"Wait!" He commanded, hope surged within me. Maybe he would change his mind, but his expression turned icy, and my heart sank as I understood he had no intention of doing so.
"I will never allow you to live a normal life, even if the Crimson Moon has shown you mercy, Annaline. I will make your existence a living nightmare for what you did to my sister."
As I pondered his plans for me once I was no longer part of his pack, he seized my throat, and his fangs pierced my neck. The pain was unbearable as he marked me. The agony I endured was nothing compared to the torment his mark would bring.
Anger, resentment, and bitterness consumed me. A mark typically signifies acceptance and protection, but in my case, it signified the opposite.
Betrayed by the Alpha's fiancée, Kari, I was sentenced to death but spared by the Crimson Moon, only to be exiled and marked by my ruthless Alpha, Zachary Ziglar.
After surviving and joining a new pack, I discovered I was pregnant without remembering who I had been with. But why did my pup bear a striking resemblance to my tormentor?
༺❀༻
Pack defect!
Unshifted!
I, Annabella Asra, was known as so many things including the Omega with attitude in the Crimson Moon Tribe, a pack unlike any other in the werewolf community.
Unlike traditional packs with born Omegas, our Alpha Zachary Ziglar, whom I have never met, was said to have been given twenty people and ousted out of his birth pack.
To ensure survival, he waged war on other packs, claiming victory and transforming the survivors into Omegas.
Among our ranks, the highest is the Crimson Warriors, who have served as Omegas and risked their lives in battle to save the pack, earning them full pack membership.
The second rank is the Silver Warriors, who train the lowest rank to qualify for promotion to the Crimson rank based on their strength and skills.
As for the lowest rank, known as the fatuous rank, we are considered foolish, complacent, and unintelligent. I was particularly despised because I refused to conform to their rules, even under torture.
There was something inside me that simply would not yield, no matter the circumstances.
"Anna, it's time for the final training. If you don't behave, I won't be able to save you," my supervisor, Jack, called out from below, knocking on my door. I yawned, irritated at being woken up so early.
Jack, a Silver rank omega, was the only person who truly cared about me. He was like a best friend to me, which is why I didn't want to make his life difficult.
Sleeping in the uncomfortable attic had become routine for me. While those in the Silver Rank enjoyed the comfort of the pack's houses, those of us in the lower ranks like me were relegated to places like the attic.
"Coming," I yawned, descending from the makeshift bed of raffia sticks and bamboo that I had crafted myself without the luxury of a mattress.
"Don't tell me you're still sleeping, Annabelle," his disappointed voice echoed. I quickly put on my blonde wig and the only pair of training pants I owned. My worn-out shoes completed my outfit.
"Tada, I'm ready," I giggled, though he shook his head. Despite my hardships, I never let my enemies see me falter. My mother had always told me that my strength lay in my smile.
Even when they tortured me, I never showed weakness, always hiding my natural red hair as she had instructed. I hadn't seen her in ten years, since I was just eight.
At eighteen, her words still echoed in my mind. The survival rules she instilled in me guided me through the challenges of being passed from one pack to another until I arrived here a month ago.
He sniffed my shoulder and went into deep thought. "Your scent is strange," he pointed out but it wasn't the first time he mentioned it. "But I will figure it out later. There's a problem, Anna," Jack said with concern, but I brushed it off. Problems were just part of my daily struggle to survive.
"Can we go?" I asked, walking past him as he grabbed my arm. "Annabelle, the Alpha's fiancée has arrived, and she doesn't like Omegas, but..."
"Nobody likes me except you," I chuckled. He sighed, his expression serious.
You need to behave because she's seeking a few Omegas to set up the banquet hall for her engagement party with the Alpha. It didn't seem like anything special, so I wasn't initially interested. "What's the deal?"
"Well, she mentioned that if the job is done well, the Omegas who assist will have the opportunity to serve the guests at the banquet. Many of them are respected leaders from other tribes."
This caught my attention as I was still searching for my parents and, despite my aversion to being around people, I always sought information about them.
"Okay, I'm in." He looked like he didn't believe I would behave. My success was key to his promotion to the crimson warriorrank but so far, he had to agree I was still the best of the best.
Most of the new Omegas I arrived with were unprepared for battle, but I always emerged victorious. The challenge was that I didn't have my wolf, while they did.
Not having a wolf made me the weakest, as I couldn't join a war. Even if I passed all the training for the next rank, an unshifted omega wouldn't be accepted.
"Anna, you can't afford to anger her, even though she's difficult," he cautioned. I smiled inwardly. He acknowledged her difficult nature but still advised me to tread carefully.
"I'll do my best," I replied, adjusting my wig to secure it in place. The red bandana I wore around my forehead supported my blonde wig to keep it from slipping.
As soon as I arrived at the training ground, a strong slap met my cheek. Those of our rank trained under the trees, regardless of the weather, while those of higher ranks had the privilege of the gym with air conditioning and modern amenities.
Their skin appeared to brighten just weeks after promotion, thanks to the luxuries they enjoyed.
"You're late!" a red-haired woman yelled, her face inches from mine. "Why does she smell so different?" Her flawless skin suggested she bathed in milk, and her honey eyes glared at me with fury.
Humans smell like hibiscus flowers to us, werewolves have an earthy scent, and vampires have a sweet scent. However, when it came to me, they always said I smelled toxic, whatever that means.
It was the first time I had seen someone with red hair other than myself, but upon closer inspection, I noticed tiny dark hair follicles near her scalp, indicating she must have dyed her hair.
My mom always told me I was the only one with red hair, so I had to keep it hidden for my protection.
"Miss Kari Gudrun," Jack mentioned. I recalled hearing her name from a previous pack I had been sold to. Kari was known for her ruthlessness, but I had never crossed paths with her before.
"She's only been here for a month and is still learning the rules, but she's the strongest, though without her wolf and could even serve as your bodyguard," Jack continued.
I felt a headache coming on as Jack suddenly started praising her. Who said I wanted to be a bodyguard for someone like her? If I were to face her in a battle, she wouldn't stand a chance against me, even with her wolf.
"A bodyguard?" she spat in my face, igniting my anger. "The only thing she's good at is kissing my ass," she said with disdain, causing my fists to clench and my bones to crack. "Perhaps not having her wolf is the reason for her toxic scent."
When I lunged to attack, Jack caught my hand and wiped the saliva from my face. "Sorry, Miss Gudrun, it won't happen again," he said, disappointment surged through me.
Kari was wrong but Jack put the blame on me. "Get them to the banquet hall," Kari instructed, walking away with the sound of her heels clicking on the ground.
They seemed to dig into the earth as she walked. "You should let me deal with her," I seethed, hearing a mocking voice behind me.
"What's with the attitude? Miss Kari Gudrun is the only daughter of the mysterious Lycan King. Can you even compare to a soon-to-be Luna with a Lycan wolf? Wolf-less beings like you would only perish in her hands," one of my fellow omegas taunted.
The mention of the mysterious Lycan King triggered a familiar feeling in me, causing a sudden headache.
Shouldn't you be afraid that the pack defect might tear you to pieces?" another omega mocked, I reacted by slapping her hard in the face, and before the first omega could speak, I slapped her too.
Tears welled up in their eyes, but for some reason, they didn't fall. "Jack, did you see what she did?" The second one asked with a pitiful expression.
I wanted to release the pent-up frustration I had endured because of Kari's actions, and since they had brought it upon themselves, they had to bear the consequences.
"Enough, you provoked her by calling her names," Jack defended me, I forgave him for not standing up to Kari. We then proceeded to the banquet hall where all the prominent figures from different tribes would be attending the engagement party.
"Maybe we'll find our mates among them," one of the omegas of my rank speculated but my attention was drawn to the elaborate decorations in the banquet hall.
The idea of finding a mate terrified me, as I had been betrothed to an Alpha's son when I was just seven years old. He had been attacked by rogues and poisoned with silver. I had to seek a cure by kneeling for seven days in the witches' coven.
Mom didn't give me his name before we parted but said my betrothed will find and give me a deserving life.
The banquet hall was adorned with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling, which fascinated me. It was my first time walking through the Crimson Moon tribe.
After sorting through numerous packs, I was mesmerized by the beauty of this particular one, prompting me to doubt if it truly started with fifty.
"Hey, wolf-less, the banquet is tonight. Stop standing around and get to work," a supervisor urged, but Jack was nowhere in sight. Observing the sluggish pace of the other omegas, I felt a wave of disgust.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a broom and swiftly swept the vast hall. What should have taken twenty omegas at least two hours, I completed in less than twenty minutes. As I finished and looked up, I noticed everyone staring at me in astonishment. Jack suddenly appeared with Kari by his side.
"I told you she's the best. The banquet hall will be ready in less than an hour." Disregarding his flattery, which irked me, I proceeded to dust the tables, clean the walls, and ascend a ladder to polish the chandeliers.
The supervisors arrived with tablecloths, and I neatly covered the tables, cleaned the wine glasses, and arranged every other decor item. As I wiped the sweat from my forehead, I admired how the banquet hall sparkled.
"Wow, how did she work so fast? It's like she's a vampire," one of the omegas I had slapped remarked. I furrowed my brows, pondering the idea of being a vampire. But it didn't make sense; I was comfortable in the sun and had no desire for blood. It was impossible.
"Congratulations. I keep my word. Here is your invitation to the banquet, and you will be a supervisor due to your speed. Your task is to watch and clean up any mess. Do you understand?" Kari asked with a vicious smirk, I felt a wave of unease.
Becoming a supervisor meant I would have to dress like the guests, but I didn't have suitable clothes. As a maid, I will be provided with a uniform.
"I'm sorry, I prefer to serve as a maid. I don't have the right outfit for a supervisor," I politely refused but she was insistent.
"I will get you one as long as you promise to make the event perfect," she said. I nodded, momentarily forgetting the slap. I needed to find a way to locate my mother or even my father, whom my mother warned me against getting close to.
Jack was knocking on my door, disturbing my sleep once again. What they don't know is that without my wolf yet, all the strength I exerted with such speed left me exhausted afterward, and I needed to sleep it off.
"Annabelle, don't tell me you are sleeping again. I brought everything you need for the banquet."
Not having a mirror in my attic, I didn't know how I looked until Jack led me to his room. He even allowed me to use his bathroom again. Usually, when the weather was too cold, he'd let me use his bathroom instead of bathing outside like we, the fatuous omegas, do.
"You look so beautiful, even prettier than Kari," he complimented, I smiled. "Thanks but don't compare me to any she-wolf next time," I warned seriously. I was glad to have my wig on this time. I wouldn't be able to use a bandana, as it would ruin the beauty of the dress.
"And I have work to attend to," I added, turning around. He was looking so handsome, more like a pack born member. "You look good."
He smiled and linked his arm with mine, as soon we arrived at the banquet.
"The Alpha will be greeting the VIP guests with Kari. Anna, you need to ensure everything is flawless while also blending in as a guest," Jack cautioned. I felt uneasy in the high heels I was wearing, as well as the stares I was getting from the people present.
Some were familiar but others weren't. "Understood."
"Alpha Zachary Ziglar and Miss Kari Gudrun have arrived," announced, the MC. My heart raced as I tried to catch a glimpse of the renowned Alpha Zack.