had to clean you up."
Heat rushed to my face, but I forced down the embarassment. They had seen me at my lowest.
"Tha—thank you… What pack do you belong to?" I slowly asked.
I needed to leave. I wasn't sure if they could sense the force within me, but as an omega, I wouldn't say I was safe anywhere.
But something was odd about the way they looked at me. Like they were studying me.
In a way it made sense. They must wonder why their Alpha brought me here.
But why?
I could feel the power stir across my veins. It was weak, but still there. I felt physically fine. Better even.
I paused.
The aches I had felt waking up had greatly reduced to the extent I barely even felt them.
"You were asleep for a day and a half," the one beside me spoke up again. "This—"
She stopped talking and immediately turned her attention to the entrance. The two women immediately stood up and stepped away.
I looked at them all, confused.
The tent flap opened and a strange sensation washed all over me as the force pulsed.
Stronger this time.
A man ducked inside, bending down to be able to enter the structure, before straightening to his full height.
I went completely still.
He easily towered over the others, his white hair pairing well with fair skin as it trailed down the expanse of his broad shoulders. My fingers dug into the blanket as my pulse raced, along with the fluctuating energy.
It really was reacting to him.
I could not help it as my eyes lowered. He had a lean muscular build, and his bare chest and abdomen revealed well defined muscles. The only item of clothing on him was loose pants similar to what the other women wore. I immediately turned my eyes to the floor. It was embarrassing enough I had stared at his chest for far too long.
I did not want to look into his eyes for some reason.
My gaze remained fixed to the floor. "Thank—thank you for your hospitality. I—"
I flinched as a firm hand caught my chin, forcing my head up.