I Was Here First
Chapter 1
XOXOXOXOXOX
Author's Note: Okay, originally, this was going to be a one-shot.
But after a lot of thought, and the fact that I think that Alpha and Omega deserves some more fanfiction, I decided to make this a full-out story.
This story has massive spoilers if you haven't seen the movie. I would think that goes without saying, though. Cx
This all takes place after the end of the movie.
This also contains an unusual pairing: HutchxKate. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one out there who has even considered this pairing. XD Or even took that much notice to Hutch!
Anyway, enjoy!
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly, with little clouds to obscure it. The meadow's dandelions are gently swaying in the small breeze, some of the seeds floating gently along with it. There was no need to hunt: now that the packs had united, taking down large prey was easier than ever before. Everyone could eat at their leisure for a few days. All anyone wanted to do was sit down, relax, and enjoy themselves with friends and family.
Kate and Humphrey were having a friendly romp around the meadow. Kate had, at first, been hoping to teach Humphrey the basics of hunting like an Alpha. However, he'd turned out to be almost as inexperienced as he was clumsy, oftentimes missing the target completely and hurting himself in the process—in a way that was usually amusing, though Kate didn't want to admit it.
Lucky for Humphrey, she hadn't gotten angry. How could she? Watching him jumping at birds as they flew out of his reach was simply too funny. Instead of more instruction she'd turned their training into play, and the pair was now chasing each other through the tall grass, laughing cheerfully all the while.
Hutch watched from his seat atop a large boulder, his head resting on his front legs. His gray eyes were half-lidded, watching with mild interest at the recently-married pair.
What's so good about him? he wondered listlessly, narrowing his eyes at the scruffy wolf Kate had chosen as her mate. What made her fall for him in those few, short days? I've been here much longer.
He watched as Humphrey attempted to pounce and pin Kate down, just as she had done to him moments earlier. Unfortunately for him, Kate was quick on her feet and easily dodged his pounce. She laughed teasingly at him as she bounded a few feet away from where he crouched, prepared to jump again.
Hutch snorted in annoyance, noting how Humphrey clumsily tumbled through the grass after her.
I just can't fathom it. What's so good about an Omega? Why'd she have to pick him? I would understand Garth over him...
Humphrey was clumsy, dopey, dismally boring (even though he tried his best to be a comedian), and unforgivably irritating. Hutch had even caught him stalking Kate a few times! Each time he'd sent him packing with a quick and painful bite to the tail. But he doubted Humphrey had ever told Kate that.
Hutch turned his gaze down to a small puddle of water collecting at his paws, left over from the storm two days ago.
He was handsome, wasn't he? Could he possibly be… unattractive?
He smoothed a paw over the top of his head, smiling slightly when it stayed down. He admired his "bedroom" eyes in his puddle's reflection, his shining silver fur, his strong build. Why, he was the perfect image of a wolf!
…What am I doing? Since when am I interested in primping and stroking my own ego?
Hutch huffed and ruffled his fur, as if to affirm that his looks didn't matter to him.
He remembered what Kate had said to him a few weeks back: "You have to be extra careful not to scare off the caribou, Hutch. Why, just one look from you would send any animal packing! You look so mean!"
Hutch sulked slightly at the memory of her words. He knew she hadn't meant it like that, and he hadn't taken it like that either at the time. Hell, he'd considered that a compliment back then! But now, maybe that wasn't such a good thing to hear from a girl. Especially one you were interested in.
He hated to admit it, but maybe there was some truth in her words. Maybe he had a naturally unnerving appearance. But maybe he couldn't help it! If it was true, well, there was nothing he could do about that.
He looked around his home, keen on distracting himself. He spotted Garth and Lilly sitting lazily in the shade provided by a large oak tree. Lilly was resting her head against her mate's shoulder, who was saying something to her. Hutch couldn't hear a word, but he imagined it was something mushily romantic.
They make a cute pair, he thought, tilting his head slightly. They seem to have a lot more in common than Kate and Humphrey. At least I can say Lilly deserves someone strong like Garth. Ever since they married, her confidence has improved so much!
He turned back to glare at Humphrey again. He appeared to be telling some lame joke to Kate and her large group of friends.
Hutch rolled his eyes in disgust. Kate deserves so much more. Humphrey doesn't deserve her.
Hutch and Kate had been pack mates since they were pups. He was a year older than her, but they had always gotten along incredibly well. They'd been schooled in the same class and had always practiced hunting and fighting with one another. Even after they'd grown into adulthood, they still hunted together, nearly always in the same group. Hutch quickly ascended to become the Alpha's second-in-command and had been elated to hear that Kate would be next in line for pack leader.
Upon hearing the news, he'd allowed himself to hope that she would choose him to be her mate. After all, a pack would only work if it had an Alpha male and an Alpha female. Once Winston and Eve stepped down, Kate and her mate would be in charge of the pack. At the time, when he'd first realized it, he hadn't held any romantic feelings for Kate at all. All he had his eye on was the prestigious title: leader of the pack.
But all of his plans had been derailed when Kate had told him she was to marry Garth. Hutch saw Garth occasionally and knew he was the next in line for the opposing clan's leader. He was the son of Tony, an aging Alpha Male, and after some snooping, Hutch soon confirmed that the marriage was set to bring the two warring tribes together. It was a smart plan, really: wed the two Alphas and unite the two packs in the process, leaving enough food to go around for everyone.
It truly was a brilliant plan: kill two birds with one stone, as the old saying went.
It still didn't mean he liked it.
Maybe it was around that time that his friendly feelings towards Kate had started to develop into love. He'd noticed himself getting a lot more competitive after the announcement because he'd held hopes of impressing Winston and changing his mind. If he could prove that he was tougher than Garth, then maybe Winston would suggest Kate marry him instead.
Now that he looked back on it, it had all been nothing more than wishful thinking. Kate was much too proud to go against what she thought was for the best for her pack. She held her duties at the utmost importance. Even if Winston offered her a way out, Hutch had little doubt she would take it.
And then, she disappeared. God, he'd turned into a nervous wreck after Winston and Eve had told him Kate was missing. Where could she have gone? And if it was of her own free will, why? Like everyone, he'd formulated an answer to suit his mood. He'd blamed so many wolves for her sudden disappearance: himself, Winston, the pack feud. Had they all put too much pressure on her?
To his relief, she had returned. Just in the nick of time, too! The warring clans had been on the brink of battle when Kate and Humphrey had rolled onto the scene, arriving out of what seemed like nowhere. He hadn't had time to really wonder why she and that flea-bitten Omega were together. He'd just assumed that they'd worked together to get back from that place they called "Idaho".
He'd never gotten the chance to properly reunite with her, and before he knew what hit him, she'd announced that she was ready to get married to Garth the very next day. He had been disappointed, but not exactly surprised. He attended the wedding ceremony in silence. He offered his presence. He offered his support.
Garth wasn't a bad guy, either. If Hutch had to choose anyone else to marry Kate, it would have be him. Garth was strong, brave, clever… everything Kate was.
But then she dropped the bomb that blindsided everyone: she couldn't marry him. It had shocked all in attendance—especially Hutch. His hopes momentarily skyrocketed. Could it be that she did have feelings for him too? That she was backing out of the marriage to be with him?
No. She was in love with an Omega.
Hutch had been dumbfounded. An Omega? Which Omega?
He'd overheard a group of Omegas mentioning Humphrey. The very same wolf that had been with her during her time away. Ever since then, he couldn't bring himself to accept their union. It just didn't make any sense! It wasn't supposed to have happened that way.
He was here first. What made Humphrey so much better? He was determined to find out.
Author's Notes: So, my editor suggested I make this first chapter short! Just for an introduction, you know?
Don't worry! :3
The next one will be much longer, I promise!
Thanks to Contemperina for her awesome editing skills!