Layan kept the smile on his face despite the clawed hand clenching his wrist and the menacing scent of the alpha before him. Nobody but his person knew the reaction of touching something that was his. The scene was funny to him. As annoying as either of them were, they couldn't fight, that would be a fatal crime.
Hades growled, pulling out his fangs and frowning. He circled Nebraska's waist and held her as he felt the small body tremble beside him.
-Treat-
-Let go of me- the red-haired alpha told him calmly but with a demanding tone.
-What if I didn't, what?- He growled. His faded from his face leaving his eyes with a threatening glint- Would you endanger the safety of your pack for a she-wolf? I don't recognize you-
Another grunt of response.
-Oh, I see- he approached Hades -Your zeal is scratching- He raised his eyebrows and then relaxed her with a smile again.
He shook his arm loose and took a step away but showing no surrender.
"Let's talk another time, when you're in your true right mind" he turned and started to walk away.
"Don't go near her again, Layan, I won't patronize next time," Hades said with tight lips.
The other only continued on his way with his hands in his pockets and ignoring his threat. If they started a fight now, they would be punished by the other members of the Council, it did not matter that Layan was the one leading it, but more so for provoking him by being close to his zeal where the wolves, especially the alphas, became especially violent. He would have other opportunities.
No one said no to him and nothing was out of reach.
Hades gripped Nebraska's waist tighter as Nebraska's legs buckled and buckled as she released all the tension. He held her firmly and kissed her temple.
-Quiet, relaxing- he said in a calm voice when he saw her state, the omegas were too susceptible to the orders or threats of the alphas and easier to bend, no matter the character of this- Take a deep breath- pressed his face against his shoulder of him so that he could smell her. Right now it was stronger than normal but at least it wasn't hostile like Layan's.
-Hades- his voice sounded shaky- Your zeal ...-
-I know beautiful, don't worry, I won't be around when I arrive, I know you don't like this part of the males-
She, already more relaxed, managed to keep stable although the wolf's arm kept her clinging to him. Throughout the days they had been together he had realized that her character could be demanding and very domineering, but at the same time kind and took care of her in every possible way.
-Ma- Alan called her. His countenance was calmer. Being under the protection of Hades made them feel safe.
-Where is Leoxi? I think I told him that he couldn't leave them alone-
-Someone came for an emergency and had to run- the puppy replied.
The alpha clicked his tongue and finally sighed. His twin had enough responsibilities already, and she couldn't berate him for fulfilling them as Pack Commander. He helped Nebraska sit down again and took the place next to her.
-I'll stay while he's gone, I don't want any problems with Layan again-
In turn Rodrigo got up.
-If you excuse me, I will retire-
-Rodrigo- the alpha's voice sounded serious without the ability to replicate -Sit down and share with your family-
The wolf looked like he was going to show resistance but he listened to him but did not speak. Hades knew he was dealing with quite a few things, but isolating himself was not the solution.
***
Leoxi closed the door of his twin's room where he was collecting some basic clothes.
-Brother I ... this afternoon ...-
-I've solved the matter- he stopped to look at it- but it would have been complicated if it hadn't appeared, you know Layan and his bad habit-
His twin lowered his head, embarrassed by what had happened.
-Leoxi, tonight I fall into heat, I will seclude myself where I always do -he approached and put his hand on her shoulder -He needed this time, together with Siran, to take care of the herd and take good care of my future wife. This time do not fail me-
-Yes brother- he opted for a straight and respectful posture- And what do I tell them if they ask? -
-The truth- he returned to his work -You know how I get-
His zeal was, unlike many, too strong, it made him totally lose his sanity, and the need to bite was terrible and although now he finally had someone to bond with, he did not want their first time together and their bond to be forced or violent. .
***
Nebraska did not perceive Hades and that surprised her, the wolf tried to be close to her most of the time so that she would get used to his presence and at that point she did not even bother. On the second day of hearing from him, she approached Siran, inside the alpha's office.
-Where can I find Hades?- She kept her back straight although inside she was more than nervous, she did not feel comfortable in his presence even if he was Sara's husband and she spoke wonders of him.
The wolf put what he was doing on the bureau and looked at her relaxed.
-He is confined, his stage of zeal has arrived and it lasts three days plus one for him to recover so we will not see him for a while, we have even had to postpone some matters- referring to Rudoc's conviction but he did not want to go into details .
She nodded with the palms of her hands sweaty, the word zeal and alpha in the same sentence made her panic, more than once she had felt firsthand the violence it generated in them.
Thanking him, she turned and left there, heading down the corridor that she knew by heart so she could walk without a guide.
-Ma- she heard a soft, feminine voice behind him.
-Catalina- she called her enthusiastically turning to meet her daughter, a little girl who would surely be beautiful if she could see her in detail.
-Ma, come with me, I want to show you something- the girl with a smile grabbed Nebraska's hand and pulled her, almost running down the hall. The wolf was carried away without worries.
By the time they had run more than stipulated and reached an area that Nebraska could hardly define, her hand was released by her daughter.
-Catalina?- She called her with a hint of distrust, something was not right, his instinct was saying it.
-Ma, follow me-
She defined in the distance the silhouette of the girl who was waving her arm into a darker corridor where the light only penetrated inside the black velvet curtains.
-Come back- Nebraska asked, frowning.
-Catch me ma, come-
The omega pursed her lips and advanced cautiously, listening to the voice of her daughter that was lost along the corridor. She stopped after several meters and suddenly began to tremble as an electric current ran through her entire spine. She swallowed hard and turned her face sideways.
Where was it? She no longer heard Catalina's voice, only a soft laugh, very slight in the distance.
She was about to take another step when the sound of a door a few feet from her slowly opened. If she trembled before, now she couldn't name what her body was doing. Stooping alertly, she took a step back to stand still.
A wolf came out of that room and stopped focusing his attention on her. She could even catch the glint in her eyes and the powerful, demanding scent of an alpha in heat permeated every part of the hallway to the point of being suffocating. She already knew where she was.
Where Hades was secluded and now, staring at her, like his next prey.