The Omega Queen

Chapter Four

The Anniversary of my birth dawns slowly. I fell into my dreams easily last night, visions full of color and laughter, happiness and joy. With me at the centre surrounded by love and hope. Those beautiful images were ripped away viciously, transforming into dark murky memories of fear and loss. Over the last few months, nightmares have become a regular occurrence, almost expected every time I close my eyes. The prophecy replaying my fate over and over like a broken record. As if seeing it once wasn't hard enough. No, I must live through it daily, feeling my heart and soul shatter into millions of pieces around me, again and again and again. I've almost come to accept it, although painful and heartbreaking, it is comforting in its familiarity. The nightmare last night was not one I had experienced before. One moment I was sat on the beach watching the peaceful, hypnotic sun set over the Atlantic, its orange rays spread wide over a cloudless sky, the next I was standing in the foyer of a large house. A house I remembered all too well in the dark recesses of my mind.

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It was dark and cold. A handsome man with dark hair, a prominent nose and startling green eyes was knelt in front of me, buttoning my red coat around my shivering body and placing a fluffy white hat upon my head. My father. Once he was finished he stood up beside me and I held his hand waiting, unsure of what was happening around me. I could hear shouting, crying and banging but I wasn't scared. I had my Daddy, he was big and strong and he would keep the bad man away. A few moments later a beautiful woman, unmistakably my mother, entered the room. Her long blonde almost white hair flowing around her shoulders. She too knelt in front of me as her friend Micheal and my best friend Ben entered behind her. I loved Ben, he was so funny. He always let me play games with him and he never ignored me, even when he was with his own friends. My mummy stroked my cheek, staring deep into my eyes. A tear rolled down her face and I reached up to wipe it away. She smiled sadly.

"Don't be sad mummy" I said softly

"Oh, my sweet girl" she replied, pulling me into her strong embrace. She stroked my hair sticking out of my hat and my daddy held my hand even tighter squeezing my tiny fingers.

"You are going to go somewhere with Micheal" she stated, pulling away and holding my face gently between her palms. "Ben is going to go too, so you have someone to play with".

"But I want to stay here with you and Daddy" I said looking up at him, he smiled at me but he was sad too.

"I know sweetie, but the bad man is here and we don't want you to get hurt so you're going on a little trip." Tears started to run down my face. I didn't want to leave, I loved my mummy and my daddy and my pink bedroom and my unicorn toys.

"I want you to do something for me when you get to where you are going. Micheal is going to tell everyone that he is your uncle and Ben is your brother, you have to agree with them. Don't tell anyone where you are from or what your name is. Pretend to be an omega wolf. Can you remember what I taught you about omegas?" I nodded, my tears drying. My mummy was the queen so everyone had to do what she said. Even me. "Good girl" she said proudly. "When you get bigger, you will find your mate, like I found Daddy and you will get powers from Luna. You are very special and important. When you get these powers you can tell people who you are. But only your friends, people you like and trust, okay?" I nodded again. She pulled me into her body and wrapped her arms around me, kissing my head.

"When I send the bad man away, we will come and find you. I love you sweetie, forever and always"

"I love you Mama" I said, my arms wrapped tightly around her neck. She pulled away, her sobs echoing around the room. The front door began to rattle, the dull thuds against the wood making my heart pound inside my small body.

"Get her out of here Micheal'' my Daddy shouted as he pushed against the door. "I love you Ava, Daddy loves you". I was grabbed from behind and my squeal echoed through the room as I was thrown over Michael's shoulder and we descended into the basement. We lived in a large house because Mummy was a queen and it had lots of secret tunnels that Ben and I loved to play hide and seek in. The noises that I could hear outside got louder, they were in the house now, wolves growling and snapping. I felt the air tingle around me, the magic unleashed by my mother calling to me, I reached for it, ready to grasp the invisible energy, it brushed my fingertips and was then sucked away, my mother in need of its power. Michael entered the darkest of the tunnels, the longest one that led to the old oak tree deep in the forest. Sliding the door shut as quietly as he could, he turned the large circular handle, locking it safely behind us. Then we were running, my stomach bouncing up and down on Michael's shoulder with every step. It took us a long time to get through the dark tunnel and when we emerged from the darkness the sun was beginning to rise. The forest around us was quiet. Michael placed me on the floor and ordered Ben to hold my hand and for us to stay put. He moved to a large thicket on the left and started pulling away leaves and branches. Perfectly hidden behind was an old car. He motioned for us to join him and safely stowed me in the back seat, the belt tightly wound around me, "Buckle in Ben" Michael said to Ben seated next to me. He climbed in the driver's seat and started to drive away, constantly checking his mirrors and the trees surrounding us. Wolves started to howl in the distance, at first I was scared but then I realised the mournful cries echoing through the silent forest belonged to my own kin. Michael stopped the car. "No, no'' he said sadly, banging his fists on the steering wheel, his shoulders heaving with his silent tears. Ben held my hand in the backseat next to me. "What has happened?" I asked Ben quietly. Ben shook his head, turning to look out the window.

"Michael, look" Ben exclaimed. Michael turned to look where Ben pointed, seeing the wolves surrounding the car. The car shot forward as wolves tried to pounce on the small vehicle. They snapped at the doors, running hard to keep up with us. "You killed my queen, you think i'll let you take my princess too?" He screamed at them as they hit and rebounded off the bonnet. It took a moment for me to register what he had said but then his words sunk into my five year old brain and I realised that my beautiful mummy was dead and probably my daddy too. I started to cry softly, unable to accept that I would never see them again, or feel their arms around me.

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I had awoken in a cold sweat at around 1am. The nightmare was horrible and unexpected. Remembering the last time I saw my parents alive. They were so young, so much life left to live and they died at the hands, or claws of a madman. Maybe it's my subconscious dredging up painful memories or maybe it's my parents or even Luna reminding me that although they died, they did everything they could to protect me and that they loved me. That maybe they are with me in spirit on this day, my eighteenth birthday. Either way, I was unable to fall back to sleep and had been sitting on my window seat watching the sky change from black, to blue, to purple and then a soft pink as the sun rose above the horizon. The urge to shift has been hard this past week, my wolf scratching and growling for release, this morning however, it grew to severe need. I will have to go on a run soon, with or without Ben's approval.

At approximately 6am I heard movement in the rooms on either side of my own. By 6.20am I was showered, dressed and ready to start the day. I descended the stairs, the strong pungent aroma of freshly ground coffee pulling me toward the kitchen. Standing at the threshold, I watch as Micheal bustles around the kitchen, placing pastries on the serving platter, squeezing oranges into a fresh pulpy juice, just how I like it and pouring coffee into my favourite mug.

"Good morning" I say entering the room.

"Good morning Ava, happy birthday " Michael says, turning to me. "Take a seat".

Seating myself at the dining table, I drop my school bag at my feet and he places the coffee in front of me. "Sleep well?" He asks.

I mumble incoherently as I take a bite out of a flaky croissant.

He stops what he's doing and pulls out a chair. "Ava?"

"Nightmares" I state shrugging my shoulders.

"The usual nightmares?" He questions

"Erm, no. Last night's was, well, different"

He sips his coffee and waits, giving me time to decide if I want to elaborate.

"I dreamt of that night, the night we left the Manor"

He looks uncomfortable for a moment but quickly recovers. He nods slowly.

"It was memories, probably brought on by my birthday. And it reminded me of the sacrifices that you and Ben made to protect me. I don't think I ever thanked you for that Michael. You both left your homes to travel to the other side of the world, to keep me safe" I look down and my hands and let my finger trace the birthmark I keep hidden from the world.

"It was no sacrifice, your majesty." I look up at his words. "Your mother was my best friend. We grew up together from birth. I was assigned to be her personal guard when I was just fifteen years old and I vowed never to leave her side. She helped me find my mate and then she held me together when my mate died. When she asked me to take you, I said no because I didn't think I was worthy of such a task, but your mum said she couldn't trust anyone else. That I was to protect the most precious thing in her life, you. She couldn't have bestowed a greater honour on me. When she died I was devastated. Losing a mate and a best friend within a year of each other is enough to turn a wolf mad. But you kept me going. I had a purpose. You saved my life, as much as I saved yours."

I smile sadly. "Well thank you. You succeeded. I reached my eighteenth birthday. Now it's my turn to protect you and all the packs loyal to my mother and our Goddess Luna."

"Let's not think about that today, let's just celebrate" he pats my hand and rises from his chair, walking over to the pantry and disappearing behind the door. A few moments later he is back and sliding a carved wooden box in front of me.

"What is this?" I ask, surprised.

"It's a present from your mother. I was to give it to you on this day if she couldn't. It was very important to her and she wanted you to have it, she said you would find it helpful in the coming months. I must get to the packhouse, Ben will escort you to school today. I will see you this evening." He bows his head slightly and my wolf purrs at his submission.

"Goodbye" I reply to his retreating back.

I stare at the box in front of me. The box itself is carved from oak and is smooth to the touch. Two wolves dancing under a full moon are carved into the lid. It looks old but very well cared for. I vaguely remember seeing this box when I was younger but cannot recall what was inside. I flip the catch on the front and gently lift the lid. Inside is an old leather-bound book tied with thin strips of lace. Scents of lily and jasmine emerge from the pages as I lift the book from its sanctuary. Tears gather in my eyes. The scent of my mother, so comforting yet sorrowful. A scent I didn't think I would ever smell again.

Opening the cover I start to read the first page, it is a list of contents. The first being 'Elements'. Scanning the list i see simple titles indicating different elemental spells. My mother left me her grimoire. My smile splits my face in half. I thought I would have to figure it out on my own. How to harness the elements and cast magic but my mother has ensured I am not alone and she is there to help me, even from beyond the grave.

"Ava! Get in the car i'll be two minutes" Ben shouts from upstairs.

I place the book back in the box, intent on reading it later and pick up my bag and coat. I make my way to Fin's car and get in, my smile still firmly in place.

The rest of my birthday was a muted and somewhat quiet affair. My friends accosted me in homeroom, showering me with cards, presents and a lot of omega love. They took me for ice cream after school and accompanied me when I went to buy the dress I'd had my eye on for weeks. They drove me home afterwards and wished me the happiest of birthdays. I entered a silent empty home and napped on the sofa awaiting Michael and Ben's return. They had texted me earlier saying they were held up preparing for Fins inauguration in two days and that Sol had made it impossible for them to get away. That I was to use the safe room if I got even the faintest scent of a wolf near the house. When they returned not half an hour later they shuffled me off to my room to get ready. I showered and straightened my hair, added a small amount of makeup and wriggled into my new dress. Evan had bought me a new pair of silver dolly pumps and Kate and Drew had combined their money to buy me a silver locket both of which matched the dress perfectly.

Now back in the living room, Michael herded us into the car and we made our way to the nicest restaurant in town. A beautiful italian bistro owned and run by Kates Nonna Grace, who had met her American mate when he was on vacation in Venice.

Aware of my special day, Grace shows us to her best table, decorated with candles and confetti in the shape of the number eighteen.

"Thank you Grace" Michael says and she beams at me.

"Nothing but the best for our beautiful Ava. Get settled and I bring the menus" she tells us happily in her thick Italian accent.

We all seat ourselves and Ben pours me some water from the jug already placed in the middle of the table.

"So birthday girl, I have something for you." Ben says to my left, pushing a badly wrapped gift in front of me. It's about the size of a shoebox. "Probably best you open it at home though" he states winking. I giggle, realising it's not something he would want other patrons of the restaurant witnessing.

"Thanks big bro" I say, winking back.

Grace returns with menus and we all spent a few minutes deciding what to order.

"I'm going to have steak. It is all I have wanted for days" I decide.

"Same" Ben grunts

"Guess we're all on the same meal" Michael says, getting the server's attention.

The server, a younger boy from school whose name I believe is Ricky reaches us and takes out his order pad.

"Three steaks, rare with all the trimmings please" Michael states, ordering for us all.

"No problem, Gamma Michael. I'll put it through now" he replies leaving immediately.

We chat about my day, school and my shopping trip with my friends. Ben tells me about the plans for Fins ceremony the day after tomorrow and asks that I accept Sol's request to work the event. Knowing that both Michael as current Gamma and Ben as future Beta will have to be in attendance and with the Alpha's for the evening, they want me inside with them instead of celebrating outside with the rest of the pack, where I will be unprotected.

"Actually Ava, can you work tomorrow as well? Fin and Heather are having an intimate dinner with some friends. You won't have to cook, just serve drinks."

"Well.." I say placing my chin in my hand "I'll have to consult my diary but I think I'm free" they laugh good naturedly at me knowing I have zero plans.

Once the meal is over, we head home. Sitting in the back of Michael's car, I realise I am disappointed that I didn't meet him today. I think in the back of my mind, I had hoped I would. It's rare to meet your mate on the day of your eighteenth birthday unless they belong to the same pack and as I know i'll more than likely be mated to an alpha, as history dictates, it is highly unlikely in the first place. Perhaps we will meet in a couple of days at Fins ceremony, plenty of alphas will be in attendance then. I pray it's not Alpha Garrett, he threw a fork at me a couple of months ago, he missed hitting me but he's still an obnoxious prick. No, Luna wouldn't pair me with someone like that. He would have to be kind to win my heart. An alpha who sees the best in everyone, who sees a person's potential before they figure it out for themselves. A man with depth, intellect and a really good sense of humour.

"Luna" I pray silently "please give me a kind mate. Someone who will love me with his whole heart and never let me down". I hope she hears my plea.