THE OMEGA'S HEAT

The slap that landed on my cheek echoed through the courtyard. My head snapped to the side, my hair flying across my face. I could taste blood on my tongue from the intensity of the slap.

Before the pain could settle, I felt another slap land on my cheeks like a thunder bolt, and my knees hit the frozen ground. My cheeks were crimson red and lips bruised from the slap, yet I didn't show any weakness.

Laughter rippled through the gathered pack members. No one stepped in because as an Omega my humiliation was their entertainment.

“On your feet Omega” Beta Aldric snarled above me. His voice was as cold as the winter wind in the courtyard.

I pushed myself upright, my legs trembling from the cold seeping into my bones. My thin dress clung to me like a second skin, due to the dampness of the snow. The pack's eyes were searing into my back and still I kept my gaze fixed on the ground.

Aldric circled me slowly, his boots crunching over the frost. “You were late with the Alpha's laundry again. You're so careless, disrespectful and negligent.”

“I…” the words caught in my throat, when it dawned on me that no excuse would matter.

“Maybe the Alpha's sons will be more forgiving when they return and takeover”, he mused with mockery dripping from his tone. “Or maybe they'll decide to get rid of you completely.

The mention of them stirred whispers through the pack. The Alpha's sons were sent for three years training, and they were coming back soon to take their position as the Alphas of the pack. Rumors had been circling for days, that soon they'll arrive and they'll be a change. But change only meant one thing to me, for the worse.

Aldric's grip tightened on my chin, forcing my face upward.

Reluctantly, I lifted my eyes to the pack, watching from the edges of the courtyard. Mothers were with their children, warriors with their arms folded and Elders leaning on their cane. Not a single person showed me remorse. 

“This” Aldric announced, voice loud enough for the whole pack to hear, “is what happens when you forget your place.”

The next attack wasn't a slap. It was a shove, that was hard enough to send me sprawling backwards into the snow. Gasps burst from the younger wolves, who quickly stifled when Aldric's gaze landed on them. I bit back a cry, tasting more blood and pushed myself up again. My fingers were numb, my cheeks red, my jaw aching, but my pride was a thread that I refused to let him cut. 

The only thing that made me feel a bit stronger was that one day I will leave this pack. I would find a place where I won't be treated unfairly, and find the freedom I wish for. A place where I could breathe freely, without fear. But today wasn't the day.

Aldric stepped back, satisfied with my humiliation with a predatory smirk curling on his lips that I felt like wiping off. “Get to your duties,” he said dismissing me with his hand, that I had the urge to cut off. “And pray you remember who you serve.” 

I turned, forcing my steps to be steady as I approached the pack house. My feet trampled on the snow with each step sending a chill to my bones. The pack’s voice rose behind me, laughter and idle chatter resuming as nothing happened. Because to them nothing had, and even if I died, it won't still matter to them.

I approached the pack house kitchen to prepare lunch. The kitchen was just the way I left it before I was called to be punished by Beta Aldric.

I carried a tray of raw meat and vegetables, my arms aching due to punishment. I gently laid the tray on the prep table. My fingers worked mechanically, chopping, peeling, and sorting the food items. Soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of garlic and roasted potatoes.

I barely stayed in the kitchen when I was summoned by the Beta. Now, as the stew simmered on the stove, I glanced at the wall clock and it was almost lunch time and I needed to start on the bread next.

The door swung open and Cassidy, one of the Alpha's nieces, strutted in with a group of younger she-wolves. They wore exquisite clothes and jeweleries, with their hair perfectly styled.

“Well, if it isn't the little kitchen rat,”Cassidy smirked, crossing her arms as her entourage laughed behind her.

I felt like talking back to her but I controlled myself. I kept my gaze lowered and my hands were still working on the dough.

“Didn't you hear Omega?” Cassidy snapped and I felt more irritated by her presence. “Answer when spoken to Omega.” 

“Yes Cassidy,” I murmured flatly.

“Ugh, don't say my name like you know me,” Cassidy spat. “You're not part of us. Don't forget your place.”

I said nothing when she was done blabbing, because I knew if I did it will lead to another punishment.

Another girl stepped forward, flipping her hair with an exaggerated sigh. “Do you think she even has a voice? Maybe she's mute.” 

Or too stupid to use it,” Cassidy added.

I still didn't answer them, instead I focused on kneading the dough, despite the ache in my hands.

Suddenly, the bowl of flour beside me was knocked over, spilling on the table and floor.

“Oops,” Cassidy grinned after pushing the flour to the ground. “You’ll have to clean that up. Don’t screw it up, or we’ll tell the kitchen mistress you wasted supplies.”

Still, I didn’t speak, instead I reached for a rag.

“See?” Cassidy said loudly. “This is why Omegas exist. To clean up after their betters.”

Their laughter echoed as they left, stilettos echoing down the hallway.  

Suddenly, my thoughts drifted back to the Alphas’ return.

I was still younger when they left, but old enough to remember their characters and presence. They were three brothers and each dangerous in their own way. Damien was the eldest among the triplets, he had steel grey eyes and unshakable authority. Kael was the quiet one, always calculating with every move he does. Lucian was the most friendly among the triplets, he was all smiles but he had a quick temper.

I had been invisible to all three of them then, and I intended to keep it that way now.

Still a part of me, which was my wolf refused to accept to be invisible to them, for a moment I wondered what their return would mean. Would they notice the way the pack had changed in their absence? Would they notice me?

I shrugged that feeling off and went to put the dough into the pans. 

From a distance a horn sounded, it was deep and resonant, the kind used to signal arrivals at the border.

A moment later, a chorus of excited voices rose from the hallway, and that's when I realized that the Alphas have returned.

I pressed my back to the kitchen wall, heart hammering. I told myself it didn’t matter, that their return meant nothing to an Omega who had mastered the act of being unseen. But as the sound of boots drew closer to the hallway, and the scent of dominance curled through the air, my wolf surged forward.