The Cursed Omega

~IVORY~ "What are you doing here when you should be helping in the kitchen?" the kitchen-head asked me with a demeaning look when she caught me combing my hair outside the staff's toilet. "I'm sorry ma, I'll get back to work now" I said as I scrambled away from her criticising eyes. It was a strong belief that since omegas aren't strong, they draw essence from others, which led to the constant discrimination omegas face in the blue-moon pack. The blue-moon pack, which happened to be my pack, is known for the fierceness of its soldiers in war and it's strict Alpha Gemma. "Why is your hair looking so rough?" Jemima, my best-friend, asked as she sighted me running into the kitchen. "You know how my hair can be. I was trying to comb it when the kitchen-head came in to disturb me, I don't know why she likes picking on me" I complained. "Don't be annoyed, we all know that's how she is" she said as she offered me a hair net which I used to cover my hair before proceeding to cut up the vegetables needed for the day's lunch. "Do you know the full-moon ceremony is in three days?" Jemima asked me, after some moments of silence. "You don't mean it?" I asked as I widened my eyes in excitement, that just doubled the chances of meeting my mate as my birthday is also in three days' time. "Yes, I do, the elders confirmed it some moments ago and it was officially announced" she said with a smile. "That just doubled the chances of meeting my mate, since it's also going to be my birthday" I said aloud as I dropped the knife I was using and went to hug Jemima in joy. "Are you being paid to chitchat at work?" A supervisor said as she frowned at me. "Second time today, Ivory" I muttered to myself as I released Jemima and went back to work. "Yeah, you should meet your mate on that day, you poor thing" she said as she looked at me with pity. "Don't look at me that way " I retorted, as I poured the ingredients into a bowl and handed it to the chef-in-charge. "Whatever you say darling, I got to catch up with Jason" she said, swaying her hips as she walked away. "I don't like you" I said to her as I jokingly flipped her off. Jason was her mate and they met just last week. Despite being an Omega, he cared deeply for her and loved her in every way possible, their love life was so enviable. "Come together everyone, at the center table now!" the kitchen head ordered loudly as people scrambled to the kitchen's center table. "As some of you know, the full-moon ceremony is in three days. That means there's extra work to do for everyone, there'll be provision for different cooking ingredients. I need you all not to mess anything up because there might be dignitaries from other packs. I need you to work with the accurate recipes alongside with the measurements. No mistakes, is that clear? " She said. "Yes, it is," we echoed. "Now, get to work for today's meal, there'll be supplies later this evening" she said and exited the kitchen as we all dispersed. Working as a kitchen member of staff was the only work I was permitted to do as an omega in the blue-moon pack. I once played smart and worked for a while at the children's quarter. This was because of my love for children and the of deserving pay. I remember how I was flogged an hundred lashes because of my funny behaviour and the sad faces of the kids when they knew I wouldn't be there for them anymore. My name is Ivory Thompson, the only child of her dead parents. My mom was a vibrant and energetic woman who worked in the kitchen as a top chef. This wasn't because she was an omega, she was a normal wolf with excellent culinary skills, while my father, on the other hand, was once a beta to this pack. He got killed in a war and my mom immediately slumped when she heard of his death. I went from being a princess to living the lifestyle of a slave. No one wanted to associate themselves to me since news got out that I was an omega at my father's burial. I was told mates loved and cared for each other regardless of anything, so I looked forward to meeting mine. "Ivory, do you have a dress for the ceremony?" Lucas, a colleague asked. "No, I don't, why?" I replied. "If you don't mind, I have something for you" he said as he smiled shyly. "Hmm, actually,I hope to meet my mate that day because it falls on my birthday. I don't want to do anything to spoil it for me. I really appreciate it though, but I'll have to decline", I said politely. "I guess I'd still give it as part of your birthday gift then. I bought it with you in mind" he said as he took out a finely-wrapped parcel from one of the drawers. "Oh, thank you Lucas" I said appreciatively, before I rounded up my work and headed to my room. I saw the crown Prince and his best-friend, Jackson Stone strolling along with Leah, who happened to be the crown Prince's mate. Jackson being a very handsome youth, had smitten the hearts of many young girls, including me. He always had this pretty bad boy look that makes you want to fall at his feet begging him to take you home. I watched him from a distance, admiring as usual. My wolf usually stirred up at the sight of him. For some reason I don't know, it was long before I heard a throat clearing behind me. "I see someone in a pool of imagination" Paulina, the pack slut said as she walked up to me. "I don't know whatever you're saying, but that's not it" I denied. "But you were just standing and imagining what you would do to either of those two handsome men right there" she said as she wiggled her brows. "I wasn't doing that". I defended myself but she ignored me and continued. "You're not too bad to be a slut like me, trust me, it comes with its perks. You see, some of your devoted pack leaders always come to my tent to have one or two. Maybe my job isn't that bad, I'm contributing to the pack in a very generous way" she said as she spinned her hair, making me imagine the kind of life she's living and if she'd ever move on from the fact that her mate,just like my father, died in war, he's never coming back and she needs to live a good life for the sake of their only child, but who am I to judge anyways. "I think I'll pass" I said as I began to leave the spot I was. "If you later change your mind, you can pay me a visit!" She yelled after me as I continued walking to my room. I walked a little further, immersed in my thoughts, when I tripped over someone. "Do you not use your eyes when walking?" A deep voice asked sternly as I looked up at the rude stranger who didn't mind. I just fell on my butt, only to realize it was Jackson Stone. "I should, I am ..." I stammered to find the right words. "You are what omega?" He asked sternly, as he squatted dangerously low to my face. "I am sorry, sir" I finally forced myself to say, while trying to keep my tears in. "You should be. He deadpanned as he offered me his hand as a support to stand on my feet. Wait, did that just happen?