Chapter 5

"How will she learn if I don't teach her anything?"Her father growled at her mother who stood worriedly in front of them both. She pursed her lips in annoyance, arms crossed defensively against her chest.

Allie blinked at her parents. And before she knew it, her father was harshly tugging on her injured arm, forcing her to stand on her feet.  The omegas eyes were red with tear marks staining a path down her cheeks, the pain starting to get to both mentally and physically exhausting. A streak of blood was running down her forehead and past her temples, creating a red path down the side of her face.

The omega needed to rest, her body was screaming for it as her mouth hung open and breathing was too fast to count. She was also thirsty, throat parched from being in sun for way too long. Actually the omega has been training since the sun started rising and its almost afternoon.

"Adam, I understand—" Her mother was interrupted by her father again.

"No, you do not! What happens to her when we are long gone? Do you wish for your daughter and Asher to be alone in a world where they know no defence? Should we leave them unprepared for a world that's going to kill them?"

Her mother scowled at that. "I can't believe you're talking like that in front of her. She doesn't need to know all this, Adam."

"She's ten. Not a child anymore."

Allie was developing a headache at their loud voices, her omega cowering down, ears closing. She wanted to run away and hide, escape the harsh pitches for a while. That wasn't happening.

"Adam, she's still a child believe it or not. I know what you are doing, and I appreciate it, but she's too young to hear this stuff. You are training her like a pack soldier."

Allie felt a hand down her hair, softly rubbing her scalp and stroking. She almost let out a whine at the familiar touch and leaned into it.

"Oh, come on! That's not what I'm doing. Besides she's fine the way, she is. Right, Allie?"

The omega looked up into her father's bright blue eyes, a sparkle of hope for her to agree with him. Only to prove to her mother that she was wrong. He had a noble intention behind all of it, and that was to protect his children. Allie got that alright. Being a Pure Omega was tough, and her father was only making her stronger.

Allie nodded her head before looking between the two of them, her arms hugging her father's thigh. She heard her mother sigh in defeat, her arms raised in irritation before dropping them back down to her side.

"Adam, how is she different from those hounds? You are teaching her to be a killer," Her mother whispered.

"No, I'm teaching our daughter how to defend her self from a killer." Her father sighed. "And the difference is she won't kill unless she needs to."

The next thing Allie knew was that she was forced away from her father with a push, only to stumble across the gravel. When she was finally stable enough to stand on her own two feet, her father darted towards her, a growl ripping from his throat.

The omega shot up quickly from her sleep, breathing in short bursts and gasping for air. The blanket she had was now pooled down her waist, making her hyper-aware of the wet T-shirt clinging on to her torso. She put a palm over her racing heart, trying to breathe through it. Sweat drenched her whole body, and her hair matted against his forehead.

She rubbed at the sleepiness in her eyes before looking around. It took her only a few seconds to realise that she's still in her room. As much as she wanted to wake up Rachel, she didn't.

Allie tried to figure out the time. It was quiet. From the sounds of crickets singing, and the rustle of leaves from outside her house, she figured that it still must've been night. As she raised her head to peek out of the window, the omega saw no sign of any sun or light radiating.

"You're okay," She whispered to herself, trying to screw her eyes shut.

Deep down, the omega had a feeling that something's coming. It was strong enough to make her remember memories of the past that she didn't want to remember; parts of her life Allie wished wouldn't haunt her. But they did every single night.

***

The next morning she skipped her running, too occupied with thoughts. Also the omega was not interested in arguing with Noah about something equally tedious. It only made her stress. That's why she decided to attend her weekly dance class which wasn't due for another five days. It's something Allie did over the weekend to occupy herself.

The music sped up, the sound of feet hitting the floor catching up with the faster tempo. There was a rhythmic clapping sound keeping the beat, a woman's stern voice shouting commands every few seconds.

Allies legs were stretched forward and back in a split; her upper body arched with arms over her head. Black tights appeared to be painted onto her legs, sweat dripping down her throat as she tried to keep up with each step.

Dancing helped her unwind a little, focus on the steps she took rather than her thoughts.

"Yes, Allie." The woman at the front of the mirrored studio clapped once. "That's brilliant."

The omega gleamed at the praise and landed on the floor, stepping off to the side, her chest heaving and sweat pouring down from her hair, which was held back by a thin black headband. Heart thudded in her chest as she tried to regain her breath.

Before she knew it, her hour was up. Maybe she should do it more often. Allie thought.

***

"Is that Noah over there with the Coach?" Her friend asked, nudging her arm as they were walking out the dance class.

Her joyous voice pulled the omega from her thoughts. She turned to look in the direction that Nina was pointing out. It was, in fact, Noah, having a grand old laugh with Coach. She swallowed. So long as that Hell hound wouldn't make a mention about the girl he met in the locker rooms that seemed so "omega" to him she should be good. And for whichever reason would Noah bring that up? There was none. Which meant there was no need to worry. Or so Allie told herself.

"Yeah, I met him briefly in the locker rooms," She said absentmindedly. The omega had a hard time ripping her eyes from his lean form and the way he laughed so perfectly. It's unfair.

"Oh, you didn't mention that. What was he like?" Nina asked interestedly; her eyes focused on the Alpha as well.

She shrugged. "Acted like a proper annoying Alpha" Allie answered truthfully, before abruptly biting her tongue and chancing a nervous look at Nina. Maybe she shouldn't be quite so blunt.

Nina burst out laughing. "Why am I not surprised?"

***

Rachel came out of the break room with her hands behind her back. She tied her apron, her eyes zoning in on a head of curls seated in one of the worn leather arm chairs by the window. Allie followed her line of vision only to grunt in response.

"What's he doing here again?"

"Who?" Her friend questioned.

Allie pointed at the seat. "Him"

As if he felt her eyes on him, the Alpha lifted his head. He gave her a wave before lifting an upsidedown textbook over his face. So ridiculous.

"He's pretending to study but just eating all the cookie straws." Rachel laughed, cleaning the cups.

"I don't like him." Allie huffed. "At all."

"Why?"

"I just don't."

"He seems harmless enough." Her friend dried her hands before facing her. "Also he didn't know about your mother, Allie. You should let that go."

The omega choose to ignore that part. "Whatever. I still don't think that he's harmless." Allie looked towards Noah and she shook her head. "Not at all."

"What makes you say that?"

Allie crossed her arms over her chest. "People don't just start pursuing strangers for no reason. Especially not douchey famous football players like him. There has to be something else going on."

"Mhm, why do you say that?"

Allie shrugged. "I mean he has attractive girls falling over him every day. That's why it's weird for someone like him to want to talk to me—"

Rachel squeezed her shoulder. "No, no, no," She whispered, her eyes warm and lips pulled in a soft smile.  "Listen to me. He has every reason to want to get to know you. You're pretty and awesome. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life."

The omega blushed at that. Shaking her head, she blinked at her friend. "What should I do?"

"I don't know. Maybe talk to him."

"Talk to him? Really? That's all you got?" Allie sighed.

"Hey! You asked"

"Fine"

***