Blessed Curse

New Beginnings

1. “Blake, this is where we belong. Don’t put shame on your family.” My mother pleaded. But at this moment, her pleads fell on deaf ears. I’ve had enough of the a***e.

Living here, in the Kona Wind pack has been hard. Omega's are limited in their doings. We’re allowed to work where we choose, but we are never allowed any freedoms apart from that. Everything came to us third hand. And even then, they were shreds of nothing. We were nothing more than sewer rats in the eyes of everyone who was not an omega.

Everyone who is not an omega is always taunting us, trying to rouse us up to get some sort of reaction. Just to see us get whipped. It was a high for them to see us punished. If that didn’t work, they’d find their own ways to hurt us or harass us to the point that we’d submit completely. Taking delight in our pain and suffering. The a***e we receive ranged between verbal to even borderline s****l. And sadly, no one says or does anything to seek help.

Everything and anything we omega’s do is never enough, yet without us, the entire pack would starve or live like peasants. No one in the higher seats ever lifted a finger to clean, cook or fix anything. So it was the cold truth that they’d never survive if not for us omegas.

Our pack was but a small one. Located on the west of the Big Island, our land wasn’t overly rich. What we omega’s were able to do was against many others efforts in past times. Higher up in the mountains of the Leeward side, our pack looked to be of decent standards. I’ve heard of rich packs and their rich lands, we were not even close to them. But in its own way, take away the Alpha and his loyal followers, it had its charm.

Our Alpha, if you will call him that, is an old-wait let me rephrase that-he is an ancient man. He is stuck in his ways, and thinks that modernizing life is unnecessary. Cutting us off from the outside world. So we live in a world with minimal technology and definitely no comforts of modern living. Technology and communication with the outside world are frowned upon. He chose but a few to fetch necessities from the nearby small city like town of Kailua Kona. No one else was ever allowed to leave.

The passing of the Alpha seat and title was to have been done some five or so years ago, but rumor has it is that the Alpha isn’t fond of his sons taking the seat, so he hasn’t passed it down. His son Galen wasn’t a complete a*s, but he was an a*s. Theo was a complete and utter pig. Just like his father. He craved the pain of others, and it was sickening. We omega’s always feared that if the Alpha position was passed down, that it would be him to take it. Their youngest, Ryder, was much younger than the two older ones. She was still but a pup, only eleven. But you could always see the mature-like ways in the way that she presented herself. She will make a beautiful Luna someday.

We have roughly two hundred pack members. More then a hundred are omega's. Or what I've come to call us, slaves. The rest of the members are only a step ahead of the omega’s due to the a*s kissing that they do to the Alpha.

As an honorary member of Alpha's club, you bare his personal branding. The brand is a full moon with a wolf on it’s hind legs, howling into the air. It’s done like cattle branding and it’s one of the stupidest things I have ever witnessed a person pleading to bare. It’s a disgusting thing, but, without it, you are the lowest of the lows. You are only an omega.

The Alpha, his wife, our Luna, Luna Aza and their three children have held the pack together by a thread. If not for us omega's and our crafty, handy ways, this sad excuse of a pack would whither to nothing but dirt.

*sigh* “Mama, no. I’m done. I’m sorry. You and Erik can stay, I wish you wouldn’t, but I will no longer put up with being treated less than a rat. If a rogue is what I become, so be it. It’s better then being treated as we are.”

I ran through the closet of a room that I share with my brother, gathering my belongings. I hear a sniffle and a pause. Closing my eyes, unable to face my mother's disappointed look, “I love you Ma. Know that I always will.” I packed the cell phone that I had found in the woods and jumped out the pack house window, unsure of what is to come.

I’ve pleaded with my mother, pleaded with her to come with me. Or to let me take Devon, my brother, however, like our Alpha, she is stuck in the ways of old. It’s all she knows and hasn't been able see past her own two hands. It saddens me that she’s unable to see the a***e, to see the disrespect, not just from the members, but the Alpha as well. I toss my bag, shift and take off with my bag and belongings in my mouth. Silently promising to come back for my mother and younger brother one day.

*********

“Hey, do you work here?” Someone asks as I jot down inventory here at the grocery store I work at. “Yes ma'am. How may I help you?” I ask.

I turn and see a young girl, sixteen maybe seventeen perusing the wall of womens care items on the opposite wall from me.

“Um-I-uh,” she stops and puts her head in her hands, looking embarrassed and scared all together. I try to lessen her fear and embarrassment, “Hey, it’s alright. You’re not the only one that comes here for this.” I say. However, she still hides behind her hands as she rubs her face.

WikiStop is located between two of the larger towns. Our store caters to the younger generation, and isusually the one stop shop for the young females who have found themselves in a sticky situation. I’ve worked here six months now and have seen it all. This aisle though, the girls go through here for either condoms, pregnancy tests or the day after pill. Each on of them all with the same expression written all over their faces.

I wait patiently as she sucks in a big breath then exhales, “Thanks. I-I don’t know which one to grab-“ Poor girl. I try to assist, portraying no judgments. Though I think my silence wasn't convincing enough so I attempt using my words, hoping I don't make her feel worst. “Hey, no judgments here. Okay?” I smile.

“Thank you. I need a pregnancy test. I don’t know them. I-I’ve never done this before.” Goddess I felt for her. From what I can feel, she’s a wolf. Like I said, sixteen maybe seventeen.

As I stare at her, I notice she’s quite pretty. Her short dark hair was a bit unruly. Little strands being held at bay by pins. Framing her innocent looking round face. Her eyes were dark. If I’d put a color to it, i’d say almost obsidian. Her lips when she pouts puckered cutely, that if I was looking for a companion, I’d give her a shot just because of those lips. She wasn’t girly girly, which was a nice refresher. She wasn’t tall either, but she was physically fit. Had the body of someone who trained often.

“So, do you know which one I should buy?” I am taken out of my gaze by her question. Luckily her eyes were on the wall of items, it would have been embarrassing if she caught me checking her out, when really I wasn’t. Just appreciating a girl who looked like the finer things isn’t all she cared about. She looked simple. In a good way.

“I can’t say exactly which is the best, but this one here seems to be the one that sells.” I say as I reach over her to grab the CompleteOne pregnancy test.

Just as I do I felt my wolf perk his nose. *Oli, what’s wrong?* I link my wolf. *I don’t know but-* and then we smelt it. Ocean breeze with a hint of fresh coconut oil. It was all consuming. The scent caused my mouth to salivate, and my heart to thump faster. I was looking for a new life but never concidered finding a mate.

I gulp the fear and anxiety down as my eyes slowly look around. When my eyes and nose finally finds it's target, I couldn't speak. Her voice left me in a complete trance. “C’mon Lia We’ve been gone from the pack grounds long enough. Your father will come looking for us. s**t, mine is probably out hunting for me as we speak. Now let’s go!”

*Mate...what are you wating for? Claim her.* He chants. I wince as my wolf tries to push through. For a moment, everything disappeared. *MATE* my wolf Oli whined again. I could literally feel his excitement and and if he and I weren’t friends, he’d have immediately taken over by now. *Oli, no. We cannot just claim her. We are lone wolves. Rules are different.* I scold as he still tries to push forward. He pouts but listens, letting his displeasure flow off of him in waves, letting me know exactly what and how he feels.

“Okay, uh-thanks for your help.” I hear the customer I was helping say. Still unable to break my attention away from the soul who now owns my heart and soul, I nod. Just nod.

When they turn to exit my aisle, there was a pinch in my heart. My hand flew to my heart, s**t! she doesn’t know. She hasn’t phased yet. s**t! I’m her mate and she doesn’t know.

In a flurry of thoughts, I drop my product scanner and run after them. I at least needed to know her name. Just so I can thank the Moon Goddess for her blessings and maybe at a later time, I can find the balls to see her again.

I catch up with them just as they paid and turned to the neighboring entrance-exit. Unsure and not thinking, I called out, “hey, wait.” The girl, if I heard right, her name was Lia, turned. The other girl, my mate, her head was on a swivel. Looking at everyone and everything but me. She looked panicked. Realizing now how unprepared I was, I I started to panic, what the hell was I suppose to say or ask? I’ve never done this before. Crap.

“Hey, dude? You okay?” the girl Lia calls out and smiles and in and absolute horrifying moment; I blurt out something that caused me to internally groan in shame, “Um yeah-you need help with that?”

It took all but two point three seconds before both girls started to laugh. Tear pooling, piss worthy, laughing. I cringed at my stupidity, “I-no that’s not what I meant. Let me start over. Hi, im Blake. Do you need the pharmacist to go through the instructions with you?” I say as I try to salvage what dignity I had left. Lia finishes laughing and smiles, “Thanks, but no. I think the box is self explanatory. I’m sorry we have to go. See you around Blake.” I smile back, unsure how to proceed from this point so I return the smile and take one last look at my mate. This could be the last time I see her.

I went to pivot, sadly might I add, when an angelic voice spoke. “Hey!” The angel of a voice calls out. I turn and the most beautiful set of brown-light brown eyes I've ever seen meet mine. At only a few feet apart, I was unsure how to respond. I waas literally at a loss of words.

Then, I bow. Why did I bow? *Because her aura says too.* My wolf Oli says. So I listen to him and bow. “No-don’t-hey no please don’t do that.” I stand upright and quirk my head to the side in confusion. “You are a wolf? Right?” I say sure but unsure. “Yes, but please don’t draw attention. I didn’t mean too-I’m usually quite skilled at keeping my aura down, but you...” she says eyeing me. “Why is it with you, it’s pushing to be free?” I gulp feeling her nobility flow off of her. “My wolf, he’s confused milady. I apologize. It’s nothing. I am truly sorry.” Once again her aura pulsed and I bare my neck in submission. My wolf follows suit. Any other time, I'd be angry and embarrassed, this is a position I've been in far too many times. But with her, I feel proud to bare my neck too.

I hear her gasp. “Please you don’t need to submit. Im sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I’m still working on controlling my....I’m Naomi.”

I was still unsure what the hell is happening so I bow slightly, “Pleasure to meet you Naomi.” She smiles, a kind smile, one I know will forever be engraved in my mind. “Have we met before?” She asks. “No, I’m new here. I’m from the Kona Wind pack. I-I am a lone wolf.” I say as she gasps. “You’re a rogue?” She hushly says, stepping forward. “You don’t smell like one, nor do you look like one. How is this?” She asks as her eyes scan me from head to toe. Her aura pulsating around me once more. “That’s why my aura was on edge. You aren’t linked to a pack.” It’s like she answers her own question.

“I am-was an omega. My old Alpha was cruel and I had enough. So I left. I built a new life as a lone wolf.” I mean, I know of rogues and what they are. But I am not one. I refuse to be labeled as one too.

Naomi's eyes continue to scan me; when she is done, she speaks, "A lone wolf? You are rare, you know that right?” her eyebrow raised in question.

I chuckle, “Yes. But my mind and heart is strong. Plus, my wolf and I have mutual respect for one another and we work well together.”

“Huh-amazing.” Just then I see her tense. “s**t-I have to go. My fathers are freaking out. If you get a chance, check out the Puna pack. It wont disappoint. Tell them princess Naomi grants you permission to enter. Ask for Alpha Jay.” She says as she and Lia takes off running towards the forest.

Did I just hear that? Princess Naomi? As in the Royal King Dom, King Maika, King Alaric’s and Luna Queen Makana’s daughter, Princess Naomi? She’s my mate?! Holy f**k!

My mind swarmed with uncertainty. There was no way this would be accepted. That I would be accepted. That she would accept an omega, a lone wolf with no pack, as a mate. Goddess why would you bless me and curse me?

My wolf whines as we watch her distance herself from us. With each passing second, our breaths come in slightly shallower. *We must go and see this pack she speaks of. We have to see mate.* Oli says. I give him a nod just as I see her turn one last time to look back at me. She gives one last smile then disappears into the thick of the forest.

******

I moved into my studio apartment this past week and it felt so good to be independent. To be free from orders, any Alpha’s over bearing yells and orders.

My new place was small. Five hundred square feet but it had everything I’d need. A kitchenette area with a two burner stove. A apartment sized fridge and freezer combo. The sink was small, but it’s only me here. So it’ll do.

The one large room that will serve as my bedroom and living room, I’ve still yet to decorate, but so far I was able to find a cheap bed at a moving sale, a dresser and mirror combo and a few little tables and chairs to put together as a dining area s***h work station. It wasn’t grandiose by any means, but it was mine.

The bathroom was a bit of a problem. It was small. For me, extra small. I wasn’t Kingly big, but I wasn’t no human size either. My six foot one inch height had to bend forward in the shower, if not my head would hit the ceiling. If I stood straight and bend my neck forward, the back of my neck flushed up against the ceiling. That’s how low the ceiling was. Thankfully I wasn’t a tub guy because there was none. The sink was a little corner sink that even my hands were too big for. So I decided to just do my morning routines at the kitchen sink. The toilet, well all I can say about that is if you like being hugged, that’s your spot. Even at a humans size your shoulders touch the wall on one side and the shower curtain on the opposite. But, like I said, its mine. I worked hard for this and with this comes my freedom. And I wouldn’t trade it up for nothing.

It’s been little over six months since I’ve left my old pack. I speak to my mother once a week and it’s usually quite late at night. I’ve sent a cell phone with instructions to assure she tucks it away when not being used and so far, it seems to be going good.

My abandonment of the Kona Wind pack seems to have caused the Alpha to put extra effort in creating new ways to make life hell. Which only increased my urgency to build enough cash to bring my mom and brother here, with me.

My brother was put into solitary confinement because he tried to defend my mother when she fainted due to being over worked. The guard lifted her roughly and broke her arm. My brother attacked the guard in turn they arrested him. He only caused more problems when he wouldn’t shut up, and stop taunting all the higher ranking guards. So they put him into solitary confinement and he’s been there for four days now, I had to figure out a way to get them out. This isn’t right.

*

I was stocking the shelves when I felt a tap on my shoulder. My face lit up when I see it's a familiar face, “Hey Lia. How have you been?” I ask, reaching out to shake her hand. My eyes scanning around for Naomi. “Good. Not pregnant. So excellent actually.” We both laugh and she continues, “I know this is forward, but, you wanna hang out sometime. There’s a wolf bar down a few blocks. Maybe catch a drink?” I smile, “Yeah, sure. Here, put your number in. I’ll text you and you let me know when.” Her smile spreads brightly and I couldn’t help but return it.

“I was afraid to ask, you know, with me coming in a couple weeks ago, to yeah-“ I chuckle, “like I said, no judgement here. I’ve got my fair share of stupid moments.” She giggles and when I look at her I could see it. She was going to try to get with me. It’s the look a female who is out on the prowl gives, one of fake shyness; with a level of flirting within that shyness to speak volumes on their intentions. I was not highly familiar with the opposite s*x and their antics, but seven months working here and I’ve learned a ton.

Sigh. “Lia, before you-before you get ahead of yourself, I want to make sure you understand something okay?” I speak low and kindly, not wanting to anger her or cause her to think that I was judging her. She smiles and nods. “I’ve found my mate. We-we are still figuring it out. But I am sorry. I can’t be that kind of company for you. I’d still love to be your friend and have that drink, if you’ll still have me. But friendship is all I can offer.” Her shoulders sag and tears pool in her eyes. “Hey, no don’t cry. I’m sorry.” She hugs me softly, not in a needy-grabby way at all. Just enough tightness to say she was sorry for coming at me like that. When she pulls away she looks up to me, a whole new look to her, “this girl, she’s is a lucky one. You’re a good guy Blake. And yes, I’d love to have you as a friend as well as that drink.”

She puts her number in my phone and leaves, promising she’ll keep in contact once I send her my number. I figure why not send it now and shoot off a text, ‘Hey Blake here.’ I hear her laughing, then yells, from another part of the store, “Got it!”

If not for finding my mate, I’d have loved to date Lia. She was sweet. A bit risque but sweet. I get the feeling there hides a story to why she is the way she is, but I won’t push until she’s ready to talk about it. As friends.

*******

“Blake, you have a call on line one. Blake, call, line one.” I hear my name being called over the intercom in the store. I rush to the back wall, near the employees break room, answering the phone. “Hello, this is Blake.” I say into the receiver. “Blake, it’s-it’s Devon; Mom-she’s dead.”

My wolf howled as my heart broke and shattered. My knees fell out from under me and I collapsed onto the floor, still holding the phone. “Blake?” I hear my brother calling. Endless flow of tears poured out of my eyes as I tried to find any words. “How?” I sob. “She was doing the laundry, I swear I just left to go get the linens that needed to be done, when I got back she was laying on the ground. I called for help, I screamed for anyone to send for the doctor, but no one came. Blake, she died in my arms.”

My brother sobbed as I’ve been. His pain was so much more then mine. We both loved our mother. I knew this would traumatized Devon for the rest of his life. To have your mother die in your arms. “I’m so sorry Devon. I’ll be back soon. It’s a six hour drive by bus, I’ll handle her funeral.”

I close my eyes as I hear Devons unwavering cries. “I-I’ve been disbanded from the pack. I have to leave in less then an hour. I’ll be at Mr. Waiki’s.” I clear my thoughts and tears, square my shoulders. I knew that right now is the absolute worst day of my life but I have teenage brother who needs me, I needed to be the adult now. “You will come to live with me. I’ll train you to become a lone wolf like me. You have two more years to meet your wolf, but in that time, I’ll help you so you can survive.” He hiccups, “Okay.” We talk about my itinerary and estimated time arrival and we hang up.

It takes me five minutes to gather my strength, my thoughts and my will to keep going. I head to my bosses office and take in a deep breath, awaiting to be let go because of the request I must make.

*Knock-Knock* I knock on her door and wait for her to call me in. It took a little while, but soon after she opens the door, and beckons me in. “What can I-“ She stopped mid sentence when she saw my state. I tried to look presentable, but by the sadness on her face I knew I failed. “Are you okay Blake?” She reaches for me and pulls me into a hug.

“Truth? No. My brother just called, my mother passed away today. I am sorry, but I have to leave. I have-“ Tears poured down my cheeks as I struggled to speak, “I have to go arrange her funeral.” Teresa holds me tight, then pulls away, “Take all the time you need Blake. Your job will be here when you get back. I am so sorry for your loss. Here.” She hands me an envelope. I open it and gasp, throwing it back down on her desk. “No, I can’t take that.” I stammer saying as the tears seemed to have dried up with my current shock at seeing a lump some of cash in the envelope. “Blake, you've passed your six month probation here. This is the raise you earned. As well as tips you've accumulated when you worked at the Coffee bar. It’s yours, take it.” Teresa smiles, handing me the envelope again. This time I take it, “Thank you. You don’t know how much I appreciate this.” She nods and helps me stand and escort me out. “Take the rest of the day off. Let me know when you’re ready to come back. Your job and position will be here.” I hug her and leave.

Teresa was a woman who’s seen a lot, I can tell. She’s human. But a intimidating one. She reminded me of a whiskey drinking, cigarette smoking grandma who if you step out of line, she’d kick you one good one and put you pack in line. Her hard exterior spoke loudly, ‘don’t mess.’ But her interior, was full of motherly love. We all here at WikiStop love her but fear her all the same.

When I arrive back to my apartment, I find it completely and totally trashed. I couldn’t help the pitiful amount of tears that fell. It was two in the afternoon and I was physically, emotionally and mentally spent. I kick about the table that was now in several splintered pieces. I don’t even know what they were looking for. I have no money, nothing of value. So why burglarize and tear up my little place. Anyone could see that the person who lived here was just getting by.

My phone chimes and it took the rest of my energy to pull it out of my pocket and read the message. “Hey Blake it’s Lia. Just checking to see if you’re up for that drink tonight?” My head hangs low as another bout of tears threaten to break through the dam that was holding on by a rusted nail.

I was torn. I had so much on my plate right now, but blowing Lia off wasn’t right. She had a right to know the truth and not given some, ‘sorry something came up,’ excuse. It didn’t sit right with me to disrespect her like that.

I press the call button instead, feeling that this was something that needed to be spoken, not texted. “Hello?” I hear her answer. “Hey Lia, uh I-I’m sorry I can’t tonight. I wanted to call you instead of text because my excuse is sad but valid.” I here her sigh, but perks back up, “it’s okay Blake. But um-what’s wrong? You sound really sad?”

C’mon rusty nail, hold on. Just a little while longer. “Blake?” And that was all it took. The dams burst open and I literally cried my heart out, “My mother passed away. I have to leave out of town and go back to my old pack. I have to get my brother and I don’t know after that. I literally have no idea. I just got back to my apartment and my place has been broke into. I-I” I cried unabashed. “Blake, where are you? I’m coming over. You need a friend.” I was almost in hysterics and her words were a hundred percent true. I needed a friend. Someone to lean on. So, I gave her my address.