The Omega's Rebirth

Assignment

Two or three hours had passed, the shadows were growing long as the sun began to disappear beyond the tree tops. My double coat had kept me warm but I stirred nonetheless, like an inner voice or instinct urging me to wake.

‘I sensed it too.’

‘Let’s go, I shouldn’t be so far out on my own anyway, no one knows we are here and I can’t really defend myself!’

‘Don’t have to tell me twice.’

The run back had a different feeling of urgency to the earlier gallivant. I sought familiarity and security, and the closer I drew to the pack house the better I began to feel. An uneasiness had chased me the whole way although I couldn’t pick up any scents or sounds that would suggest I was being followed.

Bursting through the tree line for the forest was like crossing a threshold. Although there was no real difference from one step to the next, I knew that I would be protected if something had made it this close to the centre of our lands.

‘Oh yeah, remember me mentioning a wicked surprise earlier?’

‘Vaguely.’

‘BOOM!’ Bree eagerly exclaimed. At the same time, I began to shift back into human form.

‘Will I ever get used to this?’

‘Hey dummy, look down.’

‘Uh huh, my sandals. And?’

‘Cogs aren’t all turning today are they?’

‘You know, you’re like two insults away from just becoming a plain bully…. Oh!’

I had sandals on.

How in the goddess’ name did I have sandals on?

My hands immediately dropped to my thighs- my shorts! I patted upwards, I was fully dressed.

This was almost unheard of.

In fact, it was the stuff spoken off in lore, not in every day conversations. Most- if not all- current day wolves lost their clothes during shifting if they hadn’t removed them. Our wolf counterparts were generally larger than our human form. If shifting didn’t need to be done in a rush, we would generally remove our clothes and leave them somewhere to collect upon returning. As a result, nudity was common place among wolf packs. Basic clothing was also common, between sudden shifts and losing clothes, we went through them too often to be worried about the latest designer brands or looks. I personally, was a quiet fan of the grey sweatpants favoured by the males.

‘Told you it was a wicked surprise.’

‘But how?!’ I managed to splutter.

‘A gift from Selene, I suppose. Can’t expect you to change the world without offering something in return?’

‘We can’t let people know though! What will they say? I’ll be an outcast, accused of witchcraft or something!’

‘It’ll be our secret, for as long as we can hold it. Until the time is right.’

Great, more secrets.

The wolf pack had gathered in our large auditorium.

The Alpha, Abram, and his Luna, Chelsea, sat at a long table at the front of the auditorium, flanked by their children and Betas. I would never cease to be amazed at how they looked like perfect marble sculptures, crafted by expert masons.

There was a murmur throughout the hall, it was time for our quarterly full-pack meeting with a great deal discussed and actioned at each.

This one was of particular importance to me- as a recent ‘Ager’, I was now ready to be given my work assignment. My fingers were crossed for a position doing secretarial duties, or even in the hospital wing with my mother. Sheena was with me, she still hadn’t come of age but had her fingers crossed for me. In addition to me, there were 3 other wolves who had recently had their first shift, eagerly awaiting their assignments. One was warrior bred and born, Kingsley had trained from the moment he could walk and was almost a shoe-in for continuing on in his parents footsteps. Paige was an upper level Omega, a bit of a brat if I’m being honest, likely to end up in some sort of overseeing position directing other Omegas. Yvette was like me- a low level Omega with hopes of only menial tasks and a middling life to look forward to. Unlike me, however, she still seemed excited at the upcoming announcement of her assignment.

‘Maybe we could start changing the world by demanding we be allowed to train as a warrior’ Bree joked.

‘Yeah, that’d be a laugh and a half, I’m knee high to a grasshopper to them!’

“Hush,” came a mental command.

Only Alphas had the ability to communicate with the whole pack at once. We each had a direct line to the Alpha mentally, not that us Omegas would ever dare use it unless it was an emergency. The warriors could all communicate mentally with each other- it was almost a requirement for stealth and deception in battle. Fated mates could also mind link each other. We could never refuse an Alpha command however, and a silence overtook the auditorium.

Abram stood up to address the pack.

“First order of business, a new request has come in from the patrol leaders. Rangers have noticed some suspicious activity in the outer reaches of our pack lands, but as of yet have been unable to ascertain what precisely is out there. Until we have more information, you will all be required to stay within 1 kilometre of the pack house, so that we can keep you safe without overextending our warriors. Anyone needing to venture outside that limit will need to gain permission from Dawn, our Master Warrior, and be accompanied.”

‘Suspicious activity? What does that mean? Do you think it has anything to do with….?’

‘Could be. Makes me just want to find out more though.’

‘Don’t you get me into trouble with your crazy ideas.’

I had the uneasy feeling of eyes on me, and glanced over to see Chelsea watching me. 18 years of training and etiquette had me lower my eyes immediately out of respect, but I couldn’t stop that burning feeling like I was being watched. Did I do something wrong?

The Alpha spoke of a few more minor pack issues, all the while I stood with my eyes down and a feeling of uneasiness. Finally, I sensed that she looked away. I released a long breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding in, and rolled my tense shoulders.

“Lastly, I will be handing out our Ager’s assignments.” Abram never spent too much time on these, certainly no pomp and ceremony. Most assignments were expected and it was more a formality than anything.

“Kinglsey- warrior. Congratulations, I have no doubt you will make your parents proud.”

I looked over to Kingsley who was beaming, his mates around him slapped him on the back and cheered.

“Paige- Assistant to the Head of Domestics. You will be working under Nancy, learn well and you will eventually take over her position.” Nancy was an aged wolf, but exceptional at her job. Knew just the right balance of managing and allowing others to find the best way to complete any given tasks. Paige would likely let the power get to her head however.

“Yvette- Secretarial staff. An important position, our pack depends upon these staff members to function.” I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealously, followed immediately by guilt, as Yvette was awarded the assignment I coveted the most. With her having taken that position, there was really only the hospital left for me, or…

“Zara- Domestics. Report to Trudi in the kitchen. That is all.” And with that, Abram concluded the quarterly meeting with the most brusque, soul destroying sentence he possible could.