Awakened by Rejection: The Omega's Dark Power

Chapter 4

Aurora’s POV

The evening arrived faster than I wanted.

The maids returned to my room carrying the most beautiful gown I had ever seen. Deep purple silk with delicate flowers embroidered along the body and sleeves. I stood still as they helped me into it, hardly believing my eyes when I looked in the mirror. For the first time in my life, I looked like someone important. The fabric hugged my body gently, and my choppy white hair had been curled and adorned with a delicate floral crown. I smelled like fresh peaches and expensive oils.

I barely recognised the girl staring back at me.

My stepmother must have been really happy about everything going on and what she stood to gain from this alliance to allow me to look this good, or maybe she just wanted to appear like a gracious Luna in front of the Alpha King. Either way, the kindness felt fake and dangerous. And deep inside, everyone saw this for what it was, just that most people in my pack at least didn't care because I was the perfect sacrifice for what they stood to gain from the Alpha King.

The healer had checked on me earlier, applying more ointment to my wounds. The pain had dulled to a faint throb. I had never felt this much relief before. Pain had been my constant companion for so long that its absence felt strange, almost wrong, and my body was waiting for the next strike.

When the time came, I walked into the grand hall beside my father and stepmother. The moment I entered, every wolf in the room stood up. The silence that followed was deafening. I could feel hundreds of eyes on me, some curious, some pitying, some outright shocked.

Lucien, who was standing tall and imposing at the end of the aisle, just before the priest, seemed momentarily taken aback. His steel-blue eyes widened slightly before his usual cold mask slipped back into place. The switch made me wonder why he made it a goal to ensure he doesn’t show any emotions at all.

I walked towards him; my legs were very unsteady. I did everything I could to calm myself down. 'I can do this,' I told myself, giving my body the courage to keep moving forward.

Lucien took my hand without a word. His grip was firm, almost too tight. The priest began the ceremonial rites, his voice echoing through the hall. I barely heard the words. My mind was spinning with one repeating thought: It is possible to come out of this stronger. I can come out of this stronger and prove to everyone who thinks this is the end of my life wrong.

I had borne so much pain in my life already. I had never met my mother, been beaten, tortured, shamed, or humiliated; this would be nothing in comparison to all that. This would be what would finally give me the freedom I deserved and the space to finally become stronger.

We exchanged our vows. The blood seal formed between us with a sharp, burning sensation that made my breath hitch. Lucien’s power surged through the bond for a moment, heavy and overwhelming, but I endured it in silence, just like I had endured everything else. When it was over, the hall erupted into applause.

The banquet followed. Noble after noble came forward with gifts, many of them looking at me with pity, as if they were attending my funeral rather than my mating ceremony. Lucien sat beside me, silent and distant, offering no smiles or kind words. He knew what everyone thought of him, the cursed prince who killed his mates. What he didn’t realise was that many of them were secretly glad about it. Many secretly admired him and considered him a conqueror and great leader.

It was now or never.

I rose from my seat, my heart hammering against my ribs. I ignored the surprised looks from my father and stepmother as I walked to the high table where the Alpha King sat. I took a deep bow, my nerves threatening to choke me, but still I pushed through.

“Your Highness", I said, my voice steadier than I felt, “may I have your audience?”

The hall grew quiet. My father looked ready to jump out of his seat. Luna Seraphina’s eyes burned with fury. They whispered to each other, probably getting ready for the worst, wondering if what I was about to do would bring them down or if they could save themselves.

It was nice seeing them on edge, I’ll admit. But I had to focus on my mission.

The Alpha King regarded me with interest. “Speak, princess. Today is your day after all.”

I took a deep breath and began.

“Your Highness, I know you have a lineage of strong wolves, and the North has always been the territory of the strongest. I am only a weak omega, married by chance. But I have heard of a great prestigious Lingard Academy, the school you created that carries your pride.”

My stepmother tried to interrupt, but the Alpha King raised his hand, silencing her.

I continued, my voice gaining strength. “It would be an honour if I, the princess and mate of your Alpha son, could be enrolled in Lingard Academy under the Omega scholarship. Imagine the pride it would bring to your academy if even a weak omega like me could go strong through your programme. It would prove the power of your scholarship, bring even greater honour to your son, and show that true strength can be achieved, not just inherited.”

The entire hall fell silent. No one moved, no one breathed.

The look on the Alpha King’s face was hard to read; I couldn’t tell if he was angry or intrigued, but that on Lucien's face was clear; he looked like he wanted to kill me here and now.

So I stood there, my heart pounding, waiting for the Alpha King’s response.