Part 43. Zachs POV

Zach could not rest. Whenever he closed his eyes, he’s back in the dark room with ugly rodents loitering around his feet and the heavy breath of several wolves.




Slowly, he slipped into a dream-like state where there’s a screeching noise ahead, and it sounded like a scream, but it was quickly drowned out by the thundering of troops feet outside the door. It’s freezing in here, the temperature adjusted to make the task even more difficult. His shoulder bumped against the metal door and felt it give in, watching as more of the soldiers came charging at him. There’s a dent in it when he stepped back.




“Are you scared, Alpha Zach?”




They called it selective training—putting a soldier in a room where he had to make a singular choice. Either kill or be killed. It didn’t matter to the authorities above.




Zach didn’t need to turn around to know the exact way his opponent's lips were curling up, how his gaze was sharp and focused, frost stuck to the collar of his coat, hair blown away from his face by the intense wind coming in through the open windows. With a growl, he shook his head, claws glinting as the Alpha craned his neck to access their movements.




It's three against one. The survival of the fittest indeed. At that, his lips cracked, eyes turning into slits when he met their overconfident stares. Stalking forward, Zach ducked and managed to slash their throats in one quick succession, drenching himself in their blood.





The Alpha was startled awake with a gasp that still hurt up to his throat. His chest was heaving, sheets dropped into his lap, heart pounding painfully, and their heart wrenching cried still echoing in his ears. He lifted his hand and wasn’t surprised to find that his face felt cold to touch.





Dragging fingers through his curls, tugging enough for a soft burst of pain to pull him back to reality, Zach let out a long breath and sat in silence for another minute before pushing away the duvet.




The Alpha needed to run. Get his mind off those events for him to be ready to confront their lying mate.




He suddenly stopped as his eyes fell on the sleeping omega, her face smushed between a pillow and thick duvet. Ava was breathing through her mouth, nose occasionally twitching as wispy strands of hair blowing in her face. With a huff, he turned off the fan and closed the door behind him.
***
Patrolling came easy to him because the packs around, smaller ones, were threatened mainly by his huge form. And also the knowledge that he served in the military. No one bothered him except for those rogue goons who showed up once in a while because their boss wants to meet Zach.




Once he checked the pack boundaries, the wolf rested on his stomach for a while, lapping up water from the river. His fur, sheen and dark, glistened under the morning sun, soaking up the warmth, letting his eyes flutter shut.




An hour passed by before the Alpha had enough and decided to shift back. His bones cracked under pressure, knees wobbling as he managed to stand on his two legs, teeth gritted together.




On his way back to the cabin, he saw someone approach him. The Alpha should probably turn on his heels and ignore the familiar figure. Yet all he could do was remain frozen to the spot, subconsciously aware of the omega moving towards him. His heart was still beating, solid thuds against his ribs, a steady beat that echoed in his seemingly numb and hollow body.




“Nora” The Alpha cleared his throat, head tilted. “Good morning.”




The omega gave him a coy smile, closing the distance between them, her perfumed scent making his throat bob. The Alpha tried to appear calm, holding his breath as she ran a hand over his chest.




“Where have you been all these days? A beta—Cedric, I think, told me you three were working on an important project for business and didn’t want to be disturbed.” She twisted her lips.




“I missed you all,” Nora added softly. “You three were supposed to start courting me already.”




He hid his grimace at the reminder, although grateful for his beta to come up with an excuse. Zach was sure now that his brothers helped Ava in heat, who’s also their mate, this union with Nora wasn’t happening. The Alpha himself agreed only for the sake of his father.




“You are going back to your cabin?”



“Uhh…”



She wound her arms around his bicep before he could even form an answer. “Let’s go then. I can meet my other Alphas too.”
***
Halfway through their walk, Zach realised that Ava was still there, staying with them. How would Nora react to it? Does she know? The Alpha had so many questions going on in his mind, distracted and barely paying attention to Nora chatting beside him. He tuned out when the omega started telling him about the impromptu trip her girlfriends surprised her with. And how much that place reminded her of this exact landscape.




“Zach, we are here.” Nora cleared her throat, tugging on his arm as he seemed to be lost.




He nervously curled his lips, bobbing his head along. Maybe the Alpha should have carried his phone along to alert his brothers. They will be so shocked on seeing Nora hanging by his arm.




The door was locked, so he used his key, exhaling loudly once it clicked open. Nora refused to let go of his arm even while he’s opening the door. Why was the omega so clingy? Zach thought to himself before taking a step in.




The smell of freshly brewed tea and fried eggs was familiar and instantly settled his uneasiness. Tilting his head, he found Ava on the barstool while Ares sat in front of her with Dante leaning against the wall in a grey t-shirt and baggy sweatpants, eyes narrowed together. Zach licked his lips under their scrutiny; their mouths slacked once they found Nora by his side.




Ava curled her fingers into fists, her lips pressed together. Her omega must be acting up having Nora, another unmated omega, in their cabin. After all, she’s not been knotted by the Alphas but not yet bonded. The anger was evident on her face even she tried to act nonchalant.




“Hey!” Nora brightly said, oblivious to the tension around the room. Or maybe she’s trying to lighten up their moods. “Good morning.” The omega left his side and walked further, her back straightening, when she spotted Ava on the stool.




“Morning,” Ares whispered, his voice throaty as if he hasn’t used it in perhaps a day or so. “This…is a surprise.”




Nora hummed, arms crossed together. “I thought it’s time for us to meet again, Alpha.” Her voice dropped low, stern at the same time as she pinned her gaze on Ava. “After all, we are going to bond soon.”




This was bad. Zach thought, stalking towards the kitchen, his shoulders rigid and spine straight. He didn’t want Ava to react to Nora's words, or they would be in trouble. All of them.




“Zach”, Dante whispered through his teeth, a fake, weak smile still curved around his lips. “A word, please?”




The Alpha sighed, fully aware that his brother wanted to yell at him for bringing Nora with him. In his defence, he had none. Zach hummed and followed his brother to the corner of the kitchen.




Nora, on the other hand, sat down on one of the fancy bar stools that are set up around the kitchen island, pouring herself a cup of tea and adding three cubes of sugar. Ares and Ava went quiet at that.




Once they put some distance, Dante leaned in, raising his brows. His brother was pissed. He could tell that much from his face. Of course, he would be on behalf of Ava. “Wanna tell me what that omega is doing in our cabin?”



“She met me on the way and insisted on coming along.”



“And you let her tag along with you?”



“I didn’t have a choice!” Zach whispered loudly, tugging at his hair in frustration.




“Ava is just out of her heat. You know how feral omegas can get with other omegas stepping in their place.”



“This is not her place.”



“Really? You want to argue about this now?”



Zach exhaled softly, rubbing a hand over his face. “Sorry.”




“Now, get rid of her before something goes wrong.”



“Why should I do it?”



“Because you were the one who bought Nora here. Now go!”



“You do it!”




With that, they started nudging each other’s elbow, going back and forth. Zach suppressed a groan, twisting his lips at Dante for not taking the initiative even though it’s hundred per cent his fault. He should have never agreed to walk along with her.




The sound of someone clearing their throat halted their movements. “What’s going on over there?”
***
I had fun writing this, lmao. Need to write more brothers scenes. Anyways Nora is adamant huh. What do you think of the chapter?
***