Delaney
I'm sitting on the dirty floor my cell with my arms around my knees. Ten years. Ten. That's how long I'll be expected to stay imprisoned for the murder of Trevor. Due to the fact that he hurt me, I was given a lower sentence. That's the information I received afterward as I was being brought here to the prison. "Courtesy of the Alpha and the judge," the officer told me before spitting at my feet. "It's certainly more than an Omega like you deserves." Most police officers are Gammas, so they're higher in rank than us. Omegas are considered the weakest people in every pack, and I'm pretty sure we'd all be killed if they—the higher-ups— didn't need people to clean after them. I'm numb. My brutal reality hasn't sunk in yet, and so as a result, I have this feeling like all of this is temporary and I'll go home soon. I haven't quite accepted the fact that I'll be imprisoned for ten years. I couldn't say how many hours passed since I was shoved in my cell. The bottom bunk bed indicates that someone is in here with me. The bed hasn't been made, and I find a few things under the pillow. Just some hair pins and an old photograph that's been folded up. Only, I don't know where my cellmate is. I hear footsteps heading toward me. At first, I think they'll go right past me, but then the person—the man—stops in front of my cell. I know it's a man because of his huge feet and the sneakers he's wearing. My eyes move slowly from his feet to his head, and I grow even colder when I realize that the person standing in front of me is Alec himself. Our eyes lock. Time seems to stop. Alec steps closer to the bars and eyes me with a pity that doesn't sit well with me. What's he pitying me for when he's the reason why I'm here to begin with? "You lied," I tell him after a while. My voice is so low that it's barely above a whisper. Alec stares at me with his lips pressed together. At first, I'm not sure that he'll answer me, but then he says in an equally low voice, "I had to." I scoff in disbelief. "You...you had to?" He lowers his eyes and doesn't say anything else. Again, I take note of the bruise on his face that's already starting to heal due to our supernatural abilities. It's all I can focus on for a while until he says, "I came here to reject you, Omega, so let's get this done and over with." The word rejection does something to me. I can't explain what it is, but it cuts me up and leaves my wolf howling in pain. "Stand up," he commands. I find myself moving. I stand up, my eyes on his face. He's gripping the bars so tightly that his knuckles are white. He then says, "For your protection, it would be better if you never told anyone about this. About us. Do you understand?" Tears cloud my vision. I don't answer him. He slams his hand against the metal bar. "ANSWER ME!" I nod as tears slide down my cheeks, and he calms down, seemingly satisfied with my response. Then, the words he utters cut through me and sever the sliver of a bond we had, one that would've grown stronger had we accepted each other as mates. "I, Alec Oliver Castell, reject you, Delaney Marie Waters, as my mate." I'm in so much emotional pain that I don't ask myself how he knows my full name. "I, Delaney Marie Waters, accept your rejection." I sink to the floor as waves of pain crash into me. Most of my pain comes from my wounded wolf. Through the pain and confusion, I hear Alec say, "Remember this, Omega: the second you mention our bond, you'll be slaughtered like a pig. And don't even bother telling anyone you didn't kill Trevor because it won't make a single difference." With that, he leaves. I'm curled up on the floor while tears slide down my face. They form a small puddle on the floor by my head, and I ride the wave of pain. I should have never expected more from him. That was my mistake. He'd always accompanied his friends as they bullied me. He'd laughed at me. He'd supported it all. My wolf should have known that she was cursed too, because what else would explain him being my fated mate? It was obvious that he'd reject me, and I doubt that I'll have a second chance at this like some people do. That's the whole point of being a cursed individual. When my cellmate arrives, I'm fast asleep. I wake up to the sound of the cell opening. She's shoved inside roughly and nearly steps on my head. She curses the guard and then bangs her hands on the bars. "You'll pay for this! You'll see!" Then, after she's done raging, she finally turns around and looks at me. Her hair is black, but it's not the natural color of her hair because her roots are blonde. She gives me a once over with her bright blue eyes before asking, "And you're in here for what exactly?" I don't answer her and she clicks her tongue and walks past me before throwing herself on her bed. "You better not snore or I'll smother you in your sleep. And don't you dare try anything funny. I'm warning you. You don't even look like you can fight." After this, she falls asleep. I know this because of the soft snores leaving her lips. I get up and move closer to the cell's door. I squeeze my face between the bars as far as I can before peering out at the place that will be my new reality. Inside, my wolf is wounded, but she'll heal. She'll heal because there's not much she can't overcome. Acceptance is slowly sinking into my bones. The longer I think about it, the easier it all becomes to digest. Although I'm in prison, I try to find advantages in order to make it easier for me to cope. At least I'm safe in here. I won't be bullied by the elites anymore. I'll have peace. When my cellmate wakes up, she finds me in the same position. She yawns and then chuckles. "What, are you shell-shocked or something?" "No," I answer. "Just letting things sink in." She genuinely scoffs at this. "That never happens. I've been in here for a month now and I'm still having a hard time accepting the fact that I'm here and that this is my new reality." I turn my head to look at her. She's very pretty, but there's an air to her that makes me feel a little wary. "How long are you staying?" I ask curiously. She shales her head. "I asked you a question earlier, remember? You answer that one and then I'll answer one of yours. That's how things work." "I was wrongfully accused of killing someone," I confess. She sighs. "So is everyone." "I mean it," I tell her. "I didn't do it." Alec's warning returns to me. I'm not going to tell her about his involvement, but there's no way I'll admit to a crime I didn't commit. "Now you." She sighs. "I actually killed someone." My eyes widen. She catches my expression and laughs bitterly. "It wasn't in cold blood. It was self-defense. But that still lands you in here for ten years or so. In my case, it's seven. The guy was a Gamma, and he was hurting my brother, who was already shot. So, I tried to get involved and he turned on me. I didn't have a choice. He would've killed me if I hadn't killed him first. But nobody cares because we're Omegas." "And your brother?" "In jail, too," she replies. "But he's only staying for two years. He didn't really do anything." Our shared story makes us bond. I find out that her name is Paola Lyons, and she's my age. The years pass and our friendship grows stronger. I learn a lot from her, and about myself, too. For starters, I realize that my wolf has never really let go of what was done to us, and she wants revenge. She's thirsty for it. Before, I tried to ignore this, but as the years go by, I give into her nature. Why not? Why can't I have revenge? I can and I will. When I get out of here, Alec Castell will pay for what he did to me. All of them will. I'll make sure of it.Delaney Seven Years Later An officer knocks on the metal bars with his bat and I look up from the book I'm reading. "Time to go," he simply tells me. "Where?" I ask. He doesn't answer me; he just unlocks the door. The metallic sound of it opening fills my ears. I put my book down and he shakes his head. "Bring everything you own with you," he informs me. "We've received a court order for your release."My eyes widen and for a moment, I lose the ability to breathe. This can't be. I'm being released? Today?"Hurry up, Waters," the officer grumbles. "I don't have all day."I gather my things in my arms quickly before deciding to use my pillowcase as a makeshift bag. I don't have much; just books, deodorant that I traded for a book, a pack of cigarettes that I've started smoking in here, and a lighter. There's also the piece of paper that Paola left for me on the day she was released, which was a month ago. It's states her address and a phone number I can reach her with. We became ve
DelaneyThe sight of Paola's brother leaves me light-headed, mostly because she told me so much about him over the years and I never knew that I'd already seen him before. The man standing before me gives me a once-over. Paola has cut her hair short and has gotten rid of all the black dye on her hair, and honestly, I think the color suits her more. Her hair is now the same dirty blonde as his, making them look very alike. Only, the big difference between them is that although Paola can be explosive at times, she has this soft look to her. Her eyes are big and kind. Her brother, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. His eyes are full of curiosity and disdain as he sizes me up while a sly smile curls at the edges his plump lips. When they land on mine after his assessment, I have the feeling that he's making fun of me in his head. I wonder if he recognizes me, too. The day of the trial was such a long time ago. "This is the friend you made in prison?" Pollux asks. His voice
Delaney"What do you think?" Paola asks in my ear. "Pretty cool, huh?"I have no words for the scene in front of me. When we were walking through the tunnel to get here, I had no idea what to expect. I certainly didn't know that we would be walking into a whole city built under the one I grew up in. No wonder they call it the Underworld. "How did we manage all this?" I ask her as we walk through a narrow passageway. Most of the streets are narrow, and it's just dirt beneath our feet. Still, I'm impressed by the gothic feel of the place and how, for some reason, I've never heard about a place like this. I didn't even know such a thing could be possible. Some of the buildings we come across have been carved into the bedrock itself. It's not like they transported bricks down here. I'm surprised our city hasn't collapsed yet. I just can't believe this place is real. "It's been in the works for centuries," she informs me. "Many people helped bring this place to life, you know? It's ju
AlecI’m sitting on the edge of my bed and a million things are running through my mind because today was quite an eventful day for me, and a few hours ago, I received the confirmation that it all worked out in my favor. I glance at Carla, who’s lying on her side fast asleep, and slowly get out of bed before walking toward the window of our bedroom. The moon is merely a crescent, but I’m drawn to her already. In a few days, the Full Moon Hunt will begin. For once, I actually feel excited about it, and that’s because this year, I’ve let go of the weight that’s been burdening me for close to seven years. My father’s death earlier this year has made me Alpha, and with that, came a heap of responsibilities. Leading the pack is more troublesome than I thought, and it’s incredibly difficult to make a decision because it has to be approved by the board of Alphas that rule our city. Carla moans in her sleep, and I tense up and turn my head to look at her. Thankfully, she doesn’t wake up.
DelaneyMy work shift is pretty easy, apart from one thing. I’ve forgotten how to socialize with people. If I had to be completely honest, I’d say that I never really learned how to deal with people. In school, I didn’t have any friends. Everyone was too busy calling me Cursey Waters to get to know me, even the other Omegas. The years I spent in isolation made things worse, so I feel awkward around big crowds, and for some reason, I’m afraid that someone will recognize me and spread tales about me. I serve my last table the beer they ordered and then return to the bar. Paola is busy with the cashier, and she glances at me covertly before asking, “Are you okay?”“Yeah, just a little overwhelmed,” I admit. “You seem on edge,” she notes. “It’s weird being around people again, right?”“I guess so.”The door of the cavern swings open and Francesca and Pollux both walk in. They’re standing very close, and she presses a kiss to the side of his neck before making her way back to the bar.
DelaneyThe very next day, we wake up early and head down to the bar, even though it only opens later tonight. It's strange to wake up in a dark place. There's no way of having access to sunlight here, so torches light the place as well as lightbulbs. Now that I'm used to the thought of being free, it's easier for me to take in the details of the place, and honestly, I'm amazed at how all of this was put together. I want to know more about the place. When did our kind start building it? Who was behind it all? How is it possible that a place like this with so many people slid beneath the radar of the very people who want us oppressed?There's so much more to this story that I want to know. Francesca is already there, even though all the chairs are on top of the tables. She seems to be mixing fruits in a blender. When she sees us both, she smiles and says, "You're early.""Yeah," Paola says before sitting on one of the high stools near the bar. I do the same. "Your brother was here
AlecI feel a hand on my arm, and that's what wakes me up. I turn to the side and see a very blurry Carla staring back at me. Her brow is furrowed, and if I had to guess, I'd say she looks concerned. "What's going on?""There's someone at the door," she claims. "A meeting will be held today among the Alphas. They want you to join them in an hour."I tense a little but try not to let it show. "Did they tell you what the meeting would be about?""No," she claims. "But this rarely happens, right? The next meeting was meant to be in a week's time. Why this all of a sudden?"I get up and start getting ready for the meeting. Deep in my gut, I know exactly who this meeting's being held. I didn't think that they would find out so soon, though. Carla remains in the room as I'm getting ready. She seems to be watching me intently, for some reason. Again, I don't know when she became so paranoid. Being Luna changed her completely. I try not to make eye contact with her, and by the time I'm don
DelaneyOnly, the meal doesn't end as peacefully as I thought it would. We finish eating and Paola orders something they call Coal, which is a mass of gooey chocolate mixed with biscuit crumbs and nuts that’s absolutely delicious. It’s the best dessert I’ve ever had in my entire life, and I eat most of the bowl by myself and ignore the dirty look that Pollux gives me. I find that it’s easier when I act like he doesn’t exist. I didn’t have a problem with him before, but now I do. Does he think that he’s the only one who’s capable of being prejudiced against strangers? I don’t know him and yet, I have a terrible impression of him already. What kind of person judges another so harshly without knowing them? How can he assume that I’m a cold-blooded killer when his sister and I were in the can for very similar reasons?Only, she actually killed the man who was going to kill Pollux, and I never hurt anyone. My crime was being Omega and cursed. But I don’t want to talk about that anymor