"Mom, I told you it's fine …
"Bran - she interrupted him - you are such a nice young man. You have so many options here I just don't want you to lose them because some random Omega pheromones made you go crazy. I wouldn't mind any other girl from a good house but she is a problem. Bran, she isn't even a pack member. Do you want to be excluded too?"
"This is not going to happen.'' – Bran sighted brushing his fingers through his hair.
"I can smell some sweet pheromones on you, I just hope you didn't do anything stupid that will bound you to her for the rest of your life" There was a sound of despair in her voice, she was sobbing.
"No mom, don't worry. It's not that serious, we just hang around and have some fun. That's it. There isn't really anything much to it." Bran was stroking his mother's arms in a calming manner just as he did an hour before with Opal. Bran's mother leaned her head against son's chest. They were standing like this together when the sound of a bell interrupted them. A customer was in the bakery.
Mrs. Hall went back to the counter only to be greeted by a dark eyed young woman with white hair. She recognized the pheromones and the face standing in front of her. She was shocked for a moment but then composed herself and put on a fake professional smile Opal knew so well.
"How can I help you?" Mrs. Hall asked politely.
"I'd like a piece of that raspberry cake. I have a birthday today." Opal answered looking her straight in the eye.
"Congratulations. How big?"
"Just a slice, for one person only".
Mrs Hall cut a piece off the cake, packed it and handed it to Opal.
"Anything else? It's rather small."
"No, ma'am that's all. I have nobody serious to celebrate it with." Opal smiled with an equally fake smile.
Bran stood in the back door with a frozen expression as Opal paid for the cake and left.
The Omega was walking down the street when she heard someone's running after her, Opal turned around to see Bran's flushed face.
"What is it Bran?" She asked.
"Opal, let me explain …" He reached for her hand but Opal backed off.
"There is nothing to explain, Bran. I had fun and I fully understand what you said before. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I'm glad I did. Go back to your mom, she'll be worried."
"Opal please no, not like that." His blue eyes were filled with guilt.
"Not like what, oh right we should have fucked before, than you wouldn't have any regrets now. Sorry. Not gonna happen. I will wait for someone serious. Bye Bran." Opal turned around, not looking back. Not even when he called her twice. Then it started to rain. First light rain starting the spring. It will help to melt the rest of the snow and clean the past memories of the gone winter. The grass will turn green again and flowers will bloom. That's just how nature deals with winter. After every winter spring finally comes, right?
Opal was grateful for the rain. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she was walking back home. She felt something in her chest, like iron bars squeezing her to the point it was hard to breath. Why was she so emotional? Think Opal, what made you so anxious? You've only been with this guy on a date like twice and you kissed. That's it. He hasn't promised you anything. I was just your own stupid imagination. After being lonely for such a long time you jumped on the first occasion to be with someone. You let your guard down, how pathetic Opal. Get a grip of yourself and stop whining like a little pup you aren't anymore. Opal took a deep breath in, counted to ten and let the air out. She repeated this four times more and felt calmer. She was soaking wet when she entered her home. She took all her clothes off and put on some dry ones. Then she made fire. It was her birthday so she deserved a bath. She had to go out to bring some more water and wait till it boiled. She didn't have anything else to do so she just glanced out of the window as it was getting dark. After taking the bath she took out the cake, one slice. The cake was delicious. Bran's Bakery had good quality pastries. Opal took out a bottle of wine she made herself last summer. It was strong and sweet. She drank two glasses before going to sleep.
She woke up late, it was almost seven. Opal didn't have much time so she was dressing quickly, still she decided to put on the eyeliner and lip gloss. It was warmer outside so no need for a hat. Yesterday before she got drunk Opal made a resolution. For the past years she had been living a shitty life. It was because she was an orphan, because her parents were traitors, because everyone treated her like an outcast, because, because, because ….
She was living like that because of all those things and because she has done nothing to change that. Three months and a few days were separating her from finishing school. Then she will change everything. She will leave this shithole.