The Midnight Rogue’s Broken Mate

The Weakest Omega

[Celeste]

My lungs burned as we ran. I could hear the anxious murmurs of the others who'd overtaken me in their wolf forms. Whispers of anger and blame as they paused in their tracks to face me, seeing that the creature was no longer on our trail after we trooped into the city streets.

"This is all her fault," one voice hissed sharply, as I crouched down, breathing heavily while maintaining my distance. I wasn't one of them, I'd always known this.

"Pathetic! She can't even keep up!"

A tall girl with fierce, dark eyes shot me a cold look. "Why the hell is this useless omega even following us? If we leave her behind, maybe that monster will focus on her instead."

I lifted my head, panting while slowly backing away. "You can't! I'm the pack's omega just like you all!" I stammered, knowing I couldn't survive alone.

The tall girl grinned mischievously, folding her arms under her bosom. I recognized her easily, the one who called the shots amongst the omegas. "We're saying you should distract it. This is on you, anyway. You don't belong with us. If you stay behind, the rest of us will have a chance while it rips you apart. It’s the least you could do."

The other girls agreed easily. Nodding.

My fists clenched beside me. I might not have been as fast or strong as them, but the last alpha still treated me like family. He said the pack was my home. But after he disappeared a few years ago, everyone stopped pretending that we were one big, happy family. He'd died because of me...because he was trying to do me a favour.

I opened my mouth to plead, but another omega cut in, his voice colder than the last. "She's right! Now run in that direction before we make you," he growled, barring his teeth.

Desperately, I searched their faces, hoping to find some trace of compassion or understanding, but all I saw was fear and contempt—fear that had brought out their true nature. I loosened my fist and turned, ready to walk away. But just then, a ferocious roar pierced our ears, closer than ever, and the omegas scrambled together.

I backed away slowly, thinking I might slip into the shadows, but one of the omegas grabbed my arm and shoved me forward. It was the same tall girl. "Go on! Keep it busy!" She hissed, shoving me so hard I almost tripped. "Now! Before I damage that pretty little face!"

There was nothing I could do, nowhere else to go but back. My fingers curled around my necklace, and I whispered, "Please, give me courage, dear goddess." The words barely left my lips before my eyes snapped open with fierce resolve. Without a second thought, I turned and ran in the direction we'd just come from, while they fled the opposite way.

A few seconds in, I heard the people behind me cry out. I rushed to hide behind a vehicle and then peeped to find a hulking shape slamming into one of the omegas with a savage snarl. The creature had found them, seemingly circling around to wait for us to come right to it. Hell, they had saved me by sending me away!

Screams erupted as the beast tore through the group—even the children weren't spared. I covered my mouth at the sight. It was a blood bath!

One omega flew through the air, landing limp against the ground near me. Her eyes were wide open, lifeless. It went after those who fled first and I could have sworn that the monster was enjoying himself.

The tall girl turned to scramble toward my direction, but she was no match for the beast's shadow-like speed. In one horrifying leap, it lunged at her, its massive jaws clamping down on her shoulder. She screamed, reaching out a blood-streaked hand towards where I hid.

"Help... me..." she whispered.

Torn between my urge to help and my drive to survive, I took a shaky step back and then ran off before it would notice me. After all, she would never have helped if the case had been reversed. The strangest part of it all was that not even a soul came out to help. Was this some sort of ghost city? I'd heard sirens in the distance but they went out almost as quickly as they sounded.

I ran with tears in my eyes, clutching my necklace. Now that my life was flashing right before my eyes, I couldn't even picture a face that would miss me. Unlike the others, I had no family. Just myself...

My footsteps barely sounded on the snow-covered cobblestone as I fled to find a proper hiding spot where my scent would be masked. The others' cries faded into the distance. I wasn't sure how many hours I'd stayed inside a dumpster. I just hoped a few others had survived as well. After all, the Alpha who'd raised me had seen them as family. His family. But they were not mine.

When I couldn't take the stench and cold anymore, I struggled inside the cramped space, tipping it over so I could crawl out. "Dammit!" I cursed, pain shooting through the elbow I had landed on. It was sprained.

Before I could scramble to my feet, I heard footsteps and heavy, rasping breaths a few feet away. I was trapped!

Trembling, I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stand. How could he have found me after so much time passed?

Anger flared deep within me, burning through my fear. How dare he? How dare that 'thing' chase me around like this was all some sort of sick entertainment?

My body was still trembling, but my resolve steeled. I wouldn't go down without a fight. Not after everything I'd been through tonight.

I straightened, forcing my legs steady and matching the wolf's piercing eyes. "Come!" I ordered, knowing that my death would at least be on my terms.

It approached slowly, savouring each step, its massive form more domineering by the second.

This was it. I braced myself for the fatal blow, but instead, there was a pause. A low, guttural grunt, followed by a strange, strangled noise. Its body shrank, fur receded, claws dulled, and within moments, the monstrous wolf had transformed into a man—a man who collapsed into my arms, his weight pressing into me as we both sank to the ground.

He was fast asleep against my bosom, his face softened, revealing an unexpected beauty. Dark, unruly hair framed his face, falling just past his brows and curling at the nape of his neck. His jaw seemed sculpted, strong and perfectly angled, as if nature had taken its time crafting each line and curve. Long, dark lashes rested against his high cheekbones.

This man was beyond handsome—he was breathtaking.

Something compelled me to reach for the small medical pouch hidden in my clothes—Out of sheer habit, I suppose. Then I recalled that this was the same monster that had killed the others—the same one who'd almost killed me! What the hell was I doing?

I shoved him off me, but my body—weak and exhausted—just wouldn't move the way I wanted. I collapsed beside him, too drained to even sit up.

How had I—the weakest omega made it through the night? It was truly a Christmas miracle.

My eyelids grew heavy, fluttering shut, craving just a few moments of rest. My legs felt like jelly, and my head throbbed painfully. I hadn’t realised just how worn out I was—until sleep finally claimed me. For the first time in a long time, I was thankful for life.