Kira
In the omega camp, everyone's worst nightmare was to become the subject of gossip among older females. Our mamas were brutal and their words stung more than a poisonous bee.
“Mind your business, don't gather attention to yourself or speak out of turn,” my mom would always say.
Unfortunately, on the night of my eighteenth birthday, things took a wrong turn for me when an ugly rumor started making its rounds within the pack.
Stuck in the most godforsaken place on earth, with the constant buzzing of mosquitoes and bugs in the leaking tent shared with my mum, I longed for a different life.
My life felt boring and useless. I washed and fed the gamma's dogs at the vet's clinic, where the high-protein food made of real chicken, sweet potatoes, peas, and blueberries for the dogs were a hundred times more nutritious than my measly meals. Sometimes I longed to eat their food but feared punishment.
Despite the warning voice ringing in my head, I couldn't refuse when my friends suggested sneaking into the main pack to attend Alpha D'angelo's coronation party.
My best friend Amari tossed me an orange spaghetti-strapped mini dress, and as it fell heavily on my head, I wondered where she got it from.
Most likely the garbage bin.
"This dress was made for you. I want you to flaunt your curves to the world, Kira."
Amari wasn't wrong about my curves; slim but blessed with curves bigger than a mountain road. My mom said my beauty was compensation from the moon goddess for making me an omega.
Thanks to my omega blood, we were separated from the rest of the pack. So Amari's plan to make me go out in public like a whore was asking for trouble.
As if reading my thoughts, she popped her banana bubblegum.
"Live a little, Kira. This is our chance to sneak into the pack and have some fun. Your boyfriend is coming with us."
I groaned, "I've been avoiding Zion for hours now. He wants us to make love now that I'm eighteen, but I'm not ready. As for the party, my mum will kill me for stepping foot into the main pack. The folks there are ruthless."
"Oh please," Amari dismissed my claim. "Our moms spew lies to scare us. You deserve at least a night of fun!"
"Stop trying to bribe me, Amari." I tugged on my sleeve, "Who else is going?"
"Everyone plans to sneak out. We're meeting under the oak tree at ten pm after our mums start snoring like a herd of wild animals."
Sighing, I reluctantly nodded because she would never give up until I agreed. Our friendship began as young, helpless two-year-olds, bonding over our dislike for soggy potatoes, a main meal among omegas.
Tired of humiliation and with their masculinity in tatters, her dad, mine, and a handful of omega men abandoned their families. Now, Amari and I were practically sisters, doing everything together.
Later that night, I lay beside my mom on my thin mattress, waiting for her to sleep. Her soft snores was a cue to leave. I pushed back my sheets, slipped out of bed, and crept across the tent. Moonlight streamed in through the leaking roof. Soon, the rains would arrive and soak us to the skin.
I tiptoed towards the small opening in the back of the tent that led to a balcony overlooking the camp.
About ten omegas my age gathered under the oak tree. Zion's burning eyes held mine, shining with raw lust
as he pulled me closer, ogling at my outfit.
He licked his lips like a cat lapping milk and I looked away. Zion was a tall and lanky eighteen-year-old, strong-willed and stubborn, so his recent pressure to sleep with me bothered me.
His palms cupped my buttcheeks and I took a deep breath to steady my racing nerves.
"Tonight, we're going to make sweet love," he grinned, revealing his buck tooth that stood out from the rest of his teeth. It had a slight discoloration, like a tiny coffee stain on a white shirt.
"I'd hoped the moon goddess would pair us before we consummate our bond."
"I can't wait, Kira. Feel my cock, it's throbbing for you. If we don't do it tonight, I might die."
Swallowing my fear, I looked away. Zion was good to me. He gave me food, and affection, and also protected me during heat when other omegas tried to pounce on me. I liked him and had no plans to reject him if the moon goddess paired us.
But now, his demands for our lovemaking were choking me. I couldn't lose my virginity until I was sure he was my mate.
"I know, but..."
"But nothing!" His fingers gripped my hips tightly, making me wince.
"We need to take things slow, Zion. Please."