The Alpha’s Fight for His Omega by Jess K

Chapter 111

***Chastity***

Leaving to go back to Cloverland hadn’t been easy as I hadn’t wanted such an amazing visit to end. I knew I had to go back though, and when I was finished I would be home permanently. I only had a which wasn’t that long in the grand scheme of things. Once I graduated, it would no longer be visits, b lifetime with the people that meant so much to me.

My first week back had been a whirlwind of things. New classes started, we started the wolf system: Anatomy class, and I ended up not continuing self defense as one of my classes was during that sa time slot. I had enjoyed the class, but the time constraints made it too hard to continue. Marcus, and Colby decided to take over teaching Lexi, Norm, and I which worked out great because it gave all of more time together.

My appointments with Dee-Dee also had to be changed due to my schedule. I still saw her twice a we but now it was in the evenings instead of mid-day. I was her last appointment on those days which s said was great because it gave us more time to talk when I needed it. My first appointment with her h been really good. She said she had been impressed with all of the progress I had made, and that she h full faith in me that I would look back some day, and be truly proud of myself. I couldn’t disagree with h because I already was.

My following appointments with her were a bit harder because we focused a lot on talking about my st lingering lack of confidence. Those were hard because I had to discuss things that happened to me in th past. I hated that, and those things tended to haunt me after the appointments, but I knew it was also necessary. Rowen was great about it too. I would talk to him about the same things I talked to her abou I could see they upset him, but he didn’t let that upset get the better of him. He would listen intently tha we would talk about how I could put it behind me.

One thing I kept finding myself wondering was what had happened to Aurora to make her the person she was. Why she thought the way she did, and felt how she did. Those were questions I wasn’t sure I would get the answers to, but they still plagued me, constantly. I knew nothing about her life before meeting my dad, and I found myself wondering if her pup hood was what caused her to behave as she did. My dad swore that her parents were amazing people, and never did anything to her that would have caused her to become who she was.

After talking it over with Dee-Dee, she suggested asking someone who knew Aurora as a pup. Other than John, I wasn’t sure who did. It was dad who said Lucy did as she, and Aurora had been friends as pups. He gave me Lucy’s number, and I ended up calling her about a month and a half after I got back to school.

“Hello?” I heard Lucy’s voice through the phone.

“Hi Lucy. It’s Chastity.” I said brightly.

“Chastity? Well hi there girly. How are you? How is school going?”

“I’m doing really well Lucy. School is hard, but I’m really enjoying it.”

“I’m so glad. We all miss you back here, but we are so proud of you.”

“Thank you. I miss you all too. Um. Listen, I….uh….I have something I want to ask you about.” “Sure.”

“As you know I’m in therapy.”

“I do, and I think that it’s a good thing.”

“It really is, and I’m glad I’m doing it. Dee-Dee has helped me a lot.”

“Dee-Dee?”

“My therapist.”

“Ah. So what can I help you with?”

“Please know that I’m asking this because I really am just trying to understand, and dad said you might

have some answers.”

“Understand what?”

“Why Aurora was the way she was.”

“I’m not exactly sure how I can help with that. I wasn’t exactly friends with her once we reached high

school.”

“But you were her friend as a pup, right?”

“Yes I was.”

“So you kind of grew up with her?”

“Only until high school. After the first year of high school she dropped me like a hot potato.”

“Did…did something happen? Were her parents treating her badly or something? Did someone do something to her?”

“Nothing like that. She changed.”

“What happened?”

“First, her parents were, and are wonderful people. They loved John, and Aurora very much.”

“They’re still alive?”

“Oh very much so, but Aurora was embarrassed of them so she never had anything to do with them after she moved in with Dimi when he returned from Beta school.”

“I don’t think I understand.”

“The Goldrinds are good people, but they’re not well off. They get by, but they had to work hard for what they have. Mrs. Goldrind worked at a restaurant until she retired. Mr. Goldrind was a printer at one of the book factories. By the time he retired he was a shift supervisor, and trainer. A respectable job, but not one that made the kind of money that would afford a luxurious lifestyle. They do love their pups very much though. Mrs. Goldrind had her shifts at the restaurant worked out that she could be home with John, and Aurora every evening. If she HAD to go to work for one reason or another, she was allowed to bring them to work with her. The restaurant owner would provide them their dinner that evening, and had a room set up in the back for his employees to bring pups to work. The pups had all they needed to be entertained while they were there. He even hired several people to rotate to care for the pups while mom or dad worked.”

“That was good of him.”

“It was. Gordy was a family male himself. He believed fully that the most important job in the world was being a parent. He did all he could to ensure that his employees that had pups were able to take care of those pups in every way possible. If a pup was sick, he would send the parent home with their full days pay, and an additional amount that equaled their average tips as if they had worked. He would also work with the schedules of parents so that the parent knew at least that employee or their mate was home with the pups. If they were on the day shift, their shift started 30 minutes after school started, and ended

30 minutes before school ended During school breaks, he would personally arrange a summer camp program for the pups, and during the rest of the breaks he would try to make schedules work well enough that the parents got to be home with the pups as much as possible.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. His son, and daughter are the same way now that they have the restaurant. I got off topic though. Aurora’s parents were very good to her, and John. No they couldn’t shower them with expensive things, and give into their every want or desire, but they did the best they could. They made up for it with love, attention, support, patience, and compassion. Aurora was very blessed in that department. Her parents. never hit or ridiculed her. They loved her with all they had.”

“So what happened?”

“I think it was about 7th grade that Aurora started to notice the difference in what others had that she didn’t. She started to notice name brands, and expensive things. Well maybe more expensive than what she had. She also really started to take notice to my friendships with Joey, Dimi, and Pete. My family was still living in the pack house at the time as mom was one of the house Omegas employed to work there. Aurora suddenly wanted to spend more time at my house than her own. She also seemed more, and more embarrassed about her home, and what they lacked. No one ever pointed it out or teased her about it as a lot of us didn’t have as much as others. Our families worked just as hard for what we had. That never seemed to be good enough for Aurora, no matter how much we tried to tell her those things didn’t matter. Joe, Dimi, Pete, and the others our age, who’s families had higher incomes never rubbed it in or anything. It was just how things were. It didn’t matter to any one, except Aurora. It didn’t matter to her though. All she cared about was that they had better stuff than she did.

“By the end of 8th grade she started talking about how she would make sure that she got into a position where she would have all she felt she deserved. She felt she deserved having expensive things, a big house, and all of that to show off to everyone. She was convinced that we would all respect her, and put her on some pedestal when she proved that she could surpass us all in the material things in life. She didn’t care how she did it, but she would. The thing was no one ever disrespected her for not having what others did. Most of us didn’t. We all knew how it was, were ok with it, and had no problem with the idea of working for what we would one day have. Aurora wouldn’t listen to us. She also started making huge demands on her parents. Demands they couldn’t meet. Telling her no broke her parent’s hearts time and time again, but there wasn’t much they could do. They knew what they could afford, and not much could change that. They tried as best they could, but it was never enough for her.”

“That’s so sad.”

“It was, and nothing I could say would change her mind or get her to back off.”

“So then what happened?”

“In 9th grade, as you know, we get an educational teaching on mates. What they are, what they mean to us, and what they do for us. How they treat us, and that kind of thing. I don’t know what brought Aurora to the conclusion that she could choose her own mate, and that her choice would be the person that she would know for sure was her mate on her 18th birthday, but that’s what she thought. With that thought in mind she looked to three males, and no one else.”

“Who?”

“Joey, Dimi, and Pete. She tried for Joey first, but he turned her down immediately. Joey was your typical Alpha male back then. He wanted no commitment, and just wanted to play around so that was what he did. She wanted a relationship, and he didn’t. He told her that IF they were mates they would go from there when that time came, but prior to that he wasn’t interested.”

“Ouch.”

“It was what it was. He was honest with her from the word go. I couldn’t fault him for that, and neither did anyone else. Aurora though, she was angry. Not sad, hurt, or disappointed, just angry because she hadn’t gotten what she wanted. She didn’t bother with Pete because he never paid any attention to her to begin with. He was also too studious for her. She wasn’t interested in education, learning, books, or any of that. Then there was Dimi.”

“How did she get him?”

“She played a different game with him than she did with Joey. Dimi was particular about the females he liked. He didn’t like the females that were stuck up, gossipy, rude to others, or flaunted themselves. He liked the respectable females, who treated everyone with kindness, and not like they were above others. Aurora knew that so in front of Dimi she became everything he liked in a female. In front of him she treated everyone with kindness, and respect. She never put anyone down, or bragged about how she was going to be above and better than everyone else some day. It took a few months, but eventually Dimi fell for the act. When any of us tried to warn him off, he didn’t believe us, at all. He asked her out, and well that was all it took. He spoiled her with gifts, treated her like a queen, took her out on fancy dates, all kinds of things. She continued to play her game of being all he ever wanted in a female.

“The fight between her, and I happened right around the end of 9th grade. She told me that she knew beyond anything that she was his mate, and even if she wasn’t she was going to make sure he choose her over whoever his pitiful mate was, when the time came. When I asked her how she thought she could pull that off, she told me that she was going to give up her virginity to him over the summer, and make sure she got pregnant with his pup before 10th grade started. He would have to choose her then. I was shocked, and we got into a huge fight about it. Nothing I said could change her mind. I decided to warn Dimi, and I did. He chuckled, and said that wouldn’t be an issue because he had been on the contraceptive shot since his 15th birthday, and would continue to be on it until he was ready for a pup. He then went to Aurora about our fight. She blew her stack at me, after lying to him, and that was the end of our friendship.”

“So wait, her behavior was all because of money, and material things?”

“Pretty much. She learned to become manipulative to get what she wanted. Her anger at the appearance of your mother made her vindictive, and her behavior that much worse.”

“So nothing ever happened to her?”

“Nope. Just a huge dose of jealousy.”

“That…..I don’t even know what to say to that.”

“Neither do I, most times.”

“What….what about her parents? Didn’t they ever try to reason with her?”

“Many times. But Aurora would just laugh at them, and tell them they were jealous of her ability to have better than them. To prove her point she cut them out of her life as soon as she moved in with Dimi. She made sure to throw that, and the fact that she was pregnant with Jax in their faces. She told them they would never know their grandpups because she wanted to spare her pups the embarrassment of having such losers for grandparents.”

“That’s terrible.”

“It was ”

“So why…..why did she do what she did to me?”

“Now understand that my friendship with Aurora had long since ended by the time your mom, and you came along. Dimi and I were still close until your mom passed away. He shut everyone out for a long time after that. We would still have our dinners together, but Dimi didn’t talk much about personal things, and

refused to talk about how he was feeling in any way. I have to guess on Aurora’s thought process here.”

“I understand.”

“I think what she did to you was a lot like she said. It was her way of making Brinna pay for taking Dimi away from her. She made Brinna pay with her life, but that wasn’t enough for Aurora. You were also an everyday reminder of what she had almost lost. You were also a threat to her place in Dimi’s life or at least what she thought was her place in Dimi’s life. As I said, she was very vindictive.”

“How could I be a threat to her place in my dad’s life?”

“If Dimi reached a point that he could look at you, and see you for you, instead of just Brinna. Be the father you should have had from the start, Aurora risked you telling him what she was doing to you. She knew if you did she would have been gone. She did what she could to make sure you kept your mouth shut so that would never happen. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was whispering things in Dimi’s ear so to speak to get him to keep his distance from you.”

“I guess I can see that.”

“Sadly, so can I. I’m just sorry I never knew about any of it. I would have gotten you out of there. I never knew why, but Jane, Brinna, and Naomi had all asked that if something happened to one of them, and their mates couldn’t handle parenting alone, that I step in, and take over raising their pups. As I said, I never understood it, but I agreed. Since Dimi never said anything about not being a good father to you, and no one was completely sure something was happening to you, I never got the chance to get you out of there.

“Jane suspected something wasn’t completely right, and she hated that you were moved from Dimi’s apartment, but every time she tried to talk to Dimi about letting you come live with me, he would brush her off, say that wasn’t necessary, and that you were fine right where you were. Due to him being your parent, Jane couldn’t take you away, nor could she convince Joe that you needed to be taken from Dimi. Joe believed that Dimi would eventually come around on his own, and turn things around. She almost had Joe convinced to move you in with me when Jane died, and nothing further happened.”

“Oh. Wow.”

“I’m sorry pup. I could have saved you, but I just….”

“Do NOT blame yourself Lucy. You didn’t know, and there wasn’t anything you could do.”

“Unfortunately, but I should have tried harder.”

“Lucy, you had pups of your own to take care of. You also had a job. I don’t blame you, and you shouldn’t blame yourself. The only people to blame here are the people that hurt me. If I can forgive them, and move on with my life, so can you.”

“You’re a good pup Chastity. I’m really proud of you, and your mom would be too.”

“Thank you Lucy.”

“Is there anything else I can tell you?”

lot, and answered my questions. Thank

hate to cut this short, but Paula just got home,

Definitely. Please tell her I said

“I will. Bye Chastity.”

“Bye Lucy.”

for her, but for her parents. What they lost must have really hurt them. I hoped they didn’t blame themselves. My

She was from a smaller pack that had several midwives already. She was following in her aunt’s footsteps. Lexi, and I hadn’t met her sooner because she had missed last semester due to a death in her family. She was given bereavement leave for it. She was a nice girl, but a bit boy crazy. She seemed

guys.” I said

to work on our project?” Lexi said, walking into

I

so I pulled my books, papers, and laptop out as she looked around. There wasn’t a lot of space, but she took a lot of time looking at all of the pictures I had up. I had had to take a few down to

are all of these people?”

and mate back home.” I answered

“They’re all pretty hot.”

“Um. Thanks.”

ready to get started?” Lexi questioned as she took a place on

decide….” I started, but was interrupted by a video call

sweet girl.” Rowen said with a

Rowen. How are you?” I

I’m not

and I are about to

text me later, and we can talk

you’re mate? He’s really hot.” Julie said over

Rowen.” Rowen

I’m Julie.” She responded as she started twirling her hair, and giving him a

“Right.”

Rowen.” Lexi called out from her

interrupted your study time. I’ll talk to you later sweet

you too.” I said with a smile, and

hotter than I

I responded as I pulled up the project directions

have

“Um. No.”

too bad. I wouldn’t mind taking a turn on

at her just as I did, and I growled quietly, “I would appreciate it if you not talk about my mate that way.

“I….I’m sorry.” Julie squeaked.

to work

Especially a friend’s mate. I wasn’t sure how to react to it, or what to say beyond when I already had so I put it in the back of my mind to concentrate on our project. We spent an hour planning everything out, and deciding who would do what for the project. By the time we called an end to the session I had forgotten all about what Julie had said. We were on our way to

your mate.

OH. Yeah. I know you are.” I

you

mate?” Colby asked as he

shoulder.

“It’s nothing.” I said.

with Rowen.” Lexi stated, and

mates. We tend to get a bit possessive.” Colby

I didn’t think.” Julie admitted, looking a little

over now. You learned something from this, now we can move on.” I said as I grabbed food from the cafeteria

“Ok.” Julie smiled.

Marcus instantly jumped into a conversation about

you a question?”

“Sure.” I responded.

away from your mate? I thought mates couldn’t handle separation for

decided to wait until I finish

“Why?”

the best for both of us.

“Training?”

future Alpha of my

right. I forgot about

come with me, and I really wanted my

was

a

could he not?” Julie

older brother. Jax wouldn’t

wouldn’t have put up with

they stop

is our Alpha, and dad is

your pack’s Beta. Is it hard to be so far away from each

we make it

“How?”

here, or I go home

weekend.”

the answers I had talked about Rowen a lot since we met. I didn’t bother saying anything about it though. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. I decided to change the subject

how was lunch with your

the most part it was good.”

responded

talk about?” Norm asked, and I looked at him in question, “I waited to ask until now

“Ah.”

a hard time asking, was how

did you say?” Norm

known. I never

react to that?” I

with me.” Marcus

Why? Damn his judgmental ass.”

wasn’t why.” Marcus

“Then why?”

he wouldn’t have tried to

so much shit when you

“He did.”

when you told him how long you had

to his friends by rejecting their daughters. If he had known he would have

he kicked you

kick me out because I’m gay. He doesn’t understand it, and at the time couldn’t accept it. He says some days it’s still hard for him to accept it,

but still. That’s

he admitted that, and apologized for it immediately. It’s just how it is some times. I can’t hold that against him,

“Yeah, but….”

I get it. He’s trying now, and

“Yeah. I guess.

how did the rest of lunch go?”

way. He asked how I met Norm. He said he wasn’t too surprised that I met him thru Lexi. I took your suggestion, and asked him how he met mom, and some about when he was a pup. I learned a lot about him. I also learned that he was never really sure what to do with

answered.

“What does that mean?”

and loves numbers. He went to my games, and such, but he finally admitted that he never really understood what was going on. When I took up warrior training instead of accounting he was disappointed because he had hoped we would have that in common, but it just didn’t work out that way. He tried, and still

“Well that’s good.”

thought so too. It was nice getting to know

bet he felt

last thing he said to before

“What’s that?”

than I have ever been. He’s still adjusting to the fact that Norm is male, but he believes Norm is the best thing to ever happen to me. He also believes Norm is the reason I am willing to open up to him being

that about me?” Norm asked,

love he did.” Marcus

That’s so nice

You’re also the reason I’m more open to trying to build a relationship

“Me? Why?”

I see your family, and I want that with my family. I want the closeness you

you think you’ll have that with your dad?” I

kind of

nuts though.” Norm said with

other a lot. That’s what I want with my family. So thank you

happy Norm. They really were good together, and I was so glad Marcus was building a relationship with his parents. Even though he was an adult, one could see

Oh. Oh. Did you all hear the first mate ball in 25 years is happening

told me about it. It’s been set for the

going?” Julie asked, and I looked a

one of those is like, none of

want to go to one? You already have a

just said you pain in my ass? I said to see what it’s

of us can go, Julie.” Norm stated, looking about as confused

can.” Julie

really can’t. It’s for the unmated only.” Colby

will

of his nose. I couldn’t understand why Julie didn’t understand this either. She was a sweet girl who excelled in her classes, but there were times when I really wasn’t sure if any of what she accomplished was her or someone helping

go because it can cause confusion for those unmated, and looking for mates. It can also cause jealousy, and massive amounts of possessiveness in mates if someone flirts with their

go, but you’re going, right

I have a mate.

so it’s not like official right? Plus I’m sure Rowen

growled, feeling angry all of a

You’re not official

my shoulders. I looked up at him in question, and he did something that

linked me.

calm down, and explain it to her. Or do you want me

me angry, and I really don’t want to yell at her if she doesn’t understand.” I answered him through

wait until their ceremony to mark each other. Some don’t. Just because someone doesn’t bare their mate’s mark doesn’t mean they aren’t officially mated. Chastity, and Rowen are very much official mates. When Chastity gets home she and Rowen will mark each other in what ever manner they see fit. In the mean time they are still mates. That being said neither of them can or will

But….. What if one of them finds a mate they like better?” Julie

how much do you

there is one for each of

no one out their better for them, and once they have found

second

are rare, and only happen

“Which are?” Julie questioned.

chance, while the one that rejected them does not. They have to settle for a chosen mate that they may end up losing if their chosen mate’s fated mate shows up. The second reason for that is if one’s mate passes away. They are given the gift of a second chance mate because they were robbed of a lifetime of happiness with their first fated mate. Sadly, very few look for their second chance mate as

are all it for each

“Yes.” I responded.

ask you

“Sure.” Julie answered.