The Omega Queen

Twenty-Three

“Hey, I asked for extra pepper on these,” Carmen huffed, showing one of the kitchen omegas her eggs.

“Well, there is pepper on the tables. You can add as much as you like,” the omega said with no trace of shame.

“Excuse me!” Carmen snapped. “Do you have any idea who you are talking to?”

“Yeah, a she-wolf who only knows how to open her legs and thinks laying on her back is a hard day’s labor,” the matron of the kitchen said, sauntering over to the pair. “Everyone knows who you are, just like everyone knows the alpha hasn’t touched you in over a week.”

Carmen snapped her mouth closed. Normally, omegas were meek and quickly shrunk away from her, acquiescing to her demands. Lately, however, they had been pushing back and giving her attitude. This was the first time one truly challenged her.

“You’ve been parading around here like the world owes you something, making demands and not doing a lick of work,” the matron sneered. “You have no idea what it takes to be Luna, and you definitely don’t have what it takes to be one. So, why don’t you march that little ass of yours out of my kitchen unless you want me to put you to work. Not sure those fake nails of yours will stand up in the dishwater.”

“We’ll see about that,” Carmen stomped a heel and spun around.

She marched out of the dining hall trying to maintain some sense of dignity. Carmen had never been so insulted, and by an omega no less. While it was true she wasn’t a ranked wolf, she was still far above an omega’s station. When she was Luna, they would sing a different tune.

‘The Alpha isn’t our Mate,” her wolf whispered. ‘You rejected our Mate.’

‘That’s because he wasn’t worthy of us,’ Carmen snorted. ‘We were meant to be Luna.’

‘No. We weren’t,’ her wolf sighed, retreating into her mind where it had been hiding more and more often.

Carmen would have been happy if her wolf simply stayed there. Her mother had always said she was a precious flower and meant for great things. What could be greater than being the King’s Luna?

The fact their alpha still hadn’t found his luna meant it was a sign. Everyone else just had to accept that, including their alpha. But it seemed she was somehow losing her hold. Carmen craved his dominance as he took her. It was addictive, but he hadn’t called for her or touched her since his return from the last conference. Something must have happened there to irritate him. She knew the best release for that tension was to take her properly, yet he refused. And now the omegas were giving her attitude. There had to be a reason.

“Have you met the wendigo?”

Carmen paused and listened to the omega maid’s idle gossip.

“I have. She’s really sweet. Quiet though.”

“Well, she can’t talk. That’s why she makes all those gestures.”

“Oh, right. It looks complicated.”

“It doesn’t seem too bad. The Luna has been learning it all week, and she can hear just fine. She just can’t talk. I think there are several in the kitchen that are learning it too. They say it's fun.”

“How long do you think she’ll stay?”

“I heard she’s going to be a new pack member once the Alpha completes her initiation.”

“Doesn’t that include a vow of loyalty? How does that work if she can’t speak?”

“I’m not sure. I suppose that’s why he hasn’t done it yet. So, do you think she’s going to be, like, the Luna’s assistant or something?”

“The Luna’s getting older, and she still does so much for the pack since the Alpha hasn’t found his mate.”

“It makes sense. So, it would probably be a good idea to learn to sign so we can communicate with her.”

“Next time she comes around with the Luna, we should ask her to teach us.”

“Yeah, we should. Do you think it’s crazy if I said I kind of wish she was our Luna?”

“No. She’s kind and sweet. I can totally see that. But her aura is more like an omega, don’t you think?”

“I do. It’s a shame really.”

The omegas wandered down the hall and Carmen finally stepped around the corner. She had heard rumors of the strange werewolf that had recently joined them. Carmen had even caught a glimpse of her in the dining hall, but she had paid her much mind.

As the maid had said, she clearly wasn’t a ranked wolf. She was lean and petite, as if stunted in her growth. The luna took her shopping, expanding her array of outfits. Even so, it was obvious that she didn’t possess Carmen’s assets to entice a male.

There was simply nothing appealing about her. Since she was an omega, she was probably being used as a maid or cook. She did spend a lot of time with the kitchen omegas, after all, and the alpha had never kept a regular staff at his private home.

But what if part of her duties included making herself available to the alpha and his needs? That was something Carmen simply wouldn’t tolerate, and it explained why he hadn’t touched her. Whirling around, she decided to find the she-wolf and see for herself.

Marching outside the packhouse, Carmen hesitated, not sure where she should begin her search. After the luna finished speaking with the omega staff, she usually headed to the hospital. Turning, Carmen made her way toward the medical center.

As soon as she entered, her nose wrinkled at the sterile smell. For the life of her, she couldn’t fathom why any wolf would spend more than a minute in such a place. Certainly, it was no place for a luna. Who would want to spend time with sick wolves?

Carmen hesitated at the entrance, not sure where she should go or where the luna might be. She heard rumors that the luna liked to visit new mothers and check on the pups. That was something else Carmen couldn’t understand. Why? Who would want to spend time with pups and poopy diapers?

The whole idea of birth was distasteful to Carmen. She had no desire to experience that much pain, though she supposed it was inevitable. The alpha would want at least one heir, but that was her limit. And there would have to be a nanny to handle the pup’s day-to-day care. Not a young nanny, of course, an old, wrinkled one that the alpha would never find appealing.

But that was a matter for another day. For now, she had other concerns. As she mulled her options, the elevator dinged and the wolf she had been searching for stepped off the lift. Carmen smiled at her good luck but frowned when she saw the luna was with her.

She had never gotten along with the aged she-wolf. The alpha’s mother was too out-of-touch and old-fashioned to be of interest or an effective luna. Times were changing and everyone needed to adapt. However, she couldn’t just confront the wendigo with the luna in attendance. Luck was with her as the luna paused and stepped away to speak with a nurse, leaving the omega alone.

Seizing her moment, Carmen hurried forward. Yanking the omega by the hair, she sniffed deeply. There was a faint scent of the alpha, but that stood to reason if she was living in the manor and coming in daily contact with him. Otherwise, the omega seemed pure and untouched. Satisfied, Carmen released her with a shove.

Stumbling, the omega caught herself and stared at Carmen as she rubbed her aching scalp. There was a look of confusion on her face. It was the first time any of the pack members had been hostile toward her, let alone violent.

“I knew you were nothing special,” Carmen sneered. “Little piece of advice: don’t get too comfortable. You won’t be around long.”