So yeah, those three god-like looking Adonis are drop-dead gorgeous. Jaw dropping. Panty melting. And I so would be making a fool of myself if I don't stop drooling over them-like Penny-and all the other un-mated she-wolves around us right now.

I quickly turn back and start pulling books that I need from my locker. There's no way a lycan would be interested in an Omega like me. Lycans are attracted to strength, intelligence, and beauty. Besides, I might be meeting my mate today. Flutters of excitement start in my tummy at the thought. My wolf Ezra is getting excited. We've been waiting for this for years.

I grab Penny's hand and drag her along to get to our class before the bell rings. We share English lit class together.

"I can't wait to be out of this place soon. Thank goodness we only have a few months of school left." I inform Penny.

"Oh, I don't know...I don't mind school. There are lots of hot guys around, like those lycans." she says. " Or like those boys...too bad they're such jerks and man-whores," whispers Penny in my ear as we pass the popular group in our school.

Logan Carrington, our future Alpha is kissing or rather shoving his tongue down the throat of Mia Brown, the head cheerleader. They're together, but everybody knows they're seeing other people on the side. Zeke Walker, future Delta has his arms around Elle Johnson and Marie Jacobs, while talking to Hunter Stevens, the future Beta. I think Hunter isn't so bad. He doesn't seem like a player like the other two. He talked to me once or twice before and seems pretty nice.

"I wonder if he's digging for hidden treasure down her esophagus," I whisper back and Penny starts laughing.

Hunter turns to look at us, then his eyes shift to me, looking amused. I think his lips twitch a bit like he's trying not to laugh. Cuddly bunny and fuzzy slippers! He must have heard me.

I practically push Penny into our English lit class, while trying to hide my flaming face.

Yes, I do think that those boys are pretty hot. There's no way in hell would I admit it to anyone, though.

Logan and Zeke have this class with me and Penny. They enter the class ten minutes after the teacher started teaching. Not that she would say anything.

Logan slides into a seat in front of me and my wolf stirs. I stare at the back of his golden head for a bit. Logan is about 6'2", well-muscled; has high cheekbones and sharp features like a model; bright blue eyes and golden blond hair. When he smiles, wow. His straight white teeth and those adorable dimples are simply to die for. Well, maybe I have a bit of a crush on him. Just a little bit. I think a lot of the girls here do.

The rest of the classes went pretty well -boring and uneventful. Art is the only subject I look forward to. Did I mention that my mom is an artist? Well, she is, and I'm very proud of her. Lavinia Fairchild is quite well known. Every werewolf household here has at least one or two of her prints or originals. My dream is to go to an art school and be as good as her.

We are sitting at our regular table during lunchtime when I suddenly smell that wonderful smell that I can't describe. Whatever it is, it smells awesome! Ezra, my wolf is fighting to be let out and take control. I guess I was born during lunch time. I stand up and start to follow my nose to identify where that smell comes from. I can't help it. I have to find it. I vaguely hear my friends calling my name, but I can't seem to focus on anything else but that smell.

My nose brings me to the popular group table. Oh no, I can't seem to bring my feet to stop. Ezra's taking control. Everybody stops talking. Logan Carrington? My mate is Logan Carrington? No no no no.

His beautiful blue eyes widen as he looks up at me. His eyes softened as they roam my face. I can see lust and hunger flitting across his face briefly as his eyes move up and down my body. But then he looks away quickly. His breathing ragged. My wolf howls with joy and my first instinct is to jump on him and stake my claim.

"Follow me," he says gruffly, and swiftly walks out the cafeteria through the back door.

I follow him across the lawn to an Oak tree. The tree provides us a bit of privacy from prying eyes.

"What's your name?" he finally asks. His beautiful eyes are not even looking at me. I can't seem to tear my eyes away from his perfect face. The sun is glinting in his golden hair. The shadows fall across the planes of his sharp features.

"Genesis... Genesis Fairchild," I finally answer.

"Fairchild? You're an Omega, aren't you?" he says. "I can't have an Omega as my mate. My pack needs a stronger luna, not someone weak like you. Besides, I love someone else. Mia makes a better Luna than you ever could." Each word is like a knife slicing through my chest. Ezra whimpers.

Oh no, suddenly I know what's going to happen. My heart starts to race, my breaths come out short and shallow. I don't know what's happening to me. All I know is that my heart is breaking.

"I, Logan Carrington, future Alpha of Shadow Geirolf pack, reject you, Genesis Fairchild, as my mate and future luna of my pack," he utters coldly, not looking at me once.

My wolf cries and howls in pain. She doesn't understand. Why is our mate hurting us so?

"Hey baby, what's going on?" says Mia, wrapping her arms around him. Where did she come from?

"Nothing to worry about, sweetheart," he answers.

She looks me over with disdain. She pointedly pulls Logan's head down and plants her lips on his for a claiming kiss. He wraps his arm around her waist, and then they turn and leave. I watch her whispers something in his ear and they both laugh.

I watch them laugh as I fall to the ground, clutching at my chest. Oh, goddess, it feels like he just plunged a knife deep into my chest and twisted it. Then he just keeps yanking the knife up and down, left and right over and over again until there's nothing left of my heart but a bloody, twisted ugly gash in my chest. Ezra curls up in pain then goes silent.

I'm lying on my bed now. Everything was a blur after I fell. I remember seeing my friends Penny, Reese, and River running to me, calling my name in panic. They were asking me what was wrong. River carried me to his car. Then I don't remember anything else. The three of them must've brought me home.

"Talk to me, honey. Tell me what happened," says mom gently, pushing my hair from my forehead.

"He rejected me, mom. My mate rejected me." My eyes are tearing up again. I still find it hard to believe that this is really happening to me. I was wishing that it was just a horrible nightmare.

There are a thousand different emotions chasing across mom's face. Disbelief, anger, pain, sadness....

All the pain comes back. I start twisting in my bed and mom wraps her arms around me. Even mom's comforting loving arms can't stop or ease the pain away.

"It hurts so bad. Make it stop...make it stop. Mom, please make it go away." I sob, clawing at my chest. "I'd do anything...just make it stop." Goddess, it hurts so much, I want to die.

"My baby. My poor baby girl," cries mom. Tears running down her face as she hugs me close, willing my pain to go away.

After what feels like hours, I calm down, or maybe I'm just too exhausted to even shed a tear. Only my chest is moving up and down. Sleep doesn't come easily. In the middle of the night, all alone in the darkness, tears leak out again, falling down my face silently. My wolf, Ezra, is completely silent now, but I can feel her crushing pain, as well as my own.

I had been looking forward to meeting my mate since I was four. Mom told me about it like it's the best thing to ever happen to a werewolf. I had been waiting for someone who would love me and protect me and be by my side no matter what.

All werewolves look forward to meeting their mates. It's very rare that a mate gets rejected, but it happened to me. What is wrong with me?

All werewolves know you only got one chance of having a mate. What now? Will I ever be loved and have a family? Will my wolf, Ezra, ever comes out and be the same again? A werewolf without his or her wolf is only an empty shell. Most would eventually die or go crazy after they lost their mates. Their wolves decide to disappear when the pain gets unbearable. Now I understand how very painful it is, and we're not even mated yet. Will I die or go crazy too? I hope Ezra is strong enough to stay.

How could the moon goddess do this to me? What did I do to deserve this? I didn't ask for an Alpha. She could've matched me to another lowly Omega and I'd still be happy. As long as I am loved, I'll be happy.

How did this day turn out so bad? Worst. Birthday. Ever.

How Do I Reject Thee?

After that first day, I never cried in front of my parents again. Mom and dad, and even Autumn, looked very upset when they saw me crying and in pain. When he first heard about it, dad got really angry. That was the angriest I've ever seen him. He's usually a very laid back and easy going kinda person. That day, I learned that my daddy could be very scary when he's angry. Mom had to calm him down to stop him from changing and go charging into the pack house.

Now I cry in the shower. I make sure to muffle my sobs with my hands. Also that second night, I felt the pain so intense that I had to bite my pillow to swallow the sound of my scream. It lasted almost an hour. I knew right away what my mate was doing then.

Some say it's a gift, but I think it's a curse that you can feel it when your mate is cheating on you after that first meeting. It's very painful.

He's having fun with some other female, probably Mia, while I'm feeling the pain. How is that fair? My wolf Ezra howled in pain, sadness, and rage. Oh, I can feel her rage now, and that's better than her silence. My wolf is strong. I'm glad she's still here. At least she hasn't abandoned me yet.

My friends Penny, Reese, and River now know the whole story and are very pissed off. Reese had to calm River down who looked pissed enough to kill somebody. They come to visit me after school almost every day to cheer me up. I don't know what I'd do without my loyal friends.

I never thought being an Omega is that bad. I mean, my parents taught me that everybody is equal. Even the humans should be treated with the same respect. I guess not everybody thinks that. Now, I'm conscious of my status as an Omega.

My father was actually in line for an Alpha in his old pack. I think my dad and my mom are hippies at heart. He's too carefree to be an Alpha, much to my grandpa's endless chagrin. His younger brother, my uncle Ashton, took over while dad followed mom to this pack. His old pack, Canis Gunnolf Pack, is one of the strongest in the world.

We never talked about this to anyone. I think the only people who knew about my dad being an alpha in line for Canis Gunnolf are Alpha Carrington (Logan's dad) and his beta.

I think Alpha Carrington was worried that my dad would challenge him for the title as an alpha when he first made a request to join this pack. My dad is quite a big man after all. He relegated my dad to an Omega level, which my dad didn't at all mind.

Today is Friday, the third day after it happened, I decided that I've wasted enough time. I'm not wasting any more time mourning over a useless jerk of an ex-mate. My wolf Ezra hasn't left me. I can live without a mate. I'm determined to make it without a mate.

However, I'm not ready to go to school yet. I'm not ready to see him and Mia eating each other's face and laughing and being happy together. But I'm going to show him that I'm strong; that he doesn't have the power to break me.

I go to our Art Supply Store instead-Fairchild's Kraft & Art Supply Store-the sign says in bold colorful letters up the front above the entrance. We own this store, and we're the only art supply store in town. Mom sometimes offers painting lessons as well.

"Hey, baby girl!" says dad, looking surprised but happy to see me there. "Just the girl I want to see. I have a good news for you." he announces, looking enthusiastic as he arranges the pastel boxes on the shelf. "You just sold your very first painting this morning."

"Really? Which one?" Wow, that definitely lifts my spirit up a little.

"The rundown hut by the lake in oil," he answers as he moves behind the counter. "Here you go, honey." He hands me the money. Pride shines in his eyes.

Five hundred dollars. It wasn't even a big painting.

"You're a rich woman now. What are you going to do with all that money?" he asks me teasingly.

"Wow! I don't know, dad. So many possibilities. I might buy myself a Porsche, and a fancy condo and ditch you guys."

"Smart-aleck." Dad laughs, ruffling my hair. I think he's relieved that I'm out of my self-imposed imprisonment and sound almost like my old self again.

My phone beeps with an incoming text message.

Queen Penny: Whatcha doing? Daytime tv any good?

Me: Nope. At art store. Whatcha doing? Chem any good?

Queen Penny: Ha Ha Ha....bored. kill me now.

Me: Ha Ha...Sold my painting today. $500 Woo hoo!

Queen Penny: COOL! Be my sugar momma, you rich woman you! We're going shopping after school. Pizza & ice-cream your treat.

Me: NOOOOOO!!!

Queen Penny: YESSSS!!! Will let Reesey know. Got to go. See ya! Love ya!

I know my friends would drag me to the mall by my ankle, kicking and screaming, if they have to.

I enter the studio at the back of the store. I pick a big blank canvas, put an apron on, then I attack the canvas, pouring every anger and frustration and sadness into it. And, it is only after I'm done when I realize that my cheeks are wet with tears.

I stare at my work-it's a semi-abstract, with layers and swirls of colors of demons and angry lines of heartbreaks. A single white dove is flying alone. Its fluttering wings are almost translucent. The dove is ethereal, too exquisite for its surrounding. My hope and strength. I am good enough.

"Oh, honey," says mom from behind me. "That is...absolutely amazing." She gasps. Tears are filling her eyes as she stares at the painting.

After school, my two friends show up looking excited. They both drag me to shop for some new outfits and get my hair trimmed up a bit and add a few very bright red highlights. Oh, joy, retail therapy.

***

"You guys suck! Why are we watching this movie again?" complains Penny as she throws some popcorn on my head.

"Hey, Reese voted for this movie too," I argue, flicking some popcorn back at her.

For someone so sassy and looking so tough, Penny's a scaredy-cat when it comes to horror films. Reese, who's always looking like a sweet Disney princess, can't seem to get enough of them. I'm stuck in between them.

It's Saturday evening, and we are currently watching Annabelle: Creation on Netflix in my bedroom and Penny is hiding behind a big pillow on her lap.

Mom and dad are still at the store and Autumn is out with her friends.

"Come on, Penny, it's not that scary," says Reese, shoving a big scoop of Ben and Jerry's in her mouth.

Penny scowls and throws another handful of popcorn onto our heads. Reese giggles and picks another bowl to empty it over Penny's.

"You are so helping me clean my room before you go tonight," I warn them laughing, throwing more popcorn at the both of them.

All of a sudden the familiar pain starts at the base of my stomach, knocking the wind out of me.

"GenGen, what's happening?" asks Reese in alarm as I writhe in pain.

"Nothing," I gasp. Oh no, I don't want them to see this.

"Should I call your mom?" asks Penny, panicking.

"NOOO.No," I yell, clutching my stomach. "Don't.. tell my mom." I choke out. Tears are starting to run down my cheeks.

"What's wrong? What's happening?" asks Penny again.

"I think I know what's happening," answers Reese, gripping my hands on my stomach. "That manwhore Logan is doing somenasty things with some slut," she continues coldly.

Penny lets out a string of curses.

The pain is excruciating. I think I passed out after a while. Thank goddess for that.

When I open my eyes again, Reese and Penny are still there. Reese is still holding my hand tightly in hers with tears on her face. Penny is fuming and walking around the room as if she wanted to kill someone.

"Hey, you're still here," I smile, feeling exhausted.

They both snap their heads to look at me. Penny is looking totally pissed, and Reese is staring at me with sadness, pity and also some anger. I don't think her anger is directed at me though.

"How many times had this happen, hon?" asks Reese.

"I bet this is not the first time," says Penny, looking at my belly now exposed from my t-shirt that has ridden up from my twisting and squirming.

My stomach is black and blue. The bruising came from me clutching my stomach so hard when the pain gets too much.

"This is the fourth time so far," I decided to be truthful. They had seen me in pain, after all, there's nothing much else to hide.

Penny starts cursing all over again. "It's not fair! He can't do this!" yells Penny.

"Now where are you going, Penny?" asks Reese when Penny jumps to the door.

"Where else? I'm gonna go and kick his ass off to the moon!" Penny wails hotly. Her chocolate brown eyes turn even darker, showing that her wolf is close to the surface.

"No, you're not," announces Reese, dragging her back into the room.

"Oh, hell yes I am!" argues Penny, trying to get out of Reese's firm grip on her arms.

"We're not kicking anyone's ass today. We're going to do even better," Reese declares. That makes Penny stop struggling.

"He's hurting one of us and we're beyond pissed. Girls, we're getting even. It's operation payback," announces Reese.

What did I do to deserve such awesome friends? "I love you guys," I say as I hug my two besties.

Penny writes down our plan for Operation Payback on paper. If that's not a commitment, I don't know what is.

Most of the ideas come from Reese and Penny. I just scrunch up my nose at most of them. Well, maybe all of them.

There are a few phases to our Operation Payback:

The first one is for me to look awesome and get the attention of un-mated boys at our school. Umm...I think that needs a lot of work, but maybe that can be done. Maybe. I don't know.

The second part is for me to flirt with some guys to make him jealous. According to Reese, all werewolves, especially the Alphas are very possessive of their mates...even with the ones they've rejected. We'll have that theory tested soon. I kinda doubt that he cares. He has the beautiful Mia and all the other girls anyway.

The third phase is for me to get a boyfriend since I don't have a mate anyway.

The third phase would lead to phase four, and this is the toughest one for me...lose my V-card so that he can feel the pain he causes me when he's with someone else. I'm not sure if I'm on board with this one.

"It's not like you're saving yourself for your mate anymore," argues Penny when I disagree with the fourth stage. Ouch!