Chapter 5 v

Ayana's POV Right after cleaning the room, I finished washing the plates and sweeping one of the empty rooms. By embroiling myself in my tasks, I was able to finish all my tasks by noon. I had reported this to Agathe who looked surprised. "You have completed all your tasks?" the blonde woman asked, raising her eyebrow. I nodded in assent. Somehow her stern face lightened somewhat and she looked pleased. "Alright. All the other tasks are taken so you may be dismissed." I was surprised at her words. I was free? I couldn't believe that I was free for the rest of the day.

Surprised at my sudden freedom I was at a loss on what to do with it. After much thought I decided the first thing I was to do was to go to meet Emily. I walked to the other side of the Omega Quarters where her house was and knocked, praying that she was still inside. My wishes came to pass as I shortly after my wait the door was opened and I saw her. "Ayana" she said surprised. "I didn't expect to see you here. And so early at that." "I finished my duties early." I told her, leaving my shoes on the doorstep before stepping inside. "Agathe must have been pleased by that." She remarked, going to the small kitchen island. As I entered inside, I could smell the delicious aroma of food. She must have been cooking before I came. "Can I help?" I instantly offered. Emily gave a reassuring smile as she nodded her head "Oh, no it's fine. The food's already done anyways." True to her word, in a few seconds she switched off the stove. I sat on the chair in the living room. "Tea?" she offered. I nodded and in a few minutes she came back with two cups of hot tea, placing them on the small table. "I also finished my duties earlier." Emily smiled as she told me "the moment I came back I started cooking. Agatha seemed to not pile up the tasks as much" I nod, agreeing with her as I think of the strict blonde woman. Despite the fact that she is more lenient with me nowadays, it still surprised me how much lighter she seemed to be today. I voiced my thoughts out to Emily which made her laugh. "True. Then again she may be acting like this because of Callum's friend returning." "You know about them?" I asked She nodded "News and gossip spins around here pretty fast. Besides, I've lived here for long enough that I've heard many things about them." My mind trailed to the scene I saw in the morning and the conversation I heard in the laundry. I wanted to know about them. Hesitantly, I asked, making sure to carefully form the words "Can you...tell me about alpha Callum's friend?" Emily seemed to understand my motives and narrowed her eyes at me. Unable to face her stare I looked away and backtracked. "I-I'm just curious is all." I stuttered out. She seemed to look down and notice something when she reached out and held my hand gently. I looked down to see that without my knowing, I had been playing with the edge of the shirt I wore. I instantly stopped and she let go of me, linking her hands together and leaning forward with her knees on her elbows. She stared at me with a gaze full of warning. "Ayana, I will say this again. It's best you don't carry any hopes or expectations regarding Alpha Callum. You will only end up hurt in the end." Despite knowing I couldn't control my feelings for him, I nodded and. After a few seconds, she softened and sighed, sitting up straighter "well, it wouldn't hurt to tell you anything." After turning off the stove, she came to sit on the chair next to mine. "Lillian is her name-his friend I mean. They have both been childhood friends for years." She began. I nodded, already aware of this. "There was a third one amongst them, his cousin. All three of them had been friends for years with a close bond. But they had a falling out years ago, and he left, and hasn't come back ever since. It's just been the two of them since then." "Why did they have a falling out?" I asked her, my curiosity getting the better of me. "That, I am not aware of." She said, taking a sip of her tea right after. I looked down at my cup of tea stayed deep in thought wondering what the truth was. A part of me felt assured that his friend was just a friend. "Now," Emily's voice broke me from my thoughts "since I've quelled your curiosity, can we drop the topic?" I nodded eagerly, pushing the information away as we switched to another topic entirely. We kept talking so much I didn't realize when time flew by. While I was telling her about one of my adventures as a child, Trevor, now done with his duties came back and greeted Emily with a kiss before joining the conversation. I felt so comfortable there as they reminded me of my own family. I spent a long time at her place and it wasn't until the sun began to wane and the sky turned orange that I bid them goodbye. As I walked out of the door, I didn't feel the urge to go to my room. After all, I had nobody to talk to there and I would only end up feeling lonely and left out. Thus, I decided to explore the pack area around enjoying the short-lived freedom I had. I passed the large hall I cleaned on my first day here and looked around the... Nearing the Main ward, I saw something I never noticed before. There was a small garden-like area. I didn't know if I was allowed or permitted to go inside, but there was no security and nobody was guarding it. Curiosity kills the cat they say, and I walked to the garden and after a brief hesitation, entered inside. Once I entered I couldn't help but gasp, admiring the beautiful surroundings. The place was breathtaking. There were flowers all around of different colors and shapes. I could identify some of them and marveled at the others. I look at a spot in the garden, mostly hidden by shrubs. I go there to see a huge spot like a cocoon with the sight of the sky clearer than ever. This was the perfect spot to lie down. I lie on the grass and look up to the sky looking at its orange hues which will soon turn dark. I admired the sphere of the currently unclear moon which will shine in its fill brightness in a few hours from then. Despite my enjoyment, I stayed alert in case anybody comes in. Time passes by and nobody had come. Slowly I begin to let my guard down, properly relaxing on the grass, whilst admiring the clouds. I recall how I used to do this same thing in what seems to be ages ago, when I was not sold as an omega, when I lived a free carefree life with my old pack. I don't know how long I stay there but the quiet serenity of the place along with my general exhaustion from the tasks I did begin to lull me as I feel my eyes feel heavier and heavier. My arms and legs felt too heavy to move. It was late; I knew I had to go to the Omega Quarters, yet I felt like staying a little longer. Just a little longer.... I think to myself. I close my eyes and am unaware of when I fall into the peaceful darkness of slumber. I dream of my family and my former pack and the happiness I felt with them. I open my eyes to see darkness, with the only source of light being the full moon shining on me. For some reason, I feel a strange feeling in my chest, akin to anxiety. I sit up on the grass, realizing where I was. Did I sleep here? What time was it? I was filled with panic as I scrambled up to my feet. I had to leave. I stepped out of the shrub spot I was hiding under and came out to the rest of the garden. Yet the strange feeling within me grew stronger. Something akin to a siren's call made me pause. I looked to the entrance to see what was bothering me. I turn around to see Alpha Callum in a robe, his feet bare and his blue eyes staring back at me. Somehow I feel something click in me. A feeling of wholeness I am overwhelmed with. The primal bond was made and I could recognize it for what it was. Mate.