A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

2.

LAIKA

Five years later..."Clean the floor! You lazy bum!" yelled Mrs. Teresa, my supervisor, and threw the towel at me. It hit me in the face and fell to the floor. "I need the floor spotless. You haven't done a thing, and the Alpha and his entourage will be back in the pack any minute. Get your lazy ass to work." She stepped on the floor I had already cleaned, leaving stains as she left.I grabbed the mop and went back to work. Five years ago, I would have cried when she threw the towel at me and insulted me. But I was over it. It doesn't hurt as much anymore. Nothing really hurts. My supervisor never liked me from day one. She didn't see me as competition, but as someone who wasn't good enough to show up in front of her. I was nothing more than a weak Omega. She always told me I was ugly and that her daughter was prettier than me and would mate with the returning Alpha.The Alpha and his entourage returned to the pack today, after so many years of absence. In the Titan pack, once future Alphas reach the age of eighteen, they are taken away from the pack with a few warriors to an unknown location where they undergo rigorous training. They are deprived of all pleasure and must remain single. Mates were distractions to them, and they didn't need any if they wanted their clan to remain the strongest. They return when the previous Alpha dies, having taken his last breath five days ago.When I finished cleaning the area my supervisor had assigned me, I headed to the lady's cabin. She oversaw the she-wolves who would be available for the werewolf Alpha and his entourage to have s*x with. I wasn't interested in the instructions, but the culture demanded that every unmated she-wolf in the pack receive an introduction to the Alpha and his warriors.The girls were lined up in four rows when I arrived. I joined them from behind, not wanting anyone to notice me. But I'd never gone unnoticed in this group since I arrived."Hmm, I smell a damn Omega in here," one of the girls said, covering her nose. The other girls snorted and covered their noses too.I ignored her. I was already used to these insults. Now they don't penetrate beyond the skin; they stay on the surface, making me feel ugly and dirty."Is she supposed to be here? Our Alpha and his entourage would never look at a weak, damned Omega," another girl said."Silence!" The woman's voice boomed, and silence fell over the place. "As you all know, our werewolf warriors are returning today." The girls began to whisper and giggle. The woman silenced them. "I know you're excited to hunt your first warriors, but there are rules you must follow. First, if you know you already have a mate, leave here."The line of girls fell silent. They all turned to look at each other. I didn't look at anyone. My gaze was fixed on the ground because I didn't have the courage to meet my classmates' eyes."If you have found your mate, you must leave us now. This exercise is not for you. If you have found your mate and remain here, there will be serious consequences when you are discovered." When no one moved, she continued. "Secondly, you would share yourselves with your masters. Now, you share yourselves to work for them. You will clean their tents and run their errands for them. That master is not your owner. You may ride as many warriors as you wish. When a warrior approaches you and you don't like him, say so and walk away. He will not force you, and do not speak of the matter again.""Don't get attached to a warrior who isn't your mate, because when he finds his mate, you'll be discarded. You mean nothing to them; they see you only as s****l partners. They aren't attracted to you, so don't get ahead of yourself. Don't fight over any warrior, whether it's the Alpha werewolf, your Beta, or any warrior you find more attractive. These people have little to no emotion, so be careful around them and do as they say, because they can explode and hurt you.""They are made to fight and understand nothing less than striking, and they will do so when provoked. They are not your friends and they love their egos more than their lives. If you tarnish their egos, they will frighten you more than ever. You must be discreet with them and respect them as much as you want. Have I made myself clear?""Yes, ma'am," the girls chanted.I said nothing. The rules didn't apply to me because I knew no warrior would find me worthy. I didn't care because I wasn't about to fall into the hands of another ruthless Alpha. After what Alpha Khalid did to me, I wasn't sure I wanted to get entangled with a higher-ranking werewolf. We were assigned our tents and left.Night had fallen when I finished cleaning my master's tent and went to the stream to wash. The setting sun painted a faint yellow blush on the clouds that drifted above the mountains. I loved to stay by the stream; it was peaceful and afforded me the luxury of tranquility whenever I was there. Although it was said that wildlings prowled the area and tried to abduct weaker werewolves, I found the place refreshing and calming. I had never faced a wildling before.As I approached the stream, a strange feeling washed over me, and goosebumps rose on my skin. I looked around, but there was no one there. Despite my head warning me to return to the pack, I continued toward the stream. I was dirty from working so hard and needed to wash. I didn't mind staying like this until I finished the work, but I wanted to appear clean for whoever my master was. The woods surrounding the stream were quiet, save for the chirping of birds. I was sure no one had followed me here since I discovered this place. It has been my little sanctuary, taking me away from my troubles. I enjoyed its peace and was always myself when I was there.I could run naked and swim in the stream. It washes away all my pain as it flows. I explored the area once more, and seeing no one, continued deeper into the woods. Soon I heard the sound of water. It calmed me, and I left the thought of danger behind. I reached the stream, sat beside it, took off my shoes and socks, and dipped my legs in the water, taking in the beauty of the forest. The water cascading over the rocks created a quiet murmur that filled me with serenity. This was peace for me.Perhaps I was simply uneasy about the return of the new masters. I won't deny I was curious about them. I wanted to know what they were like. Would they be good or bad? Would my master treat me harshly or hate me for being a cursed Omega? Would he be upset that I'd been assigned to him, like Lady Teresa was when she assigned me as her slave? Would he think I brought bad luck?My thoughts were interrupted by a loud growl. I turned my head in the direction I thought I'd heard the sound, but I saw nothing. I pulled my feet out of the water and stood up. My eyes scanned the woods, but there was nothing there, and the growling had stopped. I grabbed my shoes and socks and decided to return to the pack. I shouldn't be here anyway. I should go back to the pack and wait for my new master.When I turned to go back the way I'd come, I came face to face with a giant wolf with blazing yellow eyes. It bared its fangs and let out a menacing growl. I screamed in fear, and Joy, my wolf, whimpered in fright. I took a few steps back and stepped on a thorny branch; it pierced my foot, and I yelled in pain. Now I couldn't run. The wolf was bigger than me and bigger than Joy. I couldn't transform because my wolf was weakened by all the aconite that Mrs. Teresa and her daughter Erika injected me with every time I made a mistake. I hardly transformed lately, and I could barely feel my wolf.The big wolf crouched, ready to attack. I knew it was a savage, and that my life would end right then and there. There was no one here to save me, and even if there had been, no one would bother saving a damned Omega. I was better off dead. The big wolf lunged at me, and I fell to the ground on my backside. But the wolf didn't reach me, because another, larger wolf leaped at it from behind. It was a white wolf, a damned white wolf.I had never seen a white wolf before. They were rare and special, and most were werewolves. I stood rooted to the spot, watching the wolves fight amongst themselves. I knew I should take that as a sign and run back to the pack, but I was too stunned to think about it. The white wolf was now on top of the black one, lowered its head, and sank its fangs into the black wolf's neck, tearing the life out with each bite. Blood gushed from the black wolf, who shuddered as death enveloped him and stained the white wolf. When the wolf was sure the black wolf was dead, it left, leaving me motionless and incredulous.The spell that had kept me immobile left me as he walked away. I stood and patted the dirt off my hands, still staring in the direction the white wolf had run. Why did he save me? Didn't he realize I was an Omega?"You shouldn't be alone in the middle of the woods," said a deep, husky voice behind me. I turned toward it and lost my balance. I choked and tensed my body to brace myself for the fall, but I landed in muscular arms, and a masculine scent filled my senses. Our touch was like a whirlwind; I felt tingles all over my body. I looked up and met the most perfect green eyes, staring intently at me.'Couple'.Joy whispered, and I felt her jump with excitement. I don't know how many hours passed in that position. I couldn't take my eyes off the perfect face of the stranger who was holding me securely and preventing me from falling to the ground. I had a fresh cut on my cheek that was still bleeding. After what seemed like ages, he lifted me up and steadyed me."Never come to this forest alone. I'm sure you've heard that hunting takes place here."I nodded like an i***t, still staring at him. His biceps were powerful, and I became interested in him. I wondered if he was a savage too, because I'd never seen one with the pack. As a token of my gratitude, I tore a piece from the hem of my dress and gave it to him."Thank you for rescuing me," I said as he took the piece. Our fingers brushed against each other, and I felt chills run through my body. Does he know we're a couple? Will he reject me too?He wiped his cheek with the piece. "You should go back to the pack, it's not safe out here.""What's your name?" I found myself asking."Karim".I extended my hand. "Nice to meet you, Karim. I'm...""I don't care. Go back to the pack." He stomped away, leaving me there with my hand outstretched. My spirit sank with my shoes and socks. I clutched my palm with my other hand."I am Laika," I finished.