2. Preparing For The Feast

I concentrated on dicing the vegetables correctly. I hated this job the most because it took the most concentration and I didn’t even want to mention how many times that I had cut myself from this chore, but Stella the head cook seemed to always think that it was the perfect chore for me and she always ended up assigning them to me.

“You need to work faster Cat, those vegetables won’t cut themselves we don’t have much time left. After showing up late, the best you can do is work faster to meet up.” Stella said as she walked past me and I grumbled under my breath.

I wasn’t in the mood to get into trouble with the cook and so I kept my mouth shut and continued my task, trying to go a little faster. All I wanted was to go home and lay in my bed or draw.

I didn’t want to be stuck in the Smokey kitchen with snobby omegas trying to prove their worth as the best slaves and impress people who didn’t give two shits about them.

Speaking off snobby omegas, two of them walked past me and I heard as Chloe snorted the moment she passed me.

It was no shock to me. Chloe hated my guts and it was all for reasons unknown to me. As far as I knew, I had never done anything to offend the other girl, but every time we were in the same place she usually always found a way to cause some kind of trouble for me.

And whenever I reacted, I ended up being punished or getting the greater punishment since Chloe was the ‘sweetest little omega, incapable of hurting a fly.’ While I was the trouble causing one and the nuisance.

But I wasn’t interested in indulging the omega tonight and so ignored her and focused on my task once more.

“Poor Catherine.” I heard Chloe’s voice and I rolled my eyes. There wasn’t a person that didn’t know how much I hated being called Catherine, in fact not a lot of people even knew me by that name since I avoided introducing myself with that.

“It must be so difficult to not be able to reach your full potentials. Must be so hard being amongst wolves and not being able to be with your own wolf.” She began and I immediately felt anger bubbling within me.

“So it’s true? She really is latent?” Her partner in crime asked.

“It’s old news Bianca.” Chloe responded.

It really was old news. It had been one year since the news had begun circulating and that was after my eighteen birthday where I was supposed to be United with my wolf.

But while everyone my age had gone through the ceremony starting with their human forms and ended it in their wolves form, I had been left the same way and the only thing I could feel was a presence in my mind that let me know that I had a wolf.

It was the singular most traumatic thing that ever happened to me but I guess after a long year the effects begin to fade, well with the exception of people like Chloe brining it up as a topic of conversation right behind me every chance they get.

Being a latent wolf sulked, I couldn’t even lie about that if I were given the chance. Asides from the fact that I couldn’t take my wolf form like everyone else around, I also couldn’t have a deep connection with my wolf.

I could feel her in my mind but I couldn’t reach her, I couldn’t connect with her, she was nothing but another presence in my mind. And as they days went by I was starting to believe that she probably didn’t exist and it was just my broken mind that was forcing me into thinking I could feel her somewhere within.

But the pack’s healer had reassured me that I was a werewolf and I definitely had a wolf, I just would never be able to take her form. Not very reassuring if you ask me but it was all I got.

“I mean how is one a werewolf without the wolf part, right?” Chloe said and it was at this point that I snapped.

I turned around to tell her off and just ask her to shut the hell up, but the moment I turned around a wooden spoon came in contact with my forehead and I knew for sure that she had been the one to throw it.

“You slimy bastard! I’ll ki-“

“Quit trying to stir up trouble Cat and please finish up with the vegetables.” Stella said, adding some more washed carrots to the basket in front of me.

I swallowed the anger that threatened to overtake my frame. I couldn’t believe any of this.

“Your senses should be sharper Cat. A wooden spoon would make a lot of noise, you should have been able to hear it coming.” Chloe said, but I ignored her completely.

“Have you had a peek of the Alpha King since he got into the pack earlier today?” I heard Bianca ask and I was relieved that the topic was finally away from me and my absent wolf.

“Sadly I haven’t. I heard he went into town earlier today but unfortunately we were having training with Jason.” Chloe responded.

“What do you think he looks like?”

“I don’t know Bianca. Probably some fat looking old man with a fancy crown on his head. I heard he is ruthless and has no mercy so maybe he could be a power drunk Alpha that enjoys commanding people and having maidens at his beck and call. Nothing interesting at all.”

I had also wondered what the Alpha King might look like. It was the first time he was ever visiting our pack so the buzz was expected at the same time his presence came with an air of mystery.

The two girls go on to discuss various topics and at this point, I lost interest and no longer focus on their conversations anymore.

“This looks good Cat. Well done.” Stella said as she came in to take the big bowl of vegetables that I had just spent the last hour cutting.

I sighed in relief that it was out of my hands already and inched closer to the door in an attempt to escape the kitchen and more work. Just as I got to the door, Jason appeared by the doorway.

“Going somewhere Cat?” He asked and I jumped a little.

“No, no. I just finished my task I wanted to ju-“

“Just shut up.” The mean Omega trainer interrupted me before completely entering the kitchen.

“I think most of the jobs here are done, you all have thirty minutes to go home, shower, have a change of clothes and be back in this kitchen so you all can begin serving the guests. I don’t think I need to mention that you all look presentable, correct?” He asked and a chorus of “No sir” went around the room.

He nodded his head in satisfaction before moving towards the door where I was perched and the glare in his eyes made me know that he was about to address me personally. Just like the majority of people in the pack, Jason hated my guts. For reasons also unknown to me.

“I know you parade yourself as being quite the trouble maker but in case you don’t know the Alpha King isn’t one to be messed with at all. One flop and you could loose your head. I don’t think I have to remind you to be on your ultimate best behavior and to also keep your damn mouth shut.” He paused to be sure I was listening and when I nodded my head he continued speaking.

“Asides the Alpha King, don’t forget that this is a feast for the Alphas so every one of the men you would meet out there are very powerful Alphas, make a mistake at your own risk, I’ll be glad to have you off my hands anyway.” He said with a sneer in his voice before walking past me and out of the kitchen.

I sighed as I also moved out of the kitchen, I would honestly love to not serve at this feast but that was impossible. If I missed this then Jason would have my head, there was no doubt about that one.

The moment I was out of the house and the fresh night air hit me, it felt like I could breathe better. All of the smoke and negative energy in the kitchen had clouded my senses and left me feeling grumpy was gone.

There was nothing I loved more than being free like this and I couldn’t help but dream of a time where I didn’t have to worry about being out like this. I didn’t have to hurry when I walked because I had one task or another waiting for my attention.

I hated every bit of being an omega in this pack but there was no escape for me. This was my life and it will always be.

“Cat, wait up!” I turned around to find Athena running towards me, I stopped to allow her catch up.

“Hey, I didn’t see you thought out. Where were you working?” I asked the moment my friend was by my side.

“The hall. It was very exhausting but the results were absolutely amazing, I was so proud. What about you? Cutting vegetables?” Athena asked with a snicker.

I pushed her shoulders playfully and laughed along when she began laughing.

“I have no idea why Stella hates me so much.”

“Well at least you don’t have a cut this time and you look like you came out in one piece that’s a major win.” She said and I rolled my eyes at her.

“Chloe and her puppet had to work at the station behind me and I had to hear their terrible voices gossip about me through out. I hate my life so much!” I complained to Athena.

“Don’t let them get to you. They are just low life omegas that are jealous of you.” Athena reassured and I smiled in gratitude.

I didn’t believe her. Chloe was a lot more beautiful than I was and had a lot of qualities that made her a more desirable Omega, but I didn’t argue with my friend. I knew she was only trying to make me feel better and I appreciated it.

“Have you had a tiny glimpse of the Alpha king. Everyone seems to be buzzing for him and I don’t even know what the hype is about.”

“Well he is King Cat so I think that is buzz worthy. Plus I hear it’s the first time he’s ever visited our pack so it’s a big deal. And no, I haven’t gotten a glimpse of him, but I’m sure we both will in probably an hour.” She said.

The rest of our walk after then was pretty silent with me thinking about her words. I believed that I was truly cursed when it came to getting into trouble at the wrong time. I really valued my head to I sent a silent prayer to the Moon goddess to help me not get into any trouble today.

“See you later Cat.” Athena called and that was why. I realized that I was at my house already.

She was already on her way before I could return the greeting and so I just walked into my home.