Mated and Rejected by her Beta

"Alessia, darling, please sit back and put your seatbelt on," my mother told me.

"I can't, Mommy. I dropped my binkie," I replied, reaching for my blanket on the ground. My mother laughed as she attempted to reach for it.

We had left early that morning for our annual family vacation. Dad said he got the week off work; later, I found out he had been fired from the restaurant. Our family wasn't wealthy growing up. Being Omegas meant we were the lowest-ranking wolves, but it didn't matter to me. Everything I wanted was given to me by my parents.

However, I was never much concerned about material things other than spending time with my mother and father. Nothing else mattered.

Dad chuckled behind the wheel when he glanced back at me through the rearview mirror.

"Alessia, you must put your seatbelt on while the car is in motion. It's dangerous," he warned as he smiled at me.

"Yes, Daddy," I said softly as I sat back and buckled in. I wanted my binkie. My mother had made it for me last Christmas. We didn't have much money, so she took me to the store and told me to pick out whatever material I wanted. I had chosen the softest fabric I could find. Mother had sewed it together with love and care, and it had become my most prized possession. I always held it close to me, and right now, not having it brought tears to my eyes. Mother looked at me and smiled as she reached for it again.

"Katherine, you need to stop giving in to her," my father whispered-yelled at my mom as she unbuckled her belt and reached for the blanket in the back seat.

As she reached for the blanket, she calmly replied, "I almost got it." While pulling the blanket over the center console, the side caught on Father's tool bag, tearing the veil.

"You ripped binkie, you ripped binkie," I cried as tears fell down my cheeks as I looked at the precious blanket my mother had given me. In a fit of temper, I kicked the back seat.

"Don't worry, Alessia, I'll fix it for you," my mother reassured me.

My mother leaned over the seat, trying to calm me, but I only kicked and screamed loudly.

"No, you ripped it; you ripped my binkie!" I cried.

"Alessia Anahi Santoro, if you don't stop right now, so help me, Goddess, I'll pull this car over," my father yelled at me from the front seat. Suddenly, my mother screamed,

"Adrian, look out!" She grabbed the wheel and pulled it to the left, spinning the car out of control, hitting an approaching truck, ejecting her from the vehicle while another crashed into my father's side.

Shattered glass and metal flew everywhere. I felt a sharp pain in my leg and couldn't move. When the chaos settled, I saw my mother lying on the ground, not moving. I also saw my father slumped over the steering wheel, his head covered in blood. I screamed for help, hoping someone would come. Suddenly, I heard sirens in the distance and knew help was coming. I tried to stay conscious, but the pain in my leg was too much, and I eventually passed out.

Beep beep beep beep..

The sound of a monitor woke me up from my sleep, and the pain I felt in my leg when I rolled over was unbearable.

"Mommy, Daddy," I called out, but they did not answer; I looked around frantically for them. I didn't recognize where I was. This wasn't the cottage we rented, nor the backseat of the car, and Binkie wasn't here. My mother always tucked me in with my binkie.

"MOMMY MOMMY" I cried; tears fell from my face as I looked around and saw all kinds of machines and an IV hooked up to me. I started to panic, my heart racing. I heard a voice from around the corner.

"It's OK, sweetheart. You are in the hospital."

"I want my mommy; where's my mommy?" I cried. I was scared and confused, not understanding why I was in this strange place surrounded by people I didn't recognize. I felt so alone and wanted to be comforted by the familiar faces of my mother and father.

When all of a sudden, another woman came in, she hugged me, and I felt a slight sense of relief.

"I'm here now, don't worry. Everything will be alright," she said. She turned back to the Doctor, who nodded in understanding and walked out.

"What's your name, sweetie?" she asked. Her brown eyes were warm and gentle, her light brown hair was neatly tied in a high ponytail, and her ivory skin was silky smooth. She smiled at me as he patted my back.

"Alessia," I replied, wiping my tears away.

"Alessia, that's a pretty name," she said. "Do you have a last name?"

"Santoro," I said, looking up at her as she smiled.

"Alessia Santoro, my name is Helen. I am the Luna of the Crestview Pack; it's nice to meet you," she said; I smiled at her, "How old are you, Alessia?"

"Seven, where's my mommy and daddy?" I asked

Luna Helen looked at me with deep sadness; at that moment, a man walked in. His presence was intimidating even for a child; he had black hair and brown eyes, his face was clear of any facial hair, and his tan skin was accentuated by the white shirt he wore over black slacks.

"Alessia, this is my husband, Alpha Markus," she said as the man walked in and nodded at me.

"Have we found out anything?" He asked, his voice deep and powerful; Luna Helen nodded to him, and I saw their eyes glaze over. Even though I was seven, I knew that meant they were speaking to each other. My parents did it all the time. Once their eyes cleared, they both looked at me with a sober look.

"I will make arrangements for her," he said as he walked out.

I looked at Luna Helen again and asked, "Where's mommy and daddy?"

Luna Helen pulled me in for a hug, her voice just above a whisper.

"I'm so sorry, Alessia, but your mommy and daddy can't be with you anymore."

I knew what that meant; my mother had said the exact words before my grandmother died. I felt my heartbreak as I cried in Luna Helen's arms. I had no family left; I was an orphan, and the last thing I ever said to my mother was that she ripped my binkie. My father's last words were that he would turn the car around. I felt guilty and angry at the same time.

I wanted to return my words and apologize for being so harsh, but it was too late. I curled up in Luna Helen's arms and cried until my eyes were too sore to shed any more tears. I eventually fell asleep in her arms, completely drained of all emotion.

When I awoke the following day, I was filled with a sense of sorrow and regret. I knew my parents would never again hear my voice or see my face; that thought filled me with unbearable sadness.

***Ten years later***

"Good morning, sunshine," Jackie's chipper voice woke me up. I grabbed my pillow and placed it over my head.

"Uhhhhh. Jackie, five more minutes," I groaned.

Jackie laughed as she said, "Come on, it's time to get up!"

I reluctantly got out of bed, feeling dizzy and grumpy. Jackie hugged me and said, "I'll make your coffee. That'll make you feel better!"

I wanted to sleep. I had been working double shifts and still had to return and do my chores in the packhouse. I had gotten a summer job at the restaurant my dad had worked at many years ago. The new owner had us working double shifts since he was now offering alcohol, and his last call was at four am.

I had gotten off work at two thirty in the morning and rushed back to the packhouse to clean up the kitchen, sweep and mop. By the time I was done, it was five am.

As soon as I walked into the restroom, I washed my face. Putting both hands under the running water, I lowered my face and splashed the cold water on myself. Wow, what a wake-up call. I was no longer in need of coffee at this point. Having washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put my hair in a ponytail, I headed to the kitchen.

Shortly after I was released from the hospital, I began living at Crestview Pack. Alpha Markus and Luna Helen took me in after my parents died in the car accident. My stomach churned at the memory. I was only seven years old and had no one to care for me. In the days immediately following my arrival, Luna Helen had me placed in a temporary home for girls. It was there that I met Jackie.

There was a similar dynamic in our childhood. There is only one difference: her father killed her mother and was exiled from the pack as a result. She was only five when that happened, so she knew what being an orphan was like. Our friendship grew as a result of that. In addition to liking the same things, we were both seventeen years old.

We both worked at the same place, and as luck would have it, we both had the same time to start our shift. However, Jackie could only work part-time since she took college classes. On the other hand, I didn't mind the extra shifts; it allowed me to save money. Money which I wanted to use to get the hell out of here. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to Luna Helen and Alpha Markus for giving me a home, but I wanted to escape from here.

Omegas didn't get to do anything or have a life, and I wanted to travel as much as possible. I wanted to see places I only saw in magazines. However, most of all, I desired to find a place I belonged, a place I could call home, away from serving others.

I assumed places like these only existed in our dreams, next to love. Now I knew for sure that LOVE didn't exist, and if it did, then the Moon Goddess didn't want me to have it. Everything I ever loved was taken from me on the day of the accident.

Trying to shake off the memories, I wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone who hated me most.

"Watch where the fuck you're going," he growled.

"I-I'm sorry, Jared," I said, lowering my gaze in submission.

"You're so fucking stupid," he said as he stormed off.

Jared Falcone, the soon-to-be Beta of the Darkmoon Pack. As long as I can remember, Jared has always hated me, although I never understood why. I never did anything to him, and it wasn't like I could tell anyone. Since he was the future Beta, he got away with everything.

I shrugged and continued into the kitchen, where Jackie had already poured us a cup of coffee.

"What took you so long?" she said, popping her head out of the refrigerator.

"Jared," I said, shaking my head.

"What's up with you too? He's always been a douche to you, but why?" She asked

I giggled.

"You're asking me? He's hated me since I arrived here," I said, and we laughed.

"Good morning, girls," Luna Helen said as she entered the kitchen.

"Good Morning, Luna," Jackie and I replied.

We watched as Luna Helen hurriedly poured herself a cup of coffee, took a sip, and turned to Jackie and me.

"Girls, I need you to start helping prepare for the Alpha Ceremony. We have over five thousand guests that have already RSVPed, and we must ensure they are all accounted for. Call the caterer, the planner, and you both will work that night," she said as she walked out.

Jackie and I turned to each other and giggled.

"Well, there goes our summer vacation," Jackie joked.

"Like we get a vacation. Speaking of, we need to leave before Miguel fires us," I said as I rinsed and dried our cups. I returned to my room to grab my jacket and my bag. As I stepped into the room, I was pushed against the wall. The door slammed shut. I couldn't see who it was as my face was smashed into the wall, and the light had been turned off.

"You know, if you weren't an Omega, I might find you somewhat attractive, but the fact that you're nobody disgusts me," Jared said as he pushed up against me.

His hands slowly made their way under my shirt, his lips barely a few inches from my neck. I could feel his breath on my skin, sending chills down my spine.

"Your innocence is so addictive. I could fuck you right now, and no one would know," he whispered. Then in a single movement, he turned me around to face him. His green eyes were filled with lust and hatred. I couldn't move. I was frozen in fear as his hand approached my neck. A growl left him as he squeezed,

"J-Jared, please," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He slammed his hand against the wall.

"You will know your place and address me as your Beta, do you understand?" He growled as he grabbed my face and squeezed it.

"You know I like you like this, scared and submissive," he laughed as he finally let go of my face. He stepped back away from me and smirked; just as he was about to walk out, he turned and slapped me across the face, grabbing the back of my neck as he pushed me against the wall.

"If you tell anyone about this, I will make your life even more miserable than it already is," he said, shoving me one last time and then walking out, leaving me in my room, cowering in tears.

My body trembled in fear as I sat there. I had no idea what I had done to cause Jared to treat me that way. I could not think of anything that would have made him hate me in the last ten years, no matter how often I had thought about it. Hearing Jackie calling out my name as I sat there in tears broke me out of my thoughts.

"Alessia, come on, let's go. We are going to be late," she exclaimed as she opened my bedroom door. The moment her eyes landed on me, she rushed to my side.

"Alessia, what happened?" She asked with concern written on her face. I stayed silent, remembering Jared's last words. I shook my head and forced myself up off the floor, grabbing my backpack.

"Alessia," Jackie's voice was soft. "Tell me, we're best friends," she said

"I can't," I said as I walked out of the room and down the hall. I heard Jackie's footsteps as she came up behind me.

"Hey," she said as she grabbed my arm and turned me to face her, "You know you can tell me anything, and I won't judge you, but keeping it inside isn't going to fix the problem. You have to talk to someone," she said as she wrapped her arms around me and held me tightly.

Goddess, I loved her. She was more than my best friend. She was a sister to me. I had told Jackie my plan about leaving Crestview and asked her to come with me, but she declined. I understood; after all, this was her home. I was just taken in. I knew I would find it difficult to leave her when the day came, but until then, I chose to enjoy our remaining days together.

I pulled out of Jackie's embrace and smiled at her.

"Thanks, Jackie; let's get to work," I told her, heading for the front door.

We made it to the restaurant with just enough time for me to run to the restroom and splash water on my face. After freshening up, I headed to the register and counted the money.

"Alessia, can you come to my office, please?" I heard Miguel's voice down the hall.

"Jackie, can you..?" I asked her, gesturing at the register. Jackie smiled and nodded as she placed the tray down. After handing her the money, I headed to Miguel's office. I knocked on the door before pushing it open.

"You wanted to see me?" I said as I entered.

Miguel nodded. "Please sit," he said, pointing to a chair. I sat down and waited for him to explain why he had called me.

"Alessia, I know your father worked here many years ago, and he was a great man, and you are a fantastic worker; it's just that." He paused and looked at me, empathy in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but we just don't have the resources to keep you on payroll right now." He sighed. "I'm sure you understand."

My heart dropped. I looked down, trying to hide the tears that were welling up in my eyes. I nodded

"I-I understand. Thank you for everything, Miguel," I said as I slowly stood up and left the office, feeling defeated. I headed to my locker to collect my things when Jackie ran in.

"Tell me this isn't true," Jackie pleaded.

Dropping to the ground, I shook my head. Sobbing, I said, "This job was the closest thing I had to my father; now I have nothing." I sobbed. Jackie hugged me tightly and said, "You still have me. Even if you don't have the job, I'm here for you." I hugged her back, grateful for her support.

"Thanks again. You better get back to work. I'll see you later," I said, standing up and leaving the restaurant. I wasn't ready to return to the packhouse. I didn't want to explain to Luna Helen what had happened, so instead, I walked to my favorite place in Crestview.

I made my way to the far end of the western border, crossed the stream, and climbed on top of the little hill that was there, which overlooked the surrounding fields. Having run away many times as a child, I found this place, and I've always come here to clear my mind.

I loved the tranquility it brought, and best of all, no one knew about it. As I sat there, I looked up at the sky. I often wondered if my parents were up there watching over me.

How I wish they could be with me now. I knew they were gone forever, but I still felt connected to them at that moment. I found solace in the secluded spot and felt like it was the only place I could be myself.

I gazed out into the fields, wondering what lay beyond the Western border. I wondered if there was a place where an Omega could build a life and maybe find a home.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, I also lost track of time; making my way down the hill, I heard something rustle in the trees. I stopped in my tracks and saw a pair of gold eyes in the distance; whatever it was, it was just staring at me; after a short while, it finally left, and I was thankful. I hurriedly returned to the packhouse and began my chores; Jackie was still at work, so I would also have to do her job.

As I folded the laundry, Luna Helen came in, "Alessia, I heard about what happened at the restaurant today," she said, her eyes burning into me, "Please explain why you didn't come back and start your duties here"? She asked

"Forgive me, Luna, I-I just wanted to clear my mind; it won't happen again," I replied, my voice just above a whisper.

As she stood in place, she asked, "Have you decided what you want to do when you turn eighteen?"

I was about to respond when she added, "You were taken in as a child because the accident took place close to our pack, but you have never become a pack member; Alpha Markus has tried to keep this between us, but it seems that when my son Vince becomes Alpha, you will have to become an official member of the pack renouncing all ties to where ever it is you came from. Your birthday is in two days, so be ready because at the same Alpha ceremony, you will become an official member of Crestview, do you understand" she said.

I nodded; Luna Helen walked away. There was no point in saying anything else as this was not up for discussion. As I continued to fold the laundry, I realized that my plans to leave were starting to become non-existent.