Just an omega; The Lycan's Mate

My name is Yolanda Edwards, and I hail from the fierce moon pack as the youngest daughter of our omega.

In the world of werewolves, omegas are seen as the weakest link, often subjected to scorn and derision for being deemed useless. It's a common refrain: "They should just go live among the humans since they have no value."

As I said, I am Yolanda Edwards, a girl who has yet to awaken her wolf, navigating life in a community that looks down on me not only for my omega lineage but also for being wolf-less at 19. I am a constant target of ridicule within this pack.

Truthfully, I often dream of a life among humans; it would surely be an improvement over my current existence. My father, a heavy drinker, was left by my mother because of his omega status.

My two older sisters, Bria and Blair, are twins who found their mates shortly after transforming into their wolves, blessed by the moon goddess with partners who embraced them fully.

My reality, however, is starkly different. I have never shifted into my wolf, and I can't even sense her presence; it feels as if she's a figment of my imagination. To make matters worse, I am without a mate.

High school was a nightmare; I faced relentless bullying, and no one came to my aid. Instead, they reveled in my suffering. Now that I'm in college, the harassment has lessened, but it still lingers, casting a shadow over my days.

Just now, the beta's daughter sneers at me, "Aren't you the one I'm talking to, you brat?" With a swift smack, she strikes me, and heat rushes to my cheeks. Here we go again.

As I sprawled on the cold bathroom floor, their laughter echoed around me. This was a familiar scene, one I had grown accustomed to. Once their jeers faded, they sauntered away, leaving me in solitude. I pushed myself up, straightened my disheveled appearance, and retrieved the powder I had stashed in my pocket, dabbing it onto my flushed cheek.

My reflection in the mirror caught my attention; my sapphire eyes stared back, a striking contrast to the turmoil within. The only redeeming qualities I possessed were my pretty face and figure, but what value did they hold when I felt utterly worthless?

Stepping out of the bathroom, I was met with the sound of giggles from a group of girls. It seemed a young professor from a nearby pack was stepping in for our regular instructor, who was on leave, and he was due to arrive today.

As I lingered by the classroom door, an unexpected scent wafted through the air. I had never been particularly sensitive to smells, so the aroma of mint and earth caught me off guard.

Suddenly, a voice I didn't recognize shouted 'mate.' Was that me or someone else? I spun around, only to find a pair of piercing red eyes locked onto mine.

In that instant, my heart raced. He was staring at me with an intensity that was both thrilling and terrifying, and I felt an inexplicable attraction pulling me toward him. I quickly turned away and took my seat, trying to focus on the lecture ahead, but thoughts of the mysterious guy lingered in my mind. 'Mate,' the word reverberated in my head.

I looked up just as the substitute professor entered-the very man I had just seen. Our eyes met again, and I hastily averted my gaze. 'Mate,' the word echoed once more; after all this time waiting for you, is this some kind of joke?

My wolf finally spoke up, but instead of feeling joy, I was filled with frustration. I brushed aside her pleas and trudged. I had long since given up on the idea of being a werewolf and all that it entailed; I didn't need a mate.

I'm content with my current situation. After I graduate from college, I plan to relocate to where the humans are. I know I'll thrive there.

"The class is about to start." Laughter erupted from my classmates at the sound of my mate's voice. "You in the green sweatshirt, please turn to page six." Green sweatshirt? Is he addressing me? I glanced over, and indeed, he was.

The attractive professor maintained a stoic demeanor that I found difficult to interpret. Reluctantly, I rose to my feet and opened the book to the designated page, hearing the muffled laughter of my classmates. One particular student, Rodney, whom I had a crush on, made a disparaging comment, saying, "Oh, it's pointless, Yolanda." I chose to ignore their remarks, as I had grown accustomed to such behavior.

As I began to read aloud, the classroom fell silent, the book partially obscuring my face. My wolf was incessantly urging me to acknowledge my mate, but I chose to disregard her pleas. Eventually, she ceased her calls and began to whimper, clearly displeased with my indifference.

After I completed the reading, I quickly returned to my seat, still avoiding his gaze, even though I could feel his stare piercing through me. "Thank you, Miss..." he paused, seemingly wanting to know my name. I finally met his eyes and introduced myself, "Yolanda Edwards."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before addressing the class. "I understand you have been informed that I will be your substitute professor. I kindly ask for your cooperation. My name is Alejandro Romero," he announced, prompting giggles from the girls. I sank deeper into my chair, bracing myself for his class.

Throughout the day, I found myself stealing glances at him, despite my insistence that I didn't want him. There was an undeniable pull that drew me to him, and I often caught myself biting my lips. He noticed a few times, but I feigned deep engagement with the class, just like everyone else.

He is truly an impressive man, radiating a powerful presence that commands attention. He is more than just a werewolf; he possesses a strength that is remarkable. It feels unfortunate that he is paired with someone like me, and I can't help but feel sorry for him.

After class, I gathered my books, knowing it was our final session of the day. As he exited the room, I let out a sigh and followed suit. To avoid any unwanted attention, I kept my head down and let my messy hair fall over part of my face, preferring not to see the disdain in others' expressions.

I returned home that evening, I was met with the familiar sight of my father, slumped in a drunken stupor on the balcony. He lay in an armchair, surrounded by scattered whisky bottles. I felt a deep resentment for what he had become, but I chose to ignore him and stepped inside.

I often contemplated leaving this place, as my sister Blair had suggested I move in with her. However, I didn't want to impose on her, so I remained here, even though I felt I was reaching my breaking point.

The night fell, and I dedicated some time to my studies. I could hear the sound of plates clattering in the kitchen, indicating that he had likely woken up and was searching for something to eat.

I tried to focus on my work, but suddenly, a loud thud against my window interrupted my concentration. I glanced over, suspecting it might be some of my bullies, as this was not the first time they had pulled such a stunt.

I attempted to ignore it, but the noise persisted, becoming increasingly disruptive. Frustrated, I stood up and approached my locked window. To my surprise, a dark figure was lurking beneath the trees. The moonlight illuminated the area just enough for me to see him, but his face remained obscured by shadows.

As he stepped closer, I gasped in shock. How did he know where I lived? Had he followed me? My wolf, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up with a surge of excitement, exclaiming, "mate."

I was abruptly jolted by my father's voice calling out "Yolanda," his tone laced with anger over the lack of food. It wasn't my fault; I was just as hungry. I quickly stepped away from the window to respond, my heart racing. Alejandro sudden appearance surprised me.

"Yes, father," I called back, but the look my father gave me made me shrink back. "Why is there nothing for me to eat?" he demanded. I was baffled by his accusation. "There are no groceries, so I couldn't make anything," I explained. He raised his hand as if to strike me, and I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing for impact.

In an instant, I heard the sound of shattering window glass, followed by a thud and my father's groan of pain.

My breath caught in my throat as I sensed my mate's presence. With my eyes still shut, I felt a gentle hand stroke my face, prompting me to open my eyes.

Alejandro's red eyes glimmered in the dim light of my room, and I felt an overwhelming urge to embrace him. "What on earth happened?" my father asked, but he quickly gasped as Alejandro turned to face him, a clear intent to kill in his gaze. Just then, an awkward yet humorous moment occurred-my stomach growled loudly.

This caught my mate's attention, and he looked at me, saying, "You should eat." I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me; this was precisely why I hesitated to get involved with someone like him. I didn't feel worthy of his affection.

I shifted my gaze to my father, who was staring at me in astonishment, realization dawning on him that the man before us was my mate.

One thought continued to occupy my mind: how could he have accomplished what he did in mere seconds? Normal werewolves lack such speed, except for lycans, but that couldn't be the case-I couldn't possibly be mated to one.

In an instant, he lifted me, and although I wanted to object, the words failed to form. My window was shattered, and part of my room was in disarray. The cold air hit my skin, causing me to shiver as we sped away.

I shut my eyes, trying to block out the reality; he hadn't even shifted into his wolf form, yet he was running at an incredible pace. When we finally stopped, I opened my eyes to find ourselves at the pack house.

Was this his home? The massive gate swung open as he stepped inside, and we walked for several minutes in silence.

We halted at the entrance of an impressive mansion, where the alpha and his Luna emerged. Confusion washed over me as everyone bowed in respect to him, prompting me to glance at him. He remained focused ahead, commanding the alpha, "Bring something to eat to my room immediately." We continued onward, and he carried me into a stunning room.

Something felt off. He didn't set me down but instead remarked, "Yolanda, that's a lovely name; I like it." A smile graced his face. "I shouldn't be here," I whispered.

He nodded and replied, "Exactly, you should be at the palace." Palace? What was he referring to? Noticing my bewilderment, he sat down and pulled me onto his lap, turning my head to meet his gaze. "Do you know how long I have waited for this day, mate? Your place is with me in my palace, which is now yours. I am the lycan king."

My eyes widened in disbelief. Could it be true? Was he really claiming to be a lycan, and not just any lycan, but the king? Yet here I was, just an omega, literally sitting on the lap of a lycan king tightly held.

A meal was swiftly delivered to the room, and I was still grappling with the shock of what I had just heard. The servants exited quietly, their heads lowered in deference. "You should eat," he urged me. I felt the pangs of hunger, yet I knew I had to express my unworthiness to stand by his side; he needed to reject me.

"I don't believe I'm suitable to be your mate," I confessed. He let out a soft laugh. "Is that why you ignored me in class today?" My throat tightened.

If he was already aware of my reasons, wouldn't he simply reject me? "I heard what that jerk said in class, calling you pointless. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to restrain myself from tearing him apart?" It was clear he was referring to Rodney.

He continued, "Honestly, I don't care who my mate is. I need you more than you can imagine." His words sparked my curiosity-what could I possibly offer to the lycan king?

Noticing my intrigue, he elaborated, "My throne is in jeopardy because I've been without a mate for one hundred and twenty-three years. My council is planning to impeach me; they want an heir." So, he needed me to bear a child? Was this the narrow path my life had been reduced to?

You just need a baby-making machine, huh? I couldn't hide my irritation, and he caught on, chuckling again. "You really know how to keep up, Yolanda.

But I've changed my mind. I don't just want you to bear my children anymore; I'm genuinely fascinated by you. I never expected to be paired with someone as stunning as you." He should take a look in the mirror-he's the definition of beauty himself.

He pulled the food closer and insisted, "Eat up, mate. You'll need all your strength for tomorrow's adventure." Adventure? "Where are we headed?" I asked, bewildered. "To the mighty pack, of course-our home." My eyes widened in shock.

"But I have to study! What about your teaching job?" Before I could protest further, he shoved a spoonful of food into my mouth, silencing me. It was incredible-I've never tasted anything quite like it before.

He confessed, "That was my way of searching for my mate. I don't need to keep up that pretense any longer. I traveled from pack to pack, taking on the role of a substitute professor, all in the hopes of finding my mate. It seems Raymond's plan actually worked."

I gathered that Raymond was his trusted ally, and he continued to feed me.

Once I finished eating, he gently laid me on the bed. Exhaustion washed over me, and all I wanted was to drift off to sleep. He stood up and began to undress, and as the fog in my mind began to clear, I shot up from the bed.

"Take it easy; I have no intention of taking you in another man's pack," he said, finishing his undressing and sliding into bed beside me, pulling me close.

Here I was, lying next to a naked man, and embarrassment flooded me, but my wolf was a different story-she was acting like a creature in heat. I had to push those feelings aside.

Morning broke, and as he mentioned, we were indeed heading to his pack. I felt the need to bid farewell to my siblings, even though my father could be prickly while my sisters were anything but. Fresh clothes were laid out for me, and I was guided to where my mate awaited.

So accustomed to keeping my gaze lowered, I almost missed the presence of my sisters until Blair called out to me, prompting me to lift my head.

Blair and Bria dashed toward me, enveloping me in warm hugs. My eyes flickered to Alejandro, who wore a radiant smile that made me want to kiss him right then and there.

I embraced my sisters tightly; their joy over my newfound bond with the lycan king was palpable. "Be good there, okay? If you need anything, don't forget to call," Bria said, her voice thick with emotion as she wiped away her tears.

I cherished my sisters; they had always been my unwavering support. But now, it was time to leave. Alejandro stepped closer, taking my hand firmly.

"That's enough; we don't have time," he said gently. My sisters bowed their heads in respect as he led me outside. Cars were parked outside for our department and I took one last glance at my sisters before stepping into the vehicle.

We arrived at the airport in no time. I was seated on what appeared to be a private plane, and this was my first experience flying, as well as my first time away from my pack. A meal was served to me since I hadn't eaten yet, and he sat across from me, observing me intently as I ate, seemingly enjoying the sight.

Once I finished, he let out a sigh and said, "Yolanda, I need to warn you that many people will want to harm you, so you must be prepared." I shot him a questioning look, unsure of what he meant. "As I mentioned, there are those who wish to undermine me, and they will find alternative ways to do so.

You need to stay vigilant," he continued. Was he implying that I could be a target as well?

With a serious tone, I replied, "Could you elaborate? If this situation is too dangerous for me, I'll return to my pack. I'm just a weak Omega."

It might be wiser to stick to my original plan of living among humans. "If you seek clarification, I can provide it. I have a twin who was born before me but was weaker.

Only the strongest can become alpha, and when my father passed the title to me a century and a half ago, my twin was enraged. He would stop at nothing to reclaim his position. He found a mate and had children, while I remain without a mate.

Now, he has gathered supporters who want him to take over because he has an heir, and I do not."

I understood his explanation, but I struggled to manage the dynamics within my own pack. How could I possibly confront his brother, a lycan, and the lycans in his pack? He chuckled, pulling me from my thoughts. "I'm just advising you to be cautious. If you are careful, no harm will come to you.

No one will dare to touch you, I assure you." Yet, despite his reassurances, I couldn't shake my unease.

Why not consider giving him the throne instead? In that moment, I realized the error of my words as his once-smiling face turned serious. "I have my pride, my friend. Do you want me to become a laughingstock?" he retorted.

I shut my eyes, revealing a truth I had kept hidden: "I have never shifted into my wolf before." His expression shifted to one of surprise. "But I can sense your wolf; it's dominating this space right now. Are you certain you are an omega?" His question caught me off guard, but I nodded confidently.