DAWSON
Staying this close to her was only increasing the frenzy that came from our mate bond, and my desperation to clear the air with her.I was at a loss for words at the moment, but I badly needed to say something that might excuse my actions that night and reduce the hate and disgust she was feeling toward me right now.I needed to convince her that what I had with Joyce meant nothing and it already ended. For good.She picked up the last clothes and quickly stood straight. I followed suit, like a man without his own mind. Like I was being controlled by her every move and every facial expression."Please, excuse me, Master." Her words were rushed as she took hurried steps. It was fucking obvious that she was trying to run away from me.I stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Just a second, Carla. Please." I was fucking pleading and that was crazy, because why the fuck?She was just an Omega. I don't ever beg Omegas. But for Carla, I could do anything, even the craziest. And that leaves me wondering how she hasn't understood the influence she had on me. She wasn't that naive. And it was getting clearer that I was crazy about her. She was my fucking kryptonite. How could she not fucking see it?"What– what do you want, Master?" She asked, and her face was still lowered.I wasn't sure if she was doing that out of respect or if she was just trying not to look at me, but it was tugging at my nerves.Her turquoise eyes have always been quite a sight, and right now, I wanted to look into them. To see how much hate was lying deep inside them and know if I stood a chance of getting on her good books soon. But she was hiding them from me and there was nothing I could do about that."Uh– how are you doing?" I asked nervously. There were a lot of things I wanted to say but I didn't know how to start them. So I'd rather start with the simplest of them all."I'm fine." She replied bluntly.That's all? Wouldn't she ask me back? Wasn't she a bit curious about my well-being? It hurts to know that she didn't care enough to ask.But then again, can I blame her? No. Because I've never really given her a reason to give a clean fuck about me. All I've been to her is a certified jerk."Uh– I see you're going to do the laundry. Need any help?" It was a stupid question because I don't even do the laundry, so how do I intend to help?"No, thank you, Master, but I'm fine." She replied. She was getting impatient and uncomfortable. It wasn't nice delaying her while she was on duty. So I better cut to the chase and let her go do her chores."I'll be seeing you in school soon, right? Tomorrow, perhaps?" It was important to know that she would be returning to school.Enrolling in all her classes was the only way I could keep an eye on her and I'm scared she might decide to drop out or change schools just to stay away from me.Heaven knows that I'm also gonna switch to whatever school she decides on going to and if she decides to drop out, then home sweet home!I'll be dropping out too. It was no joke. My life literally revolves around her, more so after confirming that she was my mate."Yes. I'll be returning to school in a few days. I just need to take care of some chores here."Great!I couldn't help the smile that stretched out my lips. "Cool. I guess I'll be seeing you in school.""Okay." Another blunt reply from her and she was trying to walk away again."Carla, wait." I persisted, blocking her path again. Her brows shot up in irritation and it got me a bit agitated. "I'm sorry. I just need to talk to you.""About what?""That night." I gulped, growing more nervous. "The coronation night. When you came into my room and uh–"I had to stop talking as I noticed the deep, pink hue that covered her cheeks. She got flushed by my words – why? What could she possibly have thought about?Could she be affected by the fact that she saw my cock? Was she getting flushed because of shame or disgust? I wasn't sure which was the reason behind her reaction. But I waited till she was a bit calmer before I continued."What you saw – me, fucking Joyce….it wasn't…" I was stuttering because there were no right words to excuse my actions."You don't owe me any explanation, Master." She said, with a blank expression, and for the first time, she was looking at me. "It isn't any of my business. As a matter of fact, I should be the one apologizing for interrupting the moment–""Fuck, no. Don't fucking apologize. You don't owe me that." I stopped her and took a step closer. She flinched."And I do owe you an explanation.""Why?"My head tilted to the side at her question.Why?Hell no, I can't tell her why. If I told her right now that she was my mate, it would end in chaos. I'd rather come up with another reason."Because I don't think it was right. You're one of my personal Omegas and you shouldn't have seen me in that improper situation.""It's really none of my business, Master. We don't have to discuss who you sleep with and who you don't sleep with. It's your personal life and I'm not really interested in it. So please, do excuse me. I need to work.""Wait, Carla." Pulling her back was unintentional but the second I grabbed her hand, I felt the shock from our mate bond.She didn't feel it and that was because she's yet to turn twenty. She can only feel the bond at twenty. And I have to win her over before she turns twenty. If I don't, I'll be doomed."Master, please. Just let me go. This is getting uncomfortable and I hate it. Please, let go of my hand." She said firmly, looking me dead in the eyes.She might be timid, shy, and a little less opinionated around others but with me, she always has this fire around her. Her hatred for me was so raw that it couldn't be held back by her timid personality. She can't hide it, even if she tries.Too bad, I can't leave her alone. Even if I wanted to."Joyce doesn't mean shit to me." I blurted out, still holding her hand. "She was my fuck-buddy but I already ended it. I'm not exactly that much of a jerk. Maybe I was, but not anymore. I need you to believe that."Her eyes flickered and her lips were shaking. She almost said something but her gaze lingered over my shoulder, staring in a particular direction.I felt the extra presence too and I turned to see Joyce watching us. She was fuming with anger and was glaring at Carla.Why did she have to come out now?! She just ruined my explanations! Now, Carla will think the absolute worst of me."You don't have to explain anything to her. She's just an Omega. A lowly, miserable, and unattractive Omega." Joyce said with heavy scorn.Carla's eyes grew wet with tears and she lowered her head again. It made me feel guilty. But more than that, it got me very angry and I felt like snapping Joyce's neck."You're just an Omega too, so don't fucking think you're any different!" I backfired on her.She might think she's somewhat special because I was fucking her pussy. But that stops now. It's about time she realizes that she is like everyone else. And there was no form of attachment between us anymore.Her eyes took a red shade as hot tears dropped from them. "Dawson…""Just leave, Joyce. Get out of here. Don't make me do something I might regret later." I warned, taking a strong breath to control my rage.Her anger was evident and she looked like she wanted to pounce on Carla. But then, she sucked it up and walked away, wiping her hands over her teary eyes.I felt relieved that I was finally able to get rid of her. She was becoming too persistent and clingy. A fucking nuisance!"I wish to be excused, Master," Carla spoke up again, and I was reminded that she was still next to me."I'm sorry about what just happened. I–""Please excuse me, Master. I have more important things to do." She cut me off and began walking away. This time, she didn't wait for my permission.She was walking away while I was in the middle of a talk. That was a huge insult and she would have been hugely punished if she was just another random Omega.But she wasn't. And that gives her the right to do whatever she wants with me and not get questioned for it."Son." Mother called behind me. I didn't even notice when she approached me. I was lost in staring at Carla's retrieving form."Mother." I sighed, finally looking away from Carla. Watching her leave was torture. I'd rather stop looking."You should try to be nicer to her, Son. She's a sweet girl and you know I fancy her a lot." Mother said with a heavy note of affection in her voice."Mother, I'm not doing anything to her." On the contrary, she's the one fucking my mind up without realizing what she's doing."Son, I know that you and your friends bully her for her tomboy looks. But I guarantee you there's more to her than just her looks. You should try to get to know her." Mother said as we headed downstairs and out of the house.How do I tell her that I've been trying but Carla won't give me a chance? Three years ago and the night of the coronation seems to have sealed my ugly fate with het. She might never let me close to her.The driver opened the door and I waved at my parents for the last time."Take care, son.""You too, Mother. Father." I flashed them a quick smile. But it vanished as I sighted Carla strutting the front yard with the basket. She didn't even glance in our direction and I was hoping she would.Her cold attitude towards me was disheartening but it wasn't enough reason to give up on her.In five months, she would be twenty years old, and then she would find out that I was her mate. I have to make her be head-over-heels in love with me before that happens. Or she would reject the mate bond, and I'd be without a mate.I had just five months to make Carla Jason my girl. 118 days to win her over. It felt like a life-or-death situation and it was. But I can't win her over here in the Packhouse. Too many prying eyes, including Mother.I have to wait till she returns to school. There, she wouldn't have many chores to attend to and I wouldn't feel guilty when I seized her for hours and forced her to talk to me."Son, what are you looking at?" Mother asked, distracting me from my thoughts."Nothing, Mother." I shook my head with another forced smile. "Later." I waved again and got into the car.We slowly pulled away from the drive of the Packhouse and we were headed to pick up my buddies so we could return to school together.I spent all hours of the ride thinking of my complicated situation with Carla. Figuring out how to make her fall in love with me before the time expires.CARLA The midday sun poured through my bedroom window, casting golden streaks across the hardwood floor. The warm light did little to thaw the chill that lingered in my chest. Since the attack, the pack house had felt more like a gilded cage than a home. Dawson’s orders were clear: I wasn’t to leave until the rogue threat was neutralized.It was protective, I knew that, but it was suffocating too.There was a soft knock at my door before it creaked open. Dawson stepped inside, his tall frame filling the space effortlessly. His hair was slightly dishevelled, and the tension around his eyes told me he hadn’t been sleeping well.“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice steady but lacking the warmth I desperately craved.“I’m fine,” I replied, tucking my knees under my chin as I sat on the bed. “Better, really.”He nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Good. But you can’t leave the pack house, Carla. It’s not safe out there. Not yet.”I let out a soft sigh. “Dawson, I can’t stay
SMITHThe sun was at its peak, its rays warming the earth and casting long, golden shadows across the pack compound. Carla and I walked side by side, the sound of our boots crunching against gravel mixing with the sound of activity from the training yard. Ever since the news of a rogue attacking Carla got out, the training session had intensified, but this was beside the point. Today was about Carla. I had spent days planning this picnic, hoping to give her a moment of peace after everything she’d endured.She was walking steadily, her face glowing with the ease that had been absent for weeks. After the rogue attack, seeing her like this—strong, radiant, and herself—was all I needed to make this day worth it.The yard ahead buzzed with life. Wolves were sparring, their grunts and laughter blending with the sharp impact of fists meeting pads. Carla’s attention drifted toward the scene, her pace slowing slightly. I didn’t miss the way her eyes scanned the sparring pairs, lingering longe
DAWSONThe sun hung high in the midday sky, its heat pressing down heavily and casting sharp shadows on the ground, making the air feel thick . Its warmth beating down relentlessly on the pack compound as we drilled in the open training ground. Sweat poured from every wolf around me, the air thick with the mingled scents of exertion and dirt. The sound of grunts, heavy footsteps, and the clash of bodies echoed across the space, creating a rhythmic chaos that usually sharpened my focus. Today, though, it only added to the storm brewing inside me.I wiped my brow with the back of my hand, my muscles straining as I locked into another exchange with the guy in front of me. His movements were sharp and deliberate, designed to exploit the weak points he knew I had. My strikes were uncoordinated, lacking the precision they normally carried."Focus," Rick Taylor growled, sidestepping my jab and delivering a swift counter that grazed my ribs."I am focused," I snapped, though it was a lie.Ric
DAWSON The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, but it did little to ease the cold, heavy knot of dread settling deep in my gut. I stared at my father, his face pale, eyes wide with disbelief and terror. The words he had just spoken to me rang in my ears like a hammer striking metal.“A rogue... a rogue is still out there?”His voice shook, even though he tried to keep it steady. My father, the Elder Alpha, a man who had always been strong, unshakable, was visibly rattled. And for the first time in my life, I felt a knot of fear myself.After Carla described the incident of her attack, concluding that it could have only be done by a rogue. I could feel the weight of the information settling heavily on my chest. It wasn’t just the news of a rogue wolf; it was the possibility that everything we had fought for, everything my father had worked so tirelessly to build and secure, could be undone and also the fact that the rogue decided to attack Carla.“We’ve been over thi
CARLAIt’s strange, being awake like this. For the past week or two, the world had been a blur of beeping machines, sterile white walls, and the faint smell of antiseptic that never quite left my nose. I couldn't place what had happened, not really. It was like the details of the night of the attack were buried under layers of fog, a haze I couldn’t cut through no matter how hard I tried.All I remembered clearly was pain. The sharp sting of claws slashing through my skin, the feeling of blood flowing in thick streams, and then nothing. The darkness had been kind of a relief, to be honest. Not knowing whether I’d survive or not was somehow better than having to live with the memory of it.But now, the haze was lifting. Slowly, very slowly.I blinked, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling, hearing the quiet hum of the machines that monitored my vitals. The room was calm, but there was a tension in the air that I couldn’t shake. It lingered in the background like an invisible presence. I
SMITHThe heavy scent of pine and damp earth clung to me ashoved sted my tie yet again. My fathr’s insistence that w,e visit the pack felt less like a request and more like a command. He framed it as a gesture of goodwill, a chance to offer condolences to strengthen alliances. But for me, this visit wasn’t about politics or optics.The pack’s territory was quieter than I remembered, subdued in a way that set my teeth on edge. Loss hung thick in the air, pressing down on my chest as I stepped out ,of the car. Carla’s absence was a gaping wound, one I couldn’t ignore.My father, ever th composed diplomat, led the way to the Pack house. His strides were purposeful, his demeanor unshaken. I followed, my thoughts tangled and restless. This moment needed precision, the right balance of sincerity and strategy.When the Dawson’s father opened the door, the grief on his face was undeniable. His bloodshot eyes and slumped shoulders spoke volumes, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a