Omega's Catch

"You're an omega." My father read the test results out loud. My mother who was also an omega was overjoyed in the most saddening way. She had hoped I wouldn't become an omega like her since she grew up in such a hostile environment.

That day I learned I was an omega, it spread like wildfire. Everyone in the pack knew that I, little Vixen, was indeed an omega. My father began to ignore me, and my mother took care of me the best way she could.

In some way, my family knew I'd become one. I was much smaller than the other males in my age group being at exactly five-foot. I was desperately trying to keep up with them.

Every year, there's an exam that everyone must partake in to see which team rankings they fall into, or they can be judged just based on their scent or body type.

Alphas, Betas, Deltas, Healers, Hunters, and Warriors have their own smells and different respects.

I was always looked down on. I was considered the ugly wolf that no one would ever want. And I learned to accept that. I didn't need anyone but my mate. If I even had one, that is.

I have one friend and her name is Piper. She's also the runt of the litter like I am. We became friends after I found her in the woods, sketching the beautiful northern cardinal bird.

I told her about my fascination with the tiger shifter that no one has yet to come close to. For the past two years, I've been trying to win over the large white tiger.

He was the most beautiful animal I've ever laid my eyes on. His fur was the purest of white accompanied by the finest black of stripes aligned in such a spectacular way. He was larger than every wolf I've met. Even larger than my Alpha's wolf.

"Since you're turning eighteen in a few weeks...you want to continue pursuing this tiger shifter? What if you're doing this for nothing and your mate is out there, just waiting for you?" Piper questions.

"Ugh...look," I pushed my round glasses up. "This is so worth it. I would have the respect of everyone if I had the tiger shifter as a friend. He must get lonely. We could welcome him into our friend group."

Piper sighs, "Tigers are animals that prefer to be alone. They're not like wolves who need to be in a pack."

"You don't know that," I frowned.

"I do." Piper snorts like a pig, pushing her square glasses up her crooked nose that she got from breaking it when she was little. "In fact, tigers are territorial. Their social system is usually connected through scent marks and visual—."

"My brain! Please! I can't take it anymore," I groan.

"I've just begun. Don't be a pillock," Piper rolls her eyes.

"I'm not. I'm not. I just—." A random frisbee flew in my direction in which Piper quickly grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to duck.

"Oi! Sorry bout' that chap. I ain't see ye' there," a small smirk forms on his lips.

"Of course. Those two eyeballs popping out of your head isn't enough?" Piper snaps.

"Aye, watch your mouth. He's your beta, runt," another male appeared. He has a large physique, and broad muscles but not as big as the beta male known as Eskimo.

"Calm ye' self, Gunner." The beta chuckles, crossing his arms as he stared down at both Piper and me.

"She should apologize," Gunner growls.

"It's not like he's our alpha," Piper growls back, but hers were measly mistaken as a soft whimper.

Gunner chuckles at her failed attempt in growling, "Are you naturally this dumb or do you have to put in the effort? He. Is. Your. Beta." He said it more slowly.

I was too afraid to speak up. I fiddled with my fingers, avoiding eye contact with the more muscular and taller males.

"You know, somewhere out there, is a tree whose single purpose on Earth is to replace the oxygen you waste," she sighs. "Go find it and apologize."

Gunner growls and lunges at her but Eskimo quickly grabs his arm, shaking his head, "We do not hit women."

"You call that a woman? Don't insult the beautiful creatures known to a man," Gunner scoffs before storming off.

I could tell it affected her. I wanted to say something just to ease her pain, but I remained quiet for some reason. I bit my lower lip as my cheeks flushed pink.

Eskimo kneels, placing a hand on Piper's unruly and uneven-cut blond hair, "Ye mustn't listen to him. He doesn't mean what he says."

"Whatever," Piper swats his hand away before standing and leaving.

"W-wait," I quickly stood up, darting in her direction, leaving the confused beta behind.

"What? Care to laugh?" Piper stops in her strides, turning to look at me. Her cheeks were pink in embarrassment. Her eyes brim with unshared tears.

"W-why would I laugh?" I ask.

"You didn't say anything!" She jabbed a finger in my chest. It hurt a little, but I ignored the pain.

"I-I didn't know what to say! I'm sorry!" I shook my head.

She sighs, "Your incompetence will be the death of me." She pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. "We shall work on your skills to talk back to someone."

I nodded, resting my head on her rather flat chest. I kept my thoughts to myself as I blushed from thinking of such.

"Now, about pursuing that tiger shifter you so call admire," she rests her hands on my shoulder. "Shall we start with something small?"

There it is again. She tries to avoid confrontation with her feelings by replacing them with trivial things—such as this. I care more for her than pursuing a tiger shifter. But, I never confront her about it. I've decided that we both hate confrontation. Hers solely on inners while I, outer.

She hides her feelings well when I know she cries at night when she thinks no one can hear her. In fact, her cries are broken and replaced with a smile each day she wakes. Which infuriates me.

However, I never confront her about it.

"Like what?"

"Maybe try giving him food? Everyone loves food," Piper suggests.

"I don't know," I tap my finger on my chin. "Worth a try. What do you think he likes?"

"Meat," she answers without a beat.

"I was speaking more or so..of fruit?"

Her face pales, "He's a carnivore."

"Well, I'm a herbivore," I stated proudly.

"Yea. A wolf that feeds solely on plants. Bravo," she says in an uninterested tone.

"And other things," I grimly voice.

"Like?"

"Fruit," I smile.

"Oh-...Kay..," she gives a fake smile before turning. "Let's catch you a tiger shifter." She wiggles her eyebrows. "Firstly, we need to kill a gazelle."

My eyes nearly pop out of my sockets.

"A what?!" I exclaimed.

"A... gazelle," she says slowly, squinting her eyes at me.

"We won't kill an innocent person. They never bother us," I crossed my arms.

"Oh please. Gazelle meat is the best," Piper laughs evilly, rubbing her palms together. "We'll wait until one is alone and then we'll make our move...," she jumps at me with her claws out, "and BOOM! You've got yourself a prize to offer to the tiger."

She pushes her glasses up and then places her hands on her hips, looking proud of herself for coming up with such a horrible plan.

"You forget that we're both small and frail," I shook my head.

"If we imagine ourselves as something bigger, then we can conquer the world. Haven't you ever heard of—."

"Piper. Vixen. You two need to stop horsing around. You have school tomorrow," my mother walks towards us with a basket full of vegetables.

Did I mention that I was a senior in high school? Not that I was the only one who went, but attending a school with other shapeshifters is quite exhausting. Especially when other kids who are seniors are way bigger than I am.

"Piper, get on home. Chop chop!" My mother pushes Piper toward the direction of her home.

Piper gives me one more look, "Tomorrow." She winks before skipping her way home.

My mother gives me a questioning look and asks me, "What's happening tomorrow?"

"Oh, nothing. We plan to hang out. That's all," I lied straight through my teeth.

She shrugs, "Alright then. You better stay out of trouble young man. You may be turning eighteen soon, but I'll give you your first great butt-whooping."

I sigh, "Yes ma'am."

•••

The following day...

My dad was driving me to school. His eyes focused on the road while one hand was on the wheel and the other on his chin as he seemed deep in thought about something. He didn't even speak to me.

I coughed into my hand, wanting to grab his attention.

It did the trick.

He sighs through his nose, turning his head slightly to let me know he acknowledges me, "Son."

"Good morning," I tried my best attempt to lighten the mood. Ever since he found out I was an omega, he's been cold towards me.

"Mornin'."

We arrived at school. Other kids were walking inside, bantering with each other while others walked alone, looking as if they hated life.

It was a Monday after all.

I exited the car quickly, feeling embarrassed that I was the only senior who didn't know how to drive yet.

We shapeshifters try our best at blending in with society. Humans had no clue that we lived amongst them and we wanted to keep it that way.

There have been many times where a shapeshifter would shift unexpectedly and a human would see. No one knew what happened to them.

The government probably dealt with them.

I entered the school with my head hung low. I turned the corner to find Piper and another guy talking. She seemed interested in him by how she looked down, her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.

He had a genuine smile, patting her head, "I got to go. See you around Pipe." He chuckles, disappearing from our view.

She squeals, "Did you hear that?! He called me PIPE." She sighs dreamily, "He's so romantic."

Barf.

"Let's go."

I sat in the back of the classroom with my head on the desk. I pushed my glasses up, eyeing the piece of paper in front of me.

"Okay, class. Today, we'll study the Krebs Cycle," our science teacher, Mr. Quinton says.

•••

After school, Piper and I found ourselves in the woods, crouched down next to each other behind a tree, "This is so wrong."

Piper smirks, "No, it's not. If you want to attract a tiger, you have to give it what it wants. Also, you must submit to them. They're very dominant creatures."

"What are you? A tiger expert?"

"I dabble in a little somethin' somethin'," she bit her lip, taking her journal out. She scribbles something in it before taking out another way bigger book.

"Okay. It says here that tigers eat mammals such as pigs, antelope, deer, and buffalo. Even other predators such as leopards and...bears." She gulps. "I don't know about this."

"Now you say!" I whisper-shout.

"I ain't know," Piper sighs. "Look, we can do this. Don't be a cat and pussy out now."

"Did you just call me a pussy?" I gasp.

"Shhh! Look," she points into a field with tall grass that was probably up to our stomachs.

There he was...

The most beautiful tiger I've ever seen. His white fur coat left me in a daze. The way his muscles retract under his skin with each step. His jaws hung slightly open as his huge paws left no trace in the dirt. He has to be skilled in hunting.

He radiates power.

"My god," her eyes were wide as we both watched him. "He's godly." She clears her throat, "He could take down our alpha...."

"Hush!" I growl low.

"Let's go. I change my mind," Piper grabs my wrist, yanking me in the opposite direction.

I followed.

Maybe this wasn't the best idea...