TRICC'S SHORTCOMING.

Chapter: 4.

******

"Alpha, I think it's time you reconsider your stance regarding Omegas. The pack members are starting to whisper," Rafe said, leaning against a tree. He was dressed in his usual suit, but without his tie, and his white shirt had its first three buttons open. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he watched his Alpha carefully, waiting for any reaction on his face, but the man remained completely poker-faced.

Tricc stood at the edge of the Greenville Pack, his heart heavy with the weight of rejection. The night of their sixteenth birthday had been etched into his memory, the pain of Dirk's rejection searing through his soul. Unable to bear the constant reminder of his broken dreams, he made the difficult decision to distance himself from Omegas, the source of his pain. He had done his best to avoid all forms of contact with Omegas, but now it seemed he had slowly become an Omega hater. He didn't like to smell them from a mile away. The last Omega's pheromones he inhaled were Dirk's, the night of their sixteenth birthday, and after they were found and brought to the Pack Hospital, everything changed.

Dirk's rejection was one of the most horrible experiences of all their lives. Until now, it felt as though they lived in a bubble and walked on eggshells. If they weren't Lycgers, they would have been found unfit to rule over the Pack as Alphas since Dirk not only stole their pheromones but also gave them many health complications with his rejection. And since they hadn't set eyes on the Lion since that night, they were unable to reject him too, or at least accept his rejection to seal their links and end all their suffering.

And by the Goddess, they have suffered enough.

Hoping that one day they would find him and return the favor, all three Lycgers went about living their lives the best way they knew how. It wasn't easy, as both his brothers had moved away from home once they turned twenty-two. However, they all managed to stay alive and in contact with each other. They even had a monthly visitation date they set apart to meet and discuss how life had treated them over the years.

After Tricc took up the leadership of the pack, he became the most feared and respected leader of their generation. His strength and strategic mind earned him the loyalty and admiration of his pack members. However, deep down, he carried a hidden burden, a wound that refused to heal. After the incident with Dirk, he couldn't bring himself to look at another Omega without seeing that Lion's face. Even though Dirk had run away, his scent remained behind, stuck inside Tricc's head like an echo, haunting him every time he smelled an Omega.

And worse, he also noticed that whenever he caught a whiff of an Omega's pheromones, his strength wavered, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed. And with no pheromones of his own, he could not fight off Omegas to keep their distance from him. So he believed that avoiding Omegas altogether would shield him from the pain. The members of the Greenville Pack noticed his avoidance of Omegas, and whispers of discontent began to spread. They considered him unfair for his little regard toward the Omegas in their pack, believing that every member deserved his attention and care. But Tricc couldn't bring himself to face the Omegas, fearing the emotional turmoil it would unleash.

As time went on, his avoidance grew more pronounced. He surrounded himself only with Alphas and Betas, relying on their loyalty and strength to uphold his rule. The pack members respected him, but some couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Tricc's aversion to Omegas than met the eye.

Deep down, he knew he needed to confront his fears and find a way to heal from the wounds of rejection. He couldn't continue to deny a part of himself and ignore the needs of his pack. With a heavy heart, he decided to seek guidance from the wise elder of the pack.

**********

In a secluded clearing, under the watchful eyes of the moon, Tricc approached the wise old wolf, Elder Matthias. The elder's silver fur shimmered in the moonlight, his wise eyes filled with understanding.

"Elder Matthias," he began, his voice tinged with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "I come seeking your wisdom and guidance. I carry a burden that I can no longer bear, and it is time for me to confront the pain that has haunted me for far too long."

The elder nodded, his gaze filled with compassion. "I have sensed your struggle, young Alpha. The wounds of rejection run deep, and they have shaped the way you perceive the world. But remember, it is in facing our fears and embracing our vulnerabilities that we find true strength."

Tricc took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the elder. "I understand, Elder Matthias. I have avoided omegas, not because I desired it, but because I mustn't get close to their pheromones. It weakens me, and should this secret be known, then my enemies would surely dance. I must protect myself. But in doing so, I have neglected an essential part of my pack. I have denied them the care and attention they deserve from their Alpha."

The wise elder nodded approvingly. "Acknowledging this is the first step, Tricc. To heal, you must confront the source of your pain. Seek to understand the complexities of the rejection you experienced and find a way to reconcile with it."

"Reconcile with it?" Tricc asked, confused. "How? How can I ever hope to forgive my mate for rejecting me when he clearly understood the consequences?" The words left a bitter taste in his mouth.

The elder's expression softened. "Many things in life are beyond our control, it seems. Some things we must overcome, and some we must accept. But until we are sure that we have done all that we can, we must never give up the fight." He smiled kindly. "Forgiveness comes with time. You must allow yourself to feel the hurt, then seek to let it out by moving forward on your journey. Letting go is always the hardest thing to do, but if you truly want closure, you will have to learn to accept your loss. Your mate will come around."

"Come around?!" He scoffed incredulously. "None of us have set eyes on him since that night, and it's been what, eighteen years?!" He exclaimed, a bitter laugh escaping his throat. "Heck, even his family has no idea of his whereabouts... At this point, I think it is safer to say that he hates us so much that he did not care whether we died or lived... How could he have run away seeing that we were on the verge of death that night?!" Tears sprung to his eyes as he spoke. "There will be no coming around," he whispered.

"If you cannot forgive yourself yet, how will you ever be able to move on?" the elder questioned. "Your anger is valid, the rejection was painful and devastating for you and your brothers, but your feelings do not define who you are, Tricc. You need to stop punishing yourself for things that aren't your fault. This isn't healthy for you, nor is it for the pack you govern. When an Alpha is unhappy, it tends to rub off on the members, and everyone grows agitated."

Tricc felt tears stinging his eyes as his thoughts replayed the events of that dreadful night again and again.

"You may have chosen to isolate yourself, but you still share a connection with every pack member," he looked at Tricc intently. "You may feel frustrated and upset, but these feelings need to be released eventually. For you, letting it all out in one fell swoop may be painful, but I assure you it will lessen your pain." He paused briefly to let the information sink in. "You must learn to accept the Omegas in the Pack. There is a reason they are the most important aspects of every pack. You will see that once you have begun to welcome them, they will help heal the ache and burn within your heart, and this burden that you have borne alone these past years will slowly begin to seep away."

Tricc had tried, he truly did try to do as the Elder had instructed, but somehow, he could not fully welcome the smell of an Omega's pheromone within his Manor. Neither could he begin to forget the hurt Dirk brought into their lives that night.

***********

"Alpha?!" Rafe called, pulling the Alpha's wandering thoughts back to the present.

Tricc turned away from the view and faced his Beta. "I will do my best, but not now... the pain is still very fresh within me. I cannot stand another Omega. I fear the harm I would cause them if I allowed them near me."

Rafe frowned sympathetically. "You will do well; you're a good and capable Alpha."

The Alpha sighed, running his fingers through his hair with a weary smile. "Thank you, my friend. Now, tell me, any news from the Seas? I heard Tiberius is causing trouble for the Tiger Clan once again. I made a promise to my Dads that I would protect that clan, and I will not watch some Witches destroy my promise."

Rafe nodded, giving him an encouraging smile. "Yes, Tiberius and his people have been causing a great deal of trouble for the Tigers. I have sent out messages, but have not received any replies. I believe we will have our hands full this coming full Moon."

A sigh escaped the Alpha's lips. "Then we must be prepared."

"Yes," Rafe nodded and turned to leave.

"If anything changes, I want to be notified immediately."

Rafe nodded. "Of course, Alpha." Then he disappeared in a flash of white light.

As Tricc turned to his Packland once again, he felt a sharp ringing in his head, and for the first time since the night of their sixteenth birthday, he felt both the Tiger and Lycan within him awaken, and they muttered...

"Mate."