BROLN PACK
Alora scuttered in the kitchen. She inspected the several pots of already cooked food, then the cut veggies on the work surface.
She opened the steaming pot on the fire, took some boiling sauce with a spoon into her mouth and nodded in satisfaction.
Hoped no one saw her doing that, or her body would have to welcome some smacks.
The entire atmosphere was bustling with activities. People carrying instruments and furnitures into the large pack hall, children scampering in excitement, dancing to the music which filled the air.
A momentous day it was in the pack as the alpha was set to receive his second mate and officially pronounce her his luna.
It wasn't just a solemnization ceremony, but also to clinch the allegiance between the two packs.
Alphas from other provinces and their entourages were anticipated to grace the ceremony as it wer in the law.
Alora was left alone to cook several pots of cuisine.
Her dress was soaked in her sweat and she could smell her strong tangy body odour infused into the aroma of spices, almost made her gag.
She woke hours before dawn, when others were either snoring away in bed or returning from hunt.
Her eyes were heavy, reminded her of the urgency to hit the sagged mattress in her room, luckily it was the last pot on the fire
"Hey, wimp!! Why are you dawdling? The guests are almost here!!"
Thalia burst into the kitchen, her eyes scanned the kitchen and a scowl sipped out her face.
"What can you ever do well pup? Get your ass on that stool and wash off those dishes!!"
Being a lowly omega didn't stop the authority she exerted over Alora, after all it wasn't everday the commonalities got the chance for preeminence.
Alora scuttled to the stool and began to wash the dishes quickly. Sweat covered her exhausted face and she wiped it with her soapy hand, smearing foam on her face.
Wouldn't they have helped or sent a helper to wash the dishes? But they would only get satisfaction when they see her completely exhausted.
Not that she would eat from the food she prepared, as it was a taboo for her to enjoy decent meal in the royal house.
"Disgusting!" Thalia gave her a stern look then opened the steaming pot.
She took out a little with a spoon into her mouth. "Mmh, not bad, the pup can at least cook." Then walked out with an air of superiority.
Alora swallowed down her irritation. In less than five minutes, she had been called a 'pup' twice, a name she despised.
Who was Thalia to speak to her? A common omega, an errand girl for the pack. And who was she? Alora, the daughter of the former beta.
In rank she was superior to Thalia, but there she was moving around in the kitchen, working her ass off at the command of an omega.
She quickly washed the plates, cleaned up the kitchen and ran into the abandoned stable which served as her room to change her messy dress, but her heavy eyelids and her exhausted body wouldn't let her, as they pushed her heavily to the bed and she gave in to their will.
A light tap jolted her awake. When she saw who it was, a feeling of relief washed over her.
"What are you doing here Duanne?" She rubbed her eyes tiredly and yawned carelessly.
He saw her action funny and couldn't help but giggled.
"And what is my pookie doing here?"
Was she not in her room? She scanned the enclosed space with just a small bed and a sack leaned on the wall where her clothes were stacked. It was her room.
A sudden frown warped her face. "I'm in my room Duanne."
"While the hall is filled up cousin!"
Her muscles were momentarily trapped in paralysis.
"Oh my God!" She scrambled out of bed, almost lost her footing, pulled the sack and over turned it.
"I'm finished!"
She quickly took out a dress, pulled off the messy one not minding that Duane was there.
What was there to hide anyway, her body was the best repulsive with her bones in display.
Duane looked at the skinny cousin before him and felt great sadness . She was a beauty until sixteen, when her life took the path of grief.
He couldn't behold her anymore so tore his gaze away, blinking away the tears which had come to settle in his eyes.
She bent over the bed, took out an old pair of shoes which was her best, slipped her feet into them and pulled his arm.
"Let's go!" But his well built body stood like a rock.
She peered into his face, scouting for answers but got a faint smile instead, and before she could speak, her frail body had been encircled in his broad arms and her stained face wiped clean.
"Everything will be alright Lora."
Even when the active part of her mind reminded her how false his words were, she shut it up with an infectious smile.
He took her hand and they hastened to the pack hall.
Attendance was mandatory for all members of Broln pack who'd attained the age of sixteen.
If she had a way, she would be in the stable which was her room, hugging her mattress and enjoying a good sleep.
That hall was for werewolves, not her kind. She wasn't expecting anything less than ridicules.
By the time they arrived the hall, it was already filled up
"Don't worry, I reserved seats for us."
And then, she began to feel tingling sensation in her hands and legs, accompanied with rapid gush of sweat on her palms.
Only the sight of the crowd in the hall accelerated her heartbeat and it was reverberating in her head.
If she went in under those intense dark gazes, she might ultimately stop breathing.
Her sweaty palm wetted his and her trembling hands indulged his.
"I'm here." He whispered. She gazed at him and suddenly felt safe.
He took her to the rear of the hall and they took the empty seats already reserved.
She slowly scanned her surrounding, saw faces she recognized and those she didn't, but.....
"Looking for dad and mom?"
Duane really knew her pretty well. Who else would she be looking for if not the ones who birthed her, raised her for sixteen years and abandoned her to the fate she was blessed with.
"How are they?"
Duane scoffed. He couldn't believe her heart still longed for them after all they did and were still doing to her.
"You still ask of them?" His piercing eyes left her unsaid words hanging in her gut. Better be silent Alora!
She looked ahead and noticed the presence of many alphas. One could easily spot them by their jewel-encrusted apparels.
"You look pale, did you get hit again?" His gaze was ahead and he spoke in whispers.
She shook her head.
"I love the way your eyes glistens when you lie, it makes you more beautiful."
He had a way of forcing the best smile out of her. Though she knew his words were fallacious, it still lifted her spirit.
Her heart leaped in gladness but then, a rumpus outside the hall stole their attention.
Everyone looked in awe at the tall, huge man approaching the entrance. His regalia swept the ground and his royal aura could be felt from a distance.
He was Alpha Donovan of the Herith Pack, whose daughter had been mated to their alpha, Floyd.
Aside Floyd, he was the most powerful alpha in the province and beyond, had attacked many packs and conquered all.
His pack was the largest, most prosperous with the highest number of slaves, and to have his only daughter Hera, mated to Flyod was a feat to him.
On his left was his daughter Hera. She was beautiful and radiant, her smile infectious. How lucky she was.
On his right was another beauty who should be the luna judging from her royal apparel and behind were his entourage.
He walked elegantly arm-in arm with his daughter and towards the stage where Alpha Floyd and other alphas were sitting.
Once he was seated, the ceremony began.
The beta took the stage and began to address all.
"We, the Broln pack are excited to have your presence in our midst. It's indeed a thing of joy knowing today's occasion will brood peace and harmony between our packs. We are indeed happy to have your daughter as one of us and our next luna."
There was an applause as a jolt of excitement coursed through the hall, but despite the air of exhilaration which filled the room, Alora felt layers of unsettling emotions.
Her heart was heavy and she felt a painful sting of dejection.
She should be the next luna. It should be her sitting right on that stage, just beside Flyod.
It should be her dressed in that princess apparel, but the moon goddess thought her worthy to bear the defect.
Duane saw the gloom looming on her face, he knew the cause.
"Bonny, don't let this bother you."
Perhaps if he squeezed her hand gently, the weight in her heart would be lifted but rather than the consolation he expected, her tears fell uncontrollably.
"Don't do this here please." He pulled her to his body and wiped her tears which had no plan to stop.
The more she tried to stop the tears, the more it streamed down her face.
"What will I do if you mess this beautiful face?"
She gazed into his face, the corners of her lips curled slightly into a bitter smile. "Thank you."
"Tomorrow holds the best".
She nodded, wiped her tears and swallowed her pains.