OLIVIA
The sweet relief of the cool evening breeze caressed my skin. I could feel the gentle prickles of goosebumps as the breeze raised the fine hairs on my arm.
I closed my eyes, letting the soothing sensation wash over me, and I felt my worries drift away in the breeze.
“Are you sure you are okay with going out without your mask?” Kate asked. I shrugged my shoulders, walking as steadily as I could.
“It’s evening. I bet no one will recognize me,” I inferred. Although it wasn’t late in the evening, anyone would find it difficult to recognize me and even if they did, they wouldn’t find out about my identity as the mysterious and popular young lady who is currently a hot topic in the pack.
It is important to choose a special day for such an announcement. That way, I will get to see the reactions on their faces when they know who I am.
“Did you get the name of the place?” I inquired. Kate slightly bobbed her head, turning her attention to me.
I am working on a case of a pup who went missing a few weeks ago. It’s only right to check out the places he has been and people who have seen or interacted with him.
“Yes, it’s in District C. I am sure we will find a lead when we get there,” I nodded my head at her response and resumed walking once again.
I thought finding werewolves and objects would be so much easier but I guess I was wrong. If I hadn’t put effort into learning, and this job does not generate a lot of income, I would have quit before I started.
As much as I am good at what I do, some cases get riskier the more you delve into it and it’s scary.
I sighed, moving away to create some space for a female wolf who was passing by. I accidentally bumped into someone while trying to shift.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were standing that close,” I apologized, thinking I had hit Kate, but then I felt a forceful push that made me look up.
“Are you crazy? Can’t you watch where you are going?” she fired angrily, drawing the attention of the rest of the passers-by.
My brows furrowed in surprise after I recognized the voice. I would remember it anytime, even if someone woke me up from sleep or the dead. I mean, how could I not?
For a moment, I stood frozen. It wasn’t out of fear but surprise because I wasn’t expecting to run into her and, of all places, here.
Right in front of me was no one but my beloved cousin, Karen. I chuckled after realizing that she hadn’t changed a bit.
Her personality still sucks, and she is still as rude as I met her when we were kids. She looked well dressed and beautiful like she was coming back from an occasion.
“Karen?” I called with a low chortle. The smile on my face remained there for as long as I could keep it.
She paused, taking her time to look at me. It took her quite a lot more time than I thought it would for her to recognize me and when she did; she smirked but wholly forgot to mask the shock on her face.
“Olivia?” she called back after taking a few steps back until she was standing in front of me. I folded my hands to my chest and nodded my head in confirmation.
“Wow! I didn’t know you’d still be alive after all these years,” she sneered. Instead of getting scared like I always have, I laughed.
“So, were you wishing I was dead? Did I bother you that much? I guess my absence tormented you,” I responded while Kate watched the alteration between us and thankfully, she didn’t interfere.
“You are crazy, Olivia. I can see you are still as naive as you used to be back then. So useless and unwanted” she paused, moving closer to me. At that point, I wanted to do nothing but slap her face and wipe that stupid smile off there.
“I heard the Alpha abandoned you and chose his Luna and you still haven’t found your mate or maybe you have after disappearing for so many years. Did some peasant claim you as his mate?” Karen taunted.
I drifted my hand to her shoulder and pushed her back to create some distance between us, then adjusted my dress even though it was all right.
I remained unfazed, refusing to show any emotion of hurt or sadness. I have become used to being ridiculed. It doesn’t bother me anymore.
So what if I haven’t found my mate? And so what if Alpha Damon chose his mate over me?
“If you think you can intimidate me, try something else, Karen. You see, those words don’t move me any longer,” I retorted, attaining a loud hiss from her.
“And before you insult me, you should have a rethink and think of yourself first. You look like an old maiden whose mate left her because of how ugly she looks,” I added spitefully.
If looks had the power to kill, I’d be six feet right now from how intense her glare was. Her face turned red in anger and embarrassment as she glanced around to see if anyone had heard what I said to her.
The silent chuckle from Kate seemed to have fueled up her fury and for the first time; I was happy to see this mad because of me.
“You!” she spouted, once again charging towards me with the intent of hitting me. Before her hand could touch my face, I held it, twisted it, and slapped her hard so that it drew more attention to us.
Excitement bubbled inside me as she let out a scream of horror. All my life, I have always been at the receiving end, so I didn’t know what this felt like until now.
I took a few steps closer and slapped her again with a gentle smile on my face. Just like she always had on hers whenever she and her mother tortured me.
“How does it feel to have a taste of what you dish out?” I asked. Karen growled, her palm not leaving her hurting cheek, which was already looking very red.
“How dare you hit me, you lowlife omega?” she fired furiously. If she could murder me right now, she wouldn’t think twice about it.
“Even though I might be an omega, I won’t allow you to mistreat me again. I am no longer a teenager who’d tolerate all the things you did to me. I lived almost all my life in your shadow, but that ended the day you sold me out like I was a commodity,” I said, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves.
“If you ever try to hit me again, I don’t know what my anger will make me do to you,” pushing her aside, I turned to Kate and muttered “Let’s go”
I walked off, smiling triumphantly. I couldn’t be more proud of myself. Despite hearing a loud howl followed by an irate voice calling out my name, I chose to ignore her.
I am too occupied with thoughts on how to solve my cases and my meeting with Alpha Damon tomorrow. I don’t have the luxury to think of something else.