I ring my hands nervously as I stand in front of the alpha of my pack. It is the middle of the night and I was in deep slumber when he sent his beta to collect me. Now, I stand here in the middle of my alpha's office, encircled by his closest allies, spotlighted by the light of the fire dancing in the hearth.
"Angel," he says. "That's your name, isn't it?"
I bob my head. "Yes, Alpha."
"You're an omega, correct?"
I wince. Just the thought of my lowly status brings me inner pain. I wish to be better, to matter, but this is the hand that was dealt to me. I am at the bottom of the pack and there is no way to change it.
"I am," I say, my voice drenched with shame.
"Well Angel," Alpha says, folding his hands in his lap. "I have some exciting news for you."
Hope lifts my chest. A million questions race through my mind, but I hold my tongue. Omegas do not speak first. We wait until we are spoken to. Unless Alpha expressly asks me a question, I must remain mute and wait. But the anticipation is killing me. Alpha seems to be enjoying making me stand here, half-asleep, confused and disorientated. It seems to be for the benefit of his betas, who smirk at me as I wait in the thick, awkward silence.
"...You have been sold!" Alpha finishes.
I stare at my pack leader in disbelief. His words echo in my ears, like the tolling bell that heralds a funeral. I cannot believe what I've just heard.
"Sold?" I repeat. "You are selling me? To whom?"
Alpha's eyes instantly darken. I have broken the rules of our society by questioning him. But how can I not? How can he expect me to stand there and say nothing? Did he really expect me to accept my fate without any push back?
I brace myself for a blow for my subordinance. Instead, Alpha watches me with a sparkle of malice in his eye. I realize in an instance there is more to the story. He has more news for me. The matter of me being sold is just the tip of the iceberg.
"They do not have a pack name," he says finally.
My heart starts to beat wildly. It hammers in my chest, threatening to break my ribs. This can only mean one thing.
"A rogue?" I stammer, light-headed with breathlessness. "You have sold me to a rogue?"
Rogues are the lowest of the low! Lones wolves. Packless. They live on the fringes of society, with no honor or laws or respect for hierarchy.
"That's right, Angel," Alpha confirms with a smirk. "We captured a rogue on the outskirts of our territory. He told us he was looking for a wife to mate with. Offered us quite a handsome sum for you, even though you're only an omega."
"You can't do this to me," I tell him. "I can't become a rogue's wife! Please."
He looks at me with a look of pure disgust. Like I am nothing to him. Not a pack member he is supposed to protect. Not even like a fellow shifter. He sees me as an object. A thing that can be bought and sold, traded with and bartered for. I have been a loyal pack member. I have done all the duties expected of an omega. Now I am being cast aside like trash.
"He is waiting for you," Alpha finishes. "Take her away."
I fall to my knees, tears running down my face. My life as I know it is over.