The Rebellious Omega

Blair

POV

It was nerve-wracking. Sierra and Josie did their best to keep my mind occupied while I was on bed rest, but I wanted to be up and moving. I wanted to go to the Lunar Sky Pack with Braedon and James and it rankled that I was being forced to remain home. "Cheer up, try to look on the bright side, your baby is safe and well," Josie said sympathetically.

"I know, but I worry about Braedon going to that pack without me" I complained.

Sierra laughed "Worried or annoyed you don't get to go?" she said with a raised brow.

"Both" I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest and glaring at the both of them.

Sierra rolled her eyes "You know, most women would love to be told to take it easy" she said with amusement.

"I'm not most women," I said snappily "besides it's boring."

Sierra sighed "What would you like to do? How about we go downstairs for a movie?" she queried cheerfully.

It sounded better than being confined to the bedroom and it would feel less claustrophobic. Sierra helped me up and we carefully headed downstairs to the living room. I sank onto the couch while Josie began to look at the titles. "What are you in the mood for?" she asked.

I considered it. "Something with blood and gore in it," I said and Josie winced.

"Blair, what are you doing out of bed?" Braedon asked from the doorway.

I gave him a winning smile "Watching a movie from the comfort of a sofa?" I said and he glared at me. "Come on Braedon, she's bored and a couch is almost the same as a bed" Sierra pointed out, sitting beside me.

He looked unconvinced but joined us, deliberately sitting on the opposite side of me.

"So where are you at?" I asked.

"We leave tomorrow," he said "but I can't divulge the full plans just yet."

Of course not, I thought a bit sourly, turning to look at the titles Josie was offering.

Sarah came walking in, hand in hand with James. They sat down on the other couch, smiling at each other. They had barely settled when James's eyes clouded over and he hopped up, looking slightly frantic. "Start the movie without me, I'll be right back," he said grimly.

Braedon's eyes also went cloudy. He nodded to James "Bring him into the packhouse, I want answers and bring several warriors. I want assurances he's not a threat."

"Who?" I asked, sitting up and looking at my mate for clarification.

Sierra and Josie looked towards him, as did Sarah.

"I want you to go upstairs," Braedon said, helping me up "and stay there."

I stood my ground "No."

He exhaled "Blair, I need you to be safe. This man is in terrible condition, but that doesn't mean that he can't attack. Please, go upstairs."

"If he's in that bad of shape then he needs medical assistance," I said slowly and carefully "I might be able to help, or at least get food while the doctor gets here."

He shook his head "No, I don't want you in harm's way."

I eyed him suspiciously. "Who's coming? Who is it Braedon? It's not some random. There's a reason you want me upstairs" I said shrilly.

He was acting suspicious and it was bothering me.

"You might as well tell us, I don't think she's going to follow your instructions" Sierra quipped nonchalantly and with a tiny bit of glee.

Braedon looked frustrated. I c****d my head and smiled at him. He glared at me. He ran a hand through his hair, disheveling it.

"It's not somebody that you want to be in close proximity with," he said quietly.

I opened my mouth to insist on answers when the pack house door slowly opened. It was too late now. James came in, assisting a man who was limping badly, his body littered with bruises and what appeared to be whip marks, his beard scraggy, his eyes weary and dull. There was a look of haggardness on his face. He wore clean clothes that had been provided to him by James, but they hung off of him. He had lost weight and he looked malnourished. I sucked in a breath. It looked shocking, but what stunned me the most was that I knew this man. It was like looking at a vision from the past, one that haunted me and caused me to shudder. I was overwhelmed with rage.

How could I not know him? Braedon looked at me anxiously, as several warriors came in behind James and the man. "Now you know why I wanted you upstairs," he said softly as my head swung to look at him.

"He looks as though he hasn't eaten in a very long time" I whispered, "he looks close to death."

"Blair, if you want to leave, I'll understand. I know how much this could hurt you" Braedon began trying to be considerate. I shook my head. My eyes remained fixed on the man as he slowly made his way to the living room, James gripping his arm with a steely grip of his own. The man made no attempt to escape his grasp, in fact, he looked relieved to be helped by somebody stronger than him.

"I'll stay" I whispered, as Sierra nodded at Josie and the two of them subtly left the room.

James sat the man on the other couch. An omega quietly came in and put a plate of food in front of him on the coffee table, along with a glass of water. "Thank you," he said with a raspy voice, sounding tired and drained.

The omega timidly nodded and stepped back, turning on her heel and fleeing the living room. Even now, the man possessed a powerful aura. Not surprising.

I watched as he began to dig into the food, shoveling it in as though he hadn't eaten in months. He devoured it, hungrily, sipping the water in between mouthfuls, and making small moaning sounds of pleasure. Braedon and James waited patiently, the rest of the warriors standing a respectful distance away. I had no doubts this man wasn't dangerous. But I was curious as to what had happened to him. Something had. Something terrible. For him to be in such a state... it boggled my mind and made me shiver. How had he been overpowered and treated or tortured to the point that he had come so close to death?