Her Return As An Alpha

Liana Dane sat on the worn, creaky steps of her family's modest cottage, staring longingly at the grand alpha's mansion in the distance. Crowds of the pack members surged to and from the north of the city, where the high-ranking officials of the pack lived. Their abodes were, in fact, so huge, that she could observe the details and the guests of the houses from her place at the opposite end of the pack, right where the woods began. The mansion, illuminated by countless lights, echoed with the sounds of celebration. Throngs of members had arrived early to help with the preparations. After all, the Silver Star pack was the fourth largest pack in the continent, and would probably take the third place soon, with the number of upstarts from other packs that wished to prove their worth to gain the alpha's favour. Tonight, the Silver Star pack was reveling in their victory over a rival pack, a victory that had secured their dominance for years to come. The battle had started a fine decade ago, with open hostility displayed just a few months prior. The fights, cold shoulders, and rash behaviour had increased uniformly, until the Alphas of the pack agreed on a match of physical strength between the two packs. The last match was held the previous day, and the Silver Star pack was clearly the victor. The Alpha had announced a night of celebrations and indulgence. All the other werewolf shifters were ecstatic. Everyone except for Liana, who was an omega with a weak wolf and no achievements that could gain her an ounce of respect. Her parents had forbidden her from attending, instead taking her pretty, favored sister and strong, admired brother with them. The two, although omegas themselves, had gained the favour of the others through their charismatic personalities and relatively strong wolves. Liana's heart ached with a mixture of longing and resentment. Being a low-ranking omega, she was often overlooked and undervalued, her only duties relegated to menial tasks. But tonight, she felt an overwhelming desire to be a part of the pack's celebration, to feel like she belonged, even if only for a moment. That morning, Liana had awoken to the sound of her mother’s sharp voice cutting through the early morning quiet. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a pale light over the small, cluttered attic she lived in. Stretching and yawning, Liana rubbed the sleep from her jade green eyes and swung her legs out of bed. The day had only just begun, but she already felt the familiar weight of her lowly status within the pack pressing down on her. "Liana! Get up and start your chores," her mother called, the impatience clear in her tone. "There's a lot to do before we leave for the celebration tonight." Liana sighed, knowing that her family’s idea of preparation involved her doing all the menial work while they primped and preened for the party. She pulled on her worn clothes and tied her fiery red hair back, steeling herself for the day ahead. As the omega of the Silver Star pack, her place was at the bottom, and she was constantly reminded of it. In the cramped kitchen, her mother had already laid out a long list of chores. "I want the floors scrubbed, the laundry done, and the windows cleaned," she instructed, barely glancing at Liana as she busied herself with preparing breakfast. "And don't forget to clean the barn. It’s a mess in there." Liana nodded, swallowing her frustration. She knew better than to argue or show any sign of resistance. It would only lead to more scolding and possibly a punishment. She grabbed a bucket and filled it with soapy water, starting with the floors. As she got down on her hands and knees, she scrubbed vigorously, the rough texture of the wooden planks biting into her palms. The chores were difficult and seemed never-ending. Washing the windows required her to stretch and balance precariously on a stool, her muscles aching from the strain. Each pane was smeared with dirt and grime, a testament to how long it had been since they were last cleaned. The morning sun was already hot on her back as she worked, her sweat mingling with the soapy water that dripped from her hands. Next was the laundry. She hauled the heavy basket of dirty clothes to the stream behind the cottage, her steps slow and labored. The cool water offered a brief respite from the heat, but the task was tedious and exhausting. She scrubbed each garment against the washboard, her knuckles raw and sore. The rhythmic splashing of the water was the only sound that broke the silence, a stark contrast to the lively chatter that would soon fill the alpha's mansion. After hours of scrubbing, rinsing, and wringing out the clothes, Liana hung them on the line to dry, her arms trembling with fatigue. She allowed herself a brief moment to catch her breath before moving on to the barn. It was the last and most dreaded chore. The stench of hay and manure assaulted her senses as she entered, the dim light barely illuminating the cluttered space. Liana grabbed a pitchfork and began to muck out the stalls, her movements slow and deliberate. The heavy fork seemed to grow heavier with each load, and her back screamed in protest. She had to pause frequently to catch her breath, the sweat dripping down her face and stinging her eyes. But she pushed through, determined to complete the task. By the time she finished, the sun was high in the sky, and her entire body ached. She looked around the now-clean barn with a sense of satisfaction, despite her exhaustion. Her clothes were soaked with sweat and stained with dirt, but the sight of the neat, orderly stalls gave her a small sense of accomplishment. As she trudged back to the cottage, Liana could hear her family inside, laughing and chatting excitedly about the upcoming celebration. Her parents were preparing to leave, and she knew they would take Lily and her older brother, Jason, with them. Liana’s heart ached with a mix of longing and resentment. She had worked so hard, yet she knew she would be left behind, as always. "Liana, hurry up and clean yourself," her mother called as she stepped inside. "We're leaving soon, and I don't want you making a mess after we've gone." Liana nodded silently and headed to the small washroom. She quickly washed the dirt and sweat from her body, her mind already planning how she would sneak into the celebration later. She knew it was risky, and she would likely face punishment if caught, but the desire to be part of the pack, even for just one night, was too strong to ignore. With her chores finally done, Liana watched from the shadows as her family prepared to leave. Her sister twirled in a new dress, her blonde curls bouncing, while her brother adjusted his tie, looking every bit the proud, strong werewolf he was. Her parents fussed over them, their faces glowing with pride. As they walked out the door, Liana felt a pang of loneliness. She wanted to belong, to be seen as more than just an omega. Tonight, she decided, she would find a way to make that happen. She would sneak into the party, consequences be damned. For once, she would be part of the celebration, even if only on the fringes. Determined, she began to prepare for her covert mission, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. Tonight would be different. Tonight, she would find a way to belong. She moved through the shadows, her red hair hidden beneath a dark hood, her jade green eyes glinting with determination. As she approached the mansion, her pulse quickened. She slipped in through a side door, blending into the throng of pack members. The hall was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. For a while, she managed to remain unnoticed, basking in the energy of the celebration. But her luck didn't last. Before long, she bumped into a dark figure and tripped. Due to her weaker wolf, she was unable to see as well in the dark as her peers. She rolled over in the dirt and came to a stop beside a pair of dark boots. Coughing, she lifted her eyes and saw a pair of deep blue eyes glaring at her through her tangled hair. Liana's heart chilled. It was Drew Greyson, the Alpha's son and heir.