The Omega Healer

CHELSIE My eyes landed on the worn-out calendar, then on the old clock in my room, which I only got when it was thrown out, and I just fixed it so it would work again. I couldn’t help but wish it would go faster, and so finally, I could leave this pack. From this hell. Three more days till my eighteenth birthday. It’s the same time werewolves could finally sense their fated mates, but I didn’t care about that. Once I finally reach the age of majority, I could leave the pack, and they can’t stop me. I don’t have anywhere else to go, but I’d rather be a rogue and be a lone wolf than stay here. Literally, anywhere is bearable as long as I can leave this place. I forced myself to get up from the pile of old fabrics I consider my bed, knowing that I will be badly scolded or beaten up if they’re in a bad mood if I don’t get to work on time. With a bit of courage, I went out of my room… which used to be a small room where they stored cleaning supplies. I hurried my way to the main house, where I was required to work for the alpha’s family. I’m paid with merely scraps and leftovers, but I can’t exactly complain. The moment I stepped inside the main house, something hit my face. My eyes followed whatever was thrown at me, and it was a dirty rug. I guess it was better than water from the bathroom. I picked up the rag and kept my head low. I heard laughter from a distance, but I just ignored it. I’m used to it, anyway. “How dare you arrive late? We are all busy preparing for the young alpha’s ascension, and you’re slacking off?!” I felt something hit my head. The sharp pain was too familiar. I knew I was already bleeding, but I didn’t falter and faced Axena this time. She was the head maid of the house, and I’m her favorite target. To be fair, she was cranky to everyone, but Axena particularly hated me. I can’t blame her. She was a good friend of the late Luna, the person everyone in the pack believed my parents had killed. The only reason I wasn’t killed with them was that it happened when I was very young, and they couldn’t bring themselves to kill a child. I often wish they would just execute me with my parents instead of going through this every day. I’m paying for sins I didn’t commit, didn't have to do anything about, and didn’t even know were real. No one told me the complete details of how my parents became the reason for the late Luna’s death, but considering how everyone loathes me for it, I figured it was extreme betrayal. Still, I couldn’t help but hope they were just mistaken and the truth would come out eventually. “I’m sorry, Axena,” I said, almost blankly, though my apology had double meaning. I felt something else hit my head. This time, it was a feather duster. I barely winced, and the thought of the counting days till I could leave gave me some relief. She growled at me, “Your apologies mean nothing to me. Clean up outside, make sure the windows are squeaky clean, or I will use your face to clean them. Make yourself useful for once!” I ignored her threats and picked up the things she threw at me. “Yes, Axena. I’m sorry again.” “Be thankful I’m busy today or I will really-” She stopped herself from throwing another cleaning supply in my direction, “You know what, just go. You’re spoiling the beautiful morning.” And with that, I immediately went out before she changed her mind. “I’m luckier today, I guess.” I couldn’t help but mumble and let out a relieved sigh. She did things far worse in the past. Either she’s woken up on the right side of the bed, or she’s really that busy. I started cleaning as ordered. Everyone was busy running around, quietly moving and decorating stuff for the new alpha’s ascension to the position, also in three days. Finally, after seven years, the pack would have an alpha again. It was an ironic coincidence that we share the same birthday. Same age, too. But it will be my key to escape this place. I doubt they will let me go easily, so I will sneak out during the ceremony, when no one will be sure to check on their favorite omega punching bag. The rare quiet I had suddenly shattered when I heard a commotion from a distance. “The young alpha is hurt! Someone bring the doctor!” My eyes widened after hearing their remark. Before I could turn back to see what was happening, I was already pushed away to the side. “Get out of the way!” I stumbled on the ground and found them rushing inside. I pushed myself to get up and peeked from the window, seeing a glimpse of the young alpha badly injured. “What happened to Alpha Rain?” One of the other servants asked, clearly worried and terrified for the future of the pack. “We were ambushed, and he protected the servants with us. Those nasty bastards poisoned him with wolfsbane!” My eyes widened. If the wolfsbane reaches his heart before his body’s regenerative ability expels it from his body, it would only take a day at most before he dies. After it reaches his heart, the only thing that could save him is an antidote made from the moon flower… but it was very rare, and from what I know, our pack had already run out of the antidote after we had endured a different attack last year. “Do you think other packs would still share us some antidote?” The question was quickly met with hostility. “How can you think of the worst-case scenario?! He is strong. He will be able to fight it off before the worst ever happens.” The festive mood quickly became mournful and full of terror. Everyone had halted with their work and was just waiting to see if Rain could get through the day. -- I went back to my place after we were all dismissed for today. I shouldn’t be bothered or care at all, but for some reason, I couldn’t sit still or close my eyes without imagining his condition. “I must have already lost my damn mind…” I mumbled as I sneaked inside the main house again. I just saw that the doctors went out earlier and used the opportunity to enter while he was unguarded. By their reactions, the alpha isn’t doing any good, and it will only be a matter of time till this pack loses the only one left of this pack’s alpha bloodline. I looked at him, probably longer than I should. He was sweating badly. Aside from his wounds, there were black veins from his wound already branching out. “Why should I save you? You made my life a living hell.” I asked, more to myself than him. Everyone hated me, but this man was the worst of them all. It lessened a bit now that he became busy with his training to formally assume the alpha position, but he never fails to torment me whenever we see each other. I guess it was justified, having him lose his mother, then the alpha almost followed right after because of grief. He had to take care of this pack at such a young age. He might not be an official pack alpha, but the responsibility has been on his shoulders from the moment the late alpha died, too. Despite my question, I found myself extending my hand and concentrating on his arm where the poison started to spread. I felt power surging in me as my body began to absorb his pain. I gasped, feeling exactly what he feels, but I did my best not to yelp and make a sound. It’s a secret of mine that my parents made me swear not to reveal to anyone. I don’t know how. I can’t even remember how I discovered this ability, but I can heal any living being. In exchange, I feel the pain they go through. “Consider this… a payment for my sins.”