One
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Prologue.
Howling sounds from the mountains prompted my panicking self into taking my wolf form. My claws dug deep into the ground as I sprinted through the woods. Branches twigged at my ferocious contact with them. I was determined to escape my predators.
The vibration from underneath and the howling sounds closing up on me was my nemesis. My weak wolf could only run a few kilometers a great speed. Soon, I was exhausted but I was not about to stop. That would be suicide.
I hadn't seen the cliff till I got to it, screeching to a stop. Deadend. Now there was no chance of survival for me. It was die or die. A dilemma.
My predators were getting closer, and their howls spoke more of their enthusiasm to tear me apart.
Surely, I was gonna die one way or the other. But at least, I should get a less excruciating death. And that's wasn't surrending to them.
I looked down the cliff and it was all rocks down there. There was no telling if I would survive the fall but I wasn't about to stick around long enough to find out.
With my eyes shut, I launched forward and took a leap. My howls were endless and pierced into the night.
Quickly, my eyes flew open at the voice of my best-friend. I was literally shaking, grabbing my duvet in panic.
“Daisy, it's okay. Just a nightmare. You'll be fine,“ Her voice was laced with concern as she stared down at me.
Another nightmare. Another reminder of the agony etched in my existence. There was no escaping it. Not in my dreams. And never in my reality.
My name is Daisy. A goner. An Omega.
CHAPTER #1
Staring out the window at the familiar sights, I gulped down the nauseous rumble in my stomach. I'd been feeling under the weather since I opened my eyes to dawn. There was no telling if I had actually come down with a flu or if it was just the only reaction my body could give to the ugly turn of events.
My nightmares had always been warnings to an ugly fate closing up on me. The first night I had a nightmare, I ended up bedridden for weeks with a broken arm and bruised foot. That day left a lasting imprint, as it was the beginning of being a Target and a plaything for the 'four horsemen' of the pack.
Silver pack remains my root and the only place my loyalty would always lie, despite how much agony I've had to endure over the years. My parents were Omegas and had died the year I was born, leaving me in the care of the other Omegas.
Being an Omega was a curse, a curse and a curse. There was no room to sugar-coat my words, and there was no way in hell I could call it somewhat a blessing. It wasn't, not in any way. Just so you don't misunderstand, Silver pack isn't Hades, and we are blessed with the most courageous, considerate and fatherly Alpha any pack would ever ask for. The problem lied with the Alpha's only son, and his clique. They were the monsters and the reason I would never know what being happy feels like.
As an Omega -with a weak werewolf-, I was meant to serve the pack. And dear God, do I carry out my duties with utmost love and dedication. But it seemed Alpha Logan and his clique wanted more. Picking on me with aggressive jokes and low blows about my weird look.
In my human form -dark hair which cascaded down in waves, roughly a 5'4, round face, yellow eyes, slim and slightly curvy, naturally tanned- I could pass for 'pretty', not sexy, but that's okay. In my wolf form, I was nothing short of a pup with yellow hue on my fur. That was weird in every way, and Alpha Logan never stopped reminding me of it.
Alpha Logan, Charles McDonald, Drake Reeves and Jake Flakes were the infamous 'four horsemen' of the pack. Alpha heirs are expected to be humane, kind-hearted and rational, as they would be an Alpha soon. Alternatively, the silver pack had it all wrong from its Alpha heir to the Betas.
Alpha Logan O'Hara was a breathing tsunami; Beta Charles McDonald was his best friend and his greatest Ally; Beta Drake Reeves was a pain in the ass and Beta Jake Flakes mostly delivered the low blows and the taunting laughter. Being born with special abilities, which eluded other werewolves, put them on a pedestal, and up there, they forgot the concept of being humane. So there, you have it.
Silver pack would never be a safe haven, thanks to these monsters.
But three years back, everything changed a bit. The 'four horsemen' left the pack to go study in a highschool for humans. I didn't know the gist, and I didn't care. Bottom line was, no more trouble for me. I basked in the freedom and peace that hovered over the Silver pack. My nightmares disappeared and I could have dreams of beautiful, breathtaking sights like the sunset, the blooming flowers, waterfalls. My agony was over, not until yesterday did I realize how wrong I was.
Shutting my eyes, I relived the moment when I'd walked into the assembly hall of the Alpha king and the elders of the pack.
Their intent stares got me so nervous I barely took a step without losing my footing and taking a good fall. Yeah, I was clumsy to a fault. Blame that on my lack of self-confidence.
After a few good falls, I finally made it to the interrogating circle and I bowed. My throbbing heart could be heard from miles away. It was the first time I was standing on an interrogating circle and God, was I scared.
“No need to panic, my child. It's all good.“ Alpha Victor gave a hoarse laugh. He was an average old man, with striking looks of white hair and glowing, white beards. Even at his age, he could still make head turn and take breaths away. Logan took after his looks in many ways than one. But in character, they were worlds apart.
He reached out his scepter to me with a warm smile on his face.
In the lores of Silver pack, it was told that when an Alpha King reaches out a scepter to you, it was a symbol of love and grace from him.
I held the edge of the scepter with shaky hands, and a bowed head. “Thank you, Alpha.“
“Daisy, I must say, you look more womanly than the last time I saw you. So beautiful, just like your mother,“
My eyes stung and I blinked rapidly to hold back the tears. Discussing my parents always triggered torrents of tears, despite how long it's been.
“Thank you, Alpha,“
“No, thank you, Daisy. You're a breath of fresh air and having you around filled up the void your parents left behind. I pray for the repose of their souls everyday. Their love for each other was symbolic and I pray they are together wherever they are,“
“Me too. Thank you, Alpha,“
“My child, you see, I called you here to discuss an important issue with you. So I'll go straight to the point,“
My fingers were crossed, awaiting whatever was coming my way.
“How would you like to leave the Silver pack?“
“What?“ My eyes trailed up to behold him. I was shocked.
“Not literally, if that's what you're thinking,“ He chuckled, and I could hear some elders follow suit. “Just, to go study like humans do,“
“Oh“ I lowered my head again. My mixed feelings echoed in the hall. Getting to know what it feels like studying would be considered a great adventure, but something tells me this wasn't all.
“You see, Daisy, you grew up here and being so dedicated and insightful, you take notice of every little detail. Makes you unique, from others, “
I waited patiently for what I knew wouldn't be a good thing.
“From your toddler days to when you first shifted under the radiating glow of the moon, I've witnessed all the torture my son put you through. I'm ashamed as a father, and I've always felt sorry. I keep hoping someday, he'll realize the true duty of an Alpha,“
“We all hope for that, Alpha,“ the wait was killing me.
“You know, it's astonishing how resilient you are. Despite everything, you still bounce back and shrug off the pains. I think that's what pisses Logan off the most. The fact that he couldn't really break you,“
Well, if you were already broken, how could they break you any further? Still, I bowed, “Your kind words are comforting, Alpha,“
“You wouldn't mind sharing a residence and a school with him, would you?“
There it is! Fuck, I'd expected something less devastating. Nothing prepared me for this.
I gawked at the Alpha, downright stupefied by his words.
“Logan and his friends have been quite disturbing for the humans. They are a depiction of disaster and my good friend, Lawrence, who owns the highschool is losing his patience. I don't know what to do, except employ your outstanding capability. Tell me, Daisy, how do you take all their abuse and never break?“
“I was born to serve, and I don't mind in what condition I do it in. My love for the pack, my love for you, Alpha, gives me all the courage and strength I need.“ Oh, how perfect my lies were. Whoever said I wasn't broken? I just didn't know how to show it.
That night, I went back to my room, convincing myself that this wasn't gonna be that bad. Getting a highschool diploma and seeing so many beautiful places was like a dream come true. All I had to do in return was be at the service of Logan and his clique. Like I was doing here.
'Not so bad after all,' I repeatedly said the words, and drifted off to sleep. Then there was the nightmare, and it ripped apart whatever optimism I had going.
“You'll be fine,“ a firm hand patted my shoulder, and I glanced her way. Suzy Earl, an Omega and my best friend, had a reassuring smile in the perfect place just for me. “I'll be with you, so don't think about it much.“
“Okay,“ I nodded, forcing out a smile. Unlike me, Suzy had left with the 'four horsemen' three years back. She visits the pack at Summers and returns at Falls. This time, it turns out she came to take me with her, under the instruction of the Alpha.
Honestly, it was a huge relief having her with me. Getting settled in New Orleans would be easier with her placating aura.
I looked out the window again, and my expression grew gloomier. In a few hours, we'd be in New Orleans and I'll be facing whatever misfortune awaited me. Dear moon goddess, please save me.