CHAPTER 2

The next day couldn't come fast enough. I spent the majority of the nights awake. And waiting at the first light of dawn, I climb down from my bamboo bed and grabbed my bathing supplies. The omega quarter didn't have bathrooms. We were only allowed to use the cold streams for a bath. It was still very early and only a few people moved around.

I walked quickly in the direction of the stream. As soon as I was there I dropped my clean clothes and stripped naked. The cold air pinched through my skin and I shivered. I slowly descended into the cold water and I gritted my teeth.

What I would give to be able to take a hot bath. The other wolves probably didn't understand how lucky they were to have proper beds and hot baths while the omega was forced to sleep on the hard floor or bamboo beds and to have cold baths.

Hopefully, things would get better for me as the mate of the beta, I'll try to make sure omega's at least enjoyed some of these things.

I quickly scrubbed my skin and when I was clean, I climbed out and dried myself. I put on the clothes I had had for a while now which was my best dress ever, It was a white floral dress and it belonged to my late mum. It was also her most cherished dress because it had been given to her by her mother.

She gave it to me after I turned eighteen and I've been keeping it for a special occasion. I finally got a chance to wear it. so when Darren comes to pick me up from the crowd, I would be in a nice dress like the other females and not In the faded dull clothes I usually wore.

I tried to tie the back of my dress as tight as I could and I combed through my hair with my fingers. But they were tangled so I would have to get a brush from Tiana. I walked away from the stream and towards the pack house. just a few feet away from the house I saw Darren.

"Beta Darren" I yelled out

I couldn't call him by his name in public. He turned in my direction and I noticed he was with the alpha, the alpha's face was filled with disgust and hate as he looked at me and I cowered. Darren mumble something to him and they both walked away completely ignoring me. Maybe he is busy. I tried to make excuses, he had never ignored me before. I turned away and left. I continued to Tiana's room to get a brush from her.

When I got there, I met her door opened and her other friend Alma, was inside, a red-haired woman that hated omegas.

They noticed a presence at the door and turned to look at me.

"I can come back later". I said immediately and turned around to leave but Tiana stopped me

"Alma was just leaving now." Alma scuffed and stormed out, hitting my shoulder roughly. I bit in a wince and moved close to Tiana.

" you hardly come here, is something wrong?"

I shook my head

"I wanted to borrow a hairbrush, I have tangles" I replied

"Sure, here let me do it for you" she replied

I walked over to the dressing mirror and took a sit as she brushed through my hair. I smiled at my reflection. I didn't always get to see it in such a clear mirror like this.

" you look so pretty today," she said

" I do?"

" of course" she replied almost immediately.

"Your dress is so pretty too and unique. It's so beautiful she said while trying to pack my hair in a bun. I chuckled and gave her a warm smile

"It belonged to my mother, and I wore it because of this special occasion "

" is it because of this mating ceremony," she asked and I nodded excitedly.

"I wanted to look beautiful at least for one day". she chuckled.

" Good idea, will you wait for me while I get dressed?" She asked and I nodded.

She entered her bathroom and after a long while she appeared in a short towel. She applied a very nice scented body lotion all over her body and went to get her dress. It was a yellow silk dress that accentuated her curves. My dress looks pale compared to her elegant dress and for a moment I felt envious. I wish I could have something like that I thought.

She finished getting ready and was trying to get her hair in order when we heard a howl. It was time. My heart skipped a bit and I was so excited. She was finally done and we were ready to go.

I walked beside her as we made our way to the training field. The Alpha and Beta were yet to be seen.

"Who do you think the alpha will choose?" A girl behind me whispered,

"Who knows? I hope the beta chooses me" the other girl said. I wanted to snarl at her and tell her the beta belonged to me but I bit my tongue instead. That would be talking out of line and I could get punished for that. I shall only be allowed to talk when I was finally claimed.

"What are you doing here omega" somebody shouted in my direction and the wolves around focused on me.

"She's with me," Tiana said.

"Doesn't matter" The wolf said,

"Omegas belong at the back" he snarled.

“I'll go to the back," I said quietly

"No, she stays with me" Tiana held my hands tightly. The wolf stared at me for almost a minute and backed down. I don't want to get into any trouble, I told her.

"You won't" she replied.

"I want you to be with me today, today will be a memorable day for you" she smiled at me.

“Thank you" I smiled back. She knew how important today was going to be for me and was doing everything to make sure I was in a good position. We found a spot at the front. I was still together holding hands. The highest ranked wolves slowly came out to the front and the noise from the crowd slowly died until there was nothing but silence. My heart beats rapidly from excitement. I spotted Darren instantly. He had his back on us but I knew it was him.

He moved and I got a glimpse of his face. I guess someone said something funny because he chuckled and my heart fluttered. He was so handsome. He turned fully in my direction and I smiled at him but he just did a little wave and turned away.

Why was he acting so cold and ignoring me? We are okay and I haven't done anything to offend him. Was he stressed? Maybe it's stress. There was no other possible explanation for his attitude.

'or maybe he doesn't like you anymore’ my subconscious screamed but I blocked her out. She was always so negative about everything and I was beginning to think she was against me.

The alpha cleared his throat And his eyes traveled through the crowds.

"We're gathered today for the mating selection. Those who have selected mates must select them and present them to the pack. A few high-ranking wolves will also be selected today. we shall now begin" he announced and took a few steps back to his seat.

The Crowd shifted and got separated into two groups. Men and women. Tiana still managed to get us a spot at the front of the women's group. The men of the pack stood on the other side and at the sound of the howl, they moved to shift through the crowd of women to select their mates.

They bumped into me and I was pushed roughly but Tiana's tight grip kept me in place. I was grateful for her thoughtful actions. The men brought out their mates from the crowd and one by one, they presented them to the pack. The pack cheered for them. I was also happy for them.

They would finally be able to mate properly. I wish we didn't have to wait for years before the mating ceremony. The Gamma stood up and walked towards the crowd. Everyone has gone silent now. He moved through the crowd and came out with a beautiful girl.

I knew who she was and I had quite a few unpleasant encounters with her. He presented her to the pack and they cheered. Darren stood up and once again the crowd went silent. He looked in my direction and Tiana's hand tightened around mine.

I was shaking in anticipation and excitement. He walked powerfully towards me, his eyes never leaving mine. He was close enough and I reached out my hand to touch him but instead, he shifted to Tiana. The tight grip on my hand disappeared and I turned to look at them.

There was no surprise or shock on my face, I couldn't express or show any emotions because I couldn't express how I felt. Tiana was smiling widely as Darren held her hand and looked at her with...love?