Ch 3 : The girl in white

I went to the senior oracle's tent. No matter what happened, the oracles of a pack wouldn't leave their tents. They would live separately from the other wolves.

"Isabella," the old woman sitting in front of me called my name. She was the oldest oracle in our pack. Even after aging for more than 100 years, her eyes were still clear. A spark of intellectuality was shining through them.

"Ella. Ella is fine," I said politely.

"Sure, Ella. So you might know that you were living in the royal valley because of your father's status don't you? " she asked calmly.

"Yes," I replied politely again. I already knew that this was coming.

"Now that he is no more, May God rest his soul in peace, It's a heavy loss for us as well. As you're his daughter, we have a soft corner for you. But due to the condition of your wolf and your skills, it is not possible for us to consider you as a royal anymore. So even if we want, we can't let you live with the royals. You can understand that, can't you? " she asked again.

"Yes."

"So even though you're partly a human, because of your father, we are not banning you out of this pack as a rogue. Instead we are demoting you in an omega. Are you fine with this? " she asked. 

"I am grateful for this. I think I will be more comfortable with the omegas," I replied and bowed.

"Cathy and June will help you to find your room at the pack house and will explain you your duties from now on," the oracle said again.

I bowed again and came out of the tent.

I didn't know these two girls. But I was sure that they would be better than the royals at least. And in fact I was wishing not to live in the royal valley anymore. I knew that they hated me.

When I came out of the tent I saw two young girls between 15 to 16 years old were standing together, giggling. When they saw me they gave me beautiful innocent smiles and came to me.

"Ms Ella?" The blonde one asked. They were younger than me but much more elegant looking. 

"Yes," I replied as politely as possible. I was in the worst state of my mind, but it was the first time in this pack someone spoke so warmly to me except for Zaden and the senior oracle. 

"I'm Cathy !" one girl introduced herself cheerfully. 

"I'm June ! Let's go to the pack house, we are going to share a room, I'm so excited! I have never met a royal before like this," the another girl said pretty excitedly. She had beautiful hazel eyes.

"I'm not a royal anymore though, I am just an omega," I said a bit sadly. I was feeling ashamed. I was not the kind of person they were expecting.

"We know that, we know everything, sure things have changed but that doesn't change the fact that your father was a great warrior and how wonderful your parents were. In fact if it weren't for your father we would have been minced meat till now," Cathy said.

I looked at her in surprise. She gave me a warm smile.

"You're wondering how come we know this much? " June asked cheerfully.

"That's because we are both omegas. We were on that town when the Sapphires attacked. Because of your father we got the time to evacuate. We thought that it was the end for us," Cathy said.

I only nodded. I was feeling so proud and sad at the same time. Tears were rolling down from my eyes. Cathy took my hand.

" Let's go, it's not the best room that we are gonna share, but trust me, it will be fun together," Cathy said.

I nodded again. Wiped the tears from my face with the sleeves of my gown.

After I reached the pack house Cathy and June started to explain to me everything. The omegas were living at the basement. And by basement, I am not talking about a regular one. It wasn't small at all.There were almost 10 to 20 rooms there. And a single room could hold 5 to 6 people. The younger ones who hadn't met their mates yet were living in those rooms. There were small ones as well for the families. I wouldn't say the environment was hygienic from any side. But this was how the omegas were getting treated. Like a slum.

Though June and Cathy hadn't find their mates yet cause none of them were 16, still they got a single room. We three were going to share that one. It was so dark and hardly any daylight could reach there. I started to feel sick already, but still tried to smile in front of them. They were pretty happy with what they had gotten. I didn't want to spoil their moods. Also comparing to the other ones, it actually was decent. 

The omega girls got the duties of cooking and laundries. For the first week, I was in the cooking section. June and Cathy were at the laundry. At night, when we went to sleep after turning the lights off, we had a small gossip session. Most of the time Cathy and June were excitedly talking about how they wanted to meet their mates and all. The normal teenage talks about the crushes and stuffs.

Cathy was going to turn 16 within a month. And June had 8 months to go. They were going crazy over the mate thing.

I was not in the mood of it. The pain was too much for me to think of anything else at that time. Also I had already accepted the fact that I was one of those rare wolves who were not born with any mates.

My dad used to say that my mate was somewhere out there, not in this pack but definitely he was somewhere. He was so confident about me finding my mate. He believed that I would leave this pack someday.

When I was younger I always fancied the idea of having a mate. Just like the other teenage girls, I also had my fantasies. But I was afraid inside as well. I always wondered after finding out a half a$$ wolf like me as his mate, how would he react? But since I had always seen my father's love for his actual mate even after her death and also the other couples of our pack, I really respected this soul mate thing.

"If we are fated together there's no question of judging, is there?" At least this is what I believed.

"Hey, you asleep? " June asked whispering. We were sharing the upper bunkers parallel to each other's.

"No," I replied.

"Do you know tomorrow the Alpha's son will be here? He left this pack with two other official's sons for training purpose when he was only 4. You never heard of them? We heard that he is a great fighter. He will replace his father soon. Do you know he already defeated the leaders of almost 15 packs with just two of his companions. This trio is a huge thing right now," June was describing all these with excitement.

I already heard all of these but I didn't want to ruin her good mood. After all she was just a kid. I was silent. 

"But some of the betas were talking about that they were exposed at south. And the emperor is looking out for them. What if they fail to make it here?" June continued again. 

"As if! What do you think of him? He will beat everyone's a$$," Suddenly Cathy joined the convo. She was awake as well." I heard that he's deadly handsome ! Whoever sees him male or female can't ignore his beauty." 

"Omg!! Just imagine if he turns out to be my mate! " June giggled excitedly.

"Sush, weirdo! He definitely won't have a weakling like you as his mate. He's an Alpha, he can probably choose his own mate. Though he is 20 and never tried to find his mate before because of his trainings and his disguise in south but I believe his fated one will be as wonderful as him when he will find her," Cathy said.

"How can you be so sure? You haven't even met him yet," June pouted. Sounded a bit hurt from Cathy's remarks.

"Everyone knows dummy, but you can go for his friend. He's also the same age of the alpha's son and mateless," Cathy said.

"Then can he mate with anyone? Alexander is his name, right? I heard that he is more beautiful, more than the Alpha's son, even his beauty beats most of the female wolves. But is he into women? I heard such delinquent male beauties generally don't like women and everyone says that he didn't find a mate because it's probably not a woman," June said.

"Bleh, If it's not a woman it will be a real loss for us," Cathy pouted.

"By the way, tomorrow is the day. I can't sleep already. I'm so excited," June giggled again.

" Go to sleep. You won't be able to see his face. We have the laundries tomorrow, remember? Go to sleep, or you won't even get to see the breakfast, but Ella, why aren't you saying anything? You have the cooking duties. You will get a chance to see him, since the pack meeting will be held in the hallway just in front of the kitchen, aren't you excited?"

"I think I should sleep," I replied calmly. 

I thought this night would be a long and painful one. But because of them the bad memories weren't getting the best of me.

Everything fell completely silent after that. Cathy and June fell asleep. Only I was awake. Moonlight was coming through the only small window near the ceiling. It was probably a full moon outside. That was why my weak body was still so fresh even after all those traumas. My wolf could feel my pain. It was completely silent as well. The memories of my parents were digging me deep inside. Without even me realising, my whole pillow got wet.

The next morning when I woke up I was looking like a zombie. June almost panicked by looking at my face. My whole face was swollen, eyes were red due to crying and not getting enough sleep, my whole body was looking pale. I took a shower quickly.

Cathy brought a white gown for me when I came out. The gown was very plain and simple. Nothing was on it but it still looked so elegant. I changed into the gown, those fluffy sleeves and the white laced front part set with my body so well. My golden blonde hair was making it more gorgeous. If only my face wasn't swollen.

"Why did you give her the white one? She will be cooking, it will be ruined in no time," Cathy asked. 

"It's okay. Today is a special day, everyone should look better. Besides she is mateless, Alex is as well, what if he falls for her?" June giggled.

I honestly didn't know she was thinking like this. I felt a bit embarrassed. Suddenly we got a call from the leader of our teams.

"You girls, are you gonna take forever? Come Out already! Who do you think will do the chores if you take your sweet times as long as you wish," a curvy woman repeated this almost in every doors. We quickly came upstairs from the dungeon. Cathy and June wished me lucks and went to their respective duties. The woman I saw earlier came up.

"You! Come here with me. Do you think dressing like Cinderella will actually make you one? Instead of wasting your energy on your looks and outfits, go help those girls out their in making those pies, " she almost shouted at me. Her expression was scary.

I felt embarrassed again. "Have I really worn something too noticeable?" I wondered.

It was just a plain white gown. But I didn't want her to get angry at me again. So I quickly moved out of her sight and came to the kitchen.

The pies were ready for the baking. I heard voices at the hallway. Within a minute, I almost saw all the officials coming to the dining for breakfast. I knew most of them. But by looking at me working like a slave, they gave me mocking smirks. As if they were telling me that I was finally getting what I deserved. 

I didn't want to give them the pleasure of looking down at me anymore. So I took the baking responsibility instead of serving. Suddenly the hallway got busier again. I just pulled out a tray full of pies out of the oven. I was getting a very beautiful fragrance.

First I thought it was from the pies. But it was getting stronger and stronger. And Lexa had suddenly started acting weird inside me as well. She was at unease. She never behaved like this before. She was getting impatient.

The fragrance was like citrus and lotus. It was not from the pies for sure. Someone at the hallway was wearing it. But who would use such a strong perfume early in the morning. I was trying to control my wolf. But my whole body was feeling as if it was drugged. I didn't know where I was going anymore. I felt like I needed to find out the source of that perfume. Lexa was going crazy. Just when I came near the kitchen door, my wolf howled inside "Mate! "

I came back to my senses. I quickly stopped myself and hid my body behind the door frame. Finally after all these years, my mate was out there. I could feel his wolf. It was getting crazily excited as well. I could feel its presence and the strong wish to come to me already. I decided to take a look at the person.

I peeked from my place to the dining, and that is when our eyes directly met. He was looking at this direction as well. He eyes fell on mine. He realised within seconds. He also knew I was here. But what a self control he had over his body. His body was stiff. 

Not even a single movement in his facial muscles. Wearing the same cool expression. There was no way anybody could tell the sparks that hit us at that moment. But he was completely in control. Those beautiful eyes, mythical lord like features and the strong jawline. Even after meeting our eyes it just took a few seconds for him to move his eyes and focus on his food. He completely ignored his wolf and me.

I sighed. I quickly came inside from there. I was huffing. My wolf was so happy. I didn't know what feeling was this but I was feeling so happy as well. I never felt this happy ever before. My wolf was crying to jump on his chest and hug him. My body was getting weaker due to it's continuous trying to take over. Suddenly the reality hit me.

"Zen," the name escaped my mouth quietly. "The alpha prince, Zen" I sighed.

There was no way it was happening. I never expected that I would ever get a mate. But after all these years, my mate was here. Finally the happiness, the excitement, I got it all. But I was afraid and worried at the same time. 

I wouldn't mind if it was an omega. If he was as weak as me. I just wanted someone who would understand me, love me, accept me just as the way I was. Why did it has to be the next alpha? I never wished this. I was even ashamed to face him as his mate.

But my heart beat increased. "Will he accept me? Should I meet him personally after the pack meeting ends?How would he react? Soul mates? Isn't he the other half of me? Does this mean he will love me as well?" several thoughts were crossing my mind and I was getting crazy by them. I almost dropped the tray of the pies.

Finally the pack meeting ended. All the other omega females went outside to clean the dishes and to cut the ingredients. Since I was going through a tough situation the oracle had ordered them to give me less tasks for a few days. So I was just sitting at the kitchen, wiping out the extra water from the cleaned dishes that were coming from outside time to time.

Suddenly I got that familiar fragrance again. It was a beautiful enchanted fragrance like a lotus flower. Sweet and fruity. I quickly turned back and came face to face with the soon to be alpha who was standing there right in front of me. He was calm and composed just like earlier.

I quickly moved back and bowed. My heart was beating so fast that I was feeling like it could burst out in any moment.

His deep but elegant voice pierced through my ears making my wolf go crazy. But then the words that came out of his mouth, instantly broke me into pieces internally.

"I think you have realised what we are," he said. "It was really clever of you that you didn't do anything stupid in front of everyone," he said again.

I looked into his beautiful, captivating eyes. 

"I think you already know who I am. If you know, then you have also realised that you and I are not compatible. Besides I have already decided to choose my Luna. I just inquired all the information about you. A weak and a fragile wolf like you is not suitable for the position of the luna of this pack," he paused after saying.

He took a deep breath and without any hesitation said," Therefore, I Alpha Zen, reject you, Isabella both as my mate and as the future luna of this pack. I believe you also never expected anything to happen between us and you will never say anything about this to anyone," he said everything very calmly.

I was so shocked that I became speechless. The pain, suddenly the pain of rejection hit me like a wave. I could never imagine the pain of getting rejected could be this brutal. My wolf was almost going crazy because of the rejection. It was ripping me into pieces from inside. I was in so much pain that I felt like I was fainting. After rejecting me he left without even taking a second glance at me. 

While losing my consciousness, I saw his back, leaving me out there like that.

"Does he not know, if an alpha rejects its mate and choose a new one, his old mate dies? So does he just want me to die? Does he not care even if I die? So am I really dying?" thinking I finally fainted. 

I couldn't remember anything after that. I lost my senses. When I woke up, it was already evening. I was at my room on Cathy's bed. Cathy and June were sitting beside me, worried. They cried out my name when I opened my eyes. 

My whole body was still in pain. Bruises were on my chest, abdomen. I saw the oracle standing at the corner. 

"Ella!" Cathy and June cried out my name again. 

I tried to sit but the oracle forbade.

"Don't move right now," she ordered.

I fell on my pillow again. My heart was still broken and empty. My wolf was completely silent. She was not forming any bond with me anymore. She was depressed inside me.

"Did somebody rejected you today?" the oracle asked.

I stayed silent. Zen wanted me to keep this as a secret. He was so disgusted that he didn't even want people to know about our bonds. Remembering that I again started to feel the hellish pain on my bruised areas. I quickly grabbed my stomach and crawled in pain.

"Ella!!" June and Cathy again got afraid and tried to relax my muscles by rubbing my palms and soles. 

"By looking at your condition, I can already tell who it was. It was an alpha wolf, wasn't it?" the oracle asked again.

I was silent. "Was it Zen?" she asked again.

"What!!" June and Cathy were shocked by the oracle's words.

I tried to bit my lips in pain.

"Don't try to hide it. If it was a normal wolf rejecting you, both of you had died already. But since the Alpha males have the facility to choose their own mate, so the rejected one doesn't die immediately," the oracle said.

"Is it true, Ella? Did he really reject you?!" Cathy asked.

"How could he do this to you, Ella ? Will she die for real? How can this be fair? He will choose a girl and live a happy life and here Ella will just die? " June asked while crying.

"I don't believe so. If she was a normal omega, she would have died within hours of rejection. But since she is a human partly, even if her wolf was an omega, it would die alone. Ella and her wolf can survive separately. I believe when Zen will mark someone else, Isabella will only lose the bond. Her wolf seems stronger. So the normal rule of losing her wolf will also not be applicable for her. Because of the bond she will suffer the pain but I doubt that she will have any other effect like the regular wolves," the oracle said.

Cathy and June exhaled deeply. They were relieved. 

"I can't believe our future Alpha is going to be this ruthless. How could he do this to Ella? Just because of his own privilege, he doesn't even hesitate to kill someone? What if Ella had actually died," June said."I can't even imagine my future mate doing this to me"

"Don't worry, Ella. You will find someone way better. Not a jerk like him. Good thing you will be out of this cursed bond very soon," Cathy said squeezing my hand.

"You two should let her rest, go help in the kitchen for tonight," the oracle ordered Cathy and June.

After they left, I rolled in my bed in unbearable pain. His words were still haunting my mind. I was scattered. My wolf was again scratching my inside. I cried a lot. The oracle said I would survive but I had already lost the will.