The Unwanted Omega

Chapter1

One year ago

It's hard to believe that the day has finally come. It's Chelsea's eighteenth birthday, and Kael's anticipation is almost too much to bear.

He's handed the picnic basket to David, filled with sandwiches, drinks, and her favorite flowers.

But wait, he's forgotten the blanket!

He rushes into the hallway and flings open the door to the spare room, frantically searching for the blanket he purchased a few weeks prior. He's certain it's somewhere in here.

He needs to take a moment to collect himself. If he continues at this pace, he's likely to forget something crucial. Tonight has to be impeccable. There's no room for errors; everything must go according to plan.

The weather couldn't be more perfect - exactly as the human weatherman had forecasted. Kael was on the verge of losing his patience, having to listen to the same old man going on about the humidity. Do they honestly believe others can't figure it out for themselves?

He checks his phone to ensure that the party he's planned will go off without a hitch. He only gets one shot at this tonight; his fated mate only turns eighteen once, and it must be perfect.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Enter," he replies. As he pockets his phone and steps into the hallway, Chelsea enters the entrance hall. "You look breathtaking!"

It's an automatic response. His inner wolf can't help but admire her radiant beauty. A sense of satisfaction washes over him as he watches a blush color her cheeks a soft pink.

"Hello to you, too," she giggles, tucking a strand of her long, ice-blonde hair behind her ear. "You seem a bit frazzled. Is there something you're looking forward to?" she queries.

He rolls his eyes and pulls her close. Her sweet aroma sends a chill down his spine. Instinctively, he knows her heat is near. It must be just a few days away. He leans in and kisses her. The moment their lips meet, her body relaxes and yields in his arms.

Kissing Chelsea is akin to experiencing the warmth of sunshine. Her rapid breathing transitions into a gentle sigh of passion as Kael continues to kiss her. She steps back, ending the kiss.

"No, no," she says, her face a blend of playful smiles and bashful giggles. "You promised we'd spend time together before my big party."

"Isn't this a well-spent time?" Kael asks, brushing his nose against the soft skin beneath her ear. "Because from my perspective, I'm thoroughly enjoying myself," he whispers, hoping she'll allow him to get closer.

Chelsea's hand is on his chest, her palm resting on his sternum, exerting a gentle pressure to keep some distance. "I think you're overestimating your allure, Kael."

A smirk forms on his lips and he can't hold back a soft laugh. "With you as my destined mate, I believe I'm quite extraordinary."

There it is again; the blush that paints her cheeks, making him fall deeper for her each time he sees it.

"Are we going for a run, or do I have to stand here all night listening to your playful jabs?" she playfully complains, her lower lip protruding in a pout.

Everything about her is delicate and pink: her cheeks, her lips, the tip of her adorable nose, the flush spreading down her neck and across her chest.

God, he can't wait to be hers.

"Sure, let's go," he responds, peeling off his clothes and tossing them into the bag he uses for their runs. "Hand them over."

She blinks at him shyly, as if they don't do this every time they need to shift. She quickly discards her clothes and stands before him, completely naked. He can't help but gaze at her perfect body.

She hands him her clothes, her blue eyes averted, and he stifles a chuckle as he shoves her clothes into the makeshift backpack.

"If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll keep my eyes closed until you shift," he offers, his gaze fixed on the zipper that keeps getting caught on a piece of fabric in the bag.

He retreats to his room to fetch the picnic blanket, carefully concealing it so she won't notice. He had texted David earlier to assist him in setting things up so he wouldn't have to carry food during their run.

When Kael emerges, Chelsea remains wordless. He gives her time, allowing her to process. Her silence stretches for a moment, and just when he starts to wonder if she'll agree, he hears her take a deep breath.

"No," she releases on the exhale, a bit of the built-up tension deflating with it. "We 'are' fated mates. It would be odd if I felt shy around you for any reason. Just- I don't know, perhaps try not to stare?"

Kael chuckles at her remark and casually throws the bag over his shoulder. "You got it."

He glances up at her, and despite her nakedness and his intense longing for her, it feels as if he's swallowing tension. Her bashful smile instantly draws his gaze to her face. Her features are so tender, so fragile. She's like a dream come to life.

"Let's go," he suggests, offering his hand for her to hold.

She intertwines her fingers with his, and it feels just right. It's as if the universe crafted their hands from the same piece of bone, their fingers designed to fill the gaps left when they were apart.

They depart from his house and transform into their wolf forms almost immediately as their feet touch the grass. Running beside her in wolf form feels as monumental as holding her hand in his.

They dart through the trees, outpacing the birds soaring above them. Kael releases a yelp of exhilaration, breathless with the thrill, internally laughing at the liberating sensation. The wind whistles past them, their paws rhythmically thumping on the ground, akin to thunder echoing through a cloud of dust stirred up from the forest floor.

When they're within proximity of the spot he'd chosen for their picnic, he veers off. She trails behind him seamlessly, huffing just a tad.

They finally reach their destination, and it's precisely how he'd pictured it.

The clearing is darker, cooler than the rest of the forest enveloping them. The sky overhead is an infinite black canvas, dotted with twinkling silver stars here and there. The full moon beams brightly above them, perfectly highlighting Chelsea's surprise.

Chelsea shifts back into her human form, and Kael follows, both panting slightly from their run.

"What is this?" she breathes out, the stars mirrored in her eyes as she gazes up at the night sky.