Vessara stepped out of the bathroom in a rush, water still dripping from the ends of her hair. She didn't bother drying it properly. The towel hung over her shoulder as she walked fast to the closet. She pulled it open, scanning for something she could wear. She grabbed the first things her fingers touched, a pair of worn-out jeans and a gray sweater with a small hole near the left cuff.
She started dressing as fast as she could. Her heart was already racing. She hated being late, especially not on the first day of a new semester.
College was the only place she felt normal and unbothered about her situation. The only place where no one really reminded her of what she was. And that feeling was the closest thing to freedom she had.
Her phone beeped from the bed. She ignored it at first, focusing on pulling her jeans over her hips and buttoning them. The phone beeped again. Then it started ringing. She considered letting it go into voicemail, but the ringing did not stop. That meant it was only one person.
Anthea Lykaion.
Anthea was the daughter of Nikos Lykaion, one of the wealthiest elders in the Silvermoon pack, rumored to be richer than the alpha. She had grown up in a mansion with many bedrooms, a kitchen that had never seen a dirty dish left overnight, and numerous servants. Anthea was living a princess lifestyle to the fullest. Her father had bought her first car when she turned twenty. And when she recently turned twenty-three, he bought her the latest red Porsche 911. Vessara had known her for twelve years. They met in middle school, in a shared science class, and Anthea had decided one day that they were friends. Anthea never treated her like an omega, and that alone made her family, in a way, her actual blood relatives were not.
Vessara reached across the bed and picked up the phone.
"Finally!" Anthea's voice burst through the speaker. "Why are you not picking up my calls? I've been calling you for like forever."
"I was in the bathroom," Vessara said. She put the phone between her ear and shoulder while she pulled the sweater over her head. "And I am trying to get dressed now." She tried to fix her hair with one hand.
"You should have taken the phone into the bathroom," Anthea said.
"Come on, Anthea, at least I have picked now."
"Well, hurry up. I'm already close to your house. Like, fifteen minutes away. Be outside."
Vessara sat on the edge of the bed to put on her socks. "I am almost done. I need to find my shoes."
"Find them faster. And don't let evil Thea get you this morning. You know she's always ready for you."
Vessara let out a short breath. "I am hoping she doesn't try anything before I leave."
Anthea scoffed. "If she tries anything today, beat her up. But I know you won't do it. You always let her walk over you every time. I swear, one day I'm going to grab her by the neck and teach her a lesson."
"You will not." Vessara couldn't help the small smile that came to her face.
"I will. I have been wanting to pull out her hair at least. Just give me the go-ahead to teach her a lesson."
"Dont stress. Thea will only get you into trouble."
"I don't care. She deserves it." Anthea replied.
"I will be fine. I have been handling her for years." Vessara said.
"That does not mean you should have to."
Vessara did not answer. She went about looking for her shoes, which she found behind the door of her bathroom. They were sneakers with white and black stripes. She put them on.
"I am leaving now. See you outside soon." Vessara said, ending the call before Anthea could continue.
She dropped the phone on the bed and took one last look at herself. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough. She grabbed her backpack and everything she needed for the day. Then she opened her bedroom door and walked down the hallway towards the stairs.
She lived in the same house with her father, Alpha Leander Stavros of the Silvermoon pack, her stepmother, Thalia, and her stepsister, Thea. The house was large by most standards, with a formal dining room, a living room that no one used except for guests, and a kitchen that Vessara knew better than any other room. She has been cleaning that kitchen since she was eight years old. She had been cooking in it since she was twelve. Her stepmother had made sure of that.
Vessara's mother had died when she was two. So she has no memory of her except for a single photograph she had sneaked out of the family book the day her father wanted to burn it. A woman with long, chestnut hair, blue eyes, and a tired smile as she holds a baby. That was all. Her father never spoke of her. Then, when Vessara turned three, he married Thalia. When Vessara was four, Thea was born.
In a world where Omegas were treated like they didn't matter, Vessara had learned not to expect much from anything. Not from people. Not from life. She asked nothing because asking meant hoping, and hoping meant being disappointed. She had spent twenty-three years learning how to survive by staying quiet, by not arguing, by doing what she was told and making herself useful. She learned to observe, watch faces, and listen to tone. She could tell when a voice went soft before a punishment came cause by the time she was twelve, she could read her stepmother's mood from the way she opened a door.
That was how she had made it this far. That was her life. It was not good. It was not bad. It was just what she had.
When Vessara reached halfway down the stairs, Thea was standing at the last step, her arms crossed.
"Where do you think you're going?" Her eyes scanned Vessara from head to toe, her lips curling slightly.
Thea was nineteen. She had her mother's black hair, but her father's brown eyes. She was pretty in a sharp way that most men liked. Whenever Thea was bored, her boredom often found a target in Vessara.
"I'm going to school," Vessara said calmly.
Thea tilted her head. "I didn't say you could leave."
Vessara tightened her grip on her bag. "Please, Thea, I am running late. I'm not interested in whatever you have planned this morning," she said. "Move." She stepped down the stairs, but Thea blocked her path.
Thea let out a small laugh. "Look at you," she said, stepping closer. "At least try to look presentable before stepping out. You look fat in these jeans. Is that the best you have?" She cringed, and an irritated look crossed her expression.
Vessara didn't respond immediately. She was used to this. Still, something about the tone made her chest tighten.
Thea continued. "You work at that old restaurant, you must earn something. At least try to look like you are not homeless."
Vessara felt the words land, but she had learned not to show it. She kept her face still.
"At least I look like I eat. You are all bones and no meat. You have more than enough money, but it doesn't show. Maybe you should try to stop being bitter and eat well," Vessara replied quietly.
Thea's expression changed instantly. Her smile fades, and her eyes widen in shock.
"What did you just say?" Her hand came up to slap Vessara across the face.
"Thea!"
Thalia's calm and controlled voice stopped Thea's hand midair. She stood a few steps away, her gaze sharp.
"Mom, did you hear what she said to me?!"
"I heard what she said," Thalia said as she walked up to them. She was wearing a silk robe and had her hair pinned up. "Let it go."
Thea stepped closer to Vessara.
"I said let it go," Thalia repeated, her voice firmer.
Thea hesitated for a moment, then slowly lowered her hand, her eyes still fixed on Vessara. Reluctantly, she stepped away from Vessara.
Vessara turned her attention to Thalia and lowered her gaze slightly. She had learned that looking directly at her stepmother was seen as a challenge. "Good morning," she said.
Thalia let out a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Good morning, Vessara," she replied. "Come and have breakfast with us."
Vessara blinked. That had not happened in years. Breakfast was something she prepared and then ate in the kitchen, standing by the sink while the family ate in the dining room.
"I am late," Vessara said.
"You'll make time for breakfast."
Thea let out a deep groan. "Since when does she eat with us? She's supposed to be the one making breakfast, not eating it."
Thalia shot her daughter a sharp glare that made her close her mouth immediately.
"Come. I called in the chef. He already prepared everything. And it's all your favorite."
Vessara felt something shift in her chest. This was new. Was this the reason her stepmother had told her not to bother about making breakfast today?
She shook her head. "It's fine," she said. "I'll just leave—"
Thalia reached out and took Vessara by the arm. Her grip was firm. Underneath her skin, Vessara could feel a small tension, a slight reluctance. She could tell Thalia did not want to hold her. But Thalia held on anyway and guided her toward the dining room.
"Come, it's the first day of the semester. You should start it well." Thalia said.
Vessara didn't argue.
The table was set for four. Plates, glasses, and napkins folded into triangles. In the center of the table were dishes, scrambled eggs, toast, sliced fruit, bacon, and a small bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar on the side. Everything on the table was food Vessara liked.
Her father, Alpha Leander, sat at the head of the table. He was a tall man with a broad chest and thick hands. His brown hair was falling loosely over his temples.
He looked up at Vessara. "Sit," He gestured to the chair on his left.
Vessara sat. Thea sat across from her, arms still crossed and an angry expression on her face. Thalia took the chair at the other end.
No one spoke for a moment. Then Leander picked up his fork and began to eat. The others followed. Vessara kept her head down, focusing on her plate. She took a small portion of oatmeal. She did not trust the situation, but she was hungry, and the oatmeal smelled good.
Her father cleared his throat. "I have news for you, Vessara."
Vessara looked up.
"Alpha Marcus of Crescent Pack is hosting his sixtieth birthday party," Leander said. He did not look at her while he spoke. He cut a piece of bacon. "He has invited our pack."
She nodded slowly. "Okay…"
"You'll be attending with us," he added.
Vessara stopped chewing. She looked around the table. Thalia nodded. Thea rolled her eyes.
"I am sorry. Did you say you are bringing me to a party?"
"You heard me," Leander said.
Thalia smiled and nodded. "It is time you started attending high-ranking gatherings so people can see you. People need to know you. You are the alpha's first daughter, after all."
Vessara looked from one face to another, trying to understand. She felt something rise in her chest. Excitement. She tried to push it down. She had learned not to get excited about things. But she could not help it.
"You mean…I'll be there? With you?"
Leander nodded once. "Yes."
A small smile formed on her lips. "I've always wanted to attend a gathering like that," she said. The words came out faster than she intended.
"Everything is prepared. Clothes. Shoes. Make up. All you need to do is be ready for the night."
"Thank you. Thank you for considering me. I will not disappoint you."
Her phone buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket—a message from Anthea.
I am outside. Hurry.
Vessara stood up immediately. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm late already."
Leander waved his hand. "You can go."
"Thank you," she said again before leaving. Her heart was beating harder than it should have been as she opened the door.
Leander leaned back in his chair. He looked at Thalia. "Do you think she believes us?"
"She looks excited. You know how desperate she is for your attention. One kind gesture, and she melts." Thalia replied.
"It has always been that way. Stupid girl." Thea hissed.
The cold air hit Vessara as she stepped out. Anthea's red Porsche was parked in the driveway. Anthea leaned against the driver's side door. She had short red hair and a nose ring. She was wearing ripped jeans and a band T-shirt.
"You look happy?" Anthea said as Vessara approached.
"I am," Vessara said. She got into the passenger's seat and shut the door.
Anthea got into the driver's seat, started the engine, and drove out of the driveway. "Why?"
Vessara buckled her seatbelt. "My dad is taking me to Alpha Marcus sixtieth birthday."
Anthea raised a brow. "That party? My father also mentioned it, but I am not going. There will be many old people talking about pack politics." She glanced at Vessara, who was still smiling. "What's exciting about an old man's party?!"
Vessara looked out the window. "It's not the party. It is about him wanting me there. He has never done that before," she said.
Anthea was quiet for a moment. "That's true. And it looks suspicious."
Vessara shook her head. "Maybe he's starting to care," she said quietly.
Anthea stared at her. For a second, she looked like she wanted to argue. But she didn't.
She just nodded. "Okay."
Vessara held onto the faint feeling of hope in her chest. Even though she knew hope was dangerous. But for once, she allowed herself to believe it.