Chapter 1 - You are worthless

Chapter 1

“Why can't I go?” 

“You know why Aura, Omegas are not allowed into the pack house.” 

I frowned not liking my mother's response to my question. 

“But I promise to stay outside the pack house. I won't cross the gate. I've never been to a mating ceremony, Ma.” I pleaded, my hands clasped in front of me in desperation. 

Mum shakes her head, “No, Aura.” She states with finality. 

My blue eyes water as I plead even more. “Please Ma, I won't cross the gates I swear on the sacred grave of all fallen…”

“Enough! Stop being unreasonable!” Mum shouts in annoyance. 

My shoulders fall in defeat as I cower behind the couch nearest to me. My heart pounds loudly within my chest while I cry silently. 

I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry

The words echo inside my head like a broken record. Shivering from the effort it takes me to bite down my cries, I close my eyes, feeling like a failure. This is why they don't want me near the pack house. I'm so unreasonable, such a disgrace to werewolves. 

I should never have been born. 

“Aura?” My Dad's calm voice startles me out of my darkness. When did he arrive? I thought he'd left already. “Baby,” He says again and I cave, releasing a loud wail as I leap into his strong arms. 

“I'm so sorry, Pa. I'm so sorry. I'm just scared to be alone. I didn't mean to be unreasonable.” My tears soak his shirt but Dad doesn't seem to mind at all as he pulls me harder against his shoulder. 

“Baby, who called you unreasonable?” His calm voice quickly calms me down as usual and I pull away a bit to stare at my Mom who now wears a guilty look. 

“She wants to come with us, Daniel.” She states in her defense. 

Dad's sad eyes meet mine and I sniff. “Aura, we need you safe. And the only place you can be safe is here in our home. If by chance the Alpha discovers an Omega near the pack house, he might take it as an attempt to breach the law. Although I and your mother believe you are much more than submissive, the Jakpounders pack don't think the same.” 

My voice is heavy with defeat when I speak. “I understand, Pa.” 

He rubs my back gently before pulling away. My mom walks up to me and pulls me into a warm hug. Her curly blond hair, the only feature I share with her, tickles my neck. “Check the shelf. Some new pack healing books have been bought.” She says with a smile that I instantly mirror before running over to the shelf in the living room and browsing it in a flash. When I spot the books that will lead me one step closer to being the next pack doctor, I grin wider at my parents. “I love you so much, thank you.”

“Oh honey, we love you too.” Mum murmurs.

“More than you believe baby.” Dad adds. Soon after they walk out the door to the party while I ensure all windows and doors are closed. I pick up my books certain that with enough study, in a few years I'll get to be a pack doctor just like my mother. 

I'm only halfway through the first book when the sound of rapid knocking thunders through the house. I spring to my feet, fear invading my thoughts. 

A deep voice yells from without, “OPEN THE DOOR THIS INSTANT!” 

The loud banging only increases with my silence. I take a few steps back, thinking of any escape route. They might be buglars. I cannot remain in the house. 

I move to one of the windows but before I can pull it open, the loud, deep familiar howl of the pack warriors rings through the street. I pull away from the window. If it is indeed the pack warriors then I have no chance of escape. 

“Open the door! I will not repeat myself. If you refuse to do as commanded within the next five seconds, you will be considered a threat to the Alpha of the pack.” Not long after the angry warrior has spoken a loud countdown begins. “FIVE…FOUR…” 

I run. 

Faster than ever before, I sprint to the door and jack it open. I am met with the sight of a giant pack warrior who towers over me with about four feet. 

“Kneel!” He thunders and I collapse to my knees, unable to disobey a pack member with so much authority cursing through his veins– an authority far greater than that of an Omega. He is possibly a Beta.

“Step back, Gerald.” A deep, eerie voice speaks and I watch the feet of the man in front of me retreat. I whimper the moment I am hit with the crippling alpha aura that suddenly envelopes me. 

“The goddess be damned!” The Alpha suddenly roars and I shiver. He moves closer and a shiver rushes down my spine when I catch his scent. 

My teary eyes flicker upwards as my heart beats a different rhythm immediately. Hope dances within my heart as my lips form the word echoing in my head. 

“M…ma…mate.” I have barely gasped the words when I am pulled to my feet by a firm grip on my neck. The Alpha's green eyes darken as he raises his fist and strikes me across the face. Blood splutters from my mouth and I crumble to the ground. 

“Please!” My mother's voice breaks through the crowd.

In that moment I spot her and my father on their knees with two warriors behind them, their claws drawn out, waiting for an order. 

My eyes widen in horror and for a minute it's impossible to breathe. “No,” I can barely hear my plea as I make an attempt to crawl to them but I'm kicked back into the dirt by my…mate. 

I cough and cry out in pain. “How dare you!” The Alpha roars. “How dare you address me as your mate?!” He kicks me again and I painfully watch as my father fights against the chain holding his hands and feet bound. 

“Those bastards had your scent on their clothes. I had matched here believing they were hiding a worthy mate but now I know I should never have sort you out. You weakling. Shameless slut!” He yells before spitting in my face. 

My heart shatters to a million pieces at the open disgrace and tears rush down my face. 

“I Alpha Atlas of Jakpounders Pack, reject you shameless omega. You are worthless and a liability to my pack!”