Birthday morning

I woke up early before the sun was even up. I just lay there staring at the ceiling and listening to the other Omegas breathing in the room. I did not move for a while. I just felt the weight of the day slowly coming down on me. Today was my birthday. I was twenty-three years old now. I told myself it was another day, nothing special.. Deep down, I felt something restless, something that made me think about what this day could mean.  

Twenty-three. That is old for a wolf not have found their mate yet. Most wolves find theirs when they are younger, like eighteen or even earlier. I had been waiting for a time, pretending I did not care. When others found theirs, I would say congratulations then go back to my corner and tell myself to be patient.

I got out of bed and got dressed quietly. I did not want to draw attention to myself. I never do. When people notice me it usually means trouble. The air was cold. The Omega quarters were not comfortable. We were supposed to be tough not happy.

When I went outside the morning air smelled like pine and wet soil. The pack was already waking up. I could hear people moving around, talking quietly, and doors opening and closing. Our pack never really sleeps.

“Austin, you are up early,” someone said.

I turned around and saw Mira, my friend walking towards me with a small basket in her arms. She smiled softly at me. “I could not sleep,” I replied.

Mira looked at my face for a moment. “You are thinking about it, aren’t you?” she asked.

I did not know what to say. “I do not know what you mean “ I said.

Mira gave me a look that said she knew I was not telling the truth. “It is your birthday “ she said.

I looked away. “It’s just a date “ I said.

Mira moved closer. Spoke quietly. “Maybe today will be the day you find your mate “ she said.

I shook my head. “Do not say things like that “ I said.

“Why not?” she asked.

I did not want to hope much and then be disappointed. “Because it hurts more if it does not happen.“ I said.

Mira looked sad. She did not argue. “We should go inside before someone yells at us.“ she said.

That was a reason. We walked in together. I could smell the stronger wolves in the hall. The Alphas and Betas moved with confidence. I instinctively looked down and stayed out of their way.

“Austin,” someone said sharply.

I turned around. Beta Lucas was standing near the stairs his arms crossed. “Yes, Beta,” I said.

“The kitchen needs help,” he spat. “Go!”

I hurried to the kitchen. Offered to help with whatever they needed. The cooks barely looked at me as they handed me a tray of food. “Take this to the hall,” one of them said.

I carefully lifted the tray. It was heavy. I was used to it though. I walked steadily. Tried not to spill anything.

The main hall was already filling up with pack members. People were. Talking and chairs were scraping against the floor. I walked in quietly. Kept my eyes down.

Then everything changed. It was not loud or exciting. It just felt like something inside me tightened suddenly like a string pulling hard and snapping into place. My breath caught in my throat. My wolf surged forward strongly. I almost lost my balance.

I felt warm over and my heart started pounding against my ribs in a way that felt different from fear. It felt like I recognized something.

Slowly I looked up. My eyes landed on him. Adrian Foster was standing near the table talking to a group of warriors. He looked strong and confident. His voice was steady and calm.

As soon as I looked at him, the feeling inside me got stronger. My hands started shaking. I thought to myself “Mate.”

Adrian stopped talking and turned his head. Our eyes. The noise in the hall faded away. I could only see him.

He looked surprised. Not confused. He recognized me too.

The tray in my hands. My heart pounded harder. I wanted to look but I could not. Something was holding me in place pulling me towards him.

He took a step forward. My breath caught in my throat. My wolf leaned towards him filled with a longing I had never felt before.

Then someone called out loudly from behind me breaking the moment. The sudden noise startled me. The tray slipped from my hands. Plates and bowls crashed to the floor shattering into pieces.

The sound echoed across the hall. Everyone turned to look at me. I felt my face get hot as I quickly dropped to my knees. “I am sorry “ I said, my voice shaking as I started picking up the pieces.

Someone snapped at me “Watch what you are doing.”

I whispered, “I did not mean to “ as my hands trembled badly.

Then I felt him near me. “Leave it “ he said softly.

I looked up slowly. Adrian was standing in front of me closer than before. I could smell him clearly like cedarwood and smoke mixed with something that made my wolf stir again.

“You are bleeding “ he said quietly.

I looked down. Saw a thin line of red across my finger. I had not even felt it. “It is nothing “ I murmured.

Without hesitation, he reached down. Took my hand in his. The moment his skin touched mine the feeling inside me flared intensely. A rush of warmth traveled from my hand to my chest spreading through my body. My breath left me in a gasp.

His fingers tightened slightly around my wrist as he stared at me. His eyes searched mine. I could see the same realization burning there.

He started to say something. His words trailed off.

Around us, the hall had grown too quiet. I became aware of the eyes watching us and the whispers that would start if this continued.

Adrian’s expression changed. The softness faded, replaced by control. He released my hand. Straightened up. “Be more careful, time,” he said evenly.

“Yes, sir,” I replied automatically, looking down.

For a second, something flickered in his eyes at the word, but he said nothing more.

I gathered the remaining pieces quickly and left the hall my heart still racing wildly. Once I reached the corridor I leaned against the wall and tried to steady my breathing.

Adrian Foster was my mate. The Alpha’s younger brother is a respected wolf destined for leadership. I was just an Omega. The difference between us felt huge.

Mira found me a minute later. She took one look at my face. Frowned. “What happened?” she asked.

I hesitated, whispered, “I found him.”

Her eyes widened. “Who?” she asked.

I swallowed. “Adrian “ I said.

She stared at me in disbelief. “The Alpha’s brother?” she asked.

I nodded slowly.

For a moment neither of us spoke. The weight of it hung heavily in the air.

“He felt it too?” she asked carefully.

“Yes,” I replied.

“. “ She asked.

I shook my head. “He stopped himself “ I said.

Mira looked serious. “Austin, this is not simple,” she said.

“I know “ I said.

“He is important to the pack “ she said.

“I know “ I repeated, my voice softer now.

She reached for my hand gently. “What are you going to do?” she asked.

I shook my head. “I do not know. I do not think I get to decide anything “ I said.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. I avoided the hall and kept my head down but the feeling inside me remained, pulsing quietly in my chest. It felt like a reminder that no matter how much I tried to ignore it it was real.

By evening, I found myself walking down the corridor with a stack of clean towels in my arms. I turned a corner quickly and collided wi

th someone solid.

Strong hands caught me before I could fall. “I am sorry “ I stated, then froze when I looked up.

It was Adrian.