Ophelia The Omega

Ch. 2 The Second Chance

OPHELIA

It’s dark, a secluded darkness that I could never get used to. Something flickers in the distant, a light. I move towards it, unable to feel my legs, but the light keeps getting closer, brighter. Then sensation begins to filter back in, starting with my head. My right temple pulses with dull pain as I’m engulfed by the bright white light.

Suddenly, I am wide awake. My heart was pounding against my chest like a scared rabbit. The sounds of clinking dishes, scurrying maids, and a bossy brunette orchestrating the whole crowd in the large familiar kitchen. My eyes instantly water as I take in the vivid memory. If this is what the afterlife holds for me, I approve.

I was never happy in my life, except when I got to spend time with Scarlet, the head maid of House VaLore. She took me under her wing and treated me as if I was her child. My vision blurs as I close the space between us, rushing to her side, wrapping my arms tightly around her sturdy frame.

“What’s this child?” Her smooth raspy voice complements the slight southern accent and dark features.

“Oh, Scar.” I squeezed even tighter. “I have missed you so much.”

“Darling, you saw me just this morning” She huffs with a chuckle.

“What?” I pulled away and tipped my chin up to meet her gaze. “You had suddenly taken ill and passed away about a year ago.”

“What’s that now?” Her brow raised.

“it’s true.”

“Silly girl,” She mutters. “must have hit your head when you fell at the altar.” Examining my head with both her hands, I flinch as she lightly grazes my right temple, still pulsing a low throbbing pain. “Now, we must let you rest. The Great Alpha is expecting our future Luna to be fit as a fiddle.”

It was my turn to raise a confused brow. “Great Alpha?. . . Liam?”

“Heavens No.” She gave me a little wink before pushing me back towards the kitchen doors that led to the main dining room. “Not yet, shug. Now smiles about, you still have a reception to sit through and will get you right as rain with some proper rest when it’s over.”

“Where are we-” I falter as the doors open and I’m presented with a haunting scene.

My eyes dart from the lilac, cream, and slate gray décor tastefully placed around the lavishly decorated dining hall. The patrons in attendance pause and the room goes still. Why would my afterlife make me re-live the reception of my mate ceremony? It’s cruel. Did I forget to atone for all my sins? Is this my punishment?

“There you are.”

I instantly froze to the familiar deep voice. No, no, no. Why is he here?

“um….” I stalled, unable to find my words. My mind is a mess.

“Are you okay O?” he says with concerned filled eyes. “You had me scared.” My brow arches, racking my brain for the reason for his concern.

Then it hits me. I remember this moment. I fainted during the Mating Ceremony before the altar after our vows and was brought to the kitchen by Scarlet for some water and ice. After I had joined the celebration again, Liam was all over me. Not letting me out of his sight, keeping me tethered to his side. Testing the limits of my submission as his newly bonded mate.

I drop my gaze from his and find that I am wearing the ivory evening gown he selected for the reception. I thought his possessiveness was due to the bond, and unconditional love for wanting to take care of his mate. But later I found that it was his way of controlling me. I didn’t realize it then. I was too caught up in puppy love. Afterall, it’s not every day an Omega is fated to an Alpha.

After a beat, I gave him a small smile. “I’m fine. Let’s get back to our guest.” I briskly walked past him, making sure not to make physical contact. Even if this is a memory, I want nothing to do with him. “Shall we?” I said over my shoulder and made my way to the grand table to take my seat.

Whatever is happening, whether it’s a subconscious death dream or the personal hell of my eternal afterlife making me repeat my misfortune. I won’t make the same mistakes I did while I was alive. I won’t give them satisfaction. My eyes scan the bustling room as the first course is served. I recall the reception menu was constructed by the current Luna and where the subtle torture really began.

Everyone’s sympathy was very convincing when I lay in the house infirmary after contracting food poisoning from one of the many dishes served this very evening. I had my suspicions, but there was always one name, I concluded. Genevieve LeBlanc.

My gaze lands on light piercing blue ones, bleached blonde hair, and too much make-up. Genevieve is a very beautiful young woman, who grew up in House VeLore and Daughter of the Great Alpha’s Beta. She was always expected to be Liam’s fated mate. After all, they are perfect for each other.

Both beautiful blondes with equally stunning eyes. Compared to me, whose raven hair and blue-gray hazel eyes are the complete opposite. Their 16th birthday came and went without the anticipated spark of matehood, although they were always good friends, as her older brother is Liam’s Beta. Well, soon to be Beta as the current situation stands. I observe the LeBlanc household and find that Gavin, Genevieve’s brother, is not present. Same as before.

“Are you not hungry dear?” Liam leaned over from his seat, brow scrunched together in concern.

“I’m.” Think of something quick. “I am a bit nauseous.” If I can get away with faking a slight concussion maybe he will allow me to leave a bit early.

“Is your head still hurting?” piercing blue eyes move to my right temple.

“It’s manageable but, I don’t want to be sick all over the hard work your mother put into the beautiful table décor.” I whispered low with a weak smile.

“ Let’s have Scarlett bring you something you can stomach for now.” He brings his hand up to motion for a maid.

“ You are too kind,” I gave him another weak smile, forcing myself to place a hand over his. The familiar bond sensation crawls over my skin but does not reach my chest, nor has the mental effect as I remember.

“You are my mate, and now my wife.” He sighs with the contact of our skin. “Nothing is too kind, if I can only give you everything the world can offer to see you happy, I will.”

I blinked with surprise. He had never said those words before. Caught off guard, I just smiled and nodded.

The servant is by our side, and he turns his attention to the small female. “Have Scarlett prepare a suitable meal for my bride, something to ease her stomach and a fresh cup of brewed ginger ale.”

She nods and hurries off to the kitchen. From the corner of my eye, I followed Genevie’s bright blue eyes growing wide as they followed the small girl through the large serving doors. She hails over her personal staff, a tall lanky male with shoulder-length hair secured with a dark red ribbon. One matching the LeBlanc’s house colors and sigil. He straightens after his orders and glances in my direction. I raise a brow in challenge, I know what you’re up to. Little puppet. I see his adams apple move slowly, swallowing hard, afraid to move under my gaze.

I turned to face Liam, I needed to bring his attention to House LeBlanc’s suspicious activity. “It’s so nice for lady LeBlanc to offer her manservant to service the reception,” He stops his movements and lifts his gaze across the hall to Genevieve. “Especially since kitchen services is a maid level task, it’s nice to see they have no trouble humbling themselves or their servents to service their future Alpha.”

“Indeed. . .” Liam mutters curiously, eyes still locked on the LeBlanc table.

The manservant has not moved, and this irritates Genevieve. She turns to him and repeats her order more sternly. He apologizes and hurries after the maid. Liam does not lift his gaze from the serving doors until the manservant reappears, nothing in hand but closely followed by the maid. The maid's eyes nervously darted to the LeBlanc table where the manservant stations himself as she brought the newly prepared plate to our table.

As she sets the plate in front of me, I pick up my spoon. Just before I can smell the aroma of the soup, Liam pulls the plate from me and sets it in front of him. A small gasp escapes the maid as she hurries to his side.

“Sir, that is m-meant for the lady.”

“I am feeling like soup at the moment.”

“Oh, I c-can have Scarl-lett prepare a s-separate dish fo-for you sir.”

“I want this one.” He straightens and turns to the maid. She lowers her head in submission. “Have Scarlett prepare a fresh dish, ensure ONLY Scarlett touches the dish and delivers it to our table. Only Scarlett.” He is suspicious of the food, it's a good start.

The maid slowly drops her shoulders in relief. “Thank you, sir.” She sighs gratefully and quickly makes her way back to the kitchen.

Liam motioned for his personal guard to take the dish of soup. But pauses briefly before the plate is removed. Most likely making a direct link message to his guard.

I made a gesture to gaze at the soup longingly as if I wanted it. “If you were going to toss it out, you could have returned it to me.” I say with a pout.

“You have much to learn dear wife.” He gently squeezes my hand still holding the spoon.

“I look forward to learning.” I whisper in response.

As the reception proceeds, Scarlett hand delivers each of my freshly prepared meals and Liam’s hand never leaves mine. Although I don’t miss the new pair of eyes burning into me with an unpleasant glare. I find the hazel green eyes of the current Luna fixed only on me. Something isn’t right, was I wrong to assume Genevie was behind the poisoning or was this orchestrated with others.