Chapter 3
When the riding party arrived at the Angel Pack’s village Nicole felt like she could breath again. The rest of the journey had been difficult. The Alpha’s daughter had the most incredible scent and it had Rua barking at her to catch up to the omega and speak to her.
It was obviously the omega was weary about her and she tried to discreetly ask her friend what she knew of the Alpha woman while looking over her shoulder continuously. Nicole had pulled back a few more paces in hopes of easing her worries without seeming obvious. Nicole was used to people reacting to her similarly but for some reason she and her wolf both wanted to show her she was not a threat in any way.
When Nicole saw the village she was impressed. Dotted around a vast grassland in the centre of the thick forest surrounding the village were pretty, little cottages made of stone with thatched roofs. Smoke was rising from the chimneys of most of the homes and even some sheep, goats and cattle were grazing freely.
The busy market place in the centre of the village was bustling with people who all excitedly greeted their Pack Alpha but many openly stared at Nicole when they caught her scent.
Julian pulled up to the Pack House, the largest stone building with a similar thatched roof but it was a long house, it was about the same size as Nedley’s and an older blonde omega in a rich white dress with a fur shawl smiled sweetly at Julian who jumped from his saddle like a bouncing pup and pulled this woman into his arms before kissing her passionately.
The beta woman, Wynonna, let out a loud gag which the surrounding people all laughed at. Nicole sensed this was a common joke and when Julian separated from his Mate he scowled playfully at his step daughter.
“Alpha, we missed you.” The woman, who was now flushed pink, smiled lovingly up at the man before her eyes turned to Nicole and she stiffened. “Who is that?” her tone was cold but Julian shook his head and told his mate through their mindlink that he would tell her once they were alone.
Nicole jumped off her horse as someone came forward to take it and care for it so she unloaded some of the Pack Alpha’s belongings from the sacks slung over the horses backs before she stood before the Alpha’s family awkwardly with her head bowed.
“Nicole, this is my Mate, Michelle.” Julian said brightly but the woman was looking at the stranger with a hard expression and many of those gathered around were also looking at her with scorn, disgust or unease
“Pack omega.” Nicole bowed her head again as she spoke respectfully. This caused a murmur to pass through the crowd gathered. This strange, strong, female Alpha Rogue was showing submission. Michelle’s eyebrow raised as she gave her Mate another questioning look.
Before anyone else could say anything else a sour scent of body sweat and stale ale caught Nicole’s nose and a young, male Alpha appeared as he pushed some of those standing in his way hard before he growled at Nicole.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Rogue?” he snarled as she shoved her. Nicole barely moved or showed any reaction. This blustering shit was the weakest Alpha she had ever met despite his big muscles.
“Champ, stand down!” Julian shouted just as the Younger male Alpha punched Nicole in the jaw. Again Nicole barely flinched but she looked at the Pack Alpha and the man gave a subtle nod. She had his permission to put this prick in his place.
As he made to swing again Nicole grabbed him by the throat and with her immense strength she easily hoisted him into the air. He let out a choked whimper and she heard the beautiful omega gasp. Waverly stepped forward but Wynonna pulled her back.
“Your Pack Alpha gave you an order.” Nicole growled as the man clawed at her Hand. She released him when his face went blue and watched him crumple into a heap with a pained moan. Nicole stepped back from him as Waverly ran forward and helped the lousy prick to his feet, fussing over him.
Nicole almost recoiled at the look the omega gave her. It was full of anger at her and it made the redhead want to curl up as Rua did exactly that with a sad whimper. This omega was with this weak excuse for a fenrir she had ever met. That made her feel something she hadn’t felt in a long time. A spark of jealousy.
Nicole knew that the Pack Alpha’s daughter was off limits so she told herself and her wolf to get a grip on themselves as she watched Waverly pull an angry and embarrassed Champ away.
“Come inside, Nicole, and I will have one of the servants show you where you can sleep.” Julian said but Michelle let out a surprised yelp before looking at her mate.
“You intend to allow her to sleep in our home? Are you ill? Insane? Drunk?” the Pack Omega growled in disbelief. “She’s a Rogue Alpha!” Julian put his hands up placatingly as he continued to smile easily.
“My Love, you have nothing to fear. I promise.” He said as he made his way inside and beckoning Nicole to follow him.
The longhouse was lined with tables and benches on either side of the main room and in the center was a long fire pit made of stone and piled high with charcoal and the entire place was lit with oil lamps. On one end of the main room was the family’s seats, where they ate and conducted business. Behind those were the doorways into the family’s quarters. A grand bedroom for the Pack Alpha and Omega and the second door lead to the bedroom that was not as plush but uncomfortable and that had been for the 3 daughters.
Now however Waverly had the room entirely too herself as Wynonna and Willa had both moved out of the Long house into their own homes with their mates.
On the other end of the long house was a loft with a staircase leading too it. This was where the servants slept. There were wooden bunks built onto the walls with a small fireplace and area to wash. This was where Nicole was shown to. She was given a top bunk in a stack of three that was close to the thatch and she made a mental note to find someway to create a barrier to stop small critters and the bugs in the thatch from falling on her. The top bunks were obviously left empty and were the least desirable and she was unsurprised the scowling male servant ordered her to sleep there.
There was some old hay and furs to use as a mattress and at the foot of the bunk was a small chest to keep her few belongings in. She easily pulled herself up to sit and began to unpack her bag into the wooden chest. Apart from her other tattered clothes she had a wooden comb, soap, two flint rocks for starting fires, a necklace with wolf’s fang that her mothers had given to her and she pulled out her knife from her boot, examining the elk antler handle and the knifes edge before she placed it in the box too before she made her way back down the stairs.
Michelle had pulled Julian into their private quarters as Nicole had been led away and rounded on him as soon as they were alone.
“By the Gods you better tell me what you are thinking bringing her here! Do you want to be overthrown?”
“She saved my life. I owe her a debt.” Julian explained and Michelle frowned.
“Saved your life? What happened?” she asked worriedly and scanned her mate. “are you hurt?”
“Dont worry, I’m fine but I happened to be attacked by the Pack of criminal rogues she had been tracking. Luckily for me. Nedley and I were hunting in our leathers and I was thrown from my horse, she protected me from harm and in so doing protected you and the girls.”
“Why didnt you just hand her a few coins and send her on her way? Why bring her home?”
“there is something about her I like. I believe she might be the key to whipping our young Alphas into something I can be proud of and confident in leaving my pack too and at the same time she has the exact talents I need to patrol properly. The wrong type of Rogue have been crossing into our territory more and more and I worry they are checking our defences. With her patrolling I’m hopeful her strong presence will deter them.”
“You saw how she lifted Champ! How will you stop her If she challenges you? You are strong, Julian, but that is something else.” Michelle said as she slapped his arm.
“I trust her. She’s young, alone and there is a sadness about her. I believe she is grateful for the job.” He shrugged as he sat and began to pull off his boots.
“Did you ask her how she became a Rogue? What she did to deserve such a fate? What crime she committed?” Michelle asked, frustrated and huffed when the man shook his head.
“I will when I get to know her more. It seems a rather personal question to ask someone who just saved your life.”
“Does she have to sleep in our Pack House?” Michelle growled with annoyance and Julian sighed.
“I will give her one of the vacant houses in a few days.” He said before yawning. “let us go eat and then go to bed.” He finished with a purr before kissing his mate who softened in his arms.