The Alpha's Eternal Luna

“Annessa! Annessa! Wake up” My eyes flew open as the first rays of morning light seeped through the threadbare curtains. My heart pounded in my chest as I sat upright, the remnants of my dream clinging to me like a fog I couldn’t shake. I gasped for air, my nightgown clinging to my clammy skin, and I wiped the sweat from my brow. The sounds of birdsong drifted faintly from outside the narrow attic window, but the weight in my chest didn’t lift. I blinked, trying to steady myself as the cluttered room slowly came into focus. The other bunk beds were empty except for Mallory’s. From below, I could hear her stirring, the thin mattress creaking beneath her. The cramped space barely allowed for the four of us to live comfortably. Our few dresses and aprons were draped over the backs of chairs, and the dust covered the furniture, making it clear no one had bothered to clean the room in weeks. " Agh, I hate this place! Why can't I just sleep a little longer for just one day,” I complain and fall my head back on the rock solid pillow. Then came the noise a dull thud! beneath me. Mallory had rolled out of bed, landing on her knees with a groan. “Annessa! Get up! We’re late!” Mallory grumbled, before pushing herself up to her feet. “Late for what?” I mumbled, feeling still slepy. “Madam Chrissy, sent Liliana earlier, to get us all but you were totally out.” Mallory shot me a pointed look, like I had some nerve sleeping through all the commotion. “She wants to see us now in the assembly hall.” .“Madam Chrissy? Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?” “I tried, trust me,” Mallory said, tossing a white top in my direction. “You were out cold, like, really out. Liliana gave up and left.” I groaned, pulling the top over my head and grabbing my long skirt at the end of the bed and putting it on. "Great, so I’m already on Madam Chrissy's bad side. Again." Mallory snorted as she pulled on her own clothes. “When aren’t we? Being an omega’s practically an invitation for her to take her frustrations out on us.” I glanced around the cluttered room, spotting my ankle boots wedged under a chair. “What do you think she wants this time?” “No idea,” Mallory said, as she grabbed her hairbrush and yanking it through her tangled hair. “But whatever it is, it’s probably not good.” I tugged on my boots,“Why can’t she ever call us for something...normal? Like...I don’t know, a meeting where we just sit quietly and listen?” Mallory rolled her eyes. “Because we’re omegas. The only time people like us get called in is when someone needs to be yelled at or chores. You know how it is.” “Yeah, but I was hoping for once it wouldn’t be us,” I muttered, grabbing my jacket from the floor. “You and I both. But it’s best we don’t keep her waiting. Liliana was already on her high horse about it earlier. She practically slammed the door on her way out.” “Of course she was. She loves any excuse to feel superior.” Mallory grinned. “Oh, she was full of it. ‘Annessa’s a mess, always oversleeping, never be on time aand be present where she needs to be,’” she said, and she started mimicking Liliana’s voice with an exaggeratedly smug tone. I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s way too accurate.” “Right? I could hear her smugness from across the room,” Mallory continued, and she tossed her hairs back dramatically copying Liliana “Bet she couldn’t wait to report back to Madam Chrissy.” “I really don’t get how Liliana ended up as a delta. She acts more like she’s the pack leader or something.” “ It’s all about who you know. Her father was close to the Royal family, and she never lets anyone forget it.” “Lucky us,” I said sarcastically. “She’ll probably make sure Madam Chrissy’s already annoyed with us by the time we get there.” “Well, at least we’ll have each other when it all goes down,” I said, as we headed for the door. “Who knows? Maybe this time, it’ll be different.” “Since when has anything ever been different for us?” “Hey, a girl can dream, right?” Mallory and I hurried out of the room, and made our way to the assembly hall and as we reached the entrance. Mallory pushed through the doors. "Just our luck," Mallory muttered, glancing at the rows of girls already in place. "Everyone’s here." Upon entering the hall, I saw the girls stood in straight lines, organized by rank. my gaze immediately found Hailey, my sister standing tall in the front row with the other betas. She was always so composed with that quiet confidence that made everyone look her way. She was so drop dead gorgeous, attractive, She didn’t have to try everything came naturally to her. She is intelligent, talented, and everything I wasn’t. I swallowed hard, my chest tightening as I glanced down at myself. Hailey had always been better, stronger, more capable... and I... well, I was just the shadow she left behind. She didn't even notice my presence. Me and Mallory moved forward and looked the betas were at the front taking the prime spots closest to the stage. Behind them were the deltas, less confident but still holding their heads high. At the very back were us the omegas. We lingered in the shadows, hoping to go unnoticed. I scanned the room quickly. "No Madam Chrissy yet. We’re safe." Mallory gave me a relieved grin. “Let's just blend in at the back." We slipped into the line of omegas, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. I took a deep breath, feeling like we might’ve just dodged a major disaster. "See? All good," Mallory whispered, elbow me. "I can’t believe…” I couldn't finish my sentence before it cut short by a voice that sent chills down my spine "Well, well." My stomach dropped. We both turned, and there she was Madam Chrissy, standing right behind us looking like she was about to eat me alive. "Late again, Annessa? Mallory?" She said. Mallory tried to speak first. "Madam Chrissy, we didn’t mean…” "Spare me the excuses," she snapped, "You think being omegas means you can disrespect the rules? Arrive whenever you please?" I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The weight of every gaze in the hall pressed down on us. My eyes darted toward the front, where Liliana stood with a smug look, clearly enjoying the show. My gaze then landed on Hailey. She didn’t look pleased, but I knew she wouldn’t interfere. Why would she? Why would she be helping her little sister when she needed her the most? Why would she want to be linked with a weak omega and ruin her reputation as a beta. " Madam Chrissy, we are... "