Less Than An Omega

LYRAEA.

Lightening struck, the lit candles were blown out, and the room darkened. An earth-shattering thud erupted in the quiet hall. Children of the alphas, betas, gammas, and healers hid behind their parents in fear.

I, on the other hand, held my husband's hand more tightly; he also seemed terrified, but he refused to show his fear. After the loud thud, it was followed by a pin-drop silence, bringing an eerie feeling into the hearts of all the people who were present in the hall.

Alpha Rhain stood up boldly as he said, "You don't need to be scared; there's no cause for alarm because I believe it's just a thunderstorm. We, the Emberfell pack, are always ready to protect what is ours, so we do not need to be frightened. Continue being merry and enjoy the night."

I clutched his shirt, showing my fear. I refused to be fooled into thinking that it was just a mere storm. I could still see the fear that lingered on their faces, but yet they continued chattering, laughing, and talking heartily. I was uneasy, I was close to my husband, and I wanted to be protected because I was not fully convinced.

The door burst open, disrupting the hearty conversation that was going on. The hall quieted down; everyone stood still; they were all on guard to see who emerged in its presence.

A shadow was cast, the face was unrevealed, and I was watching intensely to see who it was, but I couldn't figure out the face. It was someone wearing a well-adorned silk dress, embroidered with all kinds of gems, but yet I couldn't decipher the face because she was a bit distant.

The hall was dimly lit, giving off that eerie feeling of danger lurking in its midst. The person walked further. I watched closely; that was how I was able to see its face.

Everyone gasped in horror when they saw her face. Everyone, including me, bowed in honor of the great witch Xylaraea, the witch that everyone feared. What could she be doing here?

"Great people of Emberfell, I want to tell you that the problems you have been facing in this land are not just a coincidence," she said with so much authority. She had a staff in hand as she hit the staff three times, illuminating the entire hall with brightened candles.

The people whispered in hushed tones, creating a gentle chatter among the people who were present. "Quiet," she ordered, and immediately the hall quieted down. I noticed how my husband, Rhain, looked terrified, but there was still a look of admiration as he stared at the witch.

"I know you have been facing challenges, which are lack of water, lack of food, and being unable to defeat the enemy. You have lost many abled men while trying to fight your enemies; it is all because of the curse that has befallen the land," she said again.

"So what could be the solution?" The voice of my husband resonates through the crowd; he is the only one who has managed to talk confidently. The hushed tones that had erupted when she made that statement quieted down when they heard the confident question from my husband.

"That is a good question, Alpha Rhain. Your pack is at stake; it is now vulnerable to other packs, and you won't be able to achieve your goals unless you do something that will cost you a lot."

"And what could that be? Because at this moment, I am ready to do anything to save my pack."

A smile sprawled on her lips. "So even your Luna?" She asked.

He looked down at me. I was hoping he'd say no, even though we were mates, but our relationship has been a bit rough the past few days.

He clenched his fist as he looked up and said, "Yes."

I was frozen in place. She smiled. "That's the only thing I have come to tell you; the only reason behind all your predicaments is your wife, mate, or Luna of your pack. The only way peace can be restored is if you send her away, or else you shall experience worse than you are experiencing right now," she said as she turned to leave.

I saw my mother; she was saddened; tears rippled down her cheeks as she crawled to the great witch, Xylaraea; she held her dress tightly.

"Please have mercy on my daughter," she begged profusely.

She turned to look at the people who were present there and said, "Mercy is not from me; it's from the alpha; his pack is at stake; it is left for him to send her away or let her continue leaving in the pack, so that a far worse calamity can befall the pack."

Rhain was silent throughout the process. I was expecting him to say something to defend me, but he was silent. He broke the silence with a single question: "Isn't there a lesser punishment?" He asked.

She heaved a deep breath. "Yes, there is a lesser punishment, but I believe I know you will prefer sending her away than the punishment I am about to say."

"And which is?"

"She would be degraded far less than an omega; she'll be seen as cursed wherever she goes; no one is allowed to touch her or use any of her equipment or accessories because that person would be executed to death."

Immediately, there was an uproar. "The decision is yours, Alpha Rhain." With that, she vanished, leaving no trace of her behind.

I tossed myself on the bed. I am unable to sleep; I don't know the decision of the alpha, but with the love we once shared, I hope he will temper mercy with justice.

The illuminating light of the morning rays woke me up. I stretched my hand as I paved my way to the hall. I was expecting to be served by an array of savants, but no one came, served me, or prepared my food. I know they can't be serious about believing what the witch said; it might be all a myth.

Ramona came, and she stood a bit distant. "Alpha Rhain requires your presence," she said disdainfully.

I was hurt. I went to the dining hall, where Alpha Rhain, my mother-in-law, who's Ross, and other pack elders were present.

Immediately they saw me, and they went silent. The fist of Rhain was tightly clenched; he didn't bother to look me in the eye as he broke the earth-shattering news: "I, Alpha Rhain, command you, my Luna Lyraea, to be less than an omega; you will now be living in the old pack house meant for omegas alone, without any help or assistance from anyone; you will not associate with anyone till the cursed is sealed."