The Omega's Reckoning

Chapter 2

The next morning, Melissa’s eyes suddenly opened, and her heart started racing as the loud pounding on her door shattered the silence in the room. She recognized this as one of her mother’s knocks. Her father completely avoided her while her brother was so indifferent towards her, pretending like she didn’t exist as long as all the chores were done.

“b***h, get up! Make breakfast for me immediately!” her mother yelled, her words dripping with annoyance. She didn’t stop there but continued knocking. “You better wake up this instant before I break this lousy door!”

Melissa hastily threw off her covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed careful not to trip on her quilt. She knew better than to ignore her mother’s orders. The consequences of disobedience were always so severe. “I’m sorry mother.” Melissa immediately apologized as soon as she opened the door.

Her mother stood by the door, arms crossed, eyes flashing with irritation. “About time you decided to join the living,” she snapped. “And who asked you to refer to me as mother, you worthless omega! Haven’t I warned you so many times not to look me in the eyes while I address you?” Jane yelled as she glared at her daughter with an intent to murder her.

Melissa swallowed the words she was about to say and looked at the ground in submission. “I apologize ma’am.”

“Know your place Omega! Make sure my breakfast is ready in the next twenty minutes!” She walked away immediately, not wanting to breath the same air as her.

Melissa let out a sigh as she stumbled into the kitchen, the room was in disarray, last night’s dishes stacked on the sink, crumbs scattered across the countertops.

On the bright side, Melissa didn’t have her mother watching her every move like a hawk. Melissa didn’t dare say a word, she knew her mother’s mood swings all too well and knew better than to infuriate her in the morning. So, she started cleaning up the kitchen, scrubbing down the counters, and loading the dishwasher with the dirty dishes.

As she worked, Melissa’s mind wandered to the pack member’s latest actions. The bruises were still on her skin, slowly healing at their own pace. Aside from her first shift, she has not been able to shift to her wolf form so she couldn’t hasten the healing process.

The memory of her older brother’s indifference struck her, a painful reminder of his betrayal. As children, Ryan had been her rock, shielding her from harm and comforting her fears. But as they grew older, he changed, his compassion turned into indifference. The boy who once held her hand as they walked to school now watched with a detached expression as she was bullied.

Once the kitchen was clean and tidied, Melissa began preparing breakfast. Scrambled eggs and toast, her mother’s favorite. When she served breakfast, Jane carefully inspected the plate, her expression critical as if she was looking for some faults. “This better be edible,” she muttered with a frown.

Melissa held her breath, waiting for her approval before leaving. Jane slowly took a bite, nodded curtly, before dismissing her. Seizing the opportunity, Melissa returned to her room, hurriedly took a bath, grabbed her backpack, and slipped out of the house, unnoticed.

The crisp morning air enveloped her as she walked, the trees’ gentle sway was a soothing balm for her nerves. Melissa breathed deeply, feeling the tension that overwhelmed her loosen a bit.

All of a sudden, she heard the bushes rustle behind her. “Who are you?” she called out hesitantly.

“Have you forgotten about me so soon?”

Melissa found the voice familiar, it was the strange voice that appeared in her head the previous day. She suddenly turned around to see who it was but there was no one behind her.

“You shouldn’t bother searching for me, you can’t find me.” The strange voice continued.

“What do you want?” Melissa asked with a shaky voice.

A masked figure hidden behind a tree let out a cold laughter. “Have you made up your mind? Do you want to join me, Do you want to get revenge?”

Melissa thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. “No” she declined.

“Are you sure?”

Melissa shook her head once again. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Even if they are the ones who hurt you first?”

Melissa nodded. “I wont hurt anyone.”

The figure let out a cold, mocking laugh. “You are so naïve, they are going to keep hurting you and you have to learn to fight back!”

“But they are my family.” Without realizing it, tears rolled down Melissa’s cheeks.

“Sentiments, they fed you with so much lies. What if I told you that they were the ones who separated you from your family, your true family.” With a whoosh, the figure disappeared.

Melissa suddenly froze. “What!” it seemed like a bucket of ice was poured over her. “What do you mean?” She looked around, hoping for some sort of reply.

…. But there was no response.

Melissa remained in the woods, lost in thought as she kept on thinking about what the mysterious person had told her. It replayed in her head over and over again. Recalling the sudden change in her brother’s behavior towards her, she couldn’t help but believe it. As the sun began to set, Melissa reluctantly made her way back home.

The moment she stepped out from the woods, she spotted some pack members from a distance. Her heart sank, her nerves twisting into knots. With a deep breath, Melissa walked toward them, ready to face whatever awaited her. The group of pack members blocked her path, all of a sudden, they closed in, their fists and feet hitting her body. Melissa tried to defend herself, but they were too strong, and she couldn’t fight against a group of people.

She fell to the ground, her vision blurring as blows rained down. Just when she thought it was over, one of the attackers leaned in, his voice dripping with venom. “Your brother sent us,” he sneered at her. “He feels ashamed to be related to you and wants you to learn your place.”

Melissa struggled to her feet, her body screaming in protest. She stumbled forward, driven by a need for answers. Why had Ryan done this? She slowly made her way back home, each step made her hiss in pain.

***

Meanwhile, Ryan stood on the porch, engaged in a conversation with his best friend, Alexander. The warm sunlight cast a golden glow over their figures, but Ryan’s thoughts were shrouded in darkness. “I’m glad you’re my best friend, Ryan,” Alexander said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “And you’ll also make an excellent beta.”

Ryan nodded, his expression serious but his emotions conflicted “I won’t let you down, Alex.”

Alex hugged him. “I know you won’t. By the way, have you heard about my father’s plans for your sister?”

Ryan had an indifferent expression on his face but his gaze was cold. “What plans?”

Alex’s smile was calculating. “He’s arranged for Melissa to be mated to Alpha Thompson who lost his mate to a rogue attack after her eighteenth birthday. It’s an alliance of the two packs so it’ll be a happy situation.”

Ryan’s face remained neutral, but his eyes had a flicker of unease. “That’s… interesting.”

Alexander’s gaze narrowed, this wasn’t the reaction he was expecting. He was using this method To test where Ryan’s loyalty lies. “You’re okay with it, right?”

Ryan nodded, his voice indifferent. “Of course. It’s for the good of the pack.”

“I’m glad you didn’t get attached, you know the rules.”

“Yes.” Beneath his calm exterior, Ryan’s thoughts churned. Melissa, his little sister, was to be mated to a stranger, a man three times her age and there was nothing anyone could do to contradict that. In his pack, Omegas are just tools. Tools to gain more benefits for the pack and their life or death was completely disregarded once the benefit is gotten.

Alex’s voice cut through his reverie. “I’m looking forward to meeting my mate soon.”

“You’ll find the right one, Alex.”

Alex chuckled. “I hope so. I want someone strong, loyal… and beautiful.”

Ryan smiles, but his mind drifts back to Melissa. He pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the conversation. Just then, Melissa appeared in his line of sight, her eyes locked onto Ryan’s.

Ryan’s instincts screamed to go to her, to comfort her but Alex’s presence prevented his actions. He suppressed the urge and his face had a mask of indifference.