chapter 7

ADIRA’S POV

The pack members stood around watching us do something we had never done before. The air was thick with tension as they waited for my reply.

Fear started to slip into my mind, and my courage faltered. What was I thinking? I should have just minded my business like I have done ever since.

“No!” my wolf yelled in my head. “We are not going back to living that way again. Remember that we have a plan, and we need these omegas on our side.” she said to me

“I am not strong enough to face off Ryder.” I replied.

“Have you forgotten everything he did to us? Have you forgotten how you died?” she yelled.

Those words seemed to knock me back to my senses. The omega whimpered behind me, and as I turned and saw her, my courage returned.

I took a deep breath and replied, “No, I am not…” I said, but my voice shook lightly.

Kaida burst into laughter, and others in the hall snickered. It is just like I remembered; they always loved to ridicule me.

Ryder smirked. He must think that I am about to succumb again fearfully. But he has something else coming.

“And I don't want to be. Like I said before, there is nothing special about you.” I added. My voice was firm and unwavering, just like before.

“What is wrong with you?” Ryder blurted out angrily.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Why is he angry? He never wanted me, but he wants me to want him?”

I ignored him and looked around the hall. “Now I will sound this as a note of warning to everyone,” my voice boomed in the hall. “No one! I repeat, no one! Is allowed to treat an omega as they wish. From now on they must be treated well. If I get any report that anyone has broken this order, that person will be dealt with squarely.” I said firmly and authoritatively.

Everyone looked at me like I was crazy.

“Did you eat something bad? Since when did you dare speak with authority? You don't have such a right!” Xena spat.

“On what grounds are you making this order?” Kaida asked, smirking.

“I rank above everyone here except Alpha Ryder. I am the next in line to the alpha position of the Crescent-End pack, and currently I unofficially stand in the position of the Luna of this pack, as Lumina’s mother. So I can make the order, right, Alpha Ryder?” I grinned at him.

His face was coated with annoyance and a deep scowl. “Right…” he replied reluctantly.

I smirked. I could see the flicker of irritation in his eyes. He hated how much control I was commanding; he hated my boldness.

As I looked around, I could see faces filled with surprise and shock. All they knew me as was the weak girl that followed Ryder around begging for love.

But not anymore…

“Kaida, did you hear that?” I asked with a little smirk. “I wouldn't want to repeat myself again.” I said, my tone sharp. “I know you want him so bad; you want to be his little plaything,” I said.

Gasps filled the hall, and people started to murmur.

Anger flashed in Kaida's eyes, and she clenched her fist.

“But no matter how much you crave it, you will have to wait till I am gone. For now you are just a pack member who has her eyes on her alpha, who clearly doesn't want her.” I taunted her with a small grin.

I could feel her anger radiating off her and Ryder’s hot stare on me. But I didn't care.

I turned and stretched my hand to the omega. Her eyes widened, and she moved backwards, clenching her hands together.

I withdrew my hand, understanding her fears. “Let's go…” I said to her,

She bent to carry the bowl of laundry, but I immediately stopped her. “Leave them. Xena will take care of her own clothes.”

She turned to me unsure of what to do. I gave her a reassuring nod, and she finally followed me.

The sea of people parted, and I walked right through with bold steps like I fucking own the place.

Why didn't I live like this in my past life? I can't believe I allowed all these weak people to walk all over me.

I helped the Omega, who was limping back to her quarters. Immediately her friends saw her, and they rushed to her. Their faces filled with concern for her.

One of the omegas walked up to me. “Thank you…” she said sincerely. “She would have returned with worse injuries if you didn't intervene.” She said, her eyes brimming with tears.

As I watched them, it suddenly struck me. “These people are like me in my past life. They have no one to protect them.

Protecting them should have been my duty in my past life, but I was too busy chasing after Ryder to actually do anything meaningful.

But I am going to change that now. I will protect them from now on…”

“Can we protect them? We have so much on our plate already.” My wolf? asked sadly.

“Life is all about give and take. If I am going to make them my allies, then I need to keep them safe.” I replied.

I stayed with them for the rest of the day. Made sure the young girl got treatment and they all ate before I decided to return home.

Lumina’s nanny already took her back home after she slept off, so only I walked back home. It was already dark outside, and the omegas quarters was built a little bit farther away from the pack house, so it got lonely at night.

As I walked down the pathway, I felt eyes on me. I snapped around, but no one was behind me. I continued to walk, but the feeling didn't go away.

I didn’t hear anything, but I felt it. That cold, crawling weight of being watched and followed.

I immediately increased my speed, my heart pounding in my chest. But the eerie feeling increased; I could no longer bear it and started to run.

My heart pounded against my ribs as I ran without looking back.