A/N: So, I watched Alpha and Omega again recently, and it made me really want to write a story about what would happen if Humphrey had gone through with his plan to leave Jasper. I used to have a story a long time ago, but I remember very little about it, so this is a very new idea I've been brewing up. This chapter will be quite short, but I want to use it just to get the ball rolling, so I can move onto the much more exciting parts of this story! I hope you enjoy!
Humphrey's POV
"Marcel, Paddy!" Kate exclaimed as our two friends flew down from the top of her parent's den to great her.
The last few minutes I've been sat watching, too sickly feeling to face her, but too cowardly to leave without seeing her one last time. She looks so happy, finally marrying that hunk she's been drooling over since she met him. I feel like an idiot for ever fooling myself into thinking she could like me, but after just being rejected, I'm bound to think that way.
The smile on her face was as beautiful as I remember it being as she hugged the two birds, but although it's beautiful, I can't see it the same way I used to. I still feel like my hearts bleeding through my skin. I didn't sleep a wink last night, and using drained as a word to describe myself would be a grave understatement. How could she treat me like that? How could she hide something that important from her 'best friend'?
"You're getting married!" Marcel and Paddy exclaimed in unison, startling me from my thoughts.
They set me up perfectly, just as I'd hoped. Unfortunately, the hardest part of my plan is to do what I know I have to now. It will be better this way though, I know it. Not just for me, but for Kate and... Him, too.
I stared down at the pink flower between my paws. Maybe it's horrible of me to hope for, but I want this to stick with her as a reminder... Maybe I'll regret this in a few days, maybe I won't, but after spending our entire lives, inseparable, for her to just use me like that... I can't, and I won't forgive her.
"Y-Yeah, I'm getting married... Who told you?" She asked curiously.
"I did." I announced, walking up the remining slope of the den with the best genuine smile I could muster.
"Humphrey!" Kate beamed at me as I rounded the corner, whilst Marcel and Paddy quickly left. The atmosphere quickly got more awkward after this. I couldn't really think of anything to say to her, so instead, I just cut straight to the chase.
"Excuse me, flea..." I stated as I sat down and began scratching behind my ear, rummaging around for the flower I'd hidden in my mane. Finally, I managed to find it, pulling it from the ruff and putting it into my mouth.
"Here, just a lil something for your big day." I grinned, stepping forward and placing the flower gently in her mane, taking in the last of her scent I'd ever smell. It was so soft, and so recognisable, I'd know it from miles away.
"I just..." I started, before my words fell into a mumble. Come on, just face her this last time! You'll never have to see her again after this, and it will all get easier.
"I wanted to say goodbye..." I stated, mustering all the confidence I had left in me.
"Goodbye?" Kate frowned, sitting down heavily and cocking her head at me with a suspicious frown.
"Yeah, I'm thinking of doing a little travelling... Y'know... Seeing where the train takes me. Maybe I'll visit our friends, the bears!" I grinned, before mocking a growl and waving my hands around like an idiot. Kate giggled at me before shaking her head.
"I'll tell them you said hi." I added, before getting to my feet.
"Wait- but... You're leaving Jasper?" Kate asked softly, realisation clearly setting in. She really has never taken me seriously I guess, but this time I'm not joking.
"Yeah." I stated confidently, turning to look at her over my shoulder. "It's a lone wolf... Thing..." I added after a few seconds of thought, awkwardly chuckling.
"Hm." She let out a small laugh. "Well, I know Humphrey the fun-loving Omega... Not, Humphrey the lone wolf." She said softly, smiling at me sweetly.
I won't let that shake me. Nothing she's said or done during this small conversation has shaken me and my decision. She's made her bed, just as I'm making mine, and soon we'll both have to lay in them.
"Then, I'll be a fun-loving lone wolf." I said with a shrug, turning my eyes to the floor as I turned and started down the hill.
"I don't doubt that..." I heard her mutter, without any further effort to stop me, not even a bit of concern. I'm pretty sure she was more worried about me leaving that human's truck for the bathroom than she is about me leaving the pack.
Whatever, that's all the proof I need that she doesn't, and didn't care. She's gotten exactly what she wants, and hopefully through this, I'll find something I want. Not that happiness seems like a very big thing to ask for.
I continued walking in silence. The territory was completely empty, thanks to the wedding, with not even Salty, Shakey or Mooch here to stop me, not that they would anyways.
I spoke to them about this last night, after I'd discussed it with Marcel and Paddy, and as reluctant as they obviously were, they clearly knew me much better than Kate did. Being here is only going to hurt me. Perhaps I'm just pathetic, leaving the only home I've ever known because I can't face the love of my life getting married to someone else, but I know that I'll be happy if I don't subject myself to that.
"Humphrey!" The voice of Paddy calling to me again startled me from my thoughts, and I stopped, looking over my shoulder to see them land a few feet behind me.
"You are absolutely sure you want to do this?" Paddy asked, firing a glance at Marcel as he stepped forwards.
"Yes." I stated with a nod. "How long until the train gets here?" I asked, before the very distant howl of its whistle echoed through the woods.
"Well, judging by that, I'd say rather soon." He said, looking into the distance.
"If we hurry now, we should still make it. You'd better get moving." Marcel instructed, wafting his wings at me.
"Alright, alright, I'm going." I chuckled, turning and taking off at a sprint in the direction of the tracks, with Marcel and Paddy flying overhead.
"Do you think I can make it?" I called up to Paddy, who was quite high up.
"Yes Sir!" He called back, descending quickly before slowing and flying alongside me. "Just as you hit the tracks you should see an open train car." He explained.
"Be sure you avoid truck stops, bears and that hideous dessert... What is it called?" He asked furing Paddy a glance.
"Cupcakes, Sir-,"
"Ah yes, cupcakes!" The goose scoffed disapprovingly. I let out a weak chuckle at their exchange, but right now the last thing I'm feeling is happy.
"I will... Thanks guys..." I said between pants, before fixing my eyes ahead and increasing my speed. Through the trees I could see the train now, approaching the clearing just ahead.
All my life I've always had Kate there. When my parents died, she and her family were always there for me. When I was getting picked on, she was the one who looked after me, but I don't see that same wolf anymore.
I helped her through thick and thin. I was always there for her if she ever needed anything, and I made sure she was never alone. I did everything in my power to help her get back here during our adventure, yet the thanks I got was for her to simply turn her back on me for someone else.
I trusted her with everything and anything. I told her whatever was on my mind because I knew that no matter what happened, she would always be there for me. Now we're here. She'd hidden this entire marriage from me, and the caring Alpha I'd fallen in love with was fading into the fog of my memories.
The train was right where I needed it to be, and with the open carriage approaching, I'd never felt surer of anything in my life. Perhaps the girl who always got what she wanted will finally know what it's like to be on the opposite end of that spectrum. Perhaps, thanks to this, she will finally appreciate all I've done for her. It's just too bad that I'm not going to be there to see it.
At that moment, I saw it. In the sunrays seeping through the cars open doors, I saw Kate and myself, sitting beside each other howling at the moon. She would do that with me, only to turn her back on me immediately.
No, never again will she use me like that. Never again will she get the chance. Maybe if we ever meet again, by whatever means it may have been by, she won't see the same wolf she knew before. I'm not going to let anyone walk over me again. She will never find me, no-one will.
With these final thoughts, I gritted my teeth and pushed off into the air as hard as I could. By inches, I managed to make it into the car, hitting the wooden floor and slamming into the hay at the backside.
My muscles are burning, and I'm not really sure if I'm crying, or my eyes are watering from the icy wind, but I am certain of one thing. There's a better life for me somewhere out there.