Hidden
Chapter 4

Alaya walked through the house she had been born in, raised in. It hadn't changed at all, but then again in hadn't been years, merely weeks since she had last stepped foot through the doors. The dark green rug that graced the hallway was still worn in places, pictures still hung on the walls reminding her of her happy, carefree childhood. It stung a little, how distant she felt from the little girl in the pictures.

Alaya heard soft laughter coming from the door on her right just up ahead where she knew the kitchen lay. She instantly knew it belonged to her mother and sisters and she desperately wished she had the strength to go through to them. But things were different now, she was different. And she hated knowing how they would look at her now that they knew their eldest daughter and sister was an Omega. She didn't want their disgust. Or their pity.

She stilled as she got to the deep blue door that would lead to her fathers office at the end of the hall. It looked smaller than she remembered, unassuming. But Alaya knew what lay beyond it and that was a hell of a lot bigger than what she was ready for.

Alaya took a deep breath and forced herself to open the door, determined to just get this over with despite the dread that pulsed in her veins. If her father kicked her out of the pack, made her a lone wolf, she would deal with it. She wasn't phasing anyway and had no plans to. Maybe she could use this to start a fresh? Live like a human out there in a world where no monsters existed? None that they could see anyway.

Her father's eyes met hers the moment the door revealed him, soft smile on his face like always when he saw her. His eyes looked tired now though, the Amber glow not as bright as she remembered. Looking at him you wouldn't know he was the strongest Alpha you would ever meet, longest reigning too at that moment. His dark brown hair mirrored her own although his was greying slightly at the sides. His face was strong and defined as if chiselled out of granite but his eyes always softened his features. Well Alaya thought so, despite being able to also pin someone in place, make them squirm as he held their gaze. His eyes had a hidden power behind them.

"Malyutka. How glad I am that you have come to see me."

He used the term of endearment he had always done, the word pouring over her like warm water and made the knot that was constantly in her stomach feel a little less tight. He still looked at her the same way he had always done and that was what had worried Alaya and kept her from him, from her family. Worried they might disown her simply because of what she was. He opened his arms to her and she stilled, unsure for a moment if she should step into his embrace. The sadness that flickered across his face at her hesitation made the decision for her, forcing her feet forward and into his hold. His strong arms wrapped around her just like always, making the world feel better, more safe just with his presence. She snuggled into him for a moment, feeling 5 years old again. As if she could pretend for a second that the only thing wrong was a grazed knee and her father could fix her up by just planting a magic kiss on it. Just for a moment everything would be OK. He smelt of coffee, the undertones of the forest still clinging to him from his last phase. After a while she realised her father wasn't going to be the one to to bring them back to reality.

"Didn't have much of a choice now did I?" she replied, smirking over at Fen who stood at her father's right side like usual as she stepped out of his embrace.

"You always have a choice Malyutka. Fen was just there to ensure you made the right one," her father smiled as he pointed to the seat in front of the desk, letting Alaya know this wasn't just a fleeting visit, she was expected to sit. She begrudgingly walked towards the chair sitting heavily like a tantruming teenager, staring at the items on the desk instead of meeting her father's gaze.

There was a picture of all of them together from a few months back. Her mother with her deep red hair and green eyes at the back with her father right beside her. And then there were her sisters, Alexa and Alana sat in front of them with herself and Alexander sat next to them. All of them had their father's looks, strong features and dark brown hair making them all look remarkably similar. The same blue eyes that all pups had reflected back at the camera, all apart from Alaya. Her silver eyes shining even in the picture, singling her out even back then. The sign of an Omega she had come to realise, showing what she would become. But looking at that photo she couldn't help but notice how happy she looked, how happy they all looked. She felt so very different now.

"How have you been? Looking after yourself? No one is giving you trouble?" he asked, the concerned father coming to the forefront instead of the Alpha. She smiled softly up at him, preparing the lie on her tongue.

"Yep, everything is just like it was before. I'm fine," she breathed, trying her best to keep the smile on her face. The last thing she needed was her Alpha father fighting her battles, proving she was as weak as they all thought she was.

Fen cleared his throat beside her father and Alaya looked at him hoping he wouldn't say what had happened earlier. She silently begged him to just stay quiet but the look on his face told her her pleas would remain unheard.

"She isn't phasing Clement," he stated, no apology in his eyes as he held her gaze. She broke away to stare at her hands, knowing her father wouldn't understand this in the slightest.

"Alaya?" He let the question in her name ask instead of the words. Alaya remained quiet, looking at the lines on her fingers, little grooves that carved their paths across them. They reminded her of scars, proof of how hard the world was on her hands. And on her heart.

"Alaya," he repeated her name more forcibly this time, commanding she look at him but she ignored it. She didn't have to answer to him anymore, not if she didn't know his plans yet. Not if he wasn't going to be her Alpha soon.

"And Luther has been giving her a hard time, amongst others," Fen continued and Alaya looked over at him, the anger palpable in the air.

"Would you just quit talking," she hissed, resisting the urge to get up and strangle him so he couldn't breath, let alone tattle tale. Had he been following her, keeping tabs on what was happening? Well he could of announced his presence. Alot of what had happened over the past few weeks wouldn't of if he had.

"Answer your father's questions and I won't have to," Fen replied, smirk on his face as if he knew she wanted to kill him right now.

"I did," she retorted.

"Not truthfully," he continued, breaking her gaze and staring off out the window.

"Why haven't you been phasing Alaya? You know your wolf won't like being caged," her father said, concern in his tone at her decision. And that's exactly why she hadn't wanted to tell him. An Alpha couldn't understand what it felt like, to hate a part of yourself so much yet miss it desperately all at the same time.

" I can't," she breathed lowly, her walls that she had in place protecting her from the onslaught of emotions breaking down. She didn't want to be discussing this. Not now.

"You must," her father urged and that was all it took to break them down completely.

"I must? I must?" She yelled, standing up out of her chair feeling caged in, like her wolf. "Is that a command Alpha? Because if it's a command then OK then. I best go outside and phase now into whatever poor pathetic attempt of a wolf I have left inside of me. Make myself even more vulnerable than I am now. I won't do that to myself. I won't make myself what you all believe me to be. My wolf isn't a part of me anymore," she continued till angry tears ran down her face. Because that's what she was. Angry. No angry didn't even begin to cover it. She was disgusted. Heartbroken. Betrayed by something inside of herself.

"Alaya," her father soothed, hand outstretched to comfort her but she backed away, not wanting to be consoled right now. Especially by her father. Her Alpha.

"Just get on with it will you. Kick me out because trust me I'll be fine. You won't have to worry about me anymore!" she shouted, wanting to get this over with now that she realised he wasn't going to say the words first. For years Omegas were cast out. Her father had been the one to do so. Just like the Alpha before him and the Alpha before that. Luckily most of their pack were made up of Betas and a very select few were born to be Alphas so being cast out was something very few worried about. Alphas had two options after the ascendants ceremony. Challenge her father or join the council as heads of the houses. Most chose the latter because if they challenged him and lost they were cast out just like the Omegas were. Alaya didn't know what happened to any of them after that. The only ones allowed to stay were the ones bound by marriage already. But seeing as all wolves found out their status when they were 21 that was rare. And Alaris obviously wasn't about to declare his undying love for her so she didn't see what other option there was for her father.

"I'm not sending you anywhere Alaya. Now sit down for a minute and take a breath so I can talk," he lowered himself first which is something he would only do around her. His eldest. The one that was meant to make him proud. Alaya sat wiping the hot tears from her face as she waited for him to continue.

"Now are you calm?" he asked and she nodded her head, stifling the rapid breaths that were determined to escape and prove her a liar.

"I have decided the best course of action here is to find you a mate. Now seeing as Alaris isn't by your side and the fact Luther is giving you trouble I'm guessing that's not an option for the two of you now correct?" he continued, his eyes burning a little brighter at the thought of anyone not choosing her. Alaya nodded again knowing it was best to keep quiet, not fuel his rage with more information.

"Well then I've found you another. One that I know will treat you well despite, well everything. One that will make you happy at some point I hope and one I'd trust with you," he explained, smile spreading across his face as he continued. Alaya looked at him confused. He had found someone who wanted to mate with an Omega? What was wrong with that wolf? Was he an Omega himself? Or was this a punishment inflicted for breaking a pack rule? The latter seemed unlikely as her father said he trusted him, knew he would treat her well so a pack member being coerced wouldn't fit that.

"Who?" She asked, curiosity burning a hole on her tongue. Fen cleared his throat again and she looked over at him. Did he know this wolf as well? As his gaze found hers again she instantly realised that was true. Very true.

Fen must know him incredibly well indeed.

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