The Alpha’s not-so Human Mate

10. Spa

"You're a curse... You belong in hell with freaks like you!!" She gripped me by the arm and dragged me through the dark alley to the dumpster where she pushed me down. "You are no daughter of mine, you are an abomination...!"

I opened my eyes to escape the horror which would ensue. I knew all too well what came after that.

On realizing that it was just a dream, I heaved out a sigh of relief.

No, it wasn't just a dream, it was a memory buried deep within. Long before my mother and father sold me off to Mr. Meyers. I used to wonder if I was adopted because of the way she treated me. It felt as though I was paying for a crime I didn’t know I had committed. With my mom, it was tougher than anything else to be me.

I looked around in hopes of finding Jace sleeping next to me, but he was not. I stood on my feet and rushed to the bathroom to see if he was there, but no. It hit me that he was yet to return. I miss him so much. Hanging out with the pack members was fun, but it cannot be compared to being with him. This mate-bond thing is as strong as they say.

I took a bath and got dressed in a pink top, a pair of blue jeans, and white loafers, and made my way down to the kitchen to help Ana with the cooking. As I entered the kitchen, I found some other omegas there giggling while they assisted in the cooking. There was more food than usual—lined up on the island.

"What's the occasion?" I asked and headed straight to Rowena and Ana. They were not in their uniform, but you could tell they meant business as usual.

"Good morning, Luna". Greeted the girls. I responded.

Ana replied, "Luna Fiona ordered us to cook for her hang-out with the girls this afternoon". Her hair looked more disheveled than usual. I can't blame her. Putting together such a feast would stress anyone out.

That was when I remembered that Fiona had invited me the previous night. "Ah yes, I'll certainly be there. Please make your delicious strawberry cake if it's not too much trouble".

She smiled. "Why would it be? I know you'll be there, so I asked the girls to start preparing the cake, and I'll have it ready in no time".

"Oh Ana, you're the best". I kissed her cheek. My eyes went to the clock on the wall. "Would you look at the time, Eleven-twenty! I'll go meet Fiona right now". I ran out of the kitchen and went straight to the recreation center not too far from the pack house. I'd never been to a spa before. I was excited to see how it felt to be out with other ladies and do stuff that girls my age did.

I entered through the white door, the empty room with white walls greeted me. I took the hallway to my left. It was equally empty and had so many doors on either side that one could easily lose their way.

Voices reverberated from the far end of the empty corridor, which made it possible for me to locate the ladies. I got to the slightly-ajar door; I heard giggling from behind the door and was excited to join in the gossip until I heard something that stopped me in my tracks:

It was Fiona's voice. She said... "-Reina has gone to meet Jace to help him with his work".

It hurt me that Jace would ask for her help rather than mine, but I didn't let it bother me. I was about to open the door, but she continued: "-Jace doesn't know what he wants yet. On one hand, there's Esnie, the mate the moon goddess chose for him, and on the other hand, there is Reina, the one who truly deserves to be by his side. I mean, come on, Esnie is too weak to be a Luna, everyone knows that. But Reina, she is fierce and would make a powerful mate, and Luna..."

She stopped talking and took a sniff, then I heard some shuffling before someone opened the door. "Esnie, you..." She looked surprised to see me... I took some steps back and turned to the hallway as I ran out despite her calling my name from behind. Why was I so jealous of Reina? Was it because she and Jace shared something long before he met me? Or was it because they were both similar compared to him and me? Hearing Fiona say those words made my insecurities skyrocket.

I ran out of the house and into the woods. The sun was blazing hot, but I took no heed. I did not stop until I reached the very lake where Jace took me for the first time. I sat on a rock there and looked over the glistening silvery surface of the still water. My mind played all kinds of scenarios of what Jace and Reina could be doing together at the moment.

I stayed at the lake till it was nightfall, but still, I did not want to leave. The full moon sprang up to the center of the sky, spreading her glowing light across all she could reach. I stared at the moon for a long time until I felt it was time to return and face whatever opinions the pack members had about me. Fiona’s words had such a hold on me, and it scared me that I gave her so much power.

I walked back through the now moonlit woods; the chilly air embraced my tiny frame despite my attempt at warming myself with my arms wrapped around my upper body. As I navigated my way back, a sudden rustling of leaves made me halt in my tracks. I listened for any further movement but heard none. Deciding to think nothing of it, I continued my walk. The corner of my eyes caught a shadow running past me; I stopped again; the darkness suddenly brought back frightful memories.

I increased my pace to escape whatever dangers were lurking as the abnormal rustling of leaves drew nearer and faster. The hairs on my skin stood at attention as goosebumps grew across my skin. I sighted the lights of the pack house and my heart leaped with joy that I was almost there— but before I could take a step further, I felt a pair of hands grip me from behind. I screamed out in fright...