The Alpha's Substitute Luna

There are parts of my life that I simply can't forget, like the day my father died, the day I officially became an omega, and the day I saw Austin for the very first time.

The first two shrouded my life in complete darkness, showing me no other way out than to embrace whatever dirt I got on my face.

But then, the last. It was still the freshest in my mind, the one that resonated with me the most.

It has, through the pitch black darkness in my life, offered me a difference. A ray of hope. A reason to wake up not wanting to end my miserable life. It was the only reason I was still here, the only reason I will be here for a long time.

It had been on the pack's annual thanksgiving festival, and Austin, the Alpha interim was heading it.

I remember that epic moment in my life, when he had walked up to the elevated position and stood there, giving the first vote of thanks, and prayer.

I was, of course, where the Omegas needed to be. At the back, behind everything. Missing out on everything.

"Hazel?" I turned and Simon, another Omega was standing there, smiling at me.

I smiled back. I couldn't be potty because I was an omega. And, I didn't have any reason to be.

"How is the ceremony going for you?"

I shrugged. "Well, It is actually just like I thought. Boring, with the Omegas at the far back."

He laughed, and when he spoke, his voice was low and his eyes wary.

"Well, you know Lily and I..we started dating."

I gasped. Lily was the Alpha's youngest daughter, a beautiful red head with a fiery personality that seemed to be embedded in the colour of her hair. I have seen her only once or twice, but I wouldn't forget that cheerful personality or big brown eyes.

"Well, that's...fantastic." I didn't know what to say. Lily was not an omega and everyone knew a relationship like that was headed for the rocks. Except if he was her destined mate. That was a very slim chance, though and I don't think anyone would want to risk that.

"Yeah, I know. Well, the point is, Since we are friends, we could be in front, you know. Lily's courtesy. Would you like to?"

I turned. The alpha interim would be giving the vote of thanks and I was curious.

"Yeah, we can. Thanks, Simon."

"Don't mention it," he smiled, grabbing my hand. "Let's go."

We sifted through the crowd, and walked through the different wolves. Brown, black, white wolves, all of different hierarchy.

"Hey," I said as we got to the front where Lily was seated, her hair up in a ponytail, her loose black gown, leaving her shoulders exposed, except for the black slim hand. She looked gorgeous as always and I knew Simon really was lucky.

"Hello." her eyes darted between me and Simon and she broke into a big smile. "You are Simon's omega friend. Have a seat."

I nodded and sat, feeling more out of place than anything. She was nice and friendly, yet, This was dominated by the higher class wolves, the alpha, betas, gammas. I didn't belong here.

"Simon?" I whispered and he turned to me. He had been leaned over to Lily, saying something what was making her giggle.

"Uhm, I want to get something from the back."

He nodded passively then turned away again. I stood, arranging my overalls.

"The Alpha Interim will take the stage now and offer his prayers and vote of thanks."

I stood there, fixed on my spot, not willing to miss it.

The place grew quiet as he started to ascend.

It was pretty dark, except for the glow of the burning fires and the moon that was now high up in the starless night sky.

It was like, rather than a mere stage for just that occasion, it became more of a runway for him, the moon his very own spotlight.

Extremely black hair that was loosely tied in a beautiful man bun, defining his straight jaw line and masculine features. His eye brows were full and dark, yet slim in a way that complimented his hair. His face was pale, yet tanned. You could see that he must have been fair before achieving the tan, and it was a look I didn't know was so perfect.

He had a Greek, straight nose, just above his pale pink heavily defined cupid's bow lips.

I forgot to think, or even move as he walked, the youthful ability evident in his steps, his dominance and status evident in the straight confident way he held his shoulders, even while wearing a simple white shirt and black trousers.

He was bare foot, indicating that he was going to shift soon, but he looked perfect nonetheless. Too perfect for an omega like me to look at, or even covet.

I heard Lily scream in her usual high pitched energetic voice.

"Bro!" She was waving her hand frantically at him and he turned to her, with a small smile.

He had dimples that sucked in sharply as he smiled, his beautiful deep red eyes thinning a bit.

He waved a little at her, then his eyes caught Simon beside her. Simon gave a respectful nod, which he replied with a small curt nod, then he turned, as if on instinct, to me.

My eyes widened as he looked at me, for something that felt like a split second after that night, and half a year as I stood there, my hands folding into fists and opening up.

His eyes went thinner, and then he smiled, before turning away to take the center stage.

For the first time, through all the drastic events in my life, I felt the tears well up in my eyes.

With one last look at him, and the beauty of this pack, I slipped away into the dark, like an Omega should.