12. Caleb

**Caleb**

I look as Red leaves the gym. I feel that today I made some progress with her but she still has a long road ahead of her. But it is hard to work with someone that doesn't like me. I have to think of a way to befriend her.
**'She smells nice,'** Raven says.
I try not to smile. *'I guess she does. But all Omegas smell nice,'* I say.
Raven growls, **'No, not all Omegas! There are Omegas that smell of envy or cruelty. And there are Omegas that smell of betrayal!'**
*'I know, Raven, I know. But we are far away from there now. Never again shall we go there. Remember what we talked about?'*
**'Yes. I remember,'** Raven says.
I leave the gym behind, got to my room to get my coat from the hanger, and head to the clinic, wanting to see how Elton is doing.
When I get inside I go to Reyes' office and knock on his door.
"Come in," he says and I open the door. "Ah, Caleb! Come in! I was waiting for you."
I enter and close the door behind me.
"Can I see Elton?" I ask and sit on a chair.
"Yes. He is awake and I already told him that you are going to talk to him. But before I wanted to tell you that I did run some tests on him."
"And?" I ask.
"I don't think he has been a blood slave for a long time. Probably from six months up to one year."
"That's is a long time, Reyes. Even a day in the hands on the vampires is too much," I say and look straight into his brown eyes.
Reyes looks at me for a few moments and gives a short nod, "I guess you are right. Well, Elton is anemic and underweight. I am already giving him treatment for his anemia and I also put him on a high protein diet. Other than that I didn't find any health issues."
"I am happy to hear that. How long will he be in here for?"
"For at least a two-three more days. I will let you know when he can leave," Reyes tells me.
"Good," I say and stand. "If that's all you have to tell me, then I will go see Elton. The day is short and I have much to do."
I leave Reyes' office behind and go to the room where Elton is staying. When I open the door, a scent of brownies tickles my nose.
*'Does this Omega also smells nice?'* I ask Raven, joking with him.
Raven concentrates on Elton's scent for a moment and says, **'Perhaps. But Red smells better. She smells like she is safe.'**
I frown. This is new. *'And Elton?'*
**'Smells like it is alright to be around him.'**
Interesting. Raven is interested in two Omegas scents. It can be an Alpha thing. Most Alphas have the instinct to protect Omegas.
I look at Elton. He is sitting on the bed, in a pair of pajamas, and reading a book. He is thin but he doesn't smell of fear anymore.
The moment he sees me he tenses.
"Hi! I am here to see how you are doing and to ask a bit about you. If that's okay with you," I say in a gentle voice.
Elton closes the book, puts it on his lap, looks at me, and nods. "The doctor told me that you wanted to talk to me, Alpha Caleb."
In one of the corners of the room, I see two chairs. I take one and put it next to Elton's bed, take my coat off, and sit.
"Just Caleb. I wanted to see how you are," I say and look into his brown eyes.
"Glad that the nightmare with the vampires is over," Elton says and gives me a small smile.
It is good to see him smiling. This means that the leeches haven't broken his spirit.
"For how long have you been in the hands of the leeches?" I ask.
Elton smiles a bit more. "I like that word—leeches. For about seven months."
Goddess! Seven months of hell.
"I am sorry this happened to you. It shouldn't happen to anyone. There are ways for the leeches to obtain blood without harming anyone, but the truth is that they love abusing their slave."
Elton nods, "Yes. The things I have seen." His tenses.
"You are safe now," I assure him. "I also want to ask you about your pack," I say, changing the subject.
His scent changes from sweet to bitter and I know that something happened with his former pack.
"Did they abuse you?" I ask him.
"It was only my mother," Elton says. "She is a Delta and an Enforcer, and she had always hoped to have a strong son. But then I was born. While I was growing up she never stop telling me what a disappointment I was and how she regrets having me. She used to take all her anger on me."
"And the pack?" I ask.
"They would turn a blind eye," Elton says in a sad tone.
I growl and Elton flinches. I run my fingers through my hair and inhale deeply. "I am just mad that this happened to you. Can I ask how you became a blood slave?"
"My mother sold me to them."
I growl even louder and Elton looks like he is ready to bolt out the door. "I am sorry. Just ignore my growls. I am mad at what your mother did to you and my Alpha instinct kicks in," I say in a calm voice.
Elton relaxes and nods. Then he asks in a low tone, "Can I be part of this pack? I don't want to go back to my former pack."
"I would be honored if you would join us! I created this pack for all those that have been abused, tortured, or left their pack because of other reasons and are looking for a safe place to call home."
"Thank you!" the Omega says.
"How old are you?"
"In three months I will be seventeen."
I frown, "Since you are not eighteen, and you can't decide for yourself, I will have to ask one of the adults to be your guardian."
Elton bits his lower lip and looks at me. "Can't you be my guardian?"
I shake my head, and say, "It's not that I can't, it's just that you need to get to know the other werewolves from the pack. I will think of someone that can be close to your age. What do you think?"
"Okay," Elton says after he thinks for a few moments.
"Wonderful!" I say. I look at my watch then back at Elton, "I have to go but I will come to see you later."
I get out of the clinic, put the coat on me, and walk around the Rogue Village thinking.
*'What do you think?'* I ask Raven. *'Who do you think would be best to be the guardian of Elton?'*
Raven thinks for a few moments then says, **'Red.'**
I chuckle, *'I had a feeling you would say that. But do you think she can handle the responsibility? She is depressed and can barely take care of herself. You had seen what her room looks like.'*
**'They are both Omegas and almost the same age. And I think that she needs to be occupied with something or someone to keep her distracted from her depression.'**
*'How about Sarah and Jeremy? They are great with Omegas,'* I suggest.
**'They are trying for a pup. I won't put Elton with them.'**
*'Are they?'*
Raven chuckles, **'Haven't you heard them last night? It sounded like they were renovating their house.'**
*'I am not as perverted as you are to listen what others are doing in their home,'* I say and Raven laughs.
**'I still think Red is our best option,'** Raven says to me.
*'I will think about it,'* I say after a few moments of silence.
After I think a few more moments I go to my office. When I enter I see Conon on the sofa, with his feet on the coffee table, with his laptop on his lap, and drinking a soda. He is addicted to sugar.
He lifts his head, looks at me with his hazel eyes, and grins. "Caleminator!"
I try hard not to roll my eyes at him. "How's work?" I ask ignoring how he is calling me.
"We are one Bitcoin richer! I added it to the others we have!" he says with a smug face. "We are going to have one heck of a Christmas party this year!"
Conon may be annoying at times but truth is that the Rogue Pack would not be possible without his help. He is a genius with computers. I still don't know how he makes the money. He tried to explain one time but it was as if he was speaking Chinese to me. While he takes care of the financial part, I take care off the other needs of the pack.
I take my coat off and go and sit at my desk, I turn on my PC so that I can prepare a file for Elton.
Conon lowers his legs, puts the laptop and the can of soda on the coffee table, and looks at me, "Did you sleep anything last night or did you had nightmares? I am sure that seeing Tristan must have affected you."
"Tristan stopped affecting me a long time ago. I had some nightmares, yes. But nothing you should worry about," I say looking at the screen of my PC.
"You should ask Reyes to give you something."
I look at Conon, "Drugs stopped helping me a long time ago."
"You should have said something. No wonder you look tired most of the time. How can I help you?"
"You can't, Conon. Besides, it is something I have learned to live with," I say.
"How's Raven dealing with the vampires and the nightmares?" Conon asks with a concerned tone.
"He is trying. I had to shift last night and let Raven walk through the woods."
"Did it help him?"
I lean on my office chair and smile softly, "It did. We even slept. Best sleep we had in a long time."
Raven purrs inside my mind.