The fearless omega

PROLOGUE

Amelia’s POV

“Amy, wake up! It’s time for school.”

I groaned as I dragged myself out of bed. Looking in the mirror, I saw what could only be described as a bird’s nest with a face staring back at me.

“Ameliaaaa!” Mom shouted.

“Yes, Mom, I’m awake already!” I shouted back.

“Go shower fast—you’re late!”

“Why is Mom overreacting this early in the morning?” I mumbled to myself. Then my eyes landed on the clock. My heart skipped a beat—it was already 7:50 a.m., and school starts in forty minutes. Considering it’s a twenty-minute drive, I’m so going to be late!

I rushed to shower and quickly got dressed in a black and white polka dot flared skirt paired with a white turtleneck. I slipped on my white Jordans and styled my hair into a ponytail secured with a black and white scrunchie, leaving two strands loose on each side. A touch of lip liner, gloss, and eyeliner completed my look. I added a simple necklace, stud earrings, and a bracelet.

Grabbing my bag, I hurried downstairs, ready to face the day.

I saw Mom already serving breakfast, so I joined her at the table. The sweet aroma of freshly made pancakes filled the room, making my stomach rumble. She had outdone herself, as always. The pancakes tasted divine, each bite a mix of buttery softness and syrupy sweetness.

When I finished, I stood up to get ready for school. Mom smiled at me, one of her rare, genuine smiles. Those smiles only ever came when she saw me heading to school, and they always warmed my heart.

Mom was often treated as an outcast in the pack because everyone believed she had killed Dad during a rogue attack. The story had spread like wildfire, and although no one had ever proven it, the stigma clung to her like a shadow. Despite this, most people in the pack were kind to me—except for the occasional bullying.

“Mom, are you not going to the pack house today?” I asked as I adjusted my bag. She worked as an omega there, doing all the thankless tasks no one else wanted to do.

“No, my dear. Today is my day off,” she said softly.

I noticed a fleeting expression on her face—a flash of sadness mixed with exhaustion—but she quickly masked it with her usual calm demeanor. I wanted to press her about it, but I decided to let it go. “I wish I didn’t have to go to school,” I said with a sigh. “I’d rather stay home with you.”

She reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “Don’t worry, my dear. Go to school. We’ll spend some time together when you’re back. Besides,” she added with a teasing smile, “you’re already late.”

I laughed and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before grabbing my keys. As I headed to my rusty car, I glanced back at her one more time. The house always seemed emptier when I left.

The drive to school was uneventful. My car, old and sputtering, groaned as it pulled into the school parking lot. I spotted my best friend, Samantha, near the entrance, deep in conversation with Jackson, the Alpha’s son. Jackson was tall, with piercing blue eyes and a confidence that could command a room. I liked him—not in the way Samantha teased me about—but because he always stepped in when my bullies pushed me too far.

As soon as Sam spotted me, her face lit up, and she came running toward me, throwing her arms around me in an exaggerated hug.

“I missed you so much, Amy!” she squealed, squeezing me tightly.

I rolled my eyes, pretending to be annoyed. “Let go of me, Sam. Eww, we literally saw each other yesterday. Stop being so touchy; it’s cringe.”

She laughed, linking her arm with mine as we headed inside. “You’re such a killjoy. Admit it—you missed me too.”

The school day passed without much drama. Most of my bullies were absent, and I avoided the one who wasn’t like the plague. Samantha and I spent most of our free time chatting about random things—her crush on some senior guy whose name she refused to tell me and my plans to convince Mom to take a break from her omega duties.

At lunch, I caught sight of Jackson again, sitting with his usual group. He noticed me too, giving me a small nod. I smiled back, grateful for his silent acknowledgment.

As the final bell rang, I felt a strange unease settle over me. Something about the day felt off, like the calm before a storm. I tried to shake it off as I walked to my car, but the feeling lingered.

When I got home, the house was eerily quiet. “Mom?” I called out, stepping inside. No response. I frowned, setting my bag down and heading to the kitchen. The smell of pancakes still lingered in the air, but Mom was nowhere to be found.

Something wasn’t right.