chapter 6

ADIRA'S POV

As I walked away from the office, only one thought was on my mind.

How do I begin? ...

“We have to figure things out fast. There is no time to waste. The first thing to do is to gather allies. We need people on our side.” I thought to myself.

But who?... That was another question.

I stood outside for a couple of minutes, my eyes glued to the sky as I thought hard on what to do.

Just then an omega scurried past me carrying a large bowl of laundry. From the clothes inside, I could immediately tell who had sent her to wash them.

Kaida and her obnoxious girl group. They are always looking for new ways to torture people, and I was once one of their victims.

I watched the Omega disappear around the corner… And then it hit me.

Omegas…

They were everywhere. Quiet, invisible, and ignored but always present. No one paid attention to them; their presence is always disregarded like an ugly painting stuck on the wall. Yet they moved through every hall, every room. Cleaning, delivering, serving.

Which meant…

They see everything.

Hear everything.

But never speak of it.

My lips parted slightly as the idea took shape.

All I need to do is use the ones no one ever notices to find out everything no one wanted me to know…

They are my best bet at making allies, and they never break a trust. I just needed to win their trust.

“It's time to put my position to good use…” I muttered to myself, and with that thought, I briskly moved in the direction the omega had gone.

I cut the corner of the dining hall and made a beeline for the pack house, but something caught my eye inside the dining hall. I retraced my steps and entered the dining hall.

“I asked you to wash my clothes, and you are here eating?” Xena yelled.

A sharp slap hit the omega's face; she stumbled backwards, and her back hit the table. She fell on the ground, groaning in pain.

Xena and her two minions snickered, a smug look on their faces.

“I am sorry… I haven't eaten anything since morning, so I had to quickly eat something before I continued.” The omega pleaded, tears running down her face.

“Shut up!” One of Xena’s minions shrieked, lifting her leg to kick the omega.

I moved without thinking. One second I was at the door, and the next my fingers were clamped around her ankle mid-air.

She froze and whipped her head around. I threw the leg back with full force. She fell on a stack of chairs and burst into tears.

“How dare you?!” Xena yelled at me. She stomped over, her hands stretching into the air, aiming to land a slap on my face, but I caught her wrist before impact.

I looked up at her slowly. “Is this what makes you feel powerful?” I said, my voice quiet but firm.

Her eyes widened. She tried to pull away, but I didn’t let go…not yet. I wanted to feel her fear.

The omega curled into herself behind me, still sniffling.

I twisted her hand backwards, and she let out a loud scream. Somehow their pains brought me joy. I released her hand and kicked her backwards.

They helped their friend up. She held her side that had hit the chair, and Xena held her hand. Each nursing their injured parts. They were all scowling, but I could see the shock in their eyes at my sudden fierce attitude.

Why can’t you wash your clothes yourself?” I asked calmly. “If you want things a certain way and at a certain time, then do it yourself!” I snapped.

“That's bullshit!” Xena spat, “Omegas are meant to serve. They need to earn their keep!” she fumed.

“And you…” she glared at me, “you seem to have forgotten your place. You are nothing but a whore that sneaked her way into the alpha's bed!” She yelled.

My eyes immediately turned cold; I clenched my fists. “Kneel…” I said quietly but audibly.

Her eyebrows furrowed. “What?”

“I said kneel!” I growled, my wolf making an appearance, my eyes glowing.

Her eyes widened, and she stumbled backwards in fear.

“Kneel, now!” I growled louder, advancing towards her.

She immediately went on her knees, shaking like a leaf.

I glanced at her friend's, and that was all I needed to do… They immediately knelt down, their eyes wide like saucepans.

“Now apologise…” I said calmly.

“I… I am sorry…” they all said reluctantly.

I smirked, “Address me properly, or you might just lose your throat.” I threatened in a grim voice.

“I am sorry, Luna Adira,” they all immediately said.

“Now to her.” I nodded towards the omega.

“What?” Xena yelled.

“Do as I said now!” I growled lowly.

“I…am sorry, Clara,” they apologised reluctantly.

“What's going on here?” Ryder's voice suddenly echoed inside the hall.

I looked up and looked around. That was when I realised that the hall was filled with pack members. Ryder stood with Kaida by his side.

Someone must have called his attention.

“I am only teaching your subjects how to treat other people. Just because a person is an omega doesn't mean they should be treated less than a human.” I replied flatly.

“Now I will sound this as a note of warning to everyone,” my voice boomed in the hall. “No one! I repeat, no one! Is allowed to treat an omega as they wish. From now on they must be treated well. If I get any report that anyone had broken this order, that person will be dealt with squarely.” I said firmly and authoritatively.

“On what grounds are you making this order?” Kaida asked, smirking.

“I rank above everyone here except Alpha Ryder. I am the next in line to the alpha position of the Crescent-End pack and currently I unofficially stand in the position of the Luna of this pack. So I can make the order, right, Alpha Ryder?” I grinned.

His face was coated with annoyance and a deep scowl. “Right…” he replied reluctantly.

I smirked. I could see the flicker of irritation in his eyes. He hated how much control I was commanding; he hated my boldness.

As I looked around, I could see faces filled with surprise and shock. All they knew me as was the weak girl that followed Ryder around begging for love.

But not anymore…

I stretched my hand to the omega, and her eyes widened. She moved backwards and clenched her hands together.

I withdrew my hand, understanding her fears. “Let's go…” I said to her,

She bent to carry the bowl of laundry, but I immediately stopped her. “Leave them. Xena will take care of her own clothes.”

She turned to me unsure of what to do. I gave her a reassuring nod, and she finally followed me.

The sea of people parted, and I walked right through with bold steps like I fucking own the place.

Why didn't I live like this in my past life? I can't believe I allowed all these weak people to walk all over me.

I helped the Omega who was limping back to her quarters. Immediately her friends saw her, and they rushed to her. Their faces filled with concern for her.

One of the omegas walked up to me. “Thank you…” she said sincerely. “She would have returned with worse injuries if you didn't intervene.” She said, her eyes brimming with tears.

As I watched them, it suddenly struck me. “These people are like me in my past life. They have no one to protect them.

Protecting them should have been my duty in my past life, but I was too busy chasing after Ryder to actually do anything meaningful.

But I am going to change that now. I will protect them from now on…”

“Can we protect them? We have so much on our plate already.” My wolf? asked sadly.

“Life is all about give and take. If I am going to make them my allies, then I need to keep them safe.” I replied.

I stayed with them and made sure the young girl got treatment before I decided to return to my room.

As I walked down the pathway, I felt eyes on me. I snapped around, but no one was behind me. I continued to walk, but the feeling didn't go away.

I didn’t hear anything, but I felt it. That cold, crawling weight of being watched.

I immediately increased my speed, my heart pounding in my chest.