Chapter 23: Chapter 23

/His POV/

As as soon as the rogue came straight at me with the sword in all its glory, I decided to disarm the man. That would be easy. Instead of fighting in our wolves form, Chiron, the rogue, challenged me for a dual in our human condition. How could I back down from that?

He swiped the blade towards me, the sharp edge glistening in the light as I quickly ducked from harm's way. Taking a deep breath, I shot up in an instance and brought my forearm up to block the man's arm from bouncing back, the blade just inches from cutting my cheek.

I hooked my arms in a tight grip around his arm, smashing Chiron's forearm into the edge of a nearby table, completely disarming him.

Loud cheers and hoots echoed around me as the rogue groaned in pain at the sudden impact. The sound of the sword clattering to the ground echoed just a few steps away.

Bending down, I held the sword straight out to point directly at the Alpha. He was still

reeling from the impact, pitiful moans escaping his lips. I never took my eyes off from the Alpha despite the cheers going on around us or the female screaming for Chiron. The Alpha rogue was not alone; a beta accompanied him. Maybe his mate.

Chiron had his hands up in front of him as he took a step back, his brown eyes showing fear. From the barely developed features and his more petite frame, I could tell the Alpha was younger, most likely in his early twenties. Why would he challenge me? That might have taken him a lot of guts. Or he's desperate to find a pack.

"Please don't hurt me," The rogue begged under his breath, tears pooling in his eyes.

The female beta cried harder, rushing beside Chiron and did the same. Her hands folded together, lips wobbling. I couldn't help but remember the fear in Rose eyes as she saw me kill a rogue.

"Please spare my mate."

I shook my head. Why was I thinking of her? Something like that wouldn't affect me at all. I beckoned Matt, one of the betas and asked him to tend their wounds. They both looked beaten up, with scars and cuts on their face and shoulder.

"Alpha, are you sure?" Matt looked taken back by my suggestion.

I flashed my eyes at him. That was enough for him to get moving. Both the rogues started expressing their gratitude.

"You can be a part of this pack, but there will be some rules you have to follow. Matt will explain to you the way."

They both bowed to me before walking away.

"That was sweet of you, Alpha!" Liam raised his brow, walking towards me.

I groaned, running a hand through my hair and trying not to flinch. My beta looked almost happy. Maybe I should not have done it. There was no going back now.

"You're exaggerating. I was only thinking of the pack. Chiron has excellent sword skills. We may as well take advantage of that."

Liam hummed, grin still curving around his lips. "Sure, Aiden."

"Can you drop it?"

"Fine", Liam breathed. We managed to make it to the benches by the locker before collapsing. The training always made my limbs ache, but it's necessary for a Pack Alpha.

"Rose was asking about my mate today."

I narrowed my eyes. "Did she say something?"

Liam rolled his eyes. "You need to relax. She's a sweet girl. The omega is trying to adjust to the new life and getting to know everyone."

My lips pulled in a straight line. Rose bought in on herself. Maybe if the omega hadn't switched places with her sister, nothing would have happened to her. "What did she say?"

"Oh," Liam breathed. "Asked me about my mate, congratulated about my pup. Very caring indeed."

"Nothing like your dear friend" He added the last part as a jab.

I tried not to let out a sigh. My beta, Liam, disliked Ria for some reason. From the teenage years. No reason specified. Despite my incessant asking, he did not give one firm reason.

"Not this again. Ria is also a decent one," I started, defending my friend. "You just need to spend time with her."

"I don't need to get within ten feet of her imported perfume or whatever shit she's tainting her scent with." Liam twisted his lips. "My mate will kill me if she smells that devil on me. I love you, brother, but I cannot pretend to tolerate her."

"Give her a fair chance, Liam. Don't you think you're unfair? What has she ever done to you?"

It was almost as if Liam froze for a second, but then his face moulded back into impassiveness as if nothing happened, "Nothing, she has done nothing to me."

"So you admit that you're ridiculous?" I asked, reaching to grab a bottled water from the nearby stand. Liam made no move to hand it over, which was strange. He sat still, lips pulled together and deep in thought. "What is it?"

"Nothing," He said, shaking his head. "Absolutely nothing."

"Okay, then..." I eyed him carefully. "So you'll give her a chance then?"

Liam frowned, rubbing his face. "I'll try."

"That's all I ask for."

***

Liam left early to look after his pregnant wife, so I stayed behind. When I was packing my things, footsteps echoed from my behind. Turning around, I came face to face with Ria, who had a scowl overtaking her features. She crossed her arms and stood in front of me.

"Hi?"

No response.

"What happened, Ria?"

"I met Matt on the way over. He had two pathetic-looking rogues with him. I cannot believe what he said!" The beta threw her hands in the air dramatically. "What were you thinking about allowing those filthy wolves in our pack?"

I opened and closed my mouth, unable to answer that.

"Did that mate of yours bewitch you with her scent and pretty face?"

"What?" I furrowed my brows at that. "What are you even saying?"

"Everyone knows omegas are descendants from witches; that's how they get Alphas under their thumb" Ria twisted her mouth. "Most of the omegas are trained to beguile innocent people into doing whatever they want; it's all in their scent."

It's a rumour. An ugly one made my beta females, which has been going around for a while. The scent part may or may not be accurate because omegas have the sweetest, delicate scent compared to betas.

Now that I thought about it, the thought of Rose flashed in my mind during training. I went from being furious towards the rogues to accepting them. Also, I felt entranced by the omegas beauty since the first moment she looked at me.

Ria was right; my mate was hypnotising me.

***