Fated To One, Claimed By Four

ELARA I woke up, breathing heavily and drenched in sweat, like I had just run a marathon. I felt awful for no clear reason. My eyes hurt so much that it gave me a headache, so I sat up and buried my face in my hands until I calmed down. I had this strong feeling that I had just seen something important, like a big revelation, but I couldn't remember what it was. "What's wrong with me?" I whispered to myself. This wasn't the first time it had happened. Every time I slept, I had dreams, but when I woke up, I couldn’t recall anything except the feeling that I had just seen something real and meaningful. But what was the point if I couldn’t remember it? I sighed in frustration at myself, feeling worthless. I left my room that morning, not expecting anything good from the day. My life felt like a repeat of the day before. "There goes the useless girl," my brother Finn said as soon as I walked into the living room. My parents were sitting there with him, watching TV. They didn’t react to my presence or to what Finn said. I wasn’t surprised. It was always like that. "Good morning," I mumbled, hoping someone cared. No response. As usual. I went to the kitchen and made myself a simple breakfast, just cereal. It was clear they had already eaten since there were dirty dishes piled in the sink. I scoffed. Was I supposed to wash them again today? Anger welled up inside me, but I didn’t have the courage to confront them. After eating, I washed all the dishes. They left them there, knowing I couldn’t stand a dirty kitchen or a messy house. I finished up and walked out of the kitchen. "The perfect dishwasher. I need you to do my laundry, they have been in the laundry basket for some days now, do I need to spell it out with my mouth before you do it?" Finn raised his voice the moment I walked in, and I frowned. "You won't raise your voice at me, young man. I am your elder sister!" I slammed angrily. "Elder sister, my foot." He muttered looking away. "Act like one Elara. You know he obviously needs help with his laundry and he is even polite enough to ask." My mother chipped in after the whole while. "Mum, but he--" I tried to defend myself then my dad cut me off abruptly and calmly. "Just do it, Elara. It's too early for complaints." He said and I scoffed again, not believing my ears. Complaints? So I was complaining? I did not say any more words and just entered my room then jammed the door, angrily. I fisted my fingers against my dressing table and brought my face down. I was so mad about the whole thing but in a short while, I became calm again. I don't know how or why but that was the highest I had gotten angry my entire life. My anger never passed that level, for no reason. I would be angry for a few minutes and then I would find myself dissolving the issue in my heart already, like something was holding me back from getting angry. Once I calmed down, I quietly left the room and went to the laundry to wash Finn's clothes, along with some others I found. It took me about an hour. When I came back, I saw them eating pizza and ice cream, two boxes and a few cups. As I tried to walk past them, my father called me back. I was surprised. Why was he calling me? A change of heart? Probably not. I walked back to him, noticing that my mom and brother were watching us, clearly curious. Were they thinking my dad was going to offer me some of the food? Definitely not. Instead, my dad took out a dollar bill from his wallet and handed it to me. "Get me some cigarettes, Elara. We're out," he said. I smirked to myself, unnoticed. I knew it. I knew my family very well. I nodded and then headed out, after seeing the relief in the faces of Finn and my mum. Ugh...birthed into a family that acts like you are not part of them? Worst and traumatic experience ever. My father never forgets to restock his cigar case and the fact that he went to the mall the day before without getting cigarettes was surprising. I guess he just wanted me out of the house. If not, why did he not send Finn on that errand? I was 24 years old, but I was still treated like a 15-year-old. It was so unfair. I headed to the supermarket a few meters from our house, owned by one of the friendliest elders in the whole Nightshade pack. Our pack was pretty big, surrounded by green forests. I’d never been outside the pack’s borders, not even to the hills or mountains. There was no reason for me to go because I was just a weak omega, born into the pack 24 years ago. Everyone in the pack knew me, and not for good reasons. It was because of my weak, vulnerable nature. I was 24 and still hadn’t shifted into my wolf form. I got sick easily and couldn’t handle tough activities. Even a five-year-old werewolf was healthier than me. All I had was a pretty face and a nice body, but that didn’t do me any good. I walked into the supermarket and picked out three packs of cigarettes then I headed to the cashier's desk to pay. I dropped them on the counter and the cashier, who obviously was scorned by my presence eyed me rudely. I did not mind her and just had to let her do her thing so I could leave on time. As I was about to walk out of the supermart, I saw Lily heading towards the entrance through the transparent glass walls of the supermart. She was the old woman in her sixties that owned the mart. I was most loved by her, out of everyone I had seen my entire life, including my family. Lily seemed to resonate well with me despite her old age, and she showed me so much love. But I kept drifting away from her despite her efforts to have me closer to her, simply because I did not want to bother her with my miserable life. She could even lose customers because of her association with me. My parents could cause that. They never wanted anyone to associate with me and the moment anyone does, they would have a story to tell later. My parents were that cruel, yes. Lily was a powerful elder in the pack but even at that, I had decided not to be a burden to her or anyone else. "See who we have here. Something good must be coming for me, seeing you like this without any effort." She exclaimed, looking surprised as she walked in. "You don't always have to lie to me, Lily. Everyone including me knows that I am a bad fortune." I replied to her and she frowned, pulling me into a hug and planting a kiss on my forehead. "How have you been?" She asked as she dragged me along with her to her mini office. "As usual." I simply replied dismissively. "It will be over soon, soon enough, Elara." She said calmly, setting in a serious tone like she could foresee something. "Am I supposed to be soothed by that? Soon is never, Lily. Ugh.." I drawled and she smiled. "You will see it soon." She assured, like she knew for sure what she was saying. Either way, I did not take her word for it and just looked away, rolling my eyes. "You came to get cigarettes?" She raised her brows and I nodded, then she chuckled. "Arthur never forgets to get them himself, so what happened this time around?" She inquired and I sighed. "I guess he and his family just wanted me to leave for a while." I replied nonchalantly, like I was not bothered. She smiled. "You are a part of the family too." I chuckled, feeling amused. "Jokes on you, Lily." I always addressed her like we were in the same age range, whereas we were not. But then as long as she was comfortable with it, I was cool too. "It's Alpha Damien's birthday soon and--" "I won't be there." I cut her off immediately. She laughed. "I expected you to say that. I watched you grow up so it's no surprise. You have never attended any party in this pack, Elara." "And you know very well why that is." I replied. "No one is stopping you from attending parties, you just keep holding yourself back." She pointed out. "Yes, because there is no point in going there. It's not my birthday after all, even my birthdays are not usually celebrated." I countered her. "He is the leader of this pack, and every pack member is expected to be present at his party." "You are not worthy of being a Nightshade member, Elara.* My mother said those very words to me, Lily. And I am going to take her word for it." "You know that's not true." "Then what is true?" I paused and tried to suppress whatever emotions were coming up. "Let's switch this talk, Lily. I don't want to have it any longer." I said to her calmly and politely. "It's alright then. For now, I won't bring it up." She promised.