A Secret Alpha Mate

5 - Party Prep

Isla

The packhouse returned to the regular hustle and bustle of things, and I was put on kitchen duty for the week, which I liked. It was nice knowing what I was doing. There was so much prep work that had to be done this week that I never got bored, and the work passed fast.

I woke up the following day early before the first light of Autumn crept through the window. I felt energized and decided to sneak downstairs for some much-needed alone time and a chance to get some fresh air.

The Alpha said there wasn’t a reason for us to leave the packhouse since our work was here, and we worked from sunup until sundown anyways. I always found it strange that we weren’t allowed to have time outside or much free time, if any. It was how it had always been, and we were used to it.

Even though we're Omegas, we're still wolves that need to connect with nature. I didn’t know when the Omegas even had a chance to connect with their wolf forms. I hadn’t heard of Abigail shifting, but she must have. I made a mental note to ask her about that. My birthday was coming up, and I would need to figure out when and where I was allowed to shift once I got my wolf.

The kitchen was thankfully empty. I walked outside, leaving my shoes by the back door. I planted my feet in the grass and took in a massive breath of cool air, the first autumn breath of the almost changing seasons; a smile tugged at my face.

For a few sweet, rare moments, I felt content and at home. I stretched my arms above me and walked around the outskirts of the packhouse into the forest. I was careful not to go too far because dawn always crept up too fast. I wanted to be back inside before anyone could notice I was missing.

I didn’t want to cause any trouble; Meghan made it hard, though. I’d been pretty happy here, as comfortable as I could be without knowing any other existence, and I wanted to continue being as content as possible. I made a promise to myself to lay low, even if that meant pretending to submit to Meghan and not talk back; I gritted my teeth at the thought of it. Hopefully, she would get over her irrational anger with me, and I could get back into the regular rhythm I had when Janice was around.

Once the sky started to lighten around the edges, I reluctantly headed back to the packhouse. John, the man who dropped off fresh produce in the mornings, was balancing wooden boxes trying to open the back door to the kitchen.

“Hi, John.” I smiled when I saw him. He was in his mid-thirties, if I had to guess, and was the most positive person I had ever met.

I opened the door for him, and he gave me his award-winning smile. “Hello, Miss Isla,” he sang back.

I was honestly a bit surprised he remembered my name. I rarely got to see him because I was usually one of the last ones down. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?” I asked.

“If you’re making some for yourself, I would love some. But I don’t want you going out of your way.”

“No trouble at all. Milk and sugar?” I looked up at him.

“Just milk, please,” he responded and began unloading the boxes of vegetables. Once the coffee started to brew, I moved to help him. “It’s going to be a crazy weekend here then, isn’t it?” He commented, looking around at all the trays set out for baking today.

“I haven’t seen a party this big ever,” I said. Truth be told, there had been some smaller gatherings and meetings but nothing of this magnitude.

“There used to be parties.” John got a faraway look in his eye. “A while back,” He seemed to be remembering something but then shook it off. “Must have been before your time then.”

“Must be,” I nodded, handing him his coffee.

We enjoyed it in silence for a few minutes until I heard the first signs of stirring upstairs and movement on the steps. I took our mugs and put them in the sink.

“Well, I better head off. Thanks for the company, Miss Isla.” He tipped his cap at me. “I’ll see you in a few hours if you’re around; I’ll be back with another delivery.” I nodded and smiled at him before running upstairs to get ready for the day.

Abigail and I ended up working at the same station. Neither of us was great at baking, so we’re preparing some of the sauces to go with steaks at dinner.

“It’s your birthday on Friday.” Abigail nudged my shoulder. “What do you want to do for it?”

“The same thing as always is perfect.” I smiled at her.

We had a tradition of sneaking some treats and heading to the lake for each of my birthdays. I didn’t remember when it started, but we would spend hours there once the sun set and everyone went to bed. We would talk and relax and savor each other's company, surrounded by complete peace. The next day we were exhausted, but it was so worth it.

I looked up at her. She was humming and mixing some herbs into her pot. She noticed me staring. “Yes?” she asked.

I paused for a minute before I got it out. “Do you ever regret not finding your mate?” I was suddenly very focused on stirring my sauce. “Or not even allowed the opportunity to have one, I should say.” I looked up remorsefully; we had never talked about it that much before.

Omegas that were mated to another Omegas in the packhouse found their mates. If your mate wasn’t an Omega, they rarely found their mates here, even if their mate was a part of the pack. Since we rarely ventured outside the packhouse, contact with other pack members was extremely limited.

She sighed, her eyes seeming far away. “I think everyone wants to find their mate. Everyone deserves the opportunity to find the person that the Moon Goddess chose for them. I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t have loved to find mine. I’ve always wanted kids.”

She looked down at me and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. It was unspoken, but we were family. I didn’t know where I would be if she hadn’t taken me under her care and protection.

I was hoping that I would find my mate on my eighteenth birthday. Mostly because mated Omegas got their own room in the attic or basement and didn’t have to share with others anymore; it would be nice to have a place that felt like mine, even if it was a small room.

I could decorate or be able to paint the walls if I was allowed. Being able to share with only one other person, and the person destined to be yours, seemed like a significant step up to the floor of an attic.

Meghan stalked into the kitchen; the clicking of her heels gave her away before her bleached ponytail even came into view. She started surveying everyone's station as if she would even know what she was looking for. I busied myself and looked down, hoping she wouldn’t notice me.

She was a s**t Omega.

Abigail disappeared for a second and returned with a tray of pastries, shoving it into my hands. “Bring these upstairs to the prep area off the main dining room; use the back stairs,”

I whispered a thank you and hurried out of the kitchen before Meghan turned around to look at our sauce station. I went up the back stairs that led out into the foyer, where the main entrance to the dining room was, watching the overfilled tray to make sure I didn’t lose any of them.

Someone bumped into me, or maybe I bumped into them. I let out a muffled scream that was nothing compared to the high-pitched shriek the person I bumped into made. I tried to grab the platter mid-air, but it only made it worse.

The only sound was the platter bouncing off the floor, I saw it in slow motion as the pastries flew. The few pack members milling about the packhouse all froze, their eyes on me. I looked up and saw Hailey glaring at me with so much hatred.

Just my luck.

“You f*****g dirty b***h,” she spat, “You did that on purpose; I just know it!” She yelled the last few words.

“I--I promise I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t paying attention.” I bent down and started to pick up the pastries.

Hailey stomped on my wrist, causing me to yelp in pain, and the pastries I had collected went flying.

“I’m sorry,” I looked up at her, “I promise it was an accident.”

Pack members started gathering around at this point, silent and watching us. She didn’t say anything; she just continued to glare down at me.

“I’m just going to clean up and get out of your way,” I continued, “I promise it won’t happen again.”

She c****d an eyebrow up. “Oh, I’ll make sure that nothing like this happens again. You’ll learn this time.”

“Uh, thank yo-” I started to reply as she kicked me in the stomach, forcing me to fall back. All the air left me, and I gasped for breath.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alpha and Luna start to descend the stairs. Just what I needed. Fear settled in the pit of my stomach; I knew this was going to end horribly. Someone came and stood before me as Hailey reared back for another kick.

“I think we can all admit a mistake was made and a lesson learned here,” a smooth voice said. I was too busy nursing my sore wrist to look at the stranger, my savior.

“Get the f**k out of my way, farmer,” Hailey spat, “I’m the Alpha’s daughter, basically a princess, and you will treat me with respect.”

My savior didn’t step down. I stole a look and knew where I recognized the voice. John. I took a few breaths, willing air back into my lungs.

“I respect your father's position, and yours, as his daughter. I think there was a misunderstanding here,” he replied, his voice calm and steady, “I know someone as generous as yourself would pardon this poor young Omega,” he continued, trying to placate her and keep the peace.

One of the pack members helped me to my feet while another grabbed the tray, and others started picking up the soiled pastries. Hailey looked around at pack members helping me, a confused expression plastered on her face.

“Why the f**k are you helping this b***h?” she demanded, “She attacked me!” she wailed as the pack members stood by my side, not wanting to say anything.

The Alpha and Luna came up to stand behind Hailey. “Daddyyyyyy.” Hailey wailed, throwing herself into his arms. She turned around and pointed at me with crocodile tears in her eyes. “She attacked me. She threw the whole plate of food at me.”

The Alpha turned to me, looking me over. Recognition hardened his eyes, and his mouth formed a thin line. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t our little troublemaker.” He looked me up and down in a way that made me uncomfortable.

I cradled my wrist and looked down, trying to avoid his lingering gaze. “It was an accident, I promise. I wasn’t looking where I was going. It won’t happen again.” I mumbled.

“Speak up unless you forget you’re talking to an Alpha here,” he stated. I looked up at him, about to repeat myself when his ‘mate’ interrupted him.

“Attacking the Alpha’s daughter has serious consequences,” Luna Julianna said. I swear I saw the Alpha give her a stern look, but he quickly composed himself.

“Yes, yes, that’s enough,” Alpha Benjamin cut her off, clearly annoyed with her for trying to take over his public display of dominance.

There was a heavy pause as he looked down at me again. I was getting annoyed at this point of repeating the same thing. I stood up taller and looked at John; he gave me a slight nod and a genuine smile. I returned the gesture before turning to face the Alpha.

I looked him in the eyes and repeated myself, “It was an accident. I didn’t see her. It won’t happen again,” I stated, not breaking eye contact. If pretending to be meek and innocent wouldn’t help, I might as well try standing up for myself.

“How dare you, you little bitch.”

He pulled his hand back to slap me, and the pack members around us gasped, making him pause. He looked around, confused, as if he had just noticed them all here for the first time.

His punishments were reserved for the Omegas and occasionally his son. He wasn’t used to having an audience that would be shocked by his cruel and unfair treatment.

“Alpha.” A man in his early thirties I’d never seen before stepped forward, bowing his head. “I was here when it happened; it was a mistake. They both bumped into each other.”

A few others started verbally agreeing with him and nodding their heads. The Alpha looked completely taken aback.

“I- uh- I.” He stuttered something I had never seen him do. He looked down at me in rage and confusion. “Don’t let it happen again. I won’t let an offense against any member of Alpha blood go unpunished.”

“Yes, Alpha Benjamin,” I said, looking down again, trying to make it seem like I was sorry. It seemed to have appeased him a bit, and he backed off.

I let out a breath and looked around at the other pack members, smiling at them, silently acknowledging their part in helping me. The ones that didn’t disperse helped me pick up the rest of the pastries.

“Come on, let’s drop this back to the kitchen. I think you need to see a doctor about that wrist of yours,” John said, taking the tray and leading the way.

I looked behind me; Hailey was standing on the landing of the stairs staring daggers at me.