1. Trouble

CORA

My pupils gleam with expectancy as I think about my birthday party tonight - well, not my birthday party but Lily’s. The Alpha and Luna of the Citadel pack must have thrown this huge party because their daughter will be turning the same age.

Sweet eighteen - an age that all young werewolves await with hopeful expectations to move toward and I can not wait for that moment to come.

Unfortunately for me, I am an omega with no significant background story. Some said that I was raised by foster parents who picked me up in the woods, some said I was picked up by the Riverside while some said that I was found at the doorsteps of the pack house.

And then after my foster parents died - they never told me the real story because they abhorred me for no reason - I was forced to become a servant in the pack house, I had no other choice but to accept my fate.

Working as a servant is not quite a beautiful experience for a young girl like me, I was bullied by everyone except Isla who became my best friend and sister. The others either called me names or punished me without a suitable reason for doing, they abhorred and abused me like my foster parents did. My status as being the lowest and weakest attracted me to the head servant, Alma who treated me much more worst than the others. I was made to sleep in the narrow attic with no mattress or sheets, I barely eat once a day - and my meals are mainly leftovers. Turning eighteen is partially worse for me, lanky and malnourished without knowing how it feels to live happily.

I have always dreamed of being like Lily, the Alpha’s daughter, who has had only the perfect life bestowed upon her. I have wished to be in a position where I can give orders and everyone listens, not quite bullying but at least having a voice to speak out and command respect from all sides.

I draw the last water from the well and turn it into the wooden bucket that Alma gave me to fetch with, tears stream down my cheeks when I pick a tiny pebble and toss it into the well. Imagining that it's a wishing well, I make a wish.

“Tonight will be perfect for me, I'll find my wolf and shapeshift, and then… I'll find my mate who will accept me and pull me out of this hellhole,” I mutter with my eyes closed.

I open my eyes, breathing in and out deeply. The moon goddess must have heard my wish and granted it for a cool breeze blows, it scatters my hair and I try to adjust my dress.

I decide to return the water to the kitchen - I must have taken so long for I hear the clangorous melody playing in the pack house already - the party is about to start. I take another step of temptation to peep inside the house, my heart begins to beat faster as I near the windows.

Suddenly, two fingers clips on my ear and drag me to the back of the house where the reality is being faced. The omegas are busy with the food, running frantically with ingredients and pans.

“You brat, instead of bringing the water here… you decided to snoop around the pack house?” Alma scolds with anger in her voice.

Fear creeps into my skin at being found by Alma - this could only spell trouble and mean more punishments for me. Alma has always been a strict one ever since the position was assigned to her.

“I'm sorry for the delay, my rope got stuck and it took me a lot of time to untangle it,” I lie.

I have done everything else that she has asked me to do - wash the walls, and the curtains, and scrub the stairs and windows. Fetching water from the well is supposed to be my last chore and less important because they have surplus water already.

“I'm done with my chores for the day. Delaying the water should not be your priority now, Alma,” I admit.

Alma snorts like a pig, “You’ve done your chores but you're not done with our chores. All hands on deck, Cora, you're helping the others with cooking.”

“But they’re doing fine without me, the party has started and I don't want to be late. It's my night and my birthday, can't I have a night off, please?”

Alma’s hysterical laughter vibrates my eardrums making me feel nauseous. A different energy begins to surge through me - something that I have never felt before.

As Alma’s annoying chuckle goes on, my mind begins to work on its own. I can feel something trying to take over and no matter how much I try to fight it, I can’t seem to stop it.

Alma nudges me hard on my ribs, “Why are you standing there like a freak, go and join the other omegas and work!”

“Stop…” I whimper.

It's coming quickly, my veins thicken and my eyes turn color. Whatever this is, the others are scared of it. Even Alma’s face turns pale as she stares at me.

Alma nudges me again, harder than before.

“Hey brat, snap out of your nonsense.”

“I said STOP!” I growl loudly.

Alma begins to choke suddenly, she holds her neck and falls to her knees. Her face is as white as a plain sheet, her eyes sink inside and her tongue sticks out.

“Cora, please stop…” she begs for mercy.

I struggle to break free from this energy if not, Alma will be as good as dead and I will be blamed for her death. The other omegas slowly back off, not wanting to get involved with us and become victims of this insanity.

Luckily for Alma’s life, the energy breaks off with a snap and Alma stops choking. I return to my normal self and look at Alma who scrambles out of the room, I am bewildered by what just occurred now. I look around me to see what the others' reactions are, they pretend as if nothing happened - a reaction that I am hoping to see. Breathing in and out heavily, I run to meet up with the party. Standing in front of the closed door, I give myself some words of encouragement.

“Okay, Cora. You can do this.”

I have to put back whatever happened in the kitchen aside and pretend like I'm not aware of what went on back there. I can only say that Alma had trespassed her boundaries and I merely stood up for myself, Alma happened to be the victim. I place my ears against the door, hoping to hear what is going on there.

I hear Alpha Ezequiel speak loudly, “Humble people of Citadel pack, I welcome you all to one of the greatest moments to be recorded in the history of our pack. Tonight marks the beginning of adulthood for our young werewolves who will be turning eighteen, the age for so many opportunities. Can all the celebrants step forward please?”

There are a few minutes of silence and my heart skips a beat, should I go in now? I don't want to chicken out when I’ve only anticipated this night all my life.

Alpha Ezequiel continues to speak, “Tonight, you will be shape-shifting for the first time and finding your wolves. Then you will find your fated mates and create a strong mate bond with them, some might even go to the longer extent of marking their mates. Lily, as the daughter of the Alpha family, you will be leading your peers for the run in the woods. This run will strengthen your wolf form and enhance your abilities, now transform into an extraordinary wolf and make us proud.”

I am in a frenzy, it's as if I am automatically glued to this spot. The Alpha is making an important speech but at the same time, I have to go in and join my mates. If I miss this opportunity, I will never find my mate and resign from this hellish living condition, I will never be free from the cold hands of Alma.

I have to make up my mind now!

“I want to use this medium to make known my intentions with my daughter, Liliana. I hereby declare that Liliana Cruz will be the next heiress to the Alpha title and… “

At this moment, I accidentally slip and barge into the party. The guests stare at me with disgusted expressions on their faces, they must be wondering who this insolent girl with dirty clothes is. Alpha Ezequiel’s eyes roam on me with fire in them, I realize that I am in for some scolding. The hall is silent and all eyes are on me.

“Who are you?” Alpha Ezequiel growls lowly.

I take two steps backward in fear, I’m in big trouble.