The Royal Omega

Chapter 5

The sound of slow, deep breaths filled the bathroom as Celia gathered her courage and opened her eyes. Four days had passed since she had been forced to take up residence in Karn’s lavish suite, a period marked by a deceptive tranquility that belied the turmoil within her. Now, early on the fifth morning, before the sun had even begun to rise, having finally mustered up the strength to face herself, she stood naked before the large, ornate mirror that inhabited the spacious en-suite. Its surface reflected back an image that seemed both familiar and alien.

The last time she’d seen herself, she hadn’t been more than eight, maybe nine, her memory of her childhood was foggy, but she knew she’d been young. Back then, she had had a youthful, carefree glow. Happiness had shone bright in her eyes and her hair had always been kept in elaborate braids that her mother would weave into her hair every morning before school. She closed her eyes briefly, taking a moment to ground herself before opening them again and trying to find that girl somewhere in the reflection before her.

Now, the girl in the mirror had long black hair that cascaded over her shoulders, a stark contrast to her pallid, malnourished frame. It was no longer tangled and the shine was slowly returning to it, thanks to the efforts of the older omega, Ellen. Her eyes, once a vibrant emerald, now held a haunted, distant look, as if they had seen too much of the world’s cruelty and had forgotten what happiness even felt like. Her lips, once full and pouty, were thin and cracked, her cheeks, now withdrawn and hollow in appearance, darkened with bruises where they met her eyes.

She grimaced as she continued examining herself, trying to find something of her former self hidden beneath the shell of suffering she had become. Despite her emaciated appearance, there was an unmistakable strength in the way she held herself. Instead of happiness, defiance burned behind the haunted look in her eyes. The girl she used to be was long gone, replaced with a woman who radiated strength regardless of her frail appearance.

Seeing that, she pulled her lips back into a pointed snarl. Blood filled her mouth when her new canines pierced her lower lip, but she smiled triumphantly at the sharp pain. Her new canines marked the beginning of her first shift, and the start of her soon to be found freedom.

She turned from the mirror then, glancing at Ellen, who stood in solidarity at the bathroom door, smiling at her with a glint of triumph. Her smile faded, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes at the older woman’s expression. After days of arguing back and forth, Ellen had put her foot down. Someone would need to open the door, someone would need to distract the guards, Ellen wanted to be that someone. Her freedom would not come without a price, and Celia knew she was helping the old omega sign her own death warrant. She’d begged her not to help, had insisted that she could do it on her own, but the other omega would not be swayed. Stubborn old woman.

The steadfast determination, mirrored in the unflinching steadiness of Ellen’s gaze, stirred a tumult of emotions in Celia. With a mix of admiration and sorrow, she stepped forward and enveloped Ellen in a tight embrace, a gesture brimming with unspoken gratitude and a shared understanding of the gravity of their situation. Celia fought valiantly to restrain the tears that threatened to spill, determined not to display her anguish and fear for Ellen's impending sacrifice. She squeezed the old woman tightly.

“You don’t have to do this,” Celia whispered, choking back a sob and burying her face in Ellen’s shoulder.

Ellen sighed and ran her fingers through Celia’s hair. “I’m an old woman Celia,” she responded quietly, “My family is all gone, Karn saw to that. So, you let me do this for you, and don't you dare weep for me.” She pulled back from the hug and cupped Celia’s face in her hands. “I’m going to help you,” she stated with determination, “and then I’m going to see my little boys again.” A small smile lit up the old woman’s features, and Celia’s heart beat with some form of comfort.

“Do you think my mom will be there?” She asked with childlike innocence, searching Ellen’s eyes for an answer.

Ellen chuckled, and ruffled Celia’s hair like she was a child. “She will be,” she said with a smile, “and when I see her, I’ll tell her about the kind, strong, and wise woman her daughter has grown to be.”

Celia’s smile faltered at the use of those words, her mothers past statements echoing in her mind. She pressed her trembling lips into a line as they echoed in her memory. We are wise. We are kind. We are strong. She shook her head at the inner thoughts and gave one last squeeze to Ellen before pulling away.

Steeling herself for the pain she knew was coming, she turned away from the other omega, walked to the shower, and flipped the faucet on. She gave one last look to Ellen, who beamed at her and nodded in encouragement, before closing her eyes and waiting.