Forsaken and Fated

Elaine stood behind the counter of the diner, taking orders and pouring coffee for the customers. "Hurry up, Elaine! Can't you move faster? You're slow as a turtle." A coworker shouted at her. "I'm so sorry, I'm coming right now." Elaine answered with her head low. Her thoughts kept drifting to the tickets she had been saving up for. She had been working long hours at the diner for months. She worked extra shifts, picked up overtime, and even took on a second job at a local supermarket. She put all of her tips and wages into a small jar she kept hidden in her room. It wasn't much, but it was enough to buy two tickets for the luxury cruise ferry. It wasn't easy for an omega like her to make a living. Her coworkers would often make snide remarks about her being an omega, and would give her the worst shifts and the most difficult customers. But Elaine persevered, knowing that the tickets were her only chance at making Joey happy on his birthday. Ever since she was little, other wolves saw her as weak and useless, and many of them treated her accordingly. They would taunt her for her lack of strength or speed, or make fun of her for not being able to shift like the rest of them. They saw her as a burden on their society and despises her. Only Joey gives her attention and concerns. Only Joey has ever shown interest in her. Although Joey wasn't a perfect lover, although Elaine knew that he didn't love her as she loved him, she appreciated him being there with her. That was why she had worked so hard to save up for the ferry tickets. She wanted to prove to Joey that she was worthy of his love, that she could do something special for him that would make him see her in a new light. "Hey Omega, I'm leaving early today so clean up the tables for me." A beta girl took her purse, stepped out of the diner and turned around to say to Elaine. Without saying anything, Elaine nodded in silence, picked up a rag and started wiping the table. Meanwhile, she started to imagine the two of them dancing together under the stars on that luxury cruise ferry she had been dreaming of taking for years, him holding her close and telling her how much he loved her. She spotted Joey near the bar, talking to a group of his friends. Her heart leaped in her chest. She couldn't wait to give him his birthday present. He must be surprised! Elaine fidgeted nervously with the tickets clutched tightly in her hand. She had been waiting for this moment for months - the chance to surprise Joey with the tickets she had worked so hard to save up for. When she approached Joey, Elaine could barely contain her excitement. "Happy birthday, Joey!" she exclaimed, handing out the tickets. "I saved up enough to get us two tickets on the luxury cruise ferry you mentioned last time!" Joey's response was less enthusiastic than she had hoped. He took the ticket and looked at it briefly before muttering "okay" and turning away to continue to talk with his friends. Elaine's heart raced as she watched the luxury cruise ferry approach the dock. She clutched the envelope of tickets tightly in her hand, her palms slick with sweat. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for. She had scrimped and saved every penny she could spare for weeks to afford these tickets. She knew Joey would love the surprise, and she couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he realized what she had done for him. As she stepped onto the ferry, Elaine's breath caught in her throat. She had never seen anything so beautiful in her life. The deck was alive with color and motion as the passengers laughed and danced to the music. Elaine felt a sense of belonging wash over her. For once, she was not an outcast. For once, she was just like everyone else. In her own cabin, Elaine dressed in her nicest dress, excited to spend the day with Joey and create some happy memories. She looked in the mirror again and again, making sure she dressed herself properly, and knocked on Joey's cabin on the ferry and smiled as he answered. "Let's go to the dance party there, I heard that the dance party on this ferry is very luxurious, and many famous people will come to attend. Are you ready to go?" she asked, feeling a little nervous. Joey nodded, but when he saw how Elaine was dressed, he frowned. "You're not wearing that, are you? You look ugly." Elaine's heart sank, feeling the familiar sting of rejection. But she tried to brush it off, reminding herself that she was on a luxury cruise with the man she loved. Arriving at the party, Elaine is again amazed by how beautiful it is. The deck was adorned with twinkling lights, and the walls were draped in shimmering fabrics. The dance floor was filled with elegant couples, swaying to the romantic tunes of the live band. The scent of fresh flowers and fine wine filled the air, and the waitstaff floated around with trays of delectable hors d'oeuvres. The ambiance was truly luxurious, and Elaine couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as she looked around the stunning setting. She looked down at her own dress. The dress she wore was cheap and ill-fitting compared to the designer gowns and suits that everyone else seemed to be wearing, and the words "You look ugly" that Joey said to her earlier kept coming back to her mind. "Maybe this place is indeed too good for me..." The more she walked closer to the dancing party, the more she felt that she was a mere spectator to the glamorous scene unfolding before her. "Joey," Elaine held out her hand, smiling shyly at Joey, hoping that he would take her hand and they could dance and kiss like she had dreamt of many times and continued, " can you...." "Mate..." Before Elaine could finish her invitation, suddenly, Joey shook off Elaine's hand anxiously, his eyes fixed on someone else - a beautiful blonde werewolf on the other side of the dancing floor, "She's my mate!" And before Elaine could react, she saw him turn away from her and rushed to make his way over to the beautiful blonde girl. The blondie looked stunning in her sleek dress, her long hair cascading down her back in perfect waves with glittering diamonds decorating it, even her nails were shining brightly under the lights. She was the picture of confidence and beauty. Elaine couldn't help but feel like an ugly duckling compared to her, her own insecurities magnified by the girl's effortless grace and poise. And Joey never turned back and looked at Elaine even for once that night.