Chapter 9: gleeful

Humming to herself, she swayed herself to and fro on the swing, using her legs as a powerful momentum to push herself forward. The other kids stayed away from the swing, just because the quiet belligerent girl was there. She didn't mind, it was better that way. The less company she has, the fewer people know about her… “condition”. Maybe one day, just one day, she'll be able to have a friend that will understand her and love her for who she is.

"Darling!" The shrill voice of her mother echoed in the playground. Turning her head, she located her mother standing at the entrance/exit of the playground, waving her hand vigorously. A basket of green apples was in her other hand, swinging and hitting the side of her leg due to her energetic movement. The girl smiled, admiring the beautiful yellow flare dress on her mother's body. She made that dress for her mother.

Jumping down from the swing, she smoothened her little pleated red skirt with a little dust and ran over to her mother. "Hello, Mother, I can see the flea market shopping went well for you."

"Very well," her mother giggled, "have you seen my apples, darling? They're green!"

"Yes, I can see that, Mother," she chuckled, following her mother out. "You bought only apples?"

"And guavas and soursops and something called African star apples! I can't wait to try them!" She shrieked, swinging the basket way too much. The girl smiled. It was rare to see her mother smile so much. Ever since the shift, her predicament had sucked their happiness. As painful as it is, she had to ruin the moment by saying what had been troubling her for days.

"Mum, there's something I have to tell you, something serious. It's about Zinnia." She started, looking at her feet, so she won't have to see the glee disappear from her mother's face. Her mother paused for a couple of seconds, before sighing.

"What about Zinnia?"

"She said something four days ago that bothered me," she raised her head, looking up at her mother. "That if we do find our mate, she will never let me know."

_______

A couple of hours into driving, the vehicles stopped at a gas station to refuel. I stepped out of the SUV and went inside with Scarlette, to change from my uncomfortable dress. The gas station sold some clothes, so Scarlette bought me a pair of acid green A-line jean shorts, a pale magenta-pink bustiere top and white Converse all-star trainers, with the star matching the shorts. She lent me a pretty thin white kimono jacket and helped me weave my hair into a French plait. It was the first time I was wearing something that beautiful and having my hair in such a neat hairstyle.

I didn't know if the alpha would be mad that an omega would dress so nice, but they seem nice enough to let me do what I wanted to do. I couldn't help how happy I was when I bounced back to the vehicles. Scarlette later told me that he was the one who paid for the outfit. No one had ever bought me anything, not since I was born. Well, other than Scarlette. My body moved on its own towards him. I found myself preening in front of him, bouncing with excitement and holding the jacket apart for him to see.

He was nice enough to nod with a smile. "You look beautiful, more than before." I giggled, bouncing away to show Everett my new outfit. He responded with a pat on my head while Cooper took a picture. When the vehicles were ready to move again, I was busy showing all the warriors who came with them and the people around, my new outfit. Don't blame me, nobody had ever shown me such an act of kindness, apart from my mother. Even Scarlette refrained from buying me such because then, I would have been punished for dressing pleasant.

I already had hope that maybe life wouldn't be too hard. Alpha Ajax took my hand and pulled my excited and energetic body back to the SUV. Maybe it was the excitement or the fact that he was an alpha, I didn't care to check. All I knew was that I loved the sparks and the feeling that came from where he held me. It was nice, really nice.

"Sit still," he ordered when I refused to stop bouncing and showing him my shoes. "Yes, they are beautiful but calm down. If you're like this, how would you behave when I get you more?" A gasp left my mouth at the statement. I grabbed his bicep and shook him with excitement. He was going to buy me more? I imagined myself with my very own wardrobe with a lot of clothes inside. The joy from possessing what I'd never had the privilege to acquire was already taking over my once gloomy self.

Mother, your daughter is feeling hopeful. Is that a good thing?

I shouldn't be that happy, he seemed smart. He was able to detect that Scarlette wasn't human. Why hasn't he detected my wolf? Or has he already guess and is trying to bribe me? Make me feel safe enough to trust him with my secret? No, I can't tell him. The moment he finds out, I'd be killed. His pack comes before anyone else, not a silly omega like me. The thought alone buried my excitement. I shifted away from him, sucking on my bottom lip. He might be nice, but not nice enough to let me live if he finds out what I am. He can never know.

Sighing, I placed my head on the window and stared at the road, the vehicles, and the people. I stared at everything that came my way; the trees and animals when we entered the secure area I could tell was his pack. Zinnia was awfully quiet, not sleeping but not awake either. The last time I checked on her, she said she didn't feel too good. She said it could be his powerful aura trying to force her to expose herself, so we agreed to be extra careful and silent when around him.

When I mentioned that Alpha Ajax is different from the other alphas and possesses rare elements more than two, I meant it. He was the first alpha to possess the element of lightning and thunder combined, a couple of other new kinetic abilities and many said he had hidden elements only his trusted pack members knew of. According to the stories and history, his ancestor was the first alpha to get kinetic blessing and start the revolution against the enemy in the past. As the first, they had more blessings and over the years, they got stronger to the point of being just battle beasts.

I already read that the powers bestowed on them came with consequences, but I never bothered to know what. Well, until I heard it from Eloise and Co. They had no mates for their hearts are not made to love anything other than war. Well, that's a brutal punishment.

I wonder if he indeed had hidden elements. Maybe that element is what will expose me.

Almost three hours after leaving the gas station, we finally arrived at the pack. I was astonished by the remarkable size and how civilised the pack was. The buildings weren't skyscrapers or mansions, just really good houses, like a small town. It was better, larger, and more sophisticated than my original pack. Immediately the pack members saw the vehicles, they bowed their heads while the young pups waved and shouted, "Alpha's back"!, "Alpha! Alpha!"

The vehicles drove through the town for eight minutes before parking in front of the main pack house. I could tell it was the main because it was the only mansion I'd seen so far. People were already trooping out of the mansion, some waving and chattering as the warriors stepped out. Mates reunited, and children welcomed their fathers and greeted the alpha. I hesitated in stepping out, along with Scarlette. We were the only ones still inside.

"Is it me, or is Beta Cooper happy?" I heard from the crowd. In fact, most of them were talking about how happy and usual he was. They were expecting him to be sad or something.

"I'm nervous," Scarlette said with a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of her neck. "That's a lot of people. Think I can do it?" I gave her a thumbs-up and grinned. I didn't need to worry that much, accepting me is a minor issue. I would either be accepted or rejected, but hers was important. She is after all their new Beta Female. "Thanks, Sapphire."

"Brie!" Cooper's squeal made us both look at them. He tackled a heavily pregnant woman with a hug, a surprised woman at that. "I found her! I found her! I finally found her!"

"Well, that's my cue. Wish me luck." Scarlette rolled the door open and stepped out, stretching on her toes with a happy bounce. Cooper pointed at her while giggling like a little boy. I nervously dragged my butt to the door to step out too.

"Scarlette, come meet my big sister!" Scarlette chuckled and walked over to them while I stepped out of the car, nervously putting my head down.

Breathe, Sapphire. The least they would do is hurt you.

I flinched when I heard a shriek. My heart almost left me. The pregnant woman was hugging Scarlette tight and shrieking, also spluttering words I can't comprehend. Everett was busy making out with a lady. He already has a mate. Sadly, I looked back at my shoes. I remained like that until someone cleared his throat, forcing all noise down.

"Well, as you all can see, our mission was successful. The newest member of the pack is your Beta's mate, Scarlette Cinder. The official welcoming ceremony will begin in a week after she proves her worth and loyalty to the pack. I want you all to note that before she is officially made the Beta Female, all respect must be given to her as your Beta's mate. No disrespect or insult is allowed to reach her ears because she has full right to deal with any disrespect according to the ways of a Beta Female. I will also let you know that she might look like a mere human, but she is a hunter. Don't come to me if she shoves a sword into your heart." There were a few murmurs here and there before it quieted down.

"And who is the other one?"