Chapter 137 Alpha Ruel
Ruel’s POV
Omar hesitates, as though debating whether to be involved in whatever argument we are having or just retreat.
Then his gaze flicks to Elric, and like recent times, something shifts in his expression. Taking another stride, he changes his mind, stepping forward instead of retreating, his confidence nearly tangible.
Elric watches him approach with a glint in his eyes. I can't tell if it's pride or mischief. But I do know that after the fight yesterday I can no longer see Omar as anything short of worthy-of-his position.
He was very easily the smallest sized fighter but he owned his space. The few who'd taken him for granted definitely got the worst hits.
Omar stops in front of him and holds out a small cloth-wrapped bundle. Looking closer, I realize it's a food flax. I had not even noticed it in his hand until now.
My stomach churns, remembering the absence of a meal for days.
“Here,” Omar says calmly with a bit of restraint in his tone. “You look like you have not eaten since the last full moon.”
Oh, so this is for him… not me. Got it.
Elric takes the bundle and his fingers brush Omar’s deliberately. The touch is slow, lingering too long to be named an accident.
Yet Omar doesn’t pull away. I watch silently the unmistakable red that creeps down the sides of his neck.
Elric’s mouth curves into a sly grin. “Careful, guard. People might think you actually give a damn whether I starve.”
Omar snorts, “Don’t flatter yourself. If you collapse, it becomes my problem and I do not tolerate inconveniences.”
His gaze shifts, almost absentminded. “Make sure you both eat.”
“Flattery.” Elric unwraps one corner of the flax just enough to let the scent of roasted meat and sauce drift out.
He looks up through his lashes. “Or are you trying to bribe me into shutting up?”
“If I wanted you quiet I would have poisoned it.” Omar crosses his arms.
My suspicious gaze drifts to the meal for a second but then I remember the obvious. There's no way Omar will hurt Elric.
“You believe Omar can't hurt his mate yet you deceive yourself that when you see our mate you'll have the balls to hurt her.” Krist scoffs, rolling his eyes.
My face crinkles in a frown.
The royal guard stays stiff, but his eyes keep darting to where Elric’s thumb still rests against the edge of his own fingers, rubbing gently with a sly grin.
“Eat,” Omar swallows. “B..before it gets cold and I have to hear you complain about that too.”
“Be honest, you like it when I'm troublesome.”
“I like hearing you breathe. That is about the limit of my patience.”
That, if anything, should have shut my childhood friend up.
But it doesn’t.
Instead Elric’s grin deepens, something softer lingering in his eyes.
“Is that so?” He steps forward, straightening after dropping the meal on the table. He easily towers over Omar now, close enough to make his intention obvious. Close enough that Omar has to tilt his head to hold his gaze.
“Because last time I checked,” Elric mutters, his voice deeper yet softer. “Your patience ran out somewhere around the last time you fisted my hair like a beast.”
My brows furrow in confusion but the flush on Omar's face deepens.
Elric's eyes drop to the smaller man's lips.
“And yet…” he adds, his voice buttery. “you didn’t walk away.”
The tips of Omar’s ears suddenly look scorched. He swallows hard before speaking. “That was… different.”
“Was it?” Elric asks with a raised brow, closing the gap between them.
Omar’s jaw works. He glances sideways toward me, then back to Elric.
“Not here.” he says quietly, his voice edged with a shy warning.
Elric’s smile turns wicked. “Why not? Ruel already knows I am insufferable. He will not be shocked to learn you have terrible taste in men.”
“You are impossible,” Omar mutters, but doesn't step back.
“And you’re blushing like a virgin at his first rut.” Elric slowly brushes his thumb along the shell of Omar’s ear. “Adorable.”
Omar catches his wrist. “Elric.”
Elric’s gaze darkens. “I know those tears earlier weren’t just for show, honey.”
Omar exhales, almost a growl. “Eat your damn food.” he says, pushing Elric's hand away.
Elric finally steps back, lifting the food in a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”
Omar turns toward me then, his cheeks and neck still red, but he schools his expression into something closer to his usual calm. “How are you feeling?”
I keep the knowing smile on my face. “Alive.” I say, “That is more than I expected some hours ago.”
I'm taken by surprise when he suddenly bows, deeper than he has ever bowed to me before.
“Thank you. For what you did out there. For standing between the rogues and the pack, for saving the pups, for saving all of us.”
My heart warms at his words, the cold air seemingly no longer in existence. “It is what any of us would have done.”
“No.” Omar straightens. “It is what you did. And the pack will not forget it in a hurry.”
I nod, frowning when the motion pulls at the bandage on my head, worsening my headache.
“You mean more to them now than ever before. I doubt stepping forward to the alpha challenge would gather you more enemies than you already have, alpha Ruel.”
My eyes widen at the title. The honor in that name causes the similitude of an earthquake in my heart.
“It’s been years without anyone who could keep alpha king Andre accountable. Please reconsider. Vahl needs someone who can actually lead and not just impose authority.”
After speaking he stands straight, studying me for a while.
Alpha Ruel
I don't know how to feel about that. But the title fills Krist up with so much joy, making him hop around while wagging his tail.
“And now that your rank has been recognized… The pack will ensure you will be treated as what you are. Please forgive us for how we treated you before. We did not understand then.”
He glances behind him and from behind the door, a young girl and a boy even younger step out.
“When you are ready,” Omar continues. “Anna and her brother Oren will show you to your room.”
The young girl grips her brother’s hand tightly, keeping her head bowed.
Anna and Oren. Why does it sound familiar?
I frown slightly, but the memory refuses to surface.
Omar bows once more then exits. All of a sudden I'm an alpha. What am I supposed to do with this title? What does this even mean? Who really am I?