Iris: An Omega's Redemption

5: Another nightmare

Several minutes in my bed, I decided to go out and check on my kids. Stopping at the door to take another look at the place--it was the same as when I left five years ago--my phone vibrated against my pocket and I took it out.

I felt relieved when I saw that it was my agent calling. “Tell me you have good news.” I said as I answered the call.

“I have found a place at Rose complex building and it is very convenient for a mother of two.”

A sigh escaped my mouth. “Thank you. Forward the address, I'll head right there.”

Hanging up, I finally left the room.

Nancy stood in the middle of the living room with a crowd of her friends around her. A familiar face bowed her head in their midst, looking terrified.

“Chloe…?” I muttered.

Hurrying forward, I pushed through their midst and pulled her away from them. “What do you think you are doing Nancy?”

Nancy eyed me up and down without a response. Her eyes glinted at confusion as she remained silent.

“I told them you were back and as pretty as ever but they didn't believe me.” Chloe said as she cowered behind me.

“Iris?” Nancy's brow arched. Her face paled with awe and her big brown eyes grew bigger. “Is it really you?”

Her friends muttered to themselves, wondering if it was really me. I guess no one actually believed that there could ever be salvation for a fat and ugly omega.

Just because I was slimmer and prettier, they found it hard to believe it was me.

“Chloe,” I turned to face my cousin. “Can you take my kids and go play with them? I'll be leaving soon to settle down at my place.”

Chloe nodded and hurried away.

Nancy scoffed with disgust and I turned back to face her. “Long time no see.” I said in a plain tone.

She smiled. “What are you doing here?” She took a few steps towards me and reduced her voice to a tone only the both of us could hear. “Did you come back to steal Alpha Asher from me? If you think for one second that he would want to take you back because you got surgery to make you slim and pretty then think again.”

I smiled. My eyes turned to the side and I saw my dad and my step mom standing with Asher. A frown settled on my face as I saw them but neither of them seemed to recognize me. But then it seemed Asher remembered me from the airport as his eyes glowed up with realization.

“Wait… you… we met at the airport… wait… Iris? As in THE Iris?”

My dad and his wife looked just as surprised to see me but neither were pleased.

★★★

We sat together at the dining away from the crowd that came to celebrate my step sisters engagement with my first mate. I decided not to touch the cup of tea they placed in front of me.

Asher kept staring at me at first with surprise and disbelief then--I might be crazy to think--what seemed to be admiration.

“I happy pleased to have you here,” my dad broke the deafening silence after staring at me for so long that I thought I would melt from all their gazes. “We wanted to discuss with you about the perfect engagement gift to give to your sister.”

“Your father and I–” my step mom started. “--decided that it is only right that you will the company to her. Besides, I didn't think there was anything better you could give to her as a congratulatory gift.”

A smile worked its way to my face as I relaxed into my seat. The confidence I didn't have to stand up to them all those years before suddenly filled me up and I decided not to hold back.

“Well I beg to differ.” My words brought surprised look from their faces and I went on. “Last I checked, it was my mother's company and she willed it to me. She could have handed it over to someone else if she didn't want me to have it.”

“Iris!” My dad barked. “Your sister will be the Luna of our pack! It is only right that the Luna and alpha take the company! Besides, it’s been closed down for decades! It’s just a piece of property. If you want to be a good sister and show that you are not jealous of Nancy's engagement then sign over the deed to her.”

Anger caused my insides to boil. How brainwashed was he to neglect his own daughter like that? But I kept my cool. “You're right dad, it is just a piece of property, property that belonged to my mother and now me. I couldn't give my beautiful sister such a measly thing as a gift. I'll prepare congratulatory money instead.” I said with a smile.

“Why do you insist on keeping that property?” My dad's wife scorned. “A lowly omega like you cannot get the money and utensils needed to bring that company back to life! Stop being so obsessive about it!”

I smiled and took out a card from my purse. Sliding it over to them, I rose to my feet. “I'm sorry but I have to leave now. Congratulations dear sister.”

As I walked away, I heard my dad's wife speak with so much shock in her voice. “General manager of Zenith hospital! What?!”

I smirked and left.

Chloe had insisted I stayed because she wanted to play with the kids more but I told her I would invite her over to my place once I had settled down.

It was a smooth drive all the way to the complex building and Keith had fallen asleep in the taxi. Carrying him in my arms, I managed to pull our luggage while guiding Kathryn down the hall way.

I stopped in front of the elevator and waited a few seconds before it dinged open. Pulling our luggage, I ushered Kathryn into the elevator and–

I froze. A set of green eyes pinned me down where I stood and a blurred memory flashed through my mind.

He stared back at me and there was a sense of familiarity in his gaze. ‘Where have I seen those green eyes…?’

"Are you getting in or not?" His voice snapped me out of my déjà vu and I nodded my head and walked in.

There was something about his voice that made me feel like I had heard it before. His tone was hard and cold just like his gaze and he didn't speak to me again.

I tried to get another look at him maybe it would jog my memory but the door dinged open and I realized it was my floor. I walked out of the elevator and turned around for one last glimpse.

He was very handsome with knowing eyes. It seemed almost impossible to pin an age to his face. He was tall with an athletic figure. His hair was a deep brown curled down to his shoulders and though he was good looking, his features were hardened.

I turned and walked into my apartment.

It only took a while to settle in properly and lay my kids to bed, the place was spacious and comfortable. Laying on the couch, I scrolled through my phone and stumbled upon familiar green eyes again.

"Isn't he the one from the elevator?" I asked myself. "Noah Anakin... CEO of Anakin group--Anakin group! Wow!" It was a well known company in New Orleans if not the best.

I kept scrolling through the pages but was carried away by sleep before I knew it.

An eerie feeling crawled up my back like I was being watched. I turned around but found no one there in the pitch darkness. The room suddenly lit up with green fire and it turned out to be a sort of dungeon.

A woman appeared from nowhere and began chanting things I couldn't make out.

"H--hello?" I muttered as I reached out to touch her back that was facing me.

Light green flames suddenly burnt around me and I shrieked from the pain. It didn't feel like a normal burn, it felt like my skin was being peeled off my body and tears pricked at my eyes.

"Iris!!!"

I turned around to the yell of a man's voice. Noah stood away from the flames that engulfed me, battered and bruised. Tears poured down his face as he stared at me and my heart felt so heavy.

The woman suddenly stopped her chanting. "You are done for now, o' mighty one." Like a maniac, she burst out into cackles and I screamed.

Jerking up from my sleep, I felt heat pulse through my body like I had actually been set on fire. Sweat trailed down my face and my heart raced like crazy.

'Another nightmare...'