Chapter 23

"Sorry!" Chris interrupted, closing the door behind him along with four other boys in tow. "I hope we weren't interrupting anything."

He had nothing to apologise for. Its a locker room, and they were allowed to barge in any time. Allie took a step back, her cheeks flaming at the sudden attention. The omega should have known better to confront Nate in the locker room of all places.

"Oh, no. Its nothing"

When she let her gaze wander over the boys around, Allie couldn't help but focus on Nate. The Alpha, who seemed tense all of a sudden, his hand gripping onto the bag tightly, his knuckles turning white with the strength of it. There was an edge to his expression, and he was staring straight at her, eyes dark. She blinked back in confusion, wondering instantly what she'd done wrong now. Her heartbeat felt like a weird flutter against her ribcage.

The moment was gone as quickly as it had happened, but Allie had a hard time pushing the image of his burning stare from her mind.

"I'll just go", She faltered, turning to the nearest door when the Alpha tugged at her wrist.

"I won't do anything to you," He sounded gentle. She had never heard him like this before. Still, the omega couldn't respond. Her eyes flitted to the door. "Trust me on this"

The heavy implication behind his words was loud and clear. She simply nodded her head, freeing her hand and instantly missing the weight around it. "Okay"

***

Nate texted her the details the next morning about their visit to his parent's place, aka the packhouse. The minute she read it, her stomach curled. One pregnant Pure Omega against all those Hellhounds. Not a bright idea as she thought more about it.

"Meeting parents already?" Rachel wiggled her brows, peering to get a good look at the text. "What's up with that?"

Allie threw the phone somewhere on the couch before slumping back. "He wants us to tell his parents about the baby. As in both of us."

"It's a good thing, right? Nate being serious for once in his life."

"I mean... yeah."

"Then what's the problem?"

Her true identity. That's what. They could easily chew her up and rip a new one after finding out the truth. Even though Nate asked her to trust him, she still couldn't help but feel her nerves acting up. Another side to it is that they'll be thrilled to have a Pure breed Omega along with them and may also lock her up, so there's that.

Allie held her head in between her hands. What was she going to do?

***

Sitting in the car along with Nate wasn't something she pictured doing for a long time. Mainly because the omega wanted to avoid being in the same room as him. For obvious reasons, of course. They both were quiet for a while, staring at the radio, which was switched off, probably wondering how their life turned to this.

"I don't know what you want me to say, but I am not going to apologise for keeping my identity a secret", She croaked out, staring at the scene in front of her instead of looking into his eyes. Its a lot easier that way. And also held her tears at bay. "You Alphas have no fucking idea what's it's like to fear for your life. To live in a constant worry that some knot heat can take do something to you just to exhibit his strength and power. Be someone's trophy or worse that you could be locked in a dungeon and used as a breeding slave..."

Tears trickled down her cheeks, throat clogging up as she tried to form coherent words. Suddenly the space between them suffocated her, the heat spreading to her insides and making it impossible to concentrate on anything else.

"Pure omegas can't even get to be universities cause the Deans to fear we might eventually be their downfall, give them bad publicity."

Nate made a sound, almost a growl. "You're a Pure Omega?"

His question made her shrink in the seat; furthermore, hands wrung together nervously. "Yes, but please don't-" She babbled, voice breathy and shaky. Nervousness was tying up her throat, making the omegas voice climb higher. "Tell your family that. I don't—I can't handle that right now."

"I know I'm asking too much, but please, I need time, and I need to know whether I can trust them. This is huge for me," Allie sniffled.

The Alphas eyes rested heavily on her, for a second and then another, before he leaned forward. He took her hands in his, making goosebumps prickle her arms. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him.

"Okay," Nate said, simple as that, voice still rough but eyes much clearer, much more focused. She gaped at him, lips parted. "I won't tell them. They won't harm you. I promise, but if that's what you want, then fine. We will take it slow."

There was a beat of breathless silence. The omega smiled a small, unreadable before she let out a sigh. The moment was broken as soon as someone honked behind them.

Allie felt her worry subside gradually. There were so many reasons to not believe in Nates words, to stand up and leave in order to protect herself and their baby, but she didn't. It's about time she trusts.

***

A few hours later, they finally managed to make it to the Pack House. She gawked at the huge castle-style building, eyes sweeping the entire time they walked in. Nate was greeted by too many people inside, sharing huge and fists bumps. Quite popular Alpha. That one.

It was his turn to introduce her. Slowly they shifted from the living room to the tiny space in the corner. The Alpha pulled her along.

"Allie, come meet Brent, the packs' Swordsmith. And Brent, this is Allie."

"Oh, of course. Hello"

Brent looked at her with a smirk; his grey eyes crinkled at the edges. He was taller than both of them, his build stronger as well. However, the omega unintentionally noticed the fact that he wasn't as lean as Nate, that was for sure. Plus, from the man's woody smell and swift, calculated movements, she could tell he was an Alpha Hell hound.

"Hey. Swordsmith huh? Must be exciting," She smiled.

"Ah, yes. We got all kinds of weapons, and if one doesn't toot the bell, it's my duty to make one that does," Brent swiftly put his arm out around her waist, guiding her to the wall of weapons. "Go on, step up closer to take a look."

Before Allie could even open her mouth, she found the Alpha quickly pulling her into his chest with just one hand. It was a quick motion, one that gave her a whiplash. Her body was now pressed tightly against Nate, and she could feel every curve, indent and muscle under the man's shirt. He emitted a low, possessive growl that tumbled and vibrated against her frame.

At first, she was utterly confused as to why Nate had done what he has done, but when she turned her face, cheek pressed against his pectoral, Allie surveyed her line of vision.

Brent was behind her, his hands up in surrender as he glared worriedly at Nate. Only because he touched her waist, her eyes were wide, body slumped and submissive under the pure Alphas stare. She gulped noisily, fear clawing at her insides, when Nate's hand found its way to rest between her shoulder blades and calm the omega down.

His touch was like magic, making her melt against his chest in a submissive manner.

"Do not touch her, Brent," The Alpha growled loudly, his voice low and possessive. She could hear the man's heartbeat through his chest; it's pace picking up within a fraction of a second.

At this point, Allie searched the rest of the room to see if anyone else was paying attention, but they seemed to be the only ones there—luckily.

"I'm so sorry, Alpha. I was just excited to show off my skills," Brent sputtered, his eyes hooded and connected to the ground beneath his two feet.

But his answer didn't calm the pure Alpha any less. It seemed to make him angrier as he spun around to let go of Allie in his arms. The Omega stumbled forward quickly, holding her hand out to keep herself from face planting the ground as she fell. Especially her stomach. Fortunately, she managed to hold onto the nearest table, only hitting her knees in the process.

It didn't bother her more than the growl did behind her.

A small huff escaped from her parted lips as Allie quickly turned around from her crouching position, eyes rapidly moving back and forth to gather what was going on.

Her throat constricted watching Nate and Brent standing face to face with a murderous glint in one eye. It wasn't going to end well.

***