Read Howling for Freedom :: The Alpha's Claim(1/2)

The evening air was crisp as Noah Smith stepped out of the coffee shop, the faint scent of roasted beans lingering on his clothes. He pulled his jacket tighter around himself, the cool breeze a stark contrast to the warmth he’d left behind.

His shift had been long, and his body ached with the familiar exhaustion that came from overexertion. He was just about to head home when three Alpha enforcers blocked his path, their imposing figures casting long shadows under the streetlights.

“Noah Smith,” the lead enforcer, a broad-shouldered man with a sneer, said, stepping forward. “You’re late on your monthly quota. Hand it over.”

Noah’s jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides. “I’ve already given more than my share this month,” he said, his voice steady despite the fatigue weighing him down. “I can’t give any more. My body can’t take it.”

The enforcer’s laugh was harsh, mocking. “You think we care about your weakness? You’re an Omega. Your only purpose is to serve the Alphas. Now, give us what we came for, or we’ll take you in.”

Noah’s heart pounded, but he didn’t back down. “I’m not your property,” he shot back, his voice sharp. “I’ve done my part. I won’t let you drain me dry.”

The enforcer’s eyes narrowed, and he took a menacing step forward. “You think you have a choice?”

Before the situation could escalate further, a cold, commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Enough.”

All heads turned as Clara Wilson stepped into the light, her ice-blue eyes glowing faintly in the dimness. Her presence was electric, the air around her crackling with an unspoken authority. The enforcers stiffened, their bravado faltering under her gaze.

“Clara,” the lead enforcer said, his tone cautious now. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Clara’s lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. “Everything in this town concerns me,” she said, her voice low but carrying an unmistakable edge. “And I suggest you leave him alone.”

The enforcer hesitated, glancing between Noah and Clara. “He’s an Omega. He’s supposed to—”

“I know what he’s supposed to be,” Clara interrupted, her voice cutting like ice. “But I also know what he is—a person. And you’re not going to touch him.”

The tension in the air was palpable, the enforcers clearly weighing their options. Finally, the lead enforcer muttered a curse under his breath and gestured for the others to back off. “This isn’t over,” he said, shooting Noah a glare before they turned and left.

Noah let out a shaky breath, his shoulders sagging with relief. He turned to Clara, his gratitude mingled with a flicker of something else—something warm and unspoken. “Thank you,” he said quietly.

Clara’s gaze softened as she looked at him, her icy demeanor thawing just a little. “You shouldn’t have to deal with that,” she said, her voice gentler now. “You’ve already given enough.”

Noah met her eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’m used to it,” he said with a shrug, though the weariness in his voice betrayed the bravado.

Clara stepped closer, her presence both comforting and electrifying. “You shouldn’t have to be,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re stronger than they give you credit for.”

Noah’s breath caught as she reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against his arm. The touch was fleeting, but it sent a shiver through him, his heart pounding in a way that had nothing to do with fear. He searched her eyes, finding something there that made his chest ache—something that felt like longing, though he couldn’t be sure.

“Clara…” he started, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the words.

But she just smiled, a small, knowing curve of her lips. “Get some rest, Noah,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “You’ve earned it.”

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Noah standing there, her touch still lingering on his skin like a promise. He watched her go, his heart racing, and for the first time in a long time, he felt something other than exhaustion—something that felt a lot like hope.

The air in the room was thick with tension as the enforcers stood their ground, their stern faces unyielding. Clara Wilson, the Alpha leader, stepped forward, her presence commanding and unshakable. "Leave," she ordered, her voice low but firm. The enforcers exchanged uneasy glances, one of them stepping forward to protest.

"Miss Wilson, this is a direct violation of the Pheromone Trade Act," the lead enforcer said, his tone laced with caution. "You know the consequences."

Clara's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through the man as if he were nothing more than an insect. "I am the Alpha leader," she stated, her voice steady and unyielding. "What I say goes. Now, leave."

The enforcers hesitated for a moment, their resolve wavering under the weight of her authority. Finally, they turned on their heels and left, their footsteps echoing in the silence they left behind.

Noah, who had been standing quietly in the corner, looked up at Clara, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and confusion. "Why did you do that?" he asked, his voice soft but laced with an edge of suspicion.

Clara turned to him, her expression softening just a fraction. "Because I believe in second chances," she replied, her tone gentle yet resolute. "And because I trust my instincts."

Noah's eyes searched hers, trying to decipher the truth behind her words. "You don't even know me," he said, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

Clara stepped closer, her proximity sending a shiver down his spine. "Maybe not," she admitted, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But something tells me you're worth it."

The space between them seemed to shrink, the air charged with an unspoken tension. Noah's breath hitched as he felt the warmth of her body so close to his. "You're taking a big risk," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Clara's lips curved into a faint smile, her eyes locking with his. "Sometimes, risks are worth taking," she said, her voice laced with a hint of mischief. "Especially when the reward is as intriguing as you."

Noah felt his heart race, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. He wanted to trust her, to believe in her sincerity, but the walls he had built around himself were hard to break down. "What if you're wrong?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Clara reached out, her fingers brushing against his hand in a gesture that was both tender and electrifying. "Then I'll face the consequences," she said, her voice steady and unwavering. "But I don't think I am."

Their eyes remained locked, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Noah felt a pull, a magnetic force drawing him closer to her. He wanted to say something, to voice the storm of emotions swirling within him, but the words caught in his throat.

Clara, sensing his internal struggle, took a step back, giving him the space he needed to breathe. "Take your time," she said, her voice soft and understanding. "I'm not going anywhere."

Noah watched as she walked away, her presence lingering in the room like a warm embrace. For the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope, a spark of something he had thought was lost forever.

And as he stood there, he couldn't help but wonder if Clara Wilson was the key to unlocking the chains that had bound him for so long.