Awakening The Silver Wolf

I sat up straight in bed. Memory of my wild dream slowly fading, but the lingering feeling of fear remained. It takes me a few minutes to realize where I am. The hard floor unrelenting under the blanket I use as a bed. My back is sore, as it usually is. I have no idea what time it is, but suddenly I remember I need to hasten myself. Tomorrow is the mating ball and I have to help prepare for the arrival of guests. My name is Josina Wolfman. I belong to the Black Diamond Pack. I am an omega. My parents were killed by the Alpha after they were found guilty of treason. I was spared because of the law which says no pack can kill the young ones. I was 6 years old. When I turned 10 I was forced to work in the pack house. When I turned 14 I was accused of trying to hurt the daughter of the Alpha, Victoria, Tori for short. I didn't, but no one believed me because I was the daughter of the traitor Betas. Since then I have been used as a punching bag for anyone who wanted to hit something or someone. At least once a week I get 50 lashes from the Alpha as punishment. Alpha Drake is as ferocious as they come. Operating the largest and strongest pack needs an Alpha who is strong. Alpha Drake earned his reputation by beating other Alphas and taking over their packs. It's how we've grown to one of the most feared packs around. The only other pack that is feared more than us is that of the Alpha King Titus. The Alpha King rules all the werewolves, including the alphas. It is well known across the land to not disobey the Alpha King. It is rumored that the Alpha King never found his fated mate. Something that is unheard of in the werewolf world. Every alpha needs an heir to take over. Without a mate there can be no heir. So every year a mating ball is held with all unmated females mandated to attend. As for me, today is my 18th birthday. Today I should receive my wolf and shift tonight when the moon is full. Tomorrow I will stand in line with the others and hopefully find my mate. I am hoping beyond hope that my mate is from a different pack. I want to leave here, before they kill me. Now that I'm 18 I'm no longer considered a child and can be killed at random. So I either need to find my mate in another pack or run away from here. “Josina!” I hear Yvette, The meanest lady in charge of the omegas. “Get out here now!” I hurry to get up, folding My blanket as quickly as I can. As I reach for the door it flies open, whacking me in the head. “I'm sorry Ma'am” I weakly say, my head bowed. Yvette may be an omega like me, but even us lowly wolves have a pecking order and I'm at the bottom. “You think you can just sleep in when you feel like it?!” It's not really a question but I still answer. “No Ma'am, I'm sorry.” I mutter. I felt the slap across my face. “Don't sass me you traitor!” She grabbed my wrist, twisting it until I hear a bone snap. “Get upstairs and get to work!” She screamed. I swallow hard, trying not to cry. My wrist hurt badly. As werewolves we heal fast, at least everyone but me. To ensure I feel my punishment I am given a dose of wolfbane. I'm given just enough to slow the healing from my daily punishments. I keep my head down as I slide by her and make my way to the kitchen. I need to be more careful now. In the kitchen there are other omegas bustling around getting breakfast ready for the titled wolves. I grab an apron off the hook and start gathering the plates to set the table. Tori is already in the dining hall talking to her friends. She glares at me, I look down as omegas are not allowed to look in eyes of the hierarchy. “Well, well, what do we have here?” Tori states and laughs with her friends. Her long dark hair sways behind her as she laughs the loudest. “Oh wait, isn't it your birthday today? You're finally old enough for my father to kill!” She states, laughing menacingly. Suddenly she stands in front of me and grabs my arm. “Hey! I'm talking to you!” I keep my eyes on the floor, “Yes it is Ma'am” I respond quietly. Trying not to anger her. If I'm going to die I at least want to meet my wolf first. “I'll tell you what, you kiss my feet and I'll have my father wait until tomorrow to kill you” she states, still holding onto my arm. Her nails digging into my skin. “Thank you Ma'am.” I kneel down to the ground and place a kiss on both feet. Tori laughs loudly, “That's right, you lowly traitor.” She bends down and I can feel her breath on my ears, “I might ask to keep you as a pet.” I shudder a little but keep my body still. Her feet move and I wait to get up until she is gone. “What are you lazing around for, get to work!” Yvette yells from behind me. I stiffen as Tori laughs from the other side of the room. “Yea, omega, earn your keep.” Tori says before she takes a seat at the table. I stand up and finish setting the table before retreating to the kitchen. The other omegas move away from me. No one wants to be near me as though I'm contagious. I miss my family. I had heard stories of them throughout the years. Apparently they tried to overtake the Alpha so they could rule. The Alpha found out and had them executed in front of the pack house. Like I said before, I was spared because I was a child. The Alpha King made a law many years ago that children were off limits for killing. Any Alpha caught killing children would have to go before the Alpha King. Punishment from the Alpha King was rumored to be worse than Alpha Drake. Suddenly a thought popped in my mind. Tomorrow was the mating ball, I have no idea who my mate will be, but what if my luck runs out and I get someone who hates me. I have to leave before I meet my mate. Tonight I will get my wolf and shift for the first time. Maybe, just maybe, after I shift I can run and leave this pack for good. ‘Yes, that's what I'll do.’ ******************* Alpha Drake sits in his office when the door bursts open. “Daddy, can I have a pretty omega?” The alpha looks at his daughter and laughs. “Omegas are not pets dear.” Tori pouts, “But she's not worthy of a spot in our pack.” “You have one in mind?” “Yes, Josina. I made her kiss my feet this morning.” She laughs. Alpha Drake growled, “No, she turns 18 today, she's no longer considered a child so I can finally punish her!” Tori pouts again, “I told her you were going to kill her today, but I said you'd wait until tomorrow if she kissed my feet and she did” She chuckled. “You shouldn't make promises like that, it's my decision. Although I do have to wait until after the full moon tonight. That's the law.” Alpha Drake grumbled. “Her execution for being a traitor will be tomorrow.” The door bursts open again, “f**k, doesn't anyone know how to knock!” Alpha Drake growled. A tall man with short wavy dark hair enters with a flustered expression. “The Alpha King is here early!” Beta Tyler exclaimed. “f**k! What's he doing here so damn early?” The Alpha yelled, getting up from his desk. ****************** I heard everyone whispering but I couldn't make out what they were saying. The smell of fear reached my nose. Something was wrong. The hair on my arms raised up and utter dread swept over me. I turned around expecting the Alpha but I saw the most beautiful man I ever saw in my life. His blonde hair circled his face drawing out his crystal blue eyes. His chiseled face looked tan and his lips were slightly curved upward. He looked at me like he was restraining himself from saying anything but his eyes bore into me. Looking me up and down. I stood still, not knowing who this man was. He was surrounded by other men, about 6 of them, all tanned and chiseled but slightly smaller than the one who was still staring at me. “Name?” I glance around, not sure who he is speaking to. I'm alone in my spot. “Me?” I ask, dropping my eyes to the floor, suddenly remembering I'm not allowed to look hierarchy in the eyes. He steps closer to me and uses a finger to lift my chin. “What is your name?” I try looking at the floor as he lifts my chin up higher. “Josina Wolfman” I whisper, he's got my chin so high that I'm looking at his waist. “Look at me.” He demands. I look up into his crystal blue eyes again. He's mesmerizing. “How old are you?” “18, I turned 18 today.” I whisper again. My body is shaking and I know he feels my fear. He studies my face, “Happy Birthday Josina Wolfman. Have you heard your wolf yet?” I'm confused about why he is asking me questions. No one ever asks me anything. “Thank you sir, um Alpha, I'm sorry.” I stutter. The corners of his lip turn upward again. This man is laughing at me. I can feel the heat rush up to my head. Just a few more hours and I can leave this place. “Don't be sorry, I'm Alpha Titus. It's nice to meet you.” Startled, I close my eyes. Why is this man talking to me like this? I shudder and a low growl escapes my mouth as it registers what he said. “The Alpha King?” I say before I can stop myself. I sink into myself. Knowing full well that I just messed up by asking him a question. I brace myself for the punishment I'll receive. “Is this omega bothering you?” I hear the voice of Alpha Duncan, the alphas' son. I was so scared I didn't sense him as he came in. “King Titus, welcome to Black Diamond Pack.” I heard Alpha Drake say. “Don't mind this omega, she's a traitor. Her punishment will be done tomorrow.” He explained to the Alpha King. A low growl was heard and everyone stopped what they were doing. “A traitor?” Oh great, now I'll definitely get a beating. Alpha Duncan grabbed my arm to pull me away from the Alpha King. The growl that came from the Alpha King made everyone kneel, but his finger on chin meant I couldn't bow down. Alpha Drake tilted his head in submission as the Alpha King glared at him. “Do not touch her again!” “Yes Alpha!” The door flung open and Tori sashayed in wearing a light blue sundress. Tori put her hand to her mouth, “Oh, Alpha King Titus, is everything alright?” The Alpha King glared at her. “Everything will be. Let it be known that anyone who touches Josina Wolfman will have to answer to me.” Looking down at Alpha Drake, “Including you. She will be my personal omega while I am here.” Tori laughs, “But she's a traitor, will probably try to kill you while you sleep.” she states. “Then she would be your Alpha King, wouldn't she?” he stated. Hushed whispers filled the dining hall. A shiver races down my back, I try to steady my breathing but the air is escaping my lungs. Tori stands there with her mouth open, her pupils dilating a black onyx. Alpha Drake swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing slowly. “Surely you don't want a traitor as your slave King Titus. She is scheduled for her punishment tomorrow at noon.” The alpha glances around, spotting Monica , a 16 year orphan, “Here -” he looks at Monica willing her to speak her name. Mo-Monica,”She bows, “Alpha?” “Monica will tend to your needs while you are here, Alpha King.” Alpha Drake states. A low ominous growl pierces the small dining hall. The air is stifling as though all oxygen has disappeared. I close my eyes, unsure what was happening but knew I would be blamed. “ARE YOU WOEFULLY DEAF?” snarled the Alpha King, “OR ARE YOU DUMB?” There was a gasp heard in the small crowd. The other omegas backed away, fear etched on their faces. The Alpha, Duncan and Tori visibly shuddered but didn't move. The Alpha King looked back at me, his finger still on my chin. “Josina?” The sound of my name coming out of his mouth made my cheeks blush and heat pooled in the pit of my stomach. “Will you be my helper?” He asked, his emerald green eyes searching mine. The last of the air leaves my lungs as darkness takes over.