Bygone Love For The Alpha

The Jealousy In The Air

Ezra's words were muffled and hard to decipher amidst the overpowering malodorous scent that enveloped us. It was a struggle to focus, to process his words. Relief began to wash over me as the stench gradually faded away, allowing my thoughts to regain clarity. Gingerly, I uncovered my nose and mouth, but the unpleasant aftertaste lingered, stubborn and unpleasant. It left a bitter, earthy residue on my palate, prompting a grimace of distaste.

I waved my hand in front of my face as if trying to physically dispel the last remnants of the offensive odor that still seemed to cling to the air around me.

"I don't know. All I can say is I've never encountered that scent before," I responded, my voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and unease. "Should we be concerned that I could pick it up? Perhaps others noticed it too. We should check," I suggested, unwilling to believe I was the sole witness to the odor.

I offered a casual shrug, putting forth a speculative theory. "Maybe the rogues deliberately emitted it, you know? Perhaps they aim to instill fear in our minds, or perhaps it's a sort of defense mechanism against the Pack's warriors. Similar to how skunks deploy their spray," I suggested, drawing a chuckle from both of them at the unusual comparison. I couldn't help but acknowledge that it might have been a rather foolish analogy.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes in exasperation. "A simple 'no' would have been sufficient. There was no need for laughter," I retorted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into my tone.

Caleb teased me with a playful jab. "You've really taken on some human traits since you started living among them, Yoyo," he remarked, poking fun.

I'd already turned away and was striding towards the funeral site. I couldn't see their expressions, but I could easily picture Caleb's self-assured grin and imagine Ezra wearing a gentle, amused smile. Their camaraderie was a reminder of the bond I'd once shared with Ezra and the dreadful moments I had with Caleb. It tugged at a mix of nostalgia and resignation within me.

As we approached the funeral site, a weight settled over my chest, a tangible heaviness that seemed to grow with each step. The sight of Momo's casket sent a rush of bittersweet memories flooding through me. Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill over. A tight lump formed in my throat, making it hard to swallow.

For the next hour, the world around me seemed to blur and fade. I lost track of the presence of others. My entire focus was on the somber ceremony unfolding before me. One by one, people stepped forward to share their cherished memories of Momo, their words a testament to the impact she had on their lives. Each heartfelt tribute only served to deepen the ache in my chest, a poignant reminder of the void her absence would leave behind.

As my father addressed the gathering, recounting Momo's significant contributions to the Pack, a swell of pride and sorrow mixed within me. He spoke of her role as the healer during the challenging times of the 1948 war against the rogues and the clashes with the Weldom Pack in the 1960s. It was a testament to her unwavering dedication, and her selfless willingness to stand on the frontlines, tending to wounded warriors without a hint of fear for the enemy.

At that moment, I couldn't help but wonder where Ezra and Caleb stood, listening to these accounts of Momo's bravery and sacrifice. I hoped, deep down, that they felt a pang of remorse for not fully recognizing and honoring her immense contributions to the Pack. It was a bittersweet realization, the knowledge that Momo's legacy would live on, even if her efforts hadn't received the recognition they truly deserved.

As the casket gently descended into the earth, a solemn hush blanketed the gathering. One by one, people came forward to offer their condolences, their words a balm for our grieving hearts. In the close-knit omega community, the process didn't take long, and soon, the once-crowded space began to thin. What remained were a handful of neighbors, my family, and somewhat surprisingly, Ezra and Caleb. I had half-expected them to slip away once the formalities were concluded, yet there they stood, a comforting presence in the stillness.

My father, ever the diplomat, noticed their lingering presence. Alongside a couple of our neighbors, he approached the Alpha and Beta, extending his gratitude for their support and presence.

I stood close to my mother, avoiding any proximity to Ezra and Caleb. As my mother engaged in conversation with Aunt Amanda, my thoughts drifted back to what Ezra had mentioned earlier. I wasn't supposed to be able to detect the scent of rogues. This ability wasn't within the realm of what an omega should possess. So how was it that I could? Once we returned home, I resolved to ask my parents if they too had experienced the same scent. I hoped for confirmation, a reassurance that I wasn't alone in this strange experience.

Recollections of the previous night flooded my mind. The eerie green light emanated from the forest, the sinister black smoke consuming the foliage and snuffing out the vibrant life around it. Now, this putrid stench that seemed to linger in the air – were all these events somehow connected? A chill raced down my spine at the thought of a potentially malevolent force behind these occurrences. The unknown, the unexplained, left a sense of foreboding hanging in the air, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something dark was at play.

“Jade Hunter, is that you?” An unfamiliar voice shattered the cocoon of my thoughts, I couldn't help but gasp in surprise. My head snapped towards the source, and at that moment, I felt the weight of several curious gazes, including Ezra's, settling on me. Standing there was a man with a warm smile gracing his features. He was tall and lean, possessing a striking handsomeness. His brown eyes peered through stylish glasses perched on his nose.

Dressed in a simple blue button-up shirt and grey pants, he looked oddly familiar, though I couldn't immediately place him. A puzzled expression must have painted itself across my face because he let out a chuckle. "You didn't recognize me? I'm Seth. We went to middle school together," he gently reminded me.

A rush of recognition flooded my senses, the pieces finally clicking into place. Seth, a figure from my past, now standing before me.

Recognition washed over me, my eyes widening as the memories resurfaced. Seth Moss, a name from our middle school days, now stood before me. I was certain that Ezra recalled him too. A chuckle escaped me, a mix of surprise and delight. "Seth Moss?" I inquired, to which he responded with a chuckle and a confirming nod.

"Wow, it's been so long. Where have you been?" I asked, genuine enthusiasm lacing my words. Seeing a familiar face from the past was an unexpected pleasure. Seth was more than just an acquaintance; he was a fellow omega. I recalled our childhood days, the times we spent playing together before Ezra became a prominent figure in my life. Like so many of us omegas, Seth had been a target for bullying by the werewolf kids. He and his parents had left town before he even finished high school.

"I've been in New Jersey for the past twelve years. I work as a resident at Hopkins Hospital. I've been back to the Pack a few times before to visit my aunt. I tried finding you, but I was told you'd also left. How have you been? What have you been up to? We really need to catch up," Seth responded, his eyes gleaming with genuine excitement. His words filled me with a sense of anticipation and nostalgia.

I returned his smile, ready to share the details of my own journey, but before I could, Seth turned his attention to my mother. "Oh, hi, Mrs. Hunter. I'm not sure if you remember me," he addressed her, a polite warmth in his tone.

I noticed a glimmer of hope in my mother's eyes, a silent plea perhaps. Her gaze shifted between Seth and me. Oh no, I could practically read her thoughts. She yearned for me to find stability, to settle down. Ever since the Ezra episode, her worry for me had deepened. She'd often bring up the topic of dating, even suggesting that she wouldn't mind if I considered a relationship with a human, in stark contrast to my father's insistence on an omega match.

After my heart was shattered once, I closed the door on love. Many of my human friends attempted to play matchmaker, but it never felt right. There were a few initial dates, but the spark was never there. Ezra had left an indelible mark on my heart, and it seemed like he'd ruined me for good. The prospect of opening up to someone else felt like an insurmountable task.

"Of course, I remember," my mother exclaimed with a beaming smile, her hands gently resting on Seth's arms. "Momo and I used to make those delicious apple pies for you. You were quite the fan!" Her laughter rang out a little too enthusiastically for my taste. I could see the wheels turning in her mind, and I didn't appreciate it one bit. I shot her a pointed look, but she seemed determined to carry on, completely disregarding my silent protest.

"Oh, yes, I used to adore them. Got me all plumped up," he chuckled, his laughter carrying a hint of nostalgia.

Mom playfully swatted his arm, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, but just look at you now. Positively dashing. Don't you think, Jade?" she asked, turning the spotlight on me. It caught me off guard.

"Huh?" I stammered, utterly surprised at being pulled into this conversation. I couldn't believe my mother would do this. What if Seth was already involved with someone else? She couldn't have possibly just said that! It was beyond embarrassing. I shot her a sharp glare, but she seemed impervious to my silent protest.

Seth let out a soft, gentle chuckle, a faint blush tinting his cheeks. It was evident he felt just as awkward as I did. Clearing his throat, he turned his attention to my mother. "When I heard about Momo's passing, I knew I had to come back to pay my respects, Mrs. Hunter. She was such a kind and sweet lady. Please accept my deepest condolences," Seth spoke with a solemnity that showed his genuine regard for my late Momo.

My mother let out a wistful sigh, her head nodding slowly. "She truly was, wasn't she? Momo lived an extraordinary life. I hope to honor her memory every single day for the rest of my life," my mother confided, her emotions laid bare as she spoke to Seth. There was a fleeting pause, a shared moment of understanding and loss.

Then, a tender smile graced my mother's face as she placed her hand once again on Seth's arm. "Why don't you join us for dinner tonight, Seth?" she warmly invited, extending a gesture of comfort and connection amid our shared grief

Before Seth could respond, a sharp c***k pierced the air, followed by a resounding thud. I jolted in surprise, my heart pounding in my chest. My mother let out a startled shriek, her hand flying to her heart. All of us turned sharply towards the source of the commotion, only to find a thick branch sprawled on the ground beneath a seemingly healthy tree.

"What on earth was that?" I gasped, my eyes wide with astonishment and residual shock. My heart was still racing, the sudden and unexpected noise having caught me completely off guard. The scene before us was surreal and unsettling, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease.

"Oh my," my aunt Amanda murmured, her eyes fixed on the fallen branch. "There's an old saying that nature bears the weight of our emotions. It's widely believed that trees shed leaves and limbs in response to the envy and jealousy that surrounds them. I can't help but wonder what intense envy or jealousy this otherwise healthy tree must have sensed to lose a branch of that size," she mused, her tone filled with a mix of fascination and introspection.

I couldn't discern if it was merely folklore or held any truth, but instinctively, my eyes met Ezra's. He was already gazing back at me, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. I couldn't quite fathom his emotions, but there was an unmistakable air of displeasure about him. Whatever it was, I had a strong inkling that he wasn't pleased.