Child of the Forest

— It’s not fair! And what if he’s a redhead?! That doesn’t mean he’s a werewolf! — Someone shouted loudly behind the red-haired man, while his hair was braided into a neat braid decorated with flowers. Her short hair was falling out, which irritated her elders.       Nathaniel turned around and realized that his mother was shouting at the head of the village, who had ordered the omega’s hair to be braided and dressed in white clothes, and then sent him into the forest, as was done with everyone and always. If he wasn’t a werewolf, he would be found within a few days, but if he was from the undead, the forest would take its child. Vesninski already knew the outcome of this ritual, at least he hoped to return to the village in a few days. His father is a well-known and important man here, and he didn’t stand up for his son, saying that he wasn’t worthy of life. He’s a shame to the family. He’s an omega. And he’s red-haired. And no, the elder doesn’t seem to care that he’s also red-haired, but he’s an alpha. Nathan took his wife away, and when he returned, he watched as his son’s mutilated body was covered in white mourning clothes. Nathaniel is alive, but he’s being mourned and buried.       When everything was ready, rose petals fell before the boy’s feet, paving a crimson path to the forest. Omega walked barefoot, and the girls around him softly sang an old enchanting song, calling upon nature to take its child or return the human child alive. Nathaniel didn’t know what awaited him in the forest, but he continued on his path. He had no choice, no way back. His slow, silent steps marked the beginning of his journey. A journey towards death or a new life…       It didn’t take long for him to stop hearing the sounds of singing, stop feeling the eyes on his back, and stop feeling his father’s gaze burning into his back, causing him pain with his indifference towards his son’s fate. He was surrounded by silence, broken only by his own breathing and the sound of his heart trying to escape from his chest. The red-haired man continued moving forward, almost silently stepping on the last year’s leaves and the fresh, young grass that was just beginning to emerge in the forest. The end of spring was warm on his nineteenth birthday, which he was undoubtedly glad of, at least he wouldn’t freeze to death. There wasn’t a bird or a small bug in sight, just him and the oppressive silence.       He’s an omega who was born in a village located in the forest. Here, nature dictated the laws, not humans. Every year, a werewolf was born in the village, known as the child of the forest. Everyone feared them, and as soon as the sun reached nineteen, the child was sent into the forest to ensure they weren’t a beast in human form. Nathaniel was unlucky in three ways: he was born in this place, he was an omega, and he was also a redhead, making it an even worse combination. According to the elders, omegas were more likely to be affected by the Moon’s ability to turn, so they were sent to the forest without discrimination, and few returned. In Nat’s memory, only twenty people returned. Alphas were sent less often, as they are stronger in spirit and harder to drug. Because of this, there are very few omegas in the village, but they are still not highly regarded.       Vesninsky always thought it was the biggest injustice, why those who should be protected by alphas, have to prove that they are defenseless and need it? The forest was slowly thickening, under the feet began to fall twigs, cones and needles that painfully pricked the omega’s feet, but he stubbornly continued his way. How much time has passed? He definitely could not answer this question, but his legs were already aching. Of course, he is not used to pain, but the twilight that was falling on the district — a little scary. Omega kept walking, never stopping or resting for a moment.       If he hadn’t heard the soft growl, how much further would he have gone? It was unknown, but now he was staring into the hazel eyes of a massive wolf that was staring back at him from the depths of the forest. It felt as if Nathaniel was being surrounded, with the heavy footsteps of the wolf’s paws echoing around him. “This is it.” was the only thought that crossed the omega’s mind before the owner of those beautiful eyes turned and disappeared into the forest. Redhead wanted to stay there, but a cold nose poked him in the back, urging him to keep going.       Thoughts of escape raced through his mind, but blue eyes noticed at least three more wolves around him. One walked forward like a leader — it was a white, mesmerizingly beautiful beast. Somewhere to the left there was another one of the same kind, behind Nat’s back stood an equally handsome green-eyed man with dark fur, for some reason it seemed to omega that he knew who this look belonged to. On the right was a wolf, somewhat resembling a child, who was constantly sniffing at Nate. The guy followed the leader slowly, not understanding what was happening around him or where he was being led.       There was a howl, and the first wolf gave a signal. In the distance, there was a answering howl. The forest began to thin, and the moonlight illuminated the path where the omega was being led. The sound of a stream could be heard nearby. The wolves' ears were also sensitive to this sound, and they moved in a funny way, making the omega smile. After walking for a while, the omega noticed a large body of water ahead, a lake reflecting the moon. On the far shore, you can see small, beautiful houses with lit windows and smoke coming from some of the chimneys. It looks cozy from a distance. The wolves were walking forward, almost near the water’s edge.       As he looked around the village, Nathaniel noticed the children running around, shouting and laughing. As they walked, it dawned on him that these were the werewolves who were leading him to their home. But why? He couldn’t find an answer to that question. Walking on the small stones was more challenging than in the forest. His hair had slightly unraveled, leaving behind curls that swayed in the breeze from the lake. He wanted to approach the water, but a soft growl and a glance from his hazel eyes stopped him. Sighing, he continued walking, this time alongside the leader. — Andrew, before you leave again, let us know! — A pleasant-looking beta woman hurried towards them. She frowned, clearly planning to scold them, but when her eyes met Nathaniel’s blue ones, she let out a soft gasp. — Oh… Hello, dear. I assume you’re from the human village?       Nathaniel stared at her, unwilling to speak, but he was nudged in the side again, forcing him to respond. He cast a brief glance at the person named Andrew and snorted. — Yes… I guess so, — the omega replied uncertainly, looking up at the woman. She smiled sadly and reached out to pat Nat on the head, but he recoiled and the wolf nearby growled. She raised her hands and took a step back. — Andrew, we should show him to Wymack. I think he’s a fox, not a wolf. We don’t have anyone with copper hair, — the beta said, studying the omega in front of her. — Well, Abby! Oh, come on! When the twins first arrived, you said they couldn’t be that white, — a mischievous voice said from behind Nathaniel.       Turning around, the guy saw a young man with slightly dark skin and dark hair, tying the strings of his pants. The guy was smiling brightly, also openly examining him, but also sniffing. “Omega,” Nathaniel thought. The guy chuckled amusingly, and it seemed that he had been walking on the right. — Nicky! The twins came from the north, just like you. — There are a lot of werewolves like that, but when I said it, I didn’t know about it, — the woman folded her arms, and Nicky rolled his eyes at her bickering. — Nat… Is that you?       Nathaniel’s heart seemed to skip a beat, he was afraid to turn around, even though he knew the voice standing behind him, it was hard not to know, hard not to remember. The omega staggered and turned around. The mark with the number two, green eyes and hair as black as night immediately caught my eye. In front of Nathaniel stood one of the sons of the ruling family.       Nathan Vesninski had a lot of power in the nearby kingdom, to which their village belonged. Once upon a time, when Nathaniel’s father took him with him, the young omega met the ruling family and their heirs: Ichiro Moriyama from the first branch of the family, and Riko Moriyama and his two adopted brothers, Kevin Day and Jean Moreau, from the second branch. This trio bore the mark of the succession of power, serving as the king’s retinue. About two years ago, Kevin Day went missing after an accident in which he fell from one of the towers and broke his arm. At the time, there were cries from every boot that a child from the retinue had gone missing. As soon as they found out that Nathaniel was an omega, they offered him to Riko or Ichiro as a husband, but their father, Kengo, refused, saying that Nathaniel was not their type. Nathaniel called his son the disappointment of all the Vesninskis that day.        Now, Nathaniel was looking into those familiar eyes, afraid to move. He couldn’t believe it. Everyone thought that this alpha had died or, even worse, been enslaved. But now he was well-off and alive. Nathaniel rubbed his eyes and looked at him again. He took a step back. His head was screaming “run,” but his legs refused to move. — Do you know each other?! — Nicholas spoke again, looking from one to the other with interest. Kevin tied the same pants with a drawstring and looked at Nicky. He spoke again. — Well, what are you silent about?! Who is it at all?! Why does he have no smell?! How did Andrew find him at all?!       It seems that he had a lot of questions, but no one wanted to answer them. Perhaps he would have continued to ask them if a rough male voice hadn’t interrupted. — What’s going on here? Who’s this? — A man was staring at them, his arms covered in tattoos that clearly held meaning. — David, they brought a new one… — Abby said quietly, looking only at the man.        Vymak frowned at first, but after he nodded, he came closer to Nathaniel and held out his hand. — So, let’s get to know each other, new guy? — He smiled a little, which made him have wrinkles. Somewhere from the side there was a quiet displeased snort. Looking at the wolf, David raised an eyebrow. — Either become a human and speak, or don’t interfere.       The white wolf just wagged its tail and headed further down the shore towards the houses, followed by its doppelgänger, who was walking a little further away and at a slower pace. — Nathaniel… Nathaniel Vesninsky. — the guy stammered at first, but then he got better, shaking the outstretched hand. This man is an alpha, about the age of his father, but he only causes a feeling of comfort, not fear. — Welcome home, Nathaniel. — The man spoke briefly, pointing to the village on the lake.