Mads

(One week later)

Levi's family was wonderful. His parents asked me every morning if I needed anything. Abbe got me a book of poetry that he got at the market, Smilla hugged me all the time, and Levi... Levi!

He showered me with kisses and hugs. But unfortunately almost never undisturbed, because Smilla stuck to me. But that didn't bother me. She was cute and loved that her brother had found someone to smooch. And I learned something new about Levi: His best friend was called Gael and the two liked to play crazy pranks on their pack. The day before, they had secretly pinned a note on Noah's back that read ‘Kiss me, I'm your cuddly dog’. It took a few hours for Noah to notice the prank.

I liked Gael. He was a friendly, funny boy with grey eyes, blond, short hair, and brown wolf ears. Levi liked to call him his 'best accomplice'.

Noah was a good friend. When he heard that I liked to draw and sing, he brought me pens, paper, and a book of simple children's songs. He even offered to practice reading with me.

In a week I should start to visit the pack school here. But they gave me time to settle in.

Sometimes I felt lonely. I missed my parents and Emmie. Especially Emmie.

She hadn't visited me. Maybe it was too early? Couldn't she sneak away? I hadn't ventured out of the village, fearing that my old pack might drag me back against my will. Therefore, I could not check whether she might be waiting for me in the gorge.

I was walking through the village when a familiar smell crept into my nose, like an annoying insect. Adahlia. She was in front of the village.

Skeptically, I followed the smell until I saw them. Balder had also noticed her and stood growling as a wolf in front of our village. He gave me a quick glance, then stood by my side as I walked towards my favorite sister.

"What do you want?", I asked in greeting.

"Check on you." She smiled innocently. "Our parents stubbornly claim they were held back by the wolves of this pack. I don't believe them, but I can't prove it. I didn't see anything! Nevertheless, I mentioned my distrust of Alpha Alva. But she believes them. She said that as long as I can't prove it, she wouldn't do anything. Are you happy about that? Maybe I should take you with me so you can confirm my suspicions for Alva?"

"How is Emmie?", I asked instead. Balder growled and showed his teeth.

"Emmie? Oh! You might be interested in that!" Now she grinned. It was a gruesome grin.

"Of course, I'm interested in how my best friend is doing!"

"She's gone. And it's your fault." Adahlia winked at me.

"What? Gone?" I felt cold. "What happened?"

"The soldiers came and demanded our omega wolves. You. But we didn't have any, so the agreement was stopped for the time being. They took Emmie to sell her at the market.  Emmie and two other older wolves shouldn't have been taken away. It's your fault. Yours alone. You sent Emmie to the witches. You condemned her! But I should thank you. Now she is no longer in Einar's way. We will be a good team one day. I've always liked him better than your annoying friend."

"Hey! You! Get out!" Levi and Noah came running up to us and stood in front of me.

Adahlia looked at them curiously. "And? Have you both been with my brother... He is an omega. I wouldn't be surprised if you took advantage of his embarrassing weakness", she whispered. "Is he any good? As a mattress?"

Noah growled. "Get away! You crazy psychopath! Or we attack, and that would end very badly for you!"

"All right. Have fun with my brother! He must be good for something, otherwise, you wouldn't have wanted him." Laughing, she hurried away.

Mattress? I felt sick.  Emmie! No! You promised!  Emmie was gone. Forever. And it was my fault.

"Emmie was taken away by the soldiers", I murmured. Tears rolled down my cheeks. "She was taken away because I fled!"

Levi kissed my cheek and pulled me to him. "It wasn’t your fault. That's not true. The Queen and her soldiers did that. Not you!"

"Levi is right. Come. We'll take you home and then there'll be a cup of hot chocolate." Noah sighed sadly. "I can't believe your sister said such a terrible thing about you. You're not an omega anymore, Mads. And you're safe with us."

Balder snorted in agreement.

In the evening, Levi and I lay together on my bed. I snuggled up to him and enjoyed the warmth and smell of his body. It had taken me some time to calm down.

I hummed bitterly the melody of my swear word song. Levi grinned.

"You have a charming voice", he murmured. "You should be a singer."

"I don't know", I mumbled and stopped humming.

"No, please!" He kissed my curls. "Don't stop. It sounds so beautiful!"

"I love you too", I said with a smile and rolled up on top of him. "But now I'd like to do something different."

"And what?" Levi's cheeks slowly turned red and his wolf ears twitched excitedly.

"Kiss you", I whispered in his ear before our lips met.