The Omega's Reckoning

Beth found herself luxuriating in the cozy, humidified comfort of a limousine. The touch of ecstasy and luxury was everywhere. Was this real? she wondered. Of course, it was.

"Would you like something to drink?" asked a pretty woman kneeling before her, barely lifting her head to meet Beth's gaze.

"Just a glass of wine will suffice," Beth replied, leaning back against the limousine's cushion with her hands resting on her stomach. "Actually, it's getting a bit chilly. Do we have anything hot?"

"Yes," the woman replied, still not looking up. "We have different brands of liquor. Which would you prefer?"

"Don't ask silly questions," Beth said, crossing her legs. "You know my taste. Be quick about it."

A smile spread across Beth's lips. This was really happening. But something felt off. The woman kneeling before her was Jael. There was no way Jael would kneel before her. The liquor was served, and as Beth was sipping from the bottle, she heard a loud noise outside. They had arrived. The door opened, and she stepped out to a glorious chant of "All hail the Luna!"

While absorbing the scene, a large man started approaching. Waves of fear swept through her as her breathing became intense. It was Raphael. Why was he approaching her? She retraced her steps with every stride he took. But instead of the confrontation she expected, Raphael knelt before her, bowing his head.

"How may I serve you?" he asked.

Beth's ears couldn't believe it. There was no way Raphael would kneel before her. This couldn't be real. Her life was miserable and frustrating.

"Dumbass!" a familiar voice called. "Beth, you dumbass!"

Beth looked around, searching for the voice. "Who called me a dumbass?" No response came. The once reverent faces around her now looked disgusted.

"Beth! Get up!" the voice continued. "Get up, you dumbhead. You don't want to wake up? You like games, huh? Wait for me."

Reality began to creep in. The limousine ride wasn't real. She was dreaming. She struggled to stay in the dream as indistinct voices from the background reached her ears.

"You don't want to wake up, huh?" A pack member lifted a bucket of water and poured it over Beth's rugged body.

A surge of energy coursed through her as she jolted awake.

"Woahh!!" Beth screamed, forcing herself up. Her surroundings came into focus slowly. Pain was everywhere.

"She's finally up," Jael said, laughing mockingly. "How do you manage to sleep in this junk of a place?"

Beth couldn't respond. Her head was still reeling. A dream?

"Was... was I dreaming?" she asked, looking around the attic she called home. As the outcast of her pack, no one had anything to do with her. While everyone else rested in comfort, she curled up in this awful space.

"You'd better get up," Jael said. "What am I saying? Drag this fool to Raphael."

The name echoed in her mind.

"Raphael?" Beth knelt, clutching Jael's legs.

"What is this supposed to mean?" Jael sneered.

"Please, don't take me to him. I'll do anything you ask," Beth pleaded.

"Wow." Jael clapped her hands. "You know what? I won't take you to him."

"Really? Thank you, Jael. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet, outcast. I won't take you to him. You'll have to take yourself to him."

Laughter filled the place.

"And one more thing, Beth," Jael said, bringing her lips close to Beth's ear. "You were talking in your sleep."

Beth recoiled. No way. She couldn't have said anything incriminating.

"Drag this bitch to Raphael!"

The mob wasted no time. In minutes, they arrived before Raphael. As the heir apparent to the alpha throne, every pack member wanted to stay on his good side, leading to Beth's constant torment.

"Please, spare me this time," she sobbed, rubbing her palms together as if praying.

Raphael rose and walked to her. With every step, Beth's heart melted.

"What is your offense?" Raphael asked, squatting before her.

"I... I..." she trembled. "I failed to wake up in time. And couldn't—" Before she could finish, Raphael grabbed her jaw tightly.

"What is your offense?" he repeated, his tone aggressive.

"Jael, repeat what you told me," Raphael ordered.

"The outcast said, 'You don't have to kneel before me, Raphael,'" Jael reported.

Beth quavered. She knew she was doomed.

"I knelt before you?" Raphael smirked. "The heir apparent knelt before a slut like you. Who else knelt before you?"

Beth remained silent.

"Answer me!"

"Jael served me wine," she admitted.

"Give this girl the worst punishment of her life. When she's done, send her to the main house to clean my father's room."

Murmurs spread through the crowd. Cleaning the alpha's room was a death sentence. The mob began lashing her, their joyous laughter drowning out her cries.

Many feet away, an aged wolf watched in disgust. Maybe it was time for Beth to learn who she really was.