Hurting herself

I glanced at the two people looking down at me.

Echo was right.

I can't be a crying mess in front of them. That would be like answering their prayer.

So I stood up, dusted myself off, and tried to walk away.

Autumn grabbed my arm, holding me back. I tried to fling her hand away, but how could I be stronger than an Alpha?

"What? Does the sight of us hurt you so much that you're crying?" she mocked, her expression cocky.

"No," I shook my head with a light smile. "I was just sad when I realized you always desired my leftovers."

I'm sure that stung.

"You—" Autumn glared at me.

I glared right back.

"Whatever," she spat. "I'll become the Alpha of this pack, and you'll never dare to speak to me like this again."

"Mmm, let's see." And with that, I briskly turned around and walked away.

As much as I hate to admit it, Autumn was right.

My life would be harder if she became Alpha, and my boyfriend... no, ex-boyfriend became her Beta and husband.

My future looked so bleak.

I spoke to my wolf as I walked home. Right now, she was the only one I could talk to. 'So what suggestion do you have again? You asked me to hurt myself earlier... Why is that? How's that going to help?'

[It will help for a few days,] she responded. [Alpha Russell wouldn't want to take home a liability like you...]

'I'm not a—' I tried to correct her, but she had already continued.

[Yes, you're not a liability, but everyone thinks otherwise. So if you're injured, he would rather you heal in your pack first before serving him...]

My mind raced. That was a good idea, but... 'That'll only last for a short while. I can't pretend to be sick or injured forever, can I?'

[No, you can't. That's why you need to take your chance and grab an Alpha at the upcoming Moon Festival...]

'Girl, are you for real?' I almost doubted my ears. '"Grab" an Alpha? Like they're some sack of potatoes?'

That's the hardest thing in the world.

[Yes.]

I stomped my foot in frustration. 'So after "grabbing" an Alpha, what then? Become a breeder for him? Even Betas wanted me to be one. What about an Alpha? I'd rather die than be used against my will and turned into a baby machine.'

[You have the healing power, don't you? You're like a hot cake. Sign a Moon Contract with any Alpha you choose. He wouldn't be able to go back on his word. Have him marry you in return for healing his pack for free. Live for yourself. Isn't that perfect?]

I froze completely.

The wind rustled through the trees as my wolf's words settled into me—terrifying, and tempting.

A Moon Contract.

Binding and Irrevocable. Not even the Moon Goddess herself could break it. Once bonded, it couldn't be undone until the conditions were met. Few people dared to sign one.

'I don't even know who I'd choose,' I whispered back. My thoughts were spinning now. 'Is there truly an Alpha who wouldn't automatically consider an Omega a breeder?'

[Then choose wisely,] my wolf interrupted, [You don't need the strongest or the richest. You need one who's desperate. A young Alpha with a crumbling pack. Someone who needs you as much as you need escape.]

I clenched my fists. 'I know now.'

In a few days, five days to be exact, there would be the Moon Festival. It was held annually after the cubs had shifted. Alphas from other packs would be invited. It was simply a banquet, where the new shifters of all categories were introduced to the world.

The Alphas would form connections, the Betas would network with their kind, and the new Omegas, the beautiful ones, would be exchanged or sold.

All these years, I never truly found anything wrong with it. But now, it's my turn to suffer from this cruel fate.

I had five days to do my research and make my choice. It was a feasible plan.

'Thank you, Echo,' I said with all the sincerity I could muster.

I was truly, deeply grateful.

[We're in this together,] came her reply.

'Next step is to buy time for myself. I can either pretend to be sick, or get hurt.

I choose the latter.

I suck at pretending.

So I went to the tree at my backyard.

It hurt to fall, but I didn't hesitate to jump.

"Damn." My face was planted into the earth, and my knees hurt terribly.

I rolled onto my back, groaning through clenched teeth. Pain lanced through my legs, hot and sharp, and I bit my lip to hold back a scream. My wolf whimpered inside me.

[You didn't have to jump that hard, you fool,] she muttered. [A twisted ankle would've done the trick.]

'Too late now,' I hissed in response. My voice trembled, whether from pain or fear, I didn't know. I forced myself to sit up slowly. My hands were scraped raw, palms full of dirt. One knee was already swelling.

Perfect.

"Lady Krystal?! Lady Krystal!" I heard someone calling my name. I looked up at the sky and couldn't help but chuckle.

"They came too soon."

Then I yelled with all my strength, "HELP!!!"

Two seconds hadn't passed before my father's bodyguards appeared. Two of them.

They instantly approached. "Are you okay?"

"It hurts," I whimpered, pointing to my legs. "I wanted some tangerines and had to climb the tree myself. I misstepped and fell. I'm sorry for disturbing you," I said in the softest voice I could muster.

One of the guards frowned with clear distaste. "Omegas are so weak."

Another son of a bitch.

The other seemed more sensible as he helped me up. "You should've called your guards."

I bit my lip. "But I'm just an Omega. They wouldn't answer me, so I had no choice but to go ahead."

"Well, can't blame them either."

Sons. Of. Bitches.