Energy of the Omega

Part Five

Caly’s POV

Despite my malaise, I did make a bit of headway on the apartment. Most of the things like furniture and linens would just stay in the apartment. The kitchenette was the easiest,  Just some extra-large mugs that had cute sayings that we had bought each other as presents, and of course, the coffee maker. You can always run down to the pack kitchen and grab a cup of coffee, but between the strong need to stay in pyjamas and the staggering amounts of caffeine required to keep my wolf happy, having our own coffee pot was a little luxury.  Mama and I had some of our best chats at the tiny breakfast table, just us and a few cups of coffee.

My own room was also easy. I left my clothes and school things packed up, so that left less than a box of books and photos.  I had never been the type to throw a million posters up on my walls or clutter my space with knick-knacks. I didn’t need to hold onto anything else.

I kept Mama’s throw blanket that she knitted herself and used it to wrap up her ’favourite vase’ the one I made her when I was like ten or eleven. I doubt it would ever see the light of day again, but I know she would have never parted with it, so that made me not want to either.

I had already pilfered through my mother’s closet of anything nice or sentimental before my second year of WU, so I boxed up the rest of the clothes and took them downstairs for donations. There was always a need for spare things, especially since wolves are terribly hard on clothes.  We work hard and things just wear away quickly, and of course all the shifting.  She-wolves often change out of their clothes discreetly, mostly the married ones. Not in shame of our human bodies, but because we want to keep the sight of it reserved for our mates. Mates can be very possessive of each other. 

On the flip side, most male wolves never seem to care who sees them. Modesty is more of an inconvenience than anything.  Mind you, they arrogantly know that they are muscular and pleasing to the eye.  It’s almost like they are advertising.  Often times it works, so good for them I guess.

Anyways, I feel better knowing that I accomplished at least one thing today. I fully intend to be in my new abode by the end of the week.

Right now I need to shower and change for dinner. It’s a bit of ‘Welcome Home’ for everyone who’s come back for summer vacation, and a bit ‘Happy Graduation!’ for those of us who are finally finished.

I'm in the middle of ignoring my life under the steamy heat of my nearly scalding shower when Athena's senses kick into overdrive.

'Intruder!' She howls.

'Do you know who it is?' I asked in a panic.

Instead of just saying who, she shows me one of her favourite images.  A squirrel who lost a battle with a car. I roll my eyes at her theatrics.  

'Excuse me, Babe.  I saved you from walking out there exposed. Nevermind, continue burning us alive.  I feel dirty thinking about that squirrel leering at you in just a towel.  Maybe if we stay in long enough he'll leave.'

'Or he might stick his head in the door to see if I fell in the shower and get an eye full.' Okay, so it might be slightly mean to get her riled up, it just seems too quiet in my head at the moment.  At least she's good for a distraction.

'Cover us up right this minute!'

I get out and wrap my hair and body up in towels.  s**t, this is barely covering enough.  I peek my head out the bathroom door.  "Jase?" I call out because I don't see him at the table.

"I'm in your room!" He calls out cheerfully.

'For Goddess' sake! He knows we are in here, and he knows you would head to your room to dress. Make him leave. He's on my bed, I just know it.  Those were clean sheets, and now I'll smell that while I try to sleep!  Babe, it will give me nightmares.'

'Fine, fine.' I tell her.  I head out of the bathroom, it's less than ten steps to my room, but Athena stops me from putting another foot forward.

'Tell him here!' she demands with a growl.

'What's the difference?'

'He will wait at the door, and then he will try and squeeze past. He'll press himself against us, and try and cause an 'accident' pulling the towel away! Tell him HERE!'

"Get out, Jase. I have to change."

Jase appears in my doorway and leans himself against the frame.  I do notice the rather small space he has left for me to pass.  I don't dare mention it though.

"Table," I tell him while I point in that direction.  He still doesn't move.

"I've seen it all before, Caly." He says flatly, but his eyes are sparkling with mischief.

"Not since your first shift," I remind him.  Once again I point to the table.  He takes a step closer to me and I hear nothing but growling in my head. I reach my hand up to massage my temples.

"Are you alright, Caly?" He looks genuinely concerned.  Athena of course doesn't see it that way and gives a haughty snort.

"I'm getting a headache," I reply honestly.

"Do you know what they say is a good cure for the headache?" He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

"And I would probably feel great for about twenty minutes, and it would come back with a vengeance. Table. Now."

Slowly he begins to move out of my way. I finally make it inside my bedroom.  Now all I need is to find a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

"Alpha Darius said no jeans, Caly."

Dammit.  I can't wear my gray dress again, it's all sweaty from my being out in the sun all morning.

"He suggested the green summer dress." Double dammit. I hate wearing dresses, my body always makes them pull in all the wrong places. I even hate my gray dress, but it covers up everything decently. That green one though, too deeply cut in the neckline and too short in the hemline.  Worse than that, I don't have a full-length mirror, but I suspect it's even more daring in the back because of the generous serving of rump roast I have going on back there.

"Dinner's in five!" He calls out.

Fine, I guess I will have to wear the green dress. I squeeze into the dress and I just know that it's tighter and more daring than the last time I had it on.  I braid my wet hair pulling it to the side so it lies over my shoulder.  I look tired all over again. I take a moment to dab on concealer and a lip gloss.

I heard a low whistle as I exited my room. Internally the sound that my wolf made was very similar to claws down a blackboard.

"Hey, you finally grew into that dress!" Jason admired my figure, taking time to circle around me to check out the goods in the back.

'Filthy leering squirrel. Let. Me. Bite. Him!'

"What do you mean, finally! It's much too tight and way too short!" I holler as I point down at half a bare thigh.

"No, Caly.  Women's clothing is supposed to fit. Spare me the 'peek-a-boo' lecture, please." I cringed when he said that. When I was a young pup, I always said my outfits were too peek-a-boo if they were too revealing.  It also kind of slipped out of Alpha Darius' mouth the first time he saw some of the clothes his Luna picked out for me. It's one of those things I may never live down, just like my first day of school.

Acting as if he hadn't noticed how uncomfortable I was, he leaned in and whispered in my ear, "You look absolutely delicious, my dear." I was so stunned I just let him take my hand as he pulled me out of the apartment towards the banquet hall.

Athena apparently hadn't been stunned by his comments, because she was screaming, 'Predator! Predator!' all the way.

We arrived as everyone was finding their seats.  I scanned the room for a friendly face.  Jase would naturally sit at the head table with his father and the other ranked wolves.  I need to find a seat quickly. I need to bury myself into a  seat and look like I'm having a friendly conversation with someone or he'll drag my ass over there too.

I spot an omega named Katie whom I often worked with.  I'll pop over there, I know she would never turn soul away, she was a sweetheart.

"This way, Caly!" Jase says with a tug of my arm. I can see that everyone but Jase is already seated at the head table. 

"It looks full already, Jase. You know I shouldn't be up there," I whisper.  I can see the Beta whisper to Jason's father and he gives his eyes a roll.  "I'm alright, I was just going to head over to see Katie." I try to fake a grin while I shake my hand out of his.

At this moment, the Alpha notices what's going between the Beta and Gamma. He scowls at them, and they become silent.  He beckons Jase over. As I am about to make my escape, I hear the Alpha's stern voice, "Bring Calypso with you!"

I was so close. Jase walks over to me and wraps his arm around my side to escort me to my doom.

Jase looks for another chair for me, and there is one but at the other end of the table.  "Jason, take your seat. Calypso needs to sit with myself and Kat."

'Alpha Darius is a perfect example.  He sees that fetid roadkill you call a friend for the squirrel that he is! He's just saved us from an entire evening of him trying to get his filthy paws on us.' Athena sighs before adding sweetly, 'I do hope our own Alpha is a paragon as well.'

'I think you're crushing on him hard.' I tell her wryly.

'Absolutely not.  I have already met my Mate, long before I became joined with you, Babe.'

'Oh?  Are you sure he's an Alpha?' I tease her.  There's no way she could know that.  She's just convinced herself she wouldn't be mated to someone unworthy.  ‘What if our mate's human side doesn't live up to your impossible standards?'

'Then we will just have to whip him into shape!'

I make my way over to the head of the table. Luna Katherine looks gorgeous tonight in a very flowy maxi dress.  Her blonde hair is flowing free, very Bohemian chic. Maybe I should try a dress in that style. It covers nearly to her ankles.

As I approach she holds her arms out wide for a hug.  "You look so cute tonight," she squeaks out as she engulfs me in a bear hug. "Darius and I are both so proud of you. I told him I get dibs on you next week.  We're having a Grand Ball for the Alpha's Summit.  There are RSVPs coming in every single day.  I think the turnout will be the best one in years." In her excitement, I don't think she even came up for air.

She hands me off to Alpha Darius, who is much more subdued in his greetings.  He pulls me into a side hug and kisses my temple. "You do look lovely tonight, Calypso." He's about the only person on the planet that calls me by my full name and it doesn't bother me.

We all sit down, and dinner is served. Luna begins telling me of all her big plans for next weekend.

"Caly dear, I have so much for you to do. My Dear Husband has told me you're sorting through Cassandra's things.  Do you think you'll have time to come to a meeting Monday morning?"

"I'll be anywhere you need me to be, Luna."

"Good. You're always so accommodating my dear, are you sure?" I nod affirmatively.

"Well then, time to change the subject.  Darius, love, did you ask Caly what her plans were this year for her birthday?" Goddess I hate birthdays.  The last good one I think I had was the year I got Athena and slept right through it.

"Not yet, Kat.  But for once I agree with you about the gift. You might as well just tell her, you know you can't keep a secret." He winks at me.

"I really don't need anything, you both already do t-too much for me." I begin to stammer, and the heat rises up my face.

"Oh, Caly! You say that every year. And just like every year, I am going to ignore you and do what's best.  Darius and I have decided you need some properly tailored outfits…"

I look up in utter shock, "I..I.. it's not really…"

"Calypso, I know how particular you are about your wardrobe.  I think some suits and other business attire would be appropriate for a young lady heading into the working world.  It is exceedingly difficult to make a good impression with other werewolves. So if we get something tailored for you, hopefully, it will be something you love and will wear confidently."

"Yes, Alpha." I guess I should have expected this.  I would be representing the Alpha and Luna, as well as Artemis. I have no luck picking my own clothes, perhaps having someone to help me would be for the best.

"Don't worry dear, I'll make sure we will sneak in a ball gown," Luna whispered to me, but I know the Alpha heard because he's chuckling at his wife's antics.

"Kat, you'll have to convince her of that last bit yourself."

*****

Dinner, of course, was lovely because quite frankly the Luna wouldn’t have it any other way.  She spoke endlessly about the Welcome Banquet and the Ball. The colours she had chosen were an azure blue, with silver and white accents.  Blue table linens with silver placemats and white cloth napkins. There would be massive arrangements of white roses in tall silver vases, accented by puffs of blue hydrangeas.  The night of the actual Ball would be catered by a local business, and our kitchens would be preparing everything else. All of the pack’s Omegas would either be serving or assisting. Each Alpha and their group would be assigned a private concierge. We were practically becoming a hotel for the duration of the Summit!  We were even making additions to our standard party uniforms of white button-down shirts and black skirts or trousers. We would have either scarves or neckties in blue and silver. 

And I was going to be in charge that night so the Luna could do her usual job - Shmoozzing our guests.  She was really, really good at it too.

“Caly!’ the Luna said excitedly, “We’ll get you a bright blue gown, too!  We could do silver accessories or maybe silver crystals, what about…”

“Luna, how will the guests know I am to be of assistance if I don’t have a uniform? They may mistake me as a guest. I’ll even wear a skirt this time instead of pants if it’s important to you.” I try to negotiate with her. 

“Hmmm,” is all she replies. She eyes me warily, so I can already tell she will continue to petition for a gown right until the bitter end.

During the quiet pause, Jase sees an opportunity to approach us.

“Caly, everyone is heading over to Tucker’s pack, big grad party going on. Shall we head out M’Lady?” 

‘NO!’  my unhappy wolf screams inside my head.  Great, my headache is back. I grab my glass of ice water and press it to my temple.

“I’m still nursing a headache, Jase. I also still have things to discuss with the Luna about the next Summit. You go have fun without me.”

The Luna would be perfectly willing to discuss all her party ideas for the next three days straight, but instead, she just darts her eyes between Jase and I. I can almost hear the lecture in her motherly tone, how I should be out enjoying my life, it’s Friday don’t you want to go have fun with your friends, blah blah, etc. 

No and No.  I don’t want to get drunk around stupid frat boys, especially not Tucker and his obnoxious friends.  Part of the reason I hurried through school in three years was to avoid some of those people.

“Maybe you’ll even find yourself a hot date.” I smile and wiggle my eyebrows playfully. 

He takes my hand and pulls me into a side hug and whispers lowly in my ear, “I’ve been trying to score myself a hot date all day, but I can’t seem to get close enough to her. Maybe I should take her to her room and make sure she takes care of her headache instead.”

‘Oh my Goddess, NO! I would rather vomit up dinner and eat it again!’ Athena cries.

‘Eww, nasty! Wolves don’t do s**t like that do they?’  I mean I’ve heard of dogs eating puke and other grossness.

‘No, but I would rather be a household canine than have him taking care of me.’

‘I’ll be fine, Jase. Go have fun you deserve it. I’ll be ok.” I pat his arm and he releases me from his grip. He sulks off until one of his buddies grab him and they head outside to the cars.

“I do wish you would lighten up and let your hair down a bit, Caly,” Luna smiles and gives my hand a pat. “But that boy just never learns, does he?” I sadly shake my head no.

“I hope your Alpha finds you soon.”

“I’m not holding my breath, Luna. In the meantime, I’m almost done packing up the apartment. I can start to work tomorrow after breakfast if that’s alright?”

“Sure, my Dear.  We’ll get you moved to a new room as soon as all the fuss is over. Tomorrow we’ll go through the list of vendors and you can confirm all the timings for me. Sunday we’ll get all the uniforms sorted, and Monday morning the tailor will be by to size us.”

She gets up to leave, and I rise with her. “I’m glad your home Caly, and I truly appreciate how hard you work.”

I nod my head politely and head off to get some sleep.

‘Don’t forget I want the sheets changed!’

‘Yes, Athena, I hear you.’