A Sense of Mate

Breathe Jessa

Jessa’s POV

            “What do you mean she’s a Special?” my mother asks Doc Fhenric.

Her voice sounds distant to my ears like I’m not in the room.  The results are wrong, they have to be.  s**t, how long have I been holding my breath?  I will myself to take a long gulp of air.  In one – two - three, and out one - two - three.  I can’t be a Special, Omega’s are not special, we are the no-ones of wolf society.  Breathe Jessa, in one – two – three.  Just breathe, the doc’s got it wrong, out one - two - three.  He’ll re-run the test and it’ll show that the lab got the blood mixed up.

            “There has to of been a mix-up, please can you ru –“

            “Running the test again won’t provide a different result Mrs Landrik.” Doc Fhenric interjected before my mom could finish. “Only four wolves are coming into mating age this week, and that’s including Jessa.  Given that the other three are all males, and the results show the bloodwork belonging to a female we can rule out any identity confusions”. 

As my hearing begins to refocus, and I listen to the conversation between my mother and our pack doctor, there is no escape from hollowness which has crept into the pit of my stomach.  For any other wolf, being told that you are a Special is considered one of the highest blessings from the Moon Goddess herself, and as such you are cherished and respected within the pack.  But as an Omega Special, my life is about to become so much harder. 

            “Oh, Esti why didn’t you warn me” I whisper to my wolf.          

            “I’m so sorry Jess, I’m in the dark just as much as you are.  You’re not alone, honest, whatever happens.” She whines trying to comfort me. 

            My mothers sobbing breaks mine and Esti’s mind-meld.  I glance over to her and she just looks broken, I fight the tears beginning to well in my eyes and rush over to hug her.  I look gingerly over at the Doc, the look he gives me is one of sympathy.

            “Jessa,” he says gently.  “Given your unique adoption, we have no idea of the exact time you’ll come of age tonight.  Likewise, we know little about your lineage either, meaning.”

            “Meaning, we don’t know what my gift is likely to be,” I say finishing his sentence for him.  He nods at me and rubs his temples.  “I’m sorry Jessa, but I will have to inform the Alpha of your results, I’ll try and buy you and your family some time to prepare, but your probably looking at a day and no more than that.”  My mother stops crying and looks at me, and the realisation begins to dawns on her that Doc’s final comment wasn’t advising us to prepare for whatever the thing I can do was.  He was warning us that I’m about to be ripped away, taken for the Alpha's use, and as Omega's, there was nothing my family could do.