The Alpha's Auctioned Omega

"Tomorrow is finally your eighteenth birthday, sister Aquilla," greeted a cheerful-looking lady with a round face and sparkling black eyes. Her hair is as soft as a cotton ball and orange as carrots. She is two years older than me and, of course, a more beautiful one. Every time she curves her lips and forms a smile, she never fails to make others smile at her. She has the perfect body every female would wish for and an attitude of gold. A very demure and humble one. An angel not-in-disguise, they say. She is my sister, Everlee. Everlee is more energetic and lively than me. I am timid and meek. Whenever we go out, all the males will gawk at her like she is the most beautiful woman they've ever seen. Usually, I would get envious of it, but I frequently just let it pass away. I would also look at Everlee with awe if I was born a male. I couldn't help but wonder why she didn't join the auction two years ago. If she joined, I'm sure the Alphas would fight for her, and she would end up in a wealthy abode and, of course—be a luna. Our life as omegas is not as good as those which are above. Most of us work for the higher-ranked wolves of every pack and are usually not considered a part of them. They once said that omegas are just 'decorations' for the pack. I strongly don't agree with that. Omegas work decently and diligently to protect Devas—our realm and home, which makes me wonder why most wolves look down on us. But I couldn't help but ponder if Everlee had attended the auction. I'm sure she won't suffer all the discrimination and poor life we are experiencing now. "Have you decided on a gown to wear for the auction?" she asked me as she rummaged inside my weary wooden closet for dresses. I frowned and made a face at her in frustration. I couldn't imagine being auctioned like I am not worthy of finding and marrying my lover! Well, being in that auction doesn't mean you end up being the wives or lunas of those auctioneers, but it happens often; however, you could also be slaves! I, for sure, wouldn't want that even if I am an omega! "You really want me to join that auction, huh?" I sneered and covered my pale face with my small hands. "You didn't even join the auction when you turned eighteen. What gives you the right to mandate me to join the auction this year, huh?" She turned to me and slackened her arms as the curve on her lips vanished. I was sitting on my bed, staring right at her beautiful eyes. "Why didn't you join that auction anyway? I know you know that all the auctioneers in that auction would spend millions and billions just for you. If only you joined that auction, then I wouldn't have to. We could have a comfortable life by now," I scoffed and let out a frustrated sigh. No single day has passed without me imagining how our life would be if Everlee married an Alpha. Everlee walked toward me and sat beside me on the bed. She sighed and forced a smile. She always forces a smile even if she doesn't feel happy, which I hate. She's such a faker. I remember one time when we were kids, nobody knew that Everlee was already immensely sick because she always got her way out by smiling and smiling even when she was suffering. Why can't she just show her real feelings, eh? "I didn't join the auction because the one I love wasn't there." She turned her head to me with a slight smile. I know that she's heartbroken, yet she smiles at me like it's nothing. Love? I didn't know she loved someone. I let out an impish smile and moved closer to Everlee. I poked the side of her belly and chuckled. "Uh-oh, our Everlee is in love! So, who is this lucky guy? Is he an Alpha?" My eyes widened as soon as I realized who it could be. "Oh, I know! It's the Beta from the White Moon Pack! What's his name again? Edward, is it? Is his name Edward?" She immediately grimaced at me and pushed my hands, poking her. "It's not him!" she loudly exclaimed. "Tsk, you don't have to hide it. I know that he likes you too! Well, everybody wants you." "It's not him, Aquilla, I swear." "Then who is it?!" I asked in an excited voice. "You really want to know? He is out of my league, and he definitely won't join auctions because he could easily just get a luna wherever and whenever he wants." I gasped as my eyes widened even more. "Luna?! So the guy you are apparently in love with is an Alpha, right? Am I right?! I am definitely right!" She chuckled and revealed her perfectly white teeth. Eventually, she nodded her head. "Eyy, you are not telling me anything about this guy you love. I always thought you liked Edward because you two have been very close since we were kids. Turns out you also want an Alpha, huh? What a twist," I started, and stopped teasing her. "Do you still like the Alpha King?" she asked me out of the blue. I scrunched my eyebrows at him in confusion. Why is she asking me that all of a sudden? "W-why? Do you like him? Is Cyrus the one you love?" "LADIES! COME DOWN. IT'S TIME FOR DINNER!" Everlee and I immediately stood up from bed and went out of my room as we heard our mom's call for dinner. We went downstairs and immediately sat at the dining table. Dinner has always been our favorite because it's the only time we are complete. Mom and dad leave the day to work and provide us with a living. They just go home in the evening for dinner and leave again. I couldn't complain about this life we have because I couldn't ask for more. We are happy even if mom and dad usually leave. I wish everyone to stop looking down on every omega in Devas. Our home is not very big. This house was passed on by the eldest of our ancestors and has already done a lot of renovations. As I peered at every corner, I realized it needed another renovation. The stairs are already creaking, the floors seem like they are about to fall down at any time, and the walls have patches and holes. I frowned and looked at the meal on the round wooden table. Steamed eggs for dinner again. But still, I smiled. I don't care about the meal as long as my parents and sister are with me. They're the most important beings in this world, and I will do anything for them. I was about to place a spoonful of rice in my mouth, but I halted when mom asked me something. "Have you already chosen a dress for the auction, Aquilla?" mom asked. I pressed my lips together and put the spoon on my plate. "I don't want to join the auction, mom," I firmly and subconsciously mixed the rice on my plate with the spoon. I heard a loud bang on the table a few moments after I said what I said. Everyone was startled. "You can't not join, Aquilla! Do you desire to live your lives in this mundane life we have right now?!" mom screamed and stood from her chair after banging her round firm fists on the table. "Amanda, calm down," dad hushed and held mom's hardened fist. "This can't go on forever, Bennie! First was Everlee! And now, Aquilla! Can we expect something from our daughters?!" mom replied while pointing her other hand at Everlee and me. I had never seen mom like this before. She's so infuriated at me. When Everlee claimed that she was not joining the auction two years ago, mom and dad were supportive of her and didn't speak against her. Was it because they were expecting me? What do they think of me? Another option in case the first plan fails? My grasp on the spoon and fork's handle tightened as I tried to consume all the thoughts inside my mind. Whether those thoughts are true or not, I am intensely hurt by mom's reaction. "Can't I also choose what I want to do just like Everlee? I want to do more things, mom. Besides, if I ever attend that auction, what are the odds of me being tied to a decent man? What if I turn into a slave? Then that would be worse and even more outrageous!" Tears started to form in my eyes. I tried to suppress them from falling down, but my throat started hurting badly, wanting me to release those tears. "I am not as beautiful, kind, and modest as Everlee, mom. I am just an ordinary omega. No one has ever fallen in love with me, nor even laid their eyes on me because I am no Everlee! I am not her, and I will never be as bright and as lovely as her!" I bawled my eyes and placed my hands on my skirt, crumpling it. Dad looked at me with a disheartened face. "What are you talking about, my princess? You are so adorable, just like your sister. Of course, you two are different, but both of you are beautiful in your own ways. Don't you ever deem yourself inferior to your sister because you are not, Aquilla," dad consoled. I love dad so much because he always pacifies everyone whenever we get into a fight. He is always calm and gentle, and very understanding. I hope to marry a man like him. I wiped my tears away and took a deep breath. If joining the auction is what will make my parents happy, then I will. "Dad, mom, do you really want me to join the auction?" I asked my parents and swallowed thickly. They just stared at me blankly, probably wondering how I changed my mood in just a blink of an eye. That's my talent! I change my mood every second whenever I feel like it. "W-well, if you don't want to—" "You need to, Aquilla. You must join," mom interjected in a calm voice, stopping dad from finishing what he was saying. I nodded my head and finally placed the spoonful of rice in my mouth. The rice kind of tasted salty because my tears were mingled with it. "All right then. I'll join that auction. But you don't blame me if I end up being a malnourished slave. Definitely, I will beseech you all to buy me from my owner. If my price is threefold the price my owner auctioned me for, you must pay for it. "And what if you end up being a wife of a wealthy one, huh? Then we'll all get a good life," Everlee retorted and winked at me. I scowled at her and placed another spoonful of rice inside my mouth. "It'll be safer for you to end up anywhere but here, Aquilla," mom said as she sat back down. She wasn't looking at me anymore. What? "I don't understand," I replied, slightly shaking my head in perplexity. Mom sighed and glanced at dad for a moment. After that, she turned her eyes on me. I couldn't read her expression. It's very apathetic. "Finish your food already. It's almost time for bed." My mind is filled with those last words mom told me a while ago at dinner. I couldn't get myself to sleep because of it. Safer anywhere but here? Am I not safe in this place? And why is that? Or did I just hear the wrong words? I closed my eyes and snuggled myself onto my bed. I exhaled heavily and mumbled, "Happy birthday, Aquila."