Duties of the Pack Mother

Running footsteps echoed around when Darius and Sancho were on their way to the Rose Pavilion. Since the doorway leading to the Pavilion was close to the one for the playground, they could see how frantic the Omega maids had become. They were not screaming in panic, but their faces were as pale as paper.

Before Darius could get Sancho to ask anyone, a maid caught glimpse of Darius… and she came to him in a hurry. She grabbed the full skirt of her uniform, so she could run to him. Then, she whined at him as if she was blaming him.

"You! The kids you brought are the worst! Well, maybe not bad kids, but—this is your fault!" The maid stomped. "You're an Alpha, right? At least, in strength. Come help at least."

"If you need my help, you shouldn't be trying to blame me for what I don't know…" Darius frowned, but since it was related to the two kids, he still walked inside with the maid and Sancho. What he witnessed was indeed beyond his expectations… and yes, he would take responsibility for it.

Before them was the playground, but the pieces of equipment were all taken down as if a tornado had hit the place. The children, however, were all in midair as if something was holding them from the sky.

Adrian and three Beta kids were on the wide grounds, but only the oldest among them was on his knees. The other two were on the ground, writhing in pain. The five-year-old was heavily panting, but a big grin was on his mouth.

It didn't help that both groups were covered in blood.

Megan was floating as if she was the one keeping everyone out of the troublesome fight for dominance. Her eyes were shining green, and her lips were relaxed as if she was actually sleeping. When she caught the scent of the father figure, she moved her head to speak.

"Adrian, it's over. Daddy's here." She gently brought everyone down along with her body. "Just continue after getting punished by Daddy and Uncle."

"…fine…" At those words, Adrian jerked and turned to pout in Darius's direction. He then slid his eyes to gaze down at that growling Beta. "Let's finish this fight next time."

"You will regret this…" The Beta clicked his tongue and went to sit down on the ground. He was too tired and in pain from the fight. His small hands of a child were shaking, the claws receding. However, he sneered at his useless cronies that were taken down in just one strike. "Hey, get up, you worms!"

Darius lifted his chin as he watched Adrian and Megan walk toward him. He then used a stern tone as if reprimanding them: "Adrian… Dylan… are you two asking for a whooping? Look at what you've done. You destroyed the playground and made the other children cry. There won't be any apologies; let's wait for your punishment from the Alpha."

He flicked the forehead of the little girl that seemed to be possessed by Dylan. "And you… what did you do to your sister? Is that even safe?"

"She said she got bored watching." Dylan consoled the forehead with a smile. He even had a tongue sticking out as if some of Megan's body language was being carried. "I was sleeping a lot, so she asked to sleep instead. I'm going to ask her to wake up now."

"You better should." Darius reached out to pinch Dylan by the ear, making him cry out a little. When Darius let go, a whine followed. He began to hear Megan again: "Daddy! Why does my ear hurt? Whaaa! What did Dylan do?"

The father flicked her forehead again. "And you little lady, you could be harming yourself. What will I do if Dylan can't get you back?"

Megan pouted as she sniffed and consoled her forehead. "Sorry, Daddy."

"Second Master!" The same maid came close and used damp cloths to help Adrian clean the blood off of his face and neck. "Second Master, all the other children are okay, but… I doubt the Gammas will like it if they had to put those things back when it's your kids that knocked those down. You better get started before First Master finds the mess."

"…what exactly am I supposed to do in this pack?" Darius scratched his head and walked to pat Adrian's head gently before making his way to the equipment. "I just got changed, and you want me to work hard again? Am I some kind of butler here?"

"Second Master, helping the Omegas with the housework and directing them is indeed part of the duties of the pack mother, isn't it?" Sancho stuck to the side of the confused father. He then gestured to the side as the servants came with ropes to help pull up the fallen equipment. "Please be patient with us."

Darius frowned at the servant before eyeing the entirety of the Omegas cleaning after the wild event. He then turned to Sancho again. "W-Wait, Nicholai said… I'm going to play pack mother?"

The servant nodded. "That is why I thought you were chosen as the—"

"N-No! No! I'm not his—ugh." Darius groaned as he hid his red face with a whole hand. "Dammit, fucking bastard is already making me… aaaaahhh! Fine, I'll… try. Just don't tell any of the Gammas or the Betas, understand? Just say that I'm lending you a hand."

"Understood, Second Master." Sancho chuckled. He then retreated as the others threw the rope at Darius.

The servant watched the second master assume his werewolf form, his flashing red eyes making the other Omegas shiver in fear. Even the other children and maids turned in his direction as if their instincts asked them to keep an eye on the source of danger. Under the expectant gazes of Megan and Adrian, Darius only took a few pulls to get the climbing tower standing. The Omegas only helped in stabilizing it.

When Darius let go of the rope after making sure the climbing tower wouldn't fall over anymore, he asked someone to secure the parts that might have been damaged. One after another, the pieces of equipment were being pulled up and then inspected.

However, they all saw how much Darius was sulking about the truth behind his new title.

…

At a mezzanine lounge on the other side of the estate, Nicholai was simply watching the scene in his mind. His eyes were closed, yet a smile was on his lips. He then swirled his drink. "Hehe, why can't you believe me when I say that I won't let you go, Darius dear?"

Knocks came to the door, making Nicholai open his eyes to find Millicent standing by the stairs that led downstairs. She had a sour face on, so Nicholai somewhat had an idea what was making her upset.

"Master, Audrey Gillard is here to see you again. Are you going to meet her this time?" Millicent asked with a hint of disgust. "She had been coming week after week."

"Sure. I'll see her now." However, Nicholai had a deep smile… and a glint in his eyes as if he was preparing for slaughter. "Our meeting has been long overdue."