The Mating Game - Chapter 5：4.

We hadn’t been driving that long when Alpha Lithe pulled off onto a little dirt road secluded from the main road and hidden by brush. I had driven this way into the city many times and never noticed it.

The dirt drive was long and winding, the forest on either side alive with life. I would have plenty of room to run, to let my wolf out. I wondered how she was taking this, slipping back into my mind and finding her purring in content at being near her mate. I rolled my eyes at her and focused on the clearing a few yards ahead of us.

There were houses all over the clearing, like a giant neighborhood shoved into the middle of the woods. Some were large and elbaorate, spanning out massively while others were small and modest. There was a little diner and a few shops lining the street as we continued down it. I watched people strolling the sidewalks carelessly, kids running happily through the streets. Alpha Lithe kept his eyes alert the entire time, making sure none of the kids ran in front of the truck.

We were pulling away from the little town then, futher into the woods as I looked behind us in the sideview mirror. I noticed some kids behind one of the buildings, yelling towards a smaller child who cowered beneath them. Anger flared in my veins and I was brought back to the time I first met Mikayla. She was a tiny she wolf, and delicate, she was shy and sweet, and had the biggest heart of anyone I’d ever known. We were on break at school in junior high when I noticed her in the same situation as the boy I saw now. I went to her aid, and I got my butt kicked back then for it too, but now I could do something. It took everything I had in me not to shift as I watched the largest boy strike the little boys face.

“Stop the truck!” I shouted as I fumbled with the seatbelt and dashed out of the truck before Alpha Lithe even had time to stop. I ran up to the kids, who I noticed now were a little older than I’d originally thought. They had to be almost in high school, 15 or 16 in age. I grabbed the large boys wrist just as he pulled it up, planning on striking the kid once more.

“If you touch him again I will rip this arm from it’s socket and you will never see it again.” I growled and the boy laughed. He laughed in my face, turning towards me and striking me instead. I felt his hand connect with my cheek, I felt my head snap to the side, but I didn’t go down. I straightened my spine and began to shake with anger.

“Do yourself a favor you dirty rogue and get gone before my Uncle shows up.” The boy spat as Alpha Lithe made his presence known then. He took one look at me and his eyes went black, focusing on the mark I was sure was forming across my cheek.

“Who laid a hand on her?” He growled, none of the pups saying anything. I took the moment to hurry towards the boy on the ground, kneeling next to him and checking his wounds. He was small and delicate, no more than 11 in age, his brown hair was rough and frazzled, his brown eyes scared as he looked up at me. He was black and blue from head to toe, and it broke my heart to see the deep purple bruises already forming across his face.

“Come on,” I spoke softly to him, “I’m not gonna hurt you, let’s get you back home.” I pulled an arm underneath him and helped him up, realizing he was taller than me. I pulled his arm around my shoulder to help steady him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” The boy who hit me shot out venmonously, gripping my upper arm. It was ripped away milliseconds later and Alpha Lithe was reeling, if it were possible I’m sure steam would have shot out from his ears.

“He’s the one who hit me.” I told him smally, helping the boy walk until we were safely behind him.

“Dylan, you did this?” He growled, taking a step towards the startled boy.

“Yeah Uncle Colt, she’s a dirty rogue, what does it matter?” The boy stuttered.

“What does it matter? I’ll tell you why it matters. You just laid a hand on your future Luna, that’s what matters!” Alpha Lithe, who’s name I now knew as Colt, roared towards the boy, the color draining from the poor kids face.

“I’m sorry Alpha,” He said bowing his head submissively, “We didn’t know. We were just roughing up the Omega’s son and she came over and threatened me. I defended myself.”

“Defended yourself?” I growled then, “You can defend yourself but this poor kid can’t while you and your pack of goons belittle and degrade him to nothing?” I turned towards Colt then, “If this is what goes on in your pack, I want no part of it.” I shot, turning and helping the young boy back towards the town.

“Just point me in the right direction and I’ll get you home. You’ll be safe, I promise.” I smiled towards him and he nodded towards a little side street. We walked for a little while in silence before he finally spoke up, whispering softly. “You’re our new Luna?”

I nodded, “I guess I am. I was a Beta’s daughter in my old pack. I sort of knew I’d end up with an Alpha.” I sighed, pulling myself out of my pity party. “What’s your name?” I asked the boy and he smiled towards me. “My name’s Kyle.”

“Well Kyle, you can call me India.”

“I don’t think Alpha Lithe would like that.” He breathed in fear.

“Well Alpha Lithe is a pain in my ass anyway so I might as well make it worth my while.” I said as we came to a small house situated on the outskirts of the large neighborhood. I helped him up the small steps as he fished the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. I helped him inside and to the couch as he sat down gratefully. A very worried man rushed down the stairs then, and I assumed it was the packs Omega, the boy’s father.

“Please don’t hurt him anymore.” The older man breathed as he stayed close to the staircase, not daring come near me for fear I would strike out at him.

Omega’s are the packs punching bag. They’re the lowest wolf on the food chain so to speak, and they’ve usually done something to deserve the title, wether it’s betrayal or leaving and trying to come back into the pack. We never had Omega’s in my pack, it was frowned upon by Alpha Shelton. Sure, we still had bullies and weak wolves, but that’s to be expected in any society.

“I’m not here to hurt either of you.” I spoke soflty and honestly towards the man. “I found Kyle with Dylan and the other boys and I got him out of there. I understand you’re an Omega, but that title shouldn’t pass to your son. He’s done nothing wrong.” I frowned.

“He’s helped me when I was taking the beatings. No one is supposed to help an Omega. We are to take our licks without question or complaint.” The man spoke sadly.

So Kyle had be shunned for sticking up for his father, inadvertantly earning him an Omega title as well.

“You shouldn’t help him again, you’ll end up like both of us.” His father spoke sadly again.

“No need to worry about me, I’ll be fine.” I smiled.

“She’s our new Luna.” Kyle smiled up at me then, and I realized he was older than I’d thought, maybe 16 or 17.

The door opened then and Colt walked in, reeling with anger as he pulled me back against his chest, burying his nose in my hair. I rolled my eyes as Kyle adverted his and his father hit the ground onto his knees, bowing his head towards Colt.

“There’s no need to bow like that, a simple head inclination will do.” I smiled but he looked behind me towards Colt for permission.

I growled and turned towards Colt then, “If you do not strip the Omega title from this family and banish it all together so help me I will reject your sorry ass and high tail mine out of this place so fast your big head won’t be able to keep up.”

He studied me, waiting to see how serious I was. “I, India Collins, rej-” I began as a big hand clamped over my mouth. “Fine,” He growled, “Fine, I’ll strip the title, they’ll be safe.”

I jumped around happily then and hugged him, taking him by surprise as he took a moment to hug me back. “Okay we can go back to the truck now then.”

He held up a finger, motioning for me to wait, as he walked towards Kyle’s father then as the man knelt before Colt. “I, Alpha Colton Lithe release you, Ken Howard and your son Kyle Howard from your positions as Omega of this pack.”

I smiled brightly as I watched Ken embrace his son, as Colt took my hand and lead me back towards the truck. I jumped in quickly, bringing the door shut behind me and fastening the seat belt. He started the truck and headed back through town, leaving the clearing behind as we headed into the woods again.

“Where are we going?” I asked after a moment, curiosity reeling through me.

“To our home.” He said matter of factly and I sighed, hoping I wouldn’t hate it right off the bat.