Chapter 5:

ASTRID.

The next day came hurriedly. I sprinted out of bed, my primary job as an Omega was making sure that the pack-house was clean, and ensured that I fed to the high rank pups.

In the last floor of the pack-house, I was sweeping the artifacts room, it’s the room that stored all the history of the pack, when I was young, I had remembered being here, my father showing me around, he had said that for me to become a good ruler, I would have to know the whole history of the pack.

Tears fill my eyes as I recount the way my life had changed in so many ways over the past few years, I sighed. The door busted open and Juniper ran inside, her brunette hair tied into a messy bun.

"Astrid." She says in panic, her light brown eyes which itched for gossip yesterday etched with nothing but plain horror.

Has something happened? Worry twists my gut, I let my broom fall to the floor, the bucket of water splashing around the floor, but I couldn’t seem to care less.

"What’s going on?" I hurriedly asked, my voice a whisper, I stared up at her and I think I can see tears stuck to the edges of her eyes.

"Alpha Logan is picking the Omega that will bear his heir today!" Her voice rings over the whole room and I feel a shiver down my heart. "It could be any of us!" she wails again. "I don’t want to spend my life being a pup breeder, I don’t want to be anyone’s slave."

Gently, I assured her, I think of Alpha Logan and his gray eyes. He's going to pick the woman that will bear his heir today. It could be anybody, It could be me, it could be Juni, it could be any of the Omegas.

We walk out of the history room and down into the courtyard, Mrs. Perry is instructing some Omegas, when she sees us, her eyes snap over to us immediately.

"You are late." She grinds her teeth together and waves her hand at us. Juni and I stare at her saying no word.

She tells us to stay behind the other Omegas who are all wearing a pitiful look. I feel sorry for them all, I am sure that none of them wants to be here, carrying out their duties.

"Listen up. You Omegas." Her voice cuts through the air. She walks around her hand behind her back. "Being an Omega comes with too much responsibility, and as an Omega, whether you were born into an Omega blood or you were demoted to the rank of an Omega, you are still an Omega."

I hear some sobs coming from some Omegas, and I sigh.

"Alpha Logan is going to come here and pick the woman that will breed his heir. It could be any of you, I want you all on your best behavior. The pack-house dresser, Katherine will make sure that you are all attended to properly."

Katherine, the pack-house dresser takes her time in attending to us all properly, when it’s my turn, she gives me a purple gown and attends to my hair.

"You have such lovely hair." She says, while dressing my long blonde hair.

"Thank you." I stared at myself in the mirror, I don’t even recognize this version of myself any longer. I am different from the way I was before. My golden eyes no longer spark in the light anymore.

It is as if they have lost their purpose. It’s as if I have lost my purpose.

She dabs make-up onto my face, complimenting my skin color and my body. I smile weakly to her in return and continue to stare at the mirror, my heart crushing into pieces.

When she is done, she stares at the masterpiece that she had created, a gentle smile spreads across her lips and she exhales.

"My my. You surely are beautiful, I am sure that the Alpha’s eyes will be on you all day long."

I smile at her and walk back to the courtyard, the other Omegas are already ready, none of them putting on a gentle smile, I see Juniper from afar, she’s wearing a sparkling blue dress that compliments her eye color, she waves over to me.

"I really hope he doesn’t pick me." She says, and I notice the change of tone in her voice, but I smile at her, though mine is weak too.

The only thing I can do now is hope.

We assemble in a straight line and wait for the Alpha, it’s like that the only thing that we Omegas do. We wait.

Mrs. Perry stands in a corner wearing a smile, Alpha Logan walks inside, and I am hit with the wave of familiarity. My heart trembles when he walks over to us.

His footsteps make my wolf race, his eyes move to every single Omega present, a hint of disapproval sparking in his eyes. Mrs. Perry smiles weakly, and points at Juni.

"What of that one?" Her voice is pitched. "She would make such a fine mother, and after all, she comes from a-"

"I don’t want her." Alpha Logan snaps, his eyes moving towards me, I feel a pinch in my heart and I swallow. "I want her to bear my heir."

"She is yours. Alpha." Mrs. Perry says immediately.

What? He really picked me, no. This is not what I want.

"She is not yours, because the moon goddess has revealed to me that she’s my mate and she’s the woman that will bear my heir. She’s mine!" We all hear a growl from behind, and we turn to see Alpha Zeke approaching us, a scowl etched on his face.

Oh. No.