Against the odds: Destined to Be With You

Memories

This morning after eating a porridge she prepared by herself, Hannah has started walking the path where she left Yerim’s clothes. It rained last night so no wonder that the clothes got dirtied and need another washing. While gathering them one by one, there’s a hand appear on her sight. She startled at first because she thought it’s Alpha Orlan again, but to her relief, it’s just Nico, her only friend in this pack.

“Let me help you, Hannah.” he gently said, looking at her with worried brown eyes.

“I heard what happened yesterday. I’m sorry I was not there...I wasn’t able to protect you.” he continued.

“Don’t say sorry, Nico. It’s not your fault. You can’t protect me all the time.” she sadly answered.

Nico has been there for her since her parents were sentenced death due to treason. They accused her parents stoling all the money in the Head Alpha’s den and gave it to group of rouge wolves. For Hannah, she doesn’t believe that her parents can do such thing but all the wolves in the pack believe that they were criminals. After they died, the Head Alpha and the council of the pack made her a slave to pay for the lost money. They forced her to do heavy chores even at her young age. Everyone treat her as a pack slave, except Nico.

Nico is a beta and a son of the pack’s healer. Everyone is against their friendship, but Nico doesn’t mind. He continued to show kindness to Hannah...bring her food whenever the cook purposely forget to give her share, fight alphas and betas who show rudeness to her, and treat her bruises and wounds whenever the Head Omega and Yerim hurt her.

Hannah is more than thankful for having Nico by his side. Their friendship are solid as rock.

“Hannah, there will be a feast tonight. Mother said that a group of traders from North will come here by afternoon. There will be a lot of commodities we can buy. Can you come with me?” his eyes were like pleading.

Hannah just want to rest and sleep early after her chores. The Head Alpha gave her punishment which made her work doubled...but she can’t say no to her one and only friend.

“Yes, I’ll come with you.” she said while giving Nico a nod.

“Woah! Thank you so much, Hannah. I’m planning to buy you a new dress and new hair pin.” His happiness was evident on his face.

“Hey, don’t use your money for me. I thought you are saving money because you want to buy a horse.”

“Of course, I have my savings for it, but that can wait. Traders from North only go here once a year. Their commodities are really good. I’ll buy something for my mom, for you, and for myself, too. We should not let it pass.” he grinned.

“Alright. Really, thank you Nico! I hope I can pay for your goodness in the future.” Hannah looked directly at Nico and gave him a smile.

“Aish... it’s nothing!”Nico suddenly looked embarrassed.

“Okay. Let’s go now. More chores are awaiting for me so I need to hurry.” she said.

Both of them proceed to go to the river to do Hannah’s impending work.

—-

Hannah felt so drained after doing all the work for the whole day. She flexed her arms and back to ease the muscle tension in her body. Tonight, there will be a gathering at the center of their village due to the arrival of the traders. She suddenly feels excited because she can see different commodities from the North. Northern wolves are known for having high quality and unique type of fabrics, wools, garments, and accessories.

Hannah went back inside her nipa hut. There’s still an hour before Nico pick her up for tonight’s event. The omega felt so exhausted so she laid on her bed made of hay and closed her eyes.

“Mom, who are these girls in the portrait?”, young Hannah asked. Her cute little fingers trace the small old portrait. It was drawn using a black ink. Two small girls sitting on a big rock with happy faces were seen on the portrait.

“Sweetie, this one wearing a brown dress with yellow blanket is me while the other one is Melia. She’s my childhood bestfriend.” her mother answered, eyes shining at the memory of her friend.

Hannah furrows her brows. “Her name is not familiar with me, mom. Does she live far from here?”

“Melia used to live here before but right after her 18th birthday, she met her fated mate. He’s a beta came from the Northern land. Melia decided to leave this place to be with her mate. She now lives in the North. From there, we haven’t seen each other anymore.” her mom explained.

“Fated mate? Like you and dad?” she asked innocently.

Her mom laugh a little with her question. She patted her head. “Yes, sweetie...just like me and your dad. We are fated mates.”

“I want to meet my fated mate, too.” she beamed excitedly.

“Oh sweetie! It will be the greatest feeling you’ll ever feel. But hey, you’re too young to think about that. You’re still our baby.” mom laughed.

Hannah pouted “I’m not a baby anymore. I’m already ten years old.”

“It doesn’t matter if you are ten, fifteen, or twenty years old. You will be forever a baby for me and your dad.”

Hannah hugged her mom and smelled her comforting rose scent. “I love you so much, mom! Please don’t ever leave me.”

“I won’t, baby. I’ll be forever here by your side. That’s a promise.” she kissed her cheeks and tucked her on bed to sleep.