Sabrina's POV
I'm enjoying the wind flowing back through my hair, the sun on my cheeks. Erebon's Ferrari turned into a convertible and he's racing along with his other Sub-Alphas in their 'hard earned' super cars.
Apparently, Orpheus had found some loophole in the werewolf law that suggested anything that touched Royal Greywood territory was therefore royal-property, and that helped transfer the cars under Erebon Greywood's ID. So technically they were all Erebon's cars now. So they were stolen but then acquired. It was an ancient lore but it also helped that Orpheus was the King. Just that intimidating air alone was enough to get his brother and the Sub-Alphas out of further trouble.
Lucky them, Orpheus seemed to wield his royal power like a sword and sheild to keep the world off their backs.
Right now we were on a mission.
Seth was meeting us outside a warehouse in downtown Keatfur. His Betas were already doing scouts and Seth had more information to relay to us.
My girls were at daycare and Orpheus had been extremely grouchy about having anyone over while they enjoyed their new bubba. Becca and Orpheus were looking after little Guinevere today with Caspian on patrol while Scorpeo went into work – looking to help gather as much intelligence as he could about some Dregar Obearon.
I wanted to feel professional. So I dressed in a black pencil skirt and black semi-see-through blouse over a black lacey bra, feeling like a sexy detective with my hair tied up in a bun and dark sunglasses on that I borrowed from Erebon.
He has an arm out of his car, driving a little recklessly, overtaking every single vehicle while the Sub-Alphas trailed behind.
Just in general, people made way for them as we drove into the small-big town of Keatfur and turned into a multicomplex carpark. Erebon drives to the top floor and parks at the edge. We both jump out of the car at the same time. I'm too excited to get into my detective work, taking a pair of binoculars out of my bag and running to the corner of the roof to spy on the warehouse Seth alerted us about.
Erebon didn't get a chance to open the door for me, but he just laughs it off and waits for the Sub-Alphas to park next. I sit down at the corner of the carpark and look for the cement warehouse. Spray-painted with a red M on the corner, Seth had got his Betas to mark the building for us.
Dregar had been there last night for a very long time, so we suspected it was a homebase for the Majesties.
Bear royalty was very secretive, no one really knew much about their business or appetites.
The warehouse itself looks like it has no markings or labels, only a street number, the windows are boarded up. The whole place is creepy, taking up a corner of Keatfur where other businesses are mainly mechanical or industrial.
I take note of every exit and then I scribble it down on a note pad. I then chew on the pen as I turn to look at Erebon being slack with the Sub-Alphas. They're standing around chatting, waiting for something.
Erebon had been lax on the details with me. I didn't prod though, he was my Alpha.
The gang of Alphas are all wearing matching dark navy blue shirts and black sweats, looking way more douchey than they actually are. Sascha is on the phone, Zoran is stealing glances over to me, Laoch too actually, while Quillon is handing out firearms.
Erebon is in a deep discussion with Sashca when Laoch and Zoran decide to walk for me at the same time. I can definitely see them having the potential to get a girlfriend if they didn't linger around in a gang formation. Their energy was pure intimidation, unapproachable. But alone or in pairs, it was better.
They also had unique attractive characteristics.
Zoran's charcoal hair is rare, a dark grey that tells me he was born into packs up north, near the cold. They always had darker grey, strange hair that matched very dark blue eyes. Laoch was the opposite, with light brown hair like Erebon, his light blue eyes were the only distinction that told me he was from a city. Wolves that integrated into human territory tended to look more human, less supernatural. Almost like their genes adapted to hide their supernatural blood, to blend them in.
As they approach, Zoran holds out a hand for my binoculars and without a word I hand it over and he takes a look at the warehouse next. Laoch had half an ear missing, but in general he was wiry-thin and I could see why he wouldn't win against other competing Alphas. It was harsh but if you didn't eat enough, you weren't going to win against the well-fed rivals.
"Hey, Sabrina," Laoch smiles for me as he stops a few feet from me, his hands buried in his pockets, "Can I ask a weird question?"
"Yes, shoot," I try not to smile too bright, since I don't know what he's going to ask yet, "I'll ask you a question in return though."
"Okay... well, how did you know you were Erebon's mate?" Laoch tries to ask it casually, "Like was it a moment in time or did your uh – love – grow over time?"
"It's not easy to put into words, you just know when you know," I can tell my answer doesn't satisfy his curiosity, he's clearly heard that before, but I can't show him, he just has to feel it one day with the right wolf.
"Your turn to ask a question," Laoch now murmurs awkwardly, while I feel Zoran's ears burning as he doesn't say anything but stays right next to us, clearly eavesdropping.
I take a guess, "Most Alphas are born into wealthy or elite families, but you weren't, or... I'm guessing you aren't from old money, are you?" I ask Laoch, hoping I ask it kindly.
Zoran snickers under his breath, I glance over my shoulder to see him watching Laoch now, waiting for his answer.
"You're half-right," Laoch admits, suddenly blurting it all, "To be honest, I didn't really have a family. My dad was an Alpha, but he was old when he suddenly isolated from the pack he came from. The Acuity Pack – we're mostly known as birthing the best doctors and artists in the werewolf world. The more insane ones do art, the ones who keep their senses are good doctors – of the mind, experts in wolf natures. The pack all say my dad lost his senses when he married a wolf he wasn't even mated to, everyone called her a gold-digger. She was only eighteen when she got pregnant, married him when he was fifty, she had me, but didn't really pay me any attention, she was too busy spending all his money and going on vacations. He was in his head all the time, was barely a father to me. He died at sixty, when I was ten. My mom got addicted to Awstone after that. I mostly raised myself. I doubt I'll find a mate if my dad couldn't – I think bad mental issues run in his blood, my blood. One day I might just lose my senses like him, it could happen at any point. No girl will want me then. I'm like a spontaneous liability. You know?"
Wow, that was a lot to take in. I wasn't expecting all that.
"Your pessimism will keep you single, brother," Zoran mutters under his breath, clearly out of patience. I have a feeling Laoch spoke about these worries a lot to them with unsatisfactory answers.
"Did you get rejected at one point?" I ask.
Laoch looks freaked out at the memory my question invokes and he blushes.
Zoran answers for him.
Turning to me, Zoran grins next to my ear as he tells me, "I'll tell this part, because I was there. Laoch went to Acuity's courtship ball when he was 16. He asked the Luna out in front of the whole pack. Heide rejected him. She already had an Alpha date too but Laoch didn't see that, just went over his head apparently. Lupon Wildwood is now the Alpha. Two years younger than Alpha Laoch. Lupon is 22, Laoch is 24 now. And you know the reputation of Wildwood wolves, right?" I nod, I had heard... Zoran keeps on explaining, "Wildwoods are the most basic, untalented, boring wolves you can come across. They never aspire to much. Lupon is clearly all brawn and no brains. But. Laoch was all brains and no brawn. Brawn won in the end... Heide fell for Lupon's muscle."
"That isn't fair, Zoran," I whisper, seeing Laoch looking really embarrassed but trying to keep his head up anyway, listening to the criticism like it doesn't touch him, but it clearly did. His light blue eyes were looking smokey now with the comparison. I think it angers him.
"But Sabrina... I actually thought I had a spark with the Luna," Laoch admits this to me, "I can't wrap my head around the fact she didn't feel it... to this day, I've heard no confirmation that Lupon and Heide are mated. Only boyfriend-girlfriend... and that's for the last 8 years they've been together. No children. No wedding. Lupon is only an unofficial Alpha. I'm still, technically –"
"Laoch, come on buddy. You're dreaming again," Zoran sighs, "You're not the Alpha of Acuity, no one thinks you are. That's what matters."
"Zoran," I growl under my breath.
"It's tough love, omega, I won't lie to him," Zoran snaps over me and I wince away from his harshness. I didn't know he was temperamental, I thought he was the kindest. I guess I easily forget they are hot-blooded Alphas with no mate, no pack, no prospects. I guess it makes them pent-up.
"I'm just curious of your opinion on it all," Laoch growls over the top of Zoran, "Sabrina?"
"Does Acuity ever ask you to come back to perform certain duties, or to be present at celebratory events for the pack?" I ask, knowing it will be very important if they do.
Laoch shakes his head, "...no, they don't."
Oh my.
That was very bad.
If they didn't invite him to anything, he was basically banished or completely rejected by the whole pack, not just rejected by the Luna. That must be tough.
"Thoughts?" Laoch prompts me, looking haunted again.
I which I had the right words, or an answer, but my mouth just hangs open... I don't think I have the correct words to give him.
"Hey," Erebon walks up then, shoving Laoch into Zoran as he turns into my side and puts an arm around my shoulders, "What are you interrogating my omega about, hmm?"
"Girl advice," Zoran smirks, "...Heide.."
Erebon rolls his eyes at Laoch, looking sick of his shit.
I don't think they can see what I see.
Laoch is definitely not being heard about his problems.
Or maybe there's just nothing he can do.
"Are we ready?" Laoch asks, changing the subject.
Erebon nods, then says nothing as he spins me away from them and walks me back to the Ferrari.
"Seth has the whole gang cornered in that warehouse," Erebon tells me under his breath, "It's go time."
"Seth is there alone?" I whisper.
"Yup. It's not an active bear HQ after all, it's currently empty, they move storage between locations. But Dregar met up with the gang Seth was looking for. What do you know, Seth pounced at exactly the right time today with his Beta's helping. He's got every bear he needs except minus one 'Majesty'. We have to help lure that one out. Arcraw."
"So he doesn't have everyone, but he's got almost all of them," I whisper, "I have a bad feeling about this 'Majesty' that isn't here. One royal bear could be all you need to ruin this plan."
"Baby, we have a plan."
"What's the trade-off with Firwood?"
"In return for catching each gang member alive, dragging them back in our boots to Firwood to face justice – Seth is going to get every Sub-Alpha a mate," Erebon smirks and now I know why he dragged me away from them, "They're so desperate, it hurts, baby, oh, it hurts."
"Stop making fun of them. You used to be one of them," I laugh and Erebon narrows his eyes at me.
"Cheeky," he pinches my cheek and turns into me, grabbing both my cheeks in his hands, "I like your cheeks, Sabrina, so plump and soft."
"Excuse you?" I whisper, gaping as he squeezes my cheeks together and then leans down to kiss me.
"Seth promised," Erebon whispers, like it's the best gossip, "Any chick that rejected them, will change their minds after he teaches them real Alpha allure."
"Oh, my," I tease him now, "Can you go learn some tricks too?"
Now Erebon's mouth parts in shock, offended.
"You know how to burn, baby, jeez, that broke my heart a little," Erebon sounds a little insecure and now I feel bad.
"I'm sorry," my lip wobbles and he stands tall.
"Listen up, little cheeks," Erebon takes his keys out of his pocket and holds them out to me.
"What the..." I murmur.
"You are my getaway driver," Erebon says far too seriously as he hands me the keys, clasping his hands over mine, looking at how scared I am – how I start trembling, he pulls me closer, "I'm kidding, baby. Laoch is your driver, you're in the passenger seat, your job is to open the door so I can dive in."
"I thought you had a plan," I whisper.
"We always need exit doors," Erebon grins.
"Okay, so I'm a getaway driver – I mean, Laoch is the getaway driver with me as spectator?"
"As emotional support," Erebon blinks slow, his eyes hooded, "That fucker is real sweet to girls, so don't get your omega senses all crisscrossed again, baby."
"Shut up," I growl.
"Are you getting a sharp tongue on me now, Sabrina?" Erebon tilts his head, giving me a gorgeous smile, "Be meaner, I want to hear how mean you can get."
"Shut up... y-you loser," I narrow my eyes and immediately change my tune, jumping forward and holding him in a hug, "I didn't mean it, Erebon," I gush, squeezing him tight, "I love you, my Alpha."
Erebon throws his head back and laughs like a hyena as he pats my head and squeezes me back.
"You're a funny one, cheeks," Erebon holds me until I'm done squeezing him.
Then we both let go and I'm all red in the face from his spontaneous nicknaming of me.
I'm so nervous now!
And so excited.
We're about to do gang shit together.
All together.
And Erebon included me!
He didn't have to, but he wanted me a part of their efforts.
Erebon puts a hand on the small of my back and walks me back to Laoch, as he walks to us.
We meet halfway, I give Laoch the keys to the Ferrari.
"See you in..." Erebon checks his watch, "Thirty minutes. If you don't get a text by then, we're all dead," he pats Laoch on the shoulder as he walks by.
I gawk.
Erebon pretends to keep sauntering off to Zoran, Sascha and Quillon, but he turns to catch my expression.
He winks and I shut my mouth.
Sarcastic shithead! Worrying me like that. Augh.
Laoch looks stiff next to me, in his head now, thinking too much.
Now I know why he tried a deeper conversation before.
We were about to spend 30 minutes together, and he wanted to break the ice.
And within a minute, had blurted his whole story to me.
I think he was overthinking that. Big time.
I try to make him feel better by stepping closer to him so our arms knock.
I smile up at him and Laoch goes from glassy eyed, to glancing down at me.
"Hey," I smile up at him, "We got the easy part, right? And they're not going to die, right?"
Laoch takes a moment to process what I just said, "What? Oh, yeah, easy stuff. And... no," Laoch shakes his head, "...they'll be fine," he growls this under his breath, all deep and sure of himself as he turns to Erebon's supercar.
I note they had left one behind.
I'm guessing because Laoch went with Zoran.
"What about the others, if there's an emergency exit protocol? Only Erebon can squeeze into the Ferrari."
"The other three will shift in different directions," Laoch explains, "As wolves, bears can't catch them. And the Ferrari is just a distraction. It's red, bears get hyper focused on red like bulls. Scorpeo told us that. We're going to test it out."
"Oh, I hope we're not going to die then, right?" I genuinely ask, suddenly scared.
They're used to this stuff.
I keep thinking about all the ways we are going to get murdered.
Laoch picks up on this, as Erebon and the others hop into their supercars and drive off.
He now turns to me and focuses on me completely. We stand opposite each other while Laoch gives me a very comforting smile.
"One Alpha is bad news, top tier logic, reaction times... we're fast... smart," Laoch explains calmly, "And there's six of us, that includes Seth. We don't freeze in action. Ever. Omegas might, but never Alphas, we always know how to move," Laoch grins when he sees he made me blush a little.
"I d-don't freeze in action," I whisper, "I'm just quiet."
"You've never been in action," Laoch reaches up and pats me on the head, "Let's go for a drive around Keatfur to pass the time."
He walks to the driver's side of the Ferrari, and I turn and note his immediate shift in energy.
Way, way more approachable. And not as insecure around the others. I noticed around each other they had to insult one another or be tough together; Alphas rarely got along with other Alphas. It's safe to say they only tolerate each other for survival and have bonded over extreme circumstances.
But alone they're more like themselves, and less aggressive.
I have faith they'll all find mates. If Seth can sense what I can. They just need to get back out there alone with confidence and give it another go.
And I'm sure each of them can conquer a pack or two, or the ones that disowned them in the first place.
And hopefully they don't take a page out of Erebon's book and kill a mate to steal one.
That was... heh... unconventional, to say the least.
But hell, in my case, it felt like fate.
Stolen back.
I was always meant to be for Erebon.
I wonder... if Heide was meant for Laoch?
I could see a 16-year old Luna choosing brawn over personality. Especially since Laoch had the added stigma of having a father who was an Alpha that supposedly lost his mind, leaving Acuity.
Hmm, maybe I can help gather details and information on each rejection each of them faced. To help Seth help them.
But first we all had to – yah know – not die as we lured in a Majesty, proceed to kidnap each evil bear and haul them off back to Firwood to face justice. At least, I think that's the plan.
I hop into the car and put on the seatbelt, my mind racing.
Erebon still didn't tell me everything, so I was relying on Laoch now for emotional support. If I could just sweet talk him a bit... maybe he could give me more details. To calm my omega mind. Because right now, I can't help imagining the royal bears somehow turning the tables.
The anxiety is getting to me. I'm scared. I can't help but be scared as an omega, imagining the worst –
My fingers had been curling and uncurling on my knee, my other hand clutching at my heart as Laoch drives off slow and I sit in the passenger seat.
But now warmth envelops my hand.
Laoch picked up my hand and curls his larger one around mine, clutching my whole hand super tight.
Oh, shit.
Platonic. Purely.
But extremely welcomed.
My heart steadies with his tight squeeze and his reassuring glance.
"I won't let go of you, omega," Laoch promises.
I blush and nod, "Thank you, Laoch. How thoughtful..."