THE REJECTED DIRE WOLF

Despite sensing eyes on me, I continue before coming to an abrupt halt and turning back to see a group of children huddeled behind a tree. With their eyes fixated on me, they whisper to each other and point at me, making me raise a brow in curiosity. Hoping to ease the tension and find answers to my curiosity, I flash them a smile before walking back towards the tree. My stomach twist. They watch me closely, waiting for me to get close en ough for them to pounce. "Weak asshole, who's going to help you?” They suddenly scream, their voices carry over the noise of the crowd. A trader particularly watches helplessly, arms folded, unwilling to interfere in someone else's affairs. I struggle to breathe as the man chokes my throat. I kick out at him, but he slips away, chuckling as he does. I try to move through the crowd, but end up bumping into several people in my panic. Finally, I see an opening, and rush for it but I'm met by some more hefty men. "Will you give up now? Huh, no wolf?" The bully's voice intensifies further. I stare back, only to see more wolves surrounding me. I push aside the thought of escaping, hoping the guys would temper their beating. My voice breaks a bit as I stifle giggles to ease the tension around me. Unfortunately, the tension heightens when I sense many more groups of wolves approaching to torment me. Quickly, I run towards the leader, pretending to hug him, but slip out of their hands, darting hastily to my pack. If no one else will save me, my newfound mate should. As I reach the pack, I'm met with the disdainful look of Sienna, Dylan's girlfriend. Jack, the Alpha of the pack, and Dylan, his son, are present. Before Dylan realized I am his mate, he dated Sienna. His reaction now shows he's interested in dating her further. "Rogues...after me...save me," I manage to say, my breath trembling as drops of sweat roll down my cheek. My expression changes to one of disapproval when I notice his nonchalant attitude toward my pain. I show him my arms, displaying the bruises I got from escaping. Suddenly, he growls, grabbing me by the neck, pushing me against the wall, "See... we don't appreciate werewolves who can't defend themselves in this pack. You're nothing but a liability. Tell me, what department do you belong to?" My voice drops to a whisper, "Arranging wolves that should be trained. Just arranging, Dylan." "Don't say that name sheepishly! Okay? An Omega shouldn't belong to a pack after all! There's no difference between you and rogues. Do you understand now?" He growls into my ears. I nod affirmatively, prompting him to release his tight grip on my neck. He lets out a hot breath and stops me in the tracks as I try to return to my department in the pack. "You are hereby demoted to the position of the pack's cleaner. Your role as an arranger for wolves to be trained will be replaced with a stronger wolf," he announces sternly. I look at him, my heart shattering. I had just found my mate, and he demoted me so quickly? "Get out of my sight!" He angrily declares, but I remain in his presence, hoping he will reconsider. As someone emerges, the door creaks open. My heart leaps when I notice it is Sienna, my longtime friend who began bullying me because she got her wolf before me. "I've told you to always be calm. I can handle the Omega. Now, to the pack's cell! Ensure you mop the floor and serve all the werewolves there. You'll meet a few instructors there, and they'll guide you!" She yells at me, as I stagger behind, carrying out the command immediately. A hiss lingers in the air until I am out of sight. I enter the pack cell for the very first time since I belonged to the pack. Someone grabs me from behind, slapping me on the neck and assigning the task of mopping the floors of the upper rooms to me. "If I notice a speck of dirt, you'll start all over again." I hurry to begin the work on time. Hardly had I started when I noticed a different shadow. Slowly lifting my head, I hope it's just the sunset or the shadow of someone lower in rank than me. My heart throbs when I realize it's Sienna, my active bully. "I have paid a few dollars to the electronic man. Confirm from him and bring my gadgets home," Sienna instructs. My voice weakly forms, "Who is the electronic man, mist..." I don't complete my words as Sienna slaps me hard on the chin, causing me to slump to the floor. I breathe shakily, trying to compile all I am being sent on an errand for. "Only three minutes to get the job done," Sienna roars before storming out of the room. I'm relieved to find a business card on the floor, clearly revealing the man's location. I hurry to my feet, exiting the pack to complete the task. As I walk along the streets, muttering a few words from the card to confirm the man's location, I overhear a discussion behind me, along with some low giggling. "That's the weak wolf. Yeah, I don't even know where she's going," Their voices are hushed yet audible. I blink back tears pooling in my eyes before I finally reach the man's shop. "I'm from Sienna," I say, but the man ignores me and re-enters his shop. My eyes suddenly catch sight of the name Sienna written on a display of gadgets. I smile at the realization. "These must be the gadgets she requested I bring," I say to myself, but then I blink at the man, trying to convey that she has already paid. As I move closer to the gadgets, I realize that it's Siena, not Sienna. I shrug off the doubt, lifting the gadgets. Sighing shakily, I begin to leave. I look back when I hear people screaming, only to realize I am being chased. "Thief!" People scream at me, but I take to my heels before I am caught.