Saved By The Omega

Freya I lean my head against the car window and sigh. Rain patters against the glass, and my reflection stares back at me with frightened eyes. The girl I’m looking at has long dark hair, blue eyes, and a pale face. I see nothing wrong with her, but she was never good enough for the pack. She was weak. A lousy Omega. Useless. Ugly. A failure of a werewolf. Those are the insults I’ve heard for years. Nobody cared if they were mean to me, but now, after I’ve turned eighteen, my parents are taking me away from the pack. College in the magical world, they said. I’m to become a student at Magic Academy, which terrifies me beyond words. That school isn’t only home to werewolves, witches, warlocks, and vampires—I’ve heard monsters attend that school! How is that safe?! My stomach sinks as I think about it. I’m 5’1, skinny and frail. I was considered weak by my own kind, but I will be even weaker compared to the monstrosities at this school. They will see me as food. What if there are demons there? I fear them the most. I sink further into my seat, wishing this car ride would last forever. Even though the pack treated me like garbage, my town was safe because life there was at least predictable. But now I’m being flung headfirst into a new, scary world. “This college will be good for you,” my mom says from the front seat while my dad drives. “Other werewolves have left their packs to attend it; maybe they can become your new friends!” “You might even find your mate at the academy,” my dad says. “You should be excited!” I remain silent, as I am well aware that I am not here because it’s what they chose. My parents had no other option but to send me here. A few days ago, I heard my mom crying on the phone in the middle of the night. She then said, “Please, you have to accept my Omega daughter as one of your students! I know she is weak: she can’t shape-shift or connect with her inner wolf. I know this is a problem, but if she stays with the pack, they will eventually kill her for being useless! You have to save her life by taking her in!” That phone call hurt me on a deep level, but I haven’t told my mom I eavesdropped on her. It’s better if she doesn’t know. I mean, it can’t be easy having a failure of a daughter. I’ve caused my parents so much trouble already... My dad had to step down as the pack’s healer because having a daughter as weak as me is a great shame. Therefore, Alpha Jaxx and the elders disallowed him his rightful place due to my incompetence. My dad notices my distress, and three seconds later, his healing powers coat my skin like a blanket. “Taking you to this college is for your safety,” he says calmly. “We love you, Puppet.” I furiously blush at the nickname. “Don’t call me that. I’m no longer a puppy...” My parents laugh, and my mom reaches out her hand to touch my knee with a bright smile. “No matter how big you get, you will always be our little Puppet,” her eyes start tearing up. “We love you so much, honey, and I wish things were different, but they are not.” I fight my own tears and take a deep breath before whispering in a heartfelt voice, “But why do I have to attend this scary school?” “Oh honey, it’s only scary because it’s new, but this is a great opportunity for you. Not every werewolf gets the chance to go to college!” She is right. College is a luxury some families can’t afford, but I don’t know if I will get a chance to survive this college before some monstrous creature murders me... I close my eyes and, by some miracle, I fall asleep until my mom wakes me up hours later. We are finally at Magic Academy, and it looks like I’ve entered a fantasy movie. The building is a freaking castle surrounded by a wooden fence, and even though I can not see them, I think there are apartments in the back where the students live. A buzz from my father’s phone startles us. My mom frowns. “It better be important.” “It is,” he flashes a wide grin. “It’s the Principal saying she is ready for us.” “About time,” my mom says, and I see my dad roll his eyes as he drives up to the gates. As we drive closer, I get a better look at the castle, and it's gorgeous. Holy s**t. I’ve never seen a more elegant building in my entire life. My gaze is drawn upwards in awe at the majestic structure before me while my parents exchange guilty looks. Are they worried I won’t fit in? “It’s okay,” I muster, “I…I will be fine.” As soon as the car comes to a stop, my dad parks it, and we all hop out. There isn’t a single person in sight, or at least it seems that way, until I look around. My breath catches in my throat when I spot a tall man leaning against the brick wall, his gaze fixed on mine. He has an air of danger surrounding him, but his full lips and chiseled jaw make it hard to look away. I keep looking at him, gasping, when I notice his eyes flashing red for a brief moment. It rattles me. Did I imagine that, or did that really happen? “Good early morning, you guys!” A new voice makes me turn around. “You finally made it!” There’s a blonde woman with glasses running towards us with a big smile. She is wearing high heels, which impresses me. The woman is older than my grandpa, yet she doesn’t seem one bit tired. My father lets out a relieved sigh. “Yes, I can hardly believe it myself. It was one hell of a journey traveling through the portal. But we made it!” The blonde woman smiles warmly at him. “The portal is known for acting up now and then.” “Someone should fix it…” My dad mutters, but the blonde woman ignores him. Her eyes travel to mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Freya. I’m Principal Goldstein, and this is Magic Academy! You’re going to love it here. All our students get their own apartment based on their ranking, and there is even a shop where you can buy things. Magic Academy is simply the best.” I glance back at the shadowy figure against the building, but he has vanished, leaving a trail of dissipating smoke in his wake. I swallow hard, trying to ignore the chill that has settled in my bones. “You must be tired from your journey,” The principal continues, not noticing that my attention is elsewhere. “But don’t worry. Professor Bell will take care of your luggage.” Professor Bell? As soon as I think of his name, I feel a wind move behind me, and my heart locks into place the moment I see him. It’s the man from earlier, the one with the red eyes who vanished into smoke. He is just a few feet away now, and his presence is more intimidating up close. Lethally attractive, but in an inhuman way. He takes my breath away. In all my years, I have never seen a man as beautiful as this one—not even in my wildest dreams could I imagine someone so perfect. His skin is as pale as moonlight, and his messy raven hair makes him seem even more mysterious. But what gets me the most are his eyes—so electrifying and captivating. I get dizzy just by looking into them. My heartbeat speeds up. My breathing quickens, which doesn’t go unnoticed. His eyes narrow slightly, almost as if I have unintentionally offended him. Did I do something wrong? Why is he looking at me like that? He is too intense, and it makes me want to run… Goldstein’s stern voice breaks the silence. “Professor Bell, do I detect the scent of cigarettes on your suit?” Professor Bell breaks our eye contact to focus his intense eyes on Goldstein instead. “My deepest apologies. It’s the only thing that holds me back from indulging in...other desires.” He gazes back at me with a telltale smirk, sending shivers down my spine. I want to ask him what he means, but everyone is looking at me—it’s time to bid farewell to my parents. My parents look at me with sad smiles, tears shimmering in their eyes. I’ve never seen them this emotional. “My little baby,” my mom sobs. “I will be fine, Mom…” “Will you?” My dad, the bravest man I have ever known, steps forward with tears in his eyes. Then, without warning, he wraps me in a hug so tight I can barely breathe. “Make us proud, Puppet.” Next, it’s my mother’s turn. “My beautiful, Freya!” She gently holds my face in her hands, stroking my cheeks with her thumbs. “Even if you’re far away from home, we will pray to the moon goddess for you. You are our little Puppet, our little werewolf. Don’t let this place change your heart. It’s already perfect.” “Thank you, mom,” I whisper. With a final kiss on my forehead and one last hug from my parents, they turn around and get inside their car. As they drive away, reality sets in—I’m all alone in this huge castle-like school filled with who knows what kind of creatures. “Well then,” Principal Goldstein claps her hands together, bringing me back to the present moment. “Professor Bell will show you to your apartment.” Professor Bell steps forward, and I grimace when he bends down to pick up my huge bag. “That thing is heavy. You should probably just roll it—” I trail off when he easily lifts it with one hand, a bemused smile playing on his lips. “You underestimate me, Miss Freya,” he says. Just who is this guy? “I…I guess so,” I stammer. “Shall we?” he says, gesturing towards the looming castle. I follow him, taking one last look at the empty grounds where my parents left me. I miss them already… We venture through the gardens, wandering over the grass until we come to an old apartment. The inside is empty and quiet, as expected at this time of night. All the students must be fast asleep by now. Professor Bell continues leading me through the place until he stops in front of a wooden door. He draws out a copper key from his pocket and unlocks it. I can hear the smile in his voice as he says, “I hope you’re satisfied.” But something tells me that he is more amused than genuinely friendly. I wonder why that is? Brushing his comment aside, I enter the room and gasp. It’s almost empty! The only thing in sight is a single bed surrounded by dusty spiderwebs. Is this some kind of prank? “Um, there must have been a mistake—” I spin around, but Professor Bell has vanished. The only thing remaining is the copper key lying on the ground. How did he manage to leave without me noticing? Fear creeps into my bones. Not only am I enrolled in a college filled with scary creatures and professors who possess uncanny strength, but I’m now alone in an apartment that looks like the setting of a horror movie. My heartbeat quickens, and my breath hitches. Is this my new life? Sadness washes over me, but I push it away. I won’t let a bad room break me to pieces! Tomorrow, I will clean up this room and turn my whole situation around. My new life starts here, and I will show Goldstein that nothing—not even this terrible room—can bring me down! Let the games begin!