The Rejected Omega Revenge

Beatrice pov 

"Get up, you worthless girl." Selene's voice cut through my sleep. "Today's your big day."

I rolled off the thin mattress on the floor, my back aching from the hard wood underneath. The servant's quarters had no real beds, just old blankets and whatever comfort we could scrape together. At twenty, I was the oldest unmated wolf in Silvermist Pack, and today would finally change that.

Or so I hoped.

"I'm awake," I said, pushing my messy brown curls out of my face.

Selene stood in the doorway, perfect as always in her silk nightgown. Her blonde hair caught the morning light streaming through my tiny window. "Father wants you in the kitchen in ten minutes. The ceremony preparations won't handle themselves."

She turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Bea?" The nickname dripped with mockery. "Don't get your hopes up about today. What would want a servant for a mate?"

The door slammed behind her, rattling the thin walls. I pressed my palms against my eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. Today was my first shift ceremony. Every werewolf experienced their first transformation between eighteen and twenty, and with it came the ability to sense their fated mate.

I'd waited two years longer than most. The pack whispered that something was wrong with me, that I was defective. Maybe they were right.

I pulled on my worn dress-a hand-me-down from Selene that had seen better days-and braided my hair back. In the cracked mirror above my washbasin, as my eyes stared back at me. Sometimes I swore they glowed in moonlight, but that was probably wishful thinking.

The kitchen buzzed with activity when I arrived. The cook barely glanced at me. "About time. Start on the bread. We need fifty loaves for tonight's feast."

I worked in silence, kneading dough until my arms burned. Around me, other servants prepared for the ceremony that would change everything. Pack members would gather under the full moon to witness my first shift. If I was lucky, I'd finally meet my wolf and discover my mate bond.

If I was unlucky, I'd shift into something weak and pathetic, confirming what everyone already believed about me.

"Nervous?" Liora appeared at my elbow. She was visiting from Ashthorn Pack with their delegation, but somehow she always found time to check on me during inter-pack gatherings.

I glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "Terrified," I admitted quietly.

Liora bumped my shoulder. "Hey, whatever happens tonight, you're stronger than they think. I can tell."

Her words warmed something cold inside my chest. "Thanks."

"Besides," she grinned, "if your wolf is half as stubborn as you are, she'll be magnificent."

The day passed in a blur of cooking and cleaning. As evening approached, pack members began gathering in the ceremonial clearing. I watched through the kitchen window as families arrived in their finest clothes, children running between the adults with excitement.

I wouldn't have family there to support me. The