A Wolf’s Hunger

Soren's back pressed against the table, his pulse quickening as Kieran caged him in. The heat of the Alpha's body wrapped around him like a heavy cloak, stealing the air from his lungs.

"I thought you didn't want omegas," Soren whispered, tilting his chin defiantly.

Kieran's lips curled in a smirk. "You're not just any omega," he said. "I couldn't stop thinking about you out on that field, about how I could use you for my own good."

Soren's breath hitched. He should have been insulted, furious even, but the way Kieran's fingers traced along his jaw made his thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind.

Kieran leaned in, his breath warm against Soren's parted lips. "I'm tired of wondering if one day you'll allow one of those alphas to touch you." His voice was dangerously soft and possessive in a way that made Soren's knees weak.

A shiver ran down Soren's spine as Kieran's pheromones filled the air. The rich, dominant scent rolled off Kieran in waves. It was intoxicating, drowning Soren in warmth and hunger.

Soren's own scent responded instinctively, a sweet, delicate undertone wrapping around Kieran's like silk binding steel. Their pheromones clashed for dominance, swirling together in an unspoken dance. Soren could feel Kieran's wolf pressing forward, its presence curling around his own in silent demand.

Kieran's hand found Soren's waist, gripping just tight enough to make the omega gasp. His other hand cupped Soren's cheek, tilting his head up before capturing his lips in a kiss.

The moment their mouths met, a wave of heat spread through Soren's body, curling in his gut like fire. He had never kissed anyone before, but he simply followed the Alpha's lead. Kieran's wolf rumbled in satisfaction, finally allowed a taste of what it had been denied for too long.

Soren's fingers curled into the fabric of Kieran's shirt as the Alpha kissed down his neck slowly, making Soren arch against him with a soft sigh.

Kieran's lips traced back up, lingering over Soren's as if savouring the moment. Then, without warning, he kissed him again, softer this time, with a tenderness that made Soren's heart melt.

Kieran pulled back first, his eyes hooded. "It's late. You have an early morning," he whispered, voice drunk from the kiss.

Soren swallowed hard, looking down at his feet before glancing back up. His lips tingled from Kieran's touch, and his body ached for something more.

He nodded. "Sleep well."

But as Soren turned away, Kieran already knew sleep would not come easily tonight. He'd be thinking about the omega's sweet lips all night.

____

Morning light filtered through the cracks in the tent, but Soren's mind was still trapped in the haze of last night. The lingering warmth of Kieran's touch, the way their pheromones had tangled in the air, it all felt unreal, he smiled to himself.

However, the cold morning brought him back to reality.

The war had no time for indulgences.

By the time he reached the hall, it was clear that the conversation he had heard between Kieran and Valen was already in motion. The speed at which Kieran had devised a plan to cut off Eldoria's supply routes was unsettling. Just hours ago, it was just an idea, now, it was an operation ready to be executed.

A Beta captain, Rose, stood before the assembled omegas, going over the mission details. A large map was spread out before her, marking paths, waterways, and critical enemy locations.

"There are three key supply lines we will be targeting," Captain Rose began in an authoritative tone. "The first is the Sable River, which runs along Eldoria's southern border. If we contaminate the water supply upstream, it will take days before they realize what's happened."

Soren's stomach twisted at the thought. Poisoning water felt brutal, even in war.

"The second team will target Hallow Pass. This is the main land route used by Eldoria's supply caravans. Unfortunately, it runs through the neutral zone. You will need to pass through rebel-held territory, where you will be indistinguishable from the enemy. If caught, you will not be treated as prisoners of war."

A murmur of unease passed through the omegas. The neutral zone was lawless, home to rogue Alphas and mercenaries who had no loyalty to either side.

"The third and final route is Dunmere Outpost," Rose continued. "It is heavily guarded, but if we manage to sabotage the bridge leading into the outpost, we will effectively cut off their reinforcements."

Soren fidgeted in his chair. These plans were reckless. The enemy would catch on quickly, and worse, sending untrained omegas through enemy territory at night was a death sentence. His heart pounded as he slowly raised his hand.

Silence fell over the room.

Rose arched a brow. "Yes?"

Soren swallowed hard. "I... I think this plan is flawed," he said carefully. "Traveling at night will make us easy targets, I mean, everyone will be suspicious of night travellers, and the neutral zone is unpredictable. The moment the rebels realize we aren't their own, they will sell us out or worse. Shouldn't we..."

He didn't get to finish.

Rose made a subtle gesture, and before Soren could react, a soldier grabbed his arm, yanking him from his seat.

Panic shot through him. Had he spoken out of turn?

The Alpha soldier gripped him roughly, dragging him out of the hall with hurried steps. "Move," he snarled.

Soren stumbled, trying to keep pace. "W-Where are we going?"

The soldier's grip tightened. "To the Commanders."

A chill ran down Soren's spine. He tried again. "I was just making a suggestion, I didn't mean to—"

The soldier cut him off with a sharp tug. "An omega's job is to shut up and do as he's told. Now I have to go there with you." The soldier looked annoyed.

His words stung more than they should have. Soren knew his place here was fragile, but he hadn't expected such swift punishment just for speaking.

They walked for a long time, past the barracks, past the training fields, until they reached an unfamiliar area.

Soren's eyes widened.

Beyond the camp he had come to know was another military encampment, one larger, harsher. The soldiers wore the same uniforms but with different berets, marking them as a separate unit from his. The atmosphere here was suffocating, darker, filled with a presence that made his instincts scream to shrink away.

Cold, scrutinizing eyes turned toward him as he was led through the camp. Unlike his own barracks, where the soldiers either ignored or tolerated him, here, the attention felt dangerous.

He hesitated before asking, "Why am I being taken here?"

The soldier didn't even look at him. "The Commanders."

His pulse pounded in his ears.

They approached a large tent. As they stepped in, Soren kept his head bowed, every muscle in his body taut with unease.

Inside, a handful of unfamiliar Alphas sat around a table, discussing something in low voices. Among them, Kieran and Valen were seated at the head.

For a brief second, Kieran's eyes widened when he saw Soren.

Soren didn't dare look up.

The energy in this room wasn't like his own camp, where he had some semblance of defiance, where a middle finger could get him a glare but not much worse.

Here, disrespect meant death.