CHAPTER 10

"Alpha," Francis said, struggling to catch up with his long strides. "Should I stay?"

Krey abruptly stopped, and Frances jumped onto the road to stop herself from falling into him. Krey pinched the bridge of his nose and gripped the front of his hair. He looked down the street at the humans minding their own business. "We'll both stay," he grumbled.

"But, the institute-"

"It's just for a day. They'll get over it." Krey sat on a bench that faced the college. He crossed his arms and not once did his eyes look anywhere else.

They sat together in silence for hours.

Francis eventually left to find food. When Krey was alone, he checked his phone. He had four missed calls from his mum and three unread messages. Krey shook his head and switched his phone off. His mother had been irritatingly protective of him over the past few months.

Granted, Krey's attitude towards his new pack wasn't doing too well; his attitude towards himself wasn't right either. His mum was worried about him, but Krey wouldn't let her in if she continued to suffocate him.

Ignoring his mother was the only thing he could do, other than yelling at her. Krey often upset her with his sharp tongue and short-fused temper. Ignoring her now seemed like the safer option.

When Francis returned, she had a bag full of warm steak pastries. Between them, they ate and waited, and waited, and waited.

When it was starting to get dark, Pip finally emerged from the college. Krey almost leapt off the bench when Pip bolted down the steps and down the street like he had somewhere to be.

"Go," Krey yelled to Francis, pushing her off the bench. He followed the human with his hungry brown eyes. "You said you could be his friend."

"Right! Yes. Yes, I did." Francis hurried across the road before Pip passed by.

Krey leaned closer to listen and to watch their interaction.

"Hello, Pip," Francis said with a big smile. Pip stopped running and stared up at her with sudden fear. He started backing away.

"F-Francis! Am I in trouble?" Pip asked.

This time, the wind carried Pip's voice right to Krey. His mother had once said a mate's voice was like hearing music in a silent world. Krey now knew why. He had to fight all temptation not to storm across the road and press his ear to Pip's lips.

"No, not at all. Um- I just saw you and thought I'd say hi."

Pip seemed a little skeptical as he stood in her presence like a bug in front of a tarantula. "Are you sure?" he asked quietly. "I haven't told anyone about..." Pip looked around, and his eyes lingered on Krey across the road like there was something odd about him. "Um, about the institute."

"I'm glad you haven't, but you're honestly not in trouble. I'm only saying hello." Francis glanced to Krey too. He clenched his fists. "I was also wondering... uh, if you want to study or something tonight? I'm new at the college and could use some friends."

"Me?" Pip asked, pointing to himself.

Francis chuckled. "Yes, you."

Krey leaned closer, staring at the human's mouth until he smiled, and Krey felt all warm under his jacket, despite sitting in the cold for most of the day. He would take a picture of Pip's smile if it weren't considered creepy.

"I really wish I could tonight. But I have to look after my cousins." Pip's smile was gone as quickly as it came.

"Not to worry," Francis said, side-eyeing Krey, to make sure he wasn't storming over. "Tomorrow then?" She must have felt Krey's objection because she asked, "Or we could revise at your house?"

Pip looked stunned that someone wanted to hang out with him. Krey was a little irritated that Pip was so trusting towards Francis. At the same time, he was glad.

"I don't know," Pip rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't think my aunt and uncle would like that."

"That's okay. I don't want to get you in trouble. We can study tomorrow."

"Okay." Pip rolled into his tiptoes then back onto his heel a few times.

Krey bit his bottom lip while his heart tumbled clumsily around his chest. His cuteness is going to kill me, he thought bitterly. Why didn't I get a werewolf?

"H-How about we meet at the library tomorrow night? A-At five?" Pip asked, and Francis agreed.

"Sure. Enjoy the rest of your night, Pip."

"You too." Pip hurried off before she returned to Krey. The werewolves watched him jog down the street until he turned a corner and disappeared.

Francis shrank by Krey's side once more. They didn't speak until the boy's scent diluted with the cold air. "You're a good liar," Krey observed.

"I suppose," Francis shrugged. "He's a nice kid."

"I suppose."

They looked at each other, and for once, Krey didn't stare like he would boot her into the road.

"We should get back," Francis sighed. "before your mum-"

"Loses her fucking mind," Krey muttered and stood up. He stretched, desperate for a run. They walked back to the woods together and changed into their wolves. Female wolves were a little shorter than male wolves, yet Krey and Francis matched each other's height and paw size.

Her wolf glanced away like Francis was embarrassed. Krey decided not to point it out.

Instead, he whacked her with his paw, and she hit her snout on a tree trunk. He bounded off into the distance, his tongue flying free in the wind as Francis chased him.

Krey had been a lone wolf for as long as he could remember. He didn't run with his mother anymore because she no longer had her wolf and seeing Krey transform made her sad. Even when she did have her wolf, Krey barely ran with anyone other than himself. His father had been too into his life lessons, and his mother was too concerned about going too far.

Krey was reckless on his own; just the way he liked it.

As they ran deeper into the woods, he wouldn't admit that he was having fun, trying to outrun Francis, though he wouldn't deny it either.

Stars twinkled bright by the time they reached the institute. They shifted to their human forms before walking to the gate.

One of the guards gave them an odd look as they stood together. Alpha's usually never spoke to their Omegas and relied heavily on their Betas and Deltas to talk to the Omegas for them. Francis had done more for Krey that day than Jordan and Sid combined.

They continued to walk together up the path and to the institute. Other wolves watched and whispered. Krey was back to his usual grumpy mood by the time they reached the door. "Remember," he whispered with a scowl. "Tell anyone about Pip, and I'll break you."

Francis stepped back and bowed her head. "Yes, Alpha."

*****

Makena, after helping clean up in the cafeteria, decided it was time to pester her son about why he had ignored everything she said to him that morning, and disappeared by himself all day. He would never connect with the pack if he kept shutting them out.

She weaved through the stacked tables and into the corridor. She noted that the floor was dirty as she neared a group of wolves who were laughing.

"Yeah, but Alpha Krey wasn't alone on his run," one guy said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Makena stopped to listen.

"Yeah, he was with that Omega. What's her name, Flo-Rache-"

"Francis," a woman said. "They were seen walking back together."

"That's odd, isn't it? An Alpha and an Omega." The guy gasped and nudged his closest friends in the ribs. "Unless... Alpha Krey had the dream."

"You think he is mated with Francis?"

"Why else would they be together? Not even the Alpha's own mother knows where he was."

Makena peeled herself off the wall, frowning. "Are you guys gossiping about your Alpha?" she asked.

Every wolf jumped and turned with startled faces. "M-Makena! We were just-"

"Spreading lies about your Alpha. I know. I heard."

The wolves glanced awkwardly at each other until one woman dared to ask, "Are you sure it's not true? About Alpha Krey and the Omega?"

"Obviously it's not. I'd know if it was." Makena crossed her arms, letting them believe that her son tells her everything, which was the biggest lie she had told in years. "Now go and make yourself useful instead of crowding the corridors."

When they were gone, Makena let her confidence hang low. She didn't know her son had gone for a run with Francis. The news shocked her. Krey socializing with an Omega was suspicious and unusual, though Makena didn't believe that her son would have the dream and not tell her.

The dream was just too significant, and she liked to think that their relationship wasn't entirely in ruins and that Krey would approach her if he needed to talk to someone.