CHAPTER FIVE

Alpha Noah's POV

Immediately the condemned Omega was led out of the courtroom, I turned to the other Elder Wolves in the Council. The Elder who had pointed out the mark on her neck, Elder Jacob, had returned to his seat. He was muttering furiously to the other Elder Wolves around him, stirring up trouble like he always did.

Anger bloomed in my chest as I remembered the ultimatum he had created for me. I was the alpha, the supreme ruler of the pack, and yet my choices and decisions were subject to sadistic men like Elder Jacob. It made me grit my teeth in rage sometimes.

I silently stood to my feet and walked out of the courtroom. I walked briskly to my study, my mind filled with conflicting thoughts. The weight of the decision I had to make was pressing heavily upon my shoulders. It was constantly ringing in my head like a time bomb that I needed to diffuse. Should I adhere to the old folklore and the words of the Elder, sentencing the Omega to death? Or should I heed the counsel of my Beta, Colin, and release the woman who may be innocent?

I reached my study and slipped inside, locking the door behind me. My eyes darted to the large clock directly above my desk, which read 7:16 pm, only a couple of hours until the next day.

I paced back and forth, the room illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight. The bookshelves that lined the walls seemed to whisper ancient wisdom, but their words offered no clarity. I had reached a crossroads, and time was slowly but steadily slipping away. The Council of Wolves would plan the Omega's execution if I did not make a decision soon.

Just then, someone banged on the door, jolting me out of my thoughts. "Alpha Noah? Are you in there?"

It was Colin.

I groaned and leaned against the wall, squeezing my eyes shut. "Colin, this is not a good time!"

There was a pause, then "I could help you, you know. Maybe give you some much-needed advice on what to do?"

I sighed and opened my eyes. As much as I would have loved to be on my own, I knew having Colin here wouldn't hurt. I crossed the room and unlocked the door. 

Colin's face was full of concern as he entered the study, but his presence brought a sense of calm. "Seriously, Alpha." He scoffed. "Elder Jacob's words shouldn't get to you this much. Every single person in this pack knows that he's a lonely sadist, always looking for trouble to stir."

I managed a light laugh. "Sadly, it is getting to me."

Colin stopped and leaned against one of the bookshelves. His eyes bored into mine. "It's that crescent mark that bothers you so much, isn't it?"

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. "I feel like either way, I would be making a terrible decision. Sparing the Omega's life might cause havoc on this pack. And yet killing her might mean taking an innocent life too."

My beta raised his eyebrows. "I didn't know you to be this considerate, Alpha. Much less to a common Omega. What changed?"

I glared at him. "I try my best to be fair to my subjects, Colin. You know that."

Colin raised both hands in surrender. "Hey, just saying. If you are truly fair as you claimed, you would have let her give her mother the herbs. You would have let her go knowing she stole those herbs to save her mother's life."

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Colin pressed on. "Perhaps you need to visit her in the dungeons and try to uncover more about her mark. Perhaps there's a way that you can save her life and also save this pack. That's all I have to say."

I nodded, considering his words. "Yes. Yes, you're right."

"Go on, then."

I nodded again, then walked to the door of the study. I found my way to the dungeons and located the Omega's cell, which was at the very end of the corridor. I stopped in front of the bars of the cell, looking in. The girl was huddled in one corner of the dingy room, hugging her knees to her chest. I could hear sobs coming from her frail-looking form.

"Omega!" I called out. Her sobs stopped short and she looked up slowly.

Immediately she saw me, she scrambled to her feet, wringing her hands anxiously. I grabbed a torch that had been set in a brazier nearby, opened the cell door, and walked in.

"Alpha...Alpha please....spare my life." She pleaded, her face a mask of fear. She raised a hand to her neck. "This...this is nothing but a birthmark, believe me! Please spare my life so I can take care of my mother. I beg of you!"

I raised a hand to cut her off, and she fell silent immediately. I lifted the torch, taking in her features. She had smooth, caramel skin that gleamed in the glare of the flames. Her tightly-curled black hair fell in tangles around her head. Her eyes were large, brown, and full of a mystery that pulled me to her. 

I took a step towards her until we were nose-to-nose. My hands snaked upwards as though they had a mind of their own, and cupped her face. Those eyes...

In that intense moment, our eyes locked, and everything shifted. A connection surged between us, electrifying and undeniable. It was as if the world around us faded into insignificance, and there was only her and me, bound together by some unknown force. It was unfamiliar, and yet I knew what it was.

I had found my mate.

I staggered back in shock, releasing the Omega as if she was made of fire. Confusion mingled with astonishment within me. How could this happen? Fate had thrown me into an even more confusing crossroads. This insignificant Omega was my fated mate, destined to be bound to me, and I to her.

"Alpha..." She murmured and stumbled backward too, trying to find her footing. It was clear that she had felt what I felt. She looked up, saw my horrified face, and took a step towards me. "Alpha, I—"

"No, stay back!" I commanded. Every fiber of my being screamed to move closer to her and pull her into my arms, but I wasn't sure I could bear it. How could the Moon Goddess do this? This woman was going to be executed tomorrow. I was conflicted enough trying to save her and also save the pack, and fate had complicated things by mating her to me. 

This was wrong. It had to be.

But nothing wrong ever felt this right.

The Omega's lips parted, her eyes glistening with tears. "Alpha, I'm so sorry..."

"No, no," I muttered, my heart hammering with the last shreds of our connection. Then I turned and dashed ou

t of the cell without another word.