The Omega Queen

Chapter Two

My whole body hurts. Training last night with Ben was f*****g brutal. He held nothing back and he almost kicked my ass. Let’s just say it's a good job I am small and fast, the blows I managed to evade might have left permanent damage. As it is, I am covered in bruises. There is a particularly large one on my back, just above my kidneys that doesn’t look any better than it did last night, despite my advanced healing and the rest of my body is aching with muscle fatigue.

Today is the first Saturday of the month so I will be working at the alpha house as there is an Alpha meeting. This is a monthly occurrence between the alphas of the neighbouring packs and as luck would have it, it’s the Maine packs month to host. I tried everything to get out of working this event but Sol stated he really needed me to waitress as I was the most well presented and the most polite, haha. Funny! He really does not know the real me. Ben would describe me as sarcastic and a curser. My language rivals that of a sailor apparently, not that I would know as I have never met one. Omega Ava on the other hand is polite and quiet. I’ll keep my head down and do a good job as my role dictates. Plus, the pay is decent and I’m saving up for a dress I saw online for my birthday. Today’s pay packet will ensure I can make my purchase.

Wincing as I descend the stairs, each step sending a vibrating jolt through my battered body, I hear the low murmur of the television and wonder which of my two bodyguards is still here this late in the morning. Reaching the bottom, my wolf senses expand and the scent of pine and coffee asails my nostrils, Michael. I wander through to the living room and find him propped up on the sofa, a large beef steak in one hand covering his right eye and a half empty cup of coffee in the other. He looks up as I enter and slaps the steak onto a plate balanced precariously on the edge of the walnut coffee table. His eye is purple and swollen shut, it is clear he had a rough night on patrol.

"What happened, are you ok? Is Ben ok?" I question.

"Ben is fine," Michael grunts in response, not elaborating further.

"I need to know what has happened Michael, you cannot protect me forever. This is my fight, more than anyone else" he watches me move past him to sit on the other side of our green floral sofa. I place myself on the edge of the cushions and carefully turn to face him. He looks at me assessing my condition before taking a deep breath and picking up the TV remote to mute the volume. Sighing, he runs his hand through his overly long hair.

"We had a security breach at about two AM. Rogues broke the territory line." He rubs his jaw, obviously thinking through the details of the previous night's events.

"How many?" I ask, swallowing nervously. I can tell he is trying to shield me but I need to know the truth. "The truth Michael, please" I add.

"About forty" he replies sadly. I gasp, unable to hide my shock. Rogue's cross our borders all the time but I've never heard of a group of this size breaching Sol’s territory ever.

"Did we lose anyone?"

"We lost three, all border patrollers on the southern line. They managed to warn us first but they were overwhelmed. Didn't stand a chance against that many. We couldn't get to them quick enough". He stares at his knuckles, all cut and bloodied.

"I am so sorry Michael. I am so sorry I am not ready yet. We will win this war, if it is the last thing I ever do" I move closer to him, sliding over gingerly and he lifts his arm to place around my shoulders as I curl into his side. As Gamma, Michael is in charge of the pack warriors and the loss will be a crushing blow.

"I know we will Ava, I do. But everything in me is screaming to protect you and keep you as far away from danger as I can. To think of you in the middle of what occurred last night makes me sick to my stomach".

"It is my destiny, you know that as well as I" I remind him quietly.

The front door opening stops his response and I move away quickly, back to my side of the sofa, my aching body screaming in pain at the movement. Michael is tough and strong and physical affection does not come easily to him, he would be embarrassed if Ben caught him being soft, regardless of the reason. I smile at him and the ghost of a smile lights his features as he shakes his head at me. He may not be my father but he is the closest thing I have got to one.

Ben enters the room, looking tired but uninjured. He nods at me but otherwise ignores me, rounding the sofa to come face to face with Michael.

"I have just been at the pack house, Sol asked that I bring you over ASAP. He wants a full briefing before the other alpha's arrive. I will drive you."

Michael stands immediately and leaves the room, I stand as well and direct my attention to Ben.

"It is getting worse isn't it? Are any of the other packs experiencing this?"

He runs a hand through his sandy blond hair and nods. Ben doesn't have a problem telling me the truth, warts and all. He shares my mindset, that the more I know, the better I'll be prepared and it will be easier to protect me.

"All neighbouring packs reported attacks last night. It is weird. It is like they know 'The One' is close. Like they know you are here. They cannot possibly know for sure but if they are zeroing in on your location, we need to be extra careful and keep you as close as we can. Tell me you are working the event today?"

Nodding in reply, Ben's shoulders drop in relief.

"Great, so you'll be at the pack house all day with Michael and I. There will be thirty high ranking wolves in that building today. You couldn't be safer"

"Is it possible a rogue saw us training last night? Saw my wolf?"

"Doubtful. Had someone seen you, they would have only attacked here, not the other packs. Are you still concealing your scent?"

"Yes, of course"

He nods and then turns to the door as Michael returns wearing clean clothes and a black jacket, his hair still wet from the shower.

"You ready to go Ave, I know you'll be early but I would prefer not to leave you unprotected whilst I take Michael."

"Yeah" I reply and leave the room to collect my bag from the hallway, where I dumped it earlier. Cringing at the pain that radiates down my back from just bending down, I mentally prepare myself for the day, with any luck the pack house will be far too busy with the rogue attacks to even notice I am there.

We leave the house as a unit, Ben in front of me and Michael protecting my flank. My skin itches with anxiety, my wolf on high alert desperate to be set free, to protect us. Just six more days until I turn eighteen.

“Ave, Sol asked if you could take the coffees through. They will be starting shortly” Drew states as she joins me in the alpha house kitchen.

“Ok, Just a sec” I sigh. She smiles in thanks and hurries out of the kitchen.

I start to load the trolley, hot steaming cafetieres of coffee, milk, cream and pots of sugar, warm Danish pastries that Kate made earlier and jugs of iced water. Realising I have forgotten the tea pot I turn to the kettle and reboil the water. Once the water has boiled I add a few teabags to the pot and fill it, stirring quickly and replacing the lid. I pull my hair into a neat bun and push the trolley towards the doors of the kitchen. Using my bruised butt and arms at length to hold open the double doors, I manage to wrangle the trolley out of the kitchen and into the impressive dark wood hallway of the pack house. The meeting is being held in the communal conference room, usually reserved for pack meetings only due to its size; however on arriving today, Sol told us that all the neighbouring Alpha's would be bringing additional security and we would need to accommodate for the increase. It does not surprise me considering the events that occurred last night, and I hope each alpha has upped security in their territories to protect the wolves left behind. My anxiety is two fold worrying they are left unprotected from further rogue attacks with their alphas and warriors away.

I reach the conference room quickly and quietly, sending thanks to Luna that the heavy wooden doors have been propped open to allow me to enter unobstructed. I straighten my apron and walk further into the room, I notice a few people milling around, talking quietly to each other but I ignore them and push the trolley over to the area set up for refreshments. I use my foot to click on the brakes and look over the table beside it to ensure there are enough cups and cutlery. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end like someone is watching me but i resist the urge to turn around. I put it down to my heightened anxiety and my current situation, no one notices me, they never do, my lowly status guarantees that. Brushing off my paranoia and happy that everything is in order, I slip from the room.

Back in the kitchen, my body is screaming at me to rest, even my wolf has gone quiet, retreating into the back of my mind to recover from the brutal training session Ben subjected me to last night. We had scheduled another session for this evening, which we decided to postpone due to the current rogue issues. Patrols are set to double now and we cannot risk anyone seeing me training or, Goddess forbid, shifting. The meeting between the Alphas started three hours ago and they have only just requested lunch. I let the other omegas deliver and serve as I rinse the cooking equipment and load the dishwasher. Regardless of the fact that Sol requested me in the dining room last week, I doubt he would notice my absence with so many more important matters on his shoulders. Pouring myself a glass of water, I sit myself on the countertop and allow myself to go over what I know about the rogue attacks recently.

After the war that killed my parents, rogue attacks were few and far between, especially in the Northern states. Over the last couple of years, these instances have been increasing. Axel escaped that night over thirteen years ago and he knew of my existence. He knew my age. He is clearly trying to find me before I turn eighteen. To kill me before I can find my mate. A strong urgent need to shift and run explodes through my body, I can feel my wolf rippling, clawing to get out. Her thirst for Axel's blood is all consuming. I take a deep breath, slide down from my place of rest and decide to make a start on the afternoon snacks that will be delivered to the Alpha's once their meeting is over. Under normal circumstances, the Alphas usually spend the night in the hosting alphas territory, they all have a drink and catch up however Kate told me that only one guest room has been requested with all other alpha's choosing to return to their packs. With this in mind I chose to keep snacks light, knowing they will want to be on their way as soon as they can.

I am just finishing off making crudités that will accompany the sandwiches, ready for when the meeting concludes. Blake, Evan, Drew and Kate have gone home having started a few hours before me to prepare the conference room and the pastries Sol requested for breakfast. There are around thirty five Alphas, Beta's and Gammas in attendance today. The majority of them are Sol's age or thereabouts but a couple are In Fin’s age group and they make my life hell. Making fun of me or treating me like something they walked in. Omegas are looked down upon in some packs. They are seen as weak and useless. Either because they have a weak wolf or because they haven’t shifted at all. Some wolves can be dormant, appearing later in life and in some cases not appearing at all. For all intents and purposes, Michael and I made the decision to put me in the latter category. As far as my pack is concerned I have never shifted. In reality I shifted ten years ago, my wolf is beautiful, wilful and strong. She is also white. White wolves are rare and belong only to royalty. If anyone were to see my wolf they would immediately know my lineage, therefore I keep her concealed from everyone. It’s hard for us both but we understand the implications of our identity being discovered.

I wince as I stretch up to one of the higher cupboards to retrieve a glass serving platter.

“You need some help there?”

I jump and let out a small scream at the voice behind me, chuckling to myself, I place my hand on my chest trying to calm my heart rate. I can’t believe I didn’t hear them enter the room. I turn to face the voice and when I see the arrogant smirk of one of the younger alphas, Grayson Winters, my smile drops, my hackles rise and my wolf shifts restlessly in the forefront of my mind. Gritting my teeth I look at the floor. One of my torturers in the flesh. I should have known he would seek me out, just to make me miserable.

“No thank you Alpha Winters. I can manage just fine”

“Is that right?” He responds sarcastically.

“Yes sir” Although my volume is quiet my words still sound snappy. I need to tone it down and not let my anger show. He is an alpha after all.

He walks closer to me and I see his feet in my line of sight. If only my hair was still flowing around my shoulders, I would have some protection from him but with my hair up I feel exposed to his scrutiny. He leans forward slightly and I can feel his breathe on my neck

“Let me help you out little bird”

I snap my head up at the condescending nickname he has always used for me, referencing my small size. He usually towers over me a few inches over six foot, but he is bent slightly to reduce the distance between us. Our faces are so close that I can see the amusement swirling in his crystal blue grey eyes, whilst I'm sure he can see the fury in mine. I tilt my body backwards slightly to create some distance between us. The movement causes a jolt of pain in my back as I hit the worktop behind me. I hiss and close my eyes as the pain radiates across the bruising there.

“Ava. Are you ok?” He asks, worry lacing his question as he straightens out to his full height.

Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and to his credit he looks genuinely concerned but I know it’s an act. I once again look at the floor, enraged that he witnessed a moment of weakness. I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen again and give them more ammunition. He loves nothing more than pointing out my flaws and making fun of me because of them.

Grayson and another alpha named Garrett are the bain of my life. I see them every couple of months and it’s like their personal mission to make me feel worthless. As friends of Fin's they are in our territory a lot. I try to keep out of their way but they always seem to find me regardless. They are never physically abusive, Fin, Ben and Michael wouldn't allow it. Garret tends to bark out orders treating me and the other omega's like slaves, his surly demeanor a permanent feature and Grayson has an uncanny ability to get under my skin. It's like he has a manual on how to push my buttons and rile me up. I really need to try harder to cover my feelings but it's near impossible when I'm around him. One day I will lose my temper and my cover will be blown. My wolf is no help either. Whenever they start, she just wants to rip off their arms and beat them with their own appendages, her anger coupled with my own makes it extremely difficult to walk away but I’ve become a master at self control. At this moment, I’m starting to get worked up and I need to get out before I do something I’ll regret.

I nod my head at Graysons question

“Excuse me alpha. I need to go and clear the meeting room”

Moving past him, I make my way towards the door. I hear movement and next minute Grayson has a hold on my arm.

“What’s wrong with you little bird? I saw your face when you hit that worktop. It hurt you. Even you aren’t that fragile”

I yank my arm from his grasp and huff out my frustration. I’m so close to telling him to just go f**k himself and leave me alone when Fin enters the kitchen.

“Hey Gray, I’ve been looking for you, did you get lost on the way to the bathroom." I see Grayson tense as Fin continues. "The meeting is over but my dad wants to see us in his office to go over the details. Oh hey Ava” he says, finally spotting me. Grayson’s tall, burly frame seems to have concealed me from view.

“Are you done, you can go home now as Michael is heading out?”

“Yes Fin. I just need to clear the dining room and lay out the sandwiches” I nod to my future alpha and make my escape out of the kitchen. I thank the moon goddess for Fins timing, saving me from further interrogation by Grayson. Keeping my head down low I head towards the meeting room. The sooner I am done, the sooner I will be gone from this place and I can breathe easy once again.