Omega Pride Ch. 08

Delphi followed him in soon after.

He leaned against a wall further away from her and took in a deep breath, slowly letting it out, '...You know how...the flats are separated by Thetas and Omegas, singles and mated wolves?'

'Yeah?' Delphi nodded after thinking about it, leaning against the arc of the kitchen entrance.

'Well...M-my parents are in one of the Omega mated wolves flats, and uh....my...my-my father...was...born from a different pack,' Jeremy told her.

Delphi's eyes switched to that of confusion. Was...was that it? She didn't see why he was so sadden over that. Heck, she even thought that was good thing! But...it wasn't over.

'He...he was...'

Jeremy took in another breath,

'My father...was—is responsible for the death of the last Alpha...'

Delphi couldn't hold back the gasp that past her lips, her hands arrived too late to stop them, but remained there as if they had.

'You know...the war between a Montana pack by the name of Wridann and the Delaney pack during the humans' Civil War? Yeah, my...my father belonged to that pack. He was a Beta to the Alpha there,' Jeremy looked out kitchen window, almost as if he was trying to escape, 'That pack's Alpha had assigned my father and three others to poison, weaken, and kill the former Alpha. Wridann saw him and the Delaney pack as an unjust threat, and didn't know if we were ever going to strike out against them or not; we didn't have any peace agreements with any of the other packs during that time. So...while Alpha Wridann and his pack assembled a decoy attack in front...my father and the three others took advantage of the lack of attention and attacked the former Alpha. But of course...he was the Alpha of this pack, and easily killed the other three...but not without injury and being poisoned. My father took advantage of those facts and well...nearly killed him.'

'Nearly?' Delphi asked.

'...My mother. She-she had been told by Beta Keric to go inform the Alpha that the Wridann were retreating. My father told me he was standing right above him, ready to strike the final blow. When she walked in that room...he hesitated. Course she also pushed him back to protect the Alpha,' He then touched his chest, just under his rib cage, 'My father still has the scar the former Alpha inflicted. Course, my uh, my father fled, but not without the Alpha's and his blood dripping from his chest and hands.'

Jeremy looked back at Delphi, 'He hadn't...exactly succeeded in killing the Alpha, but because of the Alpha's injuries, combined with the silver oxide used in the poison, he died. Um...when he returned to the Wridann pack, they found out that he had hesitated over a Delaney female, and they believed it cost them the other three lives. One of the three lives killed was the Wridann Alpha's son. But, to them, he was still a hero that helped fell the Alpha. So instead they kicked him out, chased him away, and made him rogue.

He was stuck on the borderlines of the states. My father couldn't return to Wridann, and it was suicide to try to go to my mother, especially since the former Alpha's mate—and the entire pack—was sure to be out for his blood if he had so much as stepped foot in Wyoming. He...he had to fight the mating pulls for...ah...almost 80 years, but as fate would have it, he ran into my mother somewhere in the Teton Forest—up North, you know—and after 80 years, they finally mated.

My father told me he really had no intention of going back to Delaney, but...my mother, being loyal as she was, had to go back.' Jeremy looked down at the floor, 'They were, well, my father fully expected to be killed on sight when they arrived at the compound, but...no one attacked. The older wolves wanted to snap his neck off, but were held back by Alpha Wyatt. Madam Alpha Adeline, had become...well...Madam Alpha during those decades. When they went to go see him...instead of...doing what he could...and probably should have done...he spared my father.'

Taking in a deep breath, he continued, 'To this day, my father remembers his exact words...and tries his best to make sure I don't forget them either. If I'm right, he had said, 'Wridann rogue, I have every right to kill you. You killed my father, pushed my mother to her death, and everyone from the Betas to Omegas hate you, and want you dead. But, be glad. I never saw exactly the same way as my father, or my mother. You also have mated with Emma, an Omega of my pack. For that I'll spare your life, but know this: You and your pups will never be anything more than Omegas in this pack, and any descendant of yours can never challenge to be any possession higher than what they're born into.''

'...So you are technically a Beta ranked wolf?' Delphi asked.

'Oh no, no,' He shook his head, 'My father honestly got lucky when facing the former Alpha. As for me, I'm pleased where I'm at in the hierarchy. Either that or my father would be dead, my mother would have been put down, and I would never had existed.' A small, yet sad smile played on his face, 'I have the upmost respect and gratitude toward Alpha Wyatt. Even though...it's just cleaning the manor floor and the blood stains from that time are long gone, I feel it's my duty to make sure they are clean. It's the least I can do.'

They didn't project anything else to each other, and Delphi heard the whispers of Tanja's curiosity, but she also heard the whispers of Jeremy's burden.

"...I'm sorry," Delphi spoke out loud to him, "I'm so sorry."

That sad smile grew on his face, "Don't be, Mrs. Delaney. It couldn't have happened any other way." He then sat up from against the wall, "I'm happy...that a wolf like you is the Alpha's mate."

"Now that's a first," She said with a slight chuckle, "Everyone else seems to think I'm a hindrance."

Jeremy shrugged, "That's just because they don't know how to handle it. The Deities set everything up as it is for a reason."

"...Everyone here really believes in those Deities huh?" Delphi asked him sincerely.

"Yes," Jeremy nodded without hesitation.

Delphi thought on it for a before she went back over to Tanja and she looked up at her before looking back down, twiddling with her fingers.

"I'm going to go now, okay?" Delphi told her.

"Okay," Tanja nodded.

"Are you going to be alright here until you've healed up?"

Tanja replied with more nods, "Thanks again....Delphi."

Delphi smiled at her before looking back at Jeremy, "...See you."

He replied with a wave of his own before she turned and headed toward the door. Wyatt wasn't lying when he said he wasn't entirely like his father. Her heart started to sink when she realized what he meant by his words of taking being like him was either an insult or a compliment. She regretted saying that to him. He had said he had similarities, but from what Jeremy told her...he was almost nothing like that monster. In new understanding, Delphi opened the flat door, and unfortunately was greeted by a tidal wave of whispers.

~*~*~

"Focus!" Katalin's words caught Delphi off guard, causing her claws to do a little more than leave a nick on her chest, making Delphi hiss in pain. "That marks the 15^th death by me today, Delphi," Katalin reverted back to her human form in front of her, "You are far more distracted than even your first day of training."

"I know..." Delphi panted. She really couldn't help it at all; ever since she left the flat a few hours ago, the whispers of others were starting to become individual monologues that clashed together in her ears. Even now, in the gym with only her, Katalin, Conroy, a few Deltas, and a couple of Thetas, if sounded like they were all talking at once without any purpose! What was happening? What was happening to her?

"...phi? Delphi!" Katalin snapped her fingers in front of her face, snapping her of her daze. "Did you hear me?" Katalin asked.

Delphi shook her head honestly, making Katalin sigh, "I said we'll continue at a later time. When you are truly ready, let me know."

Delphi nodded almost absent mindedly as Katalin turned and left the ring to put her clothes back on. Even when she focused on Katalin, the voices didn't entirely die out like earlier.

'She's wasting her time.'

'If I were in that Omega's position, I'd just drop training her.'

'15 deaths? That's just sad.'

'Needs to get her act together for Wyatt's sake.'

'I pray she never even thinks about trying to becoming Madam Alpha.'

'Fuckin' weak as hell.'

Delphi couldn't help but look in the directions of each voice. Inside her, her wolf was growling again. Why the hell were they all so focused on what was going on over here?! Delphi quickly got up. She had to find a place for some peace and quiet soon before her headache gets to be too much, but where the hell would that be? ...The suite!

She rushed out the ring and put on her cloths before heading toward the closest exit. Taking in a breath, she opened the door, the voices just as loud, if not more so. Her previously rushed walking seemed like a turtle's pace as she moved.

'Gotta train hard so mom and dad will be proud of me.'

'I should go on a run today. It's hell in the house.'

'Shit! Left the book on counter. Better not be wet....'

The previous whispers were all condensed into loud noises as she moved by.

'Why do I have to wash the sheets? Don't Omegas do that?'

'Damn! Damn! Damn! He's going to be so angry at me...'

Her headache was getting worse as she grabbed the sides her head. Hurry! She was starting to move into a run, the manor getting closer, but she felt as if she was waist deep in the voices—the thoughts!—of others! Her balance was starting to slip more than a little as she nearly tripped. It showed.

'What the hell's wrong with her now?'

'How unorthodox.'

'She's humiliating us.'

The manor was right there!

Just a little more...

She was more than a little jumpy when she accidently ran into a female. A Beta female.

"Watch where you're going, Omega," The female grumbled at her.

"S-s-sorr—" Delphi tried to mumble apologetically, but the voices were almost screaming at her, finally turning the headache into a splitting one. Stop!! Stop it!!

'Doesn't she know how to show any respect?'

'She can't even apologize for running into Miss Beatrix?'

Delphi through one closed eye could see two other females behind her. Her only unclouded sense of smell told her it was a Delta...and Sonja? She let out a grunt as the next wave hit her.

'She's even more senseless than she was this morning.'

'Why doesn't she just move out my way?'

'How and why is she the Alpha's mate again?'

'Move already.'

'Move!'

'Stop starving for attention and leave already!'

'What the hell is up with her?'

'Get out of my way!'

"SHUT UP!!! LA FERME! ARRÊTE DE ME GEULER APRÈS!!! (SHUT UP! STOP YELLING AT ME!!!)" Delphi screamed loudly, breathing heavily. "JUST!!! JUST SHUT UP!!!!!!"

The voices seemed to pull back...before a chaotic, massive wave hit her ears, turning them beat red.

'Who the hell is she talking to?!'

'What the hell?'

'Is she demented?!'

'Oh...Miss Beatrix is going to hand her ass to her...'

Beatrix? As her ears kept sharpening their reddened color, the ice cold chill ran down her spine as she slowly looked up to the Beta, the leaded, burning spicy scent of anger rolled of her.

"How dare you, Omega?" Beatrix's voice and growl were low and threatening, almost silent, but the fury in her teal eyes radiated roared rampantly. Even with her attention focused on Beatrix—who else could she really focus one right now?—she could hear everyone's thoughts, the overwhelming feeling of it all crowded her in a mental barrier, caging.....c-c-caging.... Fear enveloped her entire scent.

'W....W..Wy—' Delphi felt as if her feeble attempt to reach Wyatt couldn't get her out of this mental cage she was barred in. As she started to back away, she quivered in each step, her neck stiff even when she tried to will herself to show submission the stronger female. Beatrix growled at her menacingly, Delphi's already stiff neck turned to granite from fear.

"I-I-I-I—" Delphi's dipping, fear filled voice peeped.

"I tried. I really tried to ignore you. To accept that ridiculous 'fact' that you are our Alpha's...mate," Beatrix spat out the word, "I really tried to not let you get under my skin for taking who is mine, who I worked my hardest to please. But you just love to push my buttons, don't you, you Omega bitch?!"

"I'm..I...I didn't mean—" Delphi started.

"Shut the fuck up," Beatrix growled, her knitted eyebrows furrowed, "For someone who doesn't mind seducing the Alpha, you're much weaker when you are alone."

Deep inside Delphi's fear, a pool of anger lit in her wolf. Hearing Beatrix's words made her other self come through, Delphi's eyes glowing their inimitable colors. Delphi stopped moving back as she took on a challenging, angered...and dominant posture.

"That's none of damn business Beatrix," Delphi's voice came out accompanied by the sound of her growl, earning a doubled look and widened eyes by many, and from Beatrix, a slight twitch in her eye and upper lip quivered.

"I'm trying to say I'm sorry, and all you can think about is me getting out of your way, and talking to me about my mate. Not yours," Delphi said before the glow in her eyes started to fade.

"You unruly bitch!!" Beatrix's canines sharped, and in place of her nails, her claws sharped venomously as they darted out at Delphi, "You will learn your fucking place!!"

"And you will remember yours."

Delphi stared blankly, stunned as she saw the tip of Beatrix's claws in front on her face, held still. The voices had dulled down to a quiet whisper in the back of her mind. She...she had blacked out...For that split second. What happened? She looked at Beatrix's claws, her daze still in effect as she slowly glanced over at who had caught her by the wrist.

...Wyatt?

No...

Keric.

The daze was starting to subside as she realized what was going on, causing her to sway back a bit but catch herself. Her eyes widened as she looked at Keric. When...when did he get here?

"She has to be taught a lesson, Keric," Beatrix's growl disappeared in her low voice as she looked up at the large, towering male.

"And you insist on doing so out of jealousy? An emotion that brings great shame to Delaney?" Compared to Beatrix's voice, Keric's, despite his power, was extremely—almost frighteningly—serene.

Beatrix winced at his words, "But—"

"I am well aware of Wyatt's and your past history. But it is the past," Keric told her, "Has he once spared you such a glance since?"

"No..."Beatrix's words started to relax.

"And do you doubt the judgment of the Deity of Fate and Bonds herself?" Keric asked.

"No," Beatrix looked away, leaving his gaze and let the top of her dirty blonde head be at the mercy of it.

"And did you, yourself, ever at all feel a pull toward him?" Beatrix flinched at those words before she started to open her mouth.

"Did your wolf ever at all feel a pull toward him, Beatrix?" Keric asked once again.

"...No," Beatrix answered, her voice losing the last of its energy.

"Put away your claws, Beatrix," Keric told her quietly.

Hesitantly at first, her claws slowly retracted and turned back into regular nails. Once she did, Keric gently released her wrist without so much a bruise on it.

Beatrix looked at Delphi, a slight glare in her eye before darting a glance at Keric, "I refuse to accept her as Madam Alpha, Keric. None of us accept her—"

"She is not Madam. My sister is," Keric cut her off with his eerily peaceful voice, his gaze still on her, "If you believe you would make a better Madam Alpha, challenge Adeline yourself."

Beatrix winced once more at his words. Finding nothing to go against him, she quickly passed them and went inside the manor, closely followed by the Delta; Sonja didn't follow and left for a flat. Keric looked over at the watching wolves, and without a second glance, they quickly went back to work.

Delphi stared at the Beta male in bewilderment. He really could be Alpha if he wanted to, couldn't he? She didn't know if he was stronger than Wyatt, but it seemed to stem from his experience and the respect he had from the rest of the wolves. As Keric turned to leave Delphi spoke up, "W..why did you help me?"

He stopped and turned to look over at her. "For several reasons, Miss Delphi," Keric spoke fluidly, "For one, you are Wyatt's mate, no matter how strong or how weak you are. Another reason would be that you were in apparent pain before your outburst. She was too blind with jealousy and annoyance to see that."

Delphi looked down as he continued up the steps, "...Thank you."

Keric looked at her once more before sparing a small smile, "You are welcome, Miss Delphi." As Keric touched the knob he added in quietly, "I've looked after Wyatt for a long time, since the day he was born, and he has displayed more care and emotion for you than he has for anyone else here, including his own parents. Including Adeline and myself. I would protect you with my life if that meant he wouldn't end up like his ancestors, like his father and grandfather."

Delphi stared after him as he walked inside, standing silently against the steps herself. Her mind was in a mess and didn't know what to focus on. In one area, she worried about what Beatrix would do if she ran into her again. In another, she wondered why she could hear everyone's thoughts, and why it quieted when Keric was near. Another little saddened thought wondered why Wyatt couldn't hear her. She had—well—she tried to reach him. The last mess was that despite being afraid of Beatrix, she blacked out and came to with her claws in her face. Why had that happened? Something like that hadn't happened since the old packs...

The quieted whispers started to rise in volume once more. Not again! Delphi looked about her before moving up the stairs. To the suite....to the sui...Wait a moment. What if she heard them up there? No! But...if the voices quieted down with Keric....

'W....Wyatt?' Delphi tried their mental link, 'Wyatt where are you?'

It was quiet as if she was talking to no one. Why was that happening?! Worry started to try and reenter as did the volume of the voices so she quickly sniffed for him, the voices getting louder with each step. She found his smell in his study and wanted to smack herself for not knowing any better. Without even so much a knock, she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

Silence.

Dear sweet silence.

Delphi never thought she'd see the day where she welcomed it so openly. She let out a sigh of relief as she put her head against the door.

"Delphi?" Wyatt's voice made her turn around, seeing him sitting behind his currently book buried desk.

She honestly didn't know whether to be upset that he hadn't heard her or relieved that with him near, she couldn't hear anyone.

She decided to go for somewhere in the middle.

"Wyatt, why didn't you hear me?" Delphi asked passively as she started to go toward him, "I tried to call for you just now, but you didn't hear me. Why?"