Aiden's POV
Everything had happened so fast.
I had just gotten up from my tiny mattress reluctantly as my grandfather had come in to wake me up.
"Aiden, get up now, you lazy bum." My grandfather had said, kicking me awake. My eyes opened slowly and I could see the pale light of dawn filtering through my small window. I knew it wasn't sunrise yet and I groaned.
I wanted nothing but to bury my face deeper in my pillow and kept sleeping, but I knew I dared not to do so. I knew that would cost me pain which would be inflicted by not only my grandfather but also the head of the servants, Marcus.
I got up from the bed even though all the bones in my body protested. My muscles ached from the previous night's labor, and my eyes felt gritty with exhaustion.
"Grandpa, I just fell asleep. I was working until midnight." I mumbled to him even though I already knew how he reacted.
"And what would you rather do if not work until midnight? Who should be working without a break at all, if not you?" My grandfather asked me, the usual scowl on his face as he narrowed his eyes at me.
I had never seen him without that scowl. I grew up knowing and accepting that it was a part of him, because he was never happy to see me.
According to him, I was an abomination who only brought him sadness and snatched his happiness away. The happiness was my mother whom had died while giving birth to me.
"Grandpa, will you ever drop that scary scowl and smile at me, maybe one day?" I asked him out of the blue, my voice was solemn.
"You brought sadness and emptiness upon me so how do you expect me to smile at you?" He asked me rhetorically and the scowl became darker.
I heaved a heavy sigh and hung my head low.
"Will you get your lazy butt out now or I should help you with that?" He asked me with a knowing look and I quickly shook my head.
I knew what that meant. Physical assault. At "6'2"", I towered over my grandfather but the old man still found a way to deal with me. His supernatural abilities as a werewolf combined with his skills as one of the pack's revered warriors, made me the untrained, bullied till broken Omega defenseless against him.
"No, you don't have to." I replied to him sounding weak than I thought I was. I sighed heavily again as I looked forward to how long and hectic my day would be.
That was my life, it had been like that since I was little but I could never get used to it.
I knew I should have but I just couldn't. I wanted to feel loved and wanted too but fate just wouldn't allow me.
My grandfather nodded and made to walk out of the room but suddenly stopped.
Then we both heard it; a howl.
"What is that?" I blurted out. I had never heard it before. The howl sounded like it would cause earthquake. It shook the ground beneath my feet. I wondered if my grandfather could also feel that effect.
"They are here!" My grandfather muttered and I saw fear flashed across his scary face.
It was surprising to see another expression on his face other than anger and frown, but I didn't have time to ponder on that for long.
"Who?" I asked in surprise. Then the howl struck again and again. And I could make out what it meant; war.
"You better hide." My grandfather said to me and bolted out of the room. I knew he was going to get ready for the war while I would have to hide.
Because I was untrained. Omegas weren't allowed to learn how to fight or defend themselves. We were just taught how to work as a good and obedient servant. One who would never look up at his master's face. One who would never be able to speak for him/herself in the presence of everybody, including his peers.
As I scampered around the room, In search of a safe place to hide, I could hear angry howls, threatening growls and terrified screams. And I knew the war had fully began.
"No, I can't just be hiding in here. I should at least die with dignity as a young man." I thought and made my way out of my hiding place.
I stepped outside my house and the first motionless body I saw on the ground was my grandfather's.
My eyes widened in horror and my lips parted widely. He had been torn apart by the enemies.
I watched in horror as wolves I had known all my life fell under the onslaught, the enemies cutting through them mercilessly.
"Arhhh!" I sank onto the ground before my grandfather's body and mourned his death.
Even though I was maltreated by him all my life and he openly expressed his hatred for me, I still mourned his death. I still felt empty for losing him. After all, he was the only family member I knew and had.
"Get out of my way, you lowly Omega." A harsh voice brought me out of my thoughts. It was one of the pack's warriors. Everybody disliked me.
The warrior pushed me out of his way and ran forward, his sword clashing with the enemy's. I fell on top the body of my grandfather and before I could get up, I was trampled on by some pack members running for their lives. The enemies' swords reached some of them and I felt some bodies falling on me.
The next few hours passed in a blur of terror and grief. By the time the sun had fully risen, I found myself among the defeated, being herded like cattle towards an unknown fate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The journey to the enemy pack's territory was long and grueling. My body ached from having to carry many dead, heavy bodies for hours and being marched on. And my heart felt hollow with loss.
When they finally arrived, I huddled in the corner of the large hall where we were kept, trying to make myself as small as possible despite my large frame. That was what Omegas were taught. Never to stand out, never to attract attention.
After some minutes of waiting in the hall, the air suddenly grew thick with tension. The other captives around me stiffened, their fear palpable. Then, with a resounding bang that made me flinch, the grand doors swung open.
The Alpha of the enemy pack made her entrance, and the very atmosphere seemed to bend to her will. Power radiated from her in waves, an almost tangible force that pressed down on us all. Another scent, one I couldn't quite place, intertwined with the aura of authority she exuded.
Her voice, sharp and commanding, cut through the air as she addressed us.
I kept my head bowed, my shoulders hunched in an attempt to appear smaller despite my large frame. It was an instinct ingrained in me from years of Omega training - never stand out, never draw attention. Yet, even as I stared at the floor, I felt an inexplicable pull urging me to look up.
But then I heard her voice, closer now, filled with a strange intensity.
"You, stand up and look at me." I heard her say but I had doubt that she was actually referring to me.
"I don't like repeating my words. Look at me." She repeated, her voice low, dangerous and commanding and I flinched. Slowly and shakily, I rose to my feet and looked at her.
Our eyes met and the world seemed to stop. Her golden piercing eyes seemed to look right through me and then the most delicious scent I had ever smelt, filled my nostrils.
Then the realization hit me, and my wolf, usually quiet and submissive stirred within me.
"Mate." My wolf murmured weakly.
"A ruthless Alpha as my mate? The moon goddess must have a twisted sense of humor." I thought in shock.
I could see her expression the moment she realized it too. Her expression shifted and disgust twisted her beautiful face.
After a few seconds of glaring at me, the Alpha turned away, addressing the rest of the captives, and left me standing, as if nothing had happened.
My face fell and I could barely hear her words. I was too caught up in the implications of what had just happened.
She finally finished her speech and I could feel her walk away, without sparing me another glance.
I knew what that meant. Of course, she would never want someone like me as a mate.
"Well, I don't want a ruthless, callous, and power-hungry female Alpha as a mate either." I said firmly, gritting my teeth.