•~Chapter 6~•

ZANNICUS' POV:

I woke up right before my alarm went off. I'd set it yesterday to 4:30 am because well, you know, its HIS birthday and I have a lot to do.

The Luna has entrusted me with everything. Decorations, food and the like. I stood up as I stretched but winced a little. I raised my shirt to see some of my bruises began to fade but the ones on my side are still fresh and black.

I padded over to the bathroom and did my morning routine.

I was busy rubbing a towel on my wet hair when a knock echoed in my room.

Hanging the towel on my shoulder and raising my nose sensing Seth standing outside my door.

A smile graced my lips upon seeing him in his workout clothes.

'Looks like he's about to go jogging'

Looking up, he greeted me with another one of his sweet smiles.

"Hey, Good morning Zannicus."

"Good morning to you too Beta."

I replied back. And he suddenly pouted.

"Aww, c'mon Zannicus, just call me Seth when we're alone. "

He replied back while chuckling softly. Shaking my head a little.

"Alright, if you say so Seth"

He smiled in return.

"So what brings you here?"

"Ah! Right. Well you know its Ronan's birthday today and..."

I patiently waited for him to continue, and just then I noticed he was holding some neatly folded clothes.

"Well, since you're gonna be there to serve the pack including Ronan, wear this."

He said while extending his hand that held the clothes. I just stared at it then looked back up to him and was about to ask why when he beat me to it.

"I want you to at least look nice, and its because I don't want to see you wearing any of those old sweatpants or stained shirts. You'll stand out and they'll just make fun of you."

He finished while I stared at him with grateful eyes.

'He's always been so nice. He cares about me, checks on me to see if I'm alright, makes me laugh when I'm angry or down. Those are some of the qualities I love to see in my mate one day. But eventually, that won't happen. (sighs) I rather have him as my mate'

"I agree with you on that one Z."

My wolf said as I took the clothes from his grasp and smiled at him.

"Thank you Seth."

"You're welcome Zannicus."

A short comfortable silence stretched over us until I spoke again.

"I'll return this to you right after the celebration."

He shakes his head.

"Oh no! Its yours now, keep it."

My eyes widened as I sputtered.

"Ugh, but I-i-"

He held his hand up.

"Its okay seriously, I got a hundred more. Its not like I'll go crazy if there was a few of my clothes missing."

He said while chuckling.

"O-okay. Thank you again."

He smiled back then turned to climb the stairs.

"I'll see you at the celebration."

He said while jogging back up the stairs.

"Yeah see ya!"

I shouted in reply. Glancing at the clothes in my hand to Seth's retreating figure one last time, I closed the door and placed the clothes on my bed.

Then I picked a random shirt and sweatpants and put it on. Grabbing my phone, I slipped out of my room and proceeded to walk up the stairs. When i got to the last step, I went straight to the kitchen and started making breakfast.

Flipping my last pancake, a familiar strong cologne engulfed the air replacing the scent of sausages and bacon along with the annoying noise of the tapping of heels. I sighed while rolling my eyes. I put on a blank face and turned to her.

"Hey mutt."

She greeted me with another one of her insults, turning my blank face into a scowl.

"Don't look at me like that! I greeted you properly and this is what you give me?  Show some respect cause I'm your Luna now."

She said smiling smugly. Scoffing loudly, her expression turned into a glare.

"Oh yeah 'luna', when was the ceremony?"

I asked.

"Shut up dog!"

I clenched my teeth at her insult,

'Breath in.. Breathe out. That's it calm down'

My wolf told me even though he himself is having a hard time controlling his anger. I think he's not just saying this to me but to himself too.

'Its taking a lot for me to not just lift her out that seat and toss her across the yard.'

I replied while growling.

'I know, even I just want to bite down on her neck to shut her up.'

Axar replied back as she continued.

"-later at my baby's birthday, he will make me his Luna and I will be there by his side."

She says smirking while I shuddered at the word 'Baby' while my wolf gagged.

"Oh well, until then, you're not my Luna. You're just another one of those pack members who opens her legs for anyone. So be careful with your words before I shove your pretty face into the stove."

I smiled when I saw her turning red from anger. If this was a cartoon movie, there would be steam coming out of her ear accompanied with the sound of a train. Taking one last glance at her, I walked back to the kitchen to wash the used tools and pans.

Stacy's thoughts:

'Just you wait omega. When I'm announced Luna, I'll make sure you regret treating me this way.'

'I should start cooking soon'

I thought while draping a white blanket over a table. I'm currently outside in the back yard decorating the place. I stood back and looked at my fellow omegas to see how they were doing.

I nodded, satisfied with their work. I called out catching their attention.

"Good job guys! I need to ask a favor, can some of you finish putting up the lanterns and decorate the tables? I need to get started on the food." 

"Sure Zannicus! Leave it to us"

They replied while smiling. I thanked them and ran back inside to start. Once I arrived, I pulled out everything I needed.

I made chicken broths, some beef, a few fish dish and cinnamon rolls. As I dried my hands, I noticed the sun has set.

"Hmm."

Cocking a brow as I pulled out plates from the cupboard.

"What is it?"

I asked looking for the salt.

"I haven't seen him all day."

Axar replied as I switched the stove off.

"Who? Ronan?"

He nodded in reply while I paused for a while.

'Huh, now that you've mentioned it, yeah. I too haven't seen him, he wasn't there at breakfast too. Along with a couple of his friends. Maybe he's with them somewhere. I didn't notice Beta Seth's return after his run.'

I shook my head pulling out spoons and forks along with napkins.

"Whatever. Why would I would care if he's gone. He must be out partying or fooling around with another girl."

My wolf whined causing me swallow and imagine him with another girl. Either he's with a blonde or a brunette.

In the middle of creating the batter for the cake, I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.

I felt myself swallow anxiously at who it might be and sniffed the air but sighed in relief when its one of my fellow omegas or my brother.

"Hey Theo."

I greeted him as he smiled looking at the food.

"Hey Zannie. Let me do that and you go check on the broths."

"Okay thanks."

"No problem. I just don't want to leave you here making all of these alone. Jun's busy hanging the lanterns and cursing the trees for being too high up and himself for being too small."

He said making me smile and laugh at the end.

After he finished making the batter, we poured it into the cake molds before he pushed the containers into the oven. I wiped my hands at my apron and glanced at the clock.

"Its almost 8. We need to clean up then bring the food outside before the pack members arrive."

I said turning to Theo who smiled and nodded.

"I'll call the others who are finished and clean up everything else."

"Are you sure? I could still help?"

"I'm sure. You've done enough. Go take a shower and change, we'll take care of the rest."

He said while giving me a reassuring smile. I smiled back placing a hand on his arm.

"Alright. Thank you Theo. When the cake's done call me so we can decorate it, ok?"

He nodded in reply. With that I turned while taking my apron off and made my way back to my room to clean up.

SETH'S POV:  (before giving clothes to Zannicus)

Seth snorted as he woke up to his alarm. He rubbed his face before reaching for his phone to turn it off so it won't wake the others up.

He stood and stretched his arms over his head satisfied upon hearing a few pops.

I shook my head and headed to my bathroom to wash my face. Right after that, I padded over to my closet and changed into my workout clothes.

'Its his birthday....and....SHIT! I haven't got him a gift yet.'

While thinking of a gift to give to my doofus of a friend, I also remembered that.

'He's gonna meet his mate today, I hope.’

I'm excited for him meanwhile I still haven't found mine.

"Don't worry Seth, we'll find her soon."

My wolf told me. Smiling as I replied closing my closet doors.

"I hope so."

I'm actually a year older than Ronan....so I'm 19. I gave up searching for my mate 11 months ago. Although, I keep getting these delicious scents, but as soon as they come, they go. Eventually it stopped after a while and I kept searching but came up with nothing.

'I need to jog now.'

Grabbing my sneakers I sat on the edge of my bed and slipped them on then grabbed my phone along with earphones. I was about to step out of my room but paused midway, my feet suspended in the air.

'Zannicus will be there serving the pack (which isn't really necessary) along with other omegas. Should I give him some of my clothes? Or ask him if he has something to wear?

Why am I suddenly thinking of giving him clothes? Well, I don't want him going there dressed up in rags (I don't really blame him for that though because Alpha Ryder never gives him new clothes).'

"Give him some of your clothes. I also don't like seeing him being made fun of."

My wolf spoke to which I responded with a nod. I went back inside and to my closet searching for some clothes that are too small for me.

"Aha! Found some."

I said while holding them up. I nodded approvingly at my choice.

"Hope he likes it and most importantly, hope it fits him."

"He will like it. I bet he would really look nice in it."

"Hope so."

Not gonna lie, Zannicus is actually very, very good-looking. With his ash gray hair that shines when the sun hits it, defined face, his muscular body, he even has a four-pack!

How did I know? Well, one time when he was beaten by Ronan and a couple of his friends, he was covered with bruises.

Especially his legs and face.

Just so you know, I never took part in hurting Zannicus. I just don't get why Ronan hates the guy. And because I was so worried, I went to check on him. When I got there, I noticed the door was slightly ajar.

I know I shouldn't have but I'm a curious wolf.

I peeked through the slit and there he was. Standing infront of a mirror, shirtless checking his bruises and well.......

WOW!! Holy macaroni! 

Like when did he start working out? But the most unique feature he possessed is his shimmering orange eyes with specks of red and gold that if you stare for too long you feel like you're being hypnotized. 

His eyes are often set in a cold hard glare or just a blank look. But when he's angry, now that's a whole different story.

Also, he is the only omega who stands up to not just everyone in the pack, or Ronan, but to Alpha Ryder as well.

His own Alpha.

He would even dare to stare back. He is definitely the bravest person I've ever met and I admire him for that.

But sometimes I wonder, whenever he would talk or stare back, I'd notice myself and everyone in the pack and I mean EVERYONE.

We would flinch? Or would just avoid looking at him at all. Even Alpha Ryder does so, but the most surprising one of all is he sometimes bow slightly when Zannicus directs his infamous cold glare at him.

Now that is big! I mean, an Alpha submitting to an omega?

Not to mention, the Alpha of the second most LARGEST and SCARIEST pack in the world. I sometimes also wonder, maybe just maybe, he might be something more than a simple omega.

I literally feel power coming from him.

Snapping out of it, I grabbed the clothes and went out of my room and quietly made my way towards the basement.

Walking up to his door, I knocked softly. I waited for a bit but then I suddenly remembered that it was still early. The sun hasn't even begun to rise yet.

'He must be still asleep. Should I leave the clothes here with a note? No,no,no. It'll get dirty. Or mayb- (door knob wiggling) never mind.'

I snapped out of my thoughts when the door opened revealing Zannicus with nothing but a towel on his waist and another hanging off his neck. Water droplets rolling down his body.......Mmm.

'Oh holy Christ'

My wolf muttered.

'Mamma Mia.....holy cheese sticks. NICE! Ugh! Stop it!'

I scolded myself and looked up to see him smiling at me and I returned it with one of my own.

"Good morning Zannicus"

"Good morning to you too Beta."

He replied back making me pout.

'Ahhh... really?'

"Aaww... C'mon Zannicus, just call me Seth when we're alone."

"Ok Seth if you say so."

He replied back while giving me another one of his beautiful smile and I couldn't help but stare at his eyes.

'Man! They're really beautiful and distracting'

I was brought out of my thoughts when he spoke again.

"So what brings you here?"

His head slightly tilted making him look adorable. Then I remembered the reason I came.

"Ah! Right. Well, its Ronan's

birthday today and...."

I trailed off because the muscles on his arms flexed when he let go of the handle. I quickly shook it off and continued.

"Well since you're gonna be there to serve the pack and supervise on some things, wear this."

I finished while holding out my hand that held the clothes. I started to get worried because he was just staring at it before looking back up at me with a questioning gaze.

"I want you to at least look nice. I don't want to see you wearing any of those sweatpants or stained shirts of yours. You'll stand out. Its time for a little change, don't you think?"

I told him. Well, its true.  I don't like it when the pack makes fun of him and I think its time to show off that body of his.

Another one of his pretty smiles appeared as he takes the clothes.

"Thank you Seth."

"You're welcome Zannicus"

I replied back while giving him a warm smile.

A short pause before he spoke again.

"I'll return this right after the celebration."

He said holding up the clothes. I shook my head.

"Oh no! Its yours, keep it"

I told him. His eyes widened as he stuttered.

"Uh, but I-I..."

'He's cute when he stutters.'

I cut him off by raising my hand.

"Its okay seriously. I got a hundred more. Its not like I'll go crazy if there was a few my clothes missing."

I said while chuckling. He sighed defeated,

"O-okay, Thank you again"

I smiled in return and jogged back up at the stairs.

"I'll see you at the celebration!"

I heard his reply as I hit the last step.

"Yeah, see ya!"

And with that, I went outside and took off towards the forest path with a small smile on my face.

'I know he's not.......but, I'd like him as my mate.'

"Me too."

My smile widened upon hearing my wolf agreeing with me but then I groaned.

'Ugh, I still don't have a gift for Ronan'