MIRA'S REVENGE

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.

Mira's POV

When I wake up, I jump. My heart is racing, and my head hurts from last night. Even though the sun is shining now and the castle is booming, I can't stop thinking about that eerie growl from the forest. I push the blanket away and touch my forehead. My stomach feels twisted and heated. Even though I shouldn't, I keep my illness a secret from everyone. They'll just call me weak again.

My name is Mira, and I'm an Omega. That means I am the smallest person in the group and that no one thinks I am important. I live in a big castle with my Alpha husband, Dane. He should act as though he loves me, but he doesn't. I put on my patched dress and tie my silver hair back. My hands shake a little, but I take a deep breath. Today, I'll try my hardest to make Dane happy. Maybe he'll smile at me again.

I dash into the kitchen. The air is heavy with the smell of bread and soup. Lila, the cook, is already yelling. "Mira! Don't be lazy! The Alpha must eat lunch. Her cheeks are flushed and her bun is messy today. I nod and accept a basket of apples. I start to peel them, but my fingers move slowly, like they're stuck in mud. I cut my thumb when the knife slides. A small drop of blood lands on the apple. In the hopes that Lila won't notice, I hastily conceal it.

"Stupid girl!" Lila still gets angry. She's standing above me now, hands on her hips. "You're worthless, Mira. Take immediate action! I bite my lip and keep peeling. My thumb hurts, but I don't cry. I want to be respectable. I want the yelling to stop.

I take a tray into the spacious hall after I've finished the apples. My head feels foggy and my arms shake under the weight of the tray. In the cacophonous hall, a number of wolves are eating and chatting. Dane's dark hair shines in the sunlight at the big table. His grey eyes are as sharp as a storm. Selina's flaming red hair gleams next to him. She laughs and puts her hand on Dane's arm. My chest hurts when I see them. Why are they so close?

I set the tray down carefully. When the plates clink, I try not to make any noise. I want Dane to pay attention and say something nice. But he doesn't even look up. His voice is as cold as ice as he says, "Mira." "This soup is far too thin. Can't you do anything right?

My face gets hot. My throat feels tight, but I want to apologize. "I tried," I mumble. My voice sounds like that of a bird.

Selina laughs harshly and loudly. Dane, why do you keep her? An Alpha shouldn't have her. Her blue eyes sparkle, but not in a good way. The other wolves laugh at the table, too. Their voices were like needles in my ears.

I look at Dane, hoping he'll say something to stop them. But all he does is wave his hand. "Go, Mira. Don't bother me, please. His words were as hard as a stone. I turn and nod, my bare feet silent on the stone floor. I take my time so that no one can see that I'm crying, even though I want to run.

Back in the kitchen, I hide behind a big bag of flour. I pull my knees up to my chest and give them a tight hug. Why is Dane so ruthless? I love him, but he makes me feel so unimportant. My head hurts more now, and my stomach twists more. Heat, cold, and heat again. I'm scared to tell anyone that I have a problem. They'll just laugh.

Again, Lila finds me. "Mira! Come out of hiding! We need to get to work! She pulls at my arm and I stumble to my feet. I wiped away my tears and followed her to the stove. As I stir a pot of stew, I feel unsteady. My face begins to sweat from the steam, and I feel dizzy. I hold the counter to keep up.

I keep working throughout the day. I clean pots, sweep floors, and carry heavy buckets of water. My arms are tired, and my legs are like jelly. Every time I pass the large hall, I can hear Selina laughing. She seems to be stealing Dane from me everywhere she goes. I try to ignore the thought, but it sticks to me like dirt.

At night, there's a big feast. Drink service is my responsibility. I cleaned my apron, but it's still faded and old. I carry a big jug of water into the hall. The tables are packed, and the air is scented with pork and bread. Dane appears robust in his dark coat as he stands at the head table. Selina is standing next to him, dressed in a dazzling, scarlet ensemble. She's smiling like she owns the whole castle.

To keep from yelling, I quickly pour water into cups. But my hands are shaking and a little water drips on the table. A big wolf named Tor grabs my wrist. He growls, "Omega, watch it!" His eyes are cruel, and his grip hurts. I nod and pull away, my heart racing.

The last table I get to is Dane's. I pour water into his cup, being careful not to spill. Selina watches me, her lips curving like a cat's. "Mira," she adds in a polite but sharp voice. "You seem sick. Are you too weak to just pour water?

The group laughs again. My cheeks are burning and my eyes are getting wet. I wait for Dane to say something-anything at all. But as he leans back in his chair, his face is hard. "Mira, you're making me look foolish," he says. Proceed.

To me, the word feels like a slap. I drop the jug and run out of the doorway. As soon as my feet touch the cold floor, I begin to cry. I continue until I get to my tiny room. I slam the door and fall onto my bed. Even though my blanket is thin, I pull it over my head. I want to stay hidden forever.

My head feels like it's being squeezed right now. My stomach turns over and I feel like I might throw up. I stiffen, trying to inhale. Why does Dane despise me? I work very hard to be the best. He used to be kind to me, holding my hand and calling me his mate, I remember. It feels like a dream now.

I close my eyes and try to fall asleep, but I can't. The low, menacing growl from last night is echoing in my mind again. I remind myself that it was just a wolf, maybe one of the pack. But it didn't sound like them. It had an air of grandeur and antiquity. My skin tingles and my heart is pounding as I sit up.

There's a scratching noise outside my window, like claws on stone. I hold my breath as I listen. It comes closer again. I creep to the window, my legs shaking. The night is dark, but the moon is bright. I peek out and my eyes enlarge. A tall, swift shadow with eyes like fire is on the move. But this time, it's not in the forest. It's just outside the castle, looking up at me.

I stumble back, my heart thumping so loudly that I can't hear anything else. I see flashes of sharp fangs in the moonlight as the darkness closes in. It knows I'm here. It's watching me. Then it whispers, "Mira," and it makes me shiver.

Mira's POV

When I wake up, my heart is pounding. The whisper from last night is still in my ears: "Mira...." Now that the sun has risen, my tiny room feels safer, despite my fear. I'm Mira, and I'm an Omega in this big palace. Even though I'm small and composed, I'm uncomfortable. My head hurts all the time, and my stomach twists like it has knots in it. However, I keep it to myself. They will only call me weak.

I put on my old dress with the patches and tie my silver hair back. My hands shake, and my legs are unsteady as a baby deer's. I take a deep breath and head for the kitchen. The castle is filled with the sound of pots clanging and people yelling. I feel like I'm carrying a big boulder in my body, even though I want to have a great day.

In the kitchen, Lila is stirring a pot. Her face is flushed, and her eyes are sharp. She yells, "Mira! You're running late again!" I nod and accept a basket of carrots. My fingers move slowly, and the knife feels slick. My head is spinning, so I drop one of the carrots as I try to peel it. On the floor, it moves.

Lila snatches it up. She shouts, "What a useless girl!" "Is there nothing you can do right?" Despite how painful her remarks were, I keep my head down. I don't want her to see how teary-eyed I am. I try again with another carrot, but I can barely hold the knife because my hands are shaking so much.

"Mira, you seem pale," says Tora, the older gray-haired wolf. She's peeling onions nearby. Her voice is softer than Lila's, but her eyes are troubled. "Are you sick?"

I give a quick shake of my head. "I'm alright," I say, but not loudly. I don't want anyone to know that I'm sorry. When they make fun of him or tell him, Dane will be incensed. Dane is the name of my Alpha husband. He should love me, but he's always with Selina, the ruthless smiler with the red hair.

When I finish the vegetables, I carry a platter of bread into the great hall. My arms feel like jelly and the tray is so heavy that I almost drop it. In the hallway, wolves are eating and conversing. Dane sits at the big table, his dark hair gleaming in the torches. Selina stands next to him, her red dress as bright as a flower. She laughs and puts her hand back on his arm. My stomach hurts even more when I see them.

I set the tray down, being careful not to spill anything. I want Dane to look at me politely and say something. But he doesn't. "Mira," he adds harshly. "This bread is cold. Can't you do better?

"I apologize," I mumble, my cheeks burning. I want to say that I tried, even though the words won't come out.

Selina giggles, her blue eyes glistening. "Dane, she has no hope. Why do you keep her around? The other wolves' loud laughter is audible in my ears. I look at Dane, expecting him to stand up for me, but all he does is wave his hand. Go, Mira. Don't make a scene.

I turn and walk away, my bare feet feeling cold on the stone floor. Tears well up in my eyes, but I fight them back. I don't want anyone to see me cry. Back in the kitchen, I hide behind a stack of flour sacks. I embrace my knees and try to breathe. Right now, it feels like someone is beating my head with a stick. My stomach turns over and I feel like I might throw up.

Lila finds me. "Mira! Come out of hiding! She pulls me up, and I fumble. I can't get my legs to cooperate. She shoves a broom into my hand. "Now sweep the floor!" I nod and start sweeping, but the broom feels heavy and the room spins. I hold the wall to stay up.

All day, I work. I bring water, scrub pots, and clean tables. My body feels worse with each step. My head is fuzzy and my skin is hot and then cold. I drop a plate, and it breaks on the floor. Lila yells, but it sounds distant. I'm sorry, but I can't talk.

I must serve soup for lunch. I almost spill the big pot I'm carrying to the hallway because my arms shake so much. I lose the pot to Tor, the big wolf. "Watch out, Omega!" he growls. His eyes are cruel, so I quickly pull away. I don't want him to hit me.

When I get to Dane's table, I pour soup into his bowl. My hands shake and a tiny bit spills on the table. Selina gasps as if I did something horrible. "Mira, you're so awkward!" she shouts. "Look at this mess!"

Dane frowns at me. "Tidy it up," he orders. His grey eyes are as cold as a stormy sky. I pick up a cloth and wipe down the table, my face burning with shame. While the rest of the pack watches, a few of them whisper. "Weak," one says. "Useless," says another. I want to disappear.

When I'm done, I run back to the kitchen. My mind is racing so much that I had to sit down. Tora kneels beside me when she sees me. "You're not okay, Mira," she says. She is now silent. "You need to rest."

"I can't," I reply. "They'll get angry." My speech is shaky, and my eyes are heavy.

Tora shakes her head. "You're sick. I'm telling Lila. She leaves before I can stop her. I'm scared. If they think I'm weak, they'll tell Dane, which will only make him hate me more.

It is my duty to help with the evening feast. Holding a tray of cups makes my legs feel like they're melting. I set the tray down and lean against the wall. The room is noisy, and the torches hurt my eyes. Selina and Dane are chatting at the head table. She smiles, and he smiles back. My heart hurts so bad that I can't breathe.

I pour water into cups with trembling hands, spilling some. A wolf named Kael grabs my arm. He shouts, "Impetuous Omega!" "You're ruining everything!" I struggle out of his excruciating grip and almost drop the tray.

Dane stands up, an angry look on his face. "Mira!" he shouts. There is silence in the hall. "Why can't you do anything right? In front of the group, you're making me look stupid!

Tears are now streaming down my face. I can't stop them. I'm sorry, but my voice is so small that nobody can hear me. Selina makes a sharp sound when she laughs.

"Go to your room," Dane says. "I would prefer not to see you." His comments are weighing me down like a tonne of rocks. I nod and run, stumbling to the ground. When I reach my room, I collapse on my bed. My entire body hurts and I'm too hot to think. I wrap the blanket around myself and cry until my eyes are dry.

My condition has gotten worse. My head is pounding and my stomach is twisting so much that I'm curling up tight. I recall the roar from the forest, the shadow with the gleaming eyes, and the whisper that called my name. Was it real? Or am I just sick?

Then I hear it again, right outside my window: a deep growl. My heart stops. I sit up, shaky all over. The room is dark, but the moon shines through the window. I sneak up and peek out. The shadow reappears, big and threatening, eyes blazing. But this time it's closer. From the castle wall, it is staring right at me. Its mouth has a dark, blood-like shape, and then I see something worse.