Chapter 1: Birthday in Basement

“Come off, please come off. Oh God, help me,” I muttered to myself in the dimly lit basement. My eyes were filled with tears as I scrubbed the stain off a white dress standing near the washing machine. My hands were stinging with pain from where the head omega hit me with a cane, and I could barely hold the dress in my hands.

I accidentally spilled tea on the head Omega this morning, and he beat me until he was satisfied which, needless to say, took a long time. Then he gave me this basket full of dirty dresses that are stained with God knows what and told me he would skin me alive if they were not all spotless before this evening.

I had been at it since then and no matter what I did, the stains wouldn’t come off. Oh God, I was so dead! It'd always been like this ever since Mom and Dad died. Well, it wasn't so good even back then, but now it was even worse. Every day was the same. I made some sort of mistake, no matter how hard I tried, and then got beaten for it.

You would think it’s only natural for an Omega to be treated like this, but it’s because I am considered even worse than Omegas, which is why they all torment me and look down on me like I’m nothing but filth.

My father was also an Omega, but he was better than the rest of them; every other Omega looked up to him back then until he married my mother. My mother was a beta; she was the daughter of an elder, and everyone expected great things from her, but she got married to my dad despite my grandfather’s wishes. It made everyone resent her; they thought it was stupid that she would give up her status for an Omega, and their behavior changed towards both of them.

They were mocked by omegas and mistreated by the higher-ups. When I was born, my parents tried to protect me, but there was only so much they could do, as I was often beaten whenever my parents weren’t around, and now, after their deaths, everyone is free to treat me as they like without holding back.

The Omegas used to fear my parents, but they have no reason to fear me because I am weak. I look a lot like my mom. I have her deep blue eyes and curls of golden hair, but apart from that, I am nothing like her; she was brave, smart, and strong. She was the spitting image of power and fearlessness, but I am frail, naive, weak, and a coward. No wonder no one shows me any piety or mercy.

It was my eighteenth birthday today, and not one person had wished me anything. Not that I expected them to, but a werewolf’s eighteenth birthday is usually when they find a mate. If only I got mated to one of the betas, my problems would come to an end. But so far, I hadn’t felt a hint of attraction to anyone, probably because there were more important things on my mind, like making preparations for this evening's ball.

There was a big mating ceremony tonight at the palace. The entire pack would be present, all except us omegas, for we were banned from attending. I had never been to a ceremony before, but I wanted to so badly, especially today, for I knew I would be mated to beta since I hadn’t felt anything for any of the Omegas all day.

It was my only chance of getting out of this hell, and I didn’t care if I had to pay the price later if I got caught. But I couldn’t do this alone; there was only one person I could ask for help from, and I hated putting her at risk of getting caught. My friend Lila was the only person who had been kind to me for as long as I could remember.

She was all I had—my only hope, my only friend—but I hadn’t seen her today. From what I heard, she was probably busy helping in the ballroom. I wished she were here; she would help me sneak into the ceremony, and she would also know how to get rid of these stupid stains.

"Boo!" someone shouted behind me. I screamed and jumped, causing the dress and scrub to fall from my hands.

"God, Lila, you scared the shit out of me,” I said angrily while Lila laughed at the look of fright on my face.

"Sorry, but how could I miss such a perfect opportunity? You looked like you were about to cry.” She said she was trying to control her laughter.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Emilia. I heard from Jean that the head of Omega gave you some stupid tasks." She asked now, looking serious.

“It’s nearly impossible; look at the stains. How am I supposed to get them off?” I asked, picking up the dress and scrub from the floor and showing it to her.

Instead of looking at the dress, she grabbed my hand and said, “What’s this? That asshole did this to you; one of these days I will kick his butt.”

“You can kick his butt later, right now, I need to get these stains out or I will be in a lot more trouble,” I said pleadingly.

"Ok, ok, I will help you with that, but we first need to treat your hands. Here, I brought this from the infirmary. Jean told me you were punished, so I asked the nurse to lend me some medicine.” She said taking the ointment out of her bag and handing it to me.

I started applying it to my hands. "Thanks, Lila, you are a lifesaver," I said gratefully.

“You exaggerate; now let’s look at those stains you are so worried about.” She said. She bent down and started looking at the different dresses in the basket.

"Oh, nothing. A little lemon and soda won't remove it, and if it still doesn’t work, I know where the head maid hides the expensive stain remover. Ok, so let’s get started.” She said and started to help me with washing. It took nearly an hour, but we completed the job.

"Wow, Lila, you are a magician; it’s like the stains are completely gone,” I exclaimed, examining the dresses.

“Told you there was nothing to worry about," he said, smiling. "Oh, I almost forgot. I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes.” She requested happily all of a sudden.

"What, why, where is this coming from?” I asked, perplexed, because I knew she liked playing pranks.

“Just do it," she insisted.

“Oh, OK.” I replied unsurely and closed my eyes. I sensed her lighting a match, and a light shined. I opened my eyes to see her holding a cupcake with a lighted candle on top of it.

“Happy birthday to you, Emilia," she says cheerfully.

“Lila, you remembered,” I said in awe as, once again, tears started to swell in my eyes. "I didn’t expect you to remember or to celebrate my birthday like this. I am truly happy.”

“Of course I did; now stop crying and make a wish.” She said it gently while wiping my tears with one hand.

“Thank you; I will.” I closed my eyes again, and this time with all my heart, I wished to find my mate who, like Lila, will love me, and accept me, I wished to find happiness for both of us. Then I gently blew out the candle. I broke the cupcake in half and offered some to Lila to eat.

“You don’t have to; it’s already so small, and I brought it for you.” She began to refuse, but I insisted, “I want to share it with you; please take it.” She took it, and we both ate it together.

"Thanks, it is delicious. Where did you get it from?” I asked.

“I stole it from the bride's snack tray when she wasn’t looking,” she answers dismissively.

"Anyway, tell me, have you felt attracted to anyone yet? I mean, a potential mate?” She asks teasingly with a mocking smile.

“About that, I need your help with something.” I suddenly remembered my plan for the ceremony.

“So you have found your mate; who is it to tell me?” She is both surprised and eager to find out.

“No, that’s the point. I haven’t felt anything for any of the Omegas, so it could be that I am mated to a Beta, which is why I...” I hesitate for a moment, and I can see a tense and excited look in Lila's eyes.

“You what?” she asked cautiously, probably dreading the answer.

“Which is why I want to go to the ceremony to find my mate.” I blurted it out really fast.

An eerie silence filled the room as the words left my mouth, and Lila stared at me with wide eyes and an open mouth. If she said no I wouldn't be able to attend the ceremony, and I might never be able to find my mate.