CHAPTER 10

SPARROW

The little wolf, her tail wagging excitedly, trailed behind me as I ascended the hill towards our den. When I crouched to pick her up earlier, she stood tall, shaking out her fur with a playful grin. It seemed to be a dare from her animal, or maybe an invitation.

Shrugging, I kicked off my pants and shifted. 

Then she happily trotted along beside me up the path. 

Thaddeus was right—her animal has definitely taken whole control. 

I can see the conflict in her eyes every time I glance at her, the general confusion as to why her wolf is so easily trusting mine.

It's dangerous.

I’m dangerous.

But the little wolf seemed quite taken with my purr, so I continued to emanate the sound to soothe her. 

It's a natural reaction after observing her terror in the waves. My animal is hellbent now on protecting hers. 

The word Omega whispers through my mind. She doesn't smell right, but something about her is calling to all my instincts.

Some wolves have fated mates.

Brute wolves have a different form of fate___Alphas are inherently drawn to Omegas because they can take our knot perfectly. They're also excellent with children and feisty as fuvk.

We can technically choose to mate Betas or other Alphas, but most of us crave for Omegas.

It's only natural. We're driven by the need to procreate, something Omegas are built to do with an Alpha. 

It’s all about the knot.

And the alluring heat cycle Omegas go through every few months. 

I have never experienced that wondrous bliss myself. But I have heard about it from other Alphas, and I have witnessed the rut it inspires in unmated Alpha's as well. 

If this female turns out to be an Omega, we’re going to have a pack full of problems. 

I reach the top of a hill, one that overlooked several of the others, and lead the little wolf towards our private den.

We settled in this location because of its protective properties. No one can sneak up on us up here. And we can see for miles in every direction, giving us the opportunity to scout for potential incoming aircraft or boats.

We also have state of the art tech that provide alerts as well. 

I shift back into human form to check the exterior monitor near the cabin door when we arrive, wanting to ensure that there is no existing threat nearby. The only residual alarm on the screen is from the guard's earlier shipment—which is currently sitting behind me and staring at a nearby tree with interest. 

Another confirmation that the female inside isn't in control, otherwise she would be eyeing the surveillance equipment.

Or my equipment instead, since it's currently eye level with her wolf. 

But her animal is more taken with the trees. 

“Are you hungry?” I wonder out loud.

She swirled her head at me in that curious manner she did on the beach. It's not the same way like she had tricked the guard. This is genuine. Relaxed, and happy.

Definitely her wolf, I think, fighting a grin.

Because the female inside would not be nearly as pleased with her current predicament. Which is why Thaddeus wanted to postpone the welcome party. 

We need to coax the human from the animal first.

Which will require a bit of finesse and potentially some Alpha growls.

I purr for her instead, wanting to keep her happy as I open the door and step inside. She follows like an obedient little wolf, her nose taking in the scent of our living room and dining area. 

I expect her to head towards the kitchen, but she plops down to roll around the rug in the living room instead. 

Leaning against the wood panelled wall, I watch as she scents off the rug, her belly fully exposed. 

The human inside must be cringing badly in shame. Or maybe she's too broken to even realise what is happening right now.

The wolf lets out a sharp yelp and leaps up, her agility impressive considering the near-drowning moments ago. She disappears down the hallway.

I follow with a shake of my head, amused. 

It's like having a cute little puppy. 

Except this female is definitely grown.

She heads into the guest room first because it's the closest to the living area. “This is where you would sleep, if you are good,” I tell her. 

She snorts like she can understand me, and scoffs at the bed before turning around to march back into the hallway towards the back stairs. 

“It's rude to take yourself on your own tour, don't you think?” I say conversationally as she bolts down the wood stairs to the level underground. “Thaddeus wouldn't appreciate this at all.”

Not that I care.

He will live.

She walks right by the two offices at the bottom of the stairs and towards the rooms near the back. Mine is first, the door partially ajar.

She slowly slips inside, her nose leading the way. I take advantage of her self possessed tour to grab a pair of flannels and tug them on.

She doesn't even notice, too busy sniffing every inch of my room. When she spies on my bed, I narrow my eyes. “Do not—”

She jumps right into it and starts to roll around, scenting off my sheets and blankets. 

Sighing, I just shake my head.

This little thing is going to cause all sorts of trouble. 

She hits Thea’s room next, noting his percent for black silk and rolling around happily in his formerly made bed. I don't bother fixing it. He will know she was in here by her scent alone. May as well endure he knows just what she was up to. 

The final door is closed. 

She paws at it and grunts.

“You don't want to mess up Thaddeus’s bed, sweetling, I would tell you this for free, he won't be pleased about it at all.” 

She sits down in defiance, staring straight at the door. 

“How about we go upstairs for some food instead?” I offer, suggesting a meal again.

The daring little wolf just huffs and lays down, clearly wanting to go inside Thaddeus' room. 

“You’re a bit of a brat, aren't you?” I say endearingly because I'm amused by her antics. “All right. If you want to piss off the Brute Wolves Alpha, I will allow it, but don't say I didn't warn you.” 

She perks up as I open his door. 

Then she darts inside to start her sniffing tour all over again. 

Thaddeus’s room is the darkest in terms of tones and general aura. But his bed was made with the same precision as Thea’s–which the little wolf promptly destroys.

She shoved her snout between his pillows, the black silk at odds against her black coat. A loud snort follows, her tail wagging happily.

I lean against his door frame, grinning as she uses her little claws to dig at the blankets.

Thaddeus is going to lose his fucking mind when he comes back. 

I will do my best to stand in his way, but the little wolf really needs to learn some manners. So I will have to hand her over to him at some point. 

She sighs happily as the comforter and top sheet moves out of her way, allowing her to properly scent off his bed. Except she doesn't roll as much here. Instead, she curled into a ball in the centre. 

Claiming her spot. 

I arch a brow. “You sure you want to keep doing that, sweetling?”

She closes her eyes in response. 

“All right,” I say, chuckling as I push away from the door frame. “I hope you enjoy spankings, sweetheart, you have more than earned one.”

She submits, her eyes closing as if to shield herself from the impending punishment.

Of

course, I'm partially to blame since I opened the door—something I will own up to when Thaddeus returns. 

Until then, I busy myself in the kitchen, making dinner for four instead of three.