I had learned long ago that hope was a cruel illusion, a luxury I could never afford. Yes, I know. I didn't belong here.
Every day was the same. The whispers. The mockery. The cruel, cutting words. I was nothing but an omega, the weakest wolf in the pack. To most, that meant I didn't matter.
"Stay out of the way, weakling!"
I flinched at the sound of Lyla's voice, watching her walk by with her usual air of arrogance. She never missed a chance to humiliate me. I stood in the corner of the clearing, my head lowered, wishing for the world to forget existed. But the whispers were inescapable.
"Pathetic," she muttered under her breath, loud enough for the others to hear. "No one will ever choose you."
I lowered my eyes, biting my lips to stop myself from crying. I had no friends. No family. I was invisible, not worthy of even the smallest attention. They all had someone to rely on strength, status, respect. I had nothing.
"Can you believe the omega still thinks she might get chosen?"
"Look at her, standing there like she's worth something.
The voices echoed around me, sharp and venomous, but I couldn't make myself leave. Not yet. l couldn't stop myself from hoping. Even though I knew it was foolish. Even though I knew it would never happen.
I took a shaky breath and glanced up at the pack, watching as wolves gathered to discuss
the upcoming event. They laughed, they joked, and they made plans for who they would pair with, all with the certainty that someone would choose them.
I was the only one who didn't belong here. I felt the sting before I heard it—the laugh that
cut through the air, laced with mockery. I turned slowly to find Lyla, one of the most beautiful
wolves in the pack, her eyes full of contempt.
"Well, well, the weak omega is still hanging around," she sneered, her voice carrying
across the clearing. "Tell me, how long are you planning to keep pretending you're even worth a glance?"
I tried to ignore her, but she wasn't finished. She walked closer, a smirk plastered across
her face
"I bet even the weakest male won't bother with you," she taunted. "Maybe they'll throw you a scrap, but that's all you'll ever get. You're not even worth a second look. You should just stay out of everyone's way."
The words hit like a punch to my gut. What was the first time Lyla had said something like that,
it always hurt. Every time, it was like l was being reminded that I had no worth, no place in
this world.
I bit my lip to stop the tears from falling. I couldn't let them see me cry.
"You should leave," Lyla said, taking a step closer. "You don't belong here. The mating ceremony isn't for someone like you. It's for the strong, the chosen. Not the weak. Not the omega."
I forced myself to stand tall. But my legs felt like jelly. Every fiber of my being wanted to flee, but I couldn't. I couldn't let them win, Not again.
"I don't want any trouble," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lyla's laugh rang in my ears. "Oh, really? And who exactly are you waiting for? I'm sure no
one here is foolish enough to pick you."
Her words cut deeper than l could explain. I wanted to fight back, to tell her she was wrong,
but I knew better. I couldn't change the truth.
As the day war on, the tension in the air became heavier. Wolves rushed around, preparing for the event, getting ready for the mating ceremony that would soon take place. The ceremony.
Everyone had someone to talk to, someone to laugh with. Everyone except me.
I stood in the shadows, a forgotten soul amidst the excitement of the pack. I watched as they practiced the rituals, the pairings. I watched as they held hands and exchanged looks of affection, their bonds forming in front of me. It was a reminder of how alone I was.
"You're not going to pair up with anyone?" A voice startled me, and I turned to see Brielle, one of the few wolves who would speak to me, but even she never really saw me. She was polite, but that was all. She was beautiful., strong, everything I could never be.
I forced a smile. "I don't think anyone's interested in an omega like me."
Brielle frowned but didn't argue. She just nodded, almost pitying me. "It's just... it's just the way things are. Too bad"
I shook my head, cutting her off before she could finish. I didn't need her pity. I didn't need anyone's pity." I know, " I said, trying to sound confident, but my voice cracked.
She stared at me for a moment, and for a brief second, I saw something like pity mixed with
scorn in her eyes.
Then just as quickly as it had come, it was gone, and she turned away, joining the others.
I wasn't surprised one bit, I wasn't worth anyone's time. I looked at them, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from them; it felt like someone was twisting a knife in my chest.
They had it all. Strength. Beauty. Status. The future. Everything I would never have.
And then there I was.Alone.Invisible.Worthless.
The mating ceremony was almost here. I couldn't escape it, no matter how much I wished I could. I took a deep breath, trying to study myself. I needed to be brave. I couldn't let them see how much their words hurt me.
But as the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of red and orange, I realized something.
I was terrified. Terrified that when the ceremony finally came, I would be standing there, waiting for a mate who would never come. Terrified that I would be the one left behind.
But would I be ready? Would anyone choose me?