Adens Omega

Lucas(POV) 1

The steady drip and splash of water hit my face. I sat upright a puddle had formed next to me. Looking up, I see the unmistakable steady ripple of water above me. I followed it to the window. It's raining. I have no idea what the time is, but I know it couldn't be long now before I'm summoned to go make breakfast. After all, it's my duty. I lay there curled up against the scratchy wool blanket provided my back aches. My wolf stirs within me. He's quite quieter than he's ever been. My scent glands burn, begging for something I know will never come. I make do with what I have. It isn't much. I managed to pull myself up right using the bucket of clean water I managed to set aside last night after training. I gently dabbed at my face, arms and pits. Unfortunately, showers are a luxury I can't afford. My father tells me it's about being a man or something like that, not that I would know what that means he would say. After all, I'm something that shouldn't exist, but don't worry, he has a plan for me. I will grow out of it. I will grow out of it. I hope he is right. I opened the door and made my way into the pack kitchen. I have to make breakfast for about 28 people. I like cooking, and I am good at it. That's probably why they still allow me to do it on top of all my other duties. I grab the dozen eggs, and take some sausages out of the freezer. Everyone needs protein in the morning, whether that is the Alpha himself or the Beta or Delta. Being wolves, we metabolize fast and hard, and our bodies better digest protein. But given we are still 1/2 human, that does also mean that we need glucose. So I take out a loaf of bread to make toast and then pull out the batter to make pancakes, and I get to work. I make the sausages first, then the pancakes. The smell of cooked meat fills the space, goddess, I wish I could have some, my mouth waters. I then prepare the eggs. Today they're scrambled and after some of the sausages are done, I will chop one up super fine and mix it into the eggs. If I had ham I would use that but alas, I don't.

It takes me about 45 minutes to get everything on the table, just in time as my father comes down the stairs. I step back against the dining room wall and keep my head down. Please, please like breakfast.

I grab the coffee pot, and as he sits, I pour his coffee. Black, two sugars. My hands shake slightly, but I don’t spill a single drop. Moments later, my father’s Beta, Gamma, and Delta follow. Horgen already has an iPad in his hands, reading what I assume to be today’s reports. Glade is pulling on his white coat, his MD badge secured to the front. They both sit as Eric came in from outside; he was with the early morning training deltas. With the weather happening outside, I know today will be a running kind of day—and we’ll be crawling in the mud.

I look at my feet. My boot is already coming loose at the toe, and without even being outside, I can feel my socks getting wet. My room hardly has insulation. The window leaks and doesn’t hold warmth, meaning if I want dry socks for tomorrow, I’ll have to leave them in the kitchen tonight to dry—or wear wet socks and risk athlete’s foot. I will not be going through that again. I plate their food, as well as for the others trickling in. I watch all the food I made over the last hour be consumed. My stomach cramps so hard. I am so, so hungry. But like the other deltas on probation, I can’t eat until all leadership has finished. Besides, this meal isn’t suited for me anyway.

My wolf whines and stirs within me. I know, I know. But food is food. Even if my body metabolizes fowl better than beast, those eggs look so, so good. I continue to serve and even end up making another set of food as the leadership tears into everything.

By the end, I am left with nothing more than a single spoonful of the burnt eggs, a 1/2 piece of toast and 3 sausages. It's not enough, not even close. But if I am to make it through training I need it.

“Lucas,” I hear Alpha Zade say, his voice full of indifference.

I walk over, my head down, but he grabs me by the hair anyway and yanks, nearly pulling a whimper from me. I clamp down on it hard.

“You still smell like a f*****g omega.” A growl rumbles deep in his throat. “Why won’t you be a delta already! Fine. If you want to be that way, then Eric will run you through Devil’s Gorge today. Maybe this will teach you to be a proper man, a proper son of my bloodline.”

My stomach drops. No. Oh no. Not Devil’s Gorge.

Devil’s Gorge is a three-mile training course. I’ve run it so, so many times, and each time something inside me breaks. It leaves me covered in mud afterward. It leaves me shaking. And since I usually run it alone, it leaves me feeling so, so alone. Omegas aren’t supposed to be isolated. Omegas aren’t built for delta training. My glands are already screaming. I desperately want to be scented—so, so badly. Just for someone, anyone, to tell my wolf he’s safe. That this will pass. That I can rest.

“Yes, Alpha. Thank you, Alpha.” It’s all I can make myself say. What more is there?