Secret Omega Page 7

  Peregwin shook his head. "Don’t you have more important things to get done?"

  "Delivery pup isn't my first pick of jobs but I'll do it if it means I don't have to watch you walk around in agony." He took a breath. "Besides, Briar and I get worried when you go out that far for Locan."

  Staggering around, Peregwin couldn't really say no. He hated how he was being kept down by these aches and pains. "Okay. Just for today. I'll do it again tomorrow. It's not your duty, Rohan."

  "My duty is to Mount Liberty, Peregwin."

  "Thank—thank you."

  "Take care of yourself first, Peregwin. You're of no used to us keeled over."

  Peregwin nodded. "Let's go home Ollas."

  "But! I wanna tell Uncle Roh about Stone!"

  Rohan shrugged. "You can tell me all about stones later. Guess he just really wants to be a builder when he gets older."

  "Yes, yes, let's go." Peregwin took Ollas's hand, and started to guide him back to to their hut. Carrying him again wouldn't do him any favors.

  "Dada okay?"

  "Dada is fine," Peregwin lied. "Ollas, what did I tell you about Stone?"

  The pup thought for a time. "He's our special friend?"

  "No, he's our secret friend. You can't mention him to anyone else."

  "Why?"

  "Because I'm not ready to share Stone with other people yet."

  "Why?"

  Peregwin grit his teeth. "It's hard to explain, pup. Just keep it our little secret. You can't tell anyone about him, okay?"

  Ollas nodded. "Yes, Dada."

  The omega's heart sank a moment. It was a lot to put on a pup. There was no way he would be able to blame Ollas for talking. He wondered if the pup even knew what the word 'secret' meant.

  It felt like an eternity for when the two of them finally got back to the hut, since Peregwin had to stop to cope with the pinching pain every so often.

  "Moon's light, are you alright?" Stone was quick to his side as he pushed open the door.

  "Fine, fine," Peregwin lied once again.

  He couldn't keep escaping the truth. No matter how much he fought accepting his situation, the reality would not change by denying it.

  Stone helped Peregwin to his bed. Lying prone did quite a lot to alleviate the ache, yet the pain was still there.

  "What's the matter?" Stone asked.

  "I– I don't know." Yet another lie.

  Peregwin knew exactly what was wrong.

  He had been through all of this before.

  He was pregnant.

  He put the thought out of his head as soon as it came, unable to cope with the thousands of implications it would have for his future. He tried to force himself up.

  "Moon's light again, what are you doing?"

  "I have to clean the dishes. Prepare the meat."

  "No, you're going to lay there until you aren't clearly in agonizing pain. You're going to tell me what to do, and I'm going to be your hands, Pere."

  Peregwin looked Stone’s way. He was too kind. The opposite of everything Peregwin’s previous alpha was.

  Back in the Bloody Fang, a pregnant omega had their condition used against them. For a pup to flourish and grow within the omega, they needed continued mating with the pup’s sire to encourage the pregnancy hormones, otherwise, the babe would wither within the omega’s body.

  There's a powerful connection between an omega and their unborn pup. They yearned to defend them no matter what the cost. Alphas knew this. Alphas exploited this.

  Pregnancy was terrifying in intensity as well. Peregwin remembered all too well how weak he was then. He tried to block out his memories of how his mate had treated him when he’d been pregnant with Ollas.

  A pregnant omega needed their alpha more than ever.

  He watched as Stone went along, washing the pots, preparing the spices for the meat and nuts. Would Stone care for him in this moment of weakness?

  Or was Peregwin doomed to experience the pain and torment of an abandoned pup?

  The omega leaned back on the bed, welcoming rest. Maybe in his dreams he wouldn't be so terribly burdened with such difficult decisions.

  As the days passed, a strange situation emerged. Peregwin would awake, and Stone would already be hard at work. Despite his inexperience, Stone listened carefully to all Peregwin’s instructions, and aside from some singed meat here and there, he managed to do a decent job of preparing the food. And he and Ollas seemed to relish in the clean up, splashing in the wash-tub and chasing one another with dirty rags.

  With the food prepared, Peregwin gathered his strength to serve it to the rest of the pack, fighting off the agony of exhaustion one step at a time. He couldn't just hide away forever, as that would arouse suspicion. So he struggled and pushed himself to the limit, yearning for the time when he would get back to bed and get some semblance of relief from the pain.

  Stone never questioned him. He helped. He served. He went above and beyond what anyone asked of him. Peregwin felt blessed to have his help, especially with Ollas.

  It hurt Peregwin to think that he couldn't be there as much as he wanted to for his pup. It had been hard enough to find time for him before Peregwin had fallen pregnant, but now it was impossible, and when the new baby arrived? Peregwin tried not to dwell on his failures as a parent. He would have enough problems soon enough.

  Stone tried to fill in for Peregwin, but that would only hide the issue for so long. He could feel his abdomen growing. Nothing was anything visible yet, but the feeling was there nonetheless. He had taken to wearing the largest clothes he could find, so no one would question when he did start to grow.

  All so he could avoid the truth just a little bit longer.

  Even then, Stone would have to know sooner than later. The omega needed his alpha, in more ways than one.

  Until that time, Peregwin had to face the day. It was feet on the ground. Stand up. Summon the energy. Get going. Stone was at his side, helping him up. "You can't keep doing this to yourself."

  "I have to. You can't deliver this stuff, and Ollas is too young. I'm not letting Briar and Rohan cover for me more than they already have."

  Stone's growling was clear. He was growing to loathe keeping himself secret, just because he couldn't help Peregwin as much as he wanted to.

  Ollas grabbed onto the hem of Peregwin’s tunic as he gathered the food for the pack. A pang of guilt hit him as he looked down at his pup’s longing face. No matter how much fun Ollas was having with Stone, there was no replacing the relationship they shared. It hurt Peregwin that he was neglecting that special bond while he lay in bed, too exhausted to even lift his head to smile at his pup.

  “Dada stay?” Ollas looked up hopefully.

  “I have to go out.” He put his hand over Ollas’s. "You want to come along pup?"

  "Yeah!" A grin spread across his face and his eyes glittered with joy.

  Ollas grabbed his sling, but Peregwin threw up a hand, aching at the mere thought of carting Ollas up the mountain. "I think you can keep up."

  "I can?"

  "Yes. I believe you in you, pup." Peregwin did believe in him. The fact that carrying him would only make his pain worse was secondary.

  They headed out together, Ollas happily scrambling between bushes and over rocks. They found Locan and Edrik talking next to the construction site of what Peregwin hoped would be a school for the generations to come.

  "Afternoon," Peregwin managed. He dug into his satchel and pulled out two pouches of food for them.

  The pair took the pouches, but were in no rush to eat them. "What's going on, Peregwin?" Edrik was the first to speak.

  "Oh nothing. Just work as always. You know how it is." He gave a small smile. Hard as it was at times, he did love working for the future of their pack.

  "That's not what I mean. You've been ducking all the pack gatherings. You haven't been yourself recently."

  "We can taste it," Locan added, taking some of the nuts out of the bundle.

  "
It's.. it's... um... Ollas. He's been keeping me up a lot. I haven't been able to sleep. You know how pups are at his age."

  Locan and Edrik shared a glance at one another. Sweat broke out on Peregwin's forehead. He knew that he couldn't keep lying forever, but it wasn't like he had another choice.

  "Where is the little rascal?" Edrik said, looking around.

  "He should be..." Peregwin glanced around his legs. Ollas wasn't there. "Ollas? Where are you? Ollas!" Peregwin called out.

  The omega's heart started to race. How did he lose him so easily? He never had trouble with Ollas following him before. He was such a well behaved pup.

  "Ollas!" He continued to call out, peeking under bushes. "Come on out! We can't play hide-hide right now. Uncle Edrik and Locan want to see you. Come say hi. Ollas?"

  He paused to listen for the pup’s naughty giggling, and felt his pulse quicken again when he heard nothing. Ollas always came when called, and every second he wasn't responding increased the cold dread pooling in Peregwin’s gut.

  "Calm down," Edrik said. "He's just playing nearby. I'll help you look for him."

  "Me too," Locan added.

  The three of them wandered for a time, looking where the pup might hide if he were treating this as a game.

  Peregwin ignored his pain and exhaustion and focused on the odors carried on the air. The one good thing about being pregnant was that his senses were keener, which should make it easier to find his son's scent. Traces reached him, but seemed to grow fainter. His heart skipped a beat. That meant Ollas was getting farther and farther away.

  Peregwin broke into a sprint. He kept sniffing. Were those alpha pheromones he was picking up along with Ollas’s familiar scent? Maybe Rohan had found the pup wandering and scooped him up? Or Stone? Those thoughts did nothing to calm the panic spreading through him. The next gust of air brought a heavy hit of alpha pheromones mixed with the herbs used in a scent blocker. There was an alpha on the mountain who didn’t want to be detected.

  Panic hit him, and Peregwin broke into a run down the mountain. Nothing mattered to him except Ollas at moment, as he uttered the howl he’d hoped he would never have to use.

  The call of abduction.

  The pack would catch up. He wasn't going to wait. No one was going to take his pup.

  He raced after Ollas’s scent, relieved that it was growing stronger. When he caught the sound of sobs carried on the wind, his pace doubled.

  Rage engulfed him when he caught spotted an alpha running through the trees with Ollas bound in his arms. Peregwin pounced on him, teeth flashing as they rolled on the ground, and he bit and scratched at anything he could find. The alpha shifted into his wolf and threw Peregwin off before bolting for where he’d dropped Ollas. Peregwin leapt at him again, but for all of his will, all of his desire to protect, there was one major difference between alphas and omegas that mattered.

  Brute strength.

  The alpha pinned Peregwin down, snarling as he put a claw at his throat. The growling voice was clearly mocking him. "Well, well. I was thrilled to nab a young omega. Something for the future would have been celebrated. But you? You're an omega for now."

  Even under the threat of a claw to the throat, Peregwin struggled. He had to save his son, nothing else mattered. He twisted and snapped, but it only earned him a swipe across the face that tore at his flesh. Peregwin growled, bucked and bit at the alpha on top of him, but it only brought a laugh to the invader’s lips.

  Never had he felt so weak.

  The chill of fear began to take hold of his heart, but he silenced the feeling, continuing to fight with what little strength he had. His head swam, and his limbs shook, but he fought until his vision blurred. He couldn’t let his eyes close. He had to fight.

  Suddenly the pain of biting teeth and scratching claws was gone, and Peregwin opened his eyes again. He thought he was hallucinating when a silver wolf darted from the trees and tackled the alpha—then he picked up the scent of his savior

  Stone.

  Chapter Nine

  Stone

  The sound of Peregwin's distress continued to echo through his mind. It was a sound Stone never wanted to hear again, and he would do anything to silence it.

  Claws flew at his face. The invader was desperate, hungry, and hardly fighting at his peak. Stone slammed him to the ground, hearing a snap of bones as he hit the dirt. Stone bit at his throat, grimacing as blood filled his mouth. The invader let out a sickening howl as he writhed in pain. Stone fought the urge to finish him off. There were many questions the pack would have for an invader.

  He left the pathetic creature writhing in the dirt and shifted, rushing to Peregwin’s side. "Are you alright?"

  Peregwin nodded feverishly. "Ollas, what about Ollas?"

  Stone went to the pup and tore away the ropes binding his arms and legs. Ollas hugged him, still in tears. "Scary man."

  "It's okay now, little pup. He isn't going to hurt you now."

  "Dada?"

  "Dada's okay too."

  Stone watched Peregwin pull himself up. He was obviously very bruised from the conflict, but as far as Stone realized he would be okay.

  "What... what about your shoulder? The wolfsbane?"

  Stone had to laugh softly. "That's been healed for awhile."

  "You could have left..."

  Stone looked down, feeling a little abashed. "I didn't want to leave."

  Peregwin’s eyes went wide with astonishment.

  A howl broke through the trees. The pack was close.

  "Stone, you need to run. If they catch you..."

  Before he even considered it, they were in sight. If Stone took off now, the chase would continue. He wasn't going to elude all of them.

  So he stood his ground.

  The pack emerged into sight. Rohan was at the forefront. Stone took deep breaths, hoping he wouldn't have to fight. He didn’t want to taint this peaceful pack with discord.

  Rohan looked to Briar with a wry smile. “You promised we could kill the next one.”

  Briar looked away, but nodded.

  “No, stop, you can’t!” Peregwin rushed forward.

  “After what these alphas did to you?” Briar shook his head. “Come on Peregwin, there’s kindness and there’s stupidity.” Briar held Peregwin back as Rohan approached the fallen invader.

  Rohan’s voice seemed to echo through the trees as he said, "No more mercy. We decreed that clearly." He lifted the alpha just enough to swiftly and cleanly snap his neck, before dropping him down. Peregwin screamed in shock, but Briar held him back a whispered something comforting in his ear.

  Stone swallowed as Rohan turned his sights on him.

  “You again?” Rohan's eyes narrowed. "You sure know how to waste a second chance.”

  Stone shrugged, doubtful that the growling heap of muscle would believe that this wasn’t what it looked like. He looked to Peregwin, and felt strangely pleased at the fear on his face. As much as the omega tried to be emotionally aloof, he cared about Stone. Stone did know how to use a second chance. The weeks he’d spent in the Mount Liberty pack had been the most wonderful days of his life. And if they were to be his last, Stone could only be grateful for the opportunity.

  Stone made no effort to run or fight. Rohan wasn't as quick in striking as his intensity had suggested. "What is this? You're not even going to make this sporting?"

  "I see no need to raw this out."

  Rohan frowned, clearly disappointed. It seemed even a tamed alpha still retained the urge to fight. Stone smirked. At least he could deny the brute this last pleasure. Rohan picked up a club-like branch from the forest floor and reeled his arm back, preparing for a killing blow. Stone close his eyes. He’d saved Peregwin an Ollas. That alone had given his life meaning.

  "No, you can't!" Peregwin’s voice seemed to be choked with tears. "You can't do this! He saved Ollas and me!"

  Stone opened his eyes to see Peregwin rush in front of him, blocking him from Rohan.

  R
ohan grunted with more than a little annoyance. "Out of the way, Peregwin. We gave him a chance, and he chose to waste it."

  "You can't kill him."

  "Why?" Rohan growled.

  Peregwin paused.

  "Why can't I Peregwin?" The anger in his voice grew to a boiling point. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t snap this invader’s neck.”

  "Because..." Peregwin paused. Stone noted that he was trembling in place. "Because I'm pregnant."

  Rohan raised an eyebrow. Stone froze like a statue hearing that word. Pregnant.

  "If you kill him, you're killing my unborn child too."

  There forest fell silent.

  With the tension thick, Rohan finally broke the quiet with a single utterance. "How?”

  "I... I took him into my hut. He was the one I injured all those weeks ago. I wanted to heal him. I felt I owed him that much."

  Rohan shook his head, trying to understand just what he was hearing. "So you're telling me you've been hiding a foreign alpha from all of us all this time?”

  A voice from the pack called out. "Traitor! You've endangered us all!"

  Stone bit back a growl. Not even seeing Peregwin’s face, he knew that those words had stabbed his omega right in the heart. Stone’s fists balled. He wanted to shout out, threaten the one who dared called Peregwin a traitor after everything he had done for the pack. The instinct was strong, but Stone prided himself in being more than a mindless beast.

  As for Rohan? His mouth was still slack and he looked from Peregwin to Stone, and back again. He and Stone had hardly gotten off on the best foot, but for the first time Rohan was showing that he didn’t always act rashly either.

  The crowd behind him was growing restless, chattering incoherently. They were scared. Confused. Stone did not blame them.

  "Quiet. Everyone quiet. We're not going to do something stupid here." Briar's voice was firm, and the pack obeyed. He stepped forward. "We'll figure this out. This is a pack decision, and we’ll all decide what’s to be done together."

  Peregwin let his arms down. Stone caught him, holding him close. Through the chaos, it finally began to dawn on him just what Peregwin had said.