Chapter 1 ~Sneaking in

TARA:

I woke up to the cold gnawing at my bones, the thin blanket over me barely keeping my body warm. My small room smelled of dust, rat poop, and neglect, just as it has always been every morning of my life. It was yet another day as an orphaned Omega. Invisible. Unwanted. Weak.

I pulled myself out of my mat and rolled it up as silently as possible, careful not to wake the older Omegas that were next door. A slip or a misstep and sharp words, snickers, and punishment of all sorts would follow. It was a lesson that had been beaten harshly into me.

Today was the mating ceremony and coincidentally, my birthday. I should feel hope— It was a day all werewolves looked forward to; finding love and living happily ever after.

All except me.

I had been strictly warned, ever since I turned eighteen, never to get near the mating ceremony venue, and I had abided by it for two years. But in this third year, something was pushing me to go.

I wasn’t beautiful, or strong, or worthy and yet, I couldn’t stop the tiny ember of longing that flickered stubbornly in my chest.

Maybe today… Maybe today, someone will see me and take me out of this hell.

Hope burned through my chest like silver. Maybe this was a sign to put myself out there.

I went about my morning chores, bowing to older wolves as I passed. Some whispered and made fun of my clothes while some just purposely ignored my greeting to feel better about themselves.

The clothes I owned were basically rags and even though I worked, I could never afford good clothes because somehow, my small wage always got missing. The last time I complained to the head maid, she gave me the whipping of my life. Since then, I’ve kept to myself and let others do what they wanted to me.

I was weaker than weak, the lowest of the Omegas. An orphan who is regarded as a cursed child. Every day, I was reminded how my existence caused the death of both my parents. Even my relatives had abandoned me because they were scared of the misfortune I carried. The best way I could be used was as a slave. To survive, I had to be invisible, quiet, and obedient.

I was cleaning the staircase when my stomach grumbled loudly. But I dared not complain.

“Tara!!” I shivered when I heard the head maid scream my name. It only meant one thing—trouble.

What had I done this time?

I left what I was doing and ran to her, bowing lower than usual.

“I want you to do these dishes before tonight's event.” I raised my head to see loads of ceramic plates lined up in several baskets.

I grimaced and groaned. This was too much for one person.

“Tonight is a special night for us all and I want it to be perrrrrfect.” She gestured with her fingers before turning to me with a scowl. “Am I clear?”

“Yes, madam.” I lowered my head again. This was what I did to avoid physical abuse from her. She was a short, white-haired woman but she was surprisingly good with a cane.

“Madam?” My voice shook with fear for what I was about to ask her. I had been obedient for two years and stayed away as she had instructed. She hummed in response.

“Please, is it okay if I go to the ceremony tonight? I just want to witness what it looks like.” I asked politely, in my meekest voice ever.

Her eyes shifted from the plates and settled on me with a deadly glare. I should have known what her response would be.

“I’m sorry, madam. I will stay away.” I quickly retraced and went back to what I was doing. I finished with the stairs and went to do the dishes as instructed.

“What are you doing?!” I heard a familiar shriek behind me and turned to see Ellie in a beautiful sundress. Her hair was neatly done, falling in waves to her neck and her face was shining brighter than usual.

I was jealous. Her beauty, her freedom, her elegance. She was perfect.

“Washing dishes?” I replied sarcastically and smiled. “You look beautiful, Ellie.”

“Thank you. But seriously, what are you doing? Why aren’t you getting ready for the ceremony? Everyone’s going.” Her voice was unusually chirpy and she sounded annoyed.

I’ve known Ellie all my life and she's the only person I talk to. She looks out for me and even helps sneak in food whenever I got on the bad side of the madam. She was my angel on earth.

“Madam said I shouldn't go.” My gaze fell to the ground because I didn’t want her to see how much it affected me. My eyes stung with unshed tears as I stared at the pile of plates remaining.

Tonight, everybody was going out to face their destiny while I was stuck here like some prisoner, doing the dirty work.

“Oh, Tara,” She sat beside me and pulled me into a hug. I was scared because I thought my stench would rub off on her pretty dress. But she didn’t seem to mind.

“She doesn’t have to know, does she? Why don’t you just go and come back before the ceremony ends? I can help you sneak in and out but you have to make sure to keep a very low profile.” She suggested. It sounded like a good idea but I was still skeptical about it. I could get in trouble. I was having second thoughts. It sounded like a suicide mission.

But…

“Let’s do it,” I muttered, earning myself a happy grin from her.

“But first, we need to get you out of these.”

She lent one of her beautiful dresses to me. Looking in the mirror, I couldn't recognize myself. I wanted to stay calm but I couldn't help but swirl like a princess. My dreams were finally coming true. I was only one step away from it.

When we got to the venue, I hid behind the large curtains as Ellie had instructed, watching everything that was going on.

I got so carried away—admiring beautiful ladies and handsome men, alongside the extravagant, luxurious chandelier that hung from above— that I didn’t see the madam coming close. I quickly covered the curtains but she seemed to have caught on that someone was there.

My heart pounded against my rib cage, threatening to burst open.

‘If she catches me, I'm dead.’ I cried and thought of how to escape the cruel fate that was about to befall me. I walked stealthily, without shaking the curtains, toward an opening and blended into the crowd. The madam knew something was off and started searching the crowd. I located the closest door to me and shut myself inside.

I waited to hear approaching footsteps but none came. Only then was I able to breathe properly.

I looked around the room. It was dark and eerily quiet and…smelled like sand after rainfall. I felt a magnetic pull toward something but I couldn’t tell what.

“Who are you?” A voice emerged from the door. I gasped and turned quickly but I wasn't able to make out the face of the intruder.

I was shaking, terrified that I had been caught. The voice was heavy and dominant, stripping me of every courage I had mustered.

The only source of light was the one seeping in from the full moon through the transparent windows. Not that it was sufficient enough to see clearly.

The pull came again. I could see a thin, golden thread connecting me to…

“Alpha Nolan!”

My mate!