When All Else Fails

Kat “Happy birthday Kat” I wake up to one of the younger boys jumping on my bed holding out a single cupcake. “Why thank you Luke!” I try to match his excitement, only to remember to day is probably one of the last normal days of my life. Hopefully I will find my mate today, and that will change everything. “Why don’t you look happy Kat?” I’ve always been amazed at how observant and caring this little guy is. “Well Luke, it might be my last day here. I’m just thinking of how much I’m gonna miss you when I find my mate.” His face turns to a frown. “You’ll come visit us right?” His voice carried an almost whine to it that I’ve never heard before. “Of course I will little man.” He smiled. “I saved my allowance and got you this special for your special day!” He shoved the cupcake towards my face. “I tried to get you a candle but the adults said no.” “What do you mean, its right here. I better blow it out quick before wax gets on it.” I hurriedly take the cup cake from his little hands and hold it up to my face. “ Ok, I’m gonna make a good wish on this special cupcake.” I close my eyes and blow out the pretend flame, on the pretend candle, making my pretend wish. I say its pretend, but its my actual real wish. I wish that I will find my mate and he will take me away from here. “What did you wish for?” “You know I can’t tell you that! If I tell you my wish it won’t come true.” I give him my best playful shocked face, as I take a bite of my cupcake. “You want some?” I hold out the last half of the cupcake to him. “No that’s for you, I got two but I ate mine last night.” He giggled “Ok, well I’ve got to get to work now little man.” Being an omega in even a small pack meant the work was never done. “I’m on breakfast duty, so come by after everyone leaves and I’ll sneak you the left overs.” I shot him a wink and got out of bed. I quickly got dressed and headed to the chow hall in the pack house. The closer I got, the more my nerves started to act up. What if I did find my mate today? Would he accept me as I am? Or would he reject me instantly? No one wants to be mated to an omega, much less a orphan omega. I’m nothing special to look at. My clothes are thin almost rags. My skin in pale, I have freckles and my hair is a stringy red/orange color. My only redeeming factor are my eyes. They aren’t like anyone else I’ve ever met. They are blue with a ring of honey yellow around the pupil. Maybe my wolf will be unique like my eyes. Unfortunately I have to wait until the next full moon to meet her. That’s only a few weeks away, so at least its not to long to wait. The wind kicks up and I catch a wonderful scent. It smells like freshly baked cinnamon rolls. My nerves go on high alert at the scent and I can’t help but pass by the chow hall and walk towards the training field. Is my mate a warrior? How exciting! I take a deep breath, savoring the scent of MY mate. I finally reach the training grounds after what seems like forever, but its quiet. All the warriors are else where. The only people that are on the training grounds is the Alpha and his Beta. As soon as my eyes landed on the Alpha I knew. He was my mate. My eyes widened at that realization. That black haired blue eyed tall piece of chiseled man meat is mine. There couldn’t be anyone more perfect than him on the face of this planet. I’d only looked at him from afar, daydreaming of this very moment. I never thought it would be as terrifying as this to learn about my mate. He’s going to reject me. The thought instantly hit home and my heart started to ache. He can’t mate with an omega. That’s to much of a sign of weakness. I’m too weak to defend myself. I won’t do anything but bring him down. Once he realizes its over for me. I will be rejected, mateless forever. Second chance mates are very rare and in my lifetime I’ve only heard of a few people finding theirs, but they also held rank. Alphas and Betas are worthy of second chance mates, i’ve never heard of an omega finding a second chance mate. Maybe he will want me, I know the chance is small with my station in life, but a girl can dream. I quickly drop my head in defeat and turn around and walk back to the chow hall. Fortunately I was downwind, so he didn’t smell me. At least I can hold onto having a mate for a little bit longer. My heart already breaking into a million pieces makes the walk take forever. I enter the kitchen and get to work making breakfast. I have to make bulk eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits, and toast. Enough to feed at least 100 warriors with bottomless pits for stomachs. The industrial kitchen here was fit for keeping up with the demand, having multiple full size ovens and griddles and mixers, made it quick and easy. The food started rolling out in no time and the chow hall started to get loud with all the ruckus of everyone conversing. I was bending over taking a tray of biscuits out of the oven when I heard a door slam into the wall, and I could hear someone take a deep breath. “MATE!” His voice sounded strained, and I could tell he was on the verge or loosing control. “Where are you?” This time sounding closer to normal. I stood up, tray of biscuits in hand and turned around. Once my eyes met his it was like time stopped, and I took a deep breath. He rushed over to me and grabbed me. Pushing the entire tray of biscuits out of my hands, the tray making a loud bang on the floor when it hits. He shoved his face into my neck and took a deep breath. I could feel him noticeably relax. “Alpha Shane.” I leaned into him and that intoxicating smell. He nibbled on my neck, and hugged me closer. “Mate.” He finally relaxed.