The Omega Healer

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CHELSIE

A few weeks have passed with the same painful scenario. People from other packs would come to us, seeking to be healed for all sorts of ailments that couldn’t be healed through normal means. Alpha Rain accepts almost everyone, as long as they can give what he demands. Meanwhile, I suffer in silence, absorbing people’s pain. I don’t know how many times I’ve passed out from pain at the worst times, but of course, Rain did not care.

With Rain’s heavy demands, our pack soon started to flourish again. Even though I couldn’t get out most of the time, I could feel the change in the atmosphere. I heard the betas talking about new alliances from bigger packs, those who wanted to win Rain’s favor just in case they needed help in the future. There were almost no rogue attacks that happened lately, either.

He’s getting exactly what he wanted. Our pack is slowly gaining back its good image, back when everything was good. If this continues, our old glory will be reclaimed. Even our pack members start treating me more decently, knowing that I'm valuable to them and that I can’t die just yet.

And now, I watched through the windows as they prepared for a pack gathering outside. I haven’t seen any of them this cheerful in years, never seen the place so colorful either. A part of me was happy seeing it, as if we were back to the years when everything was just happy, but another part of me felt pain and emptiness.

They were laughing, smiling, celebrating, and it’s all because of something built from my suffering. The children were happily running around the adults, trying to set up more tables. Every smiling face I see was a reminder that I wasn’t part of it.

I leaned against the window frame, watching as the decorations went together, as the celebration would start in a few hours. It’s filled with warmth indeed. Unfortunately, it only left me feeling hollow.

I wondered how many of those smiles would vanish if they ever learned the truth behind their so-called miracle healer. If they knew that for every life I saved, a part of mine was withering away. But I guess they already knew that, given how many times I passed out from healing someone.

A soft knock broke my thoughts. Before I could answer, the door opened, and Axena stepped in, carrying a bundle of dresses over her arms, and following her were other omegas carrying boxes of what I assumed were shoes and accessories.

I turned to her and slightly tilted my head, “What’s all that for?” I couldn’t help but ask and also stare at the stuff they brought. I haven’t seen such beautiful clothing in a long time.

She didn’t answer right away, carefully placed the pile of dresses on my bed, and gave me a quick, assessing look. “Try these dresses on.”

“For what?”

Axena rolled her eyes, “Obviously, for you to wear. You are to accompany the Alpha to the gathering later. You’re being presented to the visitors today. So you better behave and do everything Alpha Rain tells you to. Don’t dare pull something like that off. We’re already starting to get acknowledged again.”

“Presented? Why?” I asked again. It’s a dumb question, but given the Rain’s hatred of me, he wouldn’t be caught dead with me.

Axena sighed, clearly getting impatient. “Because you’re his Luna, whether anyone likes it or not, and everyone wants to see the Omega Healer of our pack. Now, would you please stop asking questions and try these on? Just be thankful Alpha Rain is being lenient with you.”

I looked down at the pile of dresses, and my fingers brushed over the one at the top. They were beautiful indeed, painfully remembering the past. I hadn’t worn anything this fine since my parents died, since everything fell apart with my life.

Axena gestured for the rest of the omegas to place the boxes of jewelry and shoes on the table and then asked them to leave.

“Come on, don’t just stare at them. Try them on. We don’t have all day, and I still have stuff to do.” She ordered.

I nodded weakly and began changing behind the divider. Each time I slipped into a dress, Axena made a face.

“Too dull. You look like a corpse. Next.”

She grimaced at the next one, “No.”

I slipped into another dress every time she said no. It went on till we reached the seventh dress. She circled me while her arms were crossed as if judging every detail before finally muttering, “That one will do.”

I looked at myself in the mirror. It was nothing fancy, but the cream colored dress looked elegant on me. I looked presentable. Sickly, but presentable.

--

My eyes darted at the mirror after they finished accessorizing me. They also put makeup on me to hide the exhaustion on my face. I looked different. I looked vibrant and alive, something I haven’t seen in a while.

A small smile curled on my face. I knew this wasn’t real, but it’s quite refreshing to see myself like this, even just for a while.

“Let’s go, the celebration has already started. Alpha Rain must be waiting for you, already.” Carmela said after taking one last look at me in the mirror.

I quickly nodded, following them outside. My heart is thumping loudly in my chest, suddenly nervous that I’d mess up somehow. Even though my pack barely acknowledges it, I still carry the title of our pack’s Luna. If I do something unsatisfactory, it would only reflect on the pack.

Before I could fall deeper into my anxious thoughts, Carmela was already whispering to me that Alpha Rain was waiting. I lifted my gaze and realized that she was right.

“I apologize for making you wait, Alpha.” I promptly apologized, but he just looked at me intently.

I tilted my head in slight confusion. “Is everything alright?”

As if he had snapped out of a trance, he blinked a couple of times and went back to his usual straight-faced expression.

“I’m fine.” He answered, “The visitors are waiting. Don’t embarrass me.”

My chest tightened with his words, but I simply nodded. I knew what he meant. Rain just wanted me to stay quiet the whole time. The less I talk, the fewer mistakes I make.

“Ah, the star of the show finally arrived.”

I froze when another alpha noticed us and approached in our direction. He smiled at us, carrying a glass of fine wine.

“It’s a pleasure to meet such a special she-wolf like you. I’m Kairo, Alpha of Blue Ridge pack.”

My mind blanked out, and I suddenly didn’t know what to say. But just as I could panic and say something stupid, Rain suddenly held my hand. For a second, I was expecting him to suddenly squeeze my hand, but it remained steady as if he was just trying to comfort me.

It quickly made my heart at ease, and the anxiety I felt disappeared in an instant. I managed to smile at the Alpha talking to me.

“The pleasure’s mine. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for visiting our pack.” I said with a small smile. Rain took over the conversation halfway, but he didn’t let go of my hand.

I tried to focus on the conversation, but my eyes kept falling to our intertwined hands. Despite our situation, we’re still bonded. It wasn’t as strong as I hoped to be, but he could still sense that I was truly anxious. Is he trying to comfort me? Maybe he had already seen my efforts, and now that everything is going well for the pack, his hardened heart is finally melting?

The mere chance of it being true already made my heart hopeful. Even my wolf was already excited and was urging me to talk to our mate when we had the chance.

The celebration continued, and I could see from everyone’s expression that they were truly happy. After all, it’s the first celebration we’ve had in years, including other packs. While we’re good on our own, having allies is still important and makes our lives easier, especially with trading and all.

A beta approached me and had simple conversations. I was a little bothered at first, but he seemed genuinely kind and wasn’t even talking about my healing abilities like other visitors I’ve talked to.

In the middle of our conversation, the beta suddenly excused himself awkwardly. I was confused and wondering if I had done or said something wrong. To my surprise, Rain suddenly approached me and grabbed my arm, his hold bordering on painful.

He brought me back to the pack house. The calmness in his eyes was replaced with anger I couldn’t pinpoint the cause. It wasn’t his usual look of hatred toward me. It’s something else.

Was he… jealous?

My question was answered when he suddenly kissed me. I froze when he cupped my face, kissing me possessively. Before I knew it, I was already responding instinctively.

Rain’s kissing me. My mate is kissing me.

We were both catching our breath when we parted. His eyes were gleaming when he opened them, but they quickly went back to normal.

He clicked his tongue, “I told you not to embarrass me. Stay here.”

I looked at him, still dumbfounded. “What? I didn’t do anything.”

Rain continued frowning, but he looked like he was more sulking than angry. Without a response, he suddenly left, leaving me with more questions than I had earlier.