CHAPTER 1: THE SIGNIFICANT CHOICE OF MY LIFE

       VALERIA

[Flash back]

          My name is Valeria Hoover, most of my close friends call me Val. I'm the illegitimate daughter of Beta Sam and an Omega of the lowest rank in The Enchanted Shadows pack. My job is to clean and scrub.

My father, who feels disgusted by my sight even though I have his blood flowing through my veins.

The hatred he bore for me increased a thousandfold when he married Camilla. She made things worse for me.

          I had no idea who my biological mother was, and when I tried to find her, there was no trace of her existence. When I tried to ask my father about her, I faced cruel insults and brutal beatings, which eventually led to the assault.

"Your mother was a slut! She never stayed indoors at night. You should take over her now," Camilla rang in my ears, causing me to cringe.

She hated me and couldn't stand the sight of me... she saw me as a worthless piece of trash. She would always remind me how low of an omega I am and how I deserve nothing good in the world.

She didn't forget to always sing to my ears that her daughter would mate with the Alpha when he returned.

          Until one day, my family decided they could no longer tolerate me. They sold me to the Central Kitchen of the Enchanted Shadows Pack to work as an apprentice. Every month, my wages would be directly transferred to my father's account because I was still underage. However, I never received any pocket money.

I will never forget the scene of my first day at the Central Kitchen.

I saw more food that day than I had seen in my entire life. It was like Charlie visiting a chocolate factory for the first time with an empty stomach.

On my first day of work, I was assigned the task of scrubbing the floor by a ruthless madam.

Throwing the rag at my face as it fell to the floor, she spat, "Scrub that floor, you lowly omega!" She pushed me to the side, kicked the bucket of water towards me, causing it to splatter on the floor.

I lowered my head as tears streamed down from my eyes.

          Picking up the baggage filled with trash, she hissed as she littered the contents on the floor. I raised my head, my jaw dropped as I gazed at her on the floor.

"I want this place extremely clean before the chef comes back to check what she's cooking!" Madam Willow gave her order again, stepping on the trash and then on the water, leaving a trail of stains as she disappeared out of the kitchen.

I was hurt. The fact that I was just getting here made my heart churn with despair. Bending over, I picked up the rag and threw it into the bucket that was halfway filled with water.

I needed to be strong.

Packing the garbage into a basket, I pushed it over into a corner. Walking up to the sink, I turned on the tap as I carefully washed my hands, squeezing my palms around themselves.

The aroma of the freshly cooked soup sipped through my nostrils, going straight up to my brain. I grasped my stomach as it grumbled loudly, causing me to remember that I had not eaten for the past few days.

Turning off the water, I raised my head, staring at the decking while I tried to take my mind off it. After all, I was here as a slave to scrub the floors.

Who am I? A lowly omega to linger around the kitchen with no purpose, or rather, stare at or go closer to the bubbling pot on the fire?

I knew that I was going to be roasted to death if I ever tried that.

Wiping my hands on my oversized skirt, walking over to the bucket of water, straining my back as I carried it while holding onto the rag tightly.

Passing a pot of soup, I couldn't resist the smell. The mouthwatering aroma of the soup pot bubbling on the fire reached my nostrils, making my stomach growl in hunger.

Stopping by the fire where the pot was placed, my grip on the bucket loosened as I dropped it to my side.

Looking around to make sure no one was in a place close to the kitchen, I tiptoed closer to the pot and secretly scooped a big spoonful into a small bowl to taste.

Suddenly, a stern voice sounded behind me. "Newcomer omega, what are you doing?"

Startled, "I'm sorry, I was just tasting it." I stammered, instinctively using my hand to shield my face. 

I was used to being beaten at home. 

          "I apologise, Miss Sophie."

Miss Sophie's stern gaze fell upon me and then the pot as she strolled towards me. My heartbeat hastened as my chest rose and fell beneath my shirt.

Miss Sophie, the head chef, was a woman with an afro hairstyle and a plump figure. She looked at my skilled evasive moves with some pity.

Pulled my hand away from my face slowly as it fell to my side.

"Well then, since you say it's just a taste, please tell me what you think," she said.

My eyes widened in shock as I blinked in awe. I never expected her to say that to me. I thought she would have whipped me or ordered the guards to do so.

If it happened to be the other evil lady who asked me to clean, I would have been lying with my stomach on the platform while she whipped my ass.

Mustering up the courage to speak again. "Alright..." I put down my hand and asked, "Can I have another taste?"

Miss Sophie made a gesture of permission. A sincere and confused smile curled on my lips as I adjusted closer to the pot filled with bubbling soup.

Reaching for the spatula with my trembling hands and tasted the soup. The extremely rich flavours danced on my tongue again.

As the rich soup slid down my throat, "Hmm, this soup has Provençal tomatoes, freshly harvested onions and celery, and fresh oxtails."

Miss Sophie looked surprised.

I timidly continued, "But..."

"What? It's alright, dear, just speak your mind." Miss Sophie's voice became gentler wanting to know what my thoughts were about the soup.

"When the chef was sautéing the onions, he might have forgotten to use butter."

"Oh my, this girl is a genius!" Miss Sophie said with delight, "Because Jerry forgot to buy butter the day before, we had to use another oil for cooking today!"

I was surprised to see Miss Sophie's eyes glimmer at my thoughts.

"We can't have this little genius cleaning the floor every day!" Miss Sophie quickly called a few chefs over and had everyone rearrange their tasks.

"From today onwards, you will be my little apprentice!" Miss Sophie proudly announced.

Uncertain of what Miss Sophie meant, my heart whirled with confusion and hope.

"I've been in search of a person who has the talent and love for cooking," Miss Sophie added, sensing her thoughts. "Today, not only did you demonstrate both to me, but you also proved how sincere you are. You deserve to be in the kitchen and not scrubbing the floor."

My eyes widened in shock, I had begun the day as a timid cleaner, trying my best to avoid mischief, now it has unexpectedly led me to a promotion.

I saw a girl of similar age to mine smiling and clapping her hands from a distance. She later became my best friend, and her name was Eve.

Looking back at the bucket and rag, "Thank you, Miss Sophie. I'm grateful, and I promise not to let you down while I work beside you. I would just go and finish my scrubbing for the day."

"No, you shouldn't do that anymore." Miss Sophie said.

Madam Willow, seeing what was going on, walked up to me and squeezed my ear, causing me to yell. 

Bowing slightly, "Please excuse me, Miss Sophie... I'm sorry for her mischievousness. I asked her to scrub and not taste the food. She will go back to her task now."

"Let her go." Miss Sophie said, a stern look on her face. My ears were already scorching hot. "Get someone else to do it, or rather, do it yourself! You created the mess in the first place."

Madam Willow gasped, releasing her grip on my already red ears, glaring at me as she stormed out of the kitchen.

From year to year, I and Eve lived our days in hardship and repetition. But thanks to my passion for cooking and my friends, I learned to find joy amid difficulties. Until that day, when something happened that changed my life.

Everyone was busy that particular afternoon getting ready for the Alpha's welcome banquet. Our Alpha, who had been away from the pack to a neighbouring country... We all, especially me, had never gotten a chance to see him because he had been away from the pack for three years.

His aim was to attend the crucial meeting discussing the safety of the pack and some trivial problems we were going through.

I heard it was never a success, so it held him back from returning.

The smell of spices filled the air and people gathered around the kitchen wash basin. Maya, Ruby, and Eleanor couldn't help but gossip as water poured over the bright orange carrots and lettuce leaves in their hands about how attractive the Alpha was. 

Giggling over an Alpha who they didn't know, but it was quite certain that he had caused a stir among the females in the pack. 

It was quite intriguing. None of us had ever met him

Eleanor, who had shoulder-length, flowing hair, crouched down, whispering. "I heard he looks more handsome than Alpha Asher in the Morning Storm pack " she paused, looking up as she placed her palms over her face. 

"On my way back from the market, the market girls were gushing over him. They can't wait to be chosen as his mate"

Sitting quietly on a bench on the other side, listening to their conversation and washing the broccoli, unconcerned by the pull of the Alpha.

They all giggled as a freckled beauty, Ruby, spoke up, her eyes glistening. "I also heard he isn't like other rude Alphas. He exudes compassion. Imagining myself conversing with him would be like conversing with my imaginary lover."

I shook my head in bemusement as Ruby swooned over the Alpha.

Maya, known for her contagious laugh, laughed out loud. "Girls, I can't wait to meet him. He must be from the fairy tale. Cinderella meets her prince," enthusiasm written all over her face.

Scoffing, "Girls! Come on! We have important things to finish up rather than swooning over this goddamned dude who we've never met in our lives. It's slowing us down," Rolling my eyes as I slushed the water on my hand and the lettuce.

Maya busted out in laughter. "You are so boring, that's why you don't feel how we feel,"

With a mocking smirk, "Is that what you think? Why not tell me why you are all so engrossed in this fantasy?" 

Dropping the broccoli on the tray as I concentrated on them.

My eyes bore into them as Eleanor's brows knitted into confusion. Pausing, I pointed at the sink. 

"We are meant to wash the vegetables, not to think about fantasy!"

Unfazed, Ruby turned to me and smiled mischievously. "Valeria, lighten up already! Who knows, he might be the one to sweep you off your feet."

I shrugged, my wavy hair framed my face. I chuckled lightly. "Let the galaxy sweep me off my feet if it so wishes. But right now, I'm more focused on cleaning than swooning over some supposed heartthrob. Moreover, I don't just judge people based on their looks."

My entire attention focused on the broccoli. "Who knows, your imaginary prince charming might turn out to be a dem…"

Then Miss Sophie's reprimanding voice abruptly interrupted our conversation. Turning over in Miss Sophie's direction, Jerry was standing in front of her, rubbing his palms together anxiously.

"How many times do I have to say this? Not this type of mushroom! The only ones that Alpha enjoys are those that are rectangular and creamy white."

Jerry claimed, lowering his head pitifully, "But I can't tell the difference between them."

I decided to assist Jerry in sorting out the problem.

"I'll help. I can tell the difference between them." I butted in calmly as Miss Sophie stared at me.

Miss Sophie's stare left Jerry's face and darted to mine. "Are you sure?" She asked.

I nodded my head. "Yes, Miss Sophie. I can,"

"You should be washing the veggies. Jerry always makes a mistake," she said, turning to Jerry. "You should learn from Valeria!"

The most significant choice of my life may have been made by the Moon Goddess at that precise time.