Chapter 9: Discover

Suffering. It was the initial thing I noticed as I gradually returned to awareness. A profound, aching pulsation surged through my arm, spreading to every nerve throughout my body. My limbs felt as if they were crafted from stone, burdened by fatigue and loss of blood. 

I struggled to open my eyes, yet my sight was blurred, and the surroundings were a blend of soft hues and moving shades. The aroma of wet soil permeated my senses, intermingled with a more pronounced odour—smoke and pine. 

I was no longer in the forest. 

Squinting through the mist, I became aware that I was reclining on a heap of furs, my form partially covered by a thick blanket. A faint light shimmered afar, the cosy orange tint of flames flickering on timber walls. My brain battled to keep pace, to assemble what had occurred. The surprise attack. The battle. The unknown person with silver eyes. 

Where was I? 

A noise. 

I tensed up, compelling my slow-moving body to remain motionless as loud footsteps drew near. The aroma of power permeated the area before I laid eyes on him. Alpha. 

Then—he appeared in sight. 

Lofty, wide-shouldered, and strikingly authoritative, the figure in front of me resembled a fighter. His dark hair was brushed back, full and a bit messy, as though he had been raking his fingers through it. A scar ran along his left eyebrow, just above his icy blue eyes—detached, scrutinizing, inscrutable. 

Initially, he remained quiet. Just examined me. 

His eyes darted to my wounded arm, then returned to my face. Assessing. Computing. 

"You’re awake," he finally remarked, his voice deep and steady, infused with a commanding presence that made me shudder. 

I gulped deeply, forcing through the aridity in my throat. "Where am I?" 

His lips twitched slightly, but it wasn’t a smile. More like amusement, laced with something sharper. “My territory. Redwater.”

Redwater. 

Realization hit me like a chilling surge. Redwater was among the most powerful packs in the area, recognized for its relentless fighters and powerful Alpha. A group that was unwelcoming to intruders—particularly to rogue omegas such as myself. 

I jumped up too quickly, a piercing pain racing through my arm. A hiss slipped from my mouth as I grasped the bandaged injury, my sight momentarily swirling. 

He stayed still and didn’t assist me. 

Simply remained in place. Observing. 

“You’re fortunate my team discovered you before Jared's did,” he remarked, arms crossed over his wide chest. "Otherwise, you would be dead." 

His voice sent a shiver down my spine, yet I maintained his gaze. “Have you rescued me?” 

One dark eyebrow raised a bit, suggesting he found the inquiry entertaining. "I don't usually take in stray animals." 

I winced at the term but held back my words. Now was not the moment to be on the defensive. Not when I was uncertain if he intended to let me go—or to end my life right there. 

“Exactly how long have I been here?” I inquired instead. 

"Two days," he replied. "We found you when you were hardly breathing." 

A pair of days. Jared would be looking for me. The idea twisted my stomach in knots. If he had followed me this far—I wasn’t secure yet. 

I attempted to shove the blanket away from me, urging my aching body to shift. “I have to leave—” 

"Remain on the ground." 

The authority in his tone was undeniable. 

My body responded before my mind, my muscles freezing as if bound by an unseen power. My wolf whined within me at the sheer authority in his voice. 

I gulped nervously, disliking how readily I had complied. 

His eyes slanted a bit. "You have an injury." "And whether you are aware of it or not, you’re not in a state to run." 

I tightened my hands into fists, anger coursing through my veins. I lacked the time to take a break. Not while Jared is pursuing me. 

He observed me for a lengthy time as if considering something in his thoughts. He then breathed out forcefully, sweeping his hand through his hair. "Whom are you escaping from?" 

I faltered. I had no trust in him. Could not place my trust in him. However, what options were available to me? He understood I wasn’t merely a wandering rogue. 

After a pause, I responded. Jared Whitmore. “Alpha of the Midnight Moon Clan.” 

A flicker appeared in his expression at the mention—recognition. 

“Jared,” he said again, his tone impossible to interpret. "Therefore, you are the omega he turned down." 

Heat flooded my face. Certainly, he was aware. Word spread quickly in the werewolf community, and my embarrassment from the Moonrise Ceremony likely circulated rapidly. 

I raised my chin a little. "I departed by myself." 

His lips twisted into what resembled a smirk. "That’s not what his men said when they entered my territory in search of you." 

I caught my breath. Jared's crew was present here? 

A chilling wave of dread swept over me. “Have you—?” 

"I returned them in fragments." 

My stomach churned at his nonchalant tone, at how he expressed it so straightforwardly. As if the death of Jared's men had no significance to him. 

Since it did not. 

Since he was Derek Blackthorn, the Alpha of Redwater. 

My heart raced. If Jared were aware that his men had been slain, he would come for me. 

Derek observed me intently, as though he could perceive my thoughts. “Jared must truly desire you again if he's dispatching warriors to pursue you.” 

I gulped heavily. “He doesn't desire me.” “He simply doesn’t want anyone else to possess me.” 

His face shifted, an enigmatic thought flickering behind his blue eyes. 

“Now you need to make a choice, omega.” His voice was measured and unhurried. "You have the choice to continue running—or to remain." 

I stopped breathing. “Remain?” 

A leisurely nod. "You entered Redwater land." "That means you are now my issue." He stopped, allowing his words to resonate. “If you remain, you’ll be secured by my shield.” Jared is not going to lay a finger on you. 

A portion of me wished to seize the opportunity. A strong Alpha providing me with security? It exceeded anything I could have wished for. 

Yet another part of me was unsure. 

No pack accepted an omega without a reason. 

"What's the trick?" I inquired, my tone softer than earlier. 

He grinned slyly. "You’re astute." I enjoy that. Then his grin disappeared, substituted by an expression that was more aloof. "If you remain, you'll earn it." "My group does not provide shelter at no cost." 

I tightened my jaw. Certainly. 

And still… remaining could be my sole opportunity for survival. 

Jared would always continue pursuing me. 

However, Derek Blackthorn? 

He could very well be the Alpha powerful enough to block his path. 

I inhaled gradually. 

And decided on my option. 

“I will remain.” 

Derek locked eyes with me for a brief moment, as if gauging my determination. After a brief nod, he faced the door. 

“Then, welcome to Redwater.” 

He exited, leaving me by myself in the softly illuminated room. 

I breathed out unsteadily, my heart continuing to race. 

I had narrowly avoided Jared. 

Yet, a feeling inside me hinted that I had just entered an even more serious peril.