Echoes of the Night

KAREN

I woke up very early, ready to meet with my mate. I will be eighteen today and I hope that my beautiful radiating smile will not end in disappointment like it has always been every year.

I have been waiting impatiently since I clocked sixteen for a mate that seems not to be coming. My parents had assured me the day before that I would meet my mate on my birthday, and I had clung to that hope.

I got dressed in a simple shirt and a pair of trousers, ready to go to school. As a senior, I couldn't let anyone notice how happy I was; or my classmates would not stop teasing me.

"Karen?" My mother, Mrs. Bella, called out to me.

I could tell that my mother was outside my door.

"I will be out soon," I mumbled, hoping she heard me.

"Your food will get cold, Karen. And you will get to school late. You do not want to get punished on your birthday. Do you?"

I could sense the worry in her voice, so I headed to the door to open it and assure her that I was ready with just a little touch left.

"Look, Mother. I am already dressed. I just need to brush my hair."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh, honey, you look lovely. But… don't you think you might want to wear something a little more… special? Like a dress or something. You are eighteenth today."

I chuckled. "I look good like this, Mom. I don't want my friends to tease me for being overdressed."

She smiled gently. "Of course, darling. It's your day. If you're happy, then that's all that matters. You know, you always look beautiful to me."

I smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Thanks, Mom. You're the best."

"Now go on and get your hair brushed. I don't want you to get punished."

"Thanks, Mom," I mumbled.

I returned to my room to quickly brush my hair. I picked my bag up and headed downstairs to join my mother.

"Happy birthday to you..."

The happy birthday song echoed in the living room. I could tell from the voice that it was my father.

"Thanks, Dad," I mumbled with a smile.

"Well, it's Uncle Daniel." I heard, and that made me chuckle.

"I am so sorry, Uncle. I thought it was Dad."

"I know our voices sound the same. I take no offense. Happy birthday, my lovely niece."

"Thank you, Uncle. Where is my dad?"

"He had a business to attend at the council. I am standing in the gap."

I nodded but said nothing, though I had hoped that this birthday would be different and that my father would celebrate my birthday with me.

He was always busy with the Pack's affair. He wasn't even the Alpha or the Beta, but he does most of the work, and his twin, Uncle Daniel, celebrates my birthday in his stead.

"Are you sad?" Uncle Daniel asked, and I sighed.

I was pissed off, but I won't spoil my day with such little experience.

I smiled slightly. "I should be used to this, right? I think I am."

Uncle Daniel patted me slightly. "He promised to be back before night. He will celebrate it with you this time."

I nodded and sat down on the dining chair. "What is in for breakfast?"

"Your favorite," my mother replied, bringing in some delicacies. "It's your birthday today, after all."

She opened a few plates, and my eyes widened in excitement as I jumped slightly out of my seat.

"Thank you, Mom. You're the best!"

"I know I am," she replied with a smile. "You should eat up. You can't get punished today."

I dug into the food happily. My mother is the best!

I stood up after a while and began to pack the plates on the table.

"You should drop that. I will clear the table when I am done," my mother said, and I nodded.

"Thank you, Mom."

"You should head to school now."

I picked my bag up, and after hugging my mother and my uncle, I headed to school. I walked down the almost empty street; a lot of people had gone to work, and most of the students seemed to have gone to school too.

I began to imagine what my mate would look like. I have always wanted a handsome werewolf with kind eyes and a gentle smile. I wished he would be a tall man with a broad chest, beautiful green eyes, and pink lips.

Maybe the Alpha or Beta's sons; they were both with no mates.

I had high hopes for my mate, despite being an Omega who was hardly recognized by the pack members. Aside from my Father, who is useful to the Pack, and my Mother, who is a close friend to the Luna, I have no name of my own.

I have always been the quiet type who hardly got involved in any activities and was only known by my classmates because of how nerdy I dressed. My two best friends, Luella and Emma, are also one of the reasons I was known by my mates; they were the outspoken type who got involved in every activity.

I hoped my mate would be someone who would help me get recognition from others.

But what if I don't meet my mate today? I thought.

The pack members would term me a curse to the pack; shivers ran down my spine at that thought.

I walked into the school compound, watching almost every student stand or walk in twos.

Almost everyone has a mate. Why is mine, taking so long?

"Karen?" Someone called, and I turned to see Luella and Emma running towards me.

I tapped my right foot on the floor as if trying to let the blood that had stopped flowing through my leg flow freely.

"Have you heard?" Luella asked when they got close to me.

She was always the one with the latest news, and whatever she says is legit.

I furrowed my brows. "What do you have to say this time?"