The Wolfless Omega: The Alpha's Runaway Bride

Chapter Five

Raine's Perspective

The steward stood on the steps and loudly announced: "The Crestmoon Pack is sending people over. From now on, all you Omegas must serve the future Luna well. Start by serving the honored guests from their pack. Prepare carefully these next few days. No wandering off!"

A wave of hushed murmurs rippled through the omega crowd. They seemed especially curious about the future Luna's true appearance.

I stood there with a blank expression, but my mind was racing.

The convoy schedule I had mapped out over the past few days depended on having a window of time alone on the day of the ceremony.

But this new rule meant all Omegas would be assigned full workloads.

That escape route was about to be blocked off. I needed to think of another way.

If things went according to this rule, then when the final supply convoy was handed over before the ceremony, all available hands would be pulled to the main site to help.

At that time, the unloading area would be full of goods but short on people—the perfect moment to make my move!

After the meeting dispersed, I went straight to the steward in charge of supply coordination.

He was in the middle of counting a newly arrived batch of goods and only glanced at me when he heard me approach.

"Raine, what is it?"

"Steward, I've been following the inventory process these past few days. I know it best. Why not leave the final convoy handover to me?" I offered a friendly smile.

Before the steward could speak, a voice sounded from behind me.

"Raine, the way you've been asking questions left and right these past few days—doesn't look like you just want to help."

Marta emerged from behind me, eyeing me with ill intent, then turned to the steward. "Steward, an Omega suddenly this eager—don't you think that's a little suspicious?"

I fought down the resentment and irritation rising in my chest, took a deep breath, and offered her a gentle smile. "You misunderstand, Marta. I just want to contribute on such an important day. I can't handle heavy labor, but I can certainly manage this kind of detail work."

The steward glanced back and forth between me and Marta, then finally set the list down on the table. "Fine. The final convoy handover is yours. If anything goes wrong, you bear the responsibility."

I smiled and said, "I'll get it done," and he turned and left.

Marta shot me a contemptuous look, then turned and walked away as well.

The honored guests from the Crestmoon Pack arrived as expected. I carried a tea tray into the main hall.

The visitor was said to be a Gamma of high standing in their pack.

I studied his face quietly—no recognition whatsoever. I set the teacup down on the table and retreated to stand at the side with my head lowered.

He picked up the tea and took a sip, then his gaze suddenly fell on me.

"You look familiar."

His eyes narrowed, his tone half-smiling.

But the moment that voice reached my ears, I froze. The blood in my veins began to run backward.

I would never forget that voice until the day I died!

The voice of the man who had bought me back then and sold me here!

That nightmare of a man was now sitting two steps away, holding a teacup and studying me.

My pupils dilated uncontrollably, and my limbs turned cold. I instinctively stepped back, my lower back bumping lightly against the wall.

"I see you remember. Then let me refresh my memory. Back then, I personally inspected the goods." He tapped the table lightly with his fingers, as if looking at an amusing object. "You're called Raine, right?"

"You should be grateful to me now," he went on, his eyes full of contempt. "If I hadn't sent you to Ashgrave, would you have climbed into the bed of a noble Alpha? You're doing quite well for yourself now, aren't you?"

"You..." My throat tightened, my fingers clutching the hem of my clothes, but no words came out.

He slowly rose to his feet and approached me.

Cold sweat seeped from my back. I wanted to retreat, but there was nowhere left to go.

His rough fingers traced over my face, his ghostly voice coiling around my ear. My whole body began to tremble.

"Come to think of it, that best friend of yours took quite a bit of money from me... She was the one who guaranteed that with a face like yours, you'd definitely be chosen."

The moment those words landed, it felt as if my soul had been drained from my body. Every organ twisted and surged upward in that instant. I doubled over, almost vomiting on the spot.

My best friend, Serena. We had grown up together, promised to stay by each other's side forever.

For five years, every single day, I had asked myself: why me? Why was it that after drinking that one glass, I lost consciousness? I had always thought it was just bad luck—running into criminals at a bar.

But it was my most trusted friend who had pushed me into this abyss.

"How pitiful," he clicked his tongue twice, watching my pale face and trembling body. "Only finding out the truth now."

"Well then, since you're here, serve your Alpha well and don't think about anything else. I don't have time to reminisce with you."

He strode out of the hall.

I crouched down, covering my mouth. My knees knocked against the floor tiles, but I felt no pain.

I didn't even notice the tears falling until I tasted salt on my lips.

For all these years, I had endured cold stares and abuse, but I had always held onto a sliver of hope.

I kept telling myself: my family and friends had never given up searching for me. We would be reunited one day.

And now, I had learned such a cruel truth.

I hated Serena. I hated everyone in this werewolf world! They were all accomplices!

I hated—so much that my jaw ached from clenching, my stomach churned, my entire body shook.

I drifted through the rest of the day in a daze. It wasn't until nightfall that I regained my conviction and drive.

Five years of lying low. I couldn't let it all go to waste.

I had to escape. I had to take revenge on Serena. I couldn't fall here.

—

After several days of pretense, the eve of the ceremony finally arrived.

Ronan summoned me to serve him.

When I entered, I saw him holding a paper bag. He handed it to me.

"I passed through town and bought this. It's your favorite flavor," he said.

I glanced at it mechanically, but I felt no joy.

These past few days, Ronan had been unusually considerate. He no longer casually reminded me to "stop dreaming." Instead, he started asking if I was cold or tired. And today, he had actually brought me something I liked to eat.

I looked at his beautiful face, and in that moment, all I wanted to know was what lay beneath that angelic mask—was he a devil like Serena and that Gamma, or had he always been the same?

But I held myself back. I forced all that hatred down, deep into the bottom of my heart.

I put on a sweet smile and asked, "Thank you. Why have you been so good to me lately?"

Ronan was silent for a rare moment before speaking with a complicated expression. "Raine, I know you may have grievances, but this marriage was decided by the elders."

He suddenly took my cold hand and rubbed it gently.

"Once everything settles, I'll treat you the same as before. I won't shortchange you."

I watched him quietly. The lamplight illuminated his affectionate face.

Treat me the same as before—reward me with a good look when he's in a good mood, punish me when he's not, keep treating me as a slave to vent his lust on, and keep letting Marta and Sable take turns making my life miserable?

I had heard these words for five years. Every time they were spoken with the utmost solemnity, the faster he turned around and broke them. The only reason he was saying this now was because his own conscience was uneasy, and he wanted to use a few empty promises to keep me placated before the engagement.

If that was the case, it saved me the trouble.

The more moved I appeared, the more his guard would drop.

I pretended to be deeply touched and pressed close to his chest. "Mm, I'll listen to you."

He seemed relieved and gently stroked my shoulder to comfort me.

I nestled against him. Ronan seemed very relaxed that night and talked to me about many things.

I leaned into him gently and responded with patience.

"Raine, every time I talk with you like this, I feel so at ease."

"I'm glad I can put your mind at rest. Let's sleep. Tomorrow is an important day."

I gave him a soft smile, but my heart was as cold and hard as iron.

Damn right, keep smiling. Consider this the last bit of sweetness I'm giving you before I kick you to the curb.

Tomorrow—just tomorrow—I would escape from this damned cage!

Far away from everything here, far away from that i***t Ronan.

The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. Just as I was about to lose control of my expression, Ronan suddenly grabbed my hand.

My heart lurched violently. God, had I been exposed?

Ronan's face was full of worry as he suddenly spoke: "No, I've been thinking it over. Tomorrow's ceremony will be too chaotic. You need to stay by my side the entire time. You're not allowed to leave."