FROM SLAVE OMEGA TO LUNA

CHAPTER 1 ~JESSSICA~ As I stood outside my grandfather’s study, my heart pounded fiercely against my ribs. The thick mahogany door loomed in front of me, an almost insurmountable barrier between me and the man who held my future in his hands. I drew a deep breath, trying to summon every ounce of courage I had, and then I pushed the door open. The room smelled of old leather and tobacco, the air heavy with the weight of countless generations of our pack’s history. Grandfather sat behind his massive oak desk, his piercing eyes already fixed on me as if he had sensed my approach. Alpha Marcus, the indomitable leader of our pack, my guardian, my nemesis. “Jessica,” he said, his voice a low rumble that echoed off the wood-paneled walls. “What is it now?” I stepped forward, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. “How dare you,” I began, my voice trembling with rage, “how dare you try to sell me off like cattle to some alpha I don’t even know or love!” His eyes narrowed, and I could see the contempt simmering just beneath the surface. “This isn’t about love, Jessica. It’s about the future of our pack. Strengthening our bloodline.” “I don’t care about politics or bloodlines!” I shouted, unable to contain my anger. “This isn’t the Dark Ages! You can’t just trade me away for some alliance!” He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “You always were a headstrong child. This is why you’re useless in this family. You think only of yourself and never of your duties.” “Useless?” I repeated, the word stinging like a slap across the face. “Is that what you really think of me? Ever since Mom and Dad died, you’ve treated me like a burden. But Delilah, she’s your perfect daughter, isn’t she?” “Delilah understands her place. She knows what it means to sacrifice for the greater good. Unlike you, she doesn’t shirk her responsibilities.” “She’s your puppet!” I spat, my voice breaking. “And you despise me because I refuse to be the same!” His gaze turned icy, the room seeming to grow colder by the second. “Your insolence knows no bounds, Jessica. This marriage will happen. You will do your duty to this family and this pack. End of discussion.” “No!” I roared, my frustration boiling over. “I won’t be a pawn in your games!” He slammed his hand down on the desk, the sound reverberating through the room. “Get out,” he hissed. “I’ve had enough of your defiance.” I turned on my heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind me. As I marched down the hallway, I nearly collided with Delilah. Her icy blue eyes glinted with malice as she took in my flushed face and angry strides. “Well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “It looks like the little omega has been put in her place. Sold off like the cattle you are.” “Shut up, Delilah,” I snapped, trying to push past her. She stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “What’s wrong, Jessica? Can’t handle the truth? You’ve always been a disgrace to this family. Maybe now you’ll finally be of some use.” Ignoring her, I pushed past and headed towards the grand palace, I was on my way to see Ethan, my lover and candidate for the alpha of the Shadow Fang pack, with alarming news. Entering the grand palace, my heart pounded as I headed to his room, but he wasn’t there. Desperation clawed at my insides. I approached one of the servants cleaning nearby. “Excuse me, have you seen Ethan?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. The servant shook her head, looking apologetic. “No, Miss. I haven’t seen him.” My anxiety grew. I needed to find Ethan. This news could tear us apart. I decided to head to the cherry gardens, a place he often went to for solace and contemplation. As I entered the lush fragrant garden, I spotted him deep in conversation with an old man, one of the five elders which are the council members. “Ethan!” I called out, grabbing his attention. He looked up, surprised but pleased to see me. He politely dismissed the man he was talking to and approached me with a smile. “Jessica, did you miss me that much that you had to meet me in the open?” he teased, wrapping a hand around my waist. Our relationship was a secret we had kept for months. “I needed to see you. It’s urgent,” I said, my voice trembling. Ethan, misunderstanding my urgency, pulled me into a warm embrace and pressed his lips against mine. For a moment, I melted into the kiss, but then I remembered why I was here. I pushed him away gently. “Ethan, will you just listen to me for a moment?” I said, annoyance creeping into my voice. “What? I thought you came because you missed me. Don’t you love me anymore?” he asked, hurt flashing in his eyes. “I do Ethan, but there is another issue at hand,” I said, trying to steady my voice. “And what could be so urgent?” he asked, his concern growing. I took a deep breath. “My father... he told me I’m to be married off to the alpha of the White Fang pack.” Ethan's face darkened, a flicker of anger in his eyes. “What? That’s absurd. You’re my mate. They can’t just marry you off to someone else.” “I know,” I replied, my voice trembling. “But unless we do something, they will. My father believes it’s the best way to make an alliance with the White Fang. Since I'm not officially mated to anyone, it's his way of getting rid of me.” Ethan clenched his fists, the veins in his arms standing out starkly against his skin. “This is ridiculous! He can't do this. I need you by my side.” I glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping. “Ethan, he won’t change his mind. He thinks this is best for the pack. But there’s another way. If you make our relationship public, they’ll have no choice but to accept it. They can’t force me to marry someone else if everyone knows I’m already mated to you.” Ethan pulled away, pacing the length between us. “I can’t do that, Jessica. Not now. An alpha candidate can’t afford to show any weakness, and having a mate will be seen as a vulnerability.” My eyes widened in disbelief. “A vulnerability? Ethan, we’re stronger together. If they see we’re united, it’ll only make your candidacy stronger.” He stopped and turned to face me, his expression conflicted. “You don’t understand the politics of this. Other candidates would exploit it. It’s too risky.” My frustration bubbled over. “So what? You’d rather I be forced into a marriage with someone else? Someone I don’t love?” Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Of course not. But you have to trust me. There’s another way.” “What other way?” I demanded. He took a deep breath, his gaze piercing mine. “Postpone the mating ceremony with the White Fang alpha. Convince your Grandfather to vote for me as the next alpha. Once I’m in power, I’ll have the authority to stop this marriage and make our bond official.” I recoiled, stunned by his suggestion. “You want me to manipulate my grandfather? Ethan, it's too risky, I do-don't know if I can do it.” “It’s the only way,” he insisted, stepping closer and taking my hands in his. “If you love me, you’ll do this. We can’t afford to be impulsive. This is about the future of our pack.” I pulled my hands away, tears welling up in my eyes. “And what about us, Ethan? What about our future? If you really loved me, you’d stand by my side now, not ask me to play political games.” Ethan’s face softened, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I’m doing this for us, for our future. Once I’m alpha, no one will be able to separate us.” I gave it a quick thought. I truly loved Ethan. I was sacrificing a lot to be with him, after all. He was the one who had taken my first, and if we were seen as intimate without engagement, it could lead to ostracism. The laws were that strict, and I knew it. “Okay, I will convince my father. Then we will be together?” I asked, seeking confirmation. Ethan nodded with a smile and gave me a quick kiss. “Yes, Jessica. Once I’m alpha, nothing can tear us apart.” I hurried back to the carriage that had brought me to the palace to take me back home. My mind was racing with the conversation I was about to have. I knew my father would be in the study hall. On my way there, I encountered my half-sister, Delilah Lakewood, who giggled at me. I always found Delilah creepy and annoying. “What’s so funny?” I asked, annoyance evident in my tone. “I heard about the alpha you are getting married to,” Delilah said with a smirk. I shook my head, pitying Delilah for her ignorance. Ethan and I were mates. I ignored her and walked into my grandfather's study hall. My grandfather, buried in his books with a lantern lit, illuminating the writings. “Father, can we talk?” I asked, my voice steadying. He looked up, his expression stern. “What is it, Jessica? If you are here to protest the marriage, you have no say in it. We have spoken about this. You have to marry him.” “Yes, Father, you're right. But let's make a deal,” I said, trying to gain his attention. He scoffed. “You don’t have anything to offer me.” “What if I can get the winner of the alpha succession to marry me?” I posed the question, gaining his attention now. Alpha Marcus raised an eyebrow. “Do you think you can pull such a feat?” he asked, doubt evident in his voice. I nodded confidently. “I am positive. Ethan Blackstone and I have known each other since we were kids. If you vote for him as alpha, I can find my way into his heart, and you would have to call off my marriage with the alpha of the White Fang.” His expression softened slightly, considering my words. “You know the alpha succession day is tomorrow, and the winner would have to pick his Luna on that day as well.” “I know,” I said firmly. “How do you intend to make him pick you as Luna? For all you know, he might have a lover already,” he challenged. I smirked, my confidence unshaken. “It doesn’t matter how I intend to make him pick me. You have nothing to lose by offering me this chance. If I fail, I will marry whoever you want me to. But if I succeed, your grandchildren will be in line for the succession of the alpha position.” My father’s eyes lit up with interest. He was a political man, always looking to strengthen his pack. “Alright, Jessica. Remember, these are your words. And one more thing. If you fail, you will be stripped off the name Lakewood, and I will no longer be under any obligation or law to protect you.” I nodded, acknowledging his words. Essentially, if I failed, he was disowning me. I left his study, my mind swirling with the enormity of the task ahead. On my way out, I ran into Delilah again, who was still wearing her smug expression. “You don’t actually think Ethan will pick you as his Luna. You’re an Omega, a weak wolf. Nobody wants you,” Delilah taunted. My patience snapped. “You don’t know Ethan as well as I do. And for your information, I am going to be Luna tomorrow,” I said with a firm voice, my resolve unshakable. “We will see about that tomorrow,” Delilah said with a smile, enjoying the confrontation. I growled, fed up with her words. “You always think you're so clever, Delilah. But you know nothing about strength and Love.” “Strength? You?” Delilah laughed derisively. “You’ve always been a dreamer, Jessica. You think Ethan will choose you over all the other, more suitable wolfs? He needs a strong Luna, not a sentimental fool.” "Say whatever y ou want, you are going to be shocked tomorrow." I said ultimately, turning my back and preparing for tomorrow.