The Omega Queen

Chapter Five

Walking into the packhouse the evening after my birthday I head straight for the cloakroom to drop off my coat and bag. I'm dressed in the usual uniform of straight black pants and a black short sleeved blouse. All I will be doing tonight is serving drinks, Heather having hired Grace to cater for the event. The money is good at twenty dollars an hour and it will be a relatively easy night. Tying my apron around my waist I leave the cloakroom and make my way to Sols private dining room. Fin and Heather have invited a number of their friends. A few alphas and their mates from other packs and friends from our own pack. Ben included.

When I enter, I walk over to the bar area and begin to get things ready for the guests. I start chopping lemon slices and opening bottles of wine, giving them time to aerate before serving. I am just finishing up polishing the last of the glasses as Heather joins me in the room.

"Alpha. Good evening" I respond respectfully. All female wolves mated to alpha's are to be addressed as alpha too. Where our male alpha's main priority is the safety of the pack as a whole, their female counterpart's role involves looking after the pack in other ways. Visiting schools and explaining our histories and laws, the pack's mental and physical health. A grieving family's shoulder to cry on. They are the glue that holds a pack together and a role model to all.

"Hey Ava, none of that alpha crap if you don't mind. It feels weird." She laughs and I join her. She's incredibly down to earth and hates formality. "Is everything ready, the guys should be joining us any minute" she is dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans with a floaty white peasant blouse, which contrasts beautifully with her glowing dark brown skin. Her long hair flowing in waves around her flawless, makeup free face.

"Yep, just going to fill these buckets with ice for the champagne and we are good to go"

"Excellent" she says excitedly. "Grace has already started getting the appetisers ready in the kitchen, she's serving scallops and King prawns so I think we should go with the sauvignon blanc with the first course" she says, clapping her hands together.

"No problem" I respond with a smile. "Can I get you a drink whilst you wait?"

"Yes! A bit of Dutch courage will do me good. I'll have vodka and coke please."

"Coming right up" I say adding ice and double measure of Russian Standard vodka to a tall crystal tumbler and then topping it up with Coke. I pass it over the bar and she takes it gratefully.

"I'm kinda nervous," she says, taking me aback. She always seems so confident.

"Why?" I ask, confused.

"Well, tomorrow i'll officially be the alpha female of the Maine pack and this is my first time hosting other Alphas and guests as a leader. I guess I just don't want to mess it up" she confesses.

"Just keep being you and you can't go wrong. Everyone already loves and looks up to you. You don't have to be someone you're not. Luna picked you for this pack. Trust in that."

She sits silently for a moment, letting my words sink in.

"I haven't thought about it like that before. Thank you Ava". She continues the conversation, asking about my birthday and plans for the weekend until we hear footfall in the corridor.

She looks behind her as guests start entering the room.

"Wish me luck tonight" she says with a wink.

"You don't need luck, you've got this" I say genuinely. A smile graces her face and she heads off to meet them.

I fill the bucket with ice and add a bottle of champagne. Walking over to the beautifully set table, I stop as the scent of bitter chocolate, caramel and vanilla assaults my senses. There is an earthy undertone beneath the sweetness and its easily the most Incredible smell I've ever encountered. I turn towards the scent on autopilot and find a man standing in the doorway. My eyes trail from his feet, up his long legs, to his well built muscular chest bulging under his shirt. As my eyes connect with his, a familiar cerulean blue, the fog over my brain disperses and I register two things. One, I've just found my mate and two, my mate is Alpha Grayson Winters.

"Mine!" He says loud and clear, all the other sounds in the room cease as people turn to look at us. We're still staring at each other. His smile warms me somewhere deep inside. A feeling I am not yet ready to analyse. He takes a step towards me and I turn my back on him to place the bucket on the table. I feel his presence behind me but I can't face him. Why did Luna give me Grayson as a mate, why give me one of the few people I can't stand to be around. Someone who takes pleasure in looking down on me. It's a mistake, it has to be. I refuse to be mated to an arrogant, unkind prick of an alpha like Grayson Winters.

"Ava" he says quietly behind me.

I shake my head, my eyes still on the ice bucket I placed down minutes ago.

"Ava" he repeats "look at me". It isn't an order, more a plea, doused in desperation. I raise my head but don't turn around. I see that the rest of the party has arrived and everyone is looking at me. Ben looks happy but his smile slips when he sees my face. Heather looks uncomfortable, like she understands how I feel and everyone else just looks confused. Why is Alpha Winters mated to an omega?

"I can't do this right now." I whisper. "I need to leave". I turn quickly without looking at him and rush to the door intending to get out of there as fast as possible.

"Ava!!! Wait" Grayson shouts, but i'm already out of the door. I reach the lobby, which is occupied by Sol, Fin and a handful of other pack members. I bow my head and continue on my path towards the front door. I'm so close to freedom when I feel someone grab my arm, the tingles associated with the mate bond race up my arm and my heart pounds inside my chest. I turn, finally facing him. The tingles are now coursing through my whole body, my wolf is scratching for release so she can take me away. She's not happy with Luna’s choice either. Mate bond or not. I feel the tether linking us together. Our eyes meet again and I feel our connection strengthen from that one solitary action.

"Mine" I utter, completely against my will. His face alights with hope for a second before an invisible energy explodes from my body, forcibly knocking everyone back, some unable to keep their footing are thrown to the floor. I feel the power rushing through my veins and my head tilts back from the force being expelled from my body.

Once the shock begins to recede, I right myself and snatch my arm away from Grayson. It's happened, I'm now the most powerful shifter on Earth. I've received my powers from Luna and I no longer need to hide. The irony is that, that's all I want to do right now, run away and hide. Maybe wallow in self pity a little bit at the hand I've been dealt. Scanning the room, I notice that everyone is once again looking at me, but for completely different reasons. The noise in the room erupts, pack members panicking and asking questions.

"What the hell was that?" Sol's voice booms throughout the crowd. Ben steps forward.

“Alpha. You just witnessed the Queen ascending her throne” he says in awe.

"What do you mean?" Sol questions, looking between Ben and I.

“Alpha, may i introduce Ava La Croix. Daughter of the late Queen, Amelia La Croix. She is the only living descendant of the goddess Luna.” Ben sinks down onto one knee and bows his head. "Your majesty" he says reverently. Sol opens his mouth then closes it again, Ben's revelation rendering him speechless.

My wolf purrs and I hold my head high. I've been waiting for this moment for thirteen years. I will bow my head no longer.

"I knew you weren't an omega" Grayson mutters to himself beside me. I ignore him. I just can't deal with him right now.

Michael bursts into the room. He checks I am OK and looks at Grayson, still standing so close to me. Ben looks up from his position on the floor.

"It's happened?" Michael asks and Ben nods.

Michael immediately drops onto one knee.

"Your majesty". I look around the room and the power radiates from me. One by one the wolves drop, their heads bowing in respect. Only Grayson and I are left standing. I nod to Michael and he begins to rise, the pack around us following suit. They look to Sol for answers, answers he cannot give. I can feel Grayson’s eyes on me again. He wants answers too but I've had enough for today. I just want to leave. I have been paired with Grayson, of all the unmated alpha's around the world, I get stuck with him. I have plenty of questions of my own.

"Your majesty, may I speak with you in private." Sol asks politely.

"Im sorry Sol, I need..I need to leave. Excuse me" I move towards the door, the crowd that surrounded me now parting to allow my passing. I reach the door and exit. Picking up my speed.

"Ava!" I should have known he'd follow me. He's not just got a mate now he's got the goddamn monarchy too. He probably feels like he's won the mate lottery.

"Just leave me the hell alone" I shout

"Just talk to me, please" he says, his voice breaking.

I almost relent, perhaps it's his tone of voice or maybe somewhere deep down I want to hear what he has to say but I need space and time to think.

"Not now Grayson" I say, exhaustion evident my voice.

I turn for the forest and pick up my speed. Reaching the trees, I do the one thing I've wanted to do for over a week, I shift and I run.

****************************************

I ran for over an hour, my wolf in control, my own mind able to step back and switch off. I returned home to a silent and empty house and took a leisurely bath, my mind ticking over and over. I have a decision to make but I do not know what that is yet. I really want to call Evan to unload but my phone is still in my bag at the packhouse. I really hope that Michael thinks to bring it home with him.

I have envisioned meeting my mate so many times I've actually lost count. How I thought it would happen, how I thought I would feel. Disappointment, disdain, confusion were the last things on my mind and that’s what I got. I still cannot fathom why he was chosen for me and me for him. We have never gotten along, we can't even hold a civil conversation. Hopefully the Goddess Luna will come to me in a dream and declare she's made a horrific mistake and my real mate is just round the corner. Failing that, she can explain what the hell she was thinking when she paired our souls as one.

I'm vegging on the sofa a few hours later, absentmindedly flicking through netflix when Ben and Michael return home. I feel the tension in the room immediately and prepare myself for the inevitable. I had managed to calm myself and reestablish my equilibrium during my run, allowing my wolf control so I could find some peace, time to switch off completely and not think about anything.

It's late and I expected them back hours ago.

"Your majesty" they say as they enter the room. They both stand in front of me and bow. I roll my eyes. I don't think i'll get used to that

"Sol has asked that you join him at the pack house. For your own safety." Ben says, sitting on the coffee table in front of me.

"I'm the most powerful werewolf on earth Ben, I don't need protection anymore." I reply already bored of this conversation.

"You do Ava, until you get a handle on your powers, you're an easy target." He argues back.

"Nope"

"You have to go Ava" Ben says exasperated.

"No I don't" I return, resuming my box set browsing.

"News of your existence and ascension is spreading across the world as we speak. Axel will know you are here sooner than you think. We have to plan our next steps."

I breathe deeply, attempting to remain calm. My wolf snarling at Ben for ignoring me.

"Is he there?" I ask quietly.

"Yes, he won't leave his mate" Micheal answers truthfully.

"Then no"

"Ava!"

"I said no Ben" I scream and the power radiates from me, silencing him.

Ben's head drops as his wolf submits to his queen, even Michael looks at the floor and I immediately feel guilty. They are doing what they have always done. Protect me.

"Sorry Ben, Michael I didn't mean to…"

"It's OK Ava, we understand. Ben is a beta, and he's trying to dish out orders, your wolf won't stand for that." Michael states calmly.

Ben on the other hand looks suitably ashamed.

Chocolate and caramel teases my senses and my body tenses involuntarily as I look to the door. He's here. Michael and Ben prepare to shift noticing the change in my body language but I wave them off.

The doorbell sounds and they relax.

"It's Grayson," I tell them " I don't want him here. Tell him to leave please"

Michael and Ben walk calmly to the door opening it a fraction and I sink into a ball on the sofa pulling the hood of my jumper over my head in the process, attempting to give myself an additional layer of protection.

I hear murmurs and close my eyes trying to block it out. I don't want to hear what he has to say. Not tonight anyway.

The volume increases and they start to shout.

"She's my mate for goddesses sake, you can't keep me from my mate." I feel his agitation and sadness through the bond firmly lodged in my chest and it sends a twinge to my heart.

"She doesn't want to talk to you Grayson, I'm sorry. Come back in the morning after she's had some rest." Michael states reassuring him.

"No, I need to see her now. I need to see for myself that she's OK." He begs, panic and need strong in his tone. Regardless of the fact I don't want to talk to him, the bond won't allow me to overlook his pain. That isn't how mates work. I rise from the sofa and walk into the hallway. Three heads turn in my direction. Grayson visibly relaxes and Michael puts his arm on Ben's shoulder maneuvering him into the living room and leaving us alone.

I fold my arms and approach him.

"Why are you here?" I say, exhaustion from the day seeping into my voice.

"I needed to see you. You're my mate. We should be together "

"Luna made a mistake, matching us Grayson."

"How can you say that? We're perfect for each other".

I laugh humorlessly "That's not how I would describe us. We just won't work. I already know that".

"Just give me a chance. Let me prove to you how great we can be together." He reaches out and puts a hand on my arm. The tingles from the contact coursing through my body, feeling so strange yet so familiar. I move backwards and his hand falls back against his body. A small part of me misses the feeling, however brief. He looks devastated by my action but my mind won't allow me to be swayed by the bond. If it was any other situation it would be comical to see a tall strong alpha looking so lost and forlorn.

I run my hands over my face "It won't work between us. I've known you for two years and every encounter has ended with me wanting to rip off your head. I've gotten my powers now. That's all I needed. I think we should end this now". It hurts to say it, but it's the truth. "I, Ava La Croix…."

"Stop!" He shouts cutting me off, his eyes filling with tears "Don't Ava, please. Just give me a chance, one chance to prove that we can be good together. Luna chose me, for you and she chose you for me. There has to be a reason, she doesn't make mistakes".

I look up, deep into his eyes and see his sincerity. He at least believes what he's saying, even if I don't.

"I have to train, I don't have time to date you Grayson. I have a war to win"

"Let me train with you, spend time with you. Whatever you're doing. Just let me be there." I think about this for a moment, realising that once he sees me fight, once he truly understands the task ahead of me, and understands the prophecy and what that means for him he'll run for the hills anyway. Mission accomplished.

"Fine" I relent, not having the energy to argue with him further. "We start tomorrow at 6am, at the packhouse. You may attend. I'll see you tomorrow" I give a grim smile and step forward to close the door. Before I can move it an inch he has crossed the threshold and enveloping me in his arms, shocked by his open affection I can only stand frozen in his embrace. His large body wraps itself around me, shielding me from the world and I momentarily forget myself and begin to relax, the comfort of feeling so safe seeping into my bones. He kisses the top of my head and my heart skips a beat, then he is gone into the darkness of the night leaving me standing alone and more confused than I have ever been in my life.