Chapter 1 The Weakest of Omega

Mira's POV

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside my small window. My bed is just a thin blanket on a wooden frame, and I don't mind that it's hard. I'm hoping for a good morning. I stretch my arms and wiggle my toes, feeling the cold floor beneath my feet. My name is Mira, and I am an Omega in this huge, terrifying kingdom. I am the smallest and weakest Omega, and nobody thinks I'm very special. I try to smile, though.

I pull on my old knee-patched dress. It's soft from all the washings, but it's all I have. When my long silver hair gets tangled, I brush it with my fingers. My stomach rumbles as I head to the kitchen. The kitchen is big, with a fire that burns all the time and shiny cookware. I have to help with the cooking for the pack today. I am not as important as the others, even though the pack is like a big family of wolves.

One of the chefs, Lila, yells, "Come on, Mira!" She is tall, her voice sharp, and her brown hair in a bun. I rush to her side and pick up a bunch of potatoes. My hands are small, so I can only hold a few at a time. Lila frowns at me. "What's making you slow? The Alpha is waiting for his breakfast.

I nod and keep my head down. I don't want to make her angry. As I peel the potatoes, my fingers move quickly, but one slips and falls to the floor. It rolls beneath the table. Lila shouts, "Clumsy girl!" as I bend over to pick it up. Can't you do anything right?

My cheeks are burning and hot tears are forming in my eyes, but I fight the urge to let them fall. I pick up the potato and carry on with my work. I want to be respectable. I want their blessing. But no matter how hard I try, someone always yells.

After the potatoes, I carry a large tray of bread into the great hall. The vast hall has banners hanging on the walls and long tables. The pack is laughing and eating there. My husband, Dane, is seated at the head table. He is the Alpha and the strongest wolf in the kingdom. His height, grey eyes, and dark hair make my heart skip a beat. I still love him even though he doesn't smile at me anymore.

I walk carefully, holding the tray tightly. I would prefer not to drop it. Everyone's eyes are on me, and I hear whispers. "Look at her," says another. "The Alpha's mate is very weak." Another voice laughs. She is not the mate of an Alpha. She's just an Omega.

My hands shake and the tray wobbles. I bite my lip and keep walking. I set the tray on the table beside Dane. He doesn't look me in the eye. He is addressing Selina, a woman with red hair and a sparkling outfit. She's beautiful, and she laughs like a bell. When Dane smiles at her, my heart hurts. He never smiles like that at me.

"Mira," Dane says coldly. He hasn't yet turned to face me. "This bread is no longer good. Can't you do better?

My throat feels tight, but I want to apologise. "I-I tried," I mumble. My voice sounds like that of a mouse.

Selina laughs and puts her hand over her mouth. Dane, why do you keep her around? She has no value.

The pack laughs, and I want to disappear. Dane just waves his hand, but I'm hoping he'll say something nice. Come back to the kitchen, Mira. Don't make me appear stupid.

I turn and run, my bare feet slapping the stone floor. Tears are falling down my cheeks and I can't stop them. I hide in the corner of the kitchen behind a stack of flour sacks. I embrace my knees and try to breathe. Why doesn't Dane love me? I try my hardest to make him happy. I cook, I clean, and I don't talk. But it's never enough.

Lila finds me. "Please stop crying, Mira! We need to get to work! She pulls me up and I wipe my face. I don't want her to yell again. I follow her as the soup on the stove bubbles. I stir it with a big spoon, but my arms are heavy. I also have headache pain that feels like fog. I don't talk about how sick I've been feeling lately. Again, they would just call me weak.

I keep working throughout the day. I sweep the floors, carry water, and do the dishwashing. My hands are red and hurt, but I keep going. If I work hard, maybe someone will notice. Dane may see.

At night, the pack gathers for a crucial meeting. I can stand in the back, but I'm not allowed to talk. Standing on a podium, Dane exudes strength and pride. His grey eyes are illuminated by the torches. Everyone waits for him to finish speaking while paying attention to him. He talks about wars, enemies, and protecting the monarchy. I'm proud even if he doesn't see me.

Then Selina stands beside him. She puts a hand on his arm and the pack cheers. I'm feeling nauseous. Why are they so close? I'm his mate, not hers. I clench my hands and remain silent. Omegas remain silent.

"Mira!" someone hisses. It's an older wolf with grey hair named Tora. She can be nice at times, but not at the moment. Don't look so stupid. You're making a scene.

I look down at my feet. "Sorry," I mumble. I want to run, but I can't. I have to stay until the meeting is over.

Dane's voice gets louder. "We need strength," he says. "With our enemies approaching, we cannot let our pack become weak!" The crowd roared, but his words stabbed me like a knife. Is he talking about me? I'm not as strong as he is, but I try. I do my best.

After the meeting, I waited outside the hall. I'd like to know why Dane is behaving so distant. I glimpse him walking with Selina, whose red hair gleams in the moonlight. They're laughing and she's holding his arm again. I step forward, my heart pounding.

"Dane?" "Softly," I reply. I shudder when I talk.

He stops and turns, his eyes narrowing. "What do you want, Mira?" His shrill voice sounds annoyed.

I inhale deeply. Is it possible for us to speak? Just for a second?

Selina leans towards him and smiles. Dane, don't waste your time. She is not valuable.

Dane sighs and looks at me like a bug. Mira, go to bed. I'm busy.

I feel as though my chest is supported by something heavy. I nod and turn away, my bare feet feeling cold on the floor. I return to the little chamber at the edge of the castle. It's dark and has a damp stone smell. I lay down in bed and pull the blanket over my head. I want to cry, but I'm too tired. My headache has gotten worse. My stomach feels strange, as if I've eaten something terrible.

I close my eyes and remember how much fun it was to have Dane hold my hand. He wasn't naturally mean. At one point, he smiled and said, "I'm pretty." That was before Selina showed up and before the pack started muttering. I don't know what I did wrong.

As I drift off to sleep, I hear a low growl outside that isn't the same as a wolf's. It's deep and prickles my skin. I sit up, my heart thumping. The growl returns, closer this time, from the woods beyond the castle. No one else seems to hear it. I slip to the window and glance out. The trees are gloomy and blowing in the wind. In the darkness, something moves-a big, nimble shape with eyes like fire.

I gasp and step back. What was that? My mind is racing, and I feel worse than ever. I crawl back to bed, my body shaking. Something is wrong. Something will happen shortly. In addition, I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to cope with it.