CHAPTER 1

Calista's POV

I felt a big wave of ice-cold water splash on me. I jumped up from the floor in shock, shivering from the cold.

In front of me stood my mother, holding a bucket.

"Get ready and make breakfast for everyone," she ordered before storming out of my room. I sighed, realizing this wasn't really a room; it was the old pack garage where I lived. There was a small bathroom in the corner, and I stored my old clothes in an old-looking bag since I didn't have a wardrobe or closet. A chair and a broken table were the only furniture.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before changing into my clothes and heading to the bathroom. After taking a bath, I put on the only clothes I had – an old light blue t-shirt with holes on the sleeves and worn-out jeans. I pulled my brown hair into a bun and stared at my reflection in the small mirror on the wall.

I looked nothing like my family members. My dad had black hair and dark blue eyes, while my mom, sister, and brothers had dirty blonde hair and sky blue eyes. But me? I had brown hair and brown eyes. My family members were tall, but I was short. My once bright eyes were dull, my big smile had disappeared, and my witty nature was long gone. I looked like a shadow of my former self.

I sighed, frustrated by my frequent moments of zoning out. I quickly wore my black hoodie over my t-shirt and walked out of the garage, pulling the hood over my face. It made facing others a little more bearable.

I made my way to the pack house, where a few more omegas like me were. Shena stormed toward me as soon as she saw me, grabbing my arm.

"How many times am I supposed to tell you to come here on time?!" she yelled at my face, making me flinch.

"I... I'm sorry," I stuttered.

"I'm sorry," she mocked me. "That's what you always say. Now get to work!" She pushed me into the middle of the kitchen, and I fell to the ground. The other omegas laughed and walked out, leaving me to do their work as well.

I wiped my tears and started working, trying to ignore the pain in my heart. Suddenly, I felt a soft hand on mine, and I immediately knew who it was. I turned around and hugged the person – my grandma, the only one who cared for me.

"Grandma," I whispered, pulling away. She kissed my forehead, bringing a smile to my face.

She was my rock, always supporting me and restoring the hope I had lost. She believed there was a reason for everything, often saying, "The moon goddess never makes a mistake."

"Let me help you," she said, taking the knife from my hand.

"No, grandma," I tried to protest, not wanting her to work. She was the former Luna; she shouldn't be doing this.

"Na-uh. You're not taking this from me. Now stop arguing and let's work. Together," she insisted, and I sighed, knowing she would never back down.

We cooked and arranged the food on the table.

"Thanks, grandma," I said once we were done.

"Anything for my sweet little girl," she replied, sitting down. "You know I'm not a little girl anymore," I laughed.

"But you will always be my little girl," she grinned, and I smiled back at her. Goddess, I loved this woman.

"Come here, Calista," she said, patting the chair beside her. I sat down.

"Do you remember what I said that day when you asked me why I call you by your middle name? You were only 4 at that time," she asked.

I remembered. It was a memory etched into my mind. I wanted to understand what she meant. Why was she bringing this up now? Was it time? Was she finally going to tell me?

******Flashback*****

I asked her why she called me by my middle name. She replied, "Calista means 'Golden.' Your heart is golden, my dear. You are very special."

"I don't understand, Grandma," I said.

"You will. One day, you will. When that day comes, you will know. I hope you will remember what I said," she said, stroking my curly hair.

"Why did you name my middle name 'Calista?" I asked.

"You will know why when the day comes,'' she said softly, looking at the moon.

"You will know soon."

***** Flashback ends ******

"I mean you are right. It has another secret meaning. Calista, listen. You have a long journey ahead of you. Remember there will be ups and downs. Once you go too high, you will fall. But never give up. If you fall, then climb again. Keep in your mind, there will be a reason why you fell. Find it. Explore the downs then find the way up again," she said.

She took a wooden box from her jeans pocket. "Here, this is for you," she handed it to me. "What is this?" I asked, taking it carefully. It had some kind of writing on it. It looked like ancient writing.

"Open it," she smiled. I opened the lid slowly.

"Grandma," I gasped.

There, inside it, was an onyx stone pendant necklace. I took it out.

"It's beautiful," I said in awe. "It's yours," I heard Grandma say. "What?" I asked, unable to believe.

Instead of answering, she took the moonstone necklace on her neck. She put it into the box. Then she took the onyx pendant necklace and put it into the box as well before closing the lid. She looked at me and gave the box back to me.

"I may not be there on that day, but these will be there. The onyx pendant necklace is a family stone. It has been a family jewel since 1600. I wore it only twice in my life. I want you to wear it," she smiled.

"And the moonstone necklace was given to me by your grandpa. He gave it as a gift. He made me promise to give it to you on the day before your 15th birthday," she said. That's right, tomorrow is my 15th birthday. But who cares?

"Why?" I asked. "Why me? Why not Valerie?"

"I told you. You are special," she said gently.

I looked at her and then at the box. "Okay, I will wear them," I said. She smiled and hugged me. "I will see you later then. You have school today."

She left after that. I went to the garage, packed my dirty bag, and went to the pack house again. I heard chattering in the kitchen. I knew that everyone is having dinner. I silently waited outside the door. Suddenly, the door burst open and walked out my twin brother, Ervin. He saw me. His bright sky blue eyes became cold. I gulped.

"Well, hello there, sister. Oh right, I forgot. You are not my sister. You are the disgrace queen," he chuckled. He bent down to my level and looked me in the eyes. "I'm sorry I have to do this," he whispered. His cold eyes became soft. His smirk turned to a sad smile. I looked at him in shock. Does he care about me? Is it all an act to show he hates me? Was it a pretense all this time?

"E-Ervin?" I asked.

The next thing I knew was a punch on my jaw. I tasted the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I looked up to see Ervin with a proud smirk. What just happened?

"Pathetic. You think I, Ervin Barrett, care about you? You are a pathetic excuse of an Omega! You don't even have a wolf!" he spat at me. I felt a pang of sadness in my chest. I felt tears in my eyes. But I didn't let them fall. "Such a disgrace. Pathetic. Ugly. Stupid. Dumb. Nerd." It hurt. But I didn't say anything. Nerd? I'm no nerd. I wanted to study hard, but I can't. Once I come to the pack house after school, I barely get time to rest. How can I study then?

"Your mate won't even want you. I'm 100% sure, he will reject you on first sight," he laughed out loud. By the time, there is a huge crowd around us. I saw my sister, Valerie, and my older brother, Wilson, standing there. They looked like they are enjoying the show. Mother and father stood there as well. They had amused looks on their faces.

Once Ervin was done with me, he walked over to Mother. She kissed his forehead while Father patted his shoulder. They looked proud of what their son did. I'm bleeding over here. But look, Mother, Father, sister, and big brother are celebrating Ervin's success. How lovely.

I stood up to leave only to be pushed back down by my oh-so-lovely sister. I heard people snicker around me. I felt the kick that landed on my stomach, which was soon followed by many others. My head, legs, arms, back, breasts, face, nose. I started seeing black colors dancing in my vision. The last thing I felt was a kick to my neck. The last thing I heard was, "Why don't you do everyone a favor and just leave? Or better, die?" It was Wilson.

I opened my eyes slowly. I felt pain all over my body. I realized I was on the cold floor of the pack house. I stood up, ignoring the pain. I went to the kitchen and took a sandwich. After that, I walked to school, limping on one foot. I walked out of my bio class. I was exhausted. It's lunchtime now. I went to the playground. That's where I eat my lunch. I sat on a bench. I closed my eyes.

Five-year-old me ran out of the pack house laughing loud. Twelve-year-old Wilson and nine-year-old Valerie ran behind me. "I will catch Ari," twelve-year-old Wilson laughed. "No, you won't. I'm faster than you," I yelled back, giggling like a crazy girl. I saw my twin Ervin climbing a tree. "Ervi! Ervi!" I yelled at him. He looked at me and climbed down a bit. He pushed his hand toward me. I took a hold of it and started climbing the tree with the help of Ervin. Suddenly, I fell, losing my balance. I fell to the ground on my butt. I sat there in shock.

Valerie, Wilson, and Ervin hurried to my side. They looked panicked. As soon as they kneeled beside me, I burst out laughing. I stood up and ran away from them. "You are crazy," I heard Wilson's laughter. Soon after that, I was pinned to the ground by my three siblings. They all started tickling my sides as I laughed maniacally, tears welling in my eyes.

"Kids, it's lunchtime!" Mother's voice rang out. As soon as my siblings looked up, I pushed them away and ran to Mother. "Mommy!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around her legs.

"Hello there, my little princess!" she said, taking me into her arms. I kissed her cheeks. "I vow to you, Mommy."

"Aww, I love you too, baby."

"No kiss for me?" I heard Wilson. I looked at him and grinned.

"Nah, I don't kiss dumbwos!" I flipped my short curly hair sassily, making everyone laugh.

"Calista!" I heard Father's voice.

"Daddy!" I shouted happily.

I was brought back to reality by the sound of footsteps. I looked to the side to see them – the people who despised me as if I were a rogue, the people who treated me like dirt under their shoes – Valerie, Wilson, Ervin, and the other bullies.

"Look who's here," Wilson chuckled. "You made it, huh?" Ervin smirked, clearly proud of what he did to me.

"Oh, my baby sister," Valerie hurried to my side with a fake sad expression. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?" She caressed my face. I gritted my teeth to stop myself from saying something I would probably regret later. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" she frowned. "Everything will be okay." Then her frown turned into a sinister smile. "If you leave the pack, become a rogue, and never come back."

I knew it! I had suspected all along that this was another one of their games!

Suddenly, the most delicious scent I had ever smelled hit my nose. I couldn't help but sniff. I felt something inside me, something snap in my soul. What was it?

I looked in the direction of the scent. That's when I saw him – the first thing that came to my mind was 'mate.' But how? I wasn't 16 yet. I will only be 15 tomorrow. Then how?

He walked closer and stopped next to my siblings. He looked up at me, his deep dark gray eyes widening.

"Mate."