Three nights before meeting the General
The differences between the werewolves and me became especially apparent the following day, when we reached Puffin Port.
A patch of grass along the coastline, surrounded by forest. A lawless place.
A no man’s land. Only outlaws were native to Puffin Port.
It was a degenerate place, full of gangs, brothels and dangerous magic.
While I was terrified, the werewolves seemed perfectly at home in a place like Puffin Port.
I was glad to have kept my identity as an omega a secret.
I knew I would be a target if anyone found out.
Luckily for me, the scent of a druid was not easily distinguished from any other creature to most magical beings, and it was uncommon to come across one of our own.
There were only a few creatures to fear, who could tell what I was.
Those with magic similar to mine: magic fuelled by the elements.
Sirens and druids. Sorcerers and shapeshifters.
All of them were rare enough in the continent that I might never cross their path.
“Stay close,” Alain said as we entered the port town.
It was an unnecessary warning. I was never going to leave his side in a place like Puffin Port.
The houses were decrepit. The scent of rotting wood and the acrid smell of dark magic made me dizzy.
We walked right through the town’s centre, where all manner of creatures were selling forbidden wares.
I held onto Alain for dear life. He had a comforting presence.
He was older than me, already mated, and he smelled of oak trees.
It was clear he was an alpha by his stature.
I supposed my inner omega clung to his protection, a mated alpha who took care of me. He was no threat.
We stayed the night at an inn. We shared one room. There was a fireplace, and I was pleased to sleep on the floor right in front of it. While I was not used to the Northern climate, it did not seem to bother the others.
“Do you know how to play?” Alain asked me that night in the chamber.
They were holding cards in their hands. I shook my head to say no.
He patiently explained the rules. I briefly forgot I was in the most feared town in all the lands.
I even found myself warming up to my captors.
We played, we laughed, we drank ale. It was pleasant, listening to how Erna and Alain bickered about nothing.
They did not speak of anything of importance when I was in earshot.
They did not trust me. I still had not disclosed anything about myself.
On the other hand, if I was dangerous, I would have hurt them already.
When Erna was sound asleep, the ale gave me the courage to ask Alain several questions I would not otherwise dare to ask.
“Will the General hurt me?” I asked. Alain was not as buzzed as I was, but he was not as sober as he was before the game. He eyed me for a while.
“No,” he said.
“How do you know?” I asked. I played with the fur on Erna’s cloak that I used for warmth. The alcohol had made her surprisingly warm and generous, as she handed me her fur cloak. The fire crackled behind me. It was quiet for a bit. Alain stared into the fire.
“Because I think you are an omega,” he said. I bit my lip. “We don’t hurt omegas in the Oaklands.”
I understood he was not sure. And I was not going to confirm his assumptions.
“Would he let me go if I were?” I asked. I looked up at the alpha. Alain shook his head.
“Not if you aren’t more forthcoming.” I simply nodded. I expected as much. My head grew heavy. I was not clear on what I was feeling. It was late, and I was not all there. It was time to rest.
The next day, a boat would depart from Puffin Port for Kanna, the land of the werewolves.
I did not know then that the next day my life would be changed forever.
That was when my fate would be set in stone.
That it was destiny that was leading me to him.
That I had a part to play in something much bigger than myself.