Chapter 3: Rescue

Berton's POV

"Just fucking stop!" I growled at my wolf who was already getting restless again. My whole body was itchy and I couldn't have a moment's rest anytime it started. It still amazed me that my wolf has been this way for some years now. Didn't he ever get tired of bothering me with its restless nagging.

"Quit it!" I growled again just before Sam pushed the door open. I composed myself as we walked into the bar. It was dimly lit, the kind of place where everyone knew who I was.

The air was thick with the crisp scent of aged wood and the hum of low conversation. I settled in a booth with Sam, hearing the familiar creek of the worn leather seats as we settled on them. Sam quickly ordered us both a couple of beers. I was still trying to compose myself at this point, and Sam quickly noticed.

"You know," Sam started, taking a sip while looking at me.

"You need to unwind more often until you find the cure for this. You're always so tense."

"You think there's really a cure for it. I wonder when I'll get used to it. It's been years now, and it keeps getting worse. I'd accepted my fate and thought I'd get used to it, but every time it looks like I've started getting used to it, my wolf gets crazier. It's getting harder, Sam. And the worst part is not knowing what to do." I said, before I grabbed the bottle and sipped, hoping the effects would soon take hold of me and get my mind off it sooner or later. Sam looked so concerned.

"Getting harder? You used to have such a good grip on it." He sighed heavily.

"Just keep searching. I'm sure you'll find a way out soon enough. I don't think the goddess gives you a burden for no reason."

He was doing his best to give me some reassurance but I was on the brink of giving up now. Perhaps this was a result of genetic malfunction. There was no way the goddess would let me carry such a heavy cross for years without any kind of hope in sight. I've been unable to take over the mantle of leadership from my father and also find a mate because of this. It was slowly eating me up from the inside and I didn't know how long I'd keep enduring and hoping that things would change one day.

I shook my head, replying to Sam. "I don't think you understand how it feels. You don't. It's been different lately. Stronger. Like it's fighting me more. Sometimes I feel like I could just... lose control. I don't think my wolf is trying to tell me anything. It's just crazy. If the worst comes to the worst, I could have a witch kill my wolf." I joked, but Sam wasn't having it.

"Don't even think about it." He said. "I'd just advise you not to think too much about the upcoming Alpha position. Don't feel pressured. Things will come at the right time."

I pressed my lip together, unsure, while things a swift of my beer. "Maybe."

I was about to take another swig when a commotion drew my attention.

I swerved around to see a group of people gathering around a girl. And even though they didn't look like rogues, they were loud and aggressive, as if trying to talk her into doing something. Just like magic, my wolf stopped. It's nagging as a low growl started building in my chest. What I felt now was anger, despite being in the dark about what was going on.

"I need to check this out." I said, getting up. Sam followed and we both walked up.

"What's going on here?" He asked, but everyone was speaking at the same time that his voice was drowned in the fray.

They seemed to be asking the girl, who was a waiter, to follow someone home. To do what? I asked rhetorically just before I spotted the bar's owner standing nearby.

"What's happening?" I asked him, drowning out the silence immediately while releasing my Aura, albeit unintentionally.

It was a way my wolf asserted dominance and it worked pretty well. The whole place was quiet now. The owner looked uneasy as he glanced between me and the group.

"It's... she... he umm..." He gritted his teeth as if regretting what he was about to say.

"She spilled a drink on one of our patrons... and he requested she goes home with him and sends th- the night."

My anger flared as soon as I realized this was a case of higher-ranked wolves bullying the lower ones, particularly Omegas who were treated like shit despite their contributions to the Pack. If they were to revolt and then decide to leave the Pack, who would take care of the vital positions they would leave behind. Betas? Alphas? That's not how our Pack moved. Every wolf was valuable, no matter their rank. I couldn't wait to become Alpha so I could correct the moral decadence that was taking over.

"And who the fuck is this patron?" I asked in outrageous disbelief. The man had barely said anything when I pushed my way through the crowd, finding the Omega at the center.

She looked so frail, so terrified and her eyes darted for an escape. I turned to the stupid patron who hadn't noticed I was here.

"I'll cover any costs. Leave her alone." I growled, keeping my wolf in check. He was suggesting I taught him a lesson or two, one he wouldn't forget in a hurry. The man turned to me with a snarl.

"You're not going to exploit anybody here. Your rank isn't a free pass to do whatever you want."

When I turned to the girl who was still standing there, shivering her eyes were on me. "Thank you." She croaked, fearfully.

"I need to go, before things get out of hand." I brushed past him and walked out immediately. My mind was so restless now and everything Sam was saying as he walked closely behind me wasn't entering. Why did I feel like it was the girl? I didn't stop until I went back to the Packhouse.

The feeling got even worse. I knew I had to do something immediately because I would lose my head if this continued. The only choice was going back to the restaurant and confirming the one crazy thought in my mind- that the Omega girl was the reason my wolf quietened.

I rushed back immediately but getting there, I discovered that she was gone, as I'd requested, but I'd gotten a whiff of her scent when I walked to the counter to order a coffee. It seemed to help, but just a bit.

While heading home, I couldn't shake the feeling that something important had shifted tonight. I had to know more. And maybe, just maybe, as soon as I found her, I'd get the answers I needed.