Introductions

Alexandra

My eyelids flutter open, the scent of butterscotch faintly trailing into my nostrils. My eyes travel to the floor to ceiling window, watching as the sun slowly rises from behind the tall trees of the forest. It’s morning and time to begin my daily duties, although I’m still unsure of what they are.

But, I know if I want to stay here that I need to prove my worth to Alpha Liam.

My body feels relaxed, like I had spent the night on a cloud. Last night had been the best sleep I had ever had. There were no nightmares, no coils springing into my back and for once, I wasn’t shivering to fall asleep.

Feeling warmth wrapped around my small body, I look down and I see Alpha Liam’s corded forearms enveloping my waist. He has a string of tattoos running up his arms, all of different images and words but the one that catches my attention is a picture of two wolves howling at the moon. The art is spectacular, it almost looks real. I run my fingertip along the lines, imagining what it would be like to be one of those wolves. So free, so comfortable in their own skin.

Alpha Liam shuffles, pulling my body closer into his. I feel a bulge growing into the small of my back. My body tingles, disobeying me and pushing back into it. Panic floods my chest and I scold myself for giving into my need. I resist the urge to stay cuddled against his muscular body even though every fiber inside of me is screaming at me to stay.

He’s the Alpha, I tell myself.

I don’t belong in his bed. I don’t belong anywhere near him. He was just being nice letting me stay here after all, probably because I embarrassed myself last night and couldn’t hold my alcohol.

I feel my breathing become elevated and slowly shuffle from underneath him, careful not to wake him. It takes me a minute to locate my clothes from yesterday and I slip them on, retreating downstairs.

The packhouse was far bigger than I thought it was.

The hallways were long and winding, every turn somehow leading me farther away from the dining hall I was searching for. When I got the scent of freshly cooked eggs, I pushed through the double doors and saw an exquisite kitchen filled with top of the line appliances and stainless steel counters.

“Hi! I’m Lexi,” I say to the first girl I see. She’s chopping fruit and placing them over bowls of hot oatmeal. She appears to be around my age with a blonde low ponytail and large gray eyes. A wide smile spreads across her face, “I know who you are. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Uh, can I give you a hand?” I say, feeling my palms go sweaty. I desperately needed to make a good impression. She giggles, “no need. But if you’d like to help, I have Alpha Liam’s breakfast ready to go to his bedroom,” she replies with a twinkle in her eye as if she’s insinuating something.

Dread spreads across my chest, however I’m not in a position to be picking and choosing my duties. I need to show that I could be an asset, not only to the Alpha but to the rest of the pack too.

My eyes darted around the room, my discomfort taking over and eventually landing on the floor. “Um, yes. Sure. Anything to help,” I say and turn to retrieve the cart, ready to roll it out of the kitchen quarters.

“Oh and Lexi?” The girl calls out, “we’ve prepared enough for both of you. I hope you like it. We weren’t sure what you liked so we gave you a little bit of everything.”

My cheeks begin to heat, embarrassment piling over me. Everyone must think that I’m somehow using the Alpha, trying to climb the ranks of the pack. It wasn’t an uncommon practice and I quickly realize that they must already hate me.

“T-that’s okay,” I stutter back, “I’m fine with bread and milk.”

Sadness floods her soft eyes, “bread and milk?”, she chokes out.

I nod. She carefully places the knife down, untying her apron and approaches me. Her arms extend and she presses her body against mine in a hug. I stand frozen in place, unable to process what’s going on. She places her small hand on my shoulder, “omegas can eat whatever they’d like. I made the pancakes myself. You know, it was my grandmother’s recipe. Try it,” she says in a low voice, her gaze locked on mine for a moment until she returns back to work.

Pushing the cart back upstairs, my mind reels at the girl I had just met. She just seemed… so happy, even as an omega. I think back to Shadow Pack, all of the omegas were often miserable and overworked.

Before I realize, I’m standing at Alpha Liam’s door. I press my lips together tightly, debating whether I should knock or just let myself in. I finally decide not to wake the Alpha, carefully opening the door and push the cart inside.

I look over to see that Alpha Liam is still asleep. My eyes rake over his toned body as he lays on his king size mattress with no shirt on. Excitement brews deep down inside of my chest and I feel tiny butterflies futter inside of my stomach. His arms are large and his stomach is rock hard, perfectly defined with small ridges. The sunlight dances across his skin, reflecting against his broad shoulders that I’m tempted to run my hands over.

I take in a deep breath, scolding myself for drinking him. Of course he’s attractive. He’s an Alpha. Turning to tip toe out of his bedroom, I hear a muffling noise behind me.

Shit, I think to myself. If only I can get out of here without waking him up.

“Are you trying to sneak out again?” He chuckles, placing his corded arm under his head. I feel his gaze piercing through me and my mind races to come up with a plausible excuse.

“Good morning Alpha, I was just bringing you your breakfast,” I tell him, turning to see him staring at me with an arched brow.

“Breakfast in bed? Wow, aren’t I lucky,” he says, shooting me a playful grin.

My heart begins to hammer in my chest and I feel my mouth going dry. “You mean, you don’t usually have breakfast here?” I ask, feeling like I had just ran into a wall.

“Not exactly but I’ll take it… if you join me?” He asks quizzically.

I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding, “I really shouldn’t, I’m sure the kitchen could use some extra hands,” I explain, tugging down on the hem of my white fuzzy sweater and covering the exposed midriff of my navel.

“Sit. I’m sure the kitchen is fine,” he insists. He stands up, his pajama bottoms hanging dangerously low across his hips and showcasing the deep V of his adonis belt. He moves across the room, pushing the cart beside the bed and plops back on the bed.

His assertive Alpha voice makes me feel queasy and weak in the knees so I follow his demand, taking a seat beside him. My leg accidentally brushes against his and his eyes light up with distinct silver little specks.

Alpha Liam shuffles over on the bed, leaving a small space between us. I can’t help but feel rejected even though I know he’s an Alpha and I’m an omega. His actions make my head spin, one minute he insists I share breakfast with him and the other, it feels like he refuses to be near me.

Three silver domes sit on top of the rolling cart. He leans over to remove the first plate cover, exposing a stack of pancakes that are drenched in syrup and topped with various fresh fruits. The second bears scrambled eggs with bacon and smells too good to be true. The final dome has circular quiches, made into small tarts and filled with spinach and cheese. My eyes go wide at the feast laying in front of me. Alpha Liam doesn’t move, making me wonder if he’s testing me.

I follow his lead, sitting frozen in place until his voice finally shatters the silence lingering between us. “Are you going to pick something?” He asks, pursing his lips together in thought.

“Yes, sure Alpha. I’ll try the pancakes. The girl in the kitchen told me it’s her grandmother’s recipe,” I explain. He reaches for a plate and piles on a few pancakes, a large smile stretching across his face as he hands it to me.

“Ah yes, Dahlia. She’s a sweetheart. I remember when her grandmother used to make this same recipe for me as a pup,” he confides. My eyes blink rapidly, shock taking over. He regards all his omegas so highly, something that I’ve never experienced.

I take my time biting into the golden cakes, my taste buds appreciating the softness as it hits the top of my mouth. “This is delicious,” I explain, quickly taking another bite.

By the time I swallow, the words I’ve been avoiding come spiraling out, “Who are you Lexi and what do you really want from my pack?”