Chapter 1
Four Months Later…Present
Luna
“How are you feeling today?” My mom signs when I sit down with her at breakfast.
“Fine. Don’t get your hopes up mom. I’m broken.” I sign back with a shrug.
“You are not broken.” She signs back and I can see her eyes mist over like it always does when I remind her of the reason why I'll probably never find a pack.
I hate making her cry but I also don’t want her to have hope that a pack will want me now.
Four months ago my whole life changed. That night I lost more than my best friend. I endured head trauma that left me unable to hear. The doctors and mom had hope that eventually, my hearing would return but it never did. So now I will be introducing myself to potential packs with the added burden of being deaf.
Mom thinks that there will be a pack willing to have me even if I’m different but I'm holding out hope for that to happen. Taking me would mean they would have to accommodate me and put in the extra effort of learning sign. Because of my condition, there would be several things they would need to do at home alone to make sure I can get along normally. Well, normal for me.
“I’ll try mom.” I have told her this every day since my eighteenth birthday.
“Let’s wait and see. You may be surprised.” She gives me a hopeful smile and I return it with a forced one of my own.
The rest of breakfast was quiet.
Get it quiet? Sorry, bad joke…
Anyway, mom and I let the topic go until Ben came to get us. He greeted my mom with a kiss and I tried not to watch them. I was happy for them of course but it was still a little strange seeing them together.
Ben is Bailey’s dad.
My mom and he were there for each other after the accident and things grew from there. Bailey had lasted three days before she was gone and I was in a coma for three weeks. They stood by each other through everything and now they are inseparable. Now that I’m of age, they plan on moving out of Haven to start a new life once I find my pack.
That’s why I keep telling my mom not to wait for me. I can remain at Haven, but I want her to go off and have the life she deserves. Maybe I can help other Omegas prepare for finding their own pack.
“Ready?” Ben signs and I smile.
His sign was getting much better. It meant a lot to me that he bothered learning when mom could just translate, but he made a real effort so she didn’t have to.
“Yes." I sign giving him the best smile I can muster.
He walks over to me and gives me a quick hug and a kiss on my head before leading mom and me to the interview room.
As soon as we walk in there are people already waiting for us.
I am not being dramatic when I say they looked like one of those perfect families they put pictures of in frames when you buy them.
They stand as soon as we walk in and I try my best to put on a friendly smile but I can tell from being around them for less than a minute that they aren’t a good fit.
Their scent is too strong and spicy. Which is a surprise given how refined they look. I expected them to smell like the seaside or something. The alphas are wearing various colored polos with shorts and loafers. The beta looks a little more normal in jeans and a t-shirt that look like it comes from Hollister or something similar.
They smile a lot too.
I can see their mouths moving as they talk to Ben and mom translates for me. I’m glad I don’t have to look at them much but they have barely spared me a second glance since we sat down.
We made sure all applicants knew about my condition but although this pack came knowing that they seem unbothered. The fact they are acting like I don’t exist is telling me all I need to know. They want an Omega to complete their pack but they will only need me for one purpose. To provide children for the pack.
When the interview ends I don’t even have to tell Ben and mom that I am not choosing them. Mom would never let me go with a pack like that.
“I’m sorry sweetie.” She signs and I shake my head.
“It’s okay mom. It’s normal.” I sign back.
“She’s right.” Ben signs but looks at mom when he says it.
Not everyone makes the effort to translate conversations even when someone isn't talking directly to the dead person in the group. Ben and mom try their best to do this and I appreciate the extra effort they put in.
I also find his one or two-word sentences cute. At least he tries and that’s all that matters.
The rest of the afternoon goes on about the same. The packs seem friendly but end up talking with mom and Ben and forgetting I’m there. I tried to tell myself that it’s not unusual for deaf people to get looked over when people don’t know how to communicate with them. They didn’t even bother to notice the notepads provided so they could use that to talk to me.
By the end of the day, I am mentally and emotionally exhausted. I excuse myself and head to bed early.