Ninety three

Selene's POV

I stepped out of my small, cozy room early that morning, greeted by the soft rays of dawn. Carey, my best friend and packmate, was already awake, probably waiting for me. As I bid her goodbye, I couldn't help but remind her not to stay up too late and to have a good meal before going to bed.

"Carey, you know you need your beauty sleep," I teased, a playful smile on my lips.

She chuckled, rolling her eyes, and replied, "Alright, Selene, stop being such a naggy mom. I'll be fine, just go to work already!"

With one last laugh shared between us, I made my way towards the bustling pack house. To my surprise, I found a lot of people already awake and going about their day. It was unusual, as the place would typically be quiet at this hour. But I shrugged it off, thinking it might be a coincidence.

As I walked through the pack house, I noticed that people didn't pay as much ridiculing attention to me anymore. It was a change I welcomed, even though some still looked down on me for being an omega. Maybe it was because I had a job now, and I wasn't around as much, except when I went to work or returned home.

However, there was one person who never missed an opportunity to make me feel inferior – Dakota. She sat in a group of friends - the classic high class girls of the pack - and they all seemed to he fawning on her. She looked my way when I came down, and her gaze settled on me, her initially smiling, expressing falling as she regarded me. For some reason, she looked as if she hated me even more than she did when I was still a working omega.

I don't know why she is still so hellbent on making her presence known around me and trying to put me down even when she practically won already. I mean, she is getting enthroned as Luna in a month or so.

Dakota's eyes followed me as I walked, her face devoid of any smile. I could almost read what was running in her mind. She was probably cooking up plots to make things hard for me, and I knew she enjoyed trying to get under my skin, but she was hardly any of my business.

As I almost reached the entrance, she suddenly appeared by my side, folding her arms as she regarded me with obvious hostility.

"I heard you got a job," she said.

I could sense the venom in Dakota's tone as she spoke. It was clear she was trying to intimidate me, just like she used to when I was still an omega. But this time, I didn't flinch or cower.

"Yes, I did," I replied calmly, meeting her gaze without fear. "I'm working at some place downtown."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting such a composed response. "And do you think that makes you special now? You're still just an omega, Selene. Don't forget your place."

I smiled, refusing to let her belittle me. "I know who I am, Dakota. Surely, you're not just here to double-check that, are you?"

Dakota's eyes narrowed, clearly surprised by my confident retort. She was used to seeing me submissive and downtrodden, but I was done playing that role.

"You might have a job, but you'll always be beneath me," she sneered, trying to reassert her dominance.

I simply shrugged, refusing to let her words get to me. "Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better," I said, my smile never wavering.

Atter saying my piece, I moved to walk by her and leave. I was getting late for work. But as I turned to walk away, I suddenly felt a sudden sharp pain in my scalp as my hair was yanked backward.