Page 1 of Two Years Gone

Chapter 1

ELLA

I woke up at five in the morning, just like usual. Then I showered and dressed for the day before meeting my mom in the kitchen of our small cabin for a quick breakfast before work.

“Coffee?” Mom asked as I dragged in.

“Is that even a question?” I chuckled before cupping the warm mug in my hands and taking a sip.

My mother walked around the kitchen and squeezed my shoulders.

“Happy birthday, babe.”

I looked up at my mom and smiled.

“Thanks, mom.”

Mom looked at me with a tear in her eye.

“It’s hard to believe you’re eighteen and about to find your mate.”

She shook her head, willing her tears away.

“So, this morning I’ll do the biscuits if you make the gravy and the eggs,” she stated as we walked out the door toward the main pack house.

“Deal,” I replied, yawning.

My mom, Sophie, was the head cook for the pack. She ran the kitchen in the pack house and planned three meals a day, seven days a week for whoever wanted to come.

She was an amazing chef, and one of the most respected omegas in the pack, mostly because nobody wanted to get on the bad side of the cooks.

I, on the other hand, was a senior in high school and far from respected.

“Don’t forget, after school, I need you to help me start planning for the banquet next week!” my mother shouted as I ran to catch the bus.

I was running late again, having to help clean up the kitchen before school almost always made me miss the bus. But I caught it today, much to my surprise.

I took a seat near the front and let out a sigh. My wolf paced in my head, anxiously awaiting my daily humiliations. I took a deep breath, trying to calm us both down.

Today is going to suck. But we’re almost done. Two weeks left until graduation.

When I got off the bus, I made my way into the high school and instantly lowered my head, hoping to pass through the halls unnoticed.

“Well, if it isn’t the birthday girl!” Mariah boomed from behind.

I turned around.

“Hi, Mariah.”

“You’re eighteen now. You know what that means,” one of her minions spat.

“Oh, does Little Miss Omega think she’ll be getting a mate?” Mariah scoffed. She was the daughter of the pack’s beta and self-proclaimed queen of the pack.

I gave a smile that wasn’t at all genuine, and the bell rang.

“It’s been a pleasure as always, ladies. Thank you for the birthday wishes.”

I turned and walked to my locker. Grabbing my books, I made my way to my first class, which thankfully finisheduneventfully. I made it all the way to lunch without being bothered.