Chapter 4

Faythe

The inside of the Pack house is so warm; I’m not used to such heat, my mom always keeps the house freezing because she can never be bothered to pay the gas bill. My last Pack’s house was in complete disrepair; this one is luxury on top of luxury. The hall is painted with a soft cream colour and artistic prints of wolves and the forest line the walls in sleek black frames. There isn’t a single shoe strewn across the hardwood flooring or even a single hit of dust or dirt; the Pack members must really take care of this place.

“So those stairs lead up to the dorm rooms; the only rule is no going into the opposite sex’s rooms unless you’re their fated mates. Normally that isn’t an issue until the students start turning twenty-one; I was a rare case but even Connor wouldn’t come to my room when I became of age.” Alkice gestures towards a set of red-carpeted stairs; the carpet still looks plush like it was only just laid down; it shouldn’t look that nice if it's walked on every day. “Connor and my room is at the end of your hall so if there are ever any problems, just come and knock on 205.” I shouldn’t be nervous that I’m next door to the Pack Beta but I am; he’s probably done this on purpose so he can keep a close eye on the wolfless Omega and make sure I don’t do anything to damage the Pack.

My father used to tell me that I was a rare and misunderstood designation but the rest of my old Pack used to look down on me like I was dirt on their shoes. I doubt the Silver Pack will be any different.

“Maybe I should go and check on my room.” I mutter as I start to pull away from Alice. I can hear the voice down the hall and the last thing I want is to face all of my peers right now. I’m a mess and I want to make the best possible first impression so that I can maybe survive my final school year in peace.

“Not a chance; you need to eat before you go hide up there.” Alice tightens her hold on my wrist so I have no choice but to keep following her down the hall towards the voices floating into the hall. I pull my hand from Alice’s grip and quickly start picking at my fingers. I dig my nails into my skin just a little too hard and feel pain shoot up my thumb at the same time I turn into the dining room. Everyone stops talking and looks my way when I let out a loud hiss and shove my thumb into my mouth. I quickly realise my mistake when I look up to see a room full of males watching me suckle my injury.

“Stop gawking, you weirdos; make room for Faythe so she can have some food.” Alice growls at the full table; suddenly there is a flurry of motion, the males start shifting along the table to make room for me and two of them start piling a plate full of fries, steak and vegetables.

“Please, have a seat, Faythe.” One of the enforcers with red hair says softly, I barely look at him as I stare at the full plate; I haven’t seen that much food since my father died and I really don’t want to sit with a load of strangers and wait for them to finish so I can eat the scraps. I won’t be fooled by the plate of food; I doubt this Pack is any different from my old Pack and the last thing I want is a beating for trying to eat more than my fair share.

“Actually, Alice, I’m really tired and I ate earlier. Could I just go to my room?” I keep my voice soft as I look down at the floor; the room goes so silent I swear I can hear Alice’s heartbeat. She reaches over and squeezes my fingers until I look up at her; she has a sad look on her face but I have no idea why.

“Of course, come on, I’ll show you where it is.” Alice tugs on my arm, forcing me to follow her or risk having my arm yanked out of its socket. As soon as we leave the dining room, the voices start up again but they’re nothing more than hushed whispers. I keep my head down and place one foot in front of the other as I purposefully block out the voices; I don’t want to hear what they have to say about the weird, wolfless Omega.

Alice leads me up the stairs until we’re standing on the female dorm floor; as soon as I step off the stairs, I feel a warmth wash through me and I can’t stop the small gasp passing my lips. My last Pack didn’t have a witch but I’ve heard enough stories to know I’ve just passed through a ward.

“This floor is warded against any male under the age of twenty-one; they won’t be able to get up here and if they try, they will be in a lot of pain.” Alice giggles as she pulls me along the cream-coloured hallway past several doors; each one has a gold number embossed into the wood and a small whiteboard that allows the room owner to leave messages or write their names on it. When we get to 204, the whiteboard is blank and there’s a little black pen taped to the side of it, a fresh slate ready for me to declare my new home as my own.

“I didn’t know Silver Pack had a witch.” I mutter as I fiddle with the room key; Alice lets go of my wrist so I can unlock the door.

“Oh yeah, we’ve had Starling for years; she’s the one to thank for your warding.” Alice explains that as I push the door open to see my room, I barely register it as a chill washes over me the second I step over the threshold. “Starling has made this room an Omega safe haven; no one can come inside unless expressly invited by you.” That makes me smile. I’ve never had a space that was all mine and it might be a little basic but at least I know once the door closes, no one can bother me. I turn to face Alice so I can thank her for her kindness but she’s looking down the hall with a frown on her face. I start to step towards her so I can look out and see who has her attention but she quickly shakes her head.

“Alice?” I whisper, goosebumps spread down my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end; I might not have a wolf but I know danger when it's near. Something has Alice worried and I’m smart enough not to leave the warding the Pack witch has placed on my room.

“Is that the new Omega?” The sickly sweet voice reminds me of the blonde female who showed up at the bookshop last week; she has beady little eyes and the end of her nose is upturned, making her look like she’s constantly smelling something bad.

“Don’t bother, Sapphire; her room has been warded and you won’t be able to enter.” I step backwards further into my room as Alice crosses her arms over her tiny chest and glares down the hall. The two females clearly have history and the last thing I want is to be drawn into it before I’ve even unpacked my backpack.

“Look at you; it looks like you’ve grown a spine since Beta Connor pitied you with a mate mark.” Sapphire’s taunting growl is too much; she’s obviously the Queen bitch around here and I’m in no hurry to tangle with her. I give Alice an apologetic look; she nods her head slightly in understanding and I softly close my bedroom door. I know the warding is in place but I still flick the lock in place and press my ear against the door. I can’t hear anyone speaking but I do hear footsteps leading away from my room. I hope I haven’t just left Alice with someone who is going to hurt her but she has a wolf; she stands a better chance of defending herself than I do.