Page 2 of Chasing Dawn

He led me out of the crowded market area and up toward a large, rocky outcropping. I saw Franklin first, sitting on a rock, his face bright and alive. He was smitten. I knew these guys as well as I knew myself. This girl must be someone special to have enamored both of them so quickly.

Franklin must have made a joke, because he was rolling on his back, laughing so loudly I could hear him from here.

Then I saw her.

Talbot hadn’t been exaggerating. She was beautiful. Her wide eyes were full of something—life maybe? Joy? Her hair was a blond mess, and somehow, it made her dainty face even more elfin.

Her scent hit me on the wind. My bear stirred, and I froze. Omega. Feelings burst inside my chest, sensations that scared the absolute shit out of me. I wanted to run closer, and at the same time, I wanted to run away. The Omega effect?

My feet stilled, and Talbot stopped with me.

He looked at me quizzically. “Franklin really likes her,” I murmured softly, and Talbot nodded. “She looks happy. The Alpha bullshit will just ruin her day.” I passed him the cake in my hand. “She looks skinny, feed her. I’ll see you guys at the campsite tonight.”

Talbot frowned, so I gave him a grin that was sincere enough to fool even my smart best friend. “Remember your manners. Go slowly. If I hear you guys upset her or cause some kind of political incident by talking her into your camp beds, we’ll have trouble. Remember, she’s an Omega first and foremost. There are rules.”

Talbot rolled his eyes. “We’ll be gentlemen, Vance. You know that.”

I lifted my chin, shooing him away. He ran off, his footsteps loud enough to catch the attention of Franklin and the girl, Dawn.

She smiled at my best friend’s reappearance, then her eyes slid past him to me. Their blue depths caught mine, and I froze. I was trapped in her gaze, and when fear passed over her expression, I bowed low and respectfully.

As I turned and headed into the crowded gathering, I managed to convince myself I was doing the right thing. She was obviously fearful of Alphas. Yep, that was why I turned tail and ran like I was prey… for her wellbeing.

Not because she scared the shit out of me.

ONE MONTH AFTER THE GATHERING

Dear Franklin,

I don’t know the proper way to write a letter, because my Alpha thinks educating girls, especially Omegas, is a waste of resources. Doesn’t matter, though, because you can learn anything from books, so I’m writing to you anyway, in case you are actually waiting with bated breath, like you said.

Either way, I don’t mind if you don’t answer, because I like writing to you, or like the thought of you. I do hope you write back, though, because I kind of thought you and your brother were handsome. Goddess, I’d never tell you that in person though.

I’m writing this out in the woods. It’s my favorite place because no one can bother me out here, and I can lie in the sun in my wolf form.

What’s your sleuth like?

I liked your Alpha-heir, Vance. He seemed really nice and kind of handsome too. Don’t tell him I said that. My pack land is... okay. The forest surrounding it is beautiful and full of deer and rabbits for me to hunt, but the homes themselves aren’t great. The Alpha has kind of let them get run-down, because he says we have no money. He bought a boat though, so I don’t know where that money came from. My aunt had a new litter three months ago, which is why she wasn’t at the gathering. Turns out they are an Alpha, beta, and Omega. What are the chances of that? I feel sorry for the little Omega. She doesn’t know the world she was born into, but at least I can protect her from her role for a bit.

The Alpha says that Omegas are there to absorb the pack’s anger, and that wolves are too aggressive, and it tears the pack apart if they don’t have an outlet. I don’t know. There aren’t many Omegas left now, so maybe he’s right? Who else would I ask?

Goddess, if he read these letters, I’d be punished for a month, but it feels nice to talk about it without worrying about getting into trouble. I’ll run this letter down to the post office in town so no one will know. Hope to hear from you soon.

From,

Dawn xo

TWO MONTHS AFTER THE GATHERING

Dear Dawn,

I was happy to receive your letter. I was actually holding my breath until it arrived. Talbot said I was lucky I didn’t pass out and die. He says hi, by the way. He also said to tell you that he thinks you’re pretty and that your Alpha is a douchebag.

Our sleuth is awesome. There’s no one around for miles, and we can walk around in our bear skins whenever we want. Once a nature photographer got too close when Vance was shifted and scratching his ass on a tree, and now his picture is on the postcard for Black Mountain Nature Reserve, which I think is hilarious as fuck, but Vance doesn’t agree! I’ll put one in your letter!

Hopefully we get to see you at the next gathering. I know both me and Talbot would love to get to know you better! I’m going to tell Vance what you said about your Alpha’s opinions on Omegas. That’s bullshit, if you ask me. Vance wouldn’t run our sleuth like that. He respects our women. All the sows throw themselves at him because he’ll be Alpha one day. Any other Alpha would take advantage, but Vance isn’t like that. Well, mostly. We’re best friends, even though he’s a bit older, because we are the only ones who don’t think the sun shines out of his ass.

He says one day he’ll make us his betas, or pack enforcers in wolf terms, so, you know, we’re going places. We wouldn’t be deadbeat mates. Well, maybe Talbot. He spends too much time playing video games and not enough time working out so we can be strong betas.