Oregon
I heard a loud outburst outside and my curious mother jumped to get feet. Her nostrils flared, her eyes wide. "What could that be?" she asked.
However, I was unbothered. I rolled my eyes and started to leave, but she quickly grabbed my arm.
"Mum, what's the matter this time?" I demanded, already frustrated by her constant interruptions.
"Won't you even check to see what's going on outside?" she said. "It sounds like whoever's making that racket wants your attention."
"I don't care!" I snapped, yanking my arm from her grasp. My eyes narrowed, my brows furrowed in anger.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry about that." My mother's apology was weak and she watched me leave, her eyes filled with remorse.
I went to my room and collapsed onto my bed, staring at the high ceiling. A sigh escaped my lips as I thought of my family's upcoming visit. A breeder was coming to stay with us and it was already making me anxious.
The thought of sharing my space with a stranger was enough to make my stomach turn.
My eyes closed, a deep slumber beginning to take over. Just as I was on the brink of sleep, a loud cry jolted me awake. My eyes fluttered open, darting around the room in search of the source of the noise.
"What was that?" I whispered, tossing the covers aside.
My heart raced as I strained to hear more, my body tingling with unease. Suddenly, a light thump sounded from the next room, and a knot formed in my stomach.
I leaped from the bed as the cries grew louder. My mother had told me about the warnings, about the things that were supposed to be outside. But what if they'd gotten past the guards?
"What's going on?" I cried out, panic rising in my chest. "Why aren't the guards doing their job? What is that thing? Who is making all this noise?"
My heart pounded in my chest as I stood frozen in terror. What if whatever was making that noise came into my room?
I stormed out of my room, teeth gritted in anger, and found myself in the midst of chaos. Guards were running up and down the corridor, shouting and brandishing their weapons. Something was definitely wrong.
I caught hold of one of the guards as he ran past. "What's going on?" I demanded. "Why are you all running around like headless chickens? What's happening?"
He looked at me, fear in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Alpha Oregon, but we've been trying to shut the woman up. She won't listen to us, and she won't leave either," the guard replied.
"What do you mean she won't leave? And who does she think she is? Do I even know her?" I asked, my voice cold and sharp.
"No one's ever seen her before. We think she's an Omega in the pack, but we can't be sure," the guard answered, shaking his head.
"What are you waiting for?" I exclaimed, irritation bubbling up inside me. "You should go out there now and chase her out. And if she won't leave, I give you my permission to take whatever measures you deem necessary even if it means killing her."
"Yes Alpha Oregon" I heard him say, immediately the door was shut.
I closed my eyes and settled back into my bed, ready to drift off to sleep. But just as I was about to slip into slumber, a knock at the door jolted me awake.
"Shit!" I cussed under my breath and glared at the door.
"Who is it?" I shouted through the door.
"It's me, your mother," came the voice from the other side.
"What do you want?" I asked, already impatient.
"Let me in first," she said.
"What is it this time?" I asked, a hint of exasperation creeping into my voice.
"Let me in," She repeated with a small voice.
"You may enter," I said, and the door creaked open. My mother stood in the doorway, her face pale and drawn.
"What's wrong?" I asked, a sinking feeling in my stomach. She sat down on the edge of my bed, taking a deep breath before speaking.
"Why aren't you going outside to find out what's happening? I'm terrified," my mother said, her voice quivering. "Even your guards and warriors seem unable to control whoever is making all that noise. They say it's a woman, but she's causing a commotion like a charging army. Shouldn't it be easy to silence a lone woman and throw her out of the palace?"
She stared at me, her expression one of desperate urgency. I could see the fear in her eyes, and it made my heart ache.
"Don't worry, Mother," I said, taking her hands in mine. "I've already ordered the guards to remove her from the palace, by force if necessary even if it meant ending her life."
My mother's eyes widened in horror. "What? No! You can't have her killed! She might be someone important. You would sully your reputation!"
"Enough!" I said, raising my voice. "I've heard enough from you, Mother. Leave now, please."
"But you can't just execute a person without even knowing who they are," my mother protested. "They might be important, even if they're an Omega. They're still a person."
I could feel my anger rising. The last thing I wanted to do was argue with my mother, but her stubborn insistence on protecting the Omega grated on my nerves.
"You're wrong, Mother," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "The Omegas have no purpose, no reason to exist. They just exist, like parasites. And this one in particular has disturbed my rest. She must pay for that, even if it means her death."
I saw my mother's eyes fill with fear, and I hated myself for it. But still, I couldn't back down now. The Omega had to be punished for her insolence.
She swallowed hard and got up. "As you wish then. I will leave you to do whatever you want. Good night! Also, you should really shut her up. She's very loud."
My mother looked away and stormed out. I sighed deeply and laid on the bed again, this time, covering my ears with both pillows.
As I lay there, I heard the familiar sound of a mind link. It was my Beta, Stephen. His tone was urgent.
"Alpha Oregon, where are you?" he asked, his words echoing in my mind.
"I'm in my bedroom," I replied, my own thoughts latching onto his.
I could sense the excitement radiating from him, even through the mental connection. Whatever he had to say, it must be important.
"King Oregon, you need to come out right now. She's here!" Stephen's words rang in my head, each one a hammer blow to my heart.
"What? Who's here?" I asked, my mind reeling with confusion.
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