Chapter 2: Ava

I recited the words on the paper with a sigh, trying to keep a proud look while I stared at my reflection in my mother's oval mirror. "Jace Weston. As a thank you from the Rose home, I humbly give you this offering." I give him the gift he accepts it. "May the Moon Goddess light your path." Standing behind me, a smile lifted my mother's pale pink lips, blue eyes shining with delight. "Good. Just try to stay consistent when you speak. This is the Alpha's son you're about to meet." My fist clenched at her words, wrinkling the paper into a crippled ball. Although her words spoke comfortingly, I could detect a hint of resentment coloring her voice, echoing her true feelings. I gazed at her reflection while she continued to brush my hair, taken aback by the astounding differences between our current looks. Her brown locks, blue eyes, black and baggy, hand-stitched outfit wasn't a very good match, but we had enough trouble with money as it is. She used all our savings to get me this beautiful saffron dress, even though I'd probably wear it once, then forget it in the closet for the next decade. One would think I'presentte myself as a candidate, seeing how I'd dressed up like some princess preparing for her ball. The fact of the matter is, as the Omega, I wasn't allowed to bond with anyone as I was considered too weak to even have a mate. That... And my father's legacy had left an unfortunate stain on the Rose family, which left me and my mother to prove our worth to the pack, praying to Selene each day wouldn't be our last amongst the pack. I gazed down to my pale hands, eyeing the crippled paper in my left palm. The word "offering" appeared in the crevasse of the ripple and made me sigh. "What's the matter, sweetie?" Asked my mom while she tied my hair into a bun. "I... I don't want to do this, Momom. It won't change anything... They will never accept us." She placed her delicate hands on my shoulders, my father's diamond ring still adorning her finger. I swallowed a knot of bile that had risen in my throat. "I know it's hard, sweetheart. But as a mature female, it's your duty. I had to do the same thing when I was your age." My heart sank at her word, dreadfully lowering my gaze. Her hand gently lifted my chin, a softer, compassionate smile lifting the corner of her lips. "I know it's difficult for you, sweetheart. But we must do this if we are to stay on the Alpha's good side. Do what we've recited, and it'll be over before you know it." She finished my hairdo, swiped her hand on my dress to flatten any rebel wrinkles, then turned me to take a good look at her work. Her hands gathered by her mouth, tears brimming I'm her eyes. You're so beautiful." She wiped a tear and pulled me in for a hug, letting out a bittersweet smile. "Oh my baby girl... You grow up so fast." I wrapped my arms around her neck and felt tears sting at my eyes. "Don't cry, Momm, you'll make me cry." My voice shook more than I'd wish, betraying my growing fear. She smiled. "You're right. Your right. Don't want to ruin your makeup." She stroked my cheek, pulling one final smile from my lips before I turned towards the mirror. The makeup blended so well with my skin, I forgot I was wearing any. My lips glittered with a pale pink, which made my hazel eyes stand out perfectly. The eyeshadow, a deep purple tone, widened my eyes just enough to make them pop perfectly. I had to admit, I did look pretty, something I've very rarely had the luxury to admit. Mom's arms once again wrapped around my neck as she kissed my cheek. I smiled at the gesture and took her hands into mine. "Oh! Can't forget! The piece of resistance!" She pronounced the last word with a fake French accent and skidded to her room only to reappear a few moments later, holding a long, silver necklace in her hands. I gasped at the jewel and felt more tears rise when she placed the silver wolf head in my hands. "It's beautiful., I whispered, stroking the wolf's ruby red eyes. My mom eyed the necklace with awe. "I know it isn't a proper jewel to wear on such an occasion, but... I thought it would bring you luck." She looked up into my eyes, her lower lip trembling with emotion. "Your father gave it to me before...You know. It'll protect you wherever you go, and now, I will always be with you." I couldn't hold my tears back when she clipped the chain behind my neck, the cold metal hitting against the warmth of my skin. The wolf hung in the crook of its neck, red eyes glaring into the distance with a fearsome look. I took the jewel in my hand and admired the handcrafted detail of the metal, which had been barely worn by age. "It's gorgeous, Mom. Thank you. - I knew you'd like it. It represents Helios. Now, as a member of the Pack and by wearing this necklace, you will be protected by both gods." I smiled at her words. Helios, Selene's brother, represents the Sun while Selene represents the Moon. As werewolves, we were commonly more driven to believe and, for some, prey to Selene for her protection, but wolves praising Helios wasn't unheard of either. Receiving the blessings of both Gods would indeed bring me a lot of luck. And today, I'd need that more than ever. Mom kissed my forehead, careful not to smudge my makeup, when she gently held my face with her hands. While I stood tall, the gift in hand, she admired my gait one more time. My lip began to tremble, and I jumped into her arms, fear gripping my chest like icy thorns. "Please come with me, Mom. I don't want to go alone." While I held my mother, I felt my Wolf whimper at her touch, sending me warm, calming waves to help me. Mom gave a big squeeze before she pulled back, staring into my eyes. "I would give anything to come with you, A'. But you have to do this on your own." I nodded while she gently wiped my tears, trying her best to hide her own. Taking one more deep, calming breath, I straightened my back and schooled my features into a neutral look. She handed me a basket in which I'd be able to tuck my belongings for the road; the Pack house was a few miles away from our home, so it was faster to travel by paws than by foot. I lifted my arms to unhook the necklace, but my mother held my hands with her own, smiling mischievously. "Oh, no need to take it off, sweetie." I blinked, taken aback by her words. "Mom, it's gonna break if I don't! I'll come to get it later- - No need!" Her hand clamped around my wrist, soft words suddenly turned to icy cold. A glimpse of sorrow briefly flickered in the back of her eyes, only to disappear with a blink. My voice shook slightly from my surprised state. "M-mom?" Silence. I gasped as my whole body was pulled back into a right hug, my mother's arms squeezing me tighter than ever. A few seconds passed before she pulled back, racking her throat. "Sorry, sweetie, you're old mother is a little emotional for her baby. Just promise you won't take that necklace off, alright? It's... It's the last piece I have of your father." An icy blade stabbed into my heart, sinking slowly into my chest as her words sank in. I nodded, sealing my promise at the very back of my mind. I may have never known my father, but I could never break my mother's heart. "I promise." My words now safely securing the promise, I stepped back, slipped off my clothes, and took the shape of my wolf, teeth grinding at the sound of my joints rearranging themselves. I fell on all fours, I arched my back in a swift gesture when I noticed the chain hadn't shattered onto the floor. It didn't break! I cheered over the link, brown eyes glittering towards my mother. "It's a special kind of necklace. It fits both human and Wolf form. Your father paid a lot for it." I smiled in awe at her words, my mind wondering what could give such an object the power to fit such a drastic transformation. Considering a werewolf's feral form is much bigger than any normal canine- unless horse-sized dogs were common in the human world- I couldn't think of any other method that would've allowed such a feat. Magic wasn't exactly unknown either, but Wolves weren't sorcerers, so I simply assumed it was obtained through the hands of some witch. Rising to the tip of her feet, my mother gave me one last warm hug, making tail wag happily. "Stay safe, sweetie." I licked her cheek with a wolfish grin. I will, Mom. She opened the door of our little wooden home, and my paws settled onto the lush grass. Mom and Dad had settled in this little round wood house he built in the woods many, many years ago now. It isn't much, just a cosy little cottage amongst the woods, but its isolation offered us peace and Safety as an Omega, I was never truly safe, even within the ranks of my pack. As I stepped out, I heard my mother sniffle while she wiped her nose with a soft tissue. I gave her one last wolfy grin as I gazed over my shoulder, and she waved goodbye. My paws trembled with anxiety when I took the first step forward, but my Wolf kept encouraging me to continue ahead. When I was far enough, I heard a distant creek while my mom closed the door and locked it. I sighed. No turning back now. Today's the day... I repeated to myself as I trekked into the forest.