Chapter 5: Memories

The stone sank deeper and deeper, until my werewolf hearing heard the thud of it against the floor of the river. The river was just shallow, at least this part where I am.

            Thankfully, for an Omega, I’m not wolfless. My wolf, Ayana, is strong-willed even for an Omega. Strong-willed, not strong in a physical sense. Well at least according to and in comparison to the higher ranks like Betas and Alphas and Warriors.

            My sister, however, I think her wolflessness is the reason why she was easily killed.

I’m no longer on the Alpha’s gardens though I’m still facing it. Across the river, that solitary apple tree beckoned me to hang out with it.

‘Poor Anastasia,’ my sister would say. ‘You really don’t have any friends aside from an apple tree?!’

I just stared at the apple tree, debating if I should accept its invitation with its rustling leaves and fat red fruits.

I haven't had breakfast or lunch yet. Nor do I have one.

“So apple it is,” I said. But I looked to the river in front of me. Not that I can’t cross it, but because this is a river—there’s fish and seafood or something.

I was in the process of constructing an improvised fishing pole when a trout jumped to the surface, scaring the living daylights of me. Well I hope that Alpha Cain wouldn’t mind if I'm fishing in his river but…

“I just hope he won’t mind,” I sighed.

I waded into the flowing current, slippers off and dress tied around my knees. Another fish leaped out of the water and even Ayana jumped in joy when I caught one with my bare hands.

I tied my hair up, a few strands of it falling into my face as I crossed the river in one long jump, the fish crouched between my arms. I ran quickly under the shade of the apple tree and just took a glimpse of the hammock. 

I swooped down and peered at the back of the trunk of the tree. I’m right—the tree is more than what it is. I saw some chopped wood inside the trunk, my arm can barely fit, as well as a lighter.  

I remained silent as the fish eventually stopped flapping, its sides catching and gleaming with all the colors so bright above me. I started a makeshift roast for the fish, sharpening whatever tool I found in the trunk.

Apple trees are sometimes used as a dating site for lovers. They sometimes hide things in the trunk in case for a picnic in the future, a romantic date whatsoever. And yes, it was my sister who told me that.

I climbed the tree for a few apples. I really, really hope Alpha Cain wouldn’t mind that I fished for lunch in his river, climbed his apple tree for fruit, and cooked the fish behind the said tree. The trunk is large enough to hide my small body from the peering eyes of anyone near the Alpha’s gardens.

In the daylight, the glow of the flames wouldn’t be noticed. Though the smoke is a necessary risk. I roasted my brunch and ate in silence, the crackling fire offering the only company I have.

“What a lunch you have.”

I clamped down on my blind panic as I looked up at a pair of turquoise eyes I’ve never seen before. “I’m the Alpha’s sister. I’m Viviane.” 

Viviane. Like my sister’s name—

“I’m Anastaisa,” I stretched out a hand, the hand I used in catching a fish and climbing the apple tree.

            “Before you could wallow in making up excuses why you’re here, I would like to tell you that this is my place, though it was my mother who planted and built the hammock.” She glanced to the side where the hammock slightly shifted by the gust of wind.

“I certainly don't have any plan in making up excuses.”

She cackled, one that I only heard from my sister.

“Welcome to the Blood Dawn Pack,” she sat beside me as she eased herself on to a seat. “How have you found us so far?”

“Beautiful, when you’re in The City Above. Pitiful when you reside in The City Under.”

Shock flashed across her face when she realized what I am. “So you’re an Omega.”

I waved my hand in my direction, stifling a laugh. “Isn’t it obvious?”

I rubbed at my aching eyes, asking myself if this is real? Am I really talking to a high-ranking person without a whip on their hand or at least a crowd watching my execution take place?

“It’s not, with your pretty face.” Indeed, even when I’m an Omega, my white gold hair and sapphire eyes boasts enough beauty, if not too much.

“All of us are beautiful if we have enough money and privilege to be taken care of,” I scoffed. Taking a moment’s rest beneath my new bounty: an apple tree filled with fat, red succulent fruits.

“I hope you don’t mind if I fill my bag with these red babies.”

“I doubt if it even fits your pocket,” she giggled. Her face is the epitome of kindness and innocence. If Alpha Cain’s face is anything but brute and ruthlessly intimidating, Viviane is the complete opposite.

She laughed and slid her gaze to the two apple cores already lay discarded beside me, the sweet rotting scent as lulling as the afternoon wind begging me to take a nap under the shade of this beauty.

After what apples did to my mother a couple of summers ago, I should have sworn off apples forever. But hunger and despair had always blurred lines for me—to the point that laughing it off will just make my hunger grow worse.

“I suppose you’ll make a good friend, Anastasia.” Her eyes were bright and friendly.

I made myself look her in the eyes. “Yes, I exactly would say the same to you.”

Then she stood and bid me goodbye, heading to her brother’s massive swirling gardens of green and red and violets.

I smiled. Did I just conversed with an Alpha in the middle of the day without being struck and befriended by his sister?

Absolutely fucking yes.

And I’m glad that at least the sister knew how to say goodbye.

***

The Resting Day felt like only an hour and was gone too soon as I drew my next breath.

Though my exhaustion was a blanket over my senses as light from torches stained the walls when I woke up, the guards telling me to hurry as today is the day where we will be introduced properly to the Blood Dawn Pack, becoming one with them.

The City Under is cold, especially at night. I’d spent most of the night shivering, jolting at every snap and sound of the passing guards in their wolf forms outside my prison-room, keenly aware of every movement I made on my bed of hay.

Even when the morning was bright and jolly, my own haggard face didn't join the revelry. I knew I hadn’t slept well since the day we were conquered. I bet so does my fellow Omegas.

The Alpha eased to his feet with a groan, his unbound hair glimmering like some midnight jewel against the midday sun overhead set the whole atmosphere glowing. Standing atop the platform where all of us can see him, his dominance and confidence radiating around him like some light emitted by his tan skin. Females, especially from his pack giggled sweetly. The Omegas, though they didn't really look scared to him, still held their heads up high to Alpha Cain with respect and awe.

“The Iron Wood Pack is the latest family to join us,” he said as a form of greeting, merely speaking casually as if we’re just a couple of stray cats and dogs that need a new home for adoption. “Each of them will now be part of the Blood Dawn Pack as one and whole, their ranks the same to what they were, as they’ve always been.” My stomach roiled at that. Not that I’m despised that I will always be an Omega, but it makes it look like those who were born as Betas will always be Betas and those born unfortunate will always be unfortunate.

“Not only that, I will always like to inform you that the Alpha’s Pet title is now vacant. Among the Omegas, I will test those who are interested and willing to live up to the title.”

Right. I once heard that this ‘Alpha’s Pet’ title is only practiced by a number of packs, especially one with the Alpha who has conquered more than two Packs.

‘Why should I be surprised? This is no news for me, isn’t it?’

            But deep down, I know what my wolf spirit, Ayana, will say: “That is news for us, and we shall take advantage of that.”