Alpha’s Hostage
Chapter 27

Hades walked slowly, hands in his trouser pockets, a few feet ahead of the she-wolf.

Nebraska had insisted on walking on her own. She had told him, letting go of his arms, that if they kept helping her with everything, she wouldn't be able to get up on her own, that she appreciated their help, but that she needed to do it.

A determined woman with a strong spirit, she increasingly realised that she fit the bill. It was still early days and she could not be captivated, after more than 600 years of firm conviction. The reign of the silver pack was not, and would not belong to just anyone. The omega took one step in front of the other, measuring strength, distance, her breath. Too many years had taken their toll, she needed to train again and regain her strength as soon as possible.

She followed Hades, who kept a decent distance, though still keeping a watchful eye on her. The wall was her best support, but when she ran out when she reached the stairs, things got complicated. She was more than sure she wouldn't be able to make it to the second step without rolling towards the floor.

She swallowed hard and apparently the alpha noticed, for he turned around and carried her.

She let him. He had told her that they would see her pack, so she would not refuse this help, she was not so proud to be all-powerful and think she could go that far, she knew her weaknesses and her body's current capabilities. Hades didn't seem to want to attack her, so for the moment she would allow herself this luxury.

The wolf released her again as they stood on the first floor and the masculine warmth that became comfortable left her without admitting it. Nebraska felt the weight of several gazes on her and she became nervous, the hall of the great mansion seemed to be occupied by several wolves she couldn't define. Still she didn't lower her head and resumed her walk behind Hades using his back for support. She did not seem to be bothered by the wolf for she said nothing.

A light blinded her as she reached the entrance when the door opened, it was too much for her weak eyes. She backed away slowly trying to take refuge from the discomfort it caused her but her hands were taken and wrapped around the wolf's thick arm. -Hold on to me, there won't be much support on the road and you're very unsteady," the alpha had noticed that her legs, from time to time, made an attempt to give way under Nebraska's light weight and her knees seemed to be at their worst, "I know you don't want me to be alpha around you, but you'll have to resist it for the moment.

The she-wolf raised her head, trying to focus on his face, she would like to see his expression. She wasn't used to a man being so kind to her, let alone the one who claimed her as his own, without even having exchanged more than 20 words. -Thank you-

Her little thank you seemed to take him by surprise.

-Don't thank me yet," the alpha pretended not to hear and resumed walking, feeling the extra weight at his side, a weight that wasn't bad at all.

Several of his pack stood or commented as they passed. Hades ignored them, he was rarely with a woman and her being a stranger to the pack was new to them.

They walked for several minutes, which seemed like hours to Nebraska, until they reached the back of the small wolf village to find a complex of smaller buildings a few yards away.

At this point, the omega felt her legs shaking and completely unsteady. Every step she took was more difficult and her knees creaked dangerously. Too much effort for one day, but the desire to be with her loved ones kept her going.

Hades stopped and made her let go. Being without a support Nebraska swayed hopelessly, but the wolf had not moved away. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around her thighs and bent his elbow so she was sitting on his arm, pulling her to him to steady her. -Hold on to my neck," he said once she sat up.

Nebraska hesitated at the action, though the relief in her legs was immediate. She placed her hands on his shoulders and let him walk to his destination.

-I will allow one of your children to accompany you to walk around the mansion courtyard, you need to regain energy and fitness if you are to transform and not suffer in the process, last time it took you several days to wake up," she said.

Nebraska listened to the words being diluted by the soft breeze of the afternoon, it felt good to have nature around her, the freedom of the fresh air on her face and skin.

-You're pretty quiet for a queen," the alpha felt ridiculous practically talking to himself. He lifted his free hand and curled his finger in a short, more groomed lock of dark hair that brushed her bare shoulders, "Your hair," he tilted his head, smiling slightly, "You look good like that.

-You're too nice to be an alpha," she replied calmly for the first time since they had left the mansion.

He didn't like her response, what was the image he had of them, Rudoc had definitely done everything to show off.

-Alphas can be nice too," Hades kissed the tip of her hair before releasing it and focusing on the road.

Nebraska blinked, taking in his words, only to recover later - nice? Was that word in her dictionaries? She wouldn't break her head over such trivial things, in the end all wolves were like that with omegas and a dark purpose behind them. Her own husband had used that trick on her innocent youth. She was no longer a naïve child, she would not fall for him, no matter how "nice" he was, but as long as her children were under the alpha's tail, she would have to put up with him. Hades pulled up in front of the compound. Nebraska could feel her body relax, without losing her guard, apparently she didn't want to scare anyone.

-My queen," a familiar voice reached the she-wolf's ears.

Liam had come out of one of the doors and was running towards them, stopping when he saw her on the arm of the imposing alpha, in every sense of the word.

-Hades," she whispered, "You can put me down, I think I can stand on my own now, my feet don't hurt so much anymore.

Hades turned his face so close to hers. His words seemed unconvincing. Still he did it, he didn't want to make her lose what little power she had left in front of her people, that could end up breaking her down.

With effort and a lot of willpower, Nebraska left her feet on the ground and without a firm support she miraculously stood upright. Hades at her back watched her movements to act when necessary, she was still very fragile and a fall could hurt her more than usual. Liam finally approached her and knelt down taking her hands with tears in his eyes. -My queen, my queen, you're all right, you don't know how happy I am to see you.

-Me too, Liam." Nebraska smiled slightly, remembering the composure of his reigning days, a tycoon had to appear dignified and confident even in the most complicated moments.

-Hearing his voice was all he needed - his former beta kissed his knuckles, leaving his lips longer than was appropriate, or so it seemed to Hades as he let out a high, involuntary growl that made the wolves before him flinch and look at him warily. Had someone gotten jealous?