MIRA'S REVENGE

Mira's POV

The sound of birds chirping outside my tiny window wakes me up. I don't mind that my bed is hard-just a thin blanket on a wooden frame. I want this morning to be a good one. I feel the cold floor beneath my feet as I wiggle my toes and stretch my arms. I'm an Omega in this vast, terrifying kingdom, and my name is Mira. As an Omega, I am the weakest and smallest, and no one finds me particularly noteworthy. Still, I make an effort to grin.

I tug my old dress on, the one with the knee patches. It's all I have, but it's soft from all the washings. I use my fingers to brush my long silver hair when it becomes tangled. As I go to the kitchen, my stomach rumbles. The kitchen is large, filled with gleaming cookware and a constantly burning fire. Today, my job is to assist in the pack's cooking. Although the pack is like a large family of wolves, I don't have the same importance as the others.

"Come on, Mira!" yells Lila, one of the cooks. She has brown hair in a bun, is tall, and has a knife-sharp voice. I grab a bunch of potatoes and run to her side. I can only hold a few at a time because my hands are small. Lila gives me a scowl. "What's causing your slowness? The Alpha is awaiting his morning meal.

I keep my head down and nod. I don't want to aggravate her. My fingers move quickly as I peel the potatoes, but one slips and drops to the ground. Under the table, it rolls. As I stoop to pick it up, Lila yells, "Clumsy girl! Is there nothing you can do correctly?

I feel hot tears welling up in my eyes and my cheeks burning, but I resist letting them fall. I continue working after picking up the potato. I wish to be decent. I want their approval. But someone always yells, no matter how hard I try.

I carry a big tray of bread to the great hall after the potatoes. There are long tables and banners hanging on the walls of the enormous hall. There, the pack is eating and laughing. Sitting at the head table is my husband, Dane. The strongest wolf in the kingdom, he is the Alpha. His dark hair, height, and gray eyes make my heart skip a beat. Even though he no longer smiles at me, I still adore him.

I hold the tray tightly as I walk carefully. I'd rather not drop it. I hear whispers and see everyone's eyes following me. Another person says, "Look at her." "The mate of the Alpha is extremely frail." A different voice chuckles. She is not an Alpha's mate. She is merely an Omega.

The tray wobbles and my hands tremble. I bite my lip and continue to move. I placed the tray next to Dane on the table. He avoids eye contact with me. He is speaking to a woman named Selina, who is wearing a sparkling outfit and has red hair. She laughs like a bell, and she's gorgeous. My heart aches when Dane gives her a smile. He never gives me that kind of smile.

Dane says, "Mira," in a chilly tone. He hasn't looked at me yet. "This bread has gone bad. Are you not able to perform better?

I want to apologize, but my throat feels constricted. I mumble, "I-I tried." I have a mouse-like voice.

Selina covers her mouth with her palm as she laughs. Why do you keep her around, Dane? She is worthless.

I wish to vanish, and the pack laughs too. I'm hoping Dane will say something kind, but all he does is wave his hand. "Mira, return to the kitchen. Don't make me look foolish.

With my bare feet smacking the stone floor, I turn and run. I can't stop the tears that are streaming down my face. I hide behind a pile of flour sacks in the kitchen's corner. I try to breathe while embracing my knees. Why is Dane not in love with me? I do everything I can to make him happy. I clean, I cook, and I keep quiet. However, it's never sufficient.

Lila discovers me. "Mira, please stop sobbing! We have work to do! I wipe my face as she pulls me up. I don't want her to shout once more. Soup is bubbling on the stove, and I follow her. I use a large spoon to stir it, but my arms are heavy. I also have fog-like headache pain. I have been feeling ill recently, but I keep it to myself. They would simply label me weak once more.

As the day progresses, I continue working. I wash dishes, carry water, and sweep the floors. Even though my hands hurt and are red, I continue. Maybe someone will notice if I put in a lot of effort. Dane might notice.

The pack gets together for a major meeting at night. I'm not supposed to speak, but I'm free to stand in the back. Dane appears strong and proud as he stands on a podium. The torches shine on his gray eyes. Everybody pays attention to him and waits for him to finish speaking. He discusses conflicts, adversaries, and safeguarding the monarchy. Even if he doesn't see me, I'm proud.

Selina then takes a position next to him. The pack applauds as she places a hand on his arm. I feel sick to my stomach. What makes her and him so close? I'm not her mate; I'm his. I keep quiet while clenching my hands. Omegas don't say anything.

Someone hisses, "Mira!" It's Tora, a gray-haired older wolf. Sometimes she is kind, but not right now. "Stop looking foolish. You're creating a commotion.

I glance at my feet. I mumble, "Sorry." I want to flee, yet I'm unable to do so. I must remain until the conclusion of the meeting.

Dane's voice becomes louder. "We require strength," he declares. "We cannot allow our pack to be weak since our adversaries are on the way!" His words pierced me like a knife, but the crowd roared. Is he referring to me? I try, but I'm not as strong as he is. I really try.

I waited outside the hall after the meeting. I want to ask Dane why he's acting so aloof. I catch a glimpse of him strolling alongside Selina, whose red hair shines in the moonlight. She's grasping his arm once again as they giggle. With my heart racing, I take a step forward.

"Dane?" "Softly," I say. I tremble when I speak.

His eyes narrow as he pauses and turns. "Mira, what do you want?" He sounds irritated in his shrill voice.

I take a deep breath. Can we have a conversation? For a moment only?

Smiling, Selina leans in his direction. "Don't spend your time, Dane. She isn't worthwhile.

Dane sighs and gives me a bug-like stare. "Go to bed, Mira. I'm occupied.

It feels like something heavy is resting on my chest. My bare feet feel chilly on the floor as I nod and turn away. I make my way back to the small room at the castle's edge. It smells like moist stone and is dark. I get into bed and cover my head with the blanket. I'm too exhausted to cry, yet I want to. My head hurts more than it did before. It's like I ate something horrible since my stomach feels odd.

I close my eyes and reminisce about the good times when Dane held my hand. He wasn't inherently cruel. He once said, "I'm pretty," with a smile. That was before the pack began murmuring and before Selina arrived. I'm not sure what I did incorrectly.

I hear a strange sound outside as I fall asleep-a low growl that sounds different from a wolf's. It prickles my skin and is deep. My heart is pounding as I sit up. From the forest outside the castle, the growl resurfaces, this time closer. Apparently, no one else hears it. I sneak over to the window and take a quick look. The trees are blowing in the wind and are gloomy. Something moves in the darkness-a large, swift form with fire-like eyes.

I take a step back and gasp. What was that? I feel sicker than ever and my mind is spinning. With my body trembling, I crawl back to bed. There is a problem. There will be something soon. Furthermore, I'm not sure if I'm resilient enough to handle it.