Y/N stood there, his mind overwhelmed with a mix of frustration, concern, and confusion. He couldn't help but wonder about the choices made by his pack members and the consequences they could bring. With a furrowed brow, he turned his gaze towards Thomas, his voice carrying a blend of anger and disappointment.
"Just what were you thinking?" Y/N barked, his words laced with frustration and a touch of exasperation. His attention then shifted to Rae, seeking an explanation for her actions. He wasn't angry at Bella, fully aware that she was still young in human age and therefore not to blame.
Rae's response was filled with a sense of resignation as she lowered her head, a sign of submission. "I don't know." she admitted. "We caught a whiff of that scent, and before I could comprehend what was happening, Thomas took off running. So I stayed here with Bella, watching over Olivia."
Thomas, his emotions running high, erupted in anger. "This is bullshit!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with frustration. "You never had a problem with us defying your orders in the past. But now that your crush has run off, suddenly it's an issue?"
Y/N, his patience wearing thin, took a step forward, closing the distance between him and the rebellious wolf. "Thomas." he warned, his voice stern and firm. "I suggest you stop talking. While I'm still allowing it."
Thomas, undeterred and unimpressed, responded with a menacing growl as he slowly advanced toward Y/N. The Alpha, refusing to be intimidated, held his ground, not yielding an inch to Thomas's aggression.
As tension thickened in the air, Rachel attempted to defuse the situation, cautioning Thomas against further provocation. However, before she could finish her sentence, Thomas launched himself at Y/N in an impulsive attack. Reacting swiftly, Y/N caught Thomas mid-air, using his strength to throw him forcefully against a nearby tree.
Thomas quickly regained his footing, his gaze fixed on Y/N, his own eyes now bearing a faint red tint. The two werewolves locked eyes, engaged in a battle of dominance, each determined to establish their authority.
Attempting to seize the upper hand once more, Thomas lunged forward, but Y/N sidestepped the attack with agility, swiftly subduing Thomas by pinning him to the ground, his grip firm around the wolf's neck.
"Don't push me, Thomas." Y/N growled, his voice carrying a potent mix of warning and concern as he maintained his hold on Thomas. "Think about Rachel. About Bella. They don't want to lose you."
Thomas struggled against Y/N's grasp, his defiance evident. But gradually, the red tint in his eyes began to fade, replaced by a defeated whimper. Sensing Thomas's submission, Y/N released his hold and watched as Thomas turned around, his gaze now fixed on the ground.
Acknowledging the momentary truce, Y/N nodded to Thomas before shifting his attention back to the remaining wolves. The redness dissipated from his eyes, a visible sign of easing tension, as he silently retreated toward Nevermore, leaving the others behind.
Rachel, ever the responsible one, scolded her brother for his recklessness before taking Bella by her side, leading the younger wolf away from the scene. The weight of the recent events lingered heavily in the air as they departed.
○●○
Y/N entered his room, weariness etched on his face. With a sigh, he made his way to the bed, collapsing onto it, allowing himself a moment of respite. Lost in his thoughts, he was interrupted by a knock on his door.
Letting out another sigh, Y/N pushed himself up and walked over to open the door. Standing before him was Marilyn Thornhill, her presence offering a glimmer of comfort. A faint smile tugged at Y/N's lips as he greeted her. "Hey, Marilyn." he acknowledged, the weariness still evident in his tone. "I'm sorry I missed class today."
Marilyn's smile remained kind and understanding. "That's alright, sweetie." she replied warmly. "Are you okay? Would you like to talk?"
Y/N nodded in silence, allowing Marilyn to enter his room. "I had a lot going on, and your class slipped my mind." he admitted honestly, his exhaustion evident. "It's just... a lot with the pack, you know?" He shrugged, the weight of his responsibilities pressing upon him as he settled onto his bed.
Marilyn took a seat beside Y/N, her presence radiating warmth and support. "Olivia approached me after class, expressing her concern for you." she said gently. "Enid, too."
"Enid?" Y/N questioned, surprise evident in his voice as he looked up at Marilyn.
She nodded, confirming Y/N's inquiry. "Enid informed me that she was the reason you didn't attend my class."
Y/N let out a sigh, his weariness manifesting in his expression. "It's just..." he began, his voice tinged with resignation. "I have feelings for Enid. Like, genuine feelings. But she hasn't undergone the transformation yet, and I'm unsure how the pack will react if I choose her as my mate."
Marilyn's expression softened, her eyes filled with empathy as she placed a comforting arm around Y/N. Leaning into her touch, Y/N closed his eyes, his fatigue momentarily forgotten. He let out a deep sigh, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you." he murmured gratefully. "I'll talk to Olivia and Enid later."
Marilyn's smile remained encouraging. "Just take the opportunity today." she gently suggested. Y/N nodded in agreement, accepting her advice. "Yes, ma'am."
○●○
Enid focused on preparing her team's boat for the upcoming Poe Cup when she noticed Y/N approaching her. A smile formed on her lips as she greeted him. "Hey." she said warmly, her eyes meeting his. "I heard you missed class."
"Yeah." Y/N replied, returning her smile with a soft one of his own. "I needed some time with... him." he admitted, knowing Enid would understand the wolf he was referring to—the one she had encountered at the carnival.
Enid shrugged, a hint of concern in her voice. "Yeah, I figured. You know that wolf?"
"He's part of our pack." Y/N explained, sensing Enid's confusion. "Just in secret from the rest."
"In secret?" Enid questioned, her voice laced with skepticism. "So I barely joined the pack, and suddenly, this lone wolf is welcomed with open arms?"
Y/N sighed, bringing his hand to his mouth in contemplation. "They were in danger, Enid. I couldn't just let him die." he responded, his voice filled with a mix of determination and justification.
A heavy silence hung between them, tensions simmering beneath the surface. Enid swallowed, finding her voice once more. "They?" she questioned, seeking clarification.
Y/N nodded, confirming her suspicion. "Yes, Thomas is the wolf you met. And there are others-- Rachel and Bella. I was talking to them while you were in class."
Enid scoffed, frustration creeping into her demeanor as she started to walk away. "Enid--" Y/N reached out to grab her arm, causing her nails to extend into sharp claws. "Let go of me. Now!"
Instead of engaging in a confrontation, Y/N chose a different path. Releasing Enid's arm, he allowed her to walk away, avoiding further conflict. As he turned to leave the scene himself, the other werewolves in the vicinity observed, their curiosity piqued. It was unusual to witness the Alpha refraining from engaging in a fight or challenging those who opposed him. Murmurs began to circulate among the pack members, whispers of uncertainty as they pondered the meaning behind Y/N's unexpected actions.