Ophelia The Omega

CH. 6

Ophelia

I recall Scarlett escorting me back to the west wing to get some rest. The events of the day were so exhausting that I had no time to ponder my current existence in my past life. I lay my head on the soft pillow and sleep swallows me whole, without warning i am tossed into my torrent of lost memories.

It is dark and damp, as most of my childhood was. My eyes go down to the small figure in my arms, as small as me. His face is gaunt, speckled with bruises and dirt. I imagine to be fairing the same. It’s cold. I can feel his tiny frame shivering all over and into my chest. Causing his short black hair to quiver against his forehead. I shift, moving to cross my legs, pulling him into my lap so what little heat I produce can warm him. I lift my arms and wrap them around his trembling frame, squeezing, praying for his trembling to stop. Resting my chin on his shoulder, mind racing on ways to keep us safe. He calms for a moment.

“It’s okay Octavius.” I whisper low, only for him to hear and swallow the lump that suddenly formed in my throat. “I won’t leave you.”

His voice is small. “B-b-but, t-that’s n-not my n-na-”

“Shhhhh.” I squeeze him tighter, cutting him off. “Listen little brother,”

He moves to look over his shoulder. “I’m only f-five m-minutes y-y-younger.” He protests.

“Still younger.” I sternly whisper, hugging him closer. “You must listen to me, before they come back.”

He nods quietly, glancing around at the others huddled in the dark corners of this cemented room. No escape. Terrified, wide eyes land back on me, and I continue.

“You are Octavius Vander. I am Ophelia Vander.” He opens his mouth to protest because that is not our names. These are the names of our fallen pack members. Both twins, and similar age to us. I hold my finger to his lips for his own good. “Our father is Lucas Vander, Legion. Our mother is Olivia Vander, Omega. This is how it must be.”

His brow comes together in confusion. “Why?”

“These names will save us.” I whisper rushed, footsteps faintly echo beyond the cell door. “If you are asked, by anyone. Tell them you are Octavius and make his life your own. We need to be unknown, it’s the only way to keep you safe.” His features sober as he finally understands and confirms with a nod as I wrap my arms back around him.

“Separate the boys.” A deep male voice commands as the metal door pulls open. Assaulting us with blinding light.

Several bulky men in matching attire approach us and reach to separate my brother from me. No, my mind and body react by not releasing my hold, squeezing his torso with dear life. Vision becomes blurry as my breath struggles past the knot in my throat. His body curls into my hold, hands locking with mine as another man steps between us, prying Octavius’s fingers up.

There are grunts and sobs filtering the room all around us, as others are unwillingly pulled apart. One man wedges his thick arm between me and my brother. I choke as the warmth of his body is gone, why am I not strong enough, tears fall as I will myself to hold on. One moment my fingers are around his wrist, the next his is being dragged toward the cell doors.

“No!” he screams, “O, don't let go!” he reaches for me, the distance grows between us, breathing becomes hard between sobs as I watch my brother thrash and kick in the man’s hold. My eyes clench from the unforgiving pain in my chest, wishing for him back.

“brother!” I screamed in desperation, restraining myself from screaming his true name.

His eyes lock with mine, full of pain, terror, and sadness. His mouth parts for one last time, one last word, it is screamed with so much pain, I feel it pierce my chest and lodge itself into my heart.

"OCTAVIA!!!!"

Eyes open wide, I reach for him. But he is long gone, and I’m left staring at the familiar elegant carved ceiling of the guest room i occupy. Covered in sweat, my senses come back slowly. It was a dream, a nightmare really. The roughness of my scratchy throat soaks in my current reality, It has been five years, three months, and six days since then. How could i have forgotten my brother in all my suffering of my previous life. I am a terrible sister.

My right arm comes up, forearm resting on my head as my mind goes back to the memory made night terror. “I’ll find you.” I promise to no one with a suffering huff.

Questions of his whereabouts race through my mind. With a deep calming breath, I shove them aside. Those damn thoughts will drive me crazy if I let them, i need to prioritize my plan to include finding Octavius. I can’t afford to make any mistakes this time around. Especially not here. Not this pack house.

A little knock follows an even lighter voice as I remove my cover and sit up on the edge of my bed. “Ophelia?” the light female voice whispers. “Are you okay?”

“Come in, Lena.” I groan.

The sound of the door opening causes me to lift my head and look her way. She enters quietly and settles next to me, already dressed in her assigned slate gray Legion attire. The material contrasting against her light skin but compliments her bright blue-hazel eyes in a haunting way as she studies my features with worry. “Nightmare?”

“Yeah.” I snort and lower my head, breathing deeply as my elbows rest on my knees. So tired, exhausted really, of this place and life. Hunched over. I feel the warmth of her hand, slowly moving back and forth between my shoulder blades. A calming gesture.

“You are okay now, O.”

“I know.” I smile in response.

We stay like this for a moment, solitary comfort, before my phone lights up and blares my alarm, I need to get ready. I jump up from my spot and suddenly remember what today is. Today is the day after my mating ceremony and the day that Genevieve is planted with the seed of my mate. This course of action is necessary, as this too happened in my previous life. I was so heartbroken, and in so much pain as the bond began to severe. But, I examine my limbs before me and note that there is no pain. So maybe they did not sleep together. Apart of me wishes this to be the case, but I know that lil' miss Genevieve is very ambitious. So i sit before my vanity with a calming breath, i run a brush through my barreled locks, and they become loose, wavy curls that shape my face, preparing myself for the news i will hear in the next hour.

I set down my brush. Lena takes my brush to her waist-length chestnut hair, brushing, and taming it neatly into a perfect bun. I don’t miss the trembling in her hand, or the dots of sweat forming on her brow. She is nervous. Of course, today is another important day. I turn to my dear and only friend.

“You ready to be ranked?” I say, smoothing out the lumps on the back of her head to help form her perfect bun. Where a Legion must secure their hair into a bun during training, an omega is just required to have a clean appearance. So, I fix my hair into a standard ponytail. It is quiet. My eyes find hers, blank and distant.

“Lea?” I snap my fingers in her face.

She blinks, finally seeing me. “Oh, um.” She pulls her thin bottom lip between her teeth. “I think so.”

“Don’t think, Lena.” I encourage. “You’re going to crush the rank exam and be the best Legion Medic, this pack has ever seen.”

She smiles, wary.

From the night we met, she has always been by my side. I know that she was born and raised here, unlike me but even then, she was always alone. It was weird, I mean, she is a little awkward. Though, having no living parents ended her as the head Legion’s Adoptee. Because being born a member of the pack gave her certain privilege that defaulted respect among the other pack members. She has the acceptance I never did as an orphan. Oddly, I am okay with that. Because I value my life, even as an Omega.