Aerowyn's POV

A sudden deluge of ice-cold water roused me from my slumber. Startled, I sprang to my feet, shivering uncontrollably. My mother loomed before me, an empty bucket in her hand. "Get ready and prepare breakfast for everyone," she commanded brusquely before storming out of my room.

I let out a resigned sigh.

This could hardly be called a room. It was the pack's old garage, converted into my makeshift living quarters. An antiquated bathroom occupied one corner, and the lack of wardrobe, cupboard, or closet was striking. My personal belongings were crammed into a single, worn-out bag. A solitary chair rested beside a dilapidated table, haphazardly strewn on the ground.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, then gathered my clothes and trudged to the bathroom. After a quick bath, I donned my grimy clothes: an old, faded light-blue t-shirt, marred by holes along the sleeves, and a pair of worn-out jeans.

I pulled my brown hair into a bun and stared at my reflection in the minuscule mirror adorning the wall.

My appearance bore no resemblance to my family members. My father sported black hair and dark blue eyes. In contrast, my mother, sister, and brothers all shared dirty blonde hair and sky-blue eyes.

And then there was me—brown hair and matching brown eyes. I was the short one in a family of towering figures. My once-vibrant eyes had lost their shine. The smile that used to grace my face had vanished. The wit that used to define me had dissipated. My body had become markedly thinner, making me look almost lifeless.

I sighed again. Zoning out has become an unwelcome habit.

Shaking off my melancholy, I quickly slipped on my black hoodie over my t-shirt and exited the garage, pulling the hood over my face. Although it didn't completely conceal me, it provided a small measure of comfort.

I made my way into the bustling pack house and dashed towards the kitchen. A few more individuals like me, all fellow Omegas, were already there.

As soon as Shena spotted me, she stormed over, her eyes blazing with indignation. Roughly grabbing my arm, she hissed, "How many times must I tell you to be punctual?!" Her loud outburst startled me, making me flinch.

"I... I'm sorry," I stuttered. Mimicking my stammering, she mocked, "I... I... I... I... I'm sorry," then she callously shoved me into the bustling kitchen, causing me to tumble to the ground.

"Such a disgrace to us," the other Omegas sneered, their laughter echoing as they departed the kitchen, leaving me alone to carry out their tasks along with mine. I wiped my tears, swallowed my hurt, and started working. The door swung open, but I didn't turn; I needed to concentrate on the task at hand.

Then, I felt a gentle touch on my hand. It was soft and immediately familiar. Turning, I enveloped the figure in a tight hug, and warm arms wrapped around me in response. This was the only person who genuinely cared for me, the only person who loved me unconditionally, the only person who truly understood my feelings.

"Grandma."

"My sweet girl," she responded, pulling away to plant a tender kiss on my forehead. Her affection elicited a genuine smile from me.

My grandma was a timeless beauty. Her skin was soft and supple, her light blonde hair, almost white, flowed around her shoulders, and she had my father's dark blue eyes. She was not only physically beautiful but possessed a heart of pure gold as well.

Whenever I felt hopeless, she bolstered my spirit and reinstated the hope that I had lost. She would always reassure me that there was a reason I was who I was, often reminding me, "The moon goddess never makes a mistake."

"Let me help you," she suggested, reaching for the knife in my hand. "No, Grandma," I protested, trying to retrieve the knife. I didn't want her to toil; she was the former Luna. She shouldn't have to work.

"Na-uh. You're not taking this from me. Now stop arguing, and let's work. Together," she declared. I sighed and relented, knowing full well she would never back down.

Together, we prepared the meal and laid it out on the table. "Thanks, Grandma," I gratefully acknowledged her help once we had finished. "Anything for my sweet little girl," she replied, settling into a chair. "You know I'm not a little girl anymore," I chuckled. "But you'll always be my little girl," she said, grinning. I smiled at her in return. Oh, how I loved this woman.

"Come here, Aurélie," she beckoned, emphasizing my middle name. It was a name my grandmother chose for me, overriding my mother's intention to name me 'Linda,' which means 'pretty, beautiful.' But my grandmother insisted, and eventually, my parents agreed.

"Honey, Aurélie! You're zoning out again," my grandmother's gentle voice brought me back to reality. "I'm sorry. What were you saying, Grandma?" I asked, attempting to refocus my attention. "It's okay, darling. Come here," she waved me over.

I walked towards her, and she patted the chair beside her. I settled down, eager to hear what she had to say. "Do you remember what I told you that day when you asked me why I called you by your middle name? You were only four years old then," she inquired.

I remembered. It was a memory that had never left my mind. I had wanted to understand what she truly meant. Why was she bringing it up now? Could this be the day she had spoken of? Was she finally going to reveal the truth?

Flashback

I asked her why she called me by my middle name. She had replied, "Aurélie means 'Golden.' Your heart is golden, my dear. You are very special."

"I don't understand, Grandma," I confessed.

"You will. One day, you will. When that day comes, you will know. I hope you will remember what I said," she said, gently stroking my curly hair.

"Why did you choose 'Auwly' as my middle name?" I asked curiously.

"You will know why when the day arrives," she responded softly, her gaze fixated on the moon. "You will know soon."

End of Flashback

"Yes, yes, I remember," I replied, excitement bubbling within me. "You said Aurélie means 'Golden.' You said I am very special. You said I would understand one day. Is today the day? Are you finally going to tell me?"

"No, it's not the day yet," she answered, and I felt a tinge of disappointment.

"Oh," I replied, my excitement waning.

"Aurélie, my dear, I don't know if I will live to see that day. But always remember one thing. Follow your heart. Follow the voice deep inside you," she looked at me with an inscrutable expression.

"Grandma, I don't understand. Why do you always say things with such profound meaning, as if there's another secret beneath it all?" I asked, my confusion evident.

"You are very observant," she smiled warmly.

"What do you mean?" I inquired, curiosity piqued.

"I mean you're right. There is another secret meaning," she replied. "Aurélie, listen closely. You have a long journey ahead of you. There will be highs and lows, moments of triumph and moments of defeat. When you soar too high, there will come a time when you fall. But never give up. If you stumble and fall, gather yourself and rise again. Remember, there will always be a reason why you feel. Explore those laws, discover the lessons they hold, and find your way back up."

She reached into her jeans pocket and retrieved a wooden box. "Here, this is for you," she said, placing it in my hands. "What is it?" I asked, gingerly examining the box. It bore inscriptions that resembled ancient writing.

"Open it," she urged, a gentle smile playing on her lips. I slowly lifted the lid, revealing its contents. "Grandma," I gasped in awe.

Inside the box rested a pendant necklace adorned with a mesmerizing onyx stone. I carefully lifted it out. "It's beautiful," I exclaimed, entranced by its allure.

"It's yours," Grandma confirmed, her voice filled with sincerity.

"What?" I stammered, finding it hard to believe.

Without uttering a word, she unclasped the moonstone necklace from around her neck and placed it in the box. She then took the onyx pendant necklace and nestled it alongside the moonstone, before gently closing the lid. She met my gaze and returned the box to my hands.

"I may not be there on that day, but these will be," she said, her voice tinged with bittersweetness. "The onyx pendant necklace is a family heirloom, passed down in 1600. I have only worn it twice in my life. I want you to wear it now," she smiled.

"And the moonstone necklace was given to me by your grandpa. It was a gift he bestowed upon me, with the promise that I would pass it on to you on the day before your 15th birthday," she continued. It struck me then that tomorrow was indeed my 15th birthday, but the significance seemed overshadowed by my inner struggles.

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask. "Why me? Why not Valerie?"

"I've told you, my dear. You are special," she replied gently, her eyes filled with affection.

I looked at her and then at the box in my hands. "Okay, I will wear them," I said, a resolute determination settling within me. She smiled and embraced me warmly. "I will see you later then. Remember, you have school today," she said before departing.

I made my way back to the garage, packed my worn bag, and returned to the pack house. Voices emanated from the kitchen, indicating that everyone was enjoying their dinner. Silently, I positioned myself just outside the door, waiting patiently.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and my twin brother, Ervin, emerged. His once bright sky-blue eyes turned frigid upon seeing me. An anxious gulp escaped my throat.

"Well, hello there, sister. Oh, wait, I forgot. You're not my sister. You're the disgrace queen," he taunted, his chuckles resonating through the air. He bent down to my level, locking his gaze with mine.

"I'm sorry I have to do this," he whispered, his cold eyes softening. His smirk transformed into a sorrowful smile. I stared at him in disbelief. Did he genuinely care about me? Was his animosity all an act? Had it all been a charade?

"E-Ervin?" I managed to utter, my voice trembling.

Before I could process what was happening, a punch landed on my jaw, sending a metallic taste of blood into my mouth. I looked up, bewildered, only to find Ervin grinning with an air of triumph. What had just transpired?

"Pathetic. Do you honestly think I, Ervin Barrett Beau, care about you? You're a sorry excuse for an Omega! You don't even possess a wolf!" he spat venomously.

A wave of sadness washed over me, causing tears to well up in my eyes. However, I refused to let them cascade down my cheeks.

"Such a disgrace. Pathetic. Ugly. Stupid. Dumb. Nerd," he continued his tirade. The hurt sliced through my heart, yet I remained silent. Nerd? I wasn't a nerd. I yearned to study diligently, but the burdens of the pack house left me with scarce time for education. How could I possibly focus on my studies?

"And your mate? He won't even give you a second glance. I'm 100% certain he'll reject you without hesitation," he laughed, attracting a growing crowd around us.

Amongst the onlookers, I spotted my sister, Valerie, and my older brother, Wilson, standing idly, their expressions hinting at amusement. Mother and Father were present too, their faces mirroring amusement as they observed the spectacle. I bled from my injuries, yet they celebrated Ervin's cruel display. How delightful.

As I rose to leave, my path was obstructed by my sister, who shoved me forcefully back to the ground. Laughter echoed in the surroundings.

A series of kicks landed on my stomach, followed by relentless strikes targeting various parts of my body. Head, legs, arms, back, breasts, face, nose—the blows rained down upon me mercilessly. Dark colors began to dance within my vision.

The last sensation I felt was a kick to my neck.

The last words I heard were, "Why don't you do everyone a favor and just leave? Or better yet, die?" spoken by Wilson.

I slowly opened my eyes, each movement causing pain to course through my body. I realized I was lying on the cold floor of the pack house. Determined, I forced myself to stand, disregarding the aching. I made my way to the kitchen, grabbing a sandwich before limping towards school on one foot.

Leaving my biology class, I felt utterly drained. Lunchtime had arrived, so I headed to the playground, my chosen spot for meals. Settling on a bench, I closed my eyes, seeking a momentary respite from the harsh realities that surrounded me.

At the tender age of 5, I dashed out of the pack house, laughing with sheer delight. My 12-year-old brother, Wilson, and 9-year-old sister, Valerie, chased after me.

"I'm going to catch you, Ari!" Wilson exclaimed, his laughter echoing through the air.

"No, you won't! I'm faster than you!" I shouted back, my giggles filling the atmosphere. Catching sight of my twin brother, Ervin, perched on a tree, I called out to him.

"Ervi! Ervi!" I yelled, urging him to join us. He glanced in my direction and climbed down a few branches. Extending his hand, he offered assistance, which I gladly accepted, using it to climb the tree.

However, in a sudden turn of events, I lost my balance and tumbled to the ground, landing on my rear. Stunned, I sat there momentarily, grappling with the shock.

Valerie, Wilson, and Ervin rushed to my side, their faces etched with concern. As they knelt beside me, I burst into laughter, unable to contain my mirth. Standing up, I swiftly evaded their grasp and darted away.

"You're crazy," Wilson exclaimed, his laughter accompanying my escape. Soon after, my mischievous siblings pinned me to the ground, their nimble fingers relentlessly tickling my sides as I erupted in fits of uncontrollable laughter. Tears welled up in my eyes from the sheer joy of the moment.

"Kids, it's lunchtime!" Mother's voice rang out, catching our attention. As my siblings glanced up, I used the opportunity to wriggle free from their hold and hurried to Mother. "Mommy!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her legs.

"Hello there, my little princess!" she greeted, sweeping me into her warm embrace. I planted kisses on her cheeks. "I love you, Mommy," I proclaimed, my adoration evident in my voice.

"Awwn, I love you too, baby," she replied, returning my affection. Wilson chimed in, "No kiss for me?" I glanced mischievously at him and grinned.

"Nah, I don't kiss dumbwos!" I flicked my short curly hair with sass, causing laughter to erupt from everyone present. Just then, Father's voice rang out.

"Aerowyn!" he called, drawing my attention. "Daddy!" I exclaimed with unbridled joy.

My reverie was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. I glanced to the side, spotting them—the individuals who despised me as though I were a rogue, the ones who treated me as though I were dirt beneath their shoes. Valerie, Wilson, Ervin, and the other bullies.

"Look who's here," Wilson chuckled, relishing their arrival. "You made it, huh?" Ervin smirked, his pride evident in his demeanor.

"Oh, my baby sister," Valerie hurried to my side, her expression falsely filled with sorrow. "Are you okay? Does it hurt?" she feigned concern, her hand gently caressing my face. Gritting my teeth, I refrained from uttering something I would undoubtedly regret later.

"Oh, my god! I'm so, so sorry!" she frowned, pretending remorse. "Everything will be okay," she continued, her frown transforming into a sinister smile, "if you leave the pack. Become a rogue and never come back."

I knew it! All along, I had sensed that this was yet another one of their games!

Suddenly, the most alluring scent I had ever encountered wafted into my nostrils. Unable to resist, I inhaled deeply, feeling something within my soul snap into place. What was happening? I followed the intoxicating aroma, my gaze landing on him—the source of the scent. The realization struck me in an instant.

Mate.

But how? I wasn't 16 yet. Tomorrow, I will only turn 15. How could this be?

He drew closer, stopping alongside my siblings. He looked up at me, his deep, dark gray eyes widening in astonishment.

"Mate."