27. Mother’s Promise

Alyssa didn’t know when the bus stopped. She looked around to finds herself at the last stop.




With a huff, she just lied there on her seat, her head pounding and sight blurry. After a minute of coming to reality, she decided to evaluate her surroundings.




It didn't take her long to figure out: in front of the omega stood probably the giant tree ever—the one that would lead her straight into the forest and then to her village.



Shaking her head slightly, she picked herself up off the seat, pulled the bag from the stand and only stumbled a little bit. Most of the passengers had already left, leaving her the only one behind. That’s what happens when her pack decide to live in the middle of nowhere. She pulled the small bag with her and thanked the driver before exiting.




She looked all around, trying to decide on a direction to start walking. The sound of a leaf crunching under someone's foot sounded to her left. She decided it didn't matter which direction she went; she just needed to start walking.





The omega gingerly stumbled through the forest, watching her footsteps closely, careful not to step on anything that would make too much noise. The last thing she wanted was to alert the neighbouring pack. They wouldn’t take it kindly.




The sun had now gone down completely. The human-like shadows being cast from the trees made her journey that much more difficult. She had nothing to worry about, being the wolf with supervision at night. That was enough to frighten someone off. Not that there are humans around the forest at this time of the day. Then again, you can never tell because they were unpredictable.



An owl hooted in the distance. Some woodland creature raced past her knees into a nearby bush. Her breathing began to come out heavier. It was becoming hard to stay calm.




The woods were dense with thick trees everywhere at every turn. It was challenging to navigate at first; it took some getting used to. Every once in a while, the omega would get hit in the face with a tree branch or trip over tree roots. She’s humble enough to admit that the forest had changed a lot. Or so she thought.



She heard a shrub shake with the sound of slight movement, and stopped in her tracks, listening. Silence, for a minute. Two. With a glance over her shoulder, the omega kept going.




Few miles further into the forest, she let out a sigh. It was somewhat of classier part, where guards would walk around in their fancy suits and spit on the on goers just for the fun of it. To hear such silence was... unusual. Did they all take leave at once? But Alyssa couldn't stop herself anymore; she ran to the main road which led to their packhouse.



Just then she bumped into the Pack Alpha. He was dressed in a sharp suit and squeaky clean black shoes.





“Sorry, Alpha” She quickly apologised.



All was at peace, for that moment.



Their Pack Alpha raised his head, a pleased smile on his face. “Alyssa! What a surprise! Are you here to join us for the fire gathering?”



The omega blinked at him. Oh. No wonder he’s dressed from head to toe. All because he could attend that fire-offering festival. It made her feel like they were some cult members with all the chanting and prayers. Then again they worshipped all the elements, so it wasn’t that weird.




She swept her tongue across her lips. “Uhh...no Alpha. There’s been a death in the family, so I’m here to attend a funeral.”



His brows raised at that. “Death?”



“Yeah...we lost our aunt, Leslie.”



“The promised one?”



Alyssa bit her lips. Leslie was so much than that. Instead of arguing, she nodded her head.



“My condolences. Hope you can join us later” The Pack Alpha weakly smiled, patting her shoulder before escaping in another direction. Alyssa kept glaring at his back. He’s such an asshole. Hopefully, she can say that to his face someday.
***

After they returned from the funeral, Alyssa curled into a tiny ball, clamping her hands over her ears, and cried loudly.


In her chest, there’s this depthless feeling, worse than any loneliness–like someone had plunged right through her and took her heart away.



She pathetically tried to hide her face in the pillows.




“Alyssa, honey” Her mother tried quietly, cautiously. “I’m here for you. You’ll be okay, love.”




Physically? Maybe. She’d take every bone in her body crushed over this emotional havoc—all the agony, the tortured cries, the terror that was just too much for her.



“Oh…God…” She cried raggedly; tears streaming down her face to voice the sadness within her. When they went there, the witch told them that Leslie had just given up on her life. She had no visitors and used to stay all alone. Her last days were spent by staring at the door, hopelessly waiting for her mate. Like she had been doing all this time. The knowledge crushed her from inside because her aunt was the strongest, most positive person she knew. Staying all alone with nothing to do can do that to people.




“Mom...” She cried, unable to face her mother.



Somehow she ended up in her mother’s arms like when she was only a pup, sobbing into her shoulder over losing one of the closest people. This time her mother doesn’t assure her, this time it’s devastatingly silent, only sounds of their cried echoing around the room.
***

The next day her brother went to his college, dragging his feet with every step because he wanted to see her off instead. Alyssa didn’t want him to miss out on his education. As soon as he was gone, the woman checked up on her mother, finding her curled up alone on the bed.



Her mother raised her head, feeling Alyssa's presence in the room. She motioned her to come closer and sit beside her.



“Mom” She croaked. “Did you sleep well?”



“Mmh”



The omega sucked a breath at that. She should have expected that empty one-word answer. Her mother was still very much traumatised and disturbed after losing her best friend. Who can blame her? Fortunately, Alyssa was there to feed her on time as her brother had to carry out the funeral duties. It had been a long night.




“I have to go back today” Alyssa replied in the empty room. Suddenly the room appeared too small like she was sitting in an unknown place. The walls were closing in on her, and she had to fight back the tears. She didn’t want to go back. Not so soon.




Her mother sighed. “Yeah, you have to.”



“How can I leave you like this mom? I wish you can come along.”




“It’s only a matter of a few months. Isn’t that what you told me?” She heard her mother’s voice echo. The omega nodded her head, not meeting her eyes because that would only make her want to bawl her eyes out.



“Y-Yeah”



“Then, I can wait. It’s no big deal.”



Alyssa sniffled, “Only if you promise me that you’ll take care of yourself. Okay?”




“I want you to promise me something as well Alyssa.”



At the sudden shift in her mother’s tone, the omega sat up. She tilted her head to stare at her mother. Her expression was tight, eyes narrowed, and lips pulled together like she was in deep thought of some sort. What was troubling her?




Alyssa gulped, patting her hand. “Anything mom.”




“I want you to settle down.”




The omega sharply inhaled, eyes wide as those words sank in. Why was her mother asking her that? That’s so soon. Also the mark on her wrist? Did she forget about that? Alyssa shook her head.




“Let’s talk about it some other day. You need to rest now” She tried to appease her, hoping to end the conversation.



Her mother shook her head, sitting up straight. “No Alyssa. I want you to promise you that you’ll let other Alphas court you. You can choose a mate of your choice and settle down.”




“And what about the mark?”



“Fuck that!”



Alyssa gasped. “Mom!”



“No, I’m serious honey. I have seen what that mark does to the omegas. Your aunt Leslie had to go through it, and I don’t want my daughter to experience all that. Do you get me?” She felt her mother’s fierce stare on her, the grip on her hand tightened.



The omega clenched her eyes shut at the mention of her aunt. It did scare her.



“Okay...okay, I promise.”



A smile tugged at her mother’s lips. “Thank you so much, honey. I hope you find the perfect Alpha.”



The last part of the sentence almost made her cringe. She did find him. Adrain. The omega had no idea if the Alpha will even consider talking after she ditched him like that.
***

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