Fiery heart (revised)

Flashback!

Chapter 2

Before the betrayal.

Kim's POV

You see, I am Kimberly Reid. An omega she-wolf. I reside in one of the villages under the royal kingdom of Atlax with my aged mother. Father is late. Mom and I survive by doing chores for the rich.

My life is a little boring as I was the only child of my parents.

I was awakened by the early morning chirping sounds of birds that nestled on the tree outside of my window.

I walked out to the kitchen. Mom was already making breakfast.

"Good morning Mom"! I greeted.

She turned back looking surprised.

"Morning sleepy head! You're awake already?"

"Yeah. Got tired of sleeping. Had to just wake up and be useful. I couldn't stand the chirpings either!" I confessed.

"Oh, poor little lady. Am sorry about that."

"I just wish I had a sibling. I bet things would have been a bit different " I said but when I looked at Mom's expression, I regretted ever letting those words out.

"Am sorry Mom, I never should have said that. I mean, it's not your fault that you couldn't conceive again!" I apologized

"It's okay Kim. I understand how you feel. It saddens me to see you grow up alone without any siblings. I just wished that the moon goddess gave me another…….

"C'mon, mom. Am fine. Besides, I've gotten used to this whole thing. It shouldn't bother you. Am no longer a kid. I will be 18-year- old in a few months, remember?" I said, trying to console her.

"You're becoming an adult. I can't wait for you to find your true mate. I want to have grandchildren already!"

"Woah. Mom. Please don't pressure me yet. Am still tender and not yet ready for motherhood. I'll take things easy. There's more to life than having children!" I said.

"True. Well-spoken. You're truly wise for your age. Just like your father "

"I miss him every day. we wouldn't be laboring ourselves every day to survive if he was still alive" I said

"He is watching over us. I could feel his presence whenever I looked at you. You have his dominant traits, Kim!" Mom said.

I was speechless. I just hugged Mom and we stood still for a few minutes.

until I perceived it.

"Mom?.... what's burning?" I asked her, pulling away from the hug.

"Goodness me! I guess we would have something burnt for breakfast!" Mom said as she rushed and brought the pot down.

"Ha ha ha! Count me out, Mom. Am too fresh for that!" I joked.

"It's okay sweetie! Maybe I should dispose of it in the waste bin then?" She asked sarcastically.

"Right away! But I would want mine a bit lukewarm if you don't mind!"

"Does it matter? I mean, the waste bin can take it in. Even if it's super hot!" Mom said.

"You see, I would want to recycle it in my mouth before offloading it down to my waste bin! I hate wasting resources!" I replied.

"Really? Nature would be proud of you! Mom jokes.

"Glad to know that my work isn't going unnoticed!" I said.

"Nope! Everybody is watching Kim! Now, go on, recycle it like you always do!" Mom said and we both laughed hard.

Mom's sense of humor has been vital to me. I rarely miss hanging out with my mates whenever she is home.

"That reminds me, I need to go to Benson's home after breakfast! They've got some laundry waiting to be washed!" I said

"Alright, dear. Be fast with the recycling then, I need you to return early. We've got to report to the king's farm to weed it" Mom reminded.

"I know. But it just sucks to work for the royals every day. Only to be given nothing after a huge harvest annually!" I said with resentment.

"It's not fair but we're just poor slaves! There's nothing we can do. This tradition has been going on for ages. I don't think anyone dares to stand against their cruel dominance!" Mom said.

"It's really strange that nobody has ever stood against the king's decree! I can't believe that we're such cowards!" I said with anger.

"That's not true! A lot of people have protested in the past!" Mom said.

"Then what happened? Things keep getting worse by the day! Why don't we rise like they did in the past?" I was confused.

"Kim, you need to lower your voice. The royal guards could be passing outside. As for the ones that protested against the royal family's cruel treatment of its citizens, it didn't end well!' Mom explained, almost whispering.

I could sense fear in her tone as she spoke to me.

"What happened with them?'' I queried curiously.

"The king gathered them together, his soldiers tore their stomachs open and hung them at the farms on a stick like a scarecrow! Their entire lineages were dragged to their death by horses! It was so terrible that it broke the tiniest courage in every soul! Nobody dared speak a word after the king's evil act!" Mom rounded up.

"That was gross and utterly wicked of the royal family. I bet the king lacks any soul for remorse!" I said

"He is the cruelest alpha to ever rule Antlax! Legend has it that he even poisoned the previous king so that he could dethrone him!" Mom said.

"Does that mean he wasn't supposed to be the one ruling right now?" I asked

"Nope. It was not even in his lineage! But the heir to the throne is as useless as dead vegetables! Rumors say that he is disabled and incapable of ruling. That was why his uncle was given the mantle in his place after his father's death!" Mom revealed.

"Damn!. I've heard how useless the prince is from other girls at the stream. Nobody dreams of even becoming his bride for a day!" I said.

"Nobody would want to have someone as useless as the prince as a partner. Even his wicked uncle, the king hates him! It's just to show you how handicapped he is. You can never find him anywhere around the palace!" Mom said.

"The king locks him out I guess!" I said.

"Yeah. His presence in the palace could wade off wealthy visitors and the king wouldn't want such embarrassment" Mom answered.

"I used to believe that it was the prince that would end his wicked uncle's reign when he came of age. But I guess I was wrong. It's so disappointing that we would remain in bondage with no hope for a savior!" I said with grief.

"Exactly! If the prince possessed any threat to the king's reign, he would have been sidelined too. Just like his parents!" Mom said

"You're on point Mom. This whole thing is just so frustrating to the core!" I said in pain.

"Relax Kim. Don't let it get over your head. All I know is that we would survive whatever the king throws at us. Just focus on the positive side of life" Mom said.

"But it is quite saddening! People die every day from hard labor at the farm! Yet there's no place to go for medication whenever anyone falls sick! Are you sure that the moon goddess is alive?" I questioned.

"Don't ever say such about the sacred Selene again!" Mom cautioned me.

"Sorry, Mom. It's just that she is turning a blind eye to the evil that the king does! I mean, how could he still be alive? He should be punished for all the atrocities he does!" I said.

"That's left for the moon goddess to decide. When the right time comes, she would come to our rescue. She is not blind, Kim!" Mom said.

"I hope she reacts quickly before it's too late. It's becoming too much for the royal family!" I said

"Don't worry, she won't be late. Besides, your food is almost getting cold. Eat. You've got chores piled up at Benson's!" Mom reminded me.

"Yeah. I guess I might have to leave right away!" I said. I stood and covered my food.

"Won't you have breakfast before leaving? You will need your strength for work!" Mom said.

"Don't bother. I've lost my appetite. I'll eat when I return. I'll be fast so that we can head over to the farm later" I said.

Mom knew she wouldn't be able to persuade me to eat. She just sat down, staring at me as I changed into something else.

When I was ready, I hugged her and went out to Benson's home.

On my way, my heart ached at the thought of having to wait for a savior to be sent by Selene.

When will the savior arrive?

How sure is Mom that Selene would even send a savior in the first place?

Does the moon goddess even know what we're going through right now?

Then my mind drifted to the one I always thought would be the one to end the king's reign. I was disappointed after what Mom said about the prince.

Why will a prince be disabled and useless?

Was he cursed or what?

So many questions bubbled in my head as I walked down the street filled with poor and tattered Omega's like myself and it got me emotional.

We're deep into suffering.

I was being greeted by Friends and neighbors but I barely noticed them. I was not in the right frame of mind to exchange greetings.

Nothing was good about the day.