Chapter 1

~Nyla~

“Orphans are not allowed.” Janet said.

I turned around to look at her immediately.

“What did you just say?” I demanded.

“I said, orphans are not allowed.” She repeated with an eye roll.

“And who made such a rule?” I demanded again.

She looked at me like I had lost my mind.

“Everyone knows. For the coming of age, only those whose parents can stand beside them are allowed to participate in the ceremony.” She explained.

I looked into the faces of everyone present to see if it was a prank but they all looked dead serious. Every year, the moon council holds a ceremony for everyone turning twenty one called the coming of age ceremony.

It's where people show off their wolves and the powers that had been bestowed on them.

I was excited to attend because I had just turned twenty one three days ago.

Now, hearing I couldn't go because I was an orphan broke my heart.

“Hey,” Lily called.

I looked at her with tears in my eyes. She put her arms around my shoulders.

“I'll ask my parents if they can stand for the both of us.” She said, trying to cheer me up.

I nodded even though I wasn't convinced.

“What the hell are you useless omegas doing standing around and doing nothing?” A voice growled.

Lily and I jumped back in shock.

“Shit.” Lily cursed. “It's miss most powerful.” She said sarcastically.

I winced and looked to see Jenna storming towards us with anger. I knew I was already in trouble. She had a special hatred for me and I never understood why.

“What do you think you're doing?” She asked when she got close.

“Sorry, I was just trying to…”

“Shut up!” She cut Lily off rudely. “I wasn't asking you. I was asking her.”

She glared at me.

I looked down in shame.

“I'm sorry.” I said quietly.

“You better get everything ready before the festivals start. The alpha is arriving soon and it's on me to make sure everything is in order for him. If you cause me to be embarrassed, I will make your life miserable.” She threatened and stormed off.

Lily scoffed.

“How dare she call us omegas? We haven't even shown our true powers yet.” She spat.

She had a point but we all knew the truth. We didn't need the coming of age ceremony to show how weak we were. Everyone could see it. The ceremony just served to prove what everyone knew.

We got back to work.

Soon, the sentinels began to ring the giant bell signalling that it was time for the ceremony to begin.

“Oh my God, it's time!” Janet screeched in excitement.

“Do you think I'm going to find a mate today?” Sandra asked her in the same excited voice.

“One step at a time. Let's just prove we're not really omegas so people like Jenna can finally give us the resorts we deserve.”

Sandra rolled her eyes.

“She does all of that because she thinks she's going to be Luna.”

Lily snorted.

“What Luna? Can you even believe that?” She nudged me and raised an eyebrow.

I was lost in my self pity about not being able to attend the ceremony that I didn't even know what they were talking about.

“What?” I asked her.

“Janet said Jenna thinks she's going to be Luna.” Lily explained.

I shrugged.

“I mean, it's kind of obvious. She's the daughter of the beta and she has already taken up so many duties in the pack. I heard even the alpha favors her currently. It all points to one thing, and that's her becoming Luna.” I stated.

Lily gave me a look of disgust.

“If she becomes Luna, we're doomed. See how she treats the omegas even without power. What do you think will happen when she's eventually handed that power?” Lily asked in annoyance.

“Well, that won't be my problem anymore.” Sandra retorted. “I'm going to the ceremony, and I'm going to prove to everyone that I'm not an omega.” She sauntered off swaying her hips.

I walked back to my house in a daze. House was a slight exaggeration. I lived in a shack ever since I got out of the runts home. But it was mine and it was something.

I sighed in exasperation and rolled my shoulders trying to ease off the exhaustion. The drums began to roll signaling that the ceremony had started. I looked over the horizon longingly wishing I could be there.

By nightfall, I made up my mind. I picked out the only dress I had in my closet and donned it on. It wasn't much but it would serve.

I quickly stepped out and headed down to the clearing where the festivities were holding. I could see people on the dance floor, dancing, while the drummers drummed and the singers chanted. Everyone was happy. No one cared about the forgotten orphan girl.

I stood in one corner and observed everything. Soon, it was time for the age grade to come out. Lily and every other person got into a line and began marching towards the altar.

I looked around, and when I saw no one was watching, I snuck into the back of the line and marched up with them.

The drummers circled us and drummed for us while we danced. I did my best to remain invincible.

When it was time for the parents to take their place, I was left standing alone.

“How did you get here?” The priestess demanded.

“I… errr…. I'm twenty one.” I stuttered.

“Where are your witnesses?” She asked with little fireballs in her eyes.

I looked away in embarrassment trying not to let my tears fall.

“I'm an orphan.” I whispered.

Everyone gasped and all eyes were now on me.

“Didn't I tell you, you couldn't come?” Janet snarked.

“Stop it.” Lily chided her. “My parents will stand for her.”

“We will do no such thing.” Lily's mother said aggressively.

“She killed her parents so why should we vouch for her?” Lily's father supported.

“I didn't kill my parents.” I said in defense but no one cared.

“You can't be here.” The priestess said in finality.

“Let her be!” A voice bellowed. “I will vouch for her.”

Everyone gasped and murmurs erupted. I turned to see who it was and to know why it has caused such commotion.

My eyes widened the minute I saw who it was.

“Alpha Oswald.” I breathed and fell to my knees.