It was winters eve, they begin to gather around the fire. Bringing about the abundance of food, fur, weapons, and necessities that will be used for the long cold months. While everyone shivers, I relish in the cold as it kisses my skin with its harsh bite. I even wear less fabrics than most wolves, I simply enjoy the weather as it prickles it's cold needles into my skin.

The others put more garments than I do; lips quivering, hands trembling, and knees shaking. The females hold their pups close so they do not fall from the colds wicked powers, most young pups never survive the winter months.

The males stand tall against the winds but I know better, they're cold freezing their asses off. When they see me, their eyes turn dark, I can feel them become emasculated when they see me stand against the frost better than them.

However, my people continue on against the short days and long nights. The wolves begin to show the alpha of these small lands what we've gathered here today.

"We have extra fur that can be sewn into coats for the women and children. Plus the extra meat we had hunted from the caribou last week." The Alpha's beta, Mason, speaks as he stands with his heavily pregnant mate by his side.

The alpha smiles graciously looking over the crowd with kind eyes, he appreciates everyone of his pack members as they do their part. No one takes more, always giving than the other.

"These bitter months will become the best we've had all seasons. I have hope that we will survive with this much to help us live through the long nights. Thank you all for your contributions," he thanks each and every one of the pack members, he never forgets their names because he is the Alpha; he needs to know who we all are. His Luna, Leah, stands tall with her head held high, a slight grimace to her lips. She wears a fur coat already before any other of the pack members has had the chance to pick from the pile. Her eyes stare at us with disinterest, her barely there smile is brisk than the weather itself.

There's callous in the way she regards others. When she first arrived here, she was kind to us in the beginning. Yet when the Alpha looks away. Her eyes become a raging torrent that leaves an itch to scratch away the pain. Sweet words slither her tongue, but her bite is fierce if you don't do as she says.

The alpha too blinded by the way his mate treats others. The truth of the matter is she's one evil bïtch.

"My my Winter, these gloves were sewn beautifully," the Alpha compliments my handy work. Beaming with such pride, I bow my head towards my leader.

"I've made enough for the children as I noticed they have worn their old ones from two winters ago."

"Very considerate of you Winter," once the inspection is over. We begin the celebration of a successful week of the pack's contribution.

Dancing and singing.

Frolicking amongst each other in the comfort of knowing one another. I chow down on the plate that I waited to eat as everyone beat me to the line. My wolf growls her disapproval of the lack of respect. But it confuses me as to why she feels so esteem. She regards herself as if she is more. However, in time, I remind her we are no more than simple Omegas living a simple life. The pack has a system, the higher ranking must be first over the lesser wolves.

If it were up to me, it should be the less should have a chance to either be helped or help themselves.

"Hey, why aren't you dancing?" Maia asks me as she shuffles over to sit by me. Her stomach bumping against the table. A life that is ready to be born into this world vibrates it's rhythm as the pup kicks and moves around it's mother's stomach.

"Because I prefer the comfort of food filling my belly than to have someone stepping on my toes," she chuckles lightly from my response as she rests her feet up on another chair.

"Oh boy, this one is going to be the death of me, literally. I can barely breathe," she gasps as she takes a sip from her cup of water.

"Oh I'm sure he'll be thanking his momma for letting him bake just a little more," she laughs as we watch the scenery in front of us.

So many smiles, happiness that spread across the wolves. Soon, howls are bellowed out as the Alpha commences the first run for winter.

"You should run with the pack, Winter," she says as the juveniles and adults begin to circle their alpha. Nipping and imprinting his scent in memory of their leader.

"Oh, I doubt they want some omega ruining the run of the first winter night." It's odd at times, how I say winter for the weather yet it's my name as well.

No one knows who my parents are, but the only thing the alpha knows is I was dropped here onto their lands with no one looking after me. The late alpha had found me on their steps when I was crying as a small babe. The old alpha had given me a letter on my 13th birthday explaining how someone left it to me when I was a pup.

I still have it to this day, but there's an instruction on the front of the envelope. I cannot open it unless I am twenty-one. The letter was engraved in bold letters that spelled out one word. They could only assume one thing and that it could possibly be my name.

Winter.

Whoever my parents were must have had a really funny sense of humor. I don't know why they would name me such a weird thing. I believe they could be possible nomads. No matter, what's done is done and I cannot open it unless I am twenty-one so I only have three more years to go. My mind comes back to reality when I realize Maia is talking to me again.

"I think they would pay more attention to the run than just a little ole omega such as yourself. Besides, the Alpha is here. If they give you trouble than he's there to help." I roll my eyes and scoff at her words.

"He doesn't need any headaches for my sake," I remark, when the last alpha had found me he had raised me as his own despite the fact he had a son already. No matter to him, blood or not, I was a daughter he never had. The Luna adored me, she treated me with such warmth and kindness. I can remember the way she would hold me at night when I would cry from harsh storms. While Alec, the new alpha, would comfort me with stories about our wolves history when he was fifteen and I was seven years old.

He would tell me fascinating stories that enchanted my world whenever he spoke about the kingdoms that are far away but hold power over our world. How the King and Queen of the wolves rule with kindness and justice and that all of the wolves adored them because they were wonderful rulers with abilities unlike any other wolf. The monarchy blessed by the goddess herself, gifted with such powers that they can only use when a wolf is corrupt or justice needs to be served.

Alec even spoke of how they once had a little princess who was destined to be our future Queen, our first Female Alpha queen. That is unheard of, to have first borns as females. However, their rule was ussurpt by traitors amongst the werewolf kingdom, some have theories it may have been the Lycans who killed the King and Queen. No one knows of the princess, some have hope she may return and bring balance to the world to protect the wolves from the treachery of sinful lycans.

There was a time where I had hoped I could have been his mate. There was also a moment where he and I had shared a tender kiss when I turned sixteen on my birthday. But then it all changed, his mate had visited us when her pack came to form an alliance with us. It was easy for him to forget about me. I was merely the girl his family adopted, and then I became nothing when his mate pushed me away from the only family I've ever known. Alec is still nice to me and talks to me as someone he was once close with but his mate makes sure their is a long distance between us. Since the death of our parents, nothing was ever the same.

"It's literally his job Winter," she says as the wolves disappear from our sight running deeper into the woods.

"Then I don't need to make his job more difficult," she rolls her eyes as I stood up to walk away smirking.

Picking my plate and throwing it in the wastebin. I stay with the other omegas who were put to charge to clean. Throwing away any debris that might have been dropped on accident.

"Whoops," or on purpose, the Luna drops her cup onto my shoe. Flicking it off, my white shoes are stained with her ale drink making the shoes feel sticky.

"You missed the wastebasket Luna," I dislike her, very much, if she weren't the Alpha's mate I'd probably have ripped her throat out long ago. This is something I agree with my wolf. My wolf hums a rhythm that tunes a taste for vengeance against another she-wolf that has done us wrong.

"No I didn't," she laughs like she was triumphant to make me feel low. On the contrary, I pity the woman who only loathes herself. I walk away knowing she gets annoyed when someone ignores her overall.

***

Entering inside my small home away from the larger homes that hold more members with more prominent families. Passing the much bigger house of the Alpha and Luna, it homes only them with the betas and their offspring.

My home was built for me as I was considered an outsider for a very long time. Most wolves were wary of my presence. They were uncertain where I came from. Slowly, I gained their trust as I showed the pack of my skillful hands. The capability of making shoes, clothing, and blankets.

Anything they can think to ask, I make it with my hands. It was thanks to Alec's mother, Luna Inna, she taught me every skill I know. She would always comment on how skillful I am. She was fascinated by my choice of designs to create beauty from the fabrics and furs I would stitch together.

My hands that I hold sacred.

For they are what makes me a useful member of this pack.

As I enter my home, it smells of smoked pine. The fire continues to burn as I put more logs to wake this home of mine.

Moving some of my old works.

I begin to finish another project I'm working on.

A dress, especially for me. It took me a whole year to finish this, it was not easy but it was worth it.

Putting it on to see it perfectly fit my body. My breasts pressed down, the lace covering my skin. The sleeves covering my arms with ruffles spread about.

The dress is a close resemblance of a princess who adorns royal lace and fine feathers. I look at myself in the mirror and attempt to stand tall like a graceful royal who is about to dance with her prince.

Making certain moves as I'm mesmerize by the flexibility of this dress. I sit back down on my workstation without even thinking of taking the dress off, merely continuing my work as if I wear beautiful dresses as often like these.

Before I even realize what is happening. I've fallen asleep at my workstation once I finished several other dresses.

A vision encompasses my dreams as I see two people running while holding something close to their chest as if it were precious cargo. I try to catch up to them, to see why they are running or who they are running from. As I get closer to the couple, I turn them around only for their bodies to disappear from my sight and here lies a basket with a wailing babe, its cries are strong, it demands too much from me.

As I reach the basket, I look towards the note that says my name. My eyes widen as I drop it as if it burns me. Then a hand turns my body around to face a woman. She has white hair with dark green eyes, its as if I am looking in the mirror but a future of myself that will grow older and wiser. The woman stares into my eyes with terror. I can feel her fears encompass my whole body, as if we are sharing the same thoughts and feelings.

"Run Winter!" However, I'm awoken by loud noises outside of my home. A loud bang is heard on the other side of the front door.

Without a second thought, I open my home only to reveal the sudden chaos I was never expecting.

We were at war.

***

The horses have escaped their shed as it burns bright with fire ablaze. Women and children screaming as men I don't recognize began to either kill them off take them as prisoners.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Maia standing in front of the Luna protecting her with her pregnant belly against the burly man who stares at them with a disgusting glint in his eyes.

Grabbing the ax that is hidden away in my home. I run towards the man with a ferocious charge. Growling, I swing my ax towards his head, and blood is splatter across all of our faces.

The man slumps down unmoving as my ax is stuck between his head and neck. His force of life slips away with shocked eyes that penetrate my soul. As if he could not believe something as small as me could have killed something as big as him. My wolf and I felt no guilt but satisfaction in the pool of blood that lays beneath our feet.

"Are you okay?" I yell towards Maia who seems to be in shock that I would even do something like this.

"Uh..." she points with her eyes towards her long skirt. It begins to form a wet spot between her legs.

"Did your water just break?" Now I'm the one who begins to panic.

"I think it just did," Maia stares at me with eyes of the desperation of help. Any help that will do that can save her pup.

"Okay, no worries, I got this."

I don't got this, but I wasn't going to let the Beta's mate know I was internally panicking. I bring her down to the floor. There was no way I was going to be able to get all of the necessary items I need on time. With a literal war zone at the forefront of our attention. I would have no help in this situation.

Not even the Luna is of use. She stands there with her tail tuck between her legs.

"Okay Maia, I know this isn't what we expected but you are going to have this baby and so help me goddess if I don't deliver a beautiful boy into your arms," I give a small prayer to our moon goddess from above as I prop Maia's legs onto my shoulders.

She begins to groan as the swelling of her stomach starts to move. This pup was ready to come out. She's already at six centimeters dilated.

"Oh, Winter promise me you'll make sure nothing happens to this pup do you understand me!" The way she spoke brought fear to my spine. It was as if she knew she was not going to survive this night.

"Maia I c-can't," How could I? I was so unsure of myself. The pack's healer was nowhere in sight. With chaos all around us, how was I going to deliver?

"Winter you have to, ohh!" She moans in pain, the canal of her vaginal entrance is now 9 centimeters dilated. Which means this pup is ready to come into this world.

"Maia you have to push, on the count of three. One, two, push!"

She moans in pain she pushes her pup with all her strength that she could gather. She lays her neck back, her eyes begin to wander around looking for her mate Mason.

He's nowhere to be found.

"Leah bring me blankets!" I yell toward the Luna, but all she does is stand there like a hawking idiot.

"Luna!" I growl out, my eyes glow with the yellow hues. My wolf overtaking for a glimpse moment before I can compose myself.

She walks away unsure of what happened. Neither did I understand yet when I commanded thee, she left as if I was in charge.

A man then begins to charge at us, as I'm worried and confused I put my body over Maia protecting her from the impact of this man that can cause serious harm.

With one shove down, the Alpha has come to our aid ripping the life out of the savage that could have killed Maia.

His wolf stares at us for a split moment, I saw the old Alec who would have protected me no matter what. The flint of hope was within his eyes and that alone brought me hope. Another wolf comes when Alec's howls into the air.

His Beta.

Mason runs towards Maia's side. He stands guard as he allows me to continue. Without another waste, I proceed on to bring this pup out. She pushes hard as she can, yet her eyes begin to flutter.

Exhaustion is overtaking her features which concerns me greatly.

"Please Maia, just one more push," I try to encourage her, Mason begins to nuzzle her. The Alpha has left to defend the pack, but I am doubtful that there is any survivors left for these men are beating us with size in numbers.

"Okay... one more p-push," Maia leans up once more, one thrust later the small infant is out from the safety of his mother's belly and into her arms instead.

She whines in happiness as she lays eyes on her son for the first time. Despite the heaviness weighing on our shoulders by the death of our brave males. The birth of a pup brings a fraction of joy.

"Ejnar, a born fighter," she whispers, and her mate nuzzles into her neck as he sniffs the infant's scent.

I watch them as they enjoy this moment. However, before I could even react, a wolf takes Mason by surprise.

The big, black wolf is three times bigger than our own Alpha. Fights Mason into battle.

Shocked.

Unmoving.

Afraid.

The words that would leave my lips I would soon regret.

Mate.

The screams of Maia roars loud as the throat of Mason's life is spilled to the floor. Blood staining the white snow, life dissipated from his eyes, one last breath taken before his life is gone.

A soul-crushing agony is sounded out by Maia's cry as she crawls over to her mate with her son in her arms. Before I had time to react, the black wolf would have killed her if it wasn't for me who took the chance to stand in front of her.

He wouldn't hurt me.

He knows who I am to him.

However, I do not want him for he is nothing but a murderer, a lycan of mass destruction.

The sounds of bones cracking, fur turns to flesh as the wolf rises to stand in the height of a man. A fully grown male with the undeniable raw power that this alpha demands respect and submission from everyone.

It's no use to fight him for we have lost.

From the corner of my eyes, my alpha and Luna are dead. The Alpha's head on a spike.

No negotiations ever made.

I look toward the man who has killed everything with zero remorse. A monster who is willing to annihilate to gain his desires. I am mated with this monster who then roars the words I soon detests.

"Mine."