CORA
My pupils gleam with expectancy as I think about my birthday party tonight - well, not my birthday party but Lily’s. The Alpha and Luna of the Citadel pack must have thrown this huge party because their daughter will be turning the same age.Sweet eighteen - an age that all young werewolves await with hopeful expectations to move toward and I can not wait for that moment to come.Unfortunately for me, I am an omega with no significant background story. Some said that I was raised by foster parents who picked me up in the woods, some said I was picked up by the Riverside while some said that I was found at the doorsteps of the pack house.And then after my foster parents died - they never told me the real story because they abhorred me for no reason - I was forced to become a servant in the pack house, I had no other choice but to accept my fate.Working as a servant is not quite a beautiful experience for a young girl like me, I was bullied by everyone except Isla who became my best friend and sister. The others either called me names or punished me without a suitable reason for doing, they abhorred and abused me like my foster parents did. My status as being the lowest and weakest attracted me to the head servant, Alma who treated me much more worst than the others. I was made to sleep in the narrow attic with no mattress or sheets, I barely eat once a day - and my meals are mainly leftovers. Turning eighteen is partially worse for me, lanky and malnourished without knowing how it feels to live happily.I have always dreamed of being like Lily, the Alpha’s daughter, who has had only the perfect life bestowed upon her. I have wished to be in a position where I can give orders and everyone listens, not quite bullying but at least having a voice to speak out and command respect from all sides.I draw the last water from the well and turn it into the wooden bucket that Alma gave me to fetch with, tears stream down my cheeks when I pick a tiny pebble and toss it into the well. Imagining that it's a wishing well, I make a wish.“Tonight will be perfect for me, I'll find my wolf and shapeshift, and then… I'll find my mate who will accept me and pull me out of this hellhole,” I mutter with my eyes closed.I open my eyes, breathing in and out deeply. The moon goddess must have heard my wish and granted it for a cool breeze blows, it scatters my hair and I try to adjust my dress.I decide to return the water to the kitchen - I must have taken so long for I hear the clangorous melody playing in the pack house already - the party is about to start. I take another step of temptation to peep inside the house, my heart begins to beat faster as I near the windows.Suddenly, two fingers clips on my ear and drag me to the back of the house where the reality is being faced. The omegas are busy with the food, running frantically with ingredients and pans.“You brat, instead of bringing the water here… you decided to snoop around the pack house?” Alma scolds with anger in her voice.Fear creeps into my skin at being found by Alma - this could only spell trouble and mean more punishments for me. Alma has always been a strict one ever since the position was assigned to her.“I'm sorry for the delay, my rope got stuck and it took me a lot of time to untangle it,” I lie.I have done everything else that she has asked me to do - wash the walls, and the curtains, and scrub the stairs and windows. Fetching water from the well is supposed to be my last chore and less important because they have surplus water already.“I'm done with my chores for the day. Delaying the water should not be your priority now, Alma,” I admit.Alma snorts like a pig, “You’ve done your chores but you're not done with our chores. All hands on deck, Cora, you're helping the others with cooking.”“But they’re doing fine without me, the party has started and I don't want to be late. It's my night and my birthday, can't I have a night off, please?”Alma’s hysterical laughter vibrates my eardrums making me feel nauseous. A different energy begins to surge through me - something that I have never felt before.As Alma’s annoying chuckle goes on, my mind begins to work on its own. I can feel something trying to take over and no matter how much I try to fight it, I can’t seem to stop it.Alma nudges me hard on my ribs, “Why are you standing there like a freak, go and join the other omegas and work!”“Stop…” I whimper.It's coming quickly, my veins thicken and my eyes turn color. Whatever this is, the others are scared of it. Even Alma’s face turns pale as she stares at me.Alma nudges me again, harder than before.“Hey brat, snap out of your nonsense.”“I said STOP!” I growl loudly.Alma begins to choke suddenly, she holds her neck and falls to her knees. Her face is as white as a plain sheet, her eyes sink inside and her tongue sticks out.“Cora, please stop…” she begs for mercy.I struggle to break free from this energy if not, Alma will be as good as dead and I will be blamed for her death. The other omegas slowly back off, not wanting to get involved with us and become victims of this insanity.Luckily for Alma’s life, the energy breaks off with a snap and Alma stops choking. I return to my normal self and look at Alma who scrambles out of the room, I am bewildered by what just occurred now. I look around me to see what the others' reactions are, they pretend as if nothing happened - a reaction that I am hoping to see. Breathing in and out heavily, I run to meet up with the party. Standing in front of the closed door, I give myself some words of encouragement.“Okay, Cora. You can do this.”I have to put back whatever happened in the kitchen aside and pretend like I'm not aware of what went on back there. I can only say that Alma had trespassed her boundaries and I merely stood up for myself, Alma happened to be the victim. I place my ears against the door, hoping to hear what is going on there.I hear Alpha Ezequiel speak loudly, “Humble people of Citadel pack, I welcome you all to one of the greatest moments to be recorded in the history of our pack. Tonight marks the beginning of adulthood for our young werewolves who will be turning eighteen, the age for so many opportunities. Can all the celebrants step forward please?”There are a few minutes of silence and my heart skips a beat, should I go in now? I don't want to chicken out when I’ve only anticipated this night all my life.Alpha Ezequiel continues to speak, “Tonight, you will be shape-shifting for the first time and finding your wolves. Then you will find your fated mates and create a strong mate bond with them, some might even go to the longer extent of marking their mates. Lily, as the daughter of the Alpha family, you will be leading your peers for the run in the woods. This run will strengthen your wolf form and enhance your abilities, now transform into an extraordinary wolf and make us proud.”I am in a frenzy, it's as if I am automatically glued to this spot. The Alpha is making an important speech but at the same time, I have to go in and join my mates. If I miss this opportunity, I will never find my mate and resign from this hellish living condition, I will never be free from the cold hands of Alma.I have to make up my mind now!“I want to use this medium to make known my intentions with my daughter, Liliana. I hereby declare that Liliana Cruz will be the next heiress to the Alpha title and… “At this moment, I accidentally slip and barge into the party. The guests stare at me with disgusted expressions on their faces, they must be wondering who this insolent girl with dirty clothes is. Alpha Ezequiel’s eyes roam on me with fire in them, I realize that I am in for some scolding. The hall is silent and all eyes are on me.“Who are you?” Alpha Ezequiel growls lowly.I take two steps backward in fear, I’m in big trouble.“Who are you?” Alpha Ezequiel growls.I bit my lips, anxiety is creeping in and disorganizing my body system. I take two steps backward and swallow down my saliva, the sour taste swirls round my throat and I wish that the ground will just open up and drag me in.“I am… Cora,” I answer him with the least courage I can muster.“Cora who?”“Cora nobody,” Lily replies. It is obvious that she is irritated by my unannounced interruption, the time is ticking and our shifting juncture is close.“I’m sorry for barging in like that, Alpha. It’s my birthday too and I only wanted to join the party too,” I apologize.“You should not have come when you know that you're late, being clumsy is not an option for an omega like you. Meanwhile, Liliana works hard to see that the rightful activities are being delivered to the pack. With the special abilities of an Alpha, Liliana will make waves and be a great leader one day. I hereby declare…”Another interruption comes from me, my bones start cracking and
“You are our biological daughter…”“What?”I stare back at them with my mouth wide open. My ears keep popping up and suggesting that I must have heard wrong but their faces say otherwise. “Yes, “ Luna Aria voices out. She stands up and walks towards me, “You are our daughter, Cora. It turns out that you were switched at birth with Liliana. We are still scrutinizing to know who is behind this, that’s why we decided to tell you the truth.”The door flies open and Lily barges in. The anger on her face is much worse than the one I saw earlier.“Lily!” Luna Aria exclaims.“Dad! Mom! Tell me that this is not true,” she barks like a mad dog.“Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?” Alpha Ezequiel asks instead.“It doesn’t matter, Dad…” Lily tries to say but is cut off by Luna Aria.“Liliana, you know that it is wrong to eavesdrop on people when they’re in a conversation!”“But mom…”“Apologize, immediately!” the Alpha says grimly.Lily gulps in fear and keeps her head down, “I’m sorry
“You’re not the woman I’m supposed to marry.”The grim look on his face explains how irritated he must be to have gotten married to me. My heart leaped at first when he grabbed my arm like that, I thought he wanted to hurt me.“Answer me, young woman.” he snaps.“It’s Cora, Mr. Alpha and no, I’m not the one. But, you signed up for the Alpha’s daughter and here I am,” I reply with heavy sarcasm.He lets go of my arm, “Is the redhead woman the other one?”“Lily, and yes, she was supposed to be your wife,” I answer. I’m not even in the mood to speak to him.He nods and turns to the tall man who is driving us. “The other woman is talkative and this one looks more quiet and feisty, she’ll do.”The tall man nods but says nothing more. An awkward silence follows next and I choose picking my nails as my new occupation. We drive for hours and stop at a motel to take our rest, a question suddenly pops into my head as he is about to come down.“Mr. Alpha, you walked out when the elder said that
ZaneThe brown Doe follows me behind with an inquisitive stare, she continues to turn her head around possibly taking in her new surroundings. Her boldness is what baffles me the most, she is not afraid of me one bit - only flustered. “Stop staring or people will begin to think that you came from the woods,” I convey to her quietly.She huffed, “Let them think what they like. This pack house is the most beautiful I have ever seen in my life!”“And how many have you seen?”“Just one, but the citadel pack is not as enormous as your pack.” I ignore her as we pass the series of omega servants standing at both of our sides, they bow their heads in fear and look down to the ground. Cora looks at them in awe, I wonder if her pack is not so organized like this.Taking the stairs, I check my wristwatch. I’m supposed to be having a conference meeting at my company in a few hours. Cora bumps into me as I stop to check my phone notifications.“Sorry, Mr. Alpha…” she mumbles.“I told you to stop
After my short nap, I prepared myself for the conference meeting. It is already evening and the sun is setting, I enter the dining room to have a meal. Cora is already seated there while the servants are serving bountiful food on the table, her mouth is watery and those doe eyes are opened widely.As I take my serving, she taps me lightly on my hand. Her eyes blink nervously - and shyly - when my eyes meet hers.“It seems like I have a little problem here,” she tells me.I remain silent, giving her a simple nod to go on.“I have no idea how to use the cutlery.”“You’re saying that as a joke, right?” I ask.She nods in response, biting her lips in a manner that arouses me oddly. It is quite shocking to learn that from Cora, I know that she is not the Alpha’s daughter. Probably an omega that was used to supersede their daughter, but knowing that she has never used the cutlery all her life is a huge blow.First of all, I dismiss the servants and guards in the room. I don't want them to h
My eyes flutter open as the rays of sunlight radiate on my face. I stretch my body and run a cold shower, my mind recaps that I had a fallout issue with Cora last night. I made up my mind to apologize to her for making her feel bad.I slightly open her door when I get to her room, Cora is sleeping peacefully on the bare floor. I carry up to the bed and she wakes up, her eyes slowly opening. She scowls when she sees my face.“What do you want?” She snaps.“Why are you sleeping on the floor?” I ask her instead, my apologies being swallowed up by pride.“I am used to it. Back at the pack, I slept on the cold floor in my narrow attic. Is that really why you came to my room this morning?” I ruffle my hair, now looking for a cover-up. Cora cocks her eyebrows at me, her eyes glimmering with a huge expectation for me to apologize. “I’ll be taking my leave then,” I reply instead.“Is that all?” She drawls.“Don’t sleep on the floor again so you don’t get a cold.”She scoffs behind me as I wa
CORAI pace around my room, still thinking about what I saw earlier. My mind is probably messed up by now, cussing Zane for being the cause. He never told her that he was dating someone, let alone that she was living under the same roof as them.I bite the bottom of my lips, this is very tempting. I have imagined that my life with Zane will be molded to perfection so that when the Alpha family of the Citadel pack comes to see me, they will be shocked.But Zane has given them every reason to scorn me over and over again. With his girlfriend looking at me dangerously, I am assured that a battle line has been drawn between us and we are left to fight for one man.Do I want to fight for Zane?I don’t like him because of his coldness and arrogance, but there is no one I can relate to except him. But when I am close to him, I feel immeasurably overwhelmed and when I felt that spark as our hands touched, I knew instantly that I was tied to him. Zane is the only person I have who gives me at
“Who are you?” I ask the woman standing behind me.She clears her throat before answering, “I am… Eleanor, one of the servants ordered to assist you.”“Oh…” is all I say.“So, are you in need of any special services… with the Alpha?”“I’m not sure if I should be needing one. Why would I need a special service with him?”Eleanor sits me on my bed and holds my hand, “Because you are his wife, the marriage should be consummated and then you prepare to give birth to pups!”Eleanor sounds more like a mother advising her child, the enthusiasm in her eyes gets me more confused.“Giving birth to pups?” She nods her head.I abruptly stand on my feet with a determined face, “I can do it on my own.”Eleanor sits me down again, her face looks amused by what I said.“How do you think you can have pups on your own?” She asks.I think for a while, I don’t have a suitable answer for this but I don’t want to look stupid or clueless.“I’ll simply sit and relax in my room, read a lot of books, and eat