The Omega Healer

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ME

CHELSIE

Finally, the day I’ve been waiting for has come. By night, Rain’s ascension as the pack alpha will occur, and everyone will be watching. There will be no one to guard the borders, and they will be too happy to notice someone like me is missing.

I’ll sneak out and run like hell is chasing me. It wasn’t the greatest plan, but it’s all I could think of, and I only have one chance to do so.

“Happy birthday, me,” I muttered before a small, bitter laugh escaped my lips.

I’ve never received a gift for my birthday since my parents died, and I never wished for anything, either. But this time, I sincerely hope this plan works.

A part of me hopes that I could just leave in peace. It’s not usual, but we were given that choice when we reached the age of majority, especially if our parents were from different packs.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any other relatives left, and I have a bad hunch that they wouldn’t let me go easily. I wasn’t expecting comfort when I reached outside, but it’s a chance for me to start over again in a place that doesn’t know me as a child of traitors. I just want enough freedom to start over again.

Hours passed as I diligently cleaned and helped with the last-minute preparations and changes for the celebration later. Everyone is giddy. Even Axena hasn’t scolded or thrown anything at me today. Everyone seemed to have already forgotten and was no longer curious about why I sneaked into the infirmary that day.

Or so I thought…

My eyes landed on a small crowd in the distance. They looked happy to see whoever it was, but I froze when I realized who it was. Her smile dropped after noticing me. I lowered my eyes and promptly walked away. I was almost running, but she still caught up to me.

“And where do you think you’re going?” She asked and grabbed my hair, pulling me back.

Her nails dug into my scalp, eyes gleaming in amusement, seeing me wince in pain.

This woman is Clarice Harell. She is the daughter of a pack beta to our allied pack. She is also Rain’s betrothed. She knew all about me and didn’t hesitate to join in making my life miserable and only a tad worse than Rain himself.

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. Just when I thought things could be a little easier today.

“I heard what you did when Rain got hurt from an attack. What were you doing in there, huh?” Clarice asked, her grasp on my hair tightened.

I winced, but she didn’t let go, and none of my pack members stopped her. They’re even watching with anticipation of what I’d say. My face paled in fear, my mind blanking out on what to say. I can’t blow everything up when I’m already so close to my freedom.

“Answer your future Luna!” she exclaimed, making me flinch again.

“I… I’m just worried about the alpha. I just wanted to check if he was okay. That’s all, I swear.” I managed to utter, saying the exact thing I said to Rain and the pack doctor.

Her brows arched at my remark. “And why would I believe those words from you?”

I almost wanted to tell her that she was the one asking, not believing me at the same time, but I fought the urge to talk back. Of course, they would wonder. If there’s anyone who would hate Rain, that should be me.

A maniacal smile appeared on her face. “Don’t tell me… You like Rain?”

My eyes widened. I wanted to correct the misunderstanding, only that she wasn’t really far from the truth. My dad was a pack beta and the old alpha’s good friend. Rain used to be my childhood friend.

Ever since then, I have had a weak body and have been a target for kids to bully, but he was always there to protect me. Now, all of that is forgotten and buried with his hate towards my parents and eventually poured on me.

I care for him, which is why I couldn’t let him die despite everything he did to me. Because once upon a time, he was my friend and my protector.

Once upon a time… we were the ones who were betrothed.

Clarice started laughing and pushed me to the ground. The others followed, laughing and mocking me for the feelings I’ve already buried deep in my heart.

“You think Alpha Rain will like you? You are the last person in the world that he would like. He loathes you, and he will forever do so because you’re the daughter of the people who ruined his life, his family, and his pack. Stop dreaming, because you have no right even just to think about it.”

She didn’t even bother waiting for my response and walked away, leaving me on the ground. No one bothered to take a second glance at me and dispersed after the future Luna left.

Clarice is right with everything she said, so why does it hurt so much? Why does the thought of Rain hating me forever suddenly feel so painful?

I pushed these damn trembling legs to get up and quickly wiped the tears streaming down my face. It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving tonight anyway.

--

I quietly stayed by the sidelines, waiting for the event to start. The actual ceremony is currently happening inside with Rain, the elder council, and the remaining betas of the pack.

Once he comes out, he will officially be the pack’s alpha. I took a deep breath, feeling restless. I can’t figure out what I’m feeling at the moment. At first, I thought I was just nervous about my escape, but something tells me there’s something else. Even my wolf, who’s usually dormant, was also restless and worried, but at the same time, refused to tell me anything.

I heaved a small sigh and shook my head, pushing myself to focus and think about my route again. I situated myself at the very back on one side. That way, I could easily leave without others noticing me. Not that they would care, but I can’t take my chances.

Everyone was intently watching for the door to open, waiting for Rain to appear and cut the dark era of the pack having no alpha. I found myself looking forward to it, too, because it was my signal to leave.

“He’s about to go out.” Murmurs started outside and quickly reached the back.

I backed away even more and turned around, ready to run for it.

Finally, my freedom.

Cheers erupted in the pack when he came out of the doors. I should be running by now, but my wolf’s frantic reaction made me freeze in my spot. We had found our mate. It’s what my wolf kept telling me.

“I knew it. We’re fated mates, aren’t we?” I heard Clarice exclaim from the front as the silence suddenly fell.

“It’s not you.” Rain said coldly, making the crowd's silence even more awkward and painful.

I felt the crowd moving behind me, probably parting so he could walk ahead.

I didn’t dare to turn around. My mind was already spiraling in fear and confusion. I should be running away by now, escaping this damn place, but my wolf’s plea for me to acknowledge our mate, and the feeling of the mate bond surging in me and hitting me in waves, effectively stopped me from moving an inch.

My body jolted when he suddenly pulled me to face him. My wolf whimpered after seeing his eyes filled with a mix of hate and desire.

Out of all the people that could be mated, why us? What kind of sick joke is this?