The Bloodhound Alpha and His Prey

It's four am and I'm walking around the house, every step I take echoing through the walls as I yell loudly, “I know you're awake, Lu. Don't make me come up there and sit on your face!”

It's funny because I never do it but I can hear him moan and feel him through our bond waking up. It's a sensational feeling, being connected to a soul. My mind moves to the time in my life when I used to be connected to an entire pack but I quickly brush the thought out of my head as I see Lucas at the doorway.

He's standing there, his full hair scattered all over his face— Goddess, I should do something about it— And his eyes barely open. Though I might have been the one to Mother him, I just want it known that my son is gorgeous. Perfection. It's hard to believe he came from me but he did.

He walks to the dining table and sits. I bring him his food, humming softly under my breath as I place it in front of him before kissing the top of his head. He mumbles slightly and though I can barely pick it up, I know what he says. “Good morning to you, my love.”

“Eggs and bacon?” He's not asking in an annoyed way. No. Lucas is never annoyed, even when I know he deserves to be. He's pushing his hair back as he begins to eat, his eyes staring up at me with need in them.

He's asking because he craves meat. He needs meat just like every pup does. I can afford that, sure, meat isn't a big deal but what I can't afford is him growing. I know I sound like a bad mother but meat… Meat is good for him. But I wouldn't know what to do if he got sick.

I don't have any advise from other wolves. I don't get any. He's all I have so I try to be careful. I give him meat when I can and when I can't, I don't. Of course, he needs more of it but I don't want anything happening to him. He's all I have.

The TV goes on now, all on its own and starts to relay a message, “The council is worried about the recent development about Omegas worldwide. Is it a trend now? Or a sick act of rebellion on the rules that the Council has set aside…”

I can already tell Lucas is listening to it, he's far too perceptive for his age, and I hurry to the screen and turn it off. Instantly, his sharp eyes land on me but they become smaller when they notice the apprehensive look on my face as I say, “Remember the rule, Angel. No TV until after school.”

“Okay,’’ My Lucas doesn't talk a lot. I used to worry about what the reason was when he was younger but knowing fully well that a rogue like me, especially being an Omega, meant nobody could be trusted. Plus, I'd like to think he was a quiet child. I loved that about him.

I kiss him again on the top of his head and place some money on the table in front of him. “Adelaide is gonna come take you to school while I have a shift. Anything you wanna watch with me tonight?”

“A horror movie?”

I try not to cringe at his words, especially since we both know I don't have a thing for blood but I manage to smile at him as I say, “Sure, baby. Anything for you.” I start to hurry outside now. “Now, I gotta go. I love you.”

He doesn't respond but he doesn't have to. The link we share buzzes with the love he shares for me and that's always how I know I've done a good job for the day. My son might not be extremely friendly but I can feel him and that's all I need.

It takes me only a few minutes to get to the restaurant but as always, I'm the first there. I take my alone time with stride, plugging my ears with music and cleaning up the place as I dance around.

I get jolted out of my peace as I feel someone's hand on my shoulder and I turn, panicking slightly. The face is familiar but it doesn't stop the way my heart is racing as I say, “Mr Alfred. You're here,”

“Oh, don't call me that, buttercup. You can just call me Sam,” My boss, Mr Alfred, says this with a wink. He's only a few years older than me but I can't stop myself from cringing at how every nerve in my body screams at me to spit on his face and cuss him out as he says, “I like how you work. You're always on time and diligent. Makes me wonder what else you can do,”

I grip the mop on my hand tighter so I don't punch him in the face because one, I will not win that fight, and two, I most definitely will be without a job. “Everything that is legal and reasonable. If you increase my pay, that is.”

He laughs and comes closer. I stand still, trying to hold myself from screaming for help as he whispers, “I really like you, Madeline. So fiesty and ferocious. Makes me wonder how your pheromones really smell with all that… Perfume you hide under.”

Perfume I need to keep myself safe from perverts like you, that is, I think. Thankfully, Alfred knows better than to make all of his workers mind-link as I try to force a smile to my face before the door opens and our chef walkss in.

Gustavo, as always, is pissed but I'm forever thankful for his existence as he passes. "Maddy, kitchen. You know the customers better than any of us and you're a good assistant. Sure you don't want to join me?"

“No, chef. I highly doubt I'd survive your work environment,” Gustavo knows Alfred has been trying to get into my pants recently, especially now with the entire thing going on in the streets with people like me so he makes it a job to save me whenever we're alone like this and I'm grateful for it.

As I'm about to join him, Sam's hand grabs my arms, sending every alarm in my body skyrocketing as I hear him whisper in my ear, “Come to my office tonight so we can discuss this… Better.”

The hairs on my neck stand as I nod, acknowledging him before he walks away and I join Gustavo in the kitchen. I put on the apron and when I turn to him, he spares me a worried look but I brush it away with a wink, not wanting to scare him.

We have work to do today.