THE OMEGA'S SECRET HEIR

THE PRICE OF A SECRET

The sun had barely climbed over the horizon. I was already standing waist-deep, in soap suds my actions were mechanical. Claire, bless her soul, had arrived one hour before finding me in the laundry hut looking pale and anxious.

I crafted a story, about being reprimanded by an Elder, which closely resembled reality enough to justify my distress.

“Seriously darling " Claire remarked, balanced unsteadily on a down basket drinking a tepid coffee I’d managed to find.

Their audacity is remarkable. They think that simply because their friend occupies a rank they have the right to vent their frustrations through you.

I dipped my hands more into the water rubbing a blemish, from a Beta’s silk garment.

“That’s how the world functions, Claire. Having status offers security.”

“Nonsense. Authority corrupts " she retorted, taking a sip of her coffee.

“Look I understand you wish to stay at the Omega. You need to stand up for yourself. You might want to bring the bullying issue to the Elders’ attention. About Brodie; there have been rumors about him.”

I shivered, the chilly water suddenly freezing. "No. I won’t. Concentrating on myself is the thing I desire. You know what occurs to Omegas who create trouble.”

We spent forty minutes examining the pack arrangement and my precarious stance Claire passionately defending my worth while I contended for my stamina. Her claim that I deserved kindness comforted my soul. Did not change the fact. I needed to focus on the pressing matter: Kryden.

As if summoned by my worry a notification popped up on my phone, a text, from an unknown number: North Storeroom. Five minutes. Alone.

A cold wave ran over me. Kryden. He knew I had escaped.

I glanced at Claire. "I have to go. The chief housekeeper needs me in the North Wing. If anyone asks, tell them I’m still here.”

I dashed to the designated storeroom with my heart racing wildly in my chest. The flood of adrenaline was a burst that concealed the aching dullness in my limbs.

The North Storeroom was shrouded in darkness with the aroma of dust and abandoned belongings. Kryden stood with his back to the door, his posture rigid. Clad in his Alpha attire he resembled the authoritative presence from the Mating Ceremony rather than the desperate wolf he had appeared the night before.

I closed the door, behind me the click echoing in the quiet.

“You left " he stated, his voice void of emotion simply a factual remark.

“Yes Alpha " I whispered, my eyes locked on the floor. I felt small, powerless and utterly frightened.

He turned abruptly. The look in his eyes did not show lingering longing or connection but a cold sheer hatred as though I was the one driving the knife into my heart.

“Concentrate on me, Vexa." The command was soft. The Alpha dominance embedded in it was unmistakable.

I raised my eyes reluctantly. The pain shown in his eyes was his irritation, his regret, not sympathy, towards me.

“What happened that night " he snarled, his jaw clenched tightly "occurred because of two factors. Your silver eyes, marked by the Omega curse and the full moon. It was an event. A mistake.”

He moved forward toward me. I stood still paralyzed by his power. "To be clear, the Mating Ceremony will take place tonight. I will formally acknowledge the bond the moon has placed on me. After that I will publicly reject it."

The firmness of his declaration hit me like a blow. My hands trembled, yearning to tear open my chest, pull out my heart and rid myself of every emotion.

“You are the one meant for me " he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I cannot have you. My pack must steer clear of the destruction that the curse predicts. My tribe is more important than your feelings. Certainly more than this forbidden mistake.”

“I understand, Alpha," I barely uttered the words, held on my tongue. He is forcing me to deny myself.

“Good." He stepped nearer his scent enveloping me, a cold stifling echo of the power I once held and have since lost. "You shall never speak of the night.. The bond, the passion and, above all, that you shared my bed. If you attempt to use this link to disgrace me, claim a status you have not merited or obstruct my duties I will not merely cast you out. I will ensure you vanish to a place where you will remain forever hidden. Do you understand the gravity of remaining silent?”

“Yes Alpha " I responded, my voice trembling but composed. I understand the severity of your ruthlessness.

He stood straight sweeping a hand over his face. The brief moment of anguish had gone. He seemed calm. Resolved. "You may continue your duties... Vexa..."

He paused, his blue eyes meeting mine, cold and empty. "Act like the Omega you really are."

He abandoned me in the storeroom, the atmosphere heavy with the fading trace of his scent and the overwhelming burden of his rejection. I fell back against a pile of crates of tears, stinging my eyes.

He didn’t just reject me; he shattered the moment of desperate hope I had dared to cling to. His words left me with an aching emptiness. To him I was a walking curse, a danger no more than a short pause, under his command.

I did not cry. I was shocked, enraged and wholly focused on the injustice. I had given him my all. He gave back pennies and a caution.

I returned to the laundry pushing myself to complete my chores concentrating on the texture of the fabric rubbing against my skin, anything to divert attention from the aching torment inside my soul.

Time passed quietly through labor and muted sorrow.

As the sun began to set an unusual feeling of dread began to rise. The Mating Ceremony. My presence was mandatory. I needed to stay and watch him publicly break our bond.

I donned the piece of clothing, a light grey tunic and joined the group of Omegas moving toward the clearing. The pack was already gathered, arranged in a circle surrounding the ceremonial fire. The mood was vibrant and filled with anticipation.

I positioned myself at the back near the trees aiming to blend with the darkness.

The Elders began the rites. Kryden exited the Fortress accompanied by Selene, the Gamma, at his flank. She looked dignified and self-assured, ready to receive the title Kryden was set to grant her.

The Elder Cygnus lifted his staff. Uttered the order that echoed throughout the whole clearing:

“Alpha Kryden Arden tonight the moon reveals the arrival of your fated companion. Might she be present, among us?”

Kryden moved forward with a pace. His eyes scanned the throngs gathered around the Betas, the noble Gammas and the combat-prepared formations.

Then his gaze stopped.

He refrained from looking at Selene. He disregarded the Elders. His eyes were set past the flames through the wolves veiled in the darkness straight towards me the broken insignificant Omega.

Our eyes locked. His blue eyes, cold widened abruptly revealing a striking mix of fear and understanding. In that moment the mate bond, which Kryden had tried to sever in the storeroom flared anew with a last spark connecting the truth, between us like a visible radiant thread.

He saw me. He identified that it was me. He grasped the cost.

My heart throbbed intensely inside my chest like a bird to escape. The silence in the clearing was completely shattered by the fires crackling. Every wolf in the Crescent Moon Pack was locked onto the Alpha’s stare.

My breathing halted. He isn't able to. He refuses to do this.

Kryden took a deep, steadying breath, preparing to speak the truth, and the lie, that would destroy us both.