~Akira~
Akira's whole being was filled with excitement at the upcoming mating festival in a few hours.
Although she was an omega, she had been looking forward to this time forever, because she believed that finding her mate was going to bring an end to the torture she endured, with the other omegas in the pack house.
She also could not wait because it happened to be the day she turned eighteen, and that is when her wolf was finally expected to make an appearance.
She mopped the floor with more passion than usual and took more time than she usually did, as she hoped that it would be the last time she had to do such menial tasks.
Akira hummed to herself as she cleaned, and in the process, failed to take note of the presence of the alpha's girlfriend, Clara, who had just walked into the room.
"I just can not wait to find my mate, and then I will be out of this situation for good," she muttered happily to herself.
In her state of excitement, she let the mop slip, and the bucket of water came crashing down, causing the water to spill all over.
"What have I gone and done now?" she reprimanded herself. "At this rate, I might not get ready for the festival in time. And if that happens, the chance of finding my mate would be decreased," she murmured bitterly, while dabbing up the water droplets.
Unknown to her, the water had spilled in the area where Clara intended to pass, causing her to slip and lose her footing. "You fool!" she bellowed, as her body met with the ground. Clara attempted to get herself up but came crashing down again.
Akira rushed to her side to help her, but instead, she got a kick to her ankle, which made her lose balance and fall alongside Clara.
Clara, seeing Akira down with her, used her as a leverage to get herself up, and then hovered over her. "Stupid girl," she hissed. "Now you're where you belong. On the ground!" she taunted with a laugh.
Akira wished that she could have been able to wipe the smile off the evil witch's face. Her fall earlier would have provided her with a bit of satisfaction if she had not been brought down too. She wondered at that moment, why she even decided to help out.
"What's going on here?" Akira heard the voice of the alpha of her pack, alpha Cole, and immediately rose to her feet, but not without a struggle.
She brushed her hands on the already tattered and dirty, now soggy dress she wore. With her eyes looking down, as she dared not look at the alpha directly, she replied. "Nothing, alpha."
It seemed as though she had forgotten about the presence of Clara, which greatly annoyed her. Akira heard a grunt sound from her before she rushed to the alpha's side, using her sharp, claw-like fingers to clutch his arm.
Pointing at Akira, she cried. "That dumb girl saw me coming and she spilled water on my path, causing me to trip!"
Akira felt steaming hot anger boil in her, and she balled her fists, to prevent herself from rushing over and tackling the witch to the ground.
She was able to tolerate the ill-treatment from other highly placed pack members, but she drew the line when it came to Clara, and so did her other omega friends.
They had no respect for her, although they could not act it out because of the fear of what the alpha would do to anyone who disrespected his girlfriend. Collectively, they decided to rebel against her in their little ways and speak poorly of her to her back. The nickname "evil witch" was one of such examples.
"That was not what happened!" Akira heard herself say. She crossed her fingers, hoping she had not been heard. However, it was too late to cry, as she had been.
"Are you calling me a liar?!" The evil witch snarled, charging towards her with balled hands.
Closing her eyes, Akira braced herself, expecting a blow from the vile lady, but much to her surprise, it didn't arrive. She tried, but failed to hide her shock as she opened her eyes to find that the alpha had restrained her.
"Leave me! Are you trying to defend this maid?!" Clara howled as she thrashed against his hold, attempting to free herself. "She just called me a liar!" turning her aggression back to Akira, she roared. "I'm going to deal with you, you dumb bitch!"
Despite the threats, Akira remained calm, unfazed by the words Clara spat out, as her mind was occupied by the thoughts of how the alpha chose such a lose-mannered lady as his companion.
"Stop!" The alpha finally spoke. The authority in his booming voice caused the mad lady to regain her composure. "I do not know what happened, and I do not care either," he declared. Directing his next words at Akira, he said. "Regardless of that, I am sure that whatever happened was a misunderstanding. Right, Akira?"
Her face flushed in surprise at his knowledge of her name, and she failed to respond to his question, which caused his lips to turn in a displeased frown.
"Right, Akira?" He reiterated.
Akira shook her head and nodded, "Yes, alpha." His statement fully registered in her mind then, and she realized that he had somewhat defended her.
Alpha Cole was not a good man. Sure, some people had their bad moments, but for the alpha of the nightstone pack, it seemed like every moment was bad for him.
And on being an omega and at his service, Akira was a firsthand witness to the poor character of her alpha. That was why it came as a shock when he attempted to take her side.
'Maybe the moon goddess is starting to work on him,' she thought.
The alpha walked towards the stairs and his sulking girlfriend trailed behind him. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he turned back to Akira. "And do not think I am taking your side. I will never support someone as lowly as you are, so do not get it mixed up," he said, disdain palpable in his voice.
'Or maybe not.' She scolded herself for believing that maybe for once, he wouldn't remind her of her low status in the pack.
"Now, finish cleaning up and go get ready for the festival."
Akira nodded.
As she resumed her cleaning, the thoughts of how things would get better for her after finding her mate, provided her with the comfort she needed.