Chapter 9

There was a lot to be excited about. Or so everyone kept telling me. It wasn't that I was unhappy about it, but the excitement felt more like apprehension. That wasn't a vocab word, but I heard one of my teachers say it and decided to look it up on my own. 

Henry was all nervous smiles. He went out of his way to walk me to all of my classes. I should have been happy about the attention, but it didn't seem like it was really for me. It felt more like it was for the other Alphas who made comments everywhere we went. Or the Omegas who fawned and sighed as if I were lucky to be chosen. To be shone off. 

Was I ungrateful?

Pyka said I was. But then again, what did he know? His life has been very different from mine. His den is different from mine. If I couldn't compare my life to his, then he shouldn't be able to have an opinion on my reactions.

Besides, I wasn't completely unaffected. The idea of finally reaching the level of my peers, of having an Alpha that actually wanted me, felt good. And Henry had pretty eyes. I liked his hair too.

This was a good thing and I recognized that.

And Henry looked nice, dressed neatly in a beige sweater and pressed black jeans. He even wore his favorite shoes. His Papa must have fixed his hair as it laid smooth against his head. 

I smiled to myself a little. I have a handsome Alpha.

Keeping that thought in mind, the day passed by in a blur. I went to all my classes but couldn't pay attention. For once, no one bothered me at lunch, or if they did, I didn't notice. 

And when the end of the day rolled around, I waited for Henry at our spot so we could walk to my house together. His parents told him they would meet him there while my sisters went ahead as they usually did. Despite sharing the same school, my sisters and I didn't really see each other. We rarely went home together.

I knew it was because they didn't want anyone to know they were related to me. I mean, who wanted an ugly Omega for a brother? It might make the Alphas pick on them too.

I wasn't upset about it, I didn't want that to happen to them either. I wouldn't wish my treatment on them. I wanted to protect them as much as I could. At first, it had been difficult for Lana, but Jenny would always drag her away. Soon, it became easy for them to ignore me in the hallways if we did ever cross paths. 

I understood. Even though it hurt, I understood.

Maybe now that I had an Alpha, I could talk to them. Meet their friends. Maybe it would be safe for people to know that we shared a litter?

Maybe.

"You okay?" Henry asked me as we walked hand in hand down the sidewalks. All the older Wolves would smile at us fondly as we passed, as if remembering what it was like for them to be our age. At least that's what they always said.

While the question was directed towards me, I felt like I should have been the one to ask it. Henry was even more nervous than before. His hand was sweatier than normal.

"I'm okay. Are you?" I asked politely, glancing up at him.

He smiled down at me, as if trying to reassure me when it was really for himself. 

"I'm great. I'm excited. Though it is a little intimidating that I'm going to meet your Alpha," he admitted.

I liked that he did that. That he didn't hide his vulnerabilities like all the other Alphas I knew did. The idea of even revealing that they were anything other than in control was a sign of weakness. Henry didn't think so. At least, not in front of me.

I wasn't foolish enough to believe that he didn't do the same Alpha posturing when he was surrounded by the others. It was his instinct. But I liked that he trusted me enough to reveal what he wouldn't in front of them. 

It gave me hope for our future. 

As my house came into view my gut started to clench in earnest. Henry squeezed my hand tighter.

I reached in my pocket to pull out the keys with my free hand before letting us in. Mother was waiting, dressed neatly, blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. She watched us with pale green eyes, devoid of any emotion. They narrowed in on our intertwined hands before narrowing in warning. A wave of pheromones had Henry dropping my hand like it was on fire.

I held in my sigh. It would be stupid to anger Mother now. Instead, I tilted my head in submission when greeting her. 

"Go get the refreshments, pup, while I escort our guest to the living room with his parents."

"Yes, Alpha," I replied immediately before giving Henry a small smile and heading toward the kitchen. 

I saw the look on his face before I disappeared. He was terrified. Hopefully being around his own Alpha would give him back the confidence. 

Fixing a tray with some light snacks and bottled waters, I brought it into the living room, keeping my head bowed in submission and my actions quiet. Setting the tray down and serving the snacks and waters, I felt their stare. 

If I hadn't been doing this for so long, it would have made me nervous. The quietness, the assessment. But it had become routine at this point. Just a moment longer before the commentary started. 

"Very obedient, quiet, submissive," I heard his Papa comment. "Not very pretty though. I worry about the pups they'll have. What color is his coat?"

Mother answered for me as I took my seat beside her, keeping my head bowed and hands folded. She went on to explain my coat and emphasized it was a trait from our bloodline. Most of the Meetings we had focused on how strong our bloodline was. Whatever that meant. But none of that mattered in the end. 

"Let me see your face, pup," A deep baritone commanded. 

Immediately, I raised my head, keeping my expression calm and docile. I could finally see them now.

Henry's Father was a large Alpha. All brawn, red hair everywhere, on his face, his hands, his chest, his arms. Even though he was sitting, I could tell he was tall. It must be where Henry got his height. 

His Papa was dainty with dark blonde hair braided to the side. His face was long and elegant even if it was curled in a sneer. And then there was Henry, who tried to keep his face neutral, but I could see the way his hands were fidgeting. He was still nervous.

As the Meeting progressed, it became clear that Henry's Father didn't mind me but his Papa was firmly against our betrothal. A lot of the same complaints I always heard. My hips, my voice, my face, my bland demeanor. It wasn't until Henry finally spoke, interrupting his Papa mid tirade.

"Papa, I think he's the most beautiful Omega I've ever seen. I want to mate with him."

Henry's Father's eyes gleamed with pride but his Papa only turned his nose before saying, "It's important that you let the adults handle this sweetheart, we know what's best."

Henry's Father opened his mouth to speak but paused when a small voice interrupted. 

Jenny stood in the doorway, eyes big as saucers before calling out, "Mama's looking for you Cal."

The whole room froze. All for different reasons. 

Mother tried to hide her anger at the interruption. Henry's Father seemed confused. Henry's Papa...was awed.

"Her. We want her."

Panic thudded in my chest. I glanced at Henry's parents, saw the decision sway. I glanced at Mother who looked contemplative.

And finally Henry...who looked completely mesmerized. 

It wasn't me he was looking at. It was Jenny. 

Perfect, beautiful Jenny. 

"Come here, Jenny," Mother commanded.

Reality slammed into me without any mercy.

And without another word, I got up and left them to it.