One

Kira

Seeing my mom's body tremble uncontrollably on the floor made me curse the moon goddess for being a mean bitch. 

I turned eighteen today, and my wish was simple— not to find my mate or to get accepted into the main pack, but my mom's healing.

But it seemed like the malicious goddess loved seeing me cry. My mom's condition had only worsened, and I was left to care for her on my own, with no support from the other omegas.

"Mom, please don't die. It's already hard being omega. I need you."

She coughed, wiping thick dark blood off her nostrils, and a small smile crossed her face.

"Kira, I'll be okay."

I smoothed out my dress, which had a jagged tear on my right shoulder and felt scratchy against my skin. Zion, an omega boy who claimed we were in a relationship, planned to sneak into the main pack to get medication for my mom. He was a garbage collector who knew the clinic's location. The medication was free for higher werewolves but out of reach for omegas.

After dabbing my mom's face with a wet rag, I snuck out of our tent. We lived with other omegas in leaky tents outside the border. Zion and five other omegas my age, including my best friend Amari, gathered under an oak tree, having soggy potatoes for dinner. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten food for two days, but hunger was the least of my worries, much less my least favorite food. 

"Join us," Zion said with a smile, handing me his half-eaten food.

I declined. Zion smiled, seeing the desperation in my eyes, and fought to his feet. My body stiffened when he pulled me closer and spanked my butt cheeks. He did it again and watched it ripple before whispering against my ears. 

"Remember the deal. I show you where the medication is, and you give me your body. You're eighteen and a woman now."

Zion was about a foot taller than me and skinny, with a discoloration in his front teeth, like a coffee stain on a white shirt. 

Not wanting to offend him, I remained mute. He was my only hope, and tolerating his inappropriate behavior wouldn't kill me.

"Suppose we get caught. What's the worst that could happen?" I asked Zion fearfully as we neared the border. He tossed an amused glance at me.

"They'd probably cut off our heads," he snickered, laughing at my horrified reaction.

"As long as we remain in the shadows, we won't get caught."

I sighed. Omegas lived as refugees outside the border. Anyone driving through the border into the main pack would likely spot one. We were easily identifiable: worn-out clothes, unhealthy complexion, and all the other signs that set us apart. 

The border swarmed with cars from neighboring packs, all gathered for the coronation of Alpha D'Angelo, the new Alpha whose father I prayed was rotting in hell.

Omegas hoped for change but knew our situation would worsen. The younger alphas were more ruthless than their fathers. We snuck in under darkness, running from the border guards.

My eyes gaped in awe. The pack was perfect, with well-maintained roads, plazas, recreational facilities, and everything needed for a comfortable life. 

I imagined being born as a beta or gamma wolf and living in a big house with plenty of food and no worries. I'd have prepared to meet my mate if I wasn't an omega.

Zion snapped me out of my foolish fantasies by circling his arm around my waist. He wasn't a bad person. He'd protected me countless times from lusty omega men in heat. 

I just wasn't into him.

We got to the clinic, finding it empty as expected, with everyone likely at the alpha's coronation celebration. Zion snuck in through the back door, and my best friend squeezed my hand reassuringly.

As if fate were smiling at me, Zion emerged after about five minutes, triumphantly holding up the injection. Filled with excitement, I attempted to grab the package from him. 

"Ah ah ah! Not so fast," he said and winked, pocketing it. "I've done my part; now it's your turn."

I sighed wearily. His best friend, Peter, chimed in, "Give him some good ol' loving tonight, Kira. You're his girlfriend, after all." 

I turned to Amari for support, but she sided with the boys. With no other choice, I reluctantly agreed to fulfill my end of the bargain that night. It was useless waiting for my mate to take my virginity when my mom's life was at stake. 

"Fine. I'll do it. Let's head back to the camp."

The troublesome fools disagreed and suggested heading to the coronation venue to scavenge for leftover food for our families. While it wasn't a terrible idea, I was afraid. 

"You guys go ahead; I must get back to my mom." 

Zion grabbed my hand. "You'll get caught; we must remain together."

I reluctantly followed them to the alpha's huge mansion, a stunning structure of glass and chandeliers. A wolf-headed fountain beautified the circular driveway, leaving me in awe.

We continued to sneak through the darkness and watch the elegantly dressed partygoers, who raised their wine glasses in toasts.

"Fucking bastards. They don't even have a care for this world," Zion murmured under his breath.

He dragged me along, and somehow, we found our way to the kitchen, whose countertop was loaded with assorted meats.

I shoved some chunks of chicken for my mom into my woven bag and kept looking out at the door, knowing how unsafe this was.

Five minutes had turned into ten, and no one had seen us. Zion handed me a bubbly-tasting wine and made me drink glass after glass.

Perhaps that's why I didn't notice when he'd taken me up to the terrace and lifted my gown.

"Are you about to sleep on the alpha's terrace with me?"

"Fuck the alpha," Zion growled while taking off his belt. Horrified, I tried to discourage him, but his dick was talking for him. I began trembling.

"This is a chance to make love under the stars. Don't ruin this experience," Zion said.

I felt like screaming at him, but the words stuck in my throat. This was a deal.

In excitement, Zion tore my poor dress and was about to take off my panties when we heard footsteps. Like a startled owl, he hurried away. I tried to stand but failed. In a few seconds, I heard a male voice.

"What the hell are you doing naked on my terrace?"

The voice rippled like a murmur. It was low and husky, and I wondered how a voice could simultaneously sound so relaxed yet angry.

I forgot to breathe when I locked eyes with the voice's owner. He had a strong alpha aura and looked like a god.

An intoxicating scent filled the air. It was a rich blend of musk, chocolate, and coconuts, stirring primal excitement within me. I gasped in shock while my wolf sprang with excitement. 

The beautiful stranger before me was my fated mate, whose aura hinted that he was likely D'Angelo, the new alpha.

Good grief