Beta Luna’s Revenge

My Despair

The kitchen hummed with activity as Misty walked in the back door looking for something sweet to take her mind off the taunting she had just endured. In the far corner of the room was the dish washing station. Piledat least three feet high were a conglomerate and dirty plates, bowls, cups, and utensils.The person surrounded by all of those dishes, was Corra a lowly Omega who had just had her shifting ceremony a year prior to Misty and Donovan. Corra was part of a powerful warrior pack family, yet during her ceremony, she was found not only to be an Omega,but a wolfless one at that. Many taunted her by calling her slurs, pushing her around and saying things like "Too bad we have to be stuck with a worthless human. Misty's thoughts drifting back to her shifting ceremony just weeks ago. A fleeting smile danced across her lips. Unlike Corra who was found to be wolfless, Misty still stood a chance at climbing the ranks,or at least avoiding dish duty. She swiped a clean plate from the side right side of Corra and spotted Corra's disheveled appearance, methodically wiping down the each dish like a whirlwind of newfound authority.

“Corra!” Misty called out, joining her at the sink, where the clatter of silverware mingled with the sound of bubbling water. Corra looked up, beads of swat dripping down her forehead. “Hey, uh,Misty,” Corra replied, a flicker of surprise breaking through her fatigue. She paused, letting the soapy water drip from her hands. “Everything okay?”

Misty leaned against the edge of the sink, her expression softening. “I was just… thinking about how different things are now. It feels like yesterday we were both nervous about our first shifts.” Corra smiled faintly, the corners of her lips barely lifting. “Yeah, well, I guess I thought I’d be something more spectacular.” She shrugged as she plunged her hands back into the mix. Misty flicked a soapy bubble off her wrist, her heart aching at the raw vulnerability in Corra’s voice. “You are spectacular. Just because you don't have a wolf doesn't mean you're any less special and important to the pack. Corra let out a snort in response. "Yeah,sure. Who else are they going to use to clean up their mess. I know... What about the pathetic useless human." Corra mocked the slur she's been called since that most uneventful night a year ago.

Misty’s fingers twitched at the sting of Corra's words. The realization that the same thing could happen to her if it wasn't for Donovan. But then again, she has a wolf. “Corra, don’t say that,” Misty insisted, the warmth in her voice undercut by urgency. “You’re more than just a name they call. You were raised as a warrior family. You have strength and skills that you can wield.” Corra dipped her head slightly, her coily hair falling over her eyes as she scrubbed the remaining residue off a plate. “They don’t see that. All they see is someone who couldn’t shift into their wolf,” Corra mumbled, her voice drowning in the sound of clinking dishes. Some luck my birth right brought me. At least if I was born to a family... Omegas, then it wouldn't sting so bad. Misty bristled at the melancholy threading through Corra's words. “You think I wanted to shift into that little fluff ball? Do you think I enjoy being looked down on by everyone?” “I wasn’t saying that,” Corra shot back, a hint of defensiveness rising in her tone as she stacked plates with precision. “But at least you have the chance to be someone. To be with someone. Misty you've been given a gift. You found your true mate earlier than most. You have security and a wolf! The only way I will ever rise from the dishes is to find my true mate! Misty... I,I don't know if I ever will."

Misty’s heart sank at Corra’s words. The kitchen suddenly felt charged with an unspoken bond of sorrow. “Look, I know it’s frustrating. Donovan and I...” she hesitated as the weight of her words loomed over her, overshadowed by the intensity of her own turmoil.

“I know it feels like I have everything,” Misty said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. “But it’s not what it seems. Donovan, he’s caught up in all this.” Misty exhaled, the familiar tension twisting in her stomach. "I see how he is around his friends. They cheer for him; he’s the shining star. I wonder if he even wants to be with me anymore.”

Corra paused, the glimmer of dirty water catching the light as she lifted her gaze to Misty. “That’s crazy, Misty. He’s never just looked at anyone the way he looks at you. They’re just jealous of what you two share.” Misty fidgeted with the necklace Donovan had gifted her, the pendant suddenly feeling heavier around her neck.

“Maybe they’re right,” Misty murmured, her eyes drifting to the floor, where the tiles reflected the chaos of her thoughts. “He deserves someone…someone powerful, someone who can stand tall beside him.” Misty’s voice trembled slightly, and Corra frowned, setting aside the last plate with determination. “Misty, don’t underestimate your worth." Misty's bottom lip started to quover "You...it's just so scary to think about you know?!" “Scary?” Corra echoed, her brow furrowing as she prepared for a deeper conversation. “What’s truly scary is letting that fear hold you back. He might be the top of the food chain, but you have something he needs too.”

Misty scoffed, the bitterness souring her thoughts. “And what might that be? My status as a lowly Omega? Corra stepped closer, water dripping from her hands. “No. Your heart, your kindness. He’s not just some mindless soon to be Beta; he feels things too. You think he enjoys all that pressure? The expectations? It's all on his shoulders, and you... you are the anchor he needs.”

Misty glanced at Corra, her incredulity evident. “An anchor? I don 't know, Corra. I feel like I’m sinking. Every time he celebrates his victories, it's like I'm invisible. Everything we had seems overshadowed by this ridiculous standard that I can’t meet .Corra shook her head, a mixture of frustration and sympathy etched across her face. “You’re not invisible, Misty. Trust me. I see that spark in you—the one that shines brighter than any title or rank. He sees it too; he just needs you to remind him that it’s there.”

Misty shook her head, wrestling between hope and despair. “But what if I can't remind him? What if I falter when he needs me the most?” Corra stepped closer, gripping Misty’s arm firmly. “Then you learn from it. You adapt and rise again. Misty, we’re all learning. You think everyone around him is perfect? No one is. Every warrior, every leader, has their doubts; they just hide them better.” Misty drew in a shaky breath, the tension in her chest tightening.

“But what if I’m not strong enough? Look at you, Corra. You’ve weathered so much and still..." Trust me what I do and what Ive become has been dictated to me for over a year. But you have options. You have Donovan."With those words, Corra started getting choked up. She wiped her nose and turned back to the sink full of dishes. "Now if you would excuse me, these dishes won't clean themselves.