Page 2 of Capturing Their Omega

ChapterOne

Cassie

My eyelids flutter open that morning with a groan on my lips as my annoying alarm clock buzzes on my nightstand. I reach out to turn it off without looking, my hand flailing for a bit before I finally make contact and press the button to stop it.

This is the part of my day that I hate the most; waking up to the constant aches that plague every inch of my body. I go to bed each night hoping the next morning will be different… that by some miracle, I will feel better and this pain will go away.

Of course that never happens.

I sit up to stretch and wince as my bones crack and pain shoots through my muscles from the movement.

Pathetic… not even humans are this weak.

Wolf shifters are supposed to be one of the most energetic species alive. Few surpass us in physical strength. Except me. I was born like this. Defective. I am not only weak in human form… I am also… shiftless. I have no wolf.

I pull myself out of bed, my body screaming in protest, but I can’t stay in bed all day. I roll my neck in a massaging motion as I head to the bathroom. I have to go to school. Despite the hand I’ve been dealt, I live my life the best I can. I’ve put too much effort into school to start slacking off. It’s this drive within me that keeps me going through the pain.

The tiles are cold underneath my bare feet as I step into the bathroom, and I turn the heater on to help with the pain in my bones and to keep myself from freezing to death.

After my shower, I stop before the misted-over mirror. I swipe a palm over the glass and stare at my reflection in the clear section. Pale, blotchy skin with dull blue eyes, and dead brown hair.

Yeah… that’s me. I would probably be pretty… if I didn’t constantly look like I was on the verge of death.

It’s a good thing looks aren’t the criteria for doing well in school.

Hollow Fang University is an esteemed institution, the only college here in Silverwood, renowned for its rigorous academic programs and rich supernatural heritage. It’s such a good school that witches and even some vampires visit for short periods to take some courses here.

HFU is quite expensive, but academically gifted students like me often manage to secure scholarships to gain admission.

I turn on the tap, letting the water flow steadily as I reach for my toothbrush and apply a dab of toothpaste to it. I brush my teeth gently over the sink, careful not to make my gums bleed. When I’m done, I rinse my mouth with warm water.

I can feel my insides begin to revolt against me, and I know that if I don’t get to my pills in time, I am going to throw up, have a seizure, and then pass out in my own vomit.

The medicine isn’t lasting as long lately.

Before, I could wait until after breakfast to take my medicine. Now… I can barely shower and brush my teeth before I need my first pill for the day.

I leave the bathroom in a hurry and swipe up the unbranded, white bottle on my nightstand. I quickly pop a pill in my mouth. I shudder as the usual nausea rushes over me, but then I settle the next moment. My body still hurts, but now it’s a muted pain in the background.

I casually toss the pills on my bed and begin to get dressed for the day. I pull on some sweats and an oversized T-shirt I’d gotten from my best friend, Eric. When I’m done getting dressed, I pack my bag for school and make sure I take my pills with me.

I’m going to need another pill by my third class today, and another right before heading home. If I make the mistake of leaving my pill at home, I won’t survive the day. Such is the bleakness of my life.

I look down at the bottle as I put it securely in my bag. Mom spends more than half of her income on these generic-looking pills. She can’t even afford to buy a new bottle and just gets refills in this old one.

A couple of years back, Mom hadn’t been able to get the pills to me in time when I ran out. I thought that I was going to die. My muscles felt like someone had dipped me in lava and my bones were shivering inside my skin. I was having heart palpitations, barely conscious, and throwing up bile.

I still remember how it felt when Mom barged into my room, worry and fear in her gaze as she lifted me off the floor, taking me in her warm arms. My eyes had completely rolled back intomy head, but the moment she managed to help me swallow my dose of medicine, I felt the pain start to recede.

Mom is a maid for one of the wealthiest families in town… and they pay her well. We should not be scraping by, but we are. And it’s because of me. The older I got, the more Mom upped my dosage. I moved from one pill a day to four pills a day.

I asked why and she said I had grown resistant to the medicine. I don’t like to think about what will happen as I continue to live life like this. What if one day, the medicine doesn’t help, no matter how much of it I take?

I let out a deep sigh and shake my head. I try not to think of such things. I just live each day as it comes. I work hard at school so that I will be able to make something of myself and be able to afford as many pills as I need without working mom into an early grave.

Forcing a smile on my face, I head downstairs to greet the only family I have.

“Hey, Mom!” I greet her, walking into the kitchen, inhaling the sweet aroma of her special, freshly brewed coffee and scrambled eggs.

---