The stroll to and back from school was her most favorite part of the day. Despite the cold she could admire the beauty of the snowy landscape. White trees covered with sparkling frost and the snow looked like sprinkled with glitter in the early morning sun. She inhaled the cold air leaving a misty cloud when letting the air go. Soon she reached the city, entering the main road. Grayshill was actually more like a town, but the whole pack proudly called it a city. Opal moved along the main road passing next to some local shops, a book store and clothes shop with a winter collection on display. A beautiful blue coat with white fur caught her attention. It was really pretty. Opal looked at the watch and realized she had to hurry up or won't be able to call attendance on time.
School was a grayish big building standing opposite to a park. In front of the main gate some students were standing and needed to be passed by before she could enter the building. Opal let her head down, keeping her eyes on the ground and not challenging anyone. She had 4 months to finish this school, four months … Opal was quick, moving along corridors or leaving stuff in the locker; she was never idle with it. Most of her time she just sat in the classroom. She never goes to the school cafeteria – too expensive, or spends time outside. Today on her desk was some trash left by a giggling group of classmates. Not a big deal, Opal cleaned it without a single word not even looking around to search for the culprit. There was no need, she didn't care. The teacher went straight in.
"Good morning students, take out your books. Today we are going to talk about organic chemistry ..."
The teacher continued in an agitated manner about carbon but Opal did not listen, she was just staring through the window. She knew the teachers were not going to ask her any questions and sitting like that without any movement made her almost invisible. The bell prevented her and the rest of the equally interested class from learning more about alkane shit. Teacher left and Opal heard the chairs rumble and all that commotion made by students going out of the classroom to enjoy a break. She had to move as well. Taking all her stuff Opal rushed out of the door just to bump straight into someone's firm chest. She bounced back and landed on the floor with all books scattered around her. Fuck, she even didn't bother to look up who she bumped into but quickly started collecting her stuff.
"You should mind where you are going, you freak" some deep voice hissed above her head.
"Sorry if I hurt you, wasn't intentional" Opal replied without looking up, still busy with her books, some black snickers just stepped on her hand while picking up a math book. Opal didn't make a sound. She felt the pain all right. Some people laughed, someone just kicked the book further as she automatically withdrew her hand from underneath the black snicker. "Such small shit like you couldn't hurt me, I just don't want to be stained by a stinky Omega traitor like you" said the voice of a proud Alpha.
"Then next time mind where you are going" Opal replied and went to fetch the math book .
"What a bitch ... " she heard shocked whispers behind her back. Opal picked up the book and went straight to English class. Her hand hurt changing its pale color into a nice purple one. Mrs Ortiz, the English teacher, required sitting in pairs so Opal was sitting with Andy. He was a Beta, a weak, lanky example of a mating mistake his parents made. Opal spoke with him but only if it was necessary and Andy treated her company as a punishment. Before the lesson started, after looking for a moment at her swollen purple hand, he dared to ask.
"What happened to your hand?"
"Life happened" Opal wasn't willing to talk so Andy frowned but didn't ask any further, knowing she won't answer.
As soon as lessons were over Opal went to her locker, got dressed and moved to the front gate. Luck wasn't on her side today, by the gates surrounded by few girls and boys a broad - shouldered Alpha was apparently waiting for something or someone. As an Omega and a wolf she knew that it was the guy she bumped into, she could sense his dominant pheromones. His pride was hurt so he had to show off. Fine, let's get over it.
"Well look who's here, I believe you owe me a real apology" he started with a scornful smile. "I already have" Opal said without stopping but was blocked by his lackeys.
"So hasty - he clicked his tongue – a dirt like you should apologize on her knees." She heard giggles coming from the other Omegas.
"Make me" Opal looked into his eyes for the first time. They were greenish with a hint of surprise. He wasn't a bad looking guy. With shoulder long black hair and defined jaw he looked very masculine. A real eye candy. Which explained a few Omegas flocking around him. "But won't you stain yourself if you touch a filth like me?" Opal asked innocently. The Alpha was speechless. Opal took advantage of it and decided to move past the human barrier. She almost made it when a rock hit her head, she dropped to the ground surprised by the sudden hit and dizziness. Opal was wearing a woolen hat, she always wore some sort of headpiece to cover her unusual hair color and that partially saved her, leaving a small mark next to her eyebrow. The scratch wasn't big but it was bleeding leaving red marks on the snow and her clothes. Opal stood up, there was silence behind her back. She turned around with half of her face bloodied, she definitely made an appearance worth remembering.
"Nice shut, but you missed the eye. Here – she stretched her swollen and bruised hand holding the stone that hit her. She looked around – anyone else?"
There was silence, even the Alpha looked shocked and confused. Apparently this wasn't his idea.
"Oh right, I touched this stone, so it is too dirty for you to pick up." - she dropped the stone. "But don't worry I'll be here tomorrow and the day after too. So, should you change your mind ..." Opal smiled and turned around leaving the school ground. Nobody said a word, nobody went after her. It was over. She grabbed some snow and put it to her face wiping the blood away. She was tense and she trembled inside.
She started to analyze why she was so scared. Taking a few deep breaths to calm down helped her to focus. Was she afraid of the pain? No. The humiliation? No. What she was afraid of was the public display of emotions. She almost cried back then. Yes, that's it. They don't deserve to see her cry or notice her being vulnerable. Breathe in and out Opal, don't let your emotions take control over you – she told herself. People on the street looked at her, probably because of the blood remains on her face and clothes.
Opal wanted to go home unfortunately she had to go to the pack house, her rent was due. For every citizen of the city it would have been a small amount of money, but to Opal it was a monthly struggle to collect the required sum. Today was the last day to pay for her privilege of living in the fine cottage, as pack's Alpha called it. She entered the pack house and went straight for the office but as she knocked she heard a voice telling her to wait. Fine, she sat down. Time was flowing slowly. She saw people going in and out, heard someone talking, even laughing. Life went all cheerful for the pack members. After a while she heard heavy steps and a group of men stepped in. She smelled the intense pheromones of multiple Alphas. Fuck, it was the head of the pack Alpha Mark. Behind him are some warriors among them the guy she bumped into at school. Alpha Mark stopped at her sight with a deep frown as he looked at her. Opal stood up and bent her head slightly.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was stern. "You are not allowed to be here".
"With all due respect Sir, I need to pay my rent." Opal replied, trying hard not to show how irritated she was by this encounter. Alpha nodded.
"What happened to your face"
Someone's face got stiff, Opal could see it from the corner of her eye.
"I was kindly reminded by my classmates about my position in this pack." She smiled. An awkward silence followed.
"Well, do not stir any more problems"
"I'll do my best sir" The so polite smile never leaving her face, sticking to it like a chewed gum to the sole of one's shoe.
"Yes, especially that this weekend we have the fool moon celebration"
"No worries sir, I know I'm not allowed to take part in any pack's celebrations. I won't bother anyone with my presence" She saw the confusion on the faces of some warriors. Maybe they didn't know about that, maybe they even felt sorry for her or maybe it was just different when the person involved was right in front of you with blood traces on her face. Alpha Mark hummed and moved down the corridor not spearing her a single glance in opposition to the certain Alpha, who kept staring at her all the time. Fortunately the office door just opened giving Opal a chance to escape.