Chapter 4 My Baby Brother Is An Alpha

COLBY'S POV My heart thumped aggressively as we approached the midwife's quarters, walking on the leafy path that the moonlight had generously lighted. “You feel that too, right?” I asked Gerard whose senses were already on high alert. “Yes I do.” He pushed me behind him protectively, and held out his right hand to shield me. The way he was acting, fueled my fear. And the urge to turn back and break into a wild run, overwhelmed me. I could not help it, nor resist it. “Gerard?” I called out, my voice almost a whisper, as I retraced my steps slowly. He turned to look at me, his eyes filled with disapproval. He shook his head and stretched his hand, signaling me to wait. And I did, with my heart in my throat. Each seconds that we both spent here, made breathing a difficult exercise for me. And the more I tried to identify where it was coming from, the more my chances of living became thinner. My palms became clammy, and my lashes fluttered endlessly as I swallowed several lumps of saliva. “Mmmm...” I trembled. Being the least ranked wolves, omegas generally were beings that were not fashioned to take in volcanic energies or harsh pheromones. But that was something the alphas and betas could do without breaking a sweat. They were born to withstand pressure, which was not same for us. I hated this. This feeling of constant fear. Sadly, it was an attribute that was inbuilt in me, that was embedded in my soul. Something that wasn't well appreciated by the entirety of my pack. We got to a building which was a stone's throw from the midwife's quarters, and the aura became strong and suffocating. It came out in massive waves, saturating everywhere like a thick fog. I knew that whatever was making us feel this way, was a combo of fear and anxiety. I could smell it on the tip of my nose. A strand of Gerard's hair fell over his face, and he tucked it behind his elongated ear. He had already started using his super hearing senses. “I hear too many heartbeats.” He spoke to me through the mindlink, not wanting to announce our unwanted presence. “Yes, I hear them too.” I confirmed. We stayed still, hiding behind the wall, till we heard a voice. It was a rough masculine voice. “You have to calm down, Alpha Fenris,” As soon as we heard that familiar voice, we both froze, turning to face each other. “INKO!!!” We shouted at the same time, surprise written on our face. We looked like two hyperactive new police recruits, eager to prove ourselves and dying from enthusiasm on our first task. Inko was father's beta. He was thirty-nine and he was mateless. Rumor had it that he rejected his fated mate because he found out that it was a man. Since then, the moon goddess had cursed him to remain single forever. We could only hope that the moon goddess would eventually pardon him and lift the curse. But with Inko’s recent demeanor; looking broken and remorseful, it was clear that he had learnt his lesson. Even Meka, the blind beta werewolf in our infirmary could see that. Unable to control ourselves anymore, we tiptoed to the edge of the wall that shielded us and peered over. The sight that followed, shocked us to the core. We never expected to see half of the pack gathered here. They were clinging to one another with grim expressions. Inko’s voice rolled out again. “Luna Alyssa will be fine. The baby will also be alright.” Fear gripped me tightly, and I unconsciously clutched Gerard's shirt, giving it a rough squeeze. “Mother has not given birth yet,” I said to Gerard with a cracked up voice.“What could possibly be wrong?” “Relax, Colby. Your mother and her child will be okay.” He tried to calm me, but it seemed ineffective at this point. I opened the bond again to reply him, but a familiar, authoritative voice echoed in the air and I stilled. “I warned her, Inko,” father started, his voice laced with grief. “I warned her not to come in contact with him.” Now, mother's shrill cries, alongside the four lettered word ‘push’, filled the tensed air. It was emanating from the closed room in front of father and Inko. I heard her labored breaths from where I hid, and I feared for her life. Was this what childbirth entailed? I never knew it would be this painful. So this was what she passed through to give birth to me? Inko looked perplexed. It was like a serious thought was running through his mind. He opened his mouth to say something. And as if father knew what Inko would say, he shouted. “I warned her to steer clear from that bastard omega.” He blurted out in rage. That was a stray bullet I never expected. His words dived straight into my eardrums and nestled there. He was referring to me. Me? A bastard omega? I went deaf momentarily, hearing nothing, save for a shrill sound that kept resounding in my ears. Even the words that Gerard communicated to me via the mindlink, came off like a static radio in my head. I left my position, and tiptoed backwards. And the moment my back touched the smooth wall behind me, my emotions capsided and hot tears flowed freely down my cheeks. Gerard slowly left where he stood and stooped close to me. He kept on persisting, poking my mind, trying to get me to listen to him. His voice had become a bit clearer now. “Look at me Colby,” he begged me but I refused. “LOOK AT ME!!!” He shouted, using his commanding tone as an alpha to get my attention. “Listen to me, you are nothing close to a bastard. You hear me?” he said, holding my gaze with his charming eyes that had tenderness in them. At that point, I wondered what I had ever done to deserve this kind of attention from a stranger. We've never crossed path since my years in the pack. Not until this day. Why was he, an alpha, acting so good to me? Me, a worthless omega. One who was rejected by his own father. I thought all members of the pack hated me but Gerard proved me wrong. Maybe there were some who don't hate me. Or maybe he was the only one who would be my friend. When I thought father had finished, he fired on again. “Now look at what is happening. I guess he has rubbed off his ill luck on her. That is why it is taking time for her to give birth.” My heart ached as he said those spiteful words, and more tears streamed down my face. Gerard's countenance got my attention as I cried. His squinted eyes narrowed, his jaw was clenched hard, and his lips were pursed. He looked like he was going to kill somebody. “It’s okay. Please don't cry.” His hand rested on my back, and he gave it a gentle caress. Inko spoke again, but mother's screams prevented me from hearing all he said. “... please don't.” That was all I picked up from what he said. Father responded, his loud voice swallowing mother's pained cries. But what came out of his mouth terrified me greatly. “I will, Inko,” he said, through gritted teeth. “I won't just kill him. I'll make sure I peel all his skin and feed him to the vultures in the woods.” Mother gave a long lasting scream, and afterwards, everywhere became silent. The tension and fear intensified. And everyone including Gerard and I, stiffened. What happened? Had she given birth? Or could it be that she had di... I shook my head, waving off the negative thoughts in my head. I could not bear to think that mother would leave me now. “What is going on in there, Dora?” Father asked Gerard's mother as he paced around impatiently. He growled uncontrollably, spooking everyone with his charged pheromones which he unknowingly emitted. But instead of a reply from her, all he got was a piercing cry of an infant. A turbulent wind blew, and I knew this was no ordinary wind. It was a sign that we'd all been waiting for. “It’s an alpha. It's an alpha...” The whole crowd broke into joyful shouts, and the once-tensed air was filled with merriment. Just then, a loud bang erupted, and the laughter intensified. I need not anyone to tell me what just happened. I already know that Gerard and his mother would have to sleep without a door tonight. “It has happened. It has happened...” I repeated with smiles on my face as I faced Gerard, fluttering my wet lashes like an electronic doll. A sudden happiness coursed through me, and I rushed out from my hiding place. Gerard followed suit, and we became the center of attention. The mirthful atmosphere lessened a bit as all eyes darted towards our direction. Whisperings started flying amongst them and they all killed me with their eyes. Some looked at me with anger, and the others looked with disgust. “Colby, don't be scared.” Gerard communicated to me, his voice breezing into my mind. I turned back and looked at him. “I am not. ” My response shocked him and he looked at me like I was high on something. But the truth was that, this hateful crowd were the least on my mind now. My legs began to move and I found myself walking past the crowds whose mouths were wide open in shock. Their dazed countenance boosted my morale and I puffed out my chest, quirked my brows, and held my face high, giving them bombastic side looks as I walked. More gasps escaped their lips, and joy bubbled within me. Since they don't care about me, it wouldn't hurt to return the same energy. In a fleeting moment of happiness, I thought I was Prince Philip, the Disney character in 'Sleeping Beauty’. As I neared the room, Gerard's giggles filtered into my mind. “Take care of yourself, Colby.” “I will dear.” I said, and entered the room with abundant smiles.