Ophelia The Omega

Ch.4 To Greater Things

Ophelia

The mingling and bustle of the gathered guests in the ball room flooded the corridor where Liam and I stood as the doors opened. I recall before, the old me just shrank back into Liam. Fastened to his side like a damn shadow. How pathetic I was.

Instead, I mimicked his stance. Spin straight, shoulders pulled back, and chin up. I am the one with the advantage here. I am the one who knows their story ends, how mine ends. I have the power to change history, and no one is going to stop me from changing my fate this time around.

“Is that our Luna?” One of the guests rose to his feet in surprise and confusion. My heart leaped with both relief and excitement.

No one acknowledged me before as a proper Luna, but I guess first impressions are extremely important. I turned my sharp gaze on him. This startles him and he falters a step back. I tried to hide the smirk growing on my lips.

But why should I? I let it take over in a full blown smile, baring my teeth, just a small warning. Nothing more. The gentleman is aware of my subtle gesture and slowly lowers his head in a reluctant bow. He chances a glance sideways. I follow his gaze as it meets with none other than Lady LeBlanc.

She is staring daggers into the man who dare bow before me. Of course, she would think this way. I was no one to her, a forgotten Omega child with neither the discipline nor talent to be Luna of this pack. But I have the upper hand this time around as I have five years of discipline, training, of warrior and Luna skills I have developed in my past life to assist me now. Maybe this time around I will be able to put them to good use, and not have my mate think me incapable.

Liam gipped my arm tighter. “O…”

“I apologize, my future Alpha.” I rest my free hand on his, I sense him grow stiff as I used his proper title. “I lost my train of thought for a moment. I’ve never had so many eyes upon me before.”

“It’s something you will grow accustomed to,” he reassured. Now it was my turn to stiffen in surprise. In the beginning, Liam just accepted my lack of education and never reassured me about anything other than his love, say for the mate bond.

As we make our way further into the ball room, Liam spots the great Alpha. Who is surrounded by the other alphas of the southern region, animatedly reminiscing about the time they had gone through their own mating ceremonies. They spoke in Italian-the southern alpha’s native tongue, a language that Liam did not know particularly well. Which I knew was causing the slow hesitation in his steps right now.

Thick smoke billows above the three Italian Alpha leaders, as they each enjoy their cigars, no doubt, to celebrate this occasion. But for Alpha Dominic Violi, this was an important mission, to gather intel and exploit weakness. He is a very clever and forward-thinking young wolf. Liam doesn't know it yet, but this young wolf will be one of his biggest problems in the future.

I know this because in later months, he forms a very loyal group of bold, 'men of honor' he will dub Mafioso, the very roots and beginning of something that will be known as the first pack Mafia. Putting fierce pressure and strain on pack law and organizational structure because he will base his ranking on loyalty and not who you were born under. This changes the very fabric of the wolf pack mentality and begins a very long-drawn-out war. One that we are bound to lose

.

I lightly pinch Liam’s arm before we continue to close the distance between us and the Alpha’s.

“Ow,” Liam’s eyes grew wide with a baffled look about his face. It almost makes me laugh. “What was that for?” he demands.

I pulled my shoulders back to assert myself. “Do you remember the proper greeting for our southern comrades?”

His eyes scan over my body like he will find the answer somewhere on my person, but fails to come up with an answer. I let out a slow breath as I released his arm and straightened his neck tie.

“Do you?” he says with a soft nervous chuckle.

I grinned back at him. “Of course, what kind of Luna would I be if I didn't?” I study those sharp lines of his handsome jaw. “When we face them, know that it is disrespectful to greet them out right. This is your first time meeting them, so you are therefore considered a stranger. You will greet your father first, and our Alpha will introduce you to the southern pack members. They only accept introductions by a third party that both individuals know. This is their way.”

“It’s a ridiculous way.” He ignores my sharp tug on his tie and rolls his eyes. “They are on our pack lands, they can’t conform to our greetings.”

I released him from my hold, while letting out a frustrated breath. That’s the Liam I know. Selfish and entitled right down to the core. I force myself to loop my arm into his , the dull tingle of the mate bond doesn’t affect me, but I can feel the tense muscles in Liam’s body relax as we continue towards his father. I let out a nervous breath. This is the first time I will be meeting the southern pack alpha’s up close.

Liam’s father, Luke, acknowledges us as we approach. “…And mi permetta di introdurre-” The Great Alpha gestures to his son by my side. “Mio figlio, il nostro future Alpha e il suo compagno, Liam VaLore.” I noted that he spoke Italian passably well, as he introduced his son, the future alpha, and his mate, not the future Luna. Just mate.

Truth be told, I cringed a little inside as he used the word mate and not the correct title of Future Luna. I quickly let the feeling pass as I forced a smile on my lips. But the truth did nothing to lessen the sting of disappointment.

“Ah, Buonasera to our future great alpha.” The eldest southern Alpha lowered his head slightly, as a sign of respect. His deep raspy voice matched that of his deep complexion and molten chocolate eyes. “I am Vincent Castro.” He turned to the side as the other two alpha’s came into view. “This is Antonio Galante,” A tall, slender, almost elegant being slowly bowed before us. He was of more fair complexion than Vincent but had the same dark features with his hair and eyes. Although his slenderness made his full lips look pouty, almost feminine. “And finally, our most accomplished Alpha, Dominic Violi.” My eyes appraised the young alpha’s appearance. But I don’t know what astonished me more; the young man’s masculine beauty, his piercing hazel eyes, or his perfect olive skin. No wonder wolves blindly followed him. He oozed confidence, and his very presence demanded respect.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Liam said with a returning bow. “I thank you for coming to my mating ceremony-” I squeezed his arm to remind him of my presence. He quickly corrected his mistake. “I mean our mating ceremony.” He turned to look down at me with a smile. “This is my mate, Ophelia Night.” I force a smile as he acknowledges me as his mate, and not the proper title of future Luna as well. Like father, like son.

I step forward and curtsy perfectly. “Buonasera, piacere di conoscerLa.” As I lift my head I’m met with five stunned expressions for my accurate greeting, and perfected pronunciation of their native tongue. I smiled wide with satisfaction. “Grazie di cuore, apprezzo molto la tua partecipazione al nostro matrimonio.” I thanked them from the heart and expressed my appreciation for their attendance at our wedding.

Vincent’s eyes lit up from the boring, dull state they were in before. Liam tense once more at the change of air as Vincent became loud and joyous, almost hopeful. “EHI! Buonasera a te mia bellissima futura Luna. Congratulazioni per il tuo matrimonio, piccolo adorabile.” He replied enthusiastically with a proper greeting as he used my appropriate title, while congratulating me on the wedding and adding his little endearing statement on my lovely beauty. His eyes glittered beneath that dark molten gaze, as if he was excited to hear what I was going to say next.

I laugh lightly as his expressive response. “Mi lusinghi Alpha Vincent. Spero solo che il mio italiano non sia motive di imbarazzo per te o per House VaLore.” I express how flattered I am, and hope that my Italian is not an embarrassment to them or to House VaLore.

Vincent lets a roaring laugh imbued with his raspy tone. “No, no, Octavia. Your Italian is straordinariamente Perfetto.” He wipes a tear slowly leaking from his left eye, calming his laughter.

“You are most impressive indeed.” Antonio smiled with more teeth than necessary.

“There is hope yet.” Dominic mumbled to himself, but loud enough for us to hear. My eyes meet his and I sense that he is unable to keep the smirk off his face.

I responded to him without thinking. “Ad maiora semper.” I well wish him towards greater things in Italian. Because I know he will become something amazing and great, beyond what anyone in this room can imagine.

He smiles mischievously. “Carpe Diem, Ophelia.” He keeps his hazel eyes trained on my face but I can’t help but feel his gaze running up and down my entire body.

Just then, Liam removes his arm from mine and snakes it around my waist, overprotective and possessive.