Ravaged Wolf

Chapter 1

The day had finally arrived, Alpha Appointment Ceremony for the Mountain Crest pack. The blazing sun and scorching heat did nothing to stop preparation for this perfect day.

As an Omega of the Mountain Crest Pack, it was my duty to make sure my pack was happy and catered to. It was tough at times to put the pack before me, especially when some didn't show much appreciation but I always reminded myself that duty and honor was everything with my pack. Things wouldn't run perfectly if we deviated.

Chairs and tables had been brought out for the ceremony and my job was to decorate every one of them.

"Cassie, where's your hat? You'll burn under this heat." I hear my mom's concerned voice behind me as I lay a linen cloth over the table.

I turn around to face her and marvel over the white dress flowing down to her knees and the dirty blonde hair that I'd inherited, pulled back in a ponytail. I wished I was as effortlessly beautiful as my mother.

"I'm a werewolf, mom; I'll heal before my skin even decides to give me blisters." I smirk, amused by her constant worrying.

"Werewolf or not, please just wear this." She hands me a white sun hat with a pale blue bow at the back of it.

I scrape my blonde hair back, my obedient Omega nature kicking in, and place the hat on top of my head which effectively blocks off the unrelenting heat rays.

"Thanks Mom." I give her a thumbs up before hastily casting cloths over the rest of the tables.

I couldn't delay.

Being in the presence of the Alpha and his family was a rare occasion for me so everything had to be perfect.

As soon as I finish decorating, food is brought in by trolleys and pack members start streaming in. Once a designated clearing for training classes, now a temporary outdoor dining area. I rush around helping mothers settle their children and babies, making sure families fit all their members around tables. Commands, complaints and comments are made left, right and centre but I gracefully keep up with all my pack members, trying my best to please them.

Suddenly, a hush falls over the pack like a large, heavy blanket and I realise that Alpha Anderson, his wife and two sons approach. I rush to my parents who are sitting patiently together with clasped hands.

"You've done well, Cass." My dad pulls a chair out for me to sit down, his brown eyes twinkling proudly.

I couldn't ask for more supportive parents; even with my father's role as the pack doctor and my mother as the midwife, their busy schedule didn't stop them from making sure I was happy as an Omega. Turning my attention to the front, Luna with her youngest son Caleb, took their seats at the biggest table which took me the longest to decorate with ornate patterns sewn into the cloth. The Alpha and his eldest, Micah Anderson, face us and I almost cringe at the power radiating from them in waves.

"Today is a special day as you all know." Alpha Anderson, starts his sharp hazel eyes sieving through all our faces.

I glance at Micah who is a couple inches taller than his father and doesn't smile.. I find myself quickly shifting my gaze elsewhere so as to not get caught staring at his scowling mouth for too long. His younger brother, Caleb, is much kinder looking; the same hazel eyes as his father shining in held back laughter and a breathtaking smile on his face as he silently communicates across the clearing to his friends.

I'd sometimes see him in high school but I never approached him, he was always surrounded by people anyway.

"The time has come for me to step down from my Alpha role and hand it over to my son, Micah." The Alpha continues as he places a hand on Micah's shoulder.

"My wife, your Luna will also step down from her position and we are moving to the Werewolf Council."

Excited murmurs resonate throughout the pack and I bite my bottom lip nervously scanning the area for anyone in need.

"Let this day be a celebration as I, former Alpha James Anderson of the Mountain Crest Pack, appoint my son Micah Anderson as your new Alpha." Micah's father smiles as he starts clapping and soon enough everybody joins in.

"Choose your Beta, son." Mr Anderson finally says when the applause subsides.

"Jasper." Micah answers immediately, nodding towards a tall dark man who stands to walk to the new Alpha.

They clap each other's back and Caleb stands to join them as another round of applause starts up.

"Enjoy and celebrate everyone." Micah gestures to the food lined up.

As soon as Micah and his family finish serving their food and care comfortably sat around the table, the rest of the pack rush to take their portion of food. I leap up when I notice a pregnant woman waddling towards the table that Micah and his family are on and I soon realise that she's looking for somewhere to sit.

I snag a chair and race to the table; she looks up and smiles at me in appreciation but only do I notice how close I am to the Alpha's family.

"Thanks just place it here." The woman points to beside the Beta; they must be mates.

Pivoting my body to turn and return to my seat silently, I'm stopped by Caleb's friendly voice.

"You're the Omega, right?"

I turn towards him and nod, keeping my gaze on the ground as I wait to be dismissed but the urge to look up and stare at Caleb was strong, no wonder girls both werewolf and human flock around him; his good looks and open attitude irresistible.

"You did an awesome job setting up." His father comments behind Caleb.

"Thank you Mr Anderson." I look up briefly in acknowledgment before training my gaze on the ground again.

The power radiating from Micah makes my stomach churn and hands shake so I put my hands behind my back and take steps away from the table.

"Hey, could you bring me some pickles, I'm craving like mad." The Beta's mate clasps my arm to get my attention.

She was at least almost full term, the many times spent around pregnant women with my mom and assisting her with deliveries made it certain that this baby was ready to pop in a couple of days or less.

I meekly push past people and reach for the jar of pickles before turning around to head back but my path is blocked by no other than Caleb Anderson, his lazy smile and slightly squinted eyes ceasing to leave mine almost takes my breath away.

Hugging the jar of pickles to my chest as I feel it sliding past my clamming hands, I look up at Caleb having to crane my neck, making me feel smaller than my five foot four inches.

"I never got your name." He tilts his head to the side in question.

"I-It's Cassandra, but everyone calls me Cass." I answer quietly.

"The name's as nice as your dress." He blurts.

I look down at my pale blue sundress, my face heating at the compliment and I look back up to see Caleb slapping a hand to his forehead, internally scolding himself.

"I meant your dress is pretty... cause it looks nice against your skin. He stumbles.

My brows furrow slightly as I let out a small laugh, glancing at the naturally light tan of my skin.

Never would I have thought someone as confident as Caleb would stumble over his words.

"Crap, that's even worse. Now you think I'm retarded." He chuckles as he runs a hand through his curly brown hair.

My wolf begged to differ.

"No." I shake my head, almost losing my sunhat and I reach up to push it back down.

"Come sit with us, you've not even got any food yet." Caleb bends a little to look at my face under the sunhat.

I freeze and suddenly remember that I'm only just an Omega; I shouldn't even be laughing with Caleb this way.