Chapter 2 The Omega

XIMENA

Blood.

There was blood everywhere.

The field stretched endlessly before me, covered in bodies twisted into unnatural positions. Some had their eyes open, and others were missing limbs. The metallic scent of blood hung so heavily in the air that it coated the back of my throat.

I stood in the middle of it all barefoot, my white dress stained red. I didn't know how I had ended up there, but I needed to get out of there.

The wind howled around me, then suddenly, the bodies started moving. Cold hands wrapped around my ankles and my wrists, dragging at me while whispers filled the darkness around me.

RUN!

I had barely spun around when pain exploded through me. A scream tore from my throat as I looked down in horror.

A blood-covered hand had ripped straight through me. My heart. He was ripping out my heart.

“No—" 

“Ximena!” I gasped sharply as the nightmare shattered around me.

The rag slipped from my hand as I blinked rapidly, the image of blood and dead bodies dissolving into the polished marble floor beneath me.

“You useless mutt!”

I flinched and immediately lowered my head. “I’m sorry,” I whispered quickly.

The older woman standing over me scoffed in disgust. “How long does it take to clean one spot?” she snapped. “Do you plan to stand there daydreaming all day?”

“S-Sorry,” I whispered quickly, reaching for the rag.

My hands still shook slightly from the dream as I scrubbed harder against the floor. It wasn't the first time I had nightmares, but it was the first time I had that particular nightmare, and it felt so real.

The woman scoffed loudly. “Worthless girl. No wolf, no purpose, and somehow still alive enough to be a burden.”

I dipped the rag into the bucket beside me and wrung it out slowly, trying to ignore the ache in my knees. “I was used to it.”

I was an omega. Worse. I was an omega without a wolf. Something that shouldn’t have even existed.

No one knew exactly why I had been born this way. Not even the healers had answers. I had been born to two pure-blooded Alpha wolves and yet somehow… I had nothing inside me. 

If not for who my parents were, I would have believed I was human. The pack certainly treated me like one.

No. Humans were treated better.

Pain suddenly shot through my hand, and I hissed softly before I could stop myself. A heel dug painfully into my hand, grinding my bones against the marble floor.

“Well?” a familiar voice said lazily above me. “Are you going to explain why this section is still dirty?”

Fear tightened instantly in my chest as I slowly lifted my head.

Selene.

My older sister stared down at me with sharp blue eyes completely identical to our father’s. Unlike me, she looked every bit like an Alpha’s daughter. Beautiful. Powerful. Perfect.

Everyone loved Selene, but everyone feared her too.

“I…” I swallowed quickly. “I was cleaning your room first.”

The pressure on my hand increased suddenly. Pain shot up my arm so violently my eyes watered instantly.

“Ah—”

“Are you blaming me?” she asked softly. That tone was always worse than shouting. I shook my head immediately despite the pain.

“N-no. I would never.”

“A pity,” Selene sighed dramatically. “For a second there, I thought you had finally developed a spine.”

Another sharp burst of pain shot through my fingers. I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste blood rather than cry out again. A little more pressure and she would break them.

“I’ll do it,” I whispered quickly. “I’m sorry.”

Selene tilted her head while watching me struggle beneath her shoe. For a moment, I genuinely thought she might crush my hand anyway. Thankfully, another voice interrupted her first.

“Selene.” Relief nearly escaped me out loud.

My mother walked into the hall gracefully, her long dark dress trailing behind her while servants followed quietly after her. Or rather… Selene’s mother, as she had stopped acting like mine years ago. 

Her sharp eyes landed on me briefly before immediately filling with distaste. “Stop wasting your time on that useless mutt,” she said dismissively. “You should be preparing yourself.”

“Yes, Mother,” Selene said as she finally removed her heel from my hand. Pain throbbed through my fingers immediately. I curled them against my lap silently while keeping my head lowered. I had learned long ago not to meet my mother's eyes.

Unlike Selene, I had inherited none of the things she valued. I had no wolf, no strength, and no usefulness. I was an embarrassment to the Blackthorn bloodline, and my mother never let me forget it.

“The Supreme Alpha will arrive soon,” she continued while adjusting Selene’s sleeve gently. 

From what I had gathered, he was coming to discuss the ongoing war that had been happening between werewolves, and I frowned, trying to remember who we were against.

The other side was getting stronger and taking over small packs. My pack was large, so we didn’t have to worry about that, but we still had to be ready for anything. 

“Every unmated female from powerful bloodlines will be attending tonight. This could be the opportunity our family has waited for.”

Selene smiled widely. “You think I could be his mate?”

“You should be,” Mother replied without hesitation. “You’re beautiful, strong and the daughter of an Alpha. Any man would be lucky to have you.”

Every unmated female dreamed about becoming the Supreme Alpha’s mate. Most dreamed because of power, others because of status, and a few because of the stories surrounding him.

Personally, I thought that sounded terrifying because everyone knew he wasn't interested in having a mate, and there were even rumours he was going to kill her if he found her. So why would they willingly want that?

Stupid if you ask me. Being mated to a man like that sounded more like a punishment than a blessing, and thankfully, I wouldn't have to worry about that. 

However, if Selene somehow became his mate, then every servant in his pack would suffer for the rest of their lives, but then again, she'd be out of my hair.

“Make sure you look perfect tonight,” Mother said carefully. “If fate favours us, your life could change forever. 

Selene smirked. “It already will.”

“Who knows, you might even be the key to ending the war.”

I rolled my eyes. There was some kind of prophecy that someone would rise who would put a permanent end to the war. Selene was more likely to start a war than end it.  

Mother finally turned toward me again. “And you,” she said sharply. I straightened immediately.

“As soon as you finish cleaning, stay out of sight. Do not embarrass this family tonight.”

“Yes, Luna.”

“Not a single mistake.”

“Yes, Luna.”

Her expression remained cold another second before she finally turned away. Selene paused beside me before leaning down slightly. “If you somehow manage to ruin tonight as you always do," she whispered near my ear, “I’ll make you regret being born.” Then she walked away with our mother.

If they had their way, they wouldn't allow me there, but every unmated female had to be there tonight.

I waited until they disappeared completely before finally exhaling shakily. Only then did I look down at my hand. Angry red marks already covered my fingers.

I flexed them slowly before grabbing the rag again. The second I finished cleaning the hall, another servant shoved a list into my hands.

“The kitchens need help.” I stared at the paper tiredly, then sighed.

I truly couldn’t wait for the Supreme Alpha to leave. Maybe then my life would become slightly less miserable again.