Bittersweet

Chapter One

Clover was an omega. In the werewolf community, an omega was the lowest of the low. There was a strict hierarchy starting with the community alpha, followed by his/her beta, and then everyone else. The alpha was typically a man, but in very rare communities, some female wolves had been granted the power of an alpha by the moon goddess. Clover had never seen that herself, however, as these were simply musings shuffled around by the neighborhood gossip mill.

Most omegas aren't treated well. Whether they're bullied, abused, working in low-class positions, living in squalors; ask any community and you'll generally notice the same thing. Clover wasn't any different.

At 32 years old, she was an older she-wolf; a single, lonesome woman who hadn't obtained a mate or any power to make up for it. Wolves are able to detect their mate and bond with them after they turn 18. Clover was very excited at this age; anxiously awaiting the mate bond. The years passed, and passed, and her mate was never found. She stayed an omega as well, unable to work her way up the ranks, and is now living in a modest home as a scullery maid. On the plus side, at least her host was a kind, thoughtful woman. Her husband, who travels often, was also a gentleman. No, the problem was their daughter.

Cecilia Wormwood; 25 years old, popular, social, the queen bee archetype. Politically sound, and good friends with the current Alpha and Luna of the tribe. That, in itself, gives her substantial power over Clover.

Cecilia, or Cesi for short, has always been jealous of Clover. At a modest 5'4 with bouncy, light brown locks, a soft face, and light curves, Cesi was the epitome of beauty. And yet, for reasons unknown, she often mocked and jeered at Clover's oppositional appearance. Clover was barely 5 feet, blonde, with an average build. She certainly wasn't ugly, but she wasn't Sydney Sweeney either.

The bullying was verbal, physical, emotional, and had been going on since high school. Clover has processed most of this, being 32 years of age, but she may irregularly have sporadic trauma-induced flashbacks.

At this moment, Clover was folding her host's laundry, placing each piece of clothing on Mrs. Wormwood's bed.

"You don't have to do that, dear." Mrs. Wormwood commented, as she watched from her knitting chair, adjacent to the master bed. "I'm happy to do that myself."

"Don't worry, madam, your scarf is more important. Please focus on that." Clover returned, and received a kind smile from her master. "I'll work on the dishes after."

"Ah yes, Cesi had quite the party last night. The kitchen is probably a mess." Mrs. Wormwood mused, apologetically. "I don't know how she does it. Back in my day, I barely had 3 friends, let alone 15 to visit at a last minute shinding. Quite the social butterfly that girl."

Clover smiled gently, quietly keeping to herself the details of said "shinding." Cesi's mother was oblivious to her adult daughter's behaviour, and Cesi was quite intent on keeping it that way. The purpose of these parties was often to ridicule and annoy Clover in a group setting. As adult wolves, they were more secretive and strategic with their bullying.

Clover faintly recalled last night; Cesi had purposely dropped a cocktail on her, and as Clover returned to her room to change, she realized her clothes were missing. The only thing available was a torn, baggy dress wrapped in a plastic bag. The bag read "Halloween Costume: Beggar/Homeless Woman."

Gritting her teeth, Clover has been forced to serve Cesi's friends wearing this. They all complimented her sweetly.

"Wow, it really matches you!" "That's definitely your style."

They spent the rest of the evening tormenting her with leers and jests.

"You don't know where your parents are, right? You're basically homeless. It's perfect!"

These parties were usually at night, much past Mrs. Wormwood's early 8pm bedtime. Clover hadn't the heart to tell Mrs. Wormwood about her daughter's behaviour. She was also afraid of her reaction; the family had taken her in when she was young, and she had little savings, and nowhere else to go.

Sighing, Clover shrugged the thought out of her mind and continued her work.

"Oh! I almost forgot," quipped the kind mother. "Cesi has an announcement to make today. Let's prepare a good dinner. Maybe turkey, or chicken breast."

"Yes ma'am," I said.

Colour me intrigued.