Chapter 1

One

JADE

D ear Director,

I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from the nurse position at Howl's Honor Hospital. I understand this is short notice, but I have decided to take a break from nursing. I cherish all the years working here, and thank you for the opportunity.

With all due respect,

Jade

I was terrified and excited to hand in my notice as I read over and over until the letters blurred. I clutched the piece of paper between my fingers in the breakroom, straightening the crinkled edges.

"Hey, Jade, what do you have over there?"

I looked up at Keera as she sat across from me at the table. She was wearing blue scrubs today, always looking extra clean and neat. She was the doctor of the team I worked in and the only reason I stuck it out for so long. But now, I hated the thought of breaking the news to her that I was leaving the company.

We weren't just co-workers. We were best friends, and that made it harder.

"I don't know how to say it," I said, hesitantly looking down. I set the paper down on the table.

"Are you going to make me wait forever?" asked Keera, her eyes twinkling. "I'm probably not going to like what you're about to say next. Am I right?"

"You're right," I said in an even voice. "I'm about to quit this job. I'm going to give this notice to Lucia. Please don't be mad."

Her eyes widened, but she smiled. "I knew it. I feel sad about this, but I knew this was coming."

"What do you mean?" I asked, surprised.

"You weren't happy at your job, and I could feel it," said Keera. "And you always talked about the next party planning adventure or interior design. What do you plan on doing, though? Did you tell your family yet?"

I always took on odd gigs here or there, helping out with any party that would come up. And now I had a bigger gig helping my cousin with her wedding planning which I was stoked about. During my job as a nurse, constantly seeing pregnant omegas have babies with their alphas doting on them got tiring.

I didn't have a pack of alphas and had never been mated before. I longed for it, but it just never happened. If an alpha showed an inkling of interest in me, I'd mess up and say something clumsy. Especially at the Omega Ball every year without fail.

"My mom is all about omega education and getting an honorable job," I said. "I can't tell them yet. Not until I'm successful with what I'm doing."

"You will be."

"Well, I'm about to go to the bitch's office," I said, and Keera smiled. Lucia was the alpha director of the hospital, and she was tough. I don't think I ever saw her smile. "I'll talk to you later."

"Text me as soon as you do it," said Keera.

I cleared my throat as I stood in front of the director's door.

This was going to be my last day working here, but putting in my notice was going to be the tough part. I worked tooth and nail to get this job. To prove to everyone that omegas could be whatever they wanted. But I wasn't happy anymore. Sweat beaded down my back as I knocked on the door twice.

Second thoughts ran through my mind. Maybe this was a bad idea.

I'd lose my stable income. I would be broke.

"Yes?"

I twisted the doorknob, stepping into Lucia's office. Her office was immaculate, with a picture of her blond family on her desk. Lucia tapped her red fingernails on her desk, her hair set into a strict ponytail. Her black blazer didn't have a speck of dirt as she leaned back in her chair, her lips thinned with annoyance.

She always looked annoyed, especially around us omegas.

I handed her my letter, and she took it with a huff.

"It's my notice," I said quietly, biting my lip. I could literally hear my mother in my head, sad and disappointed in me. "I feel like it's time for me to move on and do something new."

Lucia's eyes flashed as she looked at the letter.

"Today is your last day?"

"Yes."

"Couldn't handle the pressure, huh? This job is tough on single omegas looking to screw a few alphas," she said snidely.

What the fuck? This bitch…

Without saying another word, I turned and walked out of her office for the very last time.

And I didn't look back.

When I got home that day, I flipped on the living room light in the cramped apartment I lived in.

The drive home after work in my rusty old car was a relief. Self-doubt, excitement, and uncertainty filled me during the entire drive. I couldn't believe what I just did. I'd contemplated quitting it for years but hadn't gotten the guts to do it. It just wasn't my passion.

I dropped my keys onto the coffee table, flopping on the couch. Every bone in my body was tired from my overnight shift and odd hours. Even the purse I wore felt like a brick as I dropped it on the floor.

Sighing, I relaxed on the couch, gazing at my numerous paintings hanging on the walls. I spent time after work and on my off days painting in my spare room of the house. I'd then hang them all over my living room. Covering the wall entirely in art.

I didn't have many clients who'd come over to look at my paintings and buy them, but when I did- the pay was worth it.

Slowly getting up as my thighs ached, I started a cup of tea in the kitchen. The rent was due sometime next week, and I had no savings. It was probably irresponsible of me to quit, but I did have a gig to help with wedding venue design for my cousin this Saturday. It should be enough to cover me for a while. While the tea kettle boiled, I walked around the apartment, closing the windows. It was chilly, and I was getting cold.

Three series of knocks sounded on my door.

I sighed.

I didn't feel like seeing anyone today. I just wanted to relax, cry, or mope around for a little before I could celebrate my new life. It just wasn't a good time right now.

"Who is it?" I said upon opening the door.

"It's me, sweetie," said my mother, walking into my apartment without a care in the world. Behind her, my three alpha fathers followed her inside.

Great. An impromptu visit.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"We thought we'd check in on you since you didn't reply to my text for two days," said my mom, Steph. She was dressed in her college professor uniform, wearing her black pencil skirt and blazer. She had straight black hair with streaks of gray in it, while I had very curly hair. She was considered a stunning beauty back in the day, with alpha packs fighting for her attention. I felt like a disappointment in her eyes, even though she never said it. My dads, Jon, Seth, and Rob, cherished my mother like crazy, each attending to her different needs in the pack. Jon was the oldest of my fathers, with short gray hair, and he was pouring the tea I made in the kitchen, oblivious to our conversation.

"I've been so busy," I said quickly, which was a half-lie. Mom had been texting me about the Omega Ball constantly. I didn't want to go to the Omega Ball this year. Every year I'd go and have high hopes, but no one was interested. I was on the chubbier side and twenty-eight, which made me ancient for omega standards and not as desirable.

"The ball is tomorrow, and I thought we could go all together as a family," said Mom, sitting carefully on the edge of my couch like it would contaminate her. My apartment was too artsy and messy for my mother's taste. Her house was always immaculate, with minimal design and not a stain in sight. She would always be annoyed when I pulled out my paintbrushes and canvases in her house, but now I was free to do that in my own home.

"But Mom," I sighed. "I was going to skip going this year. It doesn't make a difference, and alpha packs aren't interested in me. I'm still freaking single, and I'm just going to continue to live my life."

"Jade," she said, her face wrinkling as she tried to understand what I was saying. She didn't look happy at all. I couldn't imagine what she'd say if I told her I quit my job. There was no way in hell she'd let me live that down. "You can't skip going to the Omega Ball. You're an omega and should support anything that helps other omegas."

Omegas were rare in Howl's Edge Island; I've heard this conversation a million times from her.

I was sick of it.

I was sick of being different and trying to prove a point to alphas who didn't care. Omegas were deemed incapable of anything except producing alpha babies for a pack. That long-standing belief still carried on today, with betas getting way more freedom. I had to constantly slather on my scent blocker cream so I could pass for a beta in the streets. An omega was in danger of getting kidnapped and sold if caught. We had distinct smells and auras that alphas could detect a mile away. I always stayed my distance from a large hulking alpha for fear of getting taken into his pack or sent to the Omega Auctions.

"If anyone treats you badly at the Ball, we will handle them accordingly," said my father, Seth, who was balding and the tallest of the three.

He always advocated for me to follow my even though it wasn't something my mom agreed with. Mom was the more practical one. When I was a teen, I'd go to him for everything that bothered me about school and the bullies I'd face back then. He held no judgment and quietly listened, comforting me when I cried. If anyone could convince me to go to the Omega Ball, it was him.

Crossing my arms, I leaned against the balcony door.

"That's right," said Rob, settling on the couch and groaning because of his back. He was big-boned and looked as large as Santa, especially with his full brown beard, speckled with white strands. His belly took a toll on his back, and I always had to massage his back during my childhood since my brother Jack would mysteriously disappear every time Rob requested it. "If any pack messes with you, Jadey, they're done for. We will keep a close eye on you. While Jon stuffs his face at the dance."

"What? I think you got that wrong," sputtered Jon, spilling tea on the front of his checkered shirt. Rob bellowed, holding his belly, and I laughed with them despite being annoyed by them barging in like this. My mom didn't even crack a smile. Instead, her eyes were hyper-focused on me – willing me to succeed and be the daughter of her dreams.

"Fine, Mom," I said. "I'll go to the Omega Ball tomorrow."

"Oh good," she said, the lines on her face visibly relaxing. "What's new with you, my dear?"

My heart stopped momentarily. I couldn't let her know that I had quit my job.

"Nothing much, just work," I said, gesturing to the green scrubs I was wearing. I looked away, not making eye contact as I spoke, hoping she wouldn't ask too many questions.