Virginia Woolf, one of the best writers in my book, once said, "I am in the mood to disappear into the sky."

Well, Miss Woolf, I feel the same way as I did since I was locked in this basement for being an omega in the strongest werewolf pack in all of Denver- the Four Aces Pack. And at the moment, I was sitting in the same basement, listening to everyone upstairs and outside getting everything set up for the arrival of the incoming Alpha, and celebrating his birthday.

Oh yeah, where are my manners? My name is Carson. Carson Darren Hadley, the only omega male werewolf and the designated pariah/punching bag for the strongest warriors and betas. And for most of my life, I have deemed the one to die early. I was denied all of the simple things of enjoying a good life. I was lucky to be sent to this basement that doubled as my bedroom and my bathroom (there was an adjacent bathroom with a toilet). Even the pups got a chance to run around while I was lucky to have one piece of moldy bread and some water twice a week with a once-weekly shower.

But never let it be said that I never had a chance to have some comforts. Even when I was denied a proper education, the retiring Alpha and Luna known as Harvey and Delia Zallenda alongside their daughter Ciara were the ones to teach me to read and write so I was smart. And even a few of the compassionate wolves and most of them that didn't know came down to offer me some of the leftover food.

But yeah, most of the time I was mainly the punching bag or the one destined for verbal abuse, led by none other than Keith Walker and his fellow Betas. And speaking of the devil, they're coming down the stairs with sneers and looks of wickedness in their eyes. "Well, well. Looks like it's time for the runt's daily beating," said Beta crowed happily. "And since our future Alpha is coming home, it's going to be extra special."

Oh, goodie. The fun begins, note the sarcasm.

********

Fifteen minutes later, I was sporting many broken bones, a bruised face, and even had a bloody nose. Keith and his gang cheered and high-fived each other, the leader tossing me a knife by my bed. "Kill yourself by midnight tonight," he said. "If we catch you even breathing by then, we'll have him finish you off and fed to the rogues." He landed one last kick to my ribs, making me wince in pain while he whooped in joy before leaving me to heal slowly.

Damn.

"Carson?"

And there come my angels in the form of the Family Zallenda, Alpha Harvey and his wife carrying bandages while the statuesque brunette known as Ciara came bearing medicine, a glass of water, and a bowl that held what looked like some party food. "I'm here," I wheezed, wincing in pain.

"Oh, Carson," Luna Delia said sadly as she and her husband came to treat my wounds. "Young man, I don't see why you are deemed a pariah in this pack. I think that tonight is when things will look up for you."

"I hope so," I said, accepting the glass of water and a few pills from Ciara.

"Son, my wife and Ciara agree with me that you don't deserve to live this kind of life at all," Alpha Harvey said firmly as he applied some healing cream onto my wounds. "Where did I go wrong with this pack, I'm not even sure. But I promise you this right now. I will make sure that Regan will treat you like an actual person."

"Thank you," I said softly. To Ciara, "Have you heard when he's supposed to arrive?"

Ciara shook her head no. "And I'm worried about that," she said. "If I know my brother well, he might be planning something to get rid of you completely since I know for a fact that he hates omegas."

"Ciara!" Alpha Harvey said.

"I'm right, though," Ciara defended. "Carson, my brother is more than likely a homophobic asshole who wants himself a strong female as his Luna. And I bet that he'll do something to make sure that you're tossed to the wolves or killed on sight and tossed in a shallow grave without a proper ceremony."

"So, what am I going to do," I asked morosely.

"You let us handle my brother," Ciara replied. "If he turns out to be your mate and he rejects you, I'll kick his ass from here to the moon."

The adults smiled softly as Luna Delia laid me down on the soft mattress again. "Thank y'all for taking me in," I said. "I know that I was a newborn pup who lost his parents to rogues. But I know that you guys and those who treated me with kindness will be blessed for treating me like a decent person."

"We got some party food for you since you can't come upstairs," Alpha Harvey said softly. "But son, I think that your moment is coming."

Yeah. I know for a fact that my moment of freedom is coming...tonight. Because if Regan did reject me, I was prepared to leave the Four Aces Pack for good and just be free. But if he did accept me... I'll be surprised.