Read Howling for Freedom | Tapas Web Community

Noah Smith woke up to the damp chill of his tiny apartment, the faint light of dawn filtering through the cracked blinds. His wrist felt heavy, the silver band that marked him as an Omega glinting coldly in the dim light.

He ran his fingers over the smooth metal, a constant reminder of the chains he couldn’t break. “Another day,” he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. He dressed quickly, the fabric of his worn sweater scratching against his skin, and grabbed his bag before heading out.

The streets were quiet, the air crisp with the early morning dew. As he walked, a group of Alpha wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes sharp and predatory.

They smirked as they passed him, one of them deliberately bumping into his shoulder. Noah stumbled, catching himself before he fell. “Watch it, Omega,” the Alpha sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. Noah clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, but he kept his head down. “Sorry,” he muttered, his voice tight with suppressed anger.

The encounter left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he forced himself to keep moving. The coffee shop wasn’t far, and he needed the distraction. As he pushed open the door, the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped him, soothing his frayed nerves. “Morning, Noah,” his coworker, Mia, greeted him with a bright smile. “You look like you’ve had a rough start.”

Noah managed a small smile in return. “Just the usual,” he said, tying his apron around his waist. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Mia raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on his wrist where the silver band peeked out from under his sleeve. “You know, you don’t have to let them get to you,” she said softly. “You’re stronger than you think.”

Noah’s smile faltered, and he looked away. “It’s not that simple,” he replied, his voice barely audible. “But thanks, Mia.”

As the morning rush began, Noah threw himself into his work, the familiar rhythm of brewing coffee and taking orders providing a temporary escape. But even as he moved through the motions, his mind kept drifting back to the encounter with the Alphas. The fire of resentment burned brighter in his chest, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had to change.

The bell above the door chimed softly as Noah stepped into the dimly lit coffee shop. The scent of freshly ground beans filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of pastries. Ethan Davis, his Beta boss, was hunched over the counter, meticulously counting the inventory. He glanced up and gave Noah a curt nod, signaling him to get ready for the day’s hustle.

Noah moved swiftly behind the counter, his fingers brushing against the polished surface as he prepared the espresso machine. The shop was quiet, save for the hum of the refrigerator and the occasional clink of dishes. But the tranquility was short-lived.

An Alpha customer, tall and imposing, strode in with an air of entitlement. He ordered a latte, his voice dripping with condescension. When Noah handed him the cup, the man took a sip and grimaced. “This tastes like shit,” he sneered, slamming the cup down on the counter. Coffee sloshed over the rim, staining the pristine surface.

Noah’s jaw tightened, but he forced a polite smile. “I’m sorry, sir. Let me make you another one.”

As he prepared the new latte, he could feel the Alpha’s eyes boring into him. When he handed over the fresh cup, the man’s fingers brushed against his wrist, the cold metal of his silver ring sending a shiver down Noah’s spine.

The Alpha leaned in, his voice a low, menacing whisper. “Omegas should know their place. Don’t get any ideas about rising above it.”

Noah’s heart pounded, but he held his ground, his voice steady. “Your coffee, sir. I hope it’s to your liking.”

The Alpha smirked, taking the cup and turning on his heel. Noah watched him go, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped the edge of the counter. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the encounter. But the man’s words lingered, a bitter aftertaste more potent than any coffee.

As he wiped down the counter, Noah’s thoughts drifted to the other Omegas he knew, struggling in the shadows, their voices silenced by the oppressive hierarchy. He clenched his fists, a spark of determination igniting within him. They deserved better. He deserved better.

The door chimed again, and Noah looked up, ready to face whatever the day would bring. But deep down, he knew this was just the beginning. The fight for equality was far from over, and he was ready to take it on, one cup of coffee at a time.

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting the city in a dim, amber glow. Noah adjusted the strap of his backpack, the weight of its contents pressing against his shoulders as he navigated the labyrinth of narrow alleys.

The air was thick with the scent of damp asphalt and faint traces of desperation. This part of town was a world away from the polished skyscrapers and bustling streets he frequented during the day. Here, the forgotten ones gathered—Omega and Beta wolves, their eyes hollow yet defiant, their spirits frayed but unbroken.

Noah’s boots crunched against the gravel as he approached a small huddle of figures. A frail Omega woman, her silver hair shimmering faintly in the moonlight, looked up at him with watery eyes. Her hands trembled as she reached out, and Noah knelt, his voice soft but steady.

“Here,” he said, handing her a small bundle of food and a vial of medicine. “It’s not much, but it’ll help.”

The woman clutched the items to her chest, her fingers brushing against his. “Thank you, Noah,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “You’re always so kind.”

Noah’s lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “We’re all the same,” he murmured. “Helping each other is the least we can do.”

As he stood, the weight of her gratitude pressed heavily on his chest. He turned away, his jaw tightening. The injustice of it all burned like a fire in his gut.

These people—his people—were cast aside, stripped of dignity and left to fend for themselves. And for what? Because they weren’t born with the right scent, the right status?

“Noah,” the woman called out, her voice trembling. “Be careful. They’re watching.”

He paused, his heart skipping a beat. “Who’s watching?”

She didn’t answer, her gaze darting to the shadows. Noah followed her line of sight, but the alley was empty, save for the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. Yet, the unease lingered, settling like a cold hand on his spine.

He nodded, his voice low. “I’ll be fine. Take care of yourself.”

As he walked away, his mind raced. The system was broken, and he was just one man trying to hold it together. But for how long?

The night deepened, the streets growing quieter with each step. Noah’s thoughts were a tempest, swirling with anger and helplessness. He rounded a corner, his senses on high alert, when a familiar scent caught his attention—rich, earthy, and unmistakably Alpha.

“Lost, Noah?” a voice purred from the darkness.

He froze, his pulse quickening. “Liam,” he said, his tone guarded. “What are you doing here?”

Liam stepped into the dim light, his broad frame silhouetted against the night. His amber eyes glinted with mischief, and a sly smile played on his lips. “Just taking a walk. Same as you.”

Noah crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing. “This isn’t your usual stomping ground.”

“Maybe I was looking for something—or someone,” Liam replied, his voice dropping an octave. He stepped closer, the heat of his body radiating through the cool night air.

Noah’s breath hitched, but he held his ground. “And did you find what you were looking for?”

Liam’s smile widened, his eyes roaming over Noah’s face. “I think I just did.”

The tension between them was palpable, a silent dance of challenge and curiosity. Noah’s fingers twitched at his sides, his body betraying the calm facade he tried to maintain.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Liam,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Danger’s my middle name,” Liam countered, his grin turning wolfish. “But you already knew that.”

Noah’s lips parted, but no words came out. The air between them crackled with unspoken desire, a magnetic pull that neither could— or wanted to—resist.

Liam’s hand brushed against Noah’s, the touch fleeting but electric. “Be careful out here,” he murmured, his breath warm against Noah’s ear. “Not everyone has your best interests at heart.”

And just like that, he was gone, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had appeared.

Noah stood there, his heart pounding, the scent of Liam lingering in the air. The night had taken on a different tone, one filled with secrets, danger, and the promise of something he couldn’t quite name.

As he walked home, the city seemed to whisper around him, a symphony of hidden truths and unspoken desires. And in the midst of it all, Noah couldn’t shake the feeling that his life was about to change—for better or worse.

Noah stood in front of the mirror, his reflection staring back at him with a mix of exhaustion and defiance. His fingers traced the cool, unyielding surface of the silver band around his wrist.

It was a symbol, a shackle, a reminder of the world that sought to control him simply because he was an Omega. His jaw tightened as the memories of the day flooded back—the condescending glances, the whispered judgments, the way they looked at him as if he were less than human.

“Someday,” he murmured, his voice low but steady, “I’ll break these chains. Not just for me, but for all of us.” His fingers tightened around the band, the metal biting into his skin. But it wasn’t just anger that fueled him now. There was something else, something burning in his chest—a spark of hope, a vision of a future where Omegas weren’t bound by society’s expectations.

He leaned closer to the mirror, his breath fogging the glass. “You’re not just what they say you are,” he whispered to his reflection. “You’re more than this.” His eyes, usually so guarded, softened for a moment, revealing the vulnerability he rarely let anyone see. But then they hardened again, the fire returning. “And I’ll prove it.”

As he turned away from the mirror, his mind raced with plans, possibilities. He wasn’t sure how yet, but he knew he couldn’t keep living like this—silent, subdued, compliant. The silver band wasn’t just a piece of jewelry; it was a reminder of everything he was fighting against. And fight he would.

His hand brushed against the edge of the dresser, and he paused, his fingers lingering there. He thought of the people who had tried to silence him, to keep him in his place.

But he also thought of the ones who had stood by him, who had seen him for who he truly was. They were the ones who gave him strength, who made him believe that change was possible.

With a deep breath, Noah straightened his shoulders. The weight of the silver band was still there, but it felt different now—less like a burden and more like a challenge. He glanced at the mirror one last time, his reflection staring back at him with a determination that hadn’t been there before.

“Watch me,” he said softly, a small, defiant smile playing on his lips. And with that, he turned and walked out of the room, ready to face whatever came next.

The silver band glinted in the light, a silent testament to the battle he was about to wage—not just for himself, but for everyone who had ever been told they were less than they truly were.