Lost Dreams

Chapter 3

After leaving the dining hall Cora and Nova walked back in to the kitchen. Other Omega were finalizing the platters and carrying them out. Humming to herself , Cora plucked a plum fig from a tray as one of the servants, Jessa walked by.

“Coralee Mangata, you will wait until you’ve washed those hands and the royal members have all seated” she heard her Mother call out.

Cora groaned inwardly. She was less then a fortnight away from being 18 and the mounting restrictions were beginning to become overly suffocating. Royal this and royal that. “When I have my wolf, I will literally run from this place on a regular basis, confinement in every sense of the term” she huffed. She met Portia’s glance with a shrug.

“Girl, you will know your place like the rest of us. Your father has began entertaining the idea of marrying you and your sister to the miller’s sons. Imagine being almost a woman and never having a proper suitor.” Portia stated. “When I was your age I was already wed to Ringo, there were no wild thoughts about running away or life outside of Droake. We were born in this pack, and we will die here” Portia proclaimed. Shaking her head at her mothers convention, Cora wandered to the door, peeking her head in to the dining hall. “Imagine being one of them.” She mused. “Talk about confinement, constantly under the direction of someone like Alpha Jagson. Always at war, or on edge waiting for the next rebel to dismember and leave as a sign for anyone seeking freedom from this place.” The words left her mouth as the heads of the pack begin to shuffle in. She watched as the Alpha Jagson lead the group. He was a mountain of a man. His hair slicked back. Cold gray eyes, and ashy brown hair, everyone stopped moving in his presence. He was followed by his Beta, a man named Maverick, almost as large as he was but with a less intimidating presence. Maverick was only a few years older then Cora and her sister. He was made Beta when his father , Gregor was killed in battle. Jagson was filled with distrust for anyone around him, save a handful of people. With the loss of Gregor he was intent on keeping that circle small and so he tore Maverick from his mother and took him under his own wing. The Gamma, Felix and his mate, Nica brought up the end of the line. Felix and Nica were both warriors. They lead the pack in training and while greatly feared were also largely respected. Nica was pregnant with their first child, the burden of her swollen belly apparent on her beautiful face. They were the only two royal members to be mated. Jagson was rumored to have found his true mate, only to have her apparently run off with the packs previous Alpha. Some say that’s why he inserted himself in the position of power and vengeance. His way of taking from Darvis as he was robbed of true love. Cora wondered how much truth there was behind any of the history as she watched them take their seats. Just then, she found Jagson’s cold gaze on her. She scurried back behind the door. The King was unmated and she had heard the other kitchen girls talk of his ruthlessness in bed. She had no interest in being in his line of vision. “Mother, if it’s ok I think I will take my plate and go to my room, I’m feeling a little lightheaded.” She said to Portia. Portia looked at her and gave a curt nod, passing her daughter a small plate. “Go on then, don’t make a mess for the rats and be sure to come back to clean up after this lot has finished their meals” she replied. Cora took the plate. She could still feel the steely eyes on her as she scurried out the door, suddenly anxious to be in the comfort of her small room in the Omega section.